J-Bass Pup Wiring: Split Coil x 2?

[Number179]

I have a pair of Dimarzio Model J pickups on their way to me to play with and I have at least 1 question about how I'd like to wire them up. First, I'm planning on following the Dimarzio recommended pot values (500k vol, 500k vol, 250k tone), just because they say so. These are 4 conductor (each pickup), side by side split coils - which I think answers my question as I type this...

I definitely want to wire a switch for the option to run both pickups in series or parallel; but I was thinking I'd also like to run the individual pickups in series or parallel.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe wiring both pickups for series / parallel will be no problem, just normal ser/par wiring.

The question is about the individual split coil pickups. Since they are side by side coils (1 coil E+A string, 1 coil D+G string), I can't really run them as series / parallel because the pole pieces only "pickup" the strings they are over. For example the A-string pole piece signal won't react any different whether the D-string pole piece is series or parallel since the signal will not be combined (to a degree of noticing) with the D-string signal.

DM specs easy access.

Do I have this right? TIA

 

[Malak the Mad]

I like the idea. If it's viable, it could open up a number of tonal possibilities. And while I am far from being an expert on wiring anything, the simplest way I can think of to achieve it would be a push-pull pot for each pickup (individual pup series/parallel), a mini-toggle switch off to the side of the control plate (series/parallel for the entire pickup system) and a standard tone pot at the end.

To the experts reading this, is this a viable solution? Too complex? Not complex enough? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[ctmullins]

I have a pair of Dimarzio Model J pickups on their way to me to play with and I have at least 1 question about how I'd like to wire them up. First, I'm planning on following the Dimarzio recommended pot values (500k vol, 500k vol, 250k tone), just because they say so. These are 4 conductor (each pickup), side by side split coils - which I think answers my question as I type this...

I definitely want to wire a switch for the option to run both pickups in series or parallel; but I was thinking I'd also like to run the individual pickups in series or parallel.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe wiring both pickups for series / parallel will be no problem, just normal ser/par wiring.

The question is about the individual split coil pickups. Since they are side by side coils (1 coil E+A string, 1 coil D+G string), I can't really run them as series / parallel because the pole pieces only "pickup" the strings they are over. For example the A-string pole piece signal won't react any different whether the D-string pole piece is series or parallel since the signal will not be combined (to a degree of noticing) with the D-string signal.

DM specs easy access.

Do I have this right? TIA

I get what you’re saying about each string only being sensed by one coil.

But the resistance and inductance of the entire pickup will both change a lot, which changes the tonal response. This is the same conversation as wiring a Tetris-P pickup in series versus parallel. Series will be louder and more concentrated in the midrange. Parallel will be less output but a more even and “open”-sounding tone.

 

[Number179]

I get what you’re saying about each string only being sensed by one coil.

But the resistance and inductance of the entire pickup will both change a lot, which changes the tonal response. This is the same conversation as wiring a Tetris-P pickup in series versus parallel. Series will be louder and more concentrated in the midrange. Parallel will be less output but a more even and “open”-sounding tone.

Cool. Yea I was trying to wrap my head around it using a tetris P pickup as the example.

Understood about the resistance/inductance.

So in theory, I could wire each J pickup to a series/parallel switch; then also each J pickup together with a series/parallel switch; resulting in a bunch of options:

Bridge pickup only - series or parallel
Neck pickup only - series or parallel
Both pickups on, each individually switched to series or parallel, then the sum of their output switched to series or parallel...

 

[ctmullins]

Cool. Yea I was trying to wrap my head around it using a tetris P pickup as the example.

Understood about the resistance/inductance.

So in theory, I could wire each J pickup to a series/parallel switch; then also each J pickup together with a series/parallel switch; resulting in a bunch of options:

Bridge pickup only - series or parallel
Neck pickup only - series or parallel
Both pickups on, each individually switched to series or parallel, then the sum of their output switched to series or parallel...

Indeed. It sounds like a lot of work. But it sounds like an interesting experiment!

 

[Number179]

Indeed. It sounds like a lot of work. But it sounds like an interesting experiment!

Thanks, mate! Hopefully I get it right. Probly be done in a couple weeks or so.

 

[iiipopes]

You can run these pickups on a push-pull as series/parallel because both coils are in the circuit either way. Look at the installation instructions when you get the pickups, or go here:
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