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Bartolini TCT + MCT-3MC wiring (active/passive, blend, highs, lows)

Rafnsvartr

Rafnsvartr

Dec 30, 2021
59
71
Berlin
#1
Hey folks,
I'm kinda at my wit's end here and hoping someone can point me in the right direction.


I've got an Atelier Z M245 that I'm trying to load with a Bartolini TCT preamp and an MCT-3MC mid module. My goal setup is:
  • Volume (push/pull for active/passive)
  • Blend (center should give both pickups at 100%, not 50%)
  • Highs
  • Lows

That's 4 knobs total. For the mids, I want to hardwire the module to 250hz inside the cavity (no DPDT switch for now, just fixed there). I picked the 3MC so I could add a switch in the future, but for now it just needs to sit at 250hz forever.
As you know TCT only has mid trim pot that people hide inside the cavity. I want the same, but I just added 3MC so it works both directions (cut and boost)

Here's the problem: I handed all the parts (preamp, mid module, pots) to a local guitar builder here in Berlin… and got the bass back with everything desoldered. He couldn't figure out how to hook it up. I've been staring at the Bartolini wiring diagrams online for days, tried a few different things, and I just can't get it wired up right — something's always off.

So… does anyone have a diagram (or could sketch one) for exactly this configuration on an M245? Or at least tell me what wires need to go where?


Any help would be seriously appreciated — I just wanna get this thing up and running.


Thanks in advance!
 
#2
a guitar builder and an electronics tech might be two different people. two notes on the setup:

1. active/passive switch means, you need a volume before the pre, a 250/500k one
2. for a blend to give 100% in center, it needs to be mn. Bartolini sells an a/c one that won't work for this

not sure, if you'll find a ready diagram for this case, but the one from the manual is pretty close except of those two moments. if you want -- you can draw a diagram and ask us to proof-read it. if you're not confident with it -- find a real tech for this task.
 
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#3
Aloe said:
a guitar builder and an electronics tech might be two different people. two notes on the setup:

1. active/passive switch means, you need a volume before the pre, a 250/500k one
2. for a blend to give 100% in center, it needs to be mn. Bartolini sells an a/c one that won't work for this

not sure, if you'll find a ready diagram for this case, but the one from the manual is pretty close except of those two moments. if you want -- you can draw a diagram and ask us to proof-read it. if you're not confident with it -- find a real tech for this task.
Click to expand...

For the volume I have A500k.
I will try to draw a diagram and will post it today
 
#6
dreamadream99 said:
The Bartolini website is full of diagrams for multiple knob configurations.

Wiring Diagrams - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

bartolini.net bartolini.net
Click to expand...
I should mention that I saw a video just yesterday of a pedal builder/mod guy who built a TCT into a pedal and found that the Bart wiring diagrams were often backwards or wired differently in reality. He guessed that maybe they'd had a redesign somewhere down the line and didn't update the PDFs. I don't know if this led to the OP's tech throwing his hands up, but you never know.
 
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#8
Guys, thank you so much for your replies! I did indeed contact Bartolini support already and the guy was so nice and so helpful! But unfortunately after he replied, i am still clueless.
He showed me basically this picture:


IMG_0720.png

And then told me:

"Put heat shrink on the yellow and red wires coming out of the MCT-3MC hook the red and blue wires to the max lug on the pot, Set up your internal mid boost pot and boost to where you like it and there you go!! "

But I don't understand what he means.
"Put the heat shrink" in my mind can mean-
1 - Put the shrink on both SEPARATELY, means - isolate them
2 - Short them and put heat shrink over BOTH for protection

Also I still didn't get what this means:
Hook the red and blue to the max Lug on the pot - WHICH POT?


Is someone able to explain?
 
Last edited:
#11
I bought parts for a TCT install, but I left out the add-on piece. I can certainly let you know how I get on with the rest of it, and you may want to take it one step at a time; get the main preamp in and working, then start messing around with the add-on.
 
#13
I have an old Aria with Bart's and a vintage TCT. Noisy when not blended in the middle.
As I understand, there's near infinite ways to wire the TCT. While many end up giving you sound, it may not be the wiring setup you need.
Look up here on TB the thread called Tobias TCT wiring. That's a very helpful thread.
I'd recommend shielding the pickup and preamp cavities, too.
 
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#14
J

Thread 'Bartolini TCT preamp & Marcus Miller's mid cut?'

My Fender Active preamp in my Marcus Miller bass is dead. I heard that the Bartolini TCT is back, & a west coast representative told me over the phone that Miller's TCT has a mid range trim pot (to achieve "scooped") to be adjusted once & kept inside the electronics cavity. I wanted it, he refused to sell it directly to me, & told me to have my luthier call him. The luthier did, but the rep has not returned the call.

Concurrently my email inquiry was answered at 4am by an East coast rep, who told me that the existing TCT trim pot is centered at 300hz but Marcus Miller mid cut is from a...

Also an interesting read.

My other question is, are the tone pots detented?
 
#15
iplay5strings

Thread '80's Tobias TCT Wiring/Specs'

It was recommended that I post this to maybe help other people struggling to better their post-Gibson basses or repair/return to stock pre-Gibson basses.

*DISCLAIMER*
There was quite a bit of variance over the years of Tobias. Every bass was made to order and that could include certain wiring differences in the preamp. With the TCT being a tone shaping circuit and not a true EQ setup, all of the controls affect each other. That being said, different wirings will make the TCT sound/act differently. What I am pointing out here are two common discrepancies I have found btwn Bartolini's...
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#16
600 Ohms said:
J

Thread 'Bartolini TCT preamp & Marcus Miller's mid cut?'

My Fender Active preamp in my Marcus Miller bass is dead. I heard that the Bartolini TCT is back, & a west coast representative told me over the phone that Miller's TCT has a mid range trim pot (to achieve "scooped") to be adjusted once & kept inside the electronics cavity. I wanted it, he refused to sell it directly to me, & told me to have my luthier call him. The luthier did, but the rep has not returned the call.

Concurrently my email inquiry was answered at 4am by an East coast rep, who told me that the existing TCT trim pot is centered at 300hz but Marcus Miller mid cut is from a...

Also an interesting read.

My other question is, are the tone pots detented?
Click to expand...
Mine are. Bass, treble, and blent have detents.
Mid does not because it's cut only.
 
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#18
I didn't wire it. Aria did it in '93 when they custom built the bass.
My phone isn't letting me upload pics.
I'll link to a post of my wiring setup from Aria. It's a perfect tone, regardless of the hum I get in single coil mode. I have a 3-way coil tap for each pickup. Series, outer coil single, and inner coil single. Series is no hum, and no hum if opposing coils are selected in single coil.
Perhaps you need a coil tap to eliminate hum, or rewire the pickups into the preamp
 
#19
B

Post in thread 'The Legendary Bartolini TCT...'

I could use a little guidance here.

I have a '93 Aria SB 025 Custom.
Bart pickups
2 toggle switches for pickups (Single/Series/Parallel)
TCT preamp - Volume, Balance, Bass cut/boost w/detent, Treble cut/boost w/detent, and Mids.
Mids has no detent, so Im assuming its cut only.
No push-pull on any of the knobs.

When I turn all 3 EQ knobs off, theres no sound, as is usual with TCT.
I see a lot of posts on T.B. about boost-only TCTs and TCTs with cut/boost 2-band. But Ive never seen this configuration with cut/boost Bass/Treble and cut-only mids.
But Ive also not seen any other Aria...
 

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