Alternate Control Wiring

[Gilmourisgod]

Ok, so this will probably aggravate the die- hard faithful, but I never liked two volume controls on my 4001. In practice, it always seemed like a change in volume equaled a change in tone. When I finally get a 4003, I'll seriously consider rewiring it for a master volume, master bass and treble, and pickup blend pot. That would leave the pickup selector a dummy unless I can think of a use for it. Is there any reason that wouldn't work on a 4003? I have the same setup on my Jazz bass, and its ideal for me, so no flaming please.

[jps]

Are you planning on installing a preamp to give you the bass and treble part of your plan?

I still have the pickguard and wiring harness that I made for a '73 4001 I used to own (I could put it on the '73 4001 I currently own); it is available for a modest fee. It is is VVT with "vintage tone" toggle switch on it. Mono only, no ROS. The pickguard was made by Pickguardian; you would most likely have to drill some new holes for the pickguard screws but this will (should fit the bass fine) depending on what vintage 4003 you get.

[Gilmourisgod]

I'm pretty ignorant on electronics, but if its just passive treble and bass cut, do I need a preamp? Is your pickguard already wired for master volume? An old friend (the guy I stupidly sold my 79' 4001 to in college) is letting me borrow it back while I save up for a 4003, so this more of a theoretical question than an immediate need. I remember playing a gig in college where I inadvertently hit the pickup selector onto the bridge pickup, which was volume cranked, producing an immediate doubling of the bass volume through the PA, sounded like a big wet fart! I used to tape the volume controls down ever after and let our sound guy set instrument volumes through the PA. I always wished I had volume pots that could lock in place, never seen anything like that.