Is it possible to have a 5 pin to stereo Jack cable?

[jazzyvee]

I have now got my signature basses upgraded to anniversary with mono/stereo output switch now installed. Most of the time I use my rigs in mono.
However, since the jack is stereo I wondered if there is a way to make up a cable that has a stereo jack at the bass end and the 5 pin end of the series cable at the other but only the signal wires connected through so that I could plug it into my "In-2" and get individual pickup outs through without my bass electronics getting fried?


I think this would make it easier to use these basses on my "IN-2" rack that houses my F2-B & SF-2.
What are the possibilities?

[rv_bass]

Couldn’t you just use something like this and plug it into the two channels of the F-2B?

[jazzyvee]

I actually have one of those cables but the way that rack is wired up the signal goes from the In-2 into the two SF-2 channels then from that into the front of the F2B, then from the F2B back into the In-2 then out to the power amp, so I was hoping if I had the wiring to the 5 pin into the In-2 i would also have access to the switching options for using 2 cabs.

Plugging into the F2b directly would kick the SF-2 out of the signal path.

I tried many different options of connecting in that rack and having the F2b at the start of the signal chain which fed the SF2, enabled me to plug the split lead or the Series bass signal into the F2B but it was overloading the SF2 even at low volumes and causing a loud cracking sound.
So having the SF2 before the f2b first was the only way I could get a clean sound at gigging volumes.

[rv_bass]

OKay, I see.  Maybe Alembic can make you a five pin add on component for your existing harness.

I usually use my F-1X with my SF-2, but this weekend I will try plugging my F-2B into the SF-2 and see what kind of configurations and results I get.  I’ll let you know if I get something that works well.

Otherwise, I would think a five pin end with no power on the stereo wire would be doable.

[jazzyvee]

Thanks for your thoughts. 👍🏾

[JimmyJ]

Sure that's doable.  Stereo TRS 1/4" jack on one end of at least a 3-conductor wire (neck p/u, bridge p/u, + Ground).  Then on the 5-pin side, pin-1 Ground, pin-2 neck p/u, pin-3 bridge pickup.   Nothing to the power pins-4&5.  That should connect to your rig in the same way as your Series bass.

-- OR -- The IN-2 has "outputs" on the front and back, right?  Those are tied together which means if your rack rig is using the rear outputs, you could use that Y-cable you already have and plug into the front panel "outputs".  That would pass signal straight through to the rear panel "outputs", if you see what I mean.  The only thing is, you'd still need to disconnect the Series bass from the 5-pin because in "standby" mode I believe that would short the inputs and stop audio from passing through the IN-2.

Jimmy J

[mica]

I asked my dad to read through this and he's fully endorsed Jimmy's approach.

[jazzyvee]

Thanks. So am i right in thinking this would be three conductors plus the screen which would also go to pin 1 and ground, or would it be two cores and the screen going to ground?

Would this be the right cable with a 5 pin instead of a 3 pin connector wired up as in Jimmy's post?
https://www.designacable.com/mogami-w2534-neglex-quad-balanced-cable-neutrik-gold-xlr-to-trs-jack-lead.html

[JimmyJ]

Jazzyvee,

That cable you've pointed to would indeed work if modified as suggested.  Mogami 2534 is the wire I currently use for my 5-pin cables.  Not as it was intended to be used but I've had good luck with it so far.  Because the "quad" is 4-conductors, two blue and two white, in a shield (screen). They're meant to be used in pairs and function as a standard mic cable with 2-conductors in a shield, but I (carefully) use them as individual wires for my 5-pin cables.

Quick question; is the Alembic 1/4" stereo jack still wired so that the neck p/u is Tip and the bridge p/u is Ring?  In other words, if you plug in a standard mono guitar cable and run the bass in stereo, do you only hear the neck pickup?  I'm guess that is still the case.

If so, with the above cable you'd want to replace the 3-pin XLR with a 5-pin MALE XLR.  Then the screen would go to pin-1, the Tip of the 1/4" would go to pin-2 and the Ring would go to pin-3.  Again, nothing to pins-4&5.

If you try to order that configuration from that company expect some questions.  But maybe they could build that for you.  If they do I recommend a very close inspection before you plug it in!  Or if you do some soldering you could rebuild it yourself. 

Jimmy J

[BeenDown139]

are you trying to do something like this?  both my rigs (home and rehearsal) are set up for stereo/bi-amp depending on which bass flavor (SII, stereo anniversary, mono) that i happen to feel like playing.  both setups have a DS-5 and a 5-pin.  i  only have the 5-pin plugged into the DS-5, and i swap out the bass end of the cable depending upon which one i'm using.   the  top one is stereo TRS to 5-pin so i can play the A-bass in stereo.  the bottom one is silent mono 1/4" for the mono basses.  it splits the mono output to both amps.  it came down to a choice of using a switchable patch bay and 3 different cords or this. 
ya gotta shut the amps down (or mute them) while swapping ends.  usually in a session i'm only playing 1 bass so it's not a problem.  it was this or change the jacks on all the basses to 5-pins.  which i thought about for a minute.  just for a minute.

hth
t

[jazzyvee]

Thank for that insight. I think having short cables like you are doing is a good option. I like the split mono cable idea too. I'm gonna have a go at doing that.
Did you make yours up yourself or have them made?

[rv_bass]

Maybe this guy can make the cables that you need

http://bayoucables.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4

[BeenDown139]

Thank for that insight. I think having short cables like you are doing is a good option. I like the split mono cable idea too. I'm gonna have a go at doing that.
Did you make yours up yourself or have them made?

i made them myself, i got the hardware from neutrik.
it solved my cable problem but where the cables mate is awkward.  ya got a little weight hanging off yer strap that ya gotta contend with.  it's driven by the right-angle connector on the 5-pin cable so ya gotta live with it. i hook mine on hte back of my strap.  i just guessed at the length, not sure if shorter or longer would be better.  it works well enuff that i think i'm not gonna jack with it further if ya catches my drift.

[edwardofhuncote]

I get smarter just by hanging out here. Love BeenDown's adapter cable. 

Here's my cable stress relief solution... I've done this for years. My basses all have Schaller straplocks, but it doesn't matter, you can do it either way. The strap is looped over the strap button on the bottom of my bass, creating a handy place to route the 5-pin (or 1/4") cable to the jack or socket. It adds an extra layer of stress relief. I have on occasion, rubber-banded them to my straps. (using those super-heavy-duty rubber bands that a bunch of broccoli comes in)

[BeenDown139]

a little off topic - love that fretless 😍🗿