That would be an SPDT switch that switches the output of one pup either to the ring or the tip of the stereo jack while the other pup is directly connected to the tip.
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The Mediocre Builders Club
- Thread starter MirandM
- Start date
I think I used a ON/OFF switch between the tip and sleeve connectors on the jack, making it mono output on the tip connector. Works fine.
Unlikely as the ring of a stereo jack gets connected to the sleeve when a mono jack gets inserted. This is very commonly used in basses with an active eq to disconnect the battery when the jack is removed. So in your case that would mean both pups would be connected to ground leading to zero output.
Here's a stereo jack with stereo plug inserted:
Now here's the same jack with a mono plug inserted:
You can clearly see connection 5-Right being shorted to 1-Shield.
If you were to have an on-off switch between 5 and 2, putting the switch in on position would connect both 2 and 5 to 1 since 5 is already connected to 1.
With an active eq what's done is that 5 is connected to the negative battery pole. With the jack removed it would not have a negative connection to the eq, thus as if there's no battery. Inserting the mono jack would connect the negative pole to the eq meaning activated eq.
With an SPDT switch it would be like this:
with the stereo jack inserted it would have to be in the B position to have stereo output.
with a mono jack inserted it would have to be in the A position to have both pups connected to mono output.
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Hey, @BassTheory, in case you didn't know about it, I think you may like this:
That's one (or actually two) freaky build...
Nice, thanks RodRy, very cool.
I'll join if I may. More a modder than a builder at the mo.
My longest term project 5 string Chinese J Bass, cost me £85 brand new delivered to my door. Since I've had it I've changed the pick guard from white 3 ply to a white pearl, the supplied chrome hardware for gold Wilkinson, also I've added Wilkinson pickups and a series parallel wiring loom. Just need a final setup and all good to go. I may change the fret markers to match the pick guard.
My longest term project 5 string Chinese J Bass, cost me £85 brand new delivered to my door. Since I've had it I've changed the pick guard from white 3 ply to a white pearl, the supplied chrome hardware for gold Wilkinson, also I've added Wilkinson pickups and a series parallel wiring loom. Just need a final setup and all good to go. I may change the fret markers to match the pick guard.
You're more than welcome to join, we love all kinds of mods/builds!
You're number will be this:
That's right #1110, as all of us are.
Keep on doing what you do, it's ok and why we are here.
btw, that's a lovely transparent red!
That is one beautiful 5 string bass build.
It's more an upgrade than a build it arrived in the trans red with standard white plate and chrome hardware. All I've done is screw in different bits plus a small amount of soldering, and routing to make the push pull fit. Happy with the result though. Hopefully she (Robyn is her name) shall get her first outing on stage next month.
Congrats... don't downplay the work you do. that is exactly how all of us builders start. then a little more complex mods... then a little more ..... and before we know it we are starting from scratch.
Ha ha think it'll be a while before I scratch build. I've anothet couple mod projects on the go and planned but, who knows maybe next step is sourcing bodies and necks to build something to my own spec. I'm sure I'll keep you all up to date when this inevitably happens.
Cool. I would make 1 suggestion.
When you are ready to source bodies and necks... don't bother sourcing the body. the body is actually quite easy to make, and you can make it really feel custom by making your own body design. I didn't come up with my floating top backless design right away. My first bodies were very simple. look at my profile pick. it looks like and ESP 6 string... in fact even someone who plays the ESP would be hard pressed to tell the difference. The biggest difference is that I used EMG active pickups. The neck was bought from the company who builds the necks for ESP, so it is actually the same. the only difference is the head is slightly different at the very top. It can't be exactly the same because of patents. The point is that the body was simple to make. 1 thing I learned the hard way... Don't cut the body out with a saw unless you want to spend months sanding it. cut it using progressively longer template router bits. Just be extremely careful when making the final cut that penetrates all the way through the wood. Routers used in this way are the most dangerous power tools, because of the blind exposure.
Don't be too sure, I've said the same thing, but there comes a time when you just want to create your own body shape. In my case because I had a shortscale neck collecting dust, so I thought, what the heck, I'll do one from scratch so I have another bass.
Agreed, but as I said, it usually is a step up process, first the body then the neck...
And I did cut out the body with a saw and later used a router to remove the excess wood as I cut it about 3-4mm outside of the wanted shape. It's just another method.
I finally found a home 
, I felt like an impostor in the Luthier's corner (I am joking, people there is patient and helpful, I even obtained one vote during the Winter Build Off).
So, please accept me in this mediocre community. Two (and the only two) proofs of mediocre building:
Together with a friend, a fully handmade 31" "Precisino" from brico center wood (Home Depot like).
And then, during the 1st lockdown, I arranged a body from leftover laminated fir (or pine?), for a no name neck bought on Ebay. Because I left my basses in the rehearsal room and I could not reach them.
Now I started to work on a two-string bass that will have, as body, a slice of an historical tree cut down because sick (and sold to raise funds for a charity).
, I felt like an impostor in the Luthier's corner (I am joking, people there is patient and helpful, I even obtained one vote during the Winter Build Off).So, please accept me in this mediocre community. Two (and the only two) proofs of mediocre building:
Together with a friend, a fully handmade 31" "Precisino" from brico center wood (Home Depot like).
And then, during the 1st lockdown, I arranged a body from leftover laminated fir (or pine?), for a no name neck bought on Ebay. Because I left my basses in the rehearsal room and I could not reach them.
Now I started to work on a two-string bass that will have, as body, a slice of an historical tree cut down because sick (and sold to raise funds for a charity).
Attachments
I finally found a home
So, please accept me in this mediocre community. Two (and the only two) proofs of mediocre building:
Together with a friend, a fully handmade 31" "Precisino" from brico center wood (Home Depot like).
View attachment 4363010
And then, during the 1st lockdown, I arranged a body from leftover laminated fir (or pine?), for a no name neck bought on Ebay. Because I left my basses in the rehearsal room and I could not reach them.
View attachment 4363009
Now I started to work on a two-string bass that will have, as body, a slice of an historical tree cut down because sick (and sold to raise funds for a charity).
You're welcome, we love all kinds of mods/builds!
You're number will be this:
That's right #1110, as all of us are.
And you see, we have wings! YAY
