Push/pull volume on a PJ bass wiring, no time control, can it be done?

[Morson93]

Okay so i've just modded one of my jazz basses to fit a PJ set and i was considering using a 3 way switch, however i've got one of the "hoppus" style pickguards and kind of want to keep the simple look with one volume control. So i got thinking and was wondering if it would be possible to wire a coil tap pot (CTS Audio Taper) with both pickups on when it's down, and just the P pickup when pulled up? Incase anyone is curious, the pickups are a set of Seymour Duncan quarter pounders

Thanks!

 

[walterw]

that's not a "coil tap" pot, it's just a push-pull pot.

yes, you can absolutely do that, it's pretty easy.

i recommend a 500k linear push pull.

 

[Morson93]

That must be where i've been going wrong then!

I've been searching for a diagram but can't find any for just the one volume pot,

Do you have any idea where i could find one or anyone who could draw one up?

Thanks!

 

[Morson93]

Could anyone please point me in the right direction on wiring this configuration?

Preferably with a diagram of some sort?

Thanks guys!

 

[line6man]

I'll draw a diagram, tonight.

All you are doing is wiring your pickups in parallel, with a switch on one of them. You shouldn't need a diagram for that.

 

[Crater]

I can draw schematics, but I don't do pictorial 'diagrams'....

L1, L2 is the P pickup; L3 is the J pickup, R1 is the master volume, S1 is the switch on the push-pull pot. I drew it as a DPDT switch because every push-pull pot has a DPDT switch; this diagram shows you only need to use 2 of the 6 terminals on the switch. Use an ohm meter to confirm which contacts are connected with the switch in the down position.

 

[Morson93]

Huge thank you for the drawing Crater, but I have one question. If the switch is S1 but the master is R1, would I need two pots? Or would I wire the P like a standard pot, and then the jazz to 2 of the 6 terminals?

 

[Morson93]

The pot I have is a CTS SPST style pot, it only has 2 terminals underneath the pot? Could I simply wire the jazz to the 2 terminals underneath?

 

[honeyiscool]

There's also this:

Noll 500K/220K Volume/Blend Stacked Control - Best Bass Gear

 

[testing1two]

Pot:
Left (#1) - Signal wire from P pickup
Middle (#2) - wire to Output jack tip (+) terminal
Right (#3) - ground

Switch*:
Left: Signal wire from J pickup
Right: jumper wire to volume pot lug #1
*If switch operation is backwards, reverse these wires

Pot Casing (grounds):
Ground/- wire from P pickup
Ground/- wire from J pickup
Ground wire to output jack sleeve (ground) terminal
Ground wire from bridge

 

[Crater]

The pot I have is a CTS SPST style pot, it only has 2 terminals underneath the pot? Could I simply wire the jazz to the 2 terminals underneath?

Is that a push-pull pot? It looks like one of those volume pots with the built-in on/off switch that are used on table radios. In other words, turning the pot all the way to zero and then a little further turns the switch clicks off (open). If that's the case, that won't work for what you want to do.

 

[testing1two]

Is that a push-pull pot? It looks like one of those volume pots with the built-in on/off switch that are used on table radios. In other words, turning the pot all the way to zero and then a little further turns the switch clicks off (open). If that's the case, that won't work for what you want to do.

I think it's one of these: http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_...n=2016-10-gp&gclid=CJKylP3l9s8CFYJmfgodbb0Dmw

 

[Morson93]

Pot:
Left (#1) - Signal wire from P pickup
Middle (#2) - wire to Output jack tip (+) terminal
Right (#3) - ground

Switch*:
Left: Signal wire from J pickup
Right: jumper wire to volume pot lug #1
*If switch operation is backwards, reverse these wires

Pot Casing (grounds):
Ground/- wire from P pickup
Ground/- wire from J pickup
Ground wire to output jack sleeve (ground) terminal
Ground wire from bridge

Perfect, thanks very much dude I'll give that a try tomorrow!!

Is that a push-pull pot? It looks like one of those volume pots with the built-in on/off switch that are used on table radios. In other words, turning the pot all the way to zero and then a little further turns the switch clicks off (open). If that's the case, that won't work for what you want to do.

Nope, definitely a push/pull, I have one on a Ibanez to split my invader!

 

[Morson93]

Thanks for all your help guys, now I can finally get this project finished!

Will post pics when all is finished if anyone interested!

 

[line6man]

I didn't get to draw the diagram in time, but it looks like we have this covered now. Cheers.

 

[Hopkins]

I would suggest against that CTS push/pull in favor of one with a DPDT type switch. You don't need a DPDT but I have used one of those types of CTS push/pulls and found them to be extremely over sized and very sloppy feeling. They are just not a good product IMHO

I have never had any issue with the ones that look like this

 

[Morson93]

Finally got the time to try this out, and it worked a treat!! Thanks for the input everyone and especially to testing1two!

 

[walterw]

I would suggest against that CTS push/pull in favor of one with a DPDT type switch.

+1

it'll work fine, but that big SPST pot is made for amps, the push-pull part is really too stiff for instruments. the bourns push-pull (and even push-push) pots are excellent and feel "normal" in the guitar.