am sending this just to say thank you for showing me how to solder, sorry for it being 4 years, yours was the best and straight to the point on how to do it, again thank you
What a great, easy to follow, informative video. I have been playing bass (mostly P's) for almost 40 years and I never knew how they were wired, I always had someone fix them for me. I wish videos like like were available all those years, I would have saved a lot of time and money fixing them myself. Thanks for making and posting this. Peace.
Beautiful soldering job ... but is there any special thing you do to keep the pickups from humming . My P-Bass pickups hum even though everything else is grounded as tested with my multi- meter
So clean I wish I watched this years ago I have had solder blobs and melted wires on all three of the basses I have done so far I need to get this cloth wire ! Thanks so much for you time and clear instructions
My cheap unbranded chinese p bass developed a horrible fret scratch. I opened it up (knowing nothing about the inner electronics of a bass) and saw that the green ground wire leading to the bridge had gotten disconnected from the pots. My goal was to just reattach the ground and go about my day, but thanks to your video, I disconnected and threw away all existing wires, cleaned up the pots, and reconnected everything with new wires and solder and it turned out great!! Also, my bass had a very different wiring configuration than what you use, I was afraid it wouldn't work. I'm glad it did. Thank you!
Amazing tutorial, I followed it after buying a wiring kit and new pickups and it worked perfectly despite me not soldering anything for 8 years. (Ok, I had to redo one dodgy joint which broke 😂)
Thanks for your teaching… I did it so far, step by step following you and was successful… the surgery was great and the patient survived. It’s alive! God bless you !!!…
Absolutely awesome tutorial. Informative, very clear and easily followed instructions from the people who make the best wiring harnesses. I will be ordering mine soon. Thank you.
Thanks a lot for such a detailed explanation! I've been fixing guitar electronics for several years but missing this confidence and accuracy so much. Your video clarified many basic but not so obvious things for me! Like and subscribe.
Awesome tutorial! I needed to change the pickups on my sister's bass and after desoldering everything, I completely forgot how it should go back together. After following along, the bass is playing like new. Thanks!
Thanks for doing this. I just converted my PJ to a P using your tutorial. I hated the J bridge pickup and now the P pickup is so much clearer and punchier without all that extra crap in the circuit. I put a dummy switch in the extra hole and will fabricate a wooden cover for the J cavity.
I've just ordered a full replacement kit for my 79 Pbass but have never before done this work. However, your video is so well done that I am confident it's work I can handle. Thank You!
thanks so much!...upgrading a used indonesian squier p bass...pretty good woods & craftsmanship...entry-level electronics as you would expect at the price point...thanks to your help a fender original 62 p bass pickup is now onboard with upgraded pots & wiring...also coming...a higher mass brass bridge & grover tuners...so a $300 instrument becomes a $600 instrument that exceeds a high-line fender!...thanks again!
Excellent video, thanks! Extremely informative and easy to understand and really helpful to dummies like me. One of the best filmed instructional videos I've ever seen.
@@SixStringSupplies Have you ever thought of switching to the Pure Tone input jack? I use them, and they are a much more positive "click" when the connector is inserted, more points of contact, I don't think you can ever wear one out- and of course, they weren't around when Leo started building guitars... 🙂
Yo thanks man, fixing up an old piece of precision tomorrow and someone had fek'd up all the wiring about 10 years ago so I'm having to re-wire the lot. This has been super useful
I worked in SMT for 34 years. Thermal linkage is a big factor when soldering like that. A bit of solder on the end of the iron creates more heat mass and will help heat up the parts to be soldered. Just a wee bit will do.
I like your technique. Lots of great tips on soldering. However, the diagram that is provided with the authentic Fender P-Bass pickup instructs you to wire the capacitor to the outboard lug of the tone control and likewise for the pickup input wire on the volume pot. Your video has these wires connected to the center lugs. Why the difference?
A big thank you for this video. First Time doing the electronics on a beat up Squier CV and by following slowly this video i was able to make a clean job and best of all it works. Thumbs up
Absolutely great video! I've bought myself a pot kit and because of this I feel I can tackle it now. Only problem is my bass if left handed....does that mean or 2 of these connections will to be reversed?!
Great video I have a pbass do you recommend a replacement pickups ? the bottom 2 strings don’t sound strong do you have any recommend how to trouble shoot .
I'm trying to figure out the wiring of this guitar my grandpa did before he passed and idk anough to figure it out. It looks confusing would you help me?
This is very helpful to see. Thank you! Dude, I’m no soldering expert, but it seems to me your fingers get awfully close to that soldering iron tip. But bravo, you obviously know what you’re doing.
I have a question regarding 250k(for volume) and 500k (for tone) - My question is - If both pot are using 250K, one for the volume and one for the tone, then how do we know which one is to be used for controling volume as we want to turn the volume from Zero sound to full sound and which 250K is to be used for tone control where we want to turn the knob to increase or decrease the tremble. Because both are 250K. The one for the volume when you turn the knob one way or another, it should go zero sound is a 250K and yet the other one for the tone only is also a 250k. I read about pot and the information is too much and too wide to narrow it down. Thanks if you can explain
Random question, could this process be repeated with 2 way mini ON/ON switches? Looking to change my knobs to switches since I normally play full volume and tone with a tendency to go zero tone on select songs
5 months late, but I think he wrapped the input jack wires specifically as a sort of precaution to make sure the jack is indeed in contact with the pot prongs and the ground circuit. The input jack is usually the main culprit for grounding and output issues in your guitar and bass so wrapping the bare wire and soldering instead of just a straight solder ensures a bit more contact, peace of mind, and longevity for the input jack. Hopefully that answers your question if you still needed an answer.
I love your videos. I’m working on my own bass project and I’m having the hardest job with grounding. I just cannot figure it out.. I’ll keep at it. Your videos helped me tremendously!
Great video thank you. I watched because I rewired my p bass last week with two new CTS 250k pots, switchcraft jack and cloth wire. I used a diagram from the internet which is exactly the same except they did not show a ground link wire between the pots as you have done. When I connected the amp there is a buzzing sound. With the ground link wire between the two pots you have done would this not create a ground loop? The pots are also grounded by the foil on the pick guard are they not? I have used copper tape in the cavities as well which I also connected with a wire to the case of the volume pot along with the bridge ground wire. Going to try again this week. Any help appreciated. 🙏
If this makes sense - the outer casings of the pots are being grounded. Kinda like a car. All electrical grounds to the frame. the bridge is your frame.
How much heat can pots take???...ibhave struggled with this issue and never wanted to overheat one it seems like they can take alot as much as you held that iron on them.
My pick guard has no sheilding what so ever, does this matter hgely as i have noticed a ground going to the bridge? It is a blue wire that runs through a tiny drilled hole and attaches to the bridge underneath. It's not working at te moment, according to the multi-meter it is the capacitor that is faulty hence me viewing your video, so thank you and i would appreciate an answer about the pick guard sheilding and if all else fails you might have to hook me up with one of your sets. Thanks again.
I finally did this, and thank you for going straight to it and being clear. However, I don't know why the pots are not working. The volume is 100% and tone 100%, but I can't control it. I can't turn the volume down neither the tone. Apart from that, everything is ok.
Do a video on wiring a squier by fender pj bass special affinity series. Or could you share with me a wiring diagram link. Trying to fix my humming bass issue.
Figures , mine is wired different ? Capacitor is wired to the center terminal and the wire from the volume to the tone pot goes from volume one outside tone is center terminal? Plus I have 3 wires coming from the pickups , one thin wire to top ground of pot and two thick wires a red + and a black ground ?????
Hi Six String Supplies Team, I bought this ready made wirings last time and it is amazing! Just wondering if you guys can make an amazing wiring for Sterling Ray4? Thanks!
Very helpful video for me but it didn't fix the problem with a bass I picked up cheap. When I checked my bass against the video I found two wiring errors. That sort of told me that someone else was tinkering with this before me. The problem is that I get very strong volume on the E and A strings and almost no volume on the D string and very weak volume on the G string. I tried raising the pickup closest to the bridge and adjusting for stronger treble and I lowered the pickup that covers the E and A strings. So my question is: is the problem a bad pickup? Are replacements pre-wired? Can you buy just one? Thanks for your help.
I know the video is old but I have a quick question: for grounding do you need to use the tinned copper wire? I know you said you can use the black cloth wire or tinned copper, but is there a difference? All I have is black and red cloth 22 AWG wire but no tinned copper.
im just trying to figure out how to fix my bass, a bunch of wires fell off, so this video should help, but idk i just have to hope when i get home this and the other tutorials ive downloaded do the trick lol
Hi I have a pair of vintage early 90s EMG select passive pickups which I am trying to re - install in a bass guitar I built around the same year I used a Hohner Jack bass as a doner for the parts PLEASE can any one Help with a simple wiring diagram ( I just want to play my Bass ) Thanks John A
Have you ever thought of switching to the Pure Tone input jack? I use them, and they are a much more positive "click" when the connector is inserted, more points of contact, I don't think you can ever wear one out- and of course, they weren't around when Leo started building guitars... 🙂
am sending this just to say thank you for showing me how to solder, sorry for it being 4 years, yours was the best and straight to the point on how to do it, again thank you
This guy is the best, a real pro. A pleasure to watch and learn from versus all the other hacks who embarrass themselves and don't realize it.
This is the best video on line for replacing pickups for beginners.
What a great, easy to follow, informative video. I have been playing bass (mostly P's) for almost 40 years and I never knew how they were wired, I always had someone fix them for me. I wish videos like like were available all those years, I would have saved a lot of time and money fixing them myself. Thanks for making and posting this. Peace.
Beautiful soldering job ... but is there any special thing you do to keep the pickups from humming . My P-Bass pickups hum even though everything else is grounded as tested with my multi- meter
So clean I wish I watched this years ago
I have had solder blobs and melted wires on all three of the basses I have done so far
I need to get this cloth wire !
Thanks so much for you time and clear instructions
No, you need to learn to solder properly.
My cheap unbranded chinese p bass developed a horrible fret scratch. I opened it up (knowing nothing about the inner electronics of a bass) and saw that the green ground wire leading to the bridge had gotten disconnected from the pots. My goal was to just reattach the ground and go about my day, but thanks to your video, I disconnected and threw away all existing wires, cleaned up the pots, and reconnected everything with new wires and solder and it turned out great!!
Also, my bass had a very different wiring configuration than what you use, I was afraid it wouldn't work. I'm glad it did.
Thank you!
Amazing tutorial, I followed it after buying a wiring kit and new pickups and it worked perfectly despite me not soldering anything for 8 years. (Ok, I had to redo one dodgy joint which broke 😂)
This is most straight-forward and clear video on the process that I've ever seen. Thank you!
Just followed this video to a T with an art of tone kit! My bass looks super clean and pro under the hood thanks to you sir.
Thanks for your teaching… I did it so far, step by step following you and was successful… the surgery was great and the patient survived. It’s alive! God bless you !!!…
A brilliant 'How To ...' with great info on tools and all the necessary accessories. Thanks a million
pleasure - thanks for taking the time to watch it!
@@SixStringSuppliesis there a difference between the tone and volume pot? Or just different wiring?
I had to fix a cheap, P Bass for a student of mine in the guitar club....Your instruction was clear and concise! Thank you!
That’s good to hear thank you sir
Absolutely awesome tutorial. Informative, very clear and easily followed instructions from the people who make the best wiring harnesses. I will be ordering mine soon. Thank you.
Hey Steve really appreciate that feedback! Have a great Sunday
Thanks a lot for such a detailed explanation! I've been fixing guitar electronics for several years but missing this confidence and accuracy so much. Your video clarified many basic but not so obvious things for me! Like and subscribe.
Thanks for the video! Got my old P-Bass purring like a kitten after watching this. Straightforward and concise, great for newbs like me.
Awesome tutorial! I needed to change the pickups on my sister's bass and after desoldering everything, I completely forgot how it should go back together. After following along, the bass is playing like new. Thanks!
Excellent video demonstration on how to wire the p-bass! Very nice!
Excellent. The tone control stopped working and then the volume went intermittent. Thanks to your assistance my bass sounds nice now.
Amazing tutorial video, literally just did my Squire P Bass, replaced the pots and pickups! You are the man!
Thanks for doing this. I just converted my PJ to a P using your tutorial. I hated the J bridge pickup and now the P pickup is so much clearer and punchier without all that extra crap in the circuit. I put a dummy switch in the extra hole and will fabricate a wooden cover for the J cavity.
I've just ordered a full replacement kit for my 79 Pbass but have never before done this work. However, your video is so well done that I am confident it's work I can handle. Thank You!
Wired my first harness, it works!! Thank you!! Followed along, everything turned out great!!
thanks so much!...upgrading a used indonesian squier p bass...pretty good woods & craftsmanship...entry-level electronics as you would expect at the price point...thanks to your help a fender original 62 p bass pickup is now onboard with upgraded pots & wiring...also coming...a higher mass brass bridge & grover tuners...so a $300 instrument becomes a $600 instrument that exceeds a high-line fender!...thanks again!
One of the most helpful videos I've found so far. Currently upgrading my P-Bass and I want to do it right. Thanks!
My soldering work looks like an apocalypse! This is great. I’ll mine a do over.
did this with my father two days ago, this video was a very big help. thank you
Excellent video, thanks! Extremely informative and easy to understand and really helpful to dummies like me. One of the best filmed instructional videos I've ever seen.
Thanks bro 🙏
@@SixStringSupplies Have you ever thought of switching to the Pure Tone input jack? I use them, and they are a much more positive "click" when the connector is inserted, more points of contact, I don't think you can ever wear one out- and of course, they weren't around when Leo started building guitars... 🙂
Yo thanks man, fixing up an old piece of precision tomorrow and someone had fek'd up all the wiring about 10 years ago so I'm having to re-wire the lot. This has been super useful
Why does the documentation from both my pickups and pots show the capacitor soldered between the pots?
Thank a lot
We had to repair one for playing in new year night.
It's really useful.
You're a lifesaver! Excellent step-by-step specific video, thanks.
Thanks buddy...great helpful video for novice like me. Restoring a Precision Bass and doing the wiring tomorrow. Perfect video that I needed to watch.
glad you found it useful
Very professionally done and clearly explained. Thank you Sir.
I worked in SMT for 34 years. Thermal linkage is a big factor when soldering like that. A bit of solder on the end of the iron creates more heat mass and will help heat up the parts to be soldered. Just a wee bit will do.
I like your technique. Lots of great tips on soldering. However, the diagram that is provided with the authentic Fender P-Bass pickup instructs you to wire the capacitor to the outboard lug of the tone control and likewise for the pickup input wire on the volume pot. Your video has these wires connected to the center lugs. Why the difference?
This is a fantastic video. Clear instructions, clear picture. I'm pumped to try my first full wiring job, thanks to you!
A big thank you for this video. First Time doing the electronics on a beat up Squier CV and by following slowly this video i was able to make a clean job and best of all it works. Thumbs up
I'm soldering my 1st PBass right know thanks to you. Appreciate your work a lot. Cheers
Absolutely great video! I've bought myself a pot kit and because of this I feel I can tackle it now. Only problem is my bass if left handed....does that mean or 2 of these connections will to be reversed?!
Great video I have a pbass do you recommend a replacement pickups ? the bottom 2 strings don’t sound strong do you have any recommend how to trouble shoot .
Dude seriously this was SO helpful, thank you so much
Thanks a lot!
I just have my bass out and this step by step instructions made it easy to fix it !
i have a different component is it still the same wiring
Excellent, appreciated!!! Thanks a lot for your advice. Complete and well explained. Solid gold!!!
his soldering at the back of the pot is satisfying, I'm having a hard time doing that.
Pencil tip vs Chisel?
I'm trying to figure out the wiring of this guitar my grandpa did before he passed and idk anough to figure it out. It looks confusing would you help me?
I just built a double P bass, and cannot find wiring for it... can one just wire the same with a double P as a PJ?
Dude!!!! You are a total bad Ass!!! Wish I had a video like this when I started all this. Please please keep the wiring scheming a’flowing!!
Modding my Squier Jazz and Precision basses with some kick butt high output pickups and electrics now is so tempting :-)
This is very helpful to see. Thank you!
Dude, I’m no soldering expert, but it seems to me your fingers get awfully close to that soldering iron tip. But bravo, you obviously know what you’re doing.
Happreciate that video bro, most useful one in UA-cam
Hi there! I've seen your videos working on Basses. I would like to see a video on soldering a PJ Bass if possible, Thanks!
I have a question regarding 250k(for volume) and 500k (for tone) - My question is - If both pot are using 250K, one for the volume and one for the tone, then how do we know which one is to be used for controling volume as we want to turn the volume from Zero sound to full sound and which 250K is to be used for tone control where we want to turn the knob to increase or decrease the tremble. Because both are 250K. The one for the volume when you turn the knob one way or another, it should go zero sound is a 250K and yet the other one for the tone only is also a 250k. I read about pot and the information is too much and too wide to narrow it down. Thanks if you can explain
Marvelous vid! Very informative.
Random question, could this process be repeated with 2 way mini ON/ON switches?
Looking to change my knobs to switches since I normally play full volume and tone with a tendency to go zero tone on select songs
Very clear thanks. I noticed you wrapped the wire around the input jack prongs before soldering, but not on the pot prongs. Any reason for that?
5 months late, but I think he wrapped the input jack wires specifically as a sort of precaution to make sure the jack is indeed in contact with the pot prongs and the ground circuit. The input jack is usually the main culprit for grounding and output issues in your guitar and bass so wrapping the bare wire and soldering instead of just a straight solder ensures a bit more contact, peace of mind, and longevity for the input jack. Hopefully that answers your question if you still needed an answer.
I just wired my P bass project according to your specs. Sounds great! Is this type of wiring known as 50's, 60's, Modern or a mix of all three?
Great tutorial! Thanks for taking the time to make this!
Does it matter if the solder grounding the capacitor and jack touch?
I love your videos. I’m working on my own bass project and I’m having the hardest job with grounding. I just cannot figure it out.. I’ll keep at it. Your videos helped me tremendously!
Great video thank you. I watched because I rewired my p bass last week with two new CTS 250k pots, switchcraft jack and cloth wire. I used a diagram from the internet which is exactly the same except they did not show a ground link wire between the pots as you have done. When I connected the amp there is a buzzing sound. With the ground link wire between the two pots you have done would this not create a ground loop? The pots are also grounded by the foil on the pick guard are they not? I have used copper tape in the cavities as well which I also connected with a wire to the case of the volume pot along with the bridge ground wire. Going to try again this week. Any help appreciated. 🙏
If this makes sense - the outer casings of the pots are being grounded. Kinda like a car. All electrical grounds to the frame. the bridge is your frame.
Very clear and helpful. Thanks
A bit late to the party but does anyone know what a good temperature would be for the soldering iron?
How much heat can pots take???...ibhave struggled with this issue and never wanted to overheat one it seems like they can take alot as much as you held that iron on them.
how hot do you set your soldering Iron between soldering on a pot or a pots terminal?
Great video!! Just what i needed
Pot and jack grounds can also be one bit of wire straight accross
Can you use a ceramic disk capacitor instead of an electrolytic?
yeah you can use any capacitor
My pick guard has no sheilding what so ever, does this matter hgely as i have noticed a ground going to the bridge? It is a blue wire that runs through a tiny drilled hole and attaches to the bridge underneath. It's not working at te moment, according to the multi-meter it is the capacitor that is faulty hence me viewing your video, so thank you and i would appreciate an answer about the pick guard sheilding and if all else fails you might have to hook me up with one of your sets. Thanks again.
Congrats !! Extraordinary video
Awesome video described with great detail thanx
I finally did this, and thank you for going straight to it and being clear. However, I don't know why the pots are not working. The volume is 100% and tone 100%, but I can't control it. I can't turn the volume down neither the tone. Apart from that, everything is ok.
Thank you. This made changing my sons base audio ports a snap!
no problem - glad to hear that
Do a video on wiring a squier by fender pj bass special affinity series. Or could you share with me a wiring diagram link. Trying to fix my humming bass issue.
So i can use any color of the wire, for example black only, do they have to be two colours ?
you said you change temperatures what temperatures are you using thanks
Figures , mine is wired different ? Capacitor is wired to the center terminal and the wire from the volume to the tone pot goes from volume one outside tone is center terminal? Plus I have 3 wires coming from the pickups , one thin wire to top ground of pot and two thick wires a red + and a black ground ?????
Is it possible the wire that i want to do is UTP cable.
Thanks for your excellent videos! Glad to be a Subscriber!
glad you subscribed! cheers
Six String Supplies p
Help i need help .... any good video for how to wiring a rickenbacker 4003
Hi Six String Supplies Team, I bought this ready made wirings last time and it is amazing! Just wondering if you guys can make an amazing wiring for Sterling Ray4? Thanks!
Very helpful video for me but it didn't fix the problem with a bass I picked up cheap. When I checked my bass against the video I found two wiring errors. That sort of told me that someone else was tinkering with this before me. The problem is that I get very strong volume on the E and A strings and almost no volume on the D string and very weak volume on the G string. I tried raising the pickup closest to the bridge and adjusting for stronger treble and I lowered the pickup that covers the E and A strings. So my question is: is the problem a bad pickup? Are replacements pre-wired? Can you buy just one? Thanks for your help.
I know the video is old but I have a quick question: for grounding do you need to use the tinned copper wire? I know you said you can use the black cloth wire or tinned copper, but is there a difference? All I have is black and red cloth 22 AWG wire but no tinned copper.
I got but only 2 words for you............ THANK YOU!!!!
im just trying to figure out how to fix my bass, a bunch of wires fell off, so this video should help, but idk i just have to hope when i get home this and the other tutorials ive downloaded do the trick lol
Hopefully!
How hot should the soldering iron be
Great video. Can i use a 40w soldering iron or I really need the 60w?
40w is fine for pots and switches etc, guitar work in general.
@@SixStringSupplies how about 30W? I just got today
@@silentyouber2816 30w is fine
Hi I have a pair of vintage early 90s EMG select passive pickups which I am trying to re - install in a bass guitar I built around the same year I used a Hohner Jack bass as a doner for the parts PLEASE can any one Help with a simple wiring diagram ( I just want to play my Bass ) Thanks John A
Nice work my friend 👍👍👍
Have you ever thought of switching to the Pure Tone input jack? I use them, and they are a much more positive "click" when the connector is inserted, more points of contact, I don't think you can ever wear one out- and of course, they weren't around when Leo started building guitars... 🙂
yep we are a Pure Tone Distributor puretonetechnologies.com/pages/distributors
Thank you very much, just wired my Pre to it , excellent instruction :)
Thanks sir. Glad it helped you out.
@@SixStringSupplies how can i buy a p bass pre wire harness from you?
Cruise Angel hi, on our website www.sixstringsupplies.co.uk/prewired-harnesses
Thanks for this video. To clarify, you’re just melting a bit of the solder to melt onto the connect wire, to secure it in place?
Awesome bro!!!
How about wiring of AriaPro bass guitar with active or pre amp with 9 volts batt???
first, get rid of that and buy a passive bass
Flip the pots to further show A250k, B250k for those who may question a Standard CTS or whatever..
Hi! Which kind of material is used to join the pot by the side?
Tinned copper wire (also known as Buss wire) 19 swg
@@SixStringSupplies ok, thank you
Thanks
Fun and you’re awesome! Cheers 🥂
What temperatures do you have the soldering iron set to?
Kool informative video. Not gonna say I'm good to do this myself, but will try now. Lol thanks for video.