VVT Reversification

[tmossman]

Has anyone reversed their VVT mod on a 4004? Specifically what toggle switch did you use for the new larger hole? I really like the C&K switch that comes stock with the 4004's, but they don't make one in a larger diameter.

[aceonbass]

I find the mini toggle in the 4004 to be pretty wimpy, so when I use a switch, I use a Switchcraft switch for a Les Paul (gotta drill the hole out though). I'm surprised that you'd wanna change back as I've found the VVT setup gives more tonal possibilities. Try replacing the volume controls with 500K push-pulls so you can short out a coil on each of your HB1's for even more tonal possibilities. I did this on John Luke's "4004/2 V57" bass.

[tmossman]

Thanks Dane that should work. I like the the "wimpy" toggle because it is so unobtrusive. I tend to play in a very animated manner at times and the larger toggles get hit inadvertently.

Loved the VVT, but I am switching to twin stacked 500k V&T with a iiipopes modified version of the 4004cjj wiring. Coil cuts included.

[cassius987]

I'm probably the only person in the world who feels this way but I really like the stock wiring of the 4004... the simplicity is kind of its strength. Plus it keeps the impedance loading from getting out of hand without using huge R-value pots.

[superdick2112]

Todd, as someone who is contemplating wiring his 4004Cii for VVT, I'm curious as to why you want to switch yours back? Any issues I should be aware of before I modify mine?

[cjj]

For the 4004Cjjv2 I'm thinking of going to triple stacked knobs...

[woodyng]

i have been really pleased with my VVT setup,used a matching 500k 2nd volume,no issues,just very nice to be able to roll the neck pickup off a tad. i did not care for the mini toggle,but i also am not especially fond of toggles in general.

[tmossman]

Todd, as someone who is contemplating wiring his 4004Cii for VVT, I'm curious as to why you want to switch yours back? Any issues I should be aware of before I modify mine?

I love the VVT mod. I am not switching it back, just adding another T. Plus coil cut and more. My Laredo is my go to studio bass and I want it to be as flexible as possible. If I modded a stock 4004 today I would leave the factory toggle and add two stacked pots (VTVT).

[aceonbass]

Are you doing the coil cut with push-pull pots or separate switches? Toggles similar if not the same as the one RIC uses are available at BassPartsResource. What will be the eventual layout of your control setup Todd, and how 'bout a pic of that bass?

[coolhandjjl]

Humbucking to single coil mode is a great option. I didn't really consider it until Dane suggested it, and am glad I opted for it. Dane wired my volume pots with the push/pull pots keeping the higher quality pots for tone.

[tmossman]

Are you doing the coil cut with push-pull pots or separate switches? Toggles similar if not the same as the one RIC uses are available at BassPartsResource. What will be the eventual layout of your control setup Todd, and how 'bout a pic of that bass?

I have three switches on the control cover. A coil cut for each pickup and a circuit change switch like the cjj (v1 ) mod. Pics to follow once I figure out the toggle part number, order and install it.

[jps]

An alternative arrangement would be two individual volume controls with stacked tone controls, or do you want the pickup toggle switch back on the bass? The electronics that Joe Zon added to my former fretted ZON Sonus 5/1.2 (my designation) had that setup, with pull switches on the volume controls for switching the pickups from series to parallel.

[rickenbrother]

I'm probably the only person in the world who feels this way but I really like the stock wiring of the 4004... the simplicity is kind of its strength. Plus it keeps the impedance loading from getting out of hand without using huge R-value pots.

Sorry Joshua, but I'm right there with ya!
I think Tony Cabibe felt the same way when he had his 4004Cii, that he now misses a whole lot!
I also like the smaller toggle switch for the reasons being that it's smaller, it looks neater, simpler, takes up less room, not to interrupt the pretty wood and the toggle doesn't take the brunt of getting hit when ever the 4004 shifts back to front in it's case.

[tmossman]

I'm probably the only person in the world who feels this way but I really like the stock wiring of the 4004... the simplicity is kind of its strength. Plus it keeps the impedance loading from getting out of hand without using huge R-value pots.

As a gigging bass I would agree with you as well. I can get more than enough sounds out of a stock 4004 to make me happy. My desire for instant sound change is when recording at home. I found myself swapping basses WAY too often chasing a sound that I thought MIGHT be there. I would wonder if a (insert RIC pickup option here) would sound better for a song and swap basses. One night I had six basses out chasing a sound and decided I had enough. I decided then to wire the Laredo in a super configurable manner to let me keep one bass active and my life simpler.

Stock 4004's rule. However the mods make me happy and I am sure 99% of my happiness is placebo effect. But I really like my brain to at least think it is happy.

[johnallg]

But I really like my brain to at least think it is happy.

I hear ya!