Can this be done?

[Rip Topaz]

I'm trying to decide on a wiring scheme for my new J clone, and there's nothing really wrong with the original wiring, other than the cheap mini pots that go in almost all overseas made basses.

I'm wondering what different things I can do with the tone control to give it a little something more.

Is there a way that I can wire in a switch, after the tone control, that I could add a second tone cap to in order to drop even more treble (or accentuate the mids more, maybe)?

Like, the normal tone control would work as intended, but when I flip the switch it will add something "more" to the process?

And what advise can you offer? Is it worth it? I've done some research on the TBX control but I'm not sure if that's what I'm after.

Also, if I were to wire the switch after the neck pickup, would I be able to drop the treble frequencies without effecting the bridge pickup's tone? Like maybe add a 1meg tone cap to the neck pickup for all low end, while still giving me the treble bite of the bridge pickup.

I'm still very much in the learning phase when it comes to wiring, but I'm pretty good with a soldering iron and I can follow a diagram.

Any education you guys can provide is much appreciated.

I'm really digging this new bass (an SX Jazz, yeah I know, but I actually got a really good one), just wondering if I can expand its range a bit. I'm not interested in series/parallel, because it doesn't really accomplish what I'm after. I've got P basses for that tone.

And I'd prefer to avoid dual outputs but that's an option if all else fails. I actually wired up a box yesterday that allows me to combine (or split) my signal after it leaves the bass. Kinda like a "Y" connector but in a pedal enclosure.

The pickups are great sounding so I doubt I'll replace them. I mean, for a $150 dollar bass, this thing sounds better than my MIM P (keeping in mind the completely different pickups and wiring).

What say you, TB experts?

 

[ofajen]

Here's what I did with my Ursa 1:

If P, then Q!

You could adapt this to the Ursa 2 as well.

Otto

 

[line6man]

It sounds like you just want a varitone.

 

[line6man]

Also, if I were to wire the switch after the neck pickup, would I be able to drop the treble frequencies without effecting the bridge pickup's tone?

Tone controls operate parallel to the signal path, so there is no distinction between neck and bridge pickup signals. If you want isolation, then your options are either active buffering, or adding resistors in series with the pickups. If you use resistors, however, there will be a noticeable loss of output.

 

[Rip Topaz]

It sounds like you just want a varitone.

Considering that as an option as well. Worthwhile on a jazz?

 

[Rip Topaz]

Here's what I did with my Ursa 1:

If P, then Q!

You could adapt this to the Ursa 2 as well.

Otto

So you have a tone and a variable midrange on a concentric pot? Hmmm.. I'm kinda liking this idea.

I've also considered wiring it as a stacked knob like the 62 era but I've read that there isn't much to gain from the mod.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

tone styler?
Invalid Link Removed

 

[sikamikanico]

Not sure how this works on a jazz, but I do like how different caps sound on a P... I thought I'd go with a higher value (compared to 47 nF), like 68 or 100 nF, but I'm actually preferring the lower values around 22 and 33 nf. Lower than that, it starts getting honky.... But then it gets interesting again around 2200-1000 pF, kind of a grindy tone.

I'd say try a few caps, and pick what you like. Varitone or Tonestyler is an option too, but you might only find a few settings useful, and you lose finer control if you replace the tone pot (if that's something you normally use).

This video provides a good orientation, but of course it all depends also on the pickup you use...