Passive Bypass modification (with good reason!)

[Jateca]

Hi, I've already done a search on this topic and it didn't produce any decent answers.

I have a Stingray 5 HH, which I love to bits. The only problem with it is trying to use it with certain fuzz pedals, namely those based on the old fuzz face design (Zvex's woolly Mammoth is a good example)

These pedals do not sound as good when presented with the lower impedance from an active circuit, as they do with a passive bass.

I'm currenly in talks with a pedal builder about a transformer-based 'pickup simulator' that can be put in a stompbox enclosure in front of the fuzz to emulate the output of a passive instrument.

What I'd like to ask you guys is if it's feasible to incorporate an active bypass into my 'ray, ideally in the form of a push/pull volume pot? Just so I've got another option.

Everything else about the bass I love, and I'm certainly not worried about my battery dieing.

Cheers guys

Jon

 

[the unrepentant]

I know of someone that has this, but it was done when he got it so i don't think he knows how it was done.

 

[Jateca]

I know of someone that has this, but it was done when he got it so i don't think he knows how it was done.

Well on the plus side at least that means it can be done

I just need to figure out how much grief it would be.

 

[nicjimbass]

Oh man, the tinkerer in me just woke up! Someone has to know how to do this!

 

[ekb16b]

Wait for the 25th Anny to come out, you can flip from active to passive and what not

 

[Jateca]

Wait for the 25th Anny to come out, you can flip from active to passive and what not

I think buying a whole new bass is a little extreme. Especially when I like the one I have so much.

 

[fidooda]

I think buying a whole new bass is a little extreme. Especially when I like the one I have so much.

then you must be new here!

don't worry, give it a week or two and you'll see the genius behind that idea.

 

[pbass2go]

then you must be new here!

don't worry, give it a week or two and you'll see the genius behind that idea.

+1

 

[CFA]

then you must be new here!

don't worry, give it a week or two and you'll see the genius behind that idea.

This is unfortunately true (At least when you're a poor high school kid with no job)... I've been here less then a week and when I came I was more then happy and my First Music Man Stingray was gonna be my last bass for a long, long time... Now I'm already planning my next purchase.

 

[pbass2go]

Now I'm already planning my next purchase.

Well, congrats on your first MM

It is an addiction too..

 

[CFA]

Well, congrats on your first MM

It is an addiction too..

Thanks, and it is.... It's worse then Crack. I don't even have my MM and I'm addicted... at least crack you have to actually try to become addicted....

 

[midopa]

it's possible, but i'd imagine it'd get tricky if you wanted things like volume and tone control (as opposed to a passive push pull that wired the pickup directly to the output). the pots are connected to the circuit board and i bleeb their connections will have to be rerouted for passive volume and tone control. this might mean a multi-throw push pull pot is needed (i normally see only double throw but im no expert) if you want both with just a push pull pot. im in over my head at this point (i think i was when i started this reply). im pretty sure there's an easier more elegant solution(s), some being don't do it, get a 25th, etc. etc.

 

[Jateca]

it's possible, but i'd imagine it'd get tricky if you wanted things like volume and tone control (as opposed to a passive push pull that wired the pickup directly to the output). the pots are connected to the circuit board and i bleeb their connections will have to be rerouted for passive volume and tone control. this might mean a multi-throw push pull pot is needed (i normally see only double throw but im no expert) if you want both with just a push pull pot. im in over my head at this point (i think i was when i started this reply). im pretty sure there's an easier more elegant solution(s), some being don't do it, get a 25th, etc. etc.

Thanks for the input, I realised this when I had a look at the preamp last night (was kind of hoping the volume pot was seperate from the preamp, but alas no).

I have got a few more elegant solutions in mind, and if a prototype of this 'passive pickup simulator circuit' works well enough then that'll be it.

If not it'll probably be a wee switch to hook the pickups straight to the output jack. Not ideal, but since I'd only be using it with a gated fuzz it would probably be ok.

 

[nicjimbass]

it's possible, but i'd imagine it'd get tricky if you wanted things like volume and tone control (as opposed to a passive push pull that wired the pickup directly to the output). the pots are connected to the circuit board and i bleeb their connections will have to be rerouted for passive volume and tone control. this might mean a multi-throw push pull pot is needed (i normally see only double throw but im no expert) if you want both with just a push pull pot. im in over my head at this point (i think i was when i started this reply). im pretty sure there's an easier more elegant solution(s), some being don't do it, get a 25th, etc. etc.

Also another hitch is that (I've heard) the volume control comes AFTER the preamp, which is apparently where some of the tone comes from. Every other active/ passive design I've seen has the volume connected directly to the pickup. In other words, it'd be really tricky to add a switch; I was just hoping for someone to tell us how! lol

 

[thombo]

this thread led me to subscribe! i love my sr5's and have wanted to do this mod for some time. i was lashed at tb when i asked about it. i asked "how" and was answered with "why."
i look forward to the responses...

 

[oli@bass]

If you remove the battery, you instantly get a passive bass. At least on the StingRay 4. That could be the hint for the switch: To completely cut off the battery from the circuitry. No other signal rerouting necessary. Probably.

 

[thombo]

i have two sr5's from around 2000... removing the battery doesn't work, it simply stops the bass from creating any electric sounds.