SB-2 is it possible to have volume, tone, no switch?

[don21480]

Looking to wire both pickups to the volume pot and have a tone control. Any reason not to do this? Are there series parallel in phase out of phase considerations? Thanks!

[Ken Baker]

Welcome to BassesByLeo!

Looking to wire both pickups to the volume pot and have a tone control. Any reason not to do this? Are there series parallel in phase out of phase considerations? Thanks!

No switch? I assume you're talking about an old dual single coil SB-2?

The answer is, yes, you can bypass the pickup select switch and go straight to the volume/tone. The pickups can be wired in series or parallel, with series providing the hotter signal.

Ken...

[don21480]

Yes - an old dual single coil. I am leaning toward series wiring for a warmer tone which I understand to be

Neck Pickup + to volume pot
Neck Pickup - to bridge pickup +
Bridge Pickup - to ground

[Ken Baker]

Yup!

Ken...

[don21480]

Oh yeah got it done and series wiring is much hotter, fuller and bassier than parallel. Also the tone knob seems more responsive. Thanks !

[Ken Baker]

And the added benefit of a humbucking pair! It's a win-win!

Ken...

[LoveThatBass]

I am glad I read this topic. I was concerned that wiring the Pickups on an SB-2 in series would have phase issues like the Fender PJ I tried it on several years ago. I was going to add a switch but after reading this I wired it permenently in series mode and one volume and one tone. I was then able to wire the volume for constant loading (pickup to outer wire lug and output to tone control then to output jack). Absolutely quiet and bigger tonal output as the original poster stated. I am very happy

This is how I wired my SB-2


If you want a series parallel switch with two volume controls

[LoveThatBass]

Fixed images of circuits in above post