Building a Precision Ray! Help

[carlos840]

Hi all,
for the past few weeks i have been wanting to build a part bass, my idea is to have the 2 pickups i need most and the two wounds that are most needed for me in a single bass!
I want to have a P Pickup wired passively with just a volume and tone and a MM pickup using the standart 2 band EQ...
Has anyone ever done that and was it successful?
Why do you never see that in basses, see a few J+MM but never a P+MM?
Would it be possible to wire one pickup with only a passive tone and one active, no switch pickup selector, just role down the volume of the one not needed...

Thank you

 

[ausf]

I don't have an answer, but I'm watching with interest.

I myself have a P that I love, but would like to get near a MM tone too sometimes. I was going to drop in quarter pounders this weekend to see if I get in the ballpark. I figure at $60 without routing, it's a good start.

 

[marco1977]

http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/

Try the california series, P/MM. I've heard a lot of good thinghs about these...

Good luck with your project!

 

[Ezbass]

http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/

Try the california series, P/MM. I've heard a lot of good thinghs about these...

Good luck with your project!

I've played one of these and the tone is awesome with some really good blending (not the usual all or nothing where a 3 way selector would do the same job). Those Delano p/ups are brilliant.

 

[GeneralElectric]

Problem is with a P/MM set up is that to have both pickups in their respective sweet spots, they'd be extremely close together.

I could see why you'd want that wiring set up but, honestly, its a lot easier just to have 2 different basses.

 

[register2]

Isn't the Fender American Deluxe Precision bass sort of along those lines? I realize the humbucker won't sound like a Stingray, but it's a similar idea.

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(Though that Sandberg seems closer to what you were describing)

 

[David Jayne]

You'll need a switch. But it could be part of the passive P volume or tone pot. You can get pots containing a switch that 'snap' off at the end of rotation.

 

[ausf]

Seymour Duncan offers the complete wiring harness, including EQ, knobs, jack, etc with the pickup for around $180. It's got me thinking...

 

[SwamiRob]

Problem is with a P/MM set up is that to have both pickups in their respective sweet spots, they'd be extremely close together.

I could see why you'd want that wiring set up but, honestly, its a lot easier just to have 2 different basses.

I don't think it's about the versatility in 1 bass, it's more about having the 2 tones goin on at the same time. Fat Mike from NOFX has a P/MM setup on one of his P basses and it doesn't look too uncomfortable. I think he runs his MM passive by the look of his controls though. Can't find any good photos but you can just about make the pickups out here:

 

[Sufenta]

http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/

Try the california series, P/MM. I've heard a lot of good thinghs about these...

Good luck with your project!

Nothing like a good cup of GAS to start your day.

 

[dean owens]

http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/

Try the california series, P/MM. I've heard a lot of good thinghs about these...

Good luck with your project!

those are some nice looking basses. very rarely do i think... "i want that" but that's what i thought looking at those. one more to add to the list of things i'll never own.

 

[Baird6869]

Are you sayiing thet the MM PU will be passive as well or active? Passive, ok. Active MM and passive P? Not ok. The difference in volume will be an issue for most.

 

[sears]

Are you sayiing thet the MM PU will be passive as well or active? Passive, ok. Active MM and passive P? Not ok. The difference in volume will be an issue for most.

My Stingray is the same volume as my P. I have pre and master volume set the same way for both. Maybe I'm lucky but it's possible.

 

[Ezbass]

My Stingray is the same volume as my P. I have pre and master volume set the same way for both. Maybe I'm lucky but it's possible.

I've also found that 'Rays are not that much more powerful (if at all) than passive humbucking p/u equipped basses. My SUB, RBIV (in series) and P bass are all about the same output.

 

[mikezimmerman]

Matt Pulcinella has done several P/MM basses: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Mike

 

[SwamiRob]

Wow, that guy likes his MM+neck pickup setups, is it just me or do they seem to be getting more popular?

I've also found that 'Rays are not that much more powerful (if at all) than passive humbucking p/u equipped basses. My SUB, RBIV (in series) and P bass are all about the same output.

Yeah I know someone with a stingray and he gets very little out of it even with his EQ maxed out, nothing battery related either, he plays pretty close to the bridge with a pick but even when I've played it it's still pretty quiet considering everythings on full. Is there a level control on the preamp board that might need turning up or something?

 

[Johnny Alien]

This is what I thought of upon seeing this title.

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[carlos840]

mmmmm, not really sure what you mean by that!
And yes, i meant P in passive and MM in active but i dont want to use both together, just be able to switch from one to the other!

 

[Johnny Alien]

That is a photo of a Precision bass with a Music Man Neck.

 

[carlos840]

true! Sorry im a bit slow and full of guinness!