[continued from:] Series I on Reverb

[jwright9]

Good point about the mono cable. I am pretty sure I was using a balanced/stereo cable. I will double check.
Will also try exercising the pickup selector.
Thanks

[FC Bass]

If the 1/4 is wired " stereo", you can split the two pickups using a stereo (TRS) plug, if you use a mono plug (TS) you'll only hear one of the pickups

If the 1/4 is wired "mono", you'll hear both pickups with a mono plug (TS)

Just to make sure you understand that right :-)

[elwoodblue]

It sounds like maybe there is a loose ground,
as it's not loading the circuit enough to bring down the
signals when they are supposed to be.


I hope it's a simple fix, that's going to be fun to play...Congrats!

[jwright9]

Correction.
The 1/4" jack is wired stereo and it is working correctly. (I was inadvertently using a mono/ts cable previously)
All positions of the pickup selector switch work as they should when using the 1/4" jack.
Position 1. Neck pickup on, bridge off
Position 2. Both on
Position 3. Bridge pickup on, neck off
Position 4. Both pickups off / standby

Volume pots function as they should, lowering or raising levels respectively.



The 5pin jack is totally wonky.
As mentioned previously both pickups are coming through on all settings of the pickup selector.
Position 1 = Neck(bass) pickup strong and lower level signal from the bridge pu.
Position 2 = Both pickups, strong signal from both.
Position 3 = Bridge(Treble) pickup strong output and lower level signal from Neck pu.
Position 4 = Low signal from both pickups.

In addition, the volume pots are not functioning properly when used with the 5pin jack. Signal passes regardless of the level of corresponding volume pots or setting of pickup selector.

This is a weird one!


Thanks everyone!


Mica, I just sent you photos of the jacks. Thanks

[jwright9]

Anyone know the wood recipe for her? Zebrawood?

Thanks

[jwright9]

If the 1/4 is wired " stereo", you can split the two pickups using a stereo (TRS) plug, if you use a mono plug (TS) you'll only hear one of the pickups

If the 1/4 is wired "mono", you'll hear both pickups with a mono plug (TS)

Just to make sure you understand that right :-)

FC Bass,
What happened is that I was in fact using a TRS->TRS cable but I was playing through my Fender Rumble amp which just takes a mono signal regardless of the plug used. Thus, I was only getting the Neck pickup.

This morning, I plugged into my Mixer and with the same TRS-TRS cable and sure enough, I got stereo signal.

[tbrannon]

Top and back look like walnut with a bit of flame to my eyes.  Back of the peghead does look like zebrawood. 

[jwright9]

Thanks!

Flamed Walnut and Zebrawood. Nice combo!

[Zut8083]

Still Starin', Still Dreamin'.

[jwright9]

It turns out the problems with the electronics were a result of a cracked 1/4" jack.

Once I got inside the control cavity and moved some wires out of the way I was able to see the crack in the side of the jack.

This is the second time I have dealt with/experienced a cracked 1/4" jack. Last time it happened to me was also with a Series I but the crack was on a different side of the jack so the issues were slightly different.

Case closed.

[JimmyJ]

Good find!  I hope that sorts out the weirdness. 

I consider the 1/4" jack to be for short term use only.  Like sitting in for a tune or perhaps a short rehearsal.  I use it for tuning in certain situations but I very rarely play more than a couple minutes without a power supply.  Another reason is the internal batteries don't last many hours and they tend to die at the most inconvenient times.

The cracked jacks are most likely the result of using cables with straight 1/4" plugs and then bumping them or stepping on and yanking the cable.  A right angle plug could help avoid that, but a stereo right angle plug gets into custom cable territory...


Because of the way I use the 1/4" jack I've modified all of my basses to send mono out of that output instead of stereo.  That way any standard guitar cable works for my short-use moments.  I would recommend taking this opportunity to replace your 5-pin jack, your cracked 1/4" jack, AND do the onboard mono mod for convenience.


Get that thing dialed in and start using it!
Jimmy J

[jwright9]

I prefer the 1/4" to be stereo.
I primarily use my basses in the studio and I primarily use the 1/4" jacks.

[JimmyJ]

Well there you go then!  Never mind my suggestion.    
So you prefer to record two channels and then mix them later? 
Jimmy J

[edwardofhuncote]

Here's an idea I had a while back that you may be able to expand/improve upon for your purpose...  I had several of these right-angle 1/4" male, to straight 1/4" female 'safety' cables made up by a local pro-audio shop. Now when our overly-hyper guitar player tangles himself in my cable (like the Tazmanian Devil on Red Bull...  ), it just unplugs me instead of yanking stuff.

Anyway... super-nice bass you got there. 

[gearhed289]

Here's an idea I had a while back that you may be able to expand/improve upon for your purpose...  I had several of these right-angle 1/4" male, to straight 1/4" female 'safety' cables made up by a local pro-audio shop. Now when our overly-hyper guitar player tangles himself in my cable (like the Tazmanian Devil on Red Bull...  ), it just unplugs me instead of yanking stuff.

Anyway... super-nice bass you got there. 

Ah, the "lizard tail" cable!  Good idea.