Wiring a bass with 2 volume , 1 tone pot and a 3 way switch.

[pangetalex]

Hi
Im building an electric PJ bass, and after making the body and creating all cavities for pots, pups etc, i have came to a realisation that wiring a guitar is well confusing . ive made 4 holes for pots/ switches to go through, and i need to fill them up (i should have planned the wiring first, that is my bad). I am thinking of 2 volume pots, one for each pup, a 3 way switch, and then a master tone. I am completely new to wiring guitars therefore i am absolutely lost. I've watched some videos explaining guitar wiring, and i will look at some more (i am sort of starting to understand some aspects). Could anyone help me with either a diagram, or something else to aid me with this?

Thanks a big lot

 

[Rick]

Start with looking at wiring diagrams on the dimarzio, seymour duncan and freeway websites.

 

[stratamania]

Welcome to the forum.

2 volume , 1 tone pot and a 3 way switch - which type of 3 way switch?

Based on using four holes the 3 way is probably a toggle switch and two volumes and one tone logically would not be a scheme that is likely to work or will work due to the limitations of the switching etc.

I would suggest ditching the idea of a switch and use either four passive pots, vol, vol, tone, tone.

Here is a simple passive diagram

https://www.bestbassgear.com/wiring-diagrams/volume-volume-tone-tone.pdf

Or as an alternative would be to look to find some sort of active harness that will fit in four holes. e.g. Seymour Duncan STC-3P https://www.seymourduncan.com/single-product/active-bass-preamp-3-band-for-passive though there are many others in the market.

 

[pangetalex]

Welcome to the forum.

2 volume , 1 tone pot and a 3 way switch - which type of 3 way switch?

Based on using four holes the 3 way is probably a toggle switch and two volumes and one tone logically would not be a scheme that is likely to work or will work due to the limitations of the switching etc.

I would suggest ditching the idea of a switch and use either four passive pots, vol, vol, tone, tone.

Here is a simple passive diagram

https://www.bestbassgear.com/wiring-diagrams/volume-volume-tone-tone.pdf

Or as an alternative would be to look to find some sort of active harness that will fit in four holes. e.g. Seymour Duncan STC-3P https://www.seymourduncan.com/single-product/active-bass-preamp-3-band-for-passive though there are many others in the market.

Thanks, i thought of doing this too after realising that theres no real need for a 3 way switch in my first idea. Thanks for the diagram too.

 

[stratamania]

No problem hope it helps.

 

[Rick]

Peruse this page too https://www.freewayswitch.com/schematics-toggle/

 

[stratamania]

The Freeway switch is an interesting idea, and certainly would be interesting to have two volumes, a master tone and a switch with a pair of humbuckers in a guitar but I don't think it really adds a lot to a P/J bass config.

 

[pangetalex]

Hi

Thanks for the help again.
I committed to the 2 vol 2 tone pots, and ive wired it along the diagram from bestbassgear. I must say, it sounds very good now, but the tone pots seem to be working just like the volume pots. For example, when i turn down a tone pot all the way, the according pickup will be muted, just like with the volume pots. Im not sure whats the problem. The wiring components are new so i dont think its something to do with the hardware?

Thank you in advance!

 

[TBurst Std]

A picture is worth 1000 words. Take a clear pic of the current wiring. 

 

[stratamania]

The problem probably is that the tone pots are not wired correctly.

Take some pics of the wiring you have done and post them as Tburst suggested.

 

[pangetalex]

Heres the wiring. The yellow cable is from the neck pickup, and the red is from the bridge. Black is ground (one black cable going to the side is the ouput), and the grayish wire is what i used for connections between pots.

for clarity, the tone pots are on the right, and the left are volume pots. (i also attached a photo where i cleared out some of the cables on the tone side)

 

[stratamania]

Your capacitors should be connected to the outer lug of the tone pot and the hot wire from the pickup in this case to the centre lug. The pickup grounds should not be connected to the pot lug forcing it through the cap but should be connected direct to ground.

 

[pangetalex]

And i still connect the third lug to the shell, is that correct?

 

[stratamania]

And i still connect the third lug to the shell, is that correct?

No if it is the tone pot there is a capacitor between the lug and the back of the pot.  Check the diagram as it is quite clear.