SB2 (2nd generation) - Function of the J Pickup

ac11367 · #1 10-03-2008, 11:26 AM

Is the purpose of the J pickup knob to help shape the sound while the P pickup knob functions as the main volume knob? I’ve seen a lot of TB’ers suggesting that the J PUP acts as a complement to the P PUP. But when I soloed the J PUP, albeit the noisiness, I’ve find the sound to be rather aggressive. The caveat maybe that my SB2 (I bought used) has the modded tone knobs on them, which I’ve turn them all the way up on the cut. Since I’ve never played a un-modded SB2 before, does the J PUP really function as a tone knob to the P PUP?

quickervicar · #2 10-03-2008, 12:21 PM

Pretty much, yes.

Madcity Fats · #3 10-03-2008, 01:01 PM

Yep. I have two stock SB-2s and have never felt the need for a tone knob. Then again, I'm pretty much a dial it in and leave it there sort of guy, so I can understand why some would prefer the mod.

**craigb** · #4 10-03-2008, 01:58 PM

I know I say that for two reasons. One is the very low output of the J pickup relative to the P. I know of a guy who used to crank the P pickup as far into the body as he could and raise the J as high as he could to try and balance them. That wouldn't work for me as I like the sound of the P pickup closer to the strings than that. The second is that I have a hazy memory of reading that was Leo's intention somewhere. But I've never found a source for that idea again so I don't quote it.

Heck, I'm about ready to drop a 3-way switch in my SB-2. My settings would be:

1. P only
2. P + J rolled off until the sound opens up
3. P + J full up

I may give that a try, then I can use single pots for overall volume and tone. I suppose I can do it without drilling a new hole in the pickguard if I use a stacked pot for vol/tone and put the switch in the other hole . . . I'm just not sure of what value resistor to use for the "J rolled off" position.

ac11367 · #5 10-03-2008, 02:16 PM

Craigb, i think I'm going to try out what your friend does: lower the P PUP and raise the J PUP. I hope by doing this it won't bring the noise level up too.

TDR1138 · #6 10-03-2008, 02:30 PM

I modded mine with a tone knob and a 3-way. I'm sure I'm missing out on some versatility/blendability of the pickups, but I don't care. 95% of the time, I run the P pickup only, and I'm glad to have the tone available.

So, to me, the J pickup makes a nice thumbrest. ;-)

spideyjg · #7 10-03-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac11367

Craigb, i think I'm going to try out what your friend does: lower the P PUP and raise the J PUP. I hope by doing this it won't bring the noise level up too.

The noise is due to fact it is single coil. Height won't matter a bit.

I run mine as high as possible like all my bridge pups.

Jim

Kompressaur · #8 10-03-2008, 05:44 PM

I've got the output of the bridge single coil matching the split P. I like it that way and I didnt have to lower the P right down to do it either

Templar · #9 10-03-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Is the purpose of the J pickup knob to help shape the sound while the P pickup knob functions as the main volume knob?

That's the general consensus. Which does'nt work all that well, due to the sharp cutoff point (or lack of taper) on the s/c volume knob, making blending difficult.

The SB-2 is not a typical PJ bass, it just looks like one. No point in tring to make it act like one. It won't.

There's an alternative strategy that works for me. Think outside the box for a moment, and try the opposite approach to blending the SB-2...

Run the s/c up first...then run up the splitter, using IT as the blender. For whatever reason, the splitter knob has a much better taper.

Voila....blending issue resolved, and the bass takes on a new personality. Try it, you might like it.

.02

68Goldfish · #10 10-03-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Templar

That's the general consensus. Which does'nt work all that well, due to the sharp cutoff point (or lack of taper) on the s/c volume knob, making blending difficult.

The SB-2 is not a typical PJ bass, it just looks like one. No point in tring to make it act like one. It won't.

There's an alternative strategy that works for me. Think outside the box for a moment, and try the opposite approach to blending the SB-2...

Run the s/c up first...then run up the splitter, using IT as the blender. For whatever reason, the splitter knob has a much better taper.

Voila....blending issue resolved, and the bass takes on a new personality. Try it, you might like it.

.02

I can't wait to try this at band practice Sunday. It seems to work fine in the bedroom.

sunbeast · #11 10-04-2008, 12:22 AM

I tried that full J, partial P idea for a bit- sounded good on its own, but tended to get lost in a mix (plus I tended to have to EQ it more than I'd like). Might work better in a less heavy band (I was playing some pretty heavy, doomy metal at the time).

Karl

idoru · #12 10-04-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigb

I'm just not sure of what value resistor to use for the "J rolled off" position.

Easy - just use a trim pot or a mini pot, tweak to taste & tuck it away in the control cavity

c-

**craigb** · #13 10-04-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idoru

Easy - just use a trim pot or a mini pot, tweak to taste & tuck it away in the control cavity

c-

Nice! I was thinking of adjusting & measureing the existing one a few times to come up with a value but a trim pot would definitely do the job. Thanks!

Nedmundo · #14 10-04-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigb

Heck, I'm about ready to drop a 3-way switch in my SB-2. My settings would be:

1. P only
2. P + J rolled off until the sound opens up
3. P + J full up

I may give that a try, then I can use single pots for overall volume and tone.

Craig, if you try this, let us know how well it works. I might try it myself, as those are the only settings I use on my SB-2. Since I don't need the tone control, I'd consider just adding a three-way selector (P only, both on, kill), and leaving the J rolled off to that "growly" spot. It would be easy to turn it up full if I wanted that tone.

ac11367 · #15 10-05-2008, 07:50 PM

I actually raised the heights of both P and J pickups. Now I can finger-pick with speed on both thumb-rest positions. I used the J PUP as main and P PUP as complement approach, and it worked great with my thumb resting on the P PUP when I pick. It sounds like a J on 'roids, with a very good P punch. Thanks for the advices!!!

Also, allowing users to adjust pickup height should be a standard on all basses.

idoru · #16 10-06-2008, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac11367

Also, allowing users to adjust pickup height should be a standard on all basses.

<moose>

Duh, whut'd he say?

</moose>

Did you mean pickup pole height? Because, yes, it is brilliant. I need me more G&L... shame my next purchase has to be a P for a tribute show

ac11367 · #17 10-06-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idoru;6360105
Did you mean pickup [B

pole[/b] height?

Yes, that's what I meant. I'm surprised that such an important, adjustable element of comfort is not implemented on all basses.

ac11367 · #18 10-15-2008, 07:36 AM

A couple of days ago I did something different. I actually stopped being lazy and started to fiddle with the EQ on my amp (GK 800RB). Before owning a SB2, I could afford to have every knob on my amp at 12 o'clock position and make adjustments on my Lakland 5502's EQ. But with the SB2, I need to put a little bit of work in. So I had my J-pup soloed with volume at 1/4 level as usual, reduced the amp's boost level to 9 o'clock, and just worked with the amp's volume knob. I didn't touch anything else on the amp's EQ. Such a simple adjustment made a tremendous amount of difference. The noice level is reduced and the J-pup growl becomes more pronounced, with less snarl. I guess with G&L's MFD pickups, there's no need to turn up the boost/gain on the amp. At least in my case, it was actually counter-productive.

epoxo57 · #19 10-16-2008, 11:30 AM

I found a vol/blend/tone with .047 Orange cap harness I had for a Jazz bass and installed it last night and really like this setup more. Now, granted, I had to drill a new hole in-between the other two, but I really like the one vol knob to turn when we get done playing for church and go back up again at the end of service for the last song. Also, I can set n forget the blend knob for the right balance. I don't think the tone knob acts exactly like a Precision or Jazz in that all cut occurs to zero tone, but that may be from the pups themselves. You could fry an egg on those babies!

Its not like I thought the SB-2 is flawed as is by any means, I just made it more functional and "me". Plus, the soldering is a piece of cake and I could prolly get a replacement pickguard if I wanted to sell it.

Scott