It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 1:57 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: J Bass Wiring Help
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 2:47 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:50 am
Posts: 102
I know this is old hat for most, but there is nothing like successfully rewiring your prize possession and have it actually work...well almost. I replaced the stock pickups in a MIM J Bass and replaced them with a Bassline SJB-1 Vintage Pickup (neck) and a SJB-3 Quarter Pounder (bridge). Due to an impulsive action on my part, I ended up replacing all pots and rewired everything. I put everything back together, and had no extra parts leftover. Just to be sure, I connected each pickup, played a few notes to make sure I was getting a live signal, then finally wired, soldered and closed everything up. The result? NO HUM and GREAT VOLUME!

However, I still have one nagging problem: even with the volume turned all the way down on both pickups, I can still hear the strings when I pluck them. I checked all my wiring and don't see any routing errors. All my solder points are clean and shiny. Is it possible that the capacitor on the tone control is bleeding sound? Just to be clear, the volume pots work and I am not getting any hum, even when the volume pots are not matched. Any advice is appreciated. If I can't find a solution, I will move on, but it is a curious instance.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Location, Location, Location
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:37 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:50 am
Posts: 102
Since I am a determined person, and it seems that know one who read my post could help me. I did further research and discovered that the location of your grounding wires on the volume pots is extremely critical. After reexamining my solder points, I decided to move the ground wire to the point furthest from the max volume point. For the uninitiated, both the volume pots and tone pots work similar to a water faucet: by turning the volume or tone up, you allow the electrical signal to go through; by turning the volume or tone down, you restrict the electrical signal from going through. The effectiveness of each control is determined on how well the ground wiring and the "closed" position of each pot is aligned. If your grounding wire is not aligned properly, the faucet won't close all the way, resulting in a leaky faucet, or in this case, signal leaking through. Once I moved the grounding wires to the right spot, no more sound leaking through. I now have great tone and no bleed over!

I know some may read this and say "whatever". However, shared my story because I immensely enjoyed this exercise and look forward to growing in my understanding of the bass guitar, both musically and technically. Peace!


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 2:15 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:52 pm
Posts: 2588
Location: Out there on the road
Great work on your rewiring. If that would have been me, I probably would have lost it and smashed the bass on the ground out of frustration. I just do not have the patience to do tedious and detailed things that don't have a happy ending. You do, and it all worked out for you though from your second post no one else could help. The weekend traffic around here is not that busy yet.
Still a great job you did.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 4:26 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:50 am
Posts: 102
Thanks for the feedback. It seems that as I continue on my journey towards bass competence, I am getting unexpected opportunities to grow in directions I would have never imagined. None of the books or people that I have gotten music advice from ever suggested that taking your bass apart will help you grow as a musician (even though most bass centric boards would have you think you don't have a real bass until you replace the pickups and bridge, but that's another rant), but it is a real eye opening experience. As a kid, I always wanted to know why things work. While I probably won't become a Bill Lawrence, or Ken Smith or Seymour Duncan, I do see how knowing the tech side leads to improved musicianship. Now if I can just marry my knowledge of computers with bass playing, I might be able to do something meaningful...


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:46 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:52 pm
Posts: 2588
Location: Out there on the road
I know what you mean. I can take apart and put back together a fishing reel upside down and with my eyes closed, but I lack the confidence in "messing" with my basses. I did have to solder a wire back on once. That turned out okay, so far.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: