P Bass Pickup Series vs. Parallel Comparison - with Sound and Frequency Response

[Edgar83]

Great thread, very helpful stuff here.
I've done a series/parallel mod on the P-pickup itself on two of my basses, both PJs. I also added a 47k resistor in the circuit to balance the volume between the modes. It provides a distinctly different voicing and I find it to be a very useful mod.
In my opinion, anyone who says the parallel setting sounds bad is probably not compensating for the volume difference. If I could only keep one wiring option for the P-pickup, it would definitely be parallel.

 

[Dino Boreanaz]

Great thread, very helpful stuff here.
I've done a series/parallel mod on the P-pickup itself on two of my basses, both PJs. I also added a 47k resistor in the circuit to balance the volume between the modes. It provides a distinctly different voicing and I find it to be a very useful mod.
In my opinion, anyone who says the parallel setting sounds bad is probably not compensating for the volume difference. If I could only keep one wiring option for the P-pickup, it would definitely be parallel.

Balancing the output is a great idea if you're able to switch between the two!

I totally agree that the tonal differences can only be appreciated after compensating for the level difference.

I'm quite simple-minded when it comes to gear, so I've simply swapped the wiring to parallel with no switching option and I see no reason to go back to series for my needs.

 

[pbass2]

I'm not sure if being too hot for most practical purposes is very useful as rather than opening the volume all the way and knowing FOH won't be overwhelmed you have to gaffa tape the volume knob in place after soundcheck.

There are G&L'rs here who say they run theirs wide open, but for me not only does it sound better a little lower--less wooly, more airy --it avoids any clipping of anything. I have my vol knob on my Kiloton so the little set screw points to a point of reference on the bass (corner of the pickup in this case) when at "max"(about 80%). Works fine. Have used it on plenty of sessions and always had consistent output level (very critical in that setting!).

 

[Ricky Rioli]

G&L MFD split coil pickup

I would love to hear exactly the same demo, but with a pickup that gives a less plush tone than the MFD.

 

[Dino Boreanaz]

I'd be interested in that too, if anyone is willing to give it a try.

The wiring change is very easy as long as the pickup has four wires.

In my case, I first recorded with the original wiring plugging directly into my interface, then made the wiring change, and then recorded the same performance onto a second track directly into the interface without changing the level from the previous recording. I then added the spectrum analyzer plugin to each track. This allowed me to capture the frequency response graphs for each track and also cut up and stitch together a back-and-forth comparison of the two tracks.

Hint for anyone else who may try this: if your timing is as bad as mine, play to a drum or click track ... it'll make the back-and-forth editing much easier!

 

[Edgar83]

I would love to hear exactly the same demo, but with a pickup that gives a less plush tone than the MFD.

There you go:

Post in thread 'Please advice: lowering pickup volume with resistor'

Aug 29, 2024

Well I had some free time so decided to go with it!!!




I forgot to take a picture, but instead of soldering 2 pins of the switch together for series wiring position, I inserted a mini trimmer resistor (47K). The mini switch position was the only one possible without having to remove some wood from the body. It's not as awkward as it seems!

I recorded the same bass part with only the split coil at neck in these configurations:

Split coil wired in parallel
Split coil wired in series with a 47k resistor
Split coil wired in...

• Edgar83

• 

My experience with fender Yosemite pickups found on precision performer

 

[Jack]

I would love to hear exactly the same demo, but with a pickup that gives a less plush tone than the MFD.

I have a Fender MIA with the much-maligned at the time S1 switch as default from the factory. I'll give it a go if you want.

 

[Dino Boreanaz]

I have a Fender MIA with the much-maligned at the time S1 switch as default from the factory. I'll give it a go if you want.

I'm not familiar with the S1 switch; is it a series/parallel selector? In any case, I'd love to see the comparison as well.

 

[Jack]

I'm not familiar with the S1 switch; is it a series/parallel selector? In any case, I'd love to see the comparison as well.

Yeah. The 2003-2008 American Series P and J basses (as well as several of the guitars) had series/parallel switching built in from the factory. On the p bass it's a push button on the volume knob where out is series and in is parallel. On the jazz it was the other way around. I have to say I have used it about 5 times in 22 years .

 

[bigtone23]

Yeah. The 2003-2008 American Series P and J basses (as well as several of the guitars) had series/parallel switching built in from the factory. On the p bass it's a push button on the volume knob where out is series and in is parallel. On the jazz it was the other way around. I have to say I have used it about 5 times in 22 years .

View attachment 7297038

Look out, use it 10 more times and it will break!
I'm kinda not joking. The S-1 is not very reliable. Had one that lasted 2 months, another a year. A current one has lasted a few years, but I rarely touch it.