• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Simplest Possible Jazz Bass Controls?

#82
I have been doing a no load-series-blend that is really simple to wire and just requires a simple modification to a linear pot. You end up with the pickups wired in series with no load (just like a 3 way switch) but you also have the ability to blend while retaining the series wiring and with no load on the pickup that isn't being attenuated. Dirt simple, inexpensive and really works great for me. If you're going to use a Volume pot, the volume comes after the blend (between the blend and the output jack). Or just use a kill switch instead of volume pot then it's fully no load. Not actually saying you need to be fully no load - just saying it's possible for you guys that obsess over it :laugh:

I used a 100K linear pot (single pot - no need for a double ganged pot) - carefully removed the back cover and scraped/sanded a bare spot in the center of the resistance track. If "no load" isn't important to you then you can do the same thing without cutting the resistance track and have an "easy peasy" series blend -- but this method has all the no load advantages of a 3 way switch (fully cw - fully ccw - center) plus the blend in the in between areas.

NoLoadSeriesBlend.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP
#84
petrus61 said:
I’ve more or less concluded that passive blends on J’s are overrated. My favorite option is a simple pickup selector+vol+tone, but the standard VVT has more versatility than it’s given credit for, IMO. I’ve found the trick is to never dime the volumes. Good pots and the right cap value mated with the right pickups can have worlds of versatility just under “full on”.
Click to expand...
YES! I've been playing a fender jazz for 20 years and have just discovered this. Both pups on 75% for groove, increase the bridge for a boost for solos, or cut the neck for the same tone but no boost.
 
#86
DBMcCully said:
That’s the very video that inspired me to rip out all of my electronics! Lol I was planning on stringing my bass up with the Earnie Ball Custom flats that are on Joe Dart’s bass as well. If I may ask, what Volume pot and switch did you go with? I’m not familiar with which ones are good or bad.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I did not bother researching that very much. My assumption is that the quality of the components has a minuscule effect on the sound in a gig situation—as long as there is no crackling and they last. I went for Invalid Link Removed and I picked this toggle switch from eBay on the basis of looks and size. I've had them in my bass for two years now and they work perfectly every time. The bass sounds like a bass.
 
#88
My fretless J-bass has been without a tone control since 1984 and I always thought the cleanest sound would come from the pickups running straight to the output. Both pickups full vol, no controls. And, depending on the pickup quality and your amp, that should be pretty clean. ... Then when you get tired of that, try adding a blend knob.
 
  • Like
Reactions: andronik
#91
DBMcCully said:
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!!!
Click to expand...

tbs4-main.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: DBMcCully
#95
I haven't read thru all the posts to see if it's been said already,

The simplest and best sound is to wire pickups direct to input jack. This gives the most open sound with no impedance loading from the volume and tone pots.

Of course you'll have no volume control or pickup blend. A simple on/off switch may be used to mute the Bass.

Something to think about if you normally play with both pickups wide open.

1 mega ohm pots are supposed to be close to running no pots.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Killed_by_Death
#97
A single ungrounded blend pot would do the job:

Ultimate No-load Ungrounded Blend Pot (Pics!)

krovx said:
Where is a schematic for such a switch?
Click to expand...

This isn't a schematic, but it does show how the on-off-on switches operate:
upload_2019-8-21_10-30-29.png

You could use any on-off-on switch for the previously described function.


DBMcCully said:
How about option... I lost count... but, I’ll call it the Gretsch option:

Master Volume
Neck Volume
Bridge Volume
Click to expand...

That's electrically the same as a blend/volume, more loading.
This thread has gone every which way, even with people throwing in who later reveal they know absolutely nothing about wiring.

It's sad, because now you're confused.
Like a bloody motor vehicle accident, I don't want to look, but I must.
 
#98
fourstringburn said:
I haven't read thru all the posts to see if it's been said already,

The simplest and best sound is to wire pickups direct to input jack. This gives the most open sound with no impedance loading from the volume and tone pots.
Click to expand...

If the pickup winder intended for the pickups to be loaded a certain way then the resulting sound from not loading as intended will arguably be far from the best. So as with so many things, it just depends.
 
#100
Passinwind said:
If the pickup winder intended for the pickups to be loaded a certain way then the resulting sound from not loading as intended will arguably be far from the best. So as with so many things, it just depends.
Click to expand...
It's something that can be tried. Many people do it and have had excellent results.

I learned this from reading an article by master Bass luthier Rick Turner.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back