Modding my J bass

[Ed Schaefer]

Hey TBers,
I have a J bass that I'm looking to mod the electronics on. It's all stock right now (neck volume, bridge volume, master tone.) I don't ever mess with my controls because it's a pain and I don't ever mix volumes or change the tone setting. I would like to super-simplify it to make it more useful for me. Here's what I want to do:
1) three way switch (neck, neck+bridge parallel, bridge)
2) master volume

Does anyone have a schematic for this or could anyone help me out with one?
Thanks!

 

[ex-tension]

The forum has it, just search for it.
Help with rotary wiring diagram | TalkBass.com
ROTARY pickup select switch | TalkBass.com
Rotary switch for you series/parallel guys!! | TalkBass.com

 

[iiipopes]

It is simpler than that. It's the same as an old Fender DuoSonic wiring diagram, attached. You can decide if you want the switch to be between the master volume and the tone knob, or have the switch in front, then the master volume then the tone. Additionally, here is a picture of a small selector switch that may fit, if it is not too deep, in the space of the pot you are removing.

 

[LoveThatBass]

In the drawing above, all looks cool except the tone pot. The way it is drawn is showing the one end of the pot is hooked to the pickups via a switch and the volume pot (no problem here) but the cap is on the other end of the pot and the wiper doing nothing. Either hook the cap to the wiper on one end and ground on the other or connect the wiper to the top terminal as some do.

 

[Ed Schaefer]

I would really love to not have a tone pot at all, honestly. I don't ever mess with the tone on my bass. If I leave that off, what would be the effect of the sound on my bass? Would it change it significantly, or would it be relatively the same? I'm kind of an electronics noob, so any info will be a huge help. Thanks!

 

[iiipopes]

In the drawing above, all looks cool except the tone pot. The way it is drawn is showing the one end of the pot is hooked to the pickups via a switch and the volume pot (no problem here) but the cap is on the other end of the pot and the wiper doing nothing. Either hook the cap to the wiper on one end and ground on the other or connect the wiper to the top terminal as some do.

That is the old way of drawing the tone cap with one end connected to the wiper terminal and the other end grounded to the pot casing. The grounds otherwise are not drawn, because DuoSonics had either a self-grounding anodized solid aluminum pickguard, or a metal backed plastic pickguard. Notice on the far left how the grounds on the selector switch are grounded to the plate. For the OP's application, just run the grounds as is common with standard J-bass wiring. The whole point of the diagram is to get what the OP wants: selector switch, master volume, master tone.

 

[bigtone23]

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[Real Soon]

Funny, I'm planning to do some mods on my jazz(-style) too. Bit of a thread jack, sorry in advance!

I have a Washburn T24, less than a year old. I like the sound, but wish I had a bit of a different config (and can't help but think that switching pickups out will benefit my tone). Currently it's got two volumes, and not one but two tone pots. I REALLY don't need two tone pots...though I do like the blend option for volume.

In addition, I've been impressed by some audio demos of the sound gotten from series wiring.

So I'm thinking I'll wire both pickups' tone to one pot, and replace the other with a toggle for parallel/series switching.

And I believe the DiMarzio UltraJazz bridge-length pickup is close enough in size that I can install a pair of those with minimal hassle (just filling & drilling). Or Model J's if I decide to go darker & growlier. Haven't decided just yet. But I'm limited in options as the Washburn J pickup routs are longer, and the screw mount positions differently spaced, than standard J ones.

Another choice I'm considering is going from standard pair of volume knobs to a single blend knob...but then I'll have to do another mod to take up the open space....