Okay I'm a little confused!

[coastie72]

I know the difference between passive and active, I understand the tone controls. What I don't get is the difference in the parallel and series setting. I understand the concept I just don't know how it works in regard to the pups on my bass. I know that switching from one to the other there seems to be a huge change in volume. I really don't understand why that would be? When switching between passive and active there is also a huge difference in volume, that I better understand. Someone help me out here! Thanks!

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Have a read through the link below giving you a general explanation about series vs parallel

GuitarNuts.com - Series vs. Parallel Wiring

 

[Manfloozy]

The quick answer is that in series you are adding each pups signal to the other, in parallel you are splitting the difference... Think of it like taking an average in math. That is a super simplified version, but it helps me to think of it that way.

Also, with the EQ completely flat the bump from passive to active is far less noticeable, if that helps any.

 

[Big Poppa]

if you have your active vol set near flat there is a very very slight difference but when you boost freqs you get higher level

 

[coastie72]

Thanks guys, this is not a complaint at all, just trying to better understand the workings of the electronics on BP's Monster TrucK Ths is a help and I appreciate it. Man I love this bass!

 

[Grand Wazoo]

if you have your active vol set near flat there is a very very slight difference but when you boost freqs you get higher level

Sorry BP what do you mean by the volume set near flat? Do you mean like 90% full?

thanks.

 

[Duarte]

I always think of it as 2 light bulbs wired in series or parallel.

2 bulbs in parallel will be full brightness, with the same current through each.

2 bulbs in series will be much dimmer, with half the current going through each.

So, parallel = brighter tone, series = darker tone.

That's just my thang I think of.

 

[Big Poppa]

I meant tone flat....

 

[keko]

I always think of it as 2 light bulbs wired in series or parallel.

2 bulbs in parallel will be full brightness, with the same current through each.

2 bulbs in series will be much dimmer, with half the current going through each.

So, parallel = brighter tone, series = darker tone.

That's just my thang I think of.

Oposite my friend!

Bulbs are spending electric current, but pickups are producing Voltage and some low level AC current/signal)!

So, when in parallel, each coil produces fragile AC voltage during the string streaming in magnetic field over pickups pole pieces. Output level is the same and sound character is mixed from both pups position, right?

In serial mode, coils of pups are "pushing" Voltage through double wire (coil) and produced Voltage will be higher than in parallel mode almost double, but not exactly, 'cause electronicaly we talking about impedance, not resistors!
Of course sound will be colored from both pups too, but maybe slightly more powerful and higher in low-mid range!

Sorry, for my bad English (not my native, have big trouble to explain), but I hope guys you'll understand the point!

 

[drTStingray]

It was once explained to me that the signal travels vertically over the pole pieces in parallel but horizontally and vertically around the pole pieces in series - my reference was to an SR5 with single H - the series cuts through thick mixes better - I guess because of the enhanced output (with EQ boosted) and the pumped up mids??

 

[Duarte]

Oposite my friend!

Ha! Yeah, I realise that it actually works the other way round for pickups - only, the way I think of it is that the Parallel creates a brighter tone for pickups and a darker tone in series. Musch like the differences in the bulbs...but the circuit is of course the other way round!

Of course, my way of thinking about it doesn't account for the increased volume of series wiring in pickups, so I end up just confusing myself and others

 

[patpark]

series is louder,

parallel is cleaner, slightly less output.

 

[oli@bass]

just play the damn thing and use whatever setting fits the song!

 

[shakinbacon]

I know the difference between passive and active, I understand the tone controls. What I don't get is the difference in the parallel and series setting. I understand the concept I just don't know how it works in regard to the pups on my bass. I know that switching from one to the other there seems to be a huge change in volume. I really don't understand why that would be? When switching between passive and active there is also a huge difference in volume, that I better understand. Someone help me out here! Thanks!

passive means no external power source necessary

active means a power source is necessary (9V battery for example)

One isn't better overall over the other. However, active has some benefits that makes me prefer it:
1) equalization boost
2) gain
a) can use fewer windings of wire in the pickup to get a certain tone, but this gives less signal strength. Signal can be made up for with gain. Thus decoupling tone from volume in a passive pickup
3) buffering
a) allows you to drive longer lines without EMI pickup
b) less filtering of high frequencies due to capacitances

There are passive designs that can sound better than active. Especially if the preamp is poorly designed and has noise and distortion issues. EBMM preamps are some of the best in the business so I don't think you'll have any issues like that.

 

[Manfloozy]

A tidbit regarding the EQ in active mode: if you boost 1 band of EQ, cut another. This isn't a requirement but can help minimize the volume change and can have favorable results IMO/IME.

 

[laneline]

just play the damn thing and use whatever setting fits the song!

+1 with a sinus rinse

 

[coastie72]

just play the damn thing and use whatever setting fits the song!

Hey don't get rowdy I just asked a question I sure didn't mean to ruffle feathers! I find the tones I need, I was just looking to better understand how the electronics work Geeeeeeezzzzz!!!!

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Hey don't get rowdy I just asked a question I sure didn't mean to ruffle feathers! I find the tones I need, I was just looking to better understand how the electronics work Geeeeeeezzzzz!!!!

Take it from me coastie72, even I (that carry a reputation for getting in trouble at the most innocent of times) can tell you that oli@bass on this occasion was not really trying to attack you, but rather using a dose of sarcasm, saying you should just play, learn the variants and ejoy. Peace.

 

[Big Poppa]

oli is a peacenik dont take it wrong he is one of the euro guys that we love

 

[oli@bass]

Hey don't get rowdy I just asked a question I sure didn't mean to ruffle feathers! I find the tones I need, I was just looking to better understand how the electronics work Geeeeeeezzzzz!!!!

Oh Coastie! I'm sorry you took it that way... I should have added a but thought it wasn't necessary.

Sometimes I think these threads are getting way too technical. Musically it really does not matter why series/parallel modes have differences in output volume. And you won't stand on a stage, amps blasting, lights glaring, girls flashing and think about... Ohm's law ... would you?

It's interesting on an academic level to know about all that stuff. And if you're the type to think in mathematical equations it might even help you to get to a better understanding of your instrument in the first place. But if you were such a scientific geek, you wouldn't look out for that info on this forum but already would have used Google and Wikipedia to find all your answers.

So what you're looking for is more on a musical level. And on a musical level, all I can advice is the above. Which is a sarcastic condensed form of saying: Play your beautiful bass as often as you can, try out all the settings, play along to CDs and try to copy the sound you hear, so you will get a feeling for the way all the switches and pots work (see, I avoided "knobs" ) in a musical context.

I'm sorry that you got it the wrong way.

Enjoy your 25th! It's one of the best basses on the planet!