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passive/active switches, passive tone, LED wiring

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by Tizzy Whizzy, Oct 27, 2001.

  1. Oct 27, 2001 #1
    Tizzy Whizzy

    Tizzy Whizzy

    Nov 14, 2000
    alright, heres the scenario, I've got 2 single coil pickups, volume control for each pickup, a on/on mini switch for switching from passive to active, and an aguilar on board preamp. Heres the question: If i wanted to add a passive tone control, how would i go about wiring it? I have everything else figured out, except where to put the passive tone.

    heres the bonus question. while carousing radioshack for parts, i noticed all the LEDs. i thought it might be cool to have an LED that shows whether i am in passive or active mode. Anyone know of a way to do this?

    thanks

    -jesse
     
  2. Oct 27, 2001 #2
    HeavyDuty

    HeavyDuty Supporting Curmudgeon Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 26, 2000
    Central Texas
    Try the EMG website for the tone control issue - they have an extensive online FAQ that may address your situation.

    Re LEDs: a bicolor LED could be a classy solution - the color changes from green to red depending on polarity. Be careful, though - LEDs work at 1.5vdc, so your LED control circuitry may be more complex that your pickup wiring!

    LED indicator lights that are designed for use at 12v are available at Radio Shack (look in the panel indicator section, they come in red, amber and green), but they draw a lot more power than a plain LED because of the dropping resistor that's built in.

    Personally, I'd use a push-pull pot or a toggle for active-passive switching. Tactile control is nice - you can tell what mode the bass is in by quickly feeling it up. With an LED, you'd have to drop your head to look - unless you mount your indicators on the back of your headstock, which would be rather unique!
     
  3. Oct 28, 2001 #3
    l0calh05t

    l0calh05t

    Oct 14, 2001
    Cottbus, Germany
    9v LED's are available too
     
  4. Oct 28, 2001 #4
    HeavyDuty

    HeavyDuty Supporting Curmudgeon Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 26, 2000
    Central Texas
    I didn't know that! I have a use for some - it's a pain to always have to pad down 1.5v ones... Do you know who carries them?

    Thanks for the info!
     
  5. Oct 28, 2001 #5
    l0calh05t

    l0calh05t

    Oct 14, 2001
    Cottbus, Germany
    I know who carries them in germany but i don't think thats of much use to you
     
  6. Sep 3, 2002 #6
    shock2system

    shock2system

    Jun 21, 2001
    middletown/newport RI
    you can get leds on ebay, i just got 300 green high output led's for 7 bucks, go to ebay and put "LED'S", just like that in the search