Wire Loom Question

Started by NolTaylorBassplayer, June 06, 2026, 07:09:04 AM

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NolTaylorBassplayer

Hey everyone. I'm not sure who can answer these questions, but I figured I'd ask anyway.
I have a Stanley Clarke Standard with some custom bits and bobs that I bought second hand. It has the standard wiring: Volume, Blend, Filter, Filter, Q, Q. If I wanted to upgrade it to Volume, Volume, Filter, Filter, Q, Q, and a stereo input what exactly would I need? I assume a volume pot and knob, and input jack, but I'm not sure of the rest or the cost associated. I just want a bit more control that what I've got. Any insight would be awesome!

David Houck

Mica would be the best person to ask.  She can tell you what would work with your bass, what parts you would need, the cost, and helpful suggestions.

mica

To do this, you would be keeping the filter and Q-switch modules you have an replacing the volume/pan with a 2-volume harness with the stereo jack and switch. 

You could keep the volume/pan for any emergency repair, add some filters to it later for another bass, or sell them. 

DM or email me with your shipping address and I can get you a price quote including postage.

jazzyvee

#3
I had a similar upgrade done to my signature basses which also included the pickup selector switch and mono stereo switch.  I had previously changed from two to three position Q switches a few years before. Love it.
The sound of Alembic is medicine for the soul!
http://alembicguitars.com/info/fc_ktwins.html

NolTaylorBassplayer

Quote from: mica on June 06, 2026, 04:23:39 PMTo do this, you would be keeping the filter and Q-switch modules you have an replacing the volume/pan with a 2-volume harness with the stereo jack and switch.

You could keep the volume/pan for any emergency repair, add some filters to it later for another bass, or sell them.

DM or email me with your shipping address and I can get you a price quote including postage.

DM sent

NolTaylorBassplayer

As a side note, how easy is this to install? Is it all pretty much plug and play?

mica

Should be able to just unplug the volume/pan and plug in the 2-volume assembly. Of course you will need to drill 2 additional holes for the pickup selector switch and the stereo/mono switch. These will need to also have a slight recess as the bushings are the longest supplied and they are not as long as the ones for the pots. Ideally you would also shield the recess. 

Some people that don't plan on using the stereo/mono frequently do not mount it, but just leave in the cavity. That way if you record in stereo infrequently you can just change it over when needed. 

jazzyvee

I did that same thing for a while because I wasn't confident to take a drill to the bass. However i got a luthier to do it for me. I would suggest though, that if you use a right angled jack, go for the mono/stereo switch with the short height to avoid the jack breaking it off.
The sound of Alembic is medicine for the soul!
http://alembicguitars.com/info/fc_ktwins.html

mica

The short switches are no longer available. 

NolTaylorBassplayer

Quote from: mica on June 09, 2026, 10:52:34 AMShould be able to just unplug the volume/pan and plug in the 2-volume assembly. Of course you will need to drill 2 additional holes for the pickup selector switch and the stereo/mono switch. These will need to also have a slight recess as the bushings are the longest supplied and they are not as long as the ones for the pots. Ideally you would also shield the recess.

Some people that don't plan on using the stereo/mono frequently do not mount it, but just leave in the cavity. That way if you record in stereo infrequently you can just change it over when needed.

Would it be possible to keep what I already have, but remove the pickup blend switch in favor for another volume control, and then instead of a Stereo/Mono switch, just replace the mono out with a stereo out? I want to be able to have independent volume control for each pickup, and keep everything else as is, but with a stereo out. That way I don't have to drill anything.

mica

So no pickup selector switch? I mean, you could just tuck both switches inside, leaving the pickup selector in the both position and the stereo/mono in stereo. Then, if you ever felt you wanted to make the change you could. If you ever sold the instrument, having the more standard electronics as least available is probably a plus.