Anyone else agree about jazz bass wiring?

[ElectraPhoenix]

So, I've been thinking about the wiring on my Jazz Bass. I don't like it. The two volume knobs and master tone? I just don't like it. So, I'm having it rewired with new pickups and such soon, my Jazz is going to become my main bass and... yeah. But, I think I'm going to have it wired like this: first pot, volume, second pot, blend between the pickups (so full to the left is just the neck, full to the right is just the bridge, middle is an equal of both, and other positions are just a blend of the two) and then the third is a master tone. What do you guys think about this wiring choice? And if it makes any difference... I'll be using a P bass pickup in the neck position because I don't like the sound of pretty much ANY jazz neck pickup I've ever tried. And then.. anyone else agree about not liking the standard jazz wiring?

 

[Thunder Pulse]

In theory the blend pot sounds great, but don't get your hopes up that you're going to end up with a bunch of different distinctive blend combinations. The members more versed in electrical aspects will hopefully chime in and explain why.

 

[line6man]

This is essentially going to turn into another of the MANY VVT vs VBT threads. Please do a search on the matter!

Both methods of wiring have their pros and cons.

 

[David1234]

I personally love the VBT setup way more than the VVT one. I always zero the volume when I put the bass down, whether gigging, recording or teaching, and it's convenient to be able to turn it back on and have the same blend setting.

The standard blend pot is clockwise for bridge pickup and anticlockwise for neck, and I'd recommend sticking to the standard.

Some of the reasons that VVT is preferred by some great players include firstly the theory that they put a little bit of a load on the pickups all the time, which is tiny but audible, and secondly because they're used to it and can get the sound they want just as quickly as I can on VBT. Still, I vote VBT.

 

[ElectraPhoenix]

one of the reasons i wanted a master volume was what you said above: i want to be able to just turn if off in band class (to prevent myself from my incessant diddling that annoys the teacher to no end) or to just be able to control the volume little bits during a show or something, like during a guitar solo or something.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Stick with whatever works for you, VVT works fine for me.

 

[colcifer]

I personally love the VBT setup way more than the VVT one. I always zero the volume when I put the bass down, whether gigging, recording or teaching, and it's convenient to be able to turn it back on and have the same blend setting.

The standard blend pot is clockwise for bridge pickup and anticlockwise for neck, and I'd recommend sticking to the standard.

Some of the reasons that VVT is preferred by some great players include firstly the theory that they put a little bit of a load on the pickups all the time, which is tiny but audible, and secondly because they're used to it and can get the sound they want just as quickly as I can on VBT. Still, I vote VBT.

Great and valid points on the pros and cons of each. I personally prefer VVT (though I have a VBT bass as well) because there are some great tones to be found rolling off the volumes various amounts but to each there own.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I thought you were going to have an innovative new wiring idea for Jazz basses in this thread.

Instead it's a VBT thread.

You want a P in the neck position...why not buy a PJ? It will also be set up VVT, but you can change that out much faster and easier.

I agree with you though - I dislike the VVT setup because it's boring and lifeless. It's 60+ year old passive electronics technology. With many active preamp options and infinite tonal variety as a result, it pains me to be so incredibly limited with just a VVT.

V/V/B/M/T + switches ftw.

 

[ElectraPhoenix]

well, you could just not have any pots in it... that's pretty revolutionary right?

 

[FunkMetalBass]

well, you could just not have any pots in it... that's pretty revolutionary right?

Only if you have electrodes that connect to your head and allow for mind-controlled tone shaping.

Otherwise, it's like a less advanced version of the Mark Hoppus sig.

 

[ElectraPhoenix]

Also, I've been having a problem with my amp... it's not loud enough... what if I installed two volume knobs for one pickup? Then would it be twice as loud?

 

[ElectraPhoenix]

and BTW... about just buying a P/J bass... well, I have an AWESOME looking J body, but like the J shape, but I also like P necks... so, go figure. So, I have a 2002 or so flame-top jazz bass in honeyburst or tobaccoburst (not sure which it is) with a '94 (or thereabouts) MIM (yeah, Made in Mexico) SQUIER P bass neck that is SWEET, feels awesome and it's got like a gloss finish but it's not sticky or anything. got a Fender 62 RI P-bass pup on order from GC (it's been on order for about 3 months) and I'll install that when I buy a PG to fit. Then I'll get it rewired w/ V/B/T, and... bam. dream bass.

 

[walterw]

The standard blend pot is clockwise for bridge pickup and anticlockwise for neck...

not that i've ever seen.

usually turning the blend pot "up" gets you the neck pickup (the fatter, bassier sound) and turning it "down" gets you the thinner, barkier bridge sound.

 

[WarriorJoe7]

what about VVBT? anyone have that?

 

[line6man]

not that i've ever seen.

usually turning the blend pot "up" gets you the neck pickup (the fatter, bassier sound) and turning it "down" gets you the thinner, barkier bridge sound.

+1

what about VVBT? anyone have that?

WHY!?
That's the most pointless setup I've ever heard of, and in the 130 or so wiring diagrams I've drawn on request here, no one has ever asked for that.

I have seen the VVT setup plus an additional master volume though.

 

[PaulMacCnj]

I say go for the VBT. I changed my Spector bass from VV to VB and I like it much better because the volume can be turned down without messing with the blend. Plus, during a song it's easier to change the blend setting since there's only one control to change.

 

[jimiwhite]

Lets take this a step "somewhere" !! On the new Tony Franklin Sig P, he opted for a three way switch ala Strat.

Position one, bridge pup, position two, bridge and neck pup, position three neck pup. One master volume and one tone.

The Roscoe Beck had a similar setup, but included a resistor on the neck pup so when inserted in the circuit, it slightly diminished the output on one of the pups. I forgot which one.

Jimi

 

[IPA]

I don't like blend knob. I might be alone here but I like the 2 volumes.

 

[line6man]

Lets take this a step "somewhere" !! On the new Tony Franklin Sig P, he opted for a three way switch ala Strat.

Position one, bridge pup, position two, bridge and neck pup, position three neck pup. One master volume and one tone.

The Roscoe Beck had a similar setup, but included a resistor on the neck pup so when inserted in the circuit, it slightly diminished the output on one of the pups. I forgot which one.

Jimi

Yeah, the master volume, tone, 3 way switch is another option.
It really isn't all that common, because apparently most players like blending their pickups in various proportions rather than all or nothing.

I have my Jazz setup for VVT, plus a 3 way Tele style pickup selector switch.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Lets take this a step "somewhere" !! On the new Tony Franklin Sig P, he opted for a three way switch ala Strat.

Position one, bridge pup, position two, bridge and neck pup, position three neck pup. One master volume and one tone.

The Roscoe Beck had a similar setup, but included a resistor on the neck pup so when inserted in the circuit, it slightly diminished the output on one of the pups. I forgot which one.

Jimi

I'm a massive fan of the 5-way switch that EB use on the dual humbucker stingrays