P/J configuration in series

[constant mesh]

Has anyone tried to wire a P/J combo in series? Like wiring a regular jazz bass in series.

Probably the majority of these have the two P-bass pickups wired in series. Would adding another coil in series rather than parallel bring out too much mud?

I already tried these mods on a few J-basses and works fine to add some beef to it, but I am not sure that three coils in series would sound pleasing.

 

[blueman335]

Re: P/J configuration in series

I have some guitars wired so I can link the PU's in series (it's part of the Jimmy Page system). It makes the PU's louder and darker, not all that usable for HB's at full strength, although it's nice when the neck HB is in coil cut. It's a very good option for P-90's. For basses, I'd only consider it if the PU's were both single coils, like on a traditional Jazz bass. I wouldn't be interested in it with a P/J PU configuration. You can get a similar effect when both PU's are on and you dial down the volume of one of them a couple notches; when one's dominant (and they don't have the cancelling of parallel wiring), it sounds almost like series.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: P/J configuration in series

The two coils of a Precision Bass pickup are already in series in order to achieve hum-rejection. Linking this combination to a third coil throws the overall hum-rejection positive/negative balance off.

Linking two Jazz Bass single coils in series is possible but, in my opinion, the result is not especially pleasing or useful.

 

[jtougas]

Re: P/J configuration in series

I dunno, depending on the winds, they probably wouldn't end up sounding too far off from a MM switched between series/parallel...

 

[blueman335]

Re: P/J configuration in series

I dunno, depending on the winds, they probably wouldn't end up sounding too far off from a MM switched between series/parallel...

Or a P bass PU (two J bass single coils in series, that is).

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: P/J configuration in series

Neither.

Mounted in the traditional positions, two single coil Jazz Bass pickups, linked in series and in phase, make a big ol' farty sound. The honk is gone.