I just picked up another low impedance Les Paul pickup. I was thinking about the possibility of installing it in one of the new Les Paul DC basses when a project bass shows up on the Bay. The pickup is a bit thinner & a bit longer, but I think it will be a good fit with a little modification. Could even incorporate a coil tap switch & internal transformer but keep it simple. I hate to see these stripped down guitars sold on eBay, but they must sell. The guitar version is already on the chopping block. Any thoughts?
Do it! I think it would be a great mix of the plug 'n' play attraction of the DC Bass with some of the high-concept electronics of '70s Gibsons. A great meeting of worlds.
I would do it. It's not like the stripped husk is likely ever to become "vintage" desirable and the body modification is minimal. You wouldn't be butchering it. Chances are, you'll end up with a bass you'll really like.
I know you really like the Lo Z pickup basses so there's no reason not to do it and add the fact that Les Paul Bass + Lo Z pickup is a well established concept. Also I think it will look nice. :toast:
Go for it!
When a suitable donor is available, I will attempt the transplant. In the mean time, I'll look for pots etc....
I would like to mount the pickup without the ring. If the mounting holes end up being too close to the opening, the pickup ring will add extra chrome & work as a "Goof Ring".
Years ago I bought a complete NOS Hobbit control plate just to get a replacement plastic plate. All of the parts for this project could come from this assembly. I would rather buy the few components I need if they aren't made of "unobtainium" and leave this assembly in tact.........
(https://i.imgur.com/3bacwXw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CQ9CYq7.jpg)
Quote from: Grog on May 28, 2020, 05:55:47 AM
When a suitable donor is available, I will attempt the transplant. In the mean time, I'll look for pots etc....
I would like to mount the pickup without the ring. If the mounting holes end up being too close to the opening, the pickup ring will add extra chrome & work as a "Goof Ring".
Years ago I bought a complete NOS Hobbit control plate just to get a replacement plastic plate. All of the parts for this project could come from this assembly. I would rather buy the few components I need if they aren't made of "unobtainium" and leave this assembly in tact.........
(https://i.imgur.com/3bacwXw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CQ9CYq7.jpg)
Hmm, with that loZ ring/pickup it will actually improve the looks of this bass rather than ruin it - I'd say go!
It's no less tribute to Gibson with that look that's for sure!
Have you considered using a lo-z guitar pickup for the transplant?
It is a bit smaller and that would perhaps look better on your bass with the chrome ring installed because it won't be as close to the edge of the pickguard.
They do work great for bass too!
And there's one for sale on Ebay now.
It's put up for sale as a bass pickup, but it''s really a guitar pickup. (a bass pickup would have eight wires)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970s-Gibson-LES-PAUL-Bass-PICKUP-ORIGINAL/383452520513?hash=item59478d2041:g:adQAAOSw7MNeZDTP
The guitar pickup could be the ticket. It would take less modification & the ring just barely covers up the original pickup opening. The pot values are the same according to my parts list.
On a side note, I'm pretty sure we determined that the original LP Signature Bass with the cream colored oval pickup used the smaller guitar pickup.
(https://i.imgur.com/iXGfwLH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OWrww0O.jpg)
Quote from: Grog on May 29, 2020, 08:23:39 AM
On a side note, I'm pretty sure we determined that the original LP Signature Bass with the cream colored oval pickup used the smaller guitar pickup.
Yes I'm pretty sure about that.
The original cream colored oval pickup had only two wires. And not eight.
The impedance selector is not a coil tap that chooses the amount of windings on the pickup. But a switch that chooses the values of a built in impedance transformer.
This eBay seller has this pick guard that he claims is from a 2009 to 2012 Les Paul Jr Tribute Bass. To the best of my recollection, there wasn't model like this until 2019. I sent the seller a message. He said that it was from a 2009-2012 but he is pretty sure the pick guards have stayed exactly the same since then. It looks the same to me.....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Genuine-Original-USA-Gibson-Les-Paul-Jr-Tribute-Bass-Guitar-Pickguard/283624862774?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144
he is mistaken.This pickguard is only featured on the 2019 LP jr Tribute DC bass. And no other.
We will see, I just bought it. If I never find a suitable project bass, I can still modify mine & keep the original electronics in tact. I like the bass the way it is now & would rather modify another.
It's the correct guard for your bass.
It's a match!
(https://i.imgur.com/hRCmARI.jpg)
:popcorn:
Nice project!
I just ordered my "Donor Bass" off of eBay. Who would have thought after buying one for $599 new that the prices would have gone up like they did for a used one. I ended up buying another Blue Stain bass in like new condition for $90 more than I payed for my first one. I will have to decide how I route the cavity to accept a LPR pickup. It'll just need a little clearance for each end & the three screw lugs. Also, the cavity will have to be another 1/8 or so deeper I believe.
If a Les Paul Triumph bass is a Hobbit, will that make this blue beast a Smurf?
Smeagol, because it's not who you think it is... :mrgreen:
Quote from: Highlander on August 01, 2020, 06:36:07 AM
Smeagol, because it's not who you think it is... :mrgreen:
I thought that was Inigo Montoya. ;D
The project bass sat at Sparrows Point MD four days before it moved, possibly due to bad weather along the coast. In just a matter of hours it was in St. Paul MN. It showed up here this morning. You wouldn't think that 35.00 shipping would buy air shipping but it seems like it did. The new (used) bass looks & plays nicer than my original. The color is nicer without the weird wood grain on one side. It plays almost as good as my player Hobbit. I think the one I bought new will become the project bass. I won't start tearing anything apart for at least a week. My wife is having minor surgery next week & since I'll have to hang around the house (even more than usual), that will keep me out of mischief. The bass on the right is the new one.....
(https://i.imgur.com/gG8KPOR.jpg)
That's a good-looking dark blue.
The main question I have on this project is what to use for a tone capacitor. Both the Les Paul Recording Guitar & the Les Paul Triumph bass have both a treble & bass control. The bass I am modifying will have a Les Paul Recording pickup & only a treble control. The LPT bass has a 4.7uf on the treble pot & a .15uf on the bass pot. The only low impedance guitar with only a tone control is the L5-S. It has a 3.3uf capacitor. I was leaning towards using the bass pot with the .15uf capacitor as I am more interested in deeper tones. Any suggestions?
I'd use the 4.7 uF since that is used for the treble pot. It will work well with the lo-z pickup.
I don't see the use of a bass pot with because you can only roll bass off.
Quote from: Basvarken on August 07, 2020, 01:01:17 PM
I'd use the 4.7 uF since that is used for the treble pot. It will work well with the lo-z pickup.
I don't see the use of a bass pot with because you can only roll bass off.
Thanks Rob! I'll give it a try.....
I had a little time this afternoon, so I stripped the donor bass.
(https://i.imgur.com/lowon6jl.jpg)
Everything has to be located from where the chrome pickup ring does the best job of covering the existing opening in the pick guard.
I drilled pilot holes & screwed the ring right into the pick guard. I think only one screw will have wood to screw into. It seems pretty secure. Just a little bit of light peeks along the back & at two points on the angles on the front. It is close!
(https://i.imgur.com/RR8SV7zl.jpg)
I had to file a smalll amount of clearance for the radiuses on each end of the pickup. Also clearance for the three screws & springs that mount the pickup. Not bad!
(https://i.imgur.com/CwA5EpKl.jpg)
Next will be opening up the cavity. It almost fits, just hanging up on the front & top screw lug. The pocket will have to be cut deeper by 1/8" to 3/16" & drilled clearance for the three screws. Another day.......
(https://i.imgur.com/KlMA5icl.jpg)
That should work!
It looks at home already! That's going to be a great looking and sounding bass.
Love it! :toast:
Nothing wrong with using the pickguard to mount the pickup. Should work nicely, and looks good.
I ended up taking about .250 out of the depth of the pocket. More than I anticipated. I'm looking forward to starting the electronics. I just need to add an opening for the HI/LOW impedance switch in the pick guard. I don't have any way to engrave it, so up will be high & down will be low.
(https://i.imgur.com/sOEhzRul.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/P0DytMv.jpg)
I started working on the electronics today, one thing led to another & I had to see if it would work as planned.
(https://i.imgur.com/iOw4Maj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DMRtCx5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rlO5J5h.jpg)
Everything seemed to work, the TONE didn't really make a huge difference. It worked well in low impedance with the transformer chord. I'll mess around with it more in a few days......
Looking good :)
That is coming along nicely! :toast:
For me that impedance slide switch would be in danger of accidentally getting hit when I play with a pick.
I think I would have placed it closer to the volume pot. And more horizontally so that it won't switch unintentionally when it does get hit.
Quote from: Basvarken on August 17, 2020, 06:10:38 AM
That is coming along nicely! :toast:
For me that impedance slide switch would be in danger of accidentally getting hit when I play with a pick.
I think I would have placed it closer to the volume pot. And more horizontally so that it won't switch unintentionally when it does get hit.
After the "Point of no return" I started thinking it was a bit too close. I distanced it like the two pickup guitar version with a pickup selector switch evenly spaced from the two pots. I positioned it somewhat upright so up would be "HI" & down would be "LOW" since I had no way to engrave it. I did think about the way you engraved the serial number on the headstock of your Les Paul Professional bass with a nail! I'm not that artistic.... As it worked out, I had to route relief for the bottom tab & the transformer clamp just barely fit between the switch & the pickup using the top screw.
I'm looking forward to trying it in my 2-15 amp next week. Also, I've been using a Boss WL-20 wireless system. I've never tried it with low impedance. If I can find enough adapters to connect the transformer to the amp end, I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work....... We will see.
I'm quite sure it will sound awesome as those pickups are great.
With the short scale and the solid mahogany body with set neck it should sound like a Les Paul bass, which of course is superb (as far as I'm concerned anyway 8) )
I tried it for a while last night and it's growing on me. The tone switch does kind of smooth out the tone a bit, from a little raspy to smooth. I'm kind of a "Set it and forget it" player, at least with the Hobbit & the sound suite me fine. I might mess with the tone down the line, but I would likely set it about like it is. Having the impedance switch where it is it works nicely as a "Kill Switch" The sound goes down enough so it is barley auditable. I ordered an adapter to go between my Sure A59U and my Boss WL-20. The adapter is suppose to work for both balanced & unbalanced 1/4 jacks, we will see.....
Great!
Quote from: Grog on August 18, 2020, 07:28:30 AM
I tried it for a while last night and it's growing on me. The tone switch does kind of smooth out the tone a bit, from a little raspy to smooth. I'm kind of a "Set it and forget it" player, at least with the Hobbit & the sound suite me fine.
I recall, from the low impedance EB0 project I did a few years back, that going up or down on the cap value had a lot of effect.
I think I ended up with a value that had some sort of mid 'boost' effect in when the pot dial was at 5, had quite a lot of fun with it!
I compared the Les Paul Triumph, the Les Paul Recording & the L5-S. They are all a little different. The L5-S is probably the closest due to it's simplicity. An EB-0 would be nice to experiment with, just remove the back plate. My beast has to be completely disassembled. I was thinking of extending a few longer leads under the pick guard to try different caps someday.
Nice. Obviously I support sticking a low Z pup in anything, especially a DC style bass.
After trying several combinations of pots (1K &2.5K) and a couple caps for the tone control, I ended up going with the 2.5K & 4.7uf. I changed the wiring a bit & that helped. I have some 3.3uf tantalum caps coming sometime the first week of Sept, I'd like to try one of them before I seal it up for good. That's what was used in the low impedance version of the L-5S with only a volume & a tone. Both the Triumph & Recording use the same pots & caps in their circuits.
The adapter I was waiting for to try the bass in low impedance with my wireless setup came today. It works! It's output is a bit lower than in high impedance but it works well & quiet. I used a short chord instead of the 1/4 plug adapter on the amp end. It would have stuck out quite a bit coming straight out of the amp.
(https://i.imgur.com/J8saMcjl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mr0cQhvl.jpg)
I suspect the adapter after the wireless isn't doing any good!
It seems to me that the impedance of the bass can't affect the impedance of the wireless receiver's output.
I wasn't sure what to expect either. I figured it was worth the $7 to find out. There is no signal loss in high impedance, just a slight loss in low. I have been using that Boss WL-20 for about 18 months.
Quote from: slinkp on August 24, 2020, 08:41:11 PM
I suspect the adapter after the wireless isn't doing any good!
It seems to me that the impedance of the bass can't affect the impedance of the wireless receiver's output.
It can't. What you get from the wireless is the output of the wireless.
If it sounds OK it's because the wireless is serving as a buffer/adapter between the instrument and the amp, which would not be surprising at all.
The adapter would only be used if you're going direct via cable.
Using just the Boss WL-20 in high impedance, it works just like a chord. The bass sounds normal & if switched to low impedance, the sound is barely audible. Adding the inline transformer to the WL-20, the bass Switched to low impedance sounds the same as it would with a transformer chord. Switching it to high impedance set up this way has an extremely loud output. Switching it from low to high impedance with a transformer chord, the output is about the same.
On another note, I took the bass to practice today. Just two of us maintaining social distancing. I was very pleased with the tone & how even the sound was anywhere on the neck. It sounded great in the 2/15 amp & sustained forever. It's a keeper!
The one idiosyncrasy with this bass that became apparent over time was a weird static noise, especially when sliding up & down the frets. Everything was grounded properly & even so, it shouldn't have affected the frets which are insulated from everything anyway. The main difference between this bass & the way the bass was originally is the lo to high impedance transformer. I don't know for sure if that caused the problem, I never had this issue with either of my Hobbits. I decided to try shielding the hell out of the entire cavity. The Les Paul Triumph & Recording only have shielding on the inside of the plastic control plate, I decided to shield everything because I'm tired of taking this thing apart....... It worked! Like the old Steely Dan song, "No static at all".
(https://i.imgur.com/hgn8lUGl.jpg)
The "Smobbit" (small hobbit) is officially finished!
nice
Hey George,
Since you took the original pickup out, maybe you can tell us what that pickup looks like under the hood.
I just saw this video discussed on Facebook and I thought it's a bit of a weird decision by Gibson to mount the pickup upside down.
And I am wondering if they did that with the entire batch or that it was a mistake maybe.
Skip to 9.12
https://youtu.be/qkp0unbtYsE?t=552
Hi Rob, Mine was installed the same way, I just peeled the foam off of the two sets of outer round magnets for the photo. It would fit equally well in the cover either way. Since I had the entire assembly still intact, I tested the pickup both ways plucking another bass close to the pickup. It seemed to work the same front or back. Hard to say why they decided to mount it this way. The eight pole pieces would have sat just as well against the cover.
(https://i.imgur.com/2ihUxZx.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Brrljrq.jpg)
Quote from: Grog on August 16, 2020, 09:14:39 PM
I started working on the electronics today, one thing led to another & I had to see if it would work as planned.
(https://i.imgur.com/iOw4Maj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DMRtCx5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rlO5J5h.jpg)
Everything seemed to work, the TONE didn't really make a huge difference. It worked well in low impedance with the transformer chord. I'll mess around with it more in a few days......
I love how that turned out!
Quote from: Grog on September 22, 2020, 06:07:09 PM
Hi Rob, Mine was installed the same way, I just peeled the foam off of the two sets of outer round magnets for the photo. It would fit equally well in the cover either way. Since I had the entire assembly still intact, I tested the pickup both ways plucking another bass close to the pickup. It seemed to work the same front or back. Hard to say why they decided to mount it this way. The eight pole pieces would have sat just as well against the cover.
The polepieces were exposed on the '14 and '17 EB Basses. Doing that with the DC Junior would be a little unsightly since the string spacing is noticeably narrower than the polepiece spacing. Putting it right side up, with the polepieces under the cover, would work but there would be air space between the tops of the poles and the body of the pickup, and my guess is that's why they mounted it upside down. It works either way.
Thanks for clearing that up George.
And yes Dave, I think your theory as to why they did it makes sense to me.
Really nice work George.
Now I want to experiment with one of those pickup on my Les Paul (if it ever comes back from the doctor...).
Thanks! After getting it tweaked in, it has quickly become one of my favorites. With the guitar pickup in the "sweet spot", it has it's own sound. I still wouldn't mind hearing it with a low impedance bass pickup but I'm happy with it as is.
After playing my ES Les Paul Bass last week, I was digging the flat wounds on it for a change. That's the only bass I've ever had with flat wounds..... I started wondering how they would work on the "Smobit". I ordered a set of D"Addario Chrome flatwounds. They should show up today. I've never used chrome strings before either. I've heard that you can never have too much chrome, we'll see if that extends to strings. It'll get a good workout tomorrow & we'll see if they stay on it or not. Anybody else ever use them?
The Chromes are regarded as a bit brighter than the Labella Deep Talkin' flats. I like both, although the DTF's are my go-to strings.
I have the Chromes on an Ovation-style acoustic-electric bass and they work great. They're about 10 years old and have settled in nicely.
Chromes are definitely on the bright side for flats, also higher than average in tension.
Quote from: Grog on October 05, 2020, 08:05:40 AM
After playing my ES Les Paul Bass last week, I was digging the flat wounds on it for a change. That's the only bass I've ever had with flat wounds..... I started wondering how they would work on the "Smobit". I ordered a set of D"Addario Chrome flatwounds. They should show up today. I've never used chrome strings before either. I've heard that you can never have too much chrome, we'll see if that extends to strings. It'll get a good workout tomorrow & we'll see if they stay on it or not. Anybody else ever use them?
I actually set up the Low Impedance EB0 project I did some years back with D'Addario Chromes. As I noted before, I was impressed with the range of the tone pot in this system - and the Chromes might have something to do with that. I like the feel of LaBella's much better, but the Chromes are still on this one and it sounds great (though it's not mine anymore).
(https://i.imgur.com/tnqkpqyb.png)
I installed them yesterday & like them so far. I've used D'Addario short scale strings for years but never flat wounds. Sweetwater sells 3 gauges of Gibson Brite Wire flat wound strings that I considered, but I went with the chromes. Oddly, the strings on the ES Les Paul Bass look almost identical to the Chromes. Same blue thread windings on the ends, strings look the same, just doesn't have the color coded end thingies like the Chromes. My tone control still doesn't have the range that my other basses have. I've tried two different value pots & four different capacitors. Also wired it two ways, not a huge difference. It sounds good & the amp has so many tone options that I left it as is. 2.5K pot & 3.3uf cap. I'm looking forward to giving it a good workout this afternoon.
Are you sure you have the right values?
The low impedance pickup requires different pots and different caps.
(https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y151/wolf_meister/lprec-1.gif~original)
IIRC there was considerable cap value variation among the various LoZ models - I've seen 2.2, 3.3 and 4.7 as per your daigram there depending on Rec, Sig or Jumbo etc. He's in the right range/order of magnitude based on his last post (2.5k and 3.3uF); not in HiZ territory at all(x00k and 0.022 to 0.047uf). Though 2.5k vs 1k pot may change the rolloff point of the 1st order RC filter a bit, like an octave more not less so he went the right way for what he wanted.
Quote from: Basvarken on October 06, 2020, 10:43:33 AM
Are you sure you have the right values?
The low impedance pickup requires different pots and different caps.
(https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y151/wolf_meister/lprec-1.gif~original)
I used the components from an original NOS 1973 Les Paul Triumph Bass control plate that I bought years ago just to get a new plastic control plate to replace the one that I had that was cracked. I used the treble pot so it was a 1K, not the 2.5 K that I mentioned earlier, but I tried both with minor differences. Both the Bass & the Les Paul Recording guitar used the same Volume, Tone & Bass components. Only the first year L-5S with the Low impedance pickups used only a Volume & Tone like I was using. It used a 1K audio pot & a 3.3uf cap. The LPR used a 1K linear pot & a 4.7uf cap. I tried the 3.3uf cap, didn't notice much difference from the 4,7uf cap & left it. I tried the 2.5 KL bass control & the.15uf cap (the LPR has a .47cap here). Not a noticeable difference either. I asked an engineer I use to work with for advice. He said that my parts list called out for tantalum capacitors & that they are polarized. The old caps on my control plate didn't have any noticeable polarity markings. By buying the new 3.3uf caps, I know I had the polarity correct but it didn't change things noticeably.
P.S..... The bass worked great with the Chromes. They've added to the unique tone of the bass, I like it!
Quote from: Grog on October 06, 2020, 07:54:48 AM
I installed them yesterday & like them so far. I've used D'Addario short scale strings for years but never flat wounds. Sweetwater sells 3 gauges of Gibson Brite Wire flat wound strings that I considered, but I went with the chromes. Oddly, the strings on the ES Les Paul Bass look almost identical to the Chromes. Same blue thread windings on the ends, strings look the same, just doesn't have the color coded end thingies like the Chromes.
I was under the impression that the ES Les Paul bass came with Chromes from the factory. Mine did.
Update while the LBO was down...... A months or two ago, I was surfing Reverb & Paradox Guitar started making replacement pickguards for this bass. I asked if I could order one without the pickup cavity cut in & they agreed to do it. I was playing my '74 Les Paul Signature & was getting comments on how great it sounded. I wanted to try one of the pickups in this bass. Long story short, it sounds great! I added a quick disconnect to the ground wire so I could switch the guts reasonably quick. Also, right after I ordered the cream pickguard to match the pickup, they posted many other color options that I might have preferred. It has grown on me!
(https://i.imgur.com/LJwcwTb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cQUlARbl.jpg)
Wow! I bet it sound as creamy as it looks ;-)
Those are such great little basses!
I've had two of these pickups for years. They've gotten very hard to come by. I only have a surround for one. I always thought that I could take a cream humbucker surround & pop two holes in each side. As it turns out, the LP Sig pickup is 1.375 wide & a standard humbucker is 1.5. Mounting it in this pickguard allowed me to use it without a surround which would be rarer than hens teeth. The first pickguard, they forgot to omit the pickup hole. it was just days before hurricane Hellen hit their aria. I sent it back & they cut the hole for me to where I just had to open it up a bit.
(https://i.imgur.com/lGqKyNm.jpg)
After about a year & a half of playing the DC Jr Bass with the Les Paul Signature pickup in it, I had sort of forgotten what the Les Paul Recording pickup that I had installed earlier sounded like. My Hobbit has been sadly ignored since I started playing this bass. I had one DC Jr to modify & I left the second one stock. I rarely played the stock bass. I had to modify the cavity quite a bit to accommodate the LPR Pickup, but the Signature pickup was smaller than the stock Jim DeColla pickup. I decided to mount the cream Les Paul Signature guts in the stock bass with no modifacation & put the LPR setup back in the modified bass. I did have to put clearance for the (4) pickup adjusting screws but that was all. I've added a quick disconnect to each of the loaded pickguards to connect the ground. I'll bring both basses to practice next week & give them a good comparison.
(https://i.imgur.com/9MNH9Vjh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CQ8g7G0h.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dqcxOjrh.jpg) (https://imgur.com/dqcxOjr)
(https://i.imgur.com/izTKmt0h.jpg)
very cool!
I'm a fan...nice work! :)
Very interesting , looking forward to the review!
That LPR pup looks right at home on that bass. 8)
Quote from: gearHed289 on March 05, 2026, 09:55:54 AMThat LPR pup looks right at home on that bass. 8)
I would bet that a Brooks Gemini pickup would be just as much at home in one of these basses.
I agree! :mrgreen:
It would be a tight fit, but defiantly doable.
(https://i.imgur.com/hXkAZ7Zh.jpg)
I'd skip the ring. It serves no function, since the pickguard is already there.
Quote from: Basvarken on March 07, 2026, 01:35:53 AMI'd skip the ring. It serves no function, since the pickguard is already there.
Now that pickguards are available to be ordered custom, that would be the way to go. When I did the one with the LPR pickup, I needed the ring to cover parts of the original pickup opening.
Nice work,I bet that's going to sound great!👍🏻
I've got two new black pick guards coming with the pickup hole omitted, likely Monday. One will be to re-do the one with the LPR Pickup, without the ring. The other will be to install an eight wire bass pickup without a ring. In this one, I plan to go directly into another '69 Shure Bullet mic transformer & wire the rest high impedance. This sounded great using the Les Paul Signature pickup.
Looking forward to the results.
The last of the parts I ordered, the pick guards, showed up yesterday. I'll bring the bass back home Tuesday & hopefully get started after Easter. Years ago, I bench tested several combinations of wiring the bass pickup with two wires, hope I can find my notes.
Rob, what combination did you find sounded best to you?
(https://i.imgur.com/BncW8UE.jpg)
You mean of the 8 wires coming for the pickup?
On this bass I chose the full windings. Which is my preferred setting on any Les Paul Bass.
So I left the Red and Blue not connected (closed them off with shrink tube).
Green for ground. Brown is hot.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/3161345_orig.jpg)
Yes, the eight wires from the pickup. Thanks! I just remembered that about twenty years ago, I bought a couple NOS switches that were supposed to be selector switches for the Triumph Bass. They look similar but like they have double sets of connectors.
(https://i.imgur.com/3M0bdlZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ABqc3Jd.jpg)
I don't know if I'll have room, or want to deal with the extra wireing at this time. On my Hobbit, I keep it on the 2nd (middle) position most of the time.
If you want to use all three coil taps you need a double wafer switch, yes.
I also have this one from the NOS control plate that I molested to get parts for the LPR version.
(https://i.imgur.com/U99I905.jpg)
I'm going to be having a trigger finger release the first week of May, so I thought I'd better get going on this project. I won't be hand filing anything for a while after surgery. I have the two pick guards pretty much done. The components with the LPR pickup are transfered to the new pick guards. The next step will be to route the body for clearance for the eight wire bass pickup. Surprisingly, there isn't much to route out. I hope to do that tomorrow. Then just wire everything up.
(https://i.imgur.com/QIqaPgu.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tXvbLd0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vodGsRV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/e9jCN7K.jpg)
That is coming along nicely.
Goodluck with the hand surgery.
That's going to be neat as heck.
Quote from: Basvarken on March 29, 2026, 09:07:09 AMYou mean of the 8 wires coming for the pickup?
On this bass I chose the full windings. Which is my preferred setting on any Les Paul Bass.
So I left the Red and Blue not connected (closed them off with shrink tube).
Green for ground. Brown is hot.
Rob, Just to be sure, did you twist the two brown & the two green wires together before connecting them to the guitar or connect one green with one brown then connect the other green & brown to the guitar? I bench tested a few combinations a while back but seem to have misplaced my notes. I want it to work as a humbucker.
I'm going to have to dig deep in my notes to find how I did that. It's been 15 years or so.;-)
Oh that wasnt too hard. Found it
Brown of each pickup soldered together.
Neck pickup: Green Top coil soldered to one lug of the toggle. Bottom coil soldered to ground.
Bridge pickup: Green Top coil soldered to other lug of the toggle. Bottom coil soldered to ground.
Thanks Rob! Looking at the pickup with the logo normal & the center screw down, do you know if the green top coil wire is to the right or the left?
Top coil is left
The wiring all went as planned, the only issue was trying to position all of the extra wires I didn't use in such a small cavity. I sunk the entire cavity down enough to clear the height adjustment screws vs just drilling relief & that gave me room for the extra wires. It was still tight. The bass sounds powerfull as anticipated. It rattled my guitar room pretty bad. I'll give it a workout on Tuesday at practice in the 2/15 bottoms. Thanks again to Rob for giving his expertise in wiring this eight wire beast with two wires & taping all of the coils!
(https://i.imgur.com/5ufici7h.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KixyoWdh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7bdW4JNh.jpg)
Yeehaaaw!
Congrats. We need sonic proof though 8)
The bass worked quite well, very deep smooth tone. I tried copying an MP3 file to this post & I'll have to try something else. The only odd issue was static at times that mostly came off the back of the bass. I wonder if it is from the coils of extra wire I tied back behind the pickup.
I'll try posting an MP3 using Google Drive.....
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BiBlq20JHUcv5vpJw2VwyKmQ3mlK19Mp/view?usp=drive_link
Yes it does have a smooth deep tone!
But it seems to miss quite a lot of clarity? Or did you dial the treble knob back a few notches?
The treble was at about "5". It can also be boosted on the amp.