p/j with 2 tone

[countshockula]

I did a search but can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for.
I'm building a bass with a p/j set-up, but I want to have separate tone and volume knobs for each pickup. Like a stack-knob jazz, but with separate knobs. I can't seem to find a good wiring diagram.
I know I could probably figure it out, but I'm pretty new at this, so something to refer to would be a big help. I'm using a Dimarzio p/j set of pickups.
Thanks!

 

[countshockula]

I forgot to mention that I'm not using a 3-way switch.
Just 2 volumes, 2 tones.

 

[line6man]

You know that having two tone controls is pretty much useless though, right?
They are going to interact.

 

[countshockula]

I didn't know that, so what's the point of the stack-knob bass?
I'm kinda stuck here since the holes are already drilled. maybe I could make one a three-way switch.

 

[line6man]

I didn't know that, so what's the point of the stack-knob bass?
I'm kinda stuck here since the holes are already drilled. maybe I could make one a three-way switch.

Whenever you have the pickups at an equal volume, the tone controls are in parallel, so whichever one is at the lower setting affects both pickups. You can isolate the tone controls using resistors, but it gives you a big drop in volume, the resonant frequency is shifted downward, and the treble is reduced.
The only way to truly have independent tone controls is to actively buffer the signals.

My history may be a bit off, but IIRC, The stack-knob Jazz basses were produced in the early 1960's. Fender quickly switched to the 3-knob setup because they found that it was more functional and sounded better, and that's the way it's been on 95% of Jazz basses ever since.

If you still want two tone controls, you can do that, but it just isn't very useful unless you often run the pickups at different volumes.
I would go for a 3 way toggle switch or something like you said.

 

[countshockula]

Well, you learn something new every day. Thanks. On the plus side, the standard p/j wiring diagram is much easier to find!

 

[line6man]

I draw wiring diagrams for obscure setups, so let me know if you have anything in mind that you can't find a diagram for.

 

[countshockula]

Hey, thanks a lot for that. hopefully I can muddle through, but if I need help I'll give you a shout.

 

[countshockula]

I'm thinking a flying V or explorer type set-up is what I'm looking for, then.
2 volumes, 1 Tone, 1 3-way. Anyone see any problems with that?

 

[4Mal]

well hang on there a sec ... we all know that Leo did all he could onthe cheap - engineering being one of those things too... lots of T&E engineering back there... but some thing's were also happy chances... I have three knob and stacked J's in the house (62 RI and 75 RI, std fretless) - not to mention my aggro beast with a JZ3B...

The stacked knob has a darker character than the 3 knob - but sometimes that is exactly what the setting calls for. I dropped a traditional country track yesterday (Dylan's Whagon Wheel) and the stacker was the right call...

technically, electrically correct, is not always the right answer when it comes to this stuff...

 

[line6man]

well hang on there a sec ... we all know that Leo did all he could onthe cheap - engineering being one of those things too... lots of T&E engineering back there... but some thing's were also happy chances... I have three knob and stacked J's in the house (62 RI and 75 RI, std fretless) - not to mention my aggro beast with a JZ3B...

The stacked knob has a darker character than the 3 knob - but sometimes that is exactly what the setting calls for. I dropped a traditional country track yesterday (Dylan's Whagon Wheel) and the stacker was the right call...

technically, electrically correct, is not always the right answer when it comes to this stuff...

It depends on the kind of tone you want.
Personally, I prefer my electronics to be as pure as they can be, with the option to mellow things out if need be.

It's much easier to mellow out bright/hot electronics than it is to brighten up weaker output/warmer electronics.

 

[line6man]

I'm thinking a flying V or explorer type set-up is what I'm looking for, then.
2 volumes, 1 Tone, 1 3-way. Anyone see any problems with that?

That's fine.

BTW, It's often useful to have two tone controls when you have a pickup selector switch.
When you can select between the pickups quickly without adjusting the volume controls, it can be useful to have a separate tone control setting for each pickup.
That's the way Les Paul guitars are done.
Of course, the tone controls still interact when both pickups are on at the same volume.

 

[countshockula]

Cool. Since the body is all finished, I think I'll just enlarge one of the pot holes, and put a 3-way switch in. Seems like the best move at this point.
Thanks for the advice all.