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P J J Wiring Guidance

Trus3683

Trus3683

Feb 14, 2013
117
77
California, USA
#1
Hello!

I am attempting to wire a bass with an EMG active PJJ configuration, on/on DPDT switch for the P pickup and on/on/on DPDT switch for the 2 J pickups, top, both, bridge (Warwick slant). Master volume, 18 volts, 3 band preamp. Not sure if I want to wire an EMG BQS (need to buy) or a Warwick 2-band MEC preamp (which I have on hand pulled from another bass).

I'm trying to find the right way to wire all this, and this is what I have so far. Not sure if it is even close to correct. Any guidance appreciated.

Thank you!

upload_2022-5-15_15-40-36.png
 
#3
Trus3683 said:
Hello!

I am attempting to wire a bass with an EMG active PJJ configuration, on/on DPDT switch for the P pickup and on/on/on DPDT switch for the 2 J pickups, top, both, bridge (Warwick slant). Master volume, 18 volts, 3 band preamp. Not sure if I want to wire an EMG BQS (need to buy) or a Warwick 2-band MEC preamp (which I have on hand pulled from another bass).

I'm trying to find the right way to wire all this, and this is what I have so far. Not sure if it is even close to correct. Any guidance appreciated.

Thank you!

View attachment 4691852
Click to expand...
What are you trying to accomplish with the P switch?
 
#5
Trus3683 said:
Just trying to make it a two-way on / off switch to activate and deactivate the pickup independently from the other two.
Click to expand...
In that case you can remove the wire going from the P switch to the output jack, as it doesn’t serve any clear purpose. You could also just use 2 3-way switches, one that selects P-soloed/both P+J(s)/J(s)-soloed. As you currently have it wired the J(s) are always on. The J switch looks correct based on your description. As far as wiring in the preamp, you can place the volume control either before or after the pre-amp with active pickups and it won’t make much difference either way (after the preamp may have a lower noise floor though).
 
#6
sunbeast said:
In that case you can remove the wire going from the P switch to the output jack, as it doesn’t serve any clear purpose. You could also just use 2 3-way switches, one that selects P-soloed/both P+J(s)/J(s)-soloed. As you currently have it wired the J(s) are always on. The J switch looks correct based on your description. As far as wiring in the preamp, you can place the volume control either before or after the pre-amp with active pickups and it won’t make much difference either way (after the preamp may have a lower noise floor though).
Click to expand...
You're right about not being able to turn off the Jazz pickups.. what would I need to change to add a third switch to control those being on or off together?

Would I be placing a 2 way switch before or after the 3 way toggle?
 
#7
Trus3683 said:
You're right about not being able to turn off the Jazz pickups.. what would I need to change to add a third switch to control those being on or off together?

Would I be placing a 2 way switch before or after the 3 way toggle?
Click to expand...
You don’t need a 3rd switch- just replace that P switch with a 3-way switch essentially wired like your J switch, with the output of the J switch on one side, the input of the P pickup on the other side, and the output to the volume (or preamp) in the middle. Then you will have solo J pickup(s) on one switch position, P + J pickup(s) in the middle position, and solo P pickup on the other outside position
 
#8
sunbeast said:
You don’t need a 3rd switch- just replace that P switch with a 3-way switch essentially wired like your J switch, with the output of the J switch on one side, the input of the P pickup on the other side, and the output to the volume (or preamp) in the middle. Then you will have solo J pickup(s) on one switch position, P + J pickup(s) in the middle position, and solo P pickup on the other outside position
Click to expand...
Here's revision one... Would this work?

Thank you!

upload_2022-5-19_16-22-31.png
 
#10
Way to go @sunbeast ! I was thinking along those same lines, but didn’t have time to type it all out before you got there first. :thumbsup:
 
#12
Trus3683 said:
Awesome!
Now, last one.. Trying to understand how to connect the preamp before the volume. I've mapped out the MEC preamp that I have on hand. From my understanding, the grey wire is the preamp in, white wire is preamp out, black wire is ground, purple is battery negative.

Again, thank you!

View attachment 4695639
Click to expand...
That does look right to me, based on a quick look I had at a Warwick wiring diagram. If the volume doesn't work as expected then you can try moving it before the preamp (but it should be fine after)
 
#13
sunbeast said:
That does look right to me, based on a quick look I had at a Warwick wiring diagram. If the volume doesn't work as expected then you can try moving it before the preamp (but it should be fine after)
Click to expand...
Great! I'll be wiring this up in a few weeks once I have the rest of the parts in.. I'll update.
Hoping that these diagrams can be useful to others trying to do similar projects (I saw a few on here!).
ctmullins said:
Way to go @sunbeast ! I was thinking along those same lines, but didn’t have time to type it all out before you got there first. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I appreciate everyone's help here. I have a general idea what I'm doing, but never really practiced it.
 

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