Kramer DMZ6000 wiring diagram with DiMarzio preamp

[Whale]

I might be one of the few still playing an old aluminum Kramer DMZ bass. Even so, from time to time I see people asking for wiring diagrams. As a way to give back just a little for all that I've been given through this site I drew up a schematic for a DMZ6000 with a DiMarzio preamp.

 

[abyssinianloop]

Thank you, Whale! I've had my eye on these basses for a while, but just found and bought one in great condition that includes the preamp. I don't see too many images of these basses online that have all four switches, let alone the wiring diagram. This is great!

 

[line6man]

The diagram is functional but not ideal.

Your active/passive switch leaves the preamp input connected to the circuit when you are in passive mode. This causes an unnecessary impedance drop that darkens the tone in passive mode. Active/passive switching is typically done with a DPDT switch, to avoid this.

As for the controls, there are several ways of wiring Les Paul style schemes, and each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, depending on the player. The scheme you have chosen is rather uncommon, however, as you have independent volumes and non-independent tones. If you are going to wire the volume pots that way, why not put the tone controls before the volumes, so that they can work independently when the volumes are rolled back? Or, if you don't mind tone control interaction because you mainly use the pickups seperately, why not wire the volume pots the other way around, for a better taper?

 

[line6man]

On second read, apparently this is stock wiring for a particular bass. Either way, it's not ideal, and can be improved upon for better functionality.

 

[Thomas Cordery]

Line6man, the switch in question is "preamp on /off", not active / passive. Note that the output still comes from that potted preamp. With the switch off, the bass will have no output.

On my DMZ6000 this functionality is handled by pulling the cord out which breaks the battery connection to the electronics. That, however, also seems to be a feature of Whale's bass. The switch just seems to give an option to turn off the electronics with the bass still plugged in. I'm not sure whether Whale's bass predates mine or is a later version, so was that an added feature or something that they decided was irrelevant?

I agree that if that switch had the dual function of changing the audio circuit to passive, it would be extra useful. Looking at the wiring diagram again, yes that would be an easy mod by fitting a dpdt switch. A plus is that an identical looking switch would be easy to source, unlike the pickup selector which has an unusual handle.

On my DMZ 6000 I'd have to drill a new hole to add the switch. Also I'll have to look again, but my recollection is that the tone controls, which are baxandall - type treble boost / cut, make use of the preamp (probably some op-amp), so by switching to passive mode I'd lose that functionality. Which admittedly would be lots better than having a non-functioning bass if the battery died mid-set!

 

[relltones]

I might be one of the few still playing an old aluminum Kramer DMZ bass. Even so, from time to time I see people asking for wiring diagrams. As a way to give back just a little for all that I've been given through this site I drew up a schematic for a DMZ6000 with a DiMarzio preamp.

I bought a 1982 DMZ 6000 FRETLESS. I LOVE the Fretless. BUT, the preamp is makes scratchy noises and so I am looking to fix it or replace the preamp. I spent weeks spraying the special electronic cleaning spray into the pots and switches. That didn't do anything. So, I am may have to go to the next level....Thanks for the wiring diagram!!!!! That makes it clear and confirms what I thought was the wiring.

 

[Whale]

My initial post may be seven years old, but I am happy that it helped.

Beautiful basses, btw, Relltones.