If you’re a bass player looking to upgrade your instrument’s tone, you may have considered installing an active pickup system. Unlike passive pickups, which rely on the electromagnetic properties of a guitar’s strings to generate a signal, active pickups use a battery-powered preamp to boost and shape the signal. In this article, we’ll provide a detailed wiring diagram for a typical active bass pickup system, as well as some frequently asked questions to help you get started.
What You’ll Need
Before we get started with the wiring diagram, let’s make sure you have all the necessary components:
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Active pickups | 2 or 3 (depending on your instrument) |
| Battery case | 1 |
| 9-volt battery | 1 |
| Volume control potentiometer | 1 |
| Tone control potentiometer | 1 |
| Output jack | 1 |
| Shielded wire | As needed |
Once you have all the necessary components, you’re ready to start wiring. Keep in mind that the specifics of your wiring scheme may vary depending on the brand and model of your pickups, as well as any unique features of your bass.
Wiring Diagram
The following wiring diagram shows one possible active bass pickup configuration:
Here’s a step-by-step guide to wiring your active bass pickups:
Step 1: Install the Pickups
Begin by installing your active pickups in the correct locations on your bass. Most basses have two pickups, but some models may have three.
Step 2: Connect the Pickups to the Battery Case
Next, use shielded wire to connect each pickup to the battery case. For each pickup, connect the red wire to the positive terminal and the black wire to the negative terminal. The battery case should also have a ground wire, which you can connect to the bridge or another grounded component on your bass.
Step 3: Connect the Battery Case to the Potentiometers
Use shielded wire to connect the battery case to the potentiometers. Connect the positive terminal of the battery case to the input lug of the volume control potentiometer, and connect the negative terminal to the ground lug of the tone control potentiometer.
Step 4: Connect the Potentiometers to the Output Jack
Use shielded wire to connect the two potentiometers to the output jack. Connect the output lug of the volume control potentiometer to the tip lug of the output jack, and connect the output lug of the tone control potentiometer to the ground lug of the output jack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use a specific brand of pickups for this wiring diagram?
No, this wiring diagram should work with most brands of active bass pickups.
What if my bass has three pickups?
If your bass has three pickups, you can modify this wiring diagram by adding a third volume control potentiometer and connecting it to the third pickup. You’ll also need to add a third set of wires from the pickups to the battery case.
Do I need to use shielded wire?
Yes, shielded wire is recommended for this wiring scheme to prevent unwanted noise and interference.
What if my bass already has passive pickups installed?
If your bass already has passive pickups installed, you’ll need to remove the old pickup wiring and install the new active pickup wiring. This may require drilling new holes for the battery case and output jack.
What if I want to add more tone-shaping options?
If you want to add more tone-shaping options, you can experiment with adding a passive tone control or a blend potentiometer to the wiring scheme.
By following this wiring diagram and the included steps, you should be able to successfully install active pickups on your bass and achieve a more powerful, versatile tone. Happy playing!
