Active to passive?

[Bassinator89]

I have a schecter custom 4 and I was wondering if its possible to make an active passive. I want a mellow tone, but nothing so bassy as to sound like just muffled vibration. Thanks.

[bbbbass]

You mean a bypass? A push/pull pot will be needed. I too want to put a bypass in, so if anyone knows exactly what to wire to the push/pull pot, share!!!

[edgebass5]

^^^Not necessarily a push/pull, you could use a conventional switch. All you need is a DPDT (double pole, double throw) device to bypass the onboard preamp.

Or, you could just set your onboard controls to the flat position and you'd have the same thing as a passive bass with the tone control turned off.

[epsilon42]

i doubt this would work but you can be my guinea pig :P can you just get a wire and link the battery +/- connections together in the bass?

[Bassinator89]

^^^Not necessarily a push/pull, you could use a conventional switch. All you need is a DPDT (double pole, double throw) device to bypass the onboard preamp.

Or, you could just set your onboard controls to the flat position and you'd have the same thing as a passive bass with the tone control turned off.

Do you mean the tone/bass knob?

[zink182]

All I can say is.. sell the schecter and get a jazz bass :thumb:

[bbbbass]

^^^Not necessarily a push/pull, you could use a conventional switch. All you need is a DPDT (double pole, double throw) device to bypass the onboard preamp.

Or, you could just set your onboard controls to the flat position and you'd have the same thing as a passive bass with the tone control turned off.

Okay, so my understanding is that a push/pull is a type of DPDT, right? Just one of many types? The main reason want a bypass is just in case the battery fails (even though you should anyways carry a spare), I can always bypass it.

With that said, how would I go wiring a bypass, and if possible, a p/p, to this?
http://www.artecsound.com/images/product%20photo/se3-a-dim.jpg

[bbbbass]

Sorry for the double post, but mx isnt showing that the thread is updated.

[Bassinator89]

Is there anyway I can permanently bypaass teh whole active part? not permanently but you know what I mean.

[bbbbass]

No, I don't know what you are saying. What an active/passive bypass does is act as a switch between active mode and passive mode. However, you cannot have a active/passive bass if you have active pickups. It is only possible on pickups that have passive pickups and an active circuit. If you have the same problem as me, after I find a way, I'll it share with you and if you want, help you with the process.

Well, my problem is that a push/pull pot is what I would like to use (don't want to put holes in my baby), and they have a DPDT switch on it. What do I wire to the DPDT from the above schematic? And the P/P pot should be the volume pot, right? HELP!!!!!

[edgebass5]

Okay, so my understanding is that a push/pull is a type of DPDT, right? Just one of many types?

Yes, most push/pull type pots are in fact DPDT. I should have been more clear. What I meant was it doesn't HAVE TO BE a push/pull, it could be any type of DPDT switch

[Bassinator89]

What is DPDT and i think you would have to add a hole to your baby, how else could you add another poT? do you mean make one of the pots say bass/pushpull activepassive/?

[edgebass5]

^^^^DPDT is an abbreviation for "Double Pole, Double Throw" its a type of switch.

[Bassinator89]

^^^^DPDT is an abbreviation for "Double Pole, Double Throw" its a type of switch.

So when we figure out how to incorporate this, will it be hard for someone with about half of 0 knowledge of electronics?

[bbbbass]

Yes, most push/pull type pots are in fact DPDT. I should have been more clear. What I meant was it doesn't HAVE TO BE a push/pull, it could be any type of DPDT switch

I got that much...but thanks for the clarification.

So, Edge, do you know what exactly to wire to the switch to bypass the eq?

Bassinator, I am planning on replacing the volume pot with the p/p, so I won't hurt my baby!!!

[moghes69]

All I can say is.. sell the schecter and get a jazz bass :thumb:
umm...no, schecters are a lot better than fender jazzes and you get way more for what you pay.

the shecter only has an active preamp, the pickups are passive, so you can just have the pickups runn through a passive tone circuit,( pretty simple just 3 pots, 2 for volume and one with a capacitor on it. and witht the extra hole left over you could put another pot with two diodes going in opposite directions and use it as a distortion nob) so if you wanted to eliminate the active circuit completely you could go in that direction.

[Bassinator89]

umm...no, schecters are a lot better than fender jazzes and you get way more for what you pay.

the shecter only has an active preamp, the pickups are passive, so you can just have the pickups runn through a passive tone circuit,( pretty simple just 3 pots, 2 for volume and one with a capacitor on it. and witht the extra hole left over you could put another pot with two diodes going in opposite directions and use it as a distortion nob) so if you wanted to eliminate the active circuit completely you could go in that direction.

Ohhhh man that flew so far over my head. But from what I understand It sounds awesome, to have distortion built into my bass. How in hell would I do this?

[moghes69]

in a passive circuit the tone nob is like a volume pot except there is a capacitor that is soldered onto two points of it... to make a distortion nob you just have to take two diodes and have them soldiered in opposite directions into the same spot that the capacitor would be... i believe that as you turn the pot the diodes will start clipping and it would be similar to distortion

[edgebass5]

So, Edge, do you know what exactly to wire to the switch to bypass the eq?

It'll be different depending on your onboard pre. Ask the manufacturer for a wiring diagram.

[Bassinator89]

in a passive circuit the tone nob is like a volume pot except there is a capacitor that is soldered onto two points of it... to make a distortion nob you just have to take two diodes and have them soldiered in opposite directions into the same spot that the capacitor would be... i believe that as you turn the pot the diodes will start clipping and it would be similar to distortion

Thats badass. I have to find out how to work that.

[edgebass5]

umm...no, schecters are a lot better than fender jazzes and you get way more for what you pay.

I just noticed this and realized I didn't comment on it previously.... Don't pass off garbage like that as if it were a fact man. To me a Fender Jazz is immensley better than the Schecter model in question.

[moghes69]

I just noticed this and realized I didn't comment on it previously.... Don't pass off garbage like that as if it were a fact man. To me a Fender Jazz is immensley better than the Schecter model in question.
sorry about that, just the post that you made was in a way saying it like it was a fact and i dissagreed. but thats just my personal opinion and we are all entitled to that

[moghes69]

oh, when i got my stilleto elite i was thinking of switching out the pickups and/or preamp because it was too treblley for my likings but i got a new amp with a decent eq and i found that if you turn down the highs on your bass, cut some of the high mids and boost the bass with your amp's eq, then you should be happy with the results.

[Luchesi]

I just noticed this and realized I didn't comment on it previously.... Don't pass off garbage like that as if it were a fact man. To me a Fender Jazz is immensley better than the Schecter model in question.

Jazzes aren't nearly as tonally versatile. Just because your punk bands all endorse Fender doesn't make it a superior brand; if anything, the Fender Jazz and Precision are technologically out-dated compared to brands like Schecter, Warwick, and -I admit- SOME models of Ibanez.
Sure it's conceivable for one to prefer Fender over something else, but in terms of electronics?; a LOT more attention is put into the aforementioned brands.

[Luchesi]

I just noticed this and realized I didn't comment on it previously.... Don't pass off garbage like that as if it were a fact man. To me a Fender Jazz is immensley better than the Schecter model in question.

Jazzes aren't nearly as tonally versatile. Just because your punk bands all endorse Fender doesn't make it a superior brand; if anything, the Fender Jazz and Precision are technologically out-dated compared to brands like Schecter, Warwick, and -I admit- SOME models of Ibanez.
Sure it's conceivable for one to prefer Fender over something else, but in terms of electronics?; a LOT more attention is put into the aforementioned brands.

[eriatarka]

nice double post.

If you really wanted active/passive,you could just buy a bass with electronics like that,or buy a fully passive bass.

[bbbbass]

nice double post.

If you really wanted active/passive,you could just buy a bass with electronics like that,or buy a fully passive bass.
Spend at least $500 for a new bass, or no more than $12 to upgrade the electronics...hard decision. A passive bass can only attentuate tone, actives can actually boosts/cuts the signal. A bypass is a handy feature and has its purposes.

[eriatarka]

Im just saying its an option if he doesnt figure out the bypass.He said he wanted to change it to passive, he could just buy a passive bass and keep the schecter active.Best of both worlds:thumb:

[PaulSimonon]

Jazzes aren't nearly as tonally versatile. Just because your punk bands all endorse Fender doesn't make it a superior brand; if anything, the Fender Jazz and Precision are technologically out-dated compared to brands like Schecter, Warwick, and -I admit- SOME models of Ibanez.
Sure it's conceivable for one to prefer Fender over something else, but in terms of electronics?; a LOT more attention is put into the aforementioned brands.Who are you to tell us what's versatile for our playing styles?! You are so ****ing arrogant man. Those "technologically outdated electronics" are also used in almost all of the basses from the other brands you cited.

You're telling me that those machinewound EMG HZ's in the Schecters have more attention put into making them than a Fender PU?! No way.

[edgebass5]

Also, to back up Paul's point a bit. THere are some people, myself included, who truly believe that the effects of an onboard preamp detracts more from a bass' tone than it adds. Regardless of the name on that onboard pre inside your schecter, its still made with nickel and dime parts that you could just as easily pick up at radio shack.

So, Luchesi.... think first, post second.

[zink182]

I'm gonna get a J retro in my jazz so I'll have best of both worlds :)

[Bassinator89]

I'm gonna get a J retro in my jazz so I'll have best of both worlds :)

could I stick that in my schecter?

[PaulSimonon]

could I stick that in my schecter?
You could stick a U-Retro in it I think...

[Bassinator89]

You could stick a U-Retro in it I think...

i looked at it and I think I would need to add another hole, I don't trust myself as far as I can throw myself when it comes to that stuff.

[PaulSimonon]

Ask any competent guy in a shop to do it, it's pretty easy. All you really need is a drill press.

[Luchesi]

Who are you to tell us what's versatile for our playing styles?! You are so ****ing arrogant man. Those "technologically outdated electronics" are also used in almost all of the basses from the other brands you cited.

You're telling me that those machinewound EMG HZ's in the Schecters have more attention put into making them than a Fender PU?! No way.

Yes I am arrogant. But I don't take that as an insult, as it is simply a matter of fact.
EMG's are MUCH higher quality pick-ups. In fact, the best Fenders I've heard had the Fender pick-ups removed and customly inserted EMG's in their place[s]. As I said before, it's conceivable for one to prefer Fender, but when you really break it down it comes down to this: assembly line vs. custom. Granted Fender DOES have a custom branch, but a standard Fender Jazz isn't going to be made with as much care as a custom Schecter. End of story.

[edgebass5]

^^^If you think that EMG's are NOT wound on an assembly line you're mistaken.

The problem here is that you're passing off opinion as fact. I could care less about which brand of bass is better, because that comes down to an opinion, whereas you're stating it as if its a fact, which it most certainly is not.

[PaulSimonon]

EMG's are MUCH higher quality pick-ups.
Prove it.




Schecters come straight off the assembly line too buddy, unless you're comparing their custom shop stuff to fender's cheap production stuff. Then, of course, the Schecter is going to be a higher quality bass. Compare that same Schecter to a Fender Masterbuilt, and it will be absolutely blown away.

[Luchesi]

^^^If you think that EMG's are NOT wound on an assembly line you're mistaken.



I wasn't talking about the pick-ups, but the basses themselves.

[Luchesi]

Prove it.




Schecters come straight off the assembly line too buddy, unless you're comparing their custom shop stuff to fender's cheap production stuff. Then, of course, the Schecter is going to be a higher quality bass.

That's exactly what I'm comparing here. We're talking about a custom shop Schecter vs. a standard Fender Jazz. That's all I was EVER talking about.

[edgebass5]

That's exactly what I'm comparing here. We're talking about a custom shop Schecter vs. a standard Fender Jazz. That's all I was EVER talking about.

You do realize that the Schecter Custom 4 is not made in any custom shop. At best its an intermediate level instrument. Custom is just the model name, and does not reflect any build methods.

[Luchesi]

You do realize that the Schecter Custom 4 is not made in any custom shop. At best its an intermediate level instrument. Custom is just the model name, and does not reflect any build methods.

Ah.. well, now I know that.

Hehe, WHOOPS... sorry.