Pickups wiring MOD to parallel/single coil

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Christopher Rhodes

This is very interesting. Can you post a sound clip? Both Pickups, back pickup soloed and then the front pickup soloed - all in single coil mode?

At some point in the near future, I think I'll order a set of the switches from Ken, re-wire them for the S/C mod and insert them into the Smith bass of my choice. Then run a test using my cabs and amp of choice. That will tell me what I need to know. Given the placement of P/U's on Ken's basses relative to the maximum-string-vibration-point, I am very curious how this mod will sound.

[Jason Mendelson]

watching thread...

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

At some point in the near future, I think I'll order a set of the switches from Ken, re-wire them for the S/C mod and insert them into the Smith bass of my choice. Then run a test using my cabs and amp of choice. That will tell me what I need to know. Given the placement of P/U's on Ken's basses relative to the maximum-string-vibration-point, I am very curious how this mod will sound.

We have some 3-way switches that just came in from my Distributor in Japan to install on one of his Basses. He asked us to wire it up from the start for him so he doesn't have to modify it there. He offers this option locally in Japan now from what I have heard. I will test the single coil mode option within the next month or so and report back.

I tested this by the way back in 1982 or so right after the pick-up design was completed, the same ones we use now. I didn't see much difference between the single coil/dummy coil and the Parallel option. Actually, the Parallel wiring sounded cleaner so we went that way. The first few basses I wired up back then were in Series but after hearing the Parallel sound, I switched to that as my pre-set.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

We have some 3-way switches that just came in from my Distributor in Japan to install on one of his Basses.

I was about to PM you and ask if you had these. So, the 3-way switch would be: Series, Parallel, and Single Coil?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

I was about to PM you and ask if you had these. So, the 3-way switch would be: Series, Parallel, and Single Coil?

Yes, as far as I know. I haven't tried it yet though.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I will test the single coil mode option within the next month or so and report back.

Thx, Ken! That would be great.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

We have some 3-way switches that just came in from my Distributor in Japan to install on one of his Basses.

Are these available to purchase and will these 3-way switches fit a Smith as the original S/P switches fit?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Are these available to purchase and will these 3-way switches fit a Smith as the original S/P switches fit?

No, not at this time. These switches I just received (only a few of them) are totally un-wired. The S/P switches we have, use and sell come to us wired already with 4 colored wires coming off the switch to solder to the pickup tabs. These 3-ways have to be totally wired from scratch.

Perhaps sometime in the future we might have these to sell but I would ship them off in some quantity to the Lab we use and have them nicely wired up in advance so only the 4 colored wires are there for the pickups like on our current S/P switch assembly.

First we have to try it and see if it's something we want to get involved with. Then maybe we will consider adding it as an option both on newly made basses as well as retro fits for existing basses out there. Currently we offer a S/P upgrade on old basses, S/P option on basses that do not come with switches and we also sell them after market for the do-it-yourself types out there. This 3-way if it passes our approval would then be available all ways as well.

[Christopher Rhodes]

Mr. Smith,

That sounds like a nice option to have. I would drive my basses up to you - to visit you and the shop - and have my basses retro-fitted with the new-switches; if all the details work out during your testing of this option.

I will be watching this thread, and waiting for your report.

All the best to you, and everyone watching/viewing.

[Kirk P Brosius]

Hey Ken,
From all of us who play your fine products; thanks for having a professional and mature attitude toward the subject of this thread!
It would have been easy for you to give us the "I knew what I was doing with my original design so don't mess with it" attitude (think of a guitar amp made by a doctor) and pitch a fit but, your replies were wonderful!!
I play a 5MWM and love it as is!!!
Keep up the fine work.
Regards, Kirk

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

We have some 3-way switches that just came in from my Distributor in Japan to install on one of his Basses. He asked us to wire it up from the start for him so he doesn't have to modify it there. He offers this option locally in Japan now from what I have heard. I will test the single coil mode option within the next month or so and report back.

Ken, anything to report at this time?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Ken, anything to report at this time?

I completed and shipped a bass last week with these 3-way switches. I didn't notice all that much in the SC mode. It was a little dry and weaker as compared to out normal Parallel wiring.

I spent years on the development of this pickup we have. The object was to have two coils in each pickup, each coil like a jazz bass but hooked together for a sweeter sound with humbucking as opposed to the standard Series HB wiring.

It almost seems like going backwards. Making a pickup to sound almost single coil in series humbucking and then cutting off one coil. These coils have less wire turns than a Fender J PU does and we use ceramic magnets as opposed to Alnico like in the Fenders.

Every time I listen to someone and try making a Bass to sound like a Fender I feel like someone is telling me to make my Fillet Mignon taste like a Happy Meal..

I don't think this 3-way is something we will be adding anytime soon. For me, the bass is fine without any switches at all. The Series gives you a bit more low end power and equally less highs. For now, its 2-way or no-way..

[Jonathan Esquivel]

Hi!!! I recently bought a pair of Smith pickups to upgrade my Yamaha Nathan East, and I love the sound!!! I read about the parallel/serie/sc switch posted by Rainer, and I want to try it... Anyone do this? How it sounds??
Another issue with the pups: I have to rewire them to install the switch, but I don't know the polarity of the coils.. what can I do to know wich pickup coils it's the positive/negative??

Thanks!! And sorry for the questions...


Jonathan.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Esquivel

....I read about the parallel/serie/sc switch posted by Rainer, and I want to try it....

FYI: Actually it was Roberto Z. that initiated and posted this information. If you go back to the beginning of the thread and follow it through, I'm sure you will see this.

[Anton Hasias]

Hi All,
I think this is a very interesting thread and I really appreciate the explorer's ways concerning sound shaping.
I know Roberto, Rainer and of course Tim are tech whizz among other musical high skills but I just want to tell you a little story of a non tech, rewireing scared old conservative guy (like me and I belive others).
After reading this spectacular way of trying to obtain a "Jazz Bass like" sound from a Smith, I observed that my non technical hands were shacking when only I thought I should try this new wireing by myself.
Then, a little multicoloured bird came from nowhere and began speaking to my ear with a human voice.
She said:" Listen dummy if you want a Fender Jazz sound, go get yourself a Fender Jazz and as you have no clue of electronics, don't you ever think about trying to ruin your 7k Smith bass!"
As by chance I already had a US Fender Jazz long ago forgoten somewhere in my house, I took it, played some notes and then "The Miracle". It sounded like a Fender Jazz and since all this time I left it alone somewhere in my house it didn't lost that Jazz Bass sound.

My conclusion; Beware the multicoloured little birds with human voice, they are odd.

Best regards