Can someone help me with a Bass VI / GuitarBass VS rewiring

[Luís Piteira]

Modding a Harley Benton GuitarBass VS, a Bass VI homage.

Replacing all the electronics with DiMarzio branded parts and installing a set of three lipstick tube pickups I already had, all single coils, with the middle one being RWRP.

I plan to keep the five way switch, but I would like the volume and tone pots to have extra functions.

Is it possible to wire the volume pot so it can switch between parallel and series, or even activate all three pickups at once, similar to a blowout switch while still keeping the volume control active?

For the tone pot, I would like to include the bass cut feature from the original Bass VI.

I am completely out of my depth when it comes to electronics. I have tried following tutorials and schematics, but something always ends up going wrong.

[Joshua Levin-Epstein]

" I am completely out of my depth when it comes to electronics. I have tried following tutorials and schematics, but something always ends up going wrong. "

Series/Parallel? Which pickups? If this were a 2 pickup instrument, the decision would have been made for you. But there are 3 pickups.

I would start simple. Swap out the pick-ups using the parts that are already in place. That way you'll have something to listen to somewhat quickly.

The next version could be replacing the 5 way with 3 on/off switches. These should fit in the same space as the 5 way. Now you have 7 combinations. Leo did this for DIck Dale, so there is precedent.

The next version could be to replace the 3 on/off switches with on/off/on switches. Each switch gives in phase/off/reverse phase. Lots of variation here and somewhat fiddly wiring.

If you wanted pick ups in series, you might try the Brian May red special wiring. Unless I'm wrong (it does happen) any time there are two or more pickups on, they are in series.

The benefit of these scenarios is each switch does the same thing to each pick-up. it makes it easier to remember.

The volume and tone controls are available with push pull dpdt switches. I'm not familiar off hand with the bass cut circuit, but it shouldn't be difficult to wire it to a switch below the tone (or volume) control.

[Luís Piteira]

Series/Parallel? Which pickups? If this were a 2 pickup instrument, the decision would have been made for you. But there are 3 pickups.

I was under the impression a single pickup would always be in series, more than one could be either in series for a bit more power, or in parallel, for a sweater sound and that's what we have in positions 2 and 4 on a regular strat switch.

The next version could be replacing the 5 way with 3 on/off switches. These should fit in the same space as the 5 way. Now you have 7 combinations. Leo did this for DIck Dale, so there is precedent.

Really don't want to go that route, too fiddly for my taste in the middle of playing.

The volume and tone controls are available with push pull dpdt switches. I'm not familiar off hand with the bass cut circuit, but it shouldn't be difficult to wire it to a switch below the tone (or volume) control.

Figured out that part in the meanwhile, went with one value of cap in one position, another cap in the second position. Just need to figure out how to wire the 5 way and change positions 2 an 4 from parallel to series or just have the three pickups all on in series. At this point I'd settle for a blower switch for all three, which I think I've figured out.

I say "I think" because results are a bit hectic, I think I fried my pot/switch so I'm waiting on a new one.