Wiring Ideas - Bass Kit Build

[poit57]

I'm thinking about working on this DIY bass guitar kit http://diyguitarkits.net/jb.htm. It is listed as a Jazz bass, but it is actually laid out like a Active Deluxe Precision with a MM-style pickup replacing the J-style bridge pickup. My reasoning behind getting the kit is because I would like to learn about painting/finishing a guitar body, but first I'm trying to weigh my options on electronics configurations. I think the pickup selection on this bass is interesting, but I'm not too crazy about the controls. It is designed to be a passive bass with each pickup wired separately, each with its own volume and tone control.

I'm thinking about replacing the included pickups with an SPB-2 to replace the P-style pickup and an SMB-4d to replace the MM-style pickup and then adding an STC-3 preamp with the default configuration: Volume, Blend, Stacked Bass/Treble, Mid.

This control configuration would mimic the configuration of the Fender Active Deluxe Preceision. I was just wondering if anyone had any other ideas for how to make use of all 4 holes routed for controls knobs.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Wiring Ideas - Bass Kit Build

You have correctly deduced that the stock pickups and controls of the bass guitar kit are a weak point.

In my opinion, there is no need to go to the SPB-2 for the middle position. An SPB-1 would be powerful enough to balance with the EB/MM type pickup.

The STC-3p active EQ system would be a vast improvement on the stock controls arrangement but you might extract just as many interesting sounds by making clever use of the available coil combinations.

Of course, there are ways to do both.

Employ the holes in the scratchplate for a combination of pots and mode switches, perhaps. Add the EQ circuit in the form of the Seymour Duncan SFX-06 Paranormal bass EQ pedal.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Wiring Ideas - Bass Kit Build

For info on this forum about finishing, I'd read Wattage's threads about spraying metalflake, and crusty philtrum's epic thread about "how not to build a guitar", where he puts together his own homemade LP.

Crusty didn't use a kit; he had a rectangular mahogany wood blank, a neck from Warmoth and a dream.