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Series/Parallel in HH Musicman?

H

Hippos Melas

Apr 9, 2009
337
7
Milwaukee, WI
#1
I recently was looking at modding my Sterling a tad and remembered seeing that it's pretty simple to add a series/parallel push/pull pot. I was curious if I could do this with my Sterling HH or if the whole 2 humbucker deal would interfere with that? I have no experience with electronics so this would be a professional install anyhow, but I don't want to buy the parts only to have it be a waste of money.
 
#3
Either/or. I was thinking of just changing the volume pot into a push/pull pot that just does both pickups at once. Now that I think about it, though, being able to change the wiring in each pickup individually would be awesome for more tonal variety. Would that be possible? And if it is how would you suggest I do it? Add mini toggles to the bass? Or just go with push/pull pots?
 
#4
Hippos Melas said:
Either/or. I was thinking of just changing the volume pot into a push/pull pot that just does both pickups at once. Now that I think about it, though, being able to change the wiring in each pickup individually would be awesome for more tonal variety. Would that be possible? And if it is how would you suggest I do it? Add mini toggles to the bass? Or just go with push/pull pots?
Click to expand...

Well, if you are only doing one switch on the bass, a master series/parallel would be best.

If you want to add series/parallel or series/single coil/parallel switches for each pickup, you can add mini toggle switches.

Or you can do push/pull series/parallel switches on the other pots.
 
#5
I think I might do push/pull pots on the volume and treble knobs instead of installing mini toggles. I'd rather not drill new holes in my bass. If I install push/pull pots on an EQ knob, does the knob still retain its full functionality? I don't want to have the treble pot modified if I can't adjust the treble after the pot's been pulled out.
 
#6
Hippos Melas said:
I think I might do push/pull pots on the volume and treble knobs instead of installing mini toggles. I'd rather not drill new holes in my bass. If I install push/pull pots on an EQ knob, does the knob still retain its full functionality? I don't want to have the treble pot modified if I can't adjust the treble after the pot's been pulled out.
Click to expand...

A push/pull pot is the additional of a DPDT switch to a regular pot.
The two are entirely separate and do not interfere with each other.

All you need to do is make sure the push/pull is of the correct value and taper for your controls.
 
#8
Hippos Melas said:
What does this mean? Sorry to keep asking stupid questions but I've got absolutely no idea what you're talking about. :hmm:

Also, I'm having this professionally installed. I assume they'll know how to make this happen if I can hand them the correct materials?
Click to expand...

If you are paying a professional, they should be able to get you the right pots without you even having to ask for them. They can identify the value of the pot when they replace it.

But if not, you need to get the right value (range of resistance) and taper ("curve" of the resistance versus the rotation position) for each pot.

The treble control is likely a 25K or 50K, linear taper with center detent. (Notch in the middle of the rotation to indicate the "flat" setting.)

The volume control could be either a 25K, 250K or 500K audio taper, depending on it's place in the signal path and how bright the bass was meant to be.
 

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