Simplest Possible Jazz Bass Controls?

[DBMcCully]

In such a case, I'd go with invisible complexity and a single 4 position rotary switch. Bass-series-parallel-neck.
That's 4 different tones with a single knob. I wouldn't even bother with a volume although if I had to, I'd add a push pull to it simulating a tone pot turned to 0.
No cut at all when pushed, low pass filter when pulled. I did that on several instruments with great success.

The 4-position switch sounds really cool! A lot better than two separate switches. I’m still confused about series vs. Parallel though. Someone said it was like making your pickups sound like one big pickup, how is that different from just having both pickups turned up at the same time?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Volume, blend, pickup selector would be cool, factor in a series/parallel switch.

Most of those options exclude one another.

 

[micguy]

The combo of a pickup switch and a volume control will allow you to wire the volume control the right way - where it doesn’t mess up the sound of things when you turn down. And it only puts one pot as the liad on the pickup(s). I’d go that way.

 

[2F/2F]

The reason I’m putting the jack on the side is because I have an American Deluxe and that’s where the jack was originally anyway.

I didn't even catch that you were gonna do that anyhow.

So, I stick with my original suggestion: VVT or VTT (whichever is most useful to you) with no-load pots, plus a Gibson switch.

 

[DDXdesign]

I would go Volume, Pup Blend, 3 Way Tone Switch (wide open, 50%, closed) because while you always run the tone wide open right now, you might appreciate being able to tone down the clack of new strings or pop to instant Motown at the flick of a finger. I want to replace all my tone pots with that kind of switch actually, since I always use one of those 3 positions.

 

[Jazz Ad]

This is the schematics I used. From what I remember I didn't have to mod it at all.
Dingwall has a similar switching system on their basses but they don't appear to sell them as parts anymore.
You can also use a 5 position switch to add a kill/mute position. There are other wirings with out of phase positions that reveal completely useless on bass.

 

[Kmonk]

I converted an MIA Jazz Deluxe from active to passive. I installed Lindy Fralin pickups over wound 8% to get more mids and lows. It's set up passive with a separate volume and tone control for each pickup. I find that most of the time I have the neck pickup at about 3/4 volume, tone at about 2/3. The bridge pickup at about 1/2 volume and tone at about 1/2.

 

[4001]

Two volume pots, dump the tone (adjust it at the amp)

 

[lucas303]

This is the schematics I used. From what I remember I didn't have to mod it at all.
Dingwall has a similar switching system on their basses but they don't appear to sell them as parts anymore.
You can also use a 5 position switch to add a kill/mute position. There are other wirings with out of phase positions that reveal completely useless on bass.


View attachment 3514724

Where does the bridge ground connect?

 

[Jazz Ad]

Goes straight to ground, it isn't affected by the wiring.

 

[lucas303]

Goes straight to ground, it isn't affected by the wiring.

Meaning it is wired to the ground from the bridge, or it just gets tied off and not soldered to anything?

Sorry for the dumb questions.

 

[charlie monroe]

Absolutely untrue.
My favorite bass has a single pickup and a kill switch as the only control. Absolutely silent operation. You just have to send the signal to ground in the mute position.

Thanks. I’m glad to hear this.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I’m still confused about series vs. Parallel though. Someone said it was like making your pickups sound like one big pickup, how is that different from just having both pickups turned up at the same time?

The Inductance of coils in parallel is summed like Resistance or Impedance in parallel, they're not directly additive.
The Inductance of coils in series is directly summed, 1 + 1 = 2.

Series operation does two things, higher output, & a lower resonant frequency (more lows)
the downside is you'll lose some highs

There is a way to wire two pickups in series with independent volume controls. You'll get all the lows you want, & if you want the highs back you just roll back the volume on the neck pickup.
However, IIRC you already have hum-canceling pickups & running 4 coils in series probably wouldn't sound so good.
Each hum-canceling pickup has two coils, which is how it functions to cancel hum.

 

[Doc Blue]

... diming both pups and rolling off the treble...

That's what I've been doing. Get the best clarity and distinction between low E and it's same string octave. Otherwise I can get what sounds like practically the same note. Maybe my poor hearing over 500z has something to do with it.

 

[DBMcCully]

I converted an MIA Jazz Deluxe from active to passive. I installed Lindy Fralin pickups over wound 8% to get more mids and lows. It's set up passive with a separate volume and tone control for each pickup. I find that most of the time I have the neck pickup at about 3/4 volume, tone at about 2/3. The bridge pickup at about 1/2 volume and tone at about 1/2.

That’s exactly what I did. Took my American deluxe and replaced the controls with the stacked vol/tone vol/tone. I also added a bartolini classic on the neck that’s really fat and punchy, and a bartolini bright that adds a lot of crisp highs. So I think my pickups are dynamically different enough to get away without a tone pot. I am definitely already sick of the two volumes as well.

While I’m super interested in the minimalist, volume-only, concept. Practically speaking, the vol/tone/3-way with the jack on the side seems like the best layout for me. Given that I can find a tone pot with true bypass.

 

[Doc Blue]

... I’m still confused about series vs. Parallel though. Someone said it was like making your pickups sound like one big pickup, how is that different from just having both pickups turned up at the same time?

Is this drawing any help? Volume/tone/switches removed for clarity.

Wired in series as far as a circuit analysis goes, yes, its one big coil. The equivalent inductance is the sum of each coil inductance, and if coils are equal, its 2x. Wired in parallel, equivalent inductance is 1/2x. Like has been said, all the parts of the circuit influence the circuit performance, as well as external cables/amps/etc. KBD knows a lot about how different circuits affect sound quality, and there's others here that are pretty smart about the circuit analysis.

 

[Thir13teen]

Hey guys!

I recently converted my active fender jazz bass to passive. Now, inspired by the Ernie Ball Joe Dart bass, I want to take it a step farther and remove the tone pots so the pickups are wide open all the time. I also want to be able to switch between pickups as the only means to modify tone.

I can think of three possible configurations:

1. Neck Volume/Bridge Volume
2. Master Volume/Master Blend
3. Master Volume/3-way selector switch.

Which of these options do you think are the most practical and offer the least resistance to the pickups? Or is there another option?

Thanks guys!!!

I would look up the unique specs/electronics/pickups of the Zon Billy Gould model & replicate that. It has only a volume knob & one switch (to add dirt). Then there are pots on the back where you can "lock in" your EQ. But on the front of the bass there is only a volume knob & switch.

 

[sikamikanico]

My vote would go to volume + pickup selector. Or maybe just pickup selector

You can try series wiring, but I find it that any set of pickups that is optimized for parallel operation sounds better in parallel and too hot in series. Particularly if the pickups are series humbuckers to begin with. But it's easy to try, so maybe just try it - some love that sound.

I'll throw in another suggestion - a capacitor selector switch, like Tonestyler. I really like what small value caps do to the tone, particularly if it's bright to begin with (such as two jazz pickups in parallel). Well, in general caps lower the resonant frequency. But with a selector switch, you can dial in the frequency, and in some settings the bass can actually sound brighter than fully unloaded. I believe it's due to our sensitivity for hearing frequencies in the upper midrange.

 

[1bassplayinfool]

Most of those options exclude one another.

You are correct, what was I thinking?

 

[krovx]

I would go Volume, Pup Blend, 3 Way Tone Switch (wide open, 50%, closed) because while you always run the tone wide open right now, you might appreciate being able to tone down the clack of new strings or pop to instant Motown at the flick of a finger. I want to replace all my tone pots with that kind of switch actually, since I always use one of those 3 positions.

Where is a schematic for such a switch?