How to Wire a Bass Guitar Output Jack
The electric bass guitar was invented in 1936. It didn't become popular until 1951 when Leo Fender produced the first mass market instrument. It was quickly adopted by jazz players, who moved from the large upright bass to the electric bass. An electric bass detects the sound through its pickups. It transmits that information through the volume and tone control and out the pickup jack. Wiring the bass's pickup is a simple process once you know where the wires go.
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Things You'll Need
- Wire strippers
- Green insulated wire
- Black insulated wire
- Soldering iron
- Needle-nose pliers
- Rosin-core solder
Instructions
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1
Cut a section of green and black insulated wire to go from the bass jack to its volume control. Strip 3/8 inch of insulation off either end of both wires with wire strippers.
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2
Wrap the green wire around the positive terminal on the jack. Hold the jack with the needle-nose pliers and apply heat to the wire connection with the soldering iron.
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3
Touch the rosin-core solder into the wire connection and wait for the solder to flow, covering the joint. Don't touch the solder directly to the iron. Allow the joint to cool for a minute.
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4
Wrap the black insulated wire around the negative terminal on the jack and solder the connection.
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5
Wrap the other end of the black wire around the ground terminal on the volume control. Solder the wire to the terminal.
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6
Wrap the other end of the green wire around the center terminal on the volume control. Solder the wire to the terminal.
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References
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