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Pickups out of phase?

S

shoulderpet

Sep 24, 2015
1,863
1,518
47
#1
Hi all

I have a pj bass and was thinking that the pickups may be out of phase with each other but not totally sure so thought I would seek some clarification/opinions on here.
When both pickups are on I do not get the usual scoop in the mids that people report , I actually get a big boost in the mids and a slight drop in the low end , the boost in the mids happens regardless of whether I turn the j pickup on slightly (i tend to favour the p pickup) or whether I max the volume on both pickups
 
#2
What you describe does NOT sound like out-of-phase pickups. If pickups are out of phase, the sound will be very thin with practically no bass with both pickups on . What you're describing sounds like the inductance of the J-pickup interacting with the P pickup and tone cap. In other words, you're find. I own a G&L SB-2, and one of my favorite settings is the P pickup on full, and dial in just a couple of notches on the J (bridge) pickup - instead of making it brighter, it seems to add a bit of extra low end fatness that I really like. :)
 
#3
Crater said:
What you describe does NOT sound like out-of-phase pickups. If pickups are out of phase, the sound will be very thin with practically no bass with both pickups on . What you're describing sounds like the inductance of the J-pickup interacting with the P pickup and tone cap. In other words, you're find. I own a G&L SB-2, and one of my favorite settings is the P pickup on full, and dial in just a couple of notches on the J (bridge) pickup - instead of making it brighter, it seems to add a bit of extra low end fatness that I really like. :)
Click to expand...
Ahh ok , I had always thought that there was meant to be a scoop with both pickups on full , have just got my bass out to check and there is a noticeable drop in the low end with both pickups on
 
#5
If the pickups are out of phase at both the same volume (which may not be 100/100 on the knobs), there will be a massive loss of volume and body, with a very thin, mainly upper mid-range tone. Backing one of the other pickup off will quickly restore the bass and body to the tone, although it will be different to the same settings with the pickups in phase.

In-phase, the 100/100 blend of a P/J is not the same slappy scooped middle as say a Jazz bass but it will not be 'thin', just smooth and restrained with a fat low end.
 
#6
SteveCS said:
If the pickups are out of phase at both the same volume (which may not be 100/100 on the knobs), there will be a massive loss of volume and body, with a very thin, mainly upper mid-range tone. Backing one of the other pickup off will quickly restore the bass and body to the tone, although it will be different to the same settings with the pickups in phase.

In-phase, the 100/100 blend of a P/J is not the same slappy scooped middle as say a Jazz bass but it will not be 'thin', just smooth and restrained with a fat low end.
Click to expand...
Thanks, sounds like they are out of phase, it does sound thin with both pickups on definitely not a fat low end with both on
 
#7
shoulderpet said:
Thanks, sounds like they are out of phase, it does sound thin with both pickups on definitely not a fat low end with both on
Click to expand...

No worries, and easy to fix - a quick search here will tell you how. Alternatively, if you find some of the tones useful you could fit a phase switch. Look up the wiring diagram for my BX7 to see how - I think it is in the 'show your guts' thread.
 

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