How do I add a master volume to this circuit?

[mk2mark]

Here's the wiring diagram, with the pickups in my bass (passive SD soapbars) https://docs.google.com/viewerng/vi...can.com/images/wiring-diagrams/2pSB_2V_1T.pdf

Adding a master volume seems to kill a lot of top end. I’m assuming it’s from stacking loads - each volume pot plus the master all loading the pickups.

Swapped 250k → 500k, helped some, but still much darker than wiring pickups straight to the jack (which is the tone I want).

Tried a blend pot but couldn’t get the pickup balance right.

How can I keep separate pickup volumes + master volume but get much closer to the direct-to-jack brightness? Thanks!

 

[Jerry Catanescu]

You're not going to like this, but it sounds like you need active electronics.

 

[tubedude]

Or an RC compensation network for each pot.

 

[kyral210]

You can try 1 Meg volume pots, that will help. Alternatively, no load pots where the volume pot is disconnected at 10, pretty much making it like you’re wired direct to the bridge. Either that or active electronics. I would go for no load 500k pots and then make peace with life.

Also remember, a lot of frequencies you’re preserving through this method will class with the guitar. An engineer may cut them at the desk anyway, so don’t worry too much about it unless you’re doing Jaco style lead bass.

 

[mk2mark]

Alright, thanks a lot guys!

 

[Jerry Catanescu]

Alternatively, no load pots where the volume pot is disconnected at 10, pretty much making it like you’re wired direct to the bridge.

No load pots only work for tone.