DiMarzio Area J set: What do I need for wiring?

[philthygeezer]

I bought the pickups but have no idea how to wire it as a traditional Jazz bass with Vol-Vol-Tone-Jack. The image on the pickup site seems to suggest 500K volume, 250K tone and a 0.033 capacitor. There are no PDFs that I can find on the site for a simple VVTI setup.

Do two pickups mean two 0.033 caps?

What does it mean to wire it in series or parallel?

 

[Snaxster]

I bought the pickups but have no idea how to wire it as a traditional Jazz bass with Vol-Vol-Tone-Jack. The image on the pickup site seems to suggest 500K volume, 250K tone and a 0.033 capacitor. There are no PDFs that I can find on the site for a simple VVTI setup.

Do two pickups mean two 0.033 caps?

What does it mean to wire it in series or parallel?

View attachment 3681940

Hello. DiMarzio's website changed a lot since I browsed it last. But I just found the diagram you quoted there, at the Area J product page.

Use only one tone cap. Think in terms of only replacing your existing pickups, not anything else (unless you have a particular reason to do so).

Find attached here a PDF of the wiring instructions I have in my Area J notes. It does not have a diagram for simple V-V-T, but the textual instructions are clear. See the three sections, "REMOVING THE ORIGINAL PICKUP", "INSTALLING THE NEW PICKUPS" and "WIRING THE PICKUPS". I think that's all you will need.

Please let us know how that works for you.

 

[Slater]

Here’s a good standard Jazz Bass diagram:

Note: The wire colors for Dimarzio will be different…Red=Hot, Green=Ground, Black and White soldered together. Tone cap value = user’s preference.

JazzBass_Standard.pdf

 

[Slater]

Do two pickups mean two 0.033 caps?

No, just one cap for the tone pot.

 

[philthygeezer]

Thanks! What happens if I use a 0.047 tone cap instead of the 0.033 in the picture?

 

[Turnaround]

If you use a .047 tone cap rather than .033 more treble frequencies will be rolled off when you turn the tone knob back. Other than that there will be no difference.

 

[philthygeezer]

Ok thanks very much all. I've ordered a 0.047 Sprague Orange Drop.

I don't mind if it can get a little bit dubbier than the recommended 0.033 if it's the same with it rolled off.

Final config:
500k vol
500k vol
250k tone + 0.047 cap

Would a 0.001 cap on each 500k be warranted? I heard it prevents the treble from being lost. Does that lead to a scooped kind of sound where mids get tuned out as it's rolled on, but treble is kept?

 

[ChrisBowsman]

Treble bleeds (adding the caps to the pot like you described) are hit or miss for me. Hated them on my Strats, love them on my PRS.

 

[drchef]

Hi, does the control plate come already assembled with the pots? I have a smaller control plate which wouldn't match with the standard one, so I would like to use my current plate, is it possible?

 

[Slater]

Hi, does the control plate come already assembled with the pots?

Only if you purchase a prewired assembly that includes the control plate.

There are many sources to purchase individual pots that can be mounted on your control plate.