Some things I’ve been wondering:

1). I’ve read quite a bit about how they sound when wired in series (thanks to SMASH & luknfur for their excellent reviews). How about when wired up in parallel? Do they sound about like a “traditional” J pup, or are they still somewhat darker & beefier?

2). When in series, are they sufficiently P-esque sounding that having a series/parallel switch (inter-pickup, not intra-pickup) is superfluous?

3). Given that they’re somewhat darker, I’m assuming 500K pots are the way to go?

4). I’ve seen some people have a “been there, done that” attitude regarding split-coil Js in general. What is the knock against them?

Model J's had a natural rolled off top end and more emphasis on the Mids ( and even more so in the low mids) due to their high inductance. this also gives them their slightly indistinct tone.

Having a series/ parallel switch to combine both pickups is not a bad idea.

Having a series parallel switch for an individual pickup (in the case of the model J) is a bit overkill. Though I wonder what each pickup in parallel combined in series would sound like.

I'd use 500K pots.

And I can only assume people knock them because they are searching for a more vintage single coil J tone - which is not what the Model J's do. So if you are searching for the vintage sound - you may be barking up the wrong tree.

I just ordered a pair of Model J's...how would you go about wiring the pickups for series/parallel using a 2-way switch...any diagrams? pictures? BTW, I will be installing these on an '06 Standard MIM jazz.

I just ordered a pair of Model J's...how would you go about wiring the pickups for series/parallel using a 2-way switch...any diagrams? pictures? BTW, I will be installing these on an '06 Standard MIM jazz.

Meaning having the individual pickup switchable between series & parallel? If you look on the DiMarzio website, check out literature for the guitar humbuckers. They have diagrams there for that switching setup using a push/pull pot.

Overall, I've got a pretty good idea of what they sound like, and it's what I'm looking for.

I did in fact have the idea of having an intra-pickup series/parallel switch, using a push/pull pot. I was hoping I could get the usual tone in series, and then switch over to a more jazz-esque tone in parallel.

I put a set in my Jaguar. I like them on the gig, but at home they sound kind of... well, honky....? I'm not really sure how to describe them. I have read that they sound kind of ugly 'under the microscope' but in the context of a band they sound very nice! I almost have to leave the bass in the gig bag between gigs because I get the urge to swap them out because of the sound at home...

Anyway, back on topic... The series/parallel switch on the Jaguar makes them go from J-like to mutant humbucker sickness. If you want any brightness, you will really have to add it on the amp, or in the pre on the bass. I play classic rock/variety, so if I need that clearish J bass tone on some stuff, then the series(? regular) setting is the way. The 'other' way is great for country songs where you play the boom/chucks.
Hope this helps.

Meaning having the individual pickup switchable between series & parallel? If you look on the DiMarzio website, check out literature for the guitar humbuckers. They have diagrams there for that switching setup using a push/pull pot.

Overall, I've got a pretty good idea of what they sound like, and it's what I'm looking for.

I did in fact have the idea of having an intra-pickup series/parallel switch, using a push/pull pot. I was hoping I could get the usual tone in series, and then switch over to a more jazz-esque tone in parallel.
i'd like to use a toggle switch instead of new pots. would i have to get the switches that work: on-on or on-off-on or on-on-on or what...any links to schematics using switches instead of push/pull pots?

i take it back...i'll probably just fork over for three 500k push/pull pots instead of the toggle switches. i thought it would be okay to just have one push/pull pot and have them wired parallel/series with one another (which seems the way to go on single-coil pups)...but the best schematic i've seen involves using 3 push/pull pots and having each model-j wired in parallel/series. will three of these do the trick?...
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