Active "Power Jazz Bass Special" (Fender)

[powerjazzbass]

I've been a lurker for a long while, happened to fall in to this topic so I registered...my first real bass is an '87 Fender Power Jazz Bass Special, I bought new in '89 in NJ. Mine is black. I stopped every weekend to see if it's there still. In December '89 I finally bought it for $650 with a case, new strings and a set up. Mine is a little modified, it fits the music I play (NYHC, metal cross over). I've had over 30 basses over the years, but I seem to not able to get rid of the bass. I'm actually glad I never got rid of it

[powerjazzbass]

Originally Posted by A Wine Guy

.

I need an E saddle, but there are no replacement parts for this bass. Some say it was reissued as the Duff McKegan bass, or that the bridge was the same, but Fender says no??? ANY HELP?

Victor

I can send you my bridge, I've got a BadAss III on mine. The bridge is pitted a little, but it's the original one off my PJBS.

[DJJazzV]

Originally Posted by kerenn

I find my POWER Jazz Bass to be very 'beefy'. While the "Frequency Sweep" knob is turned fully 'off' (probably boosting lower frequencies) the sound is very bassy - in both 'active' modes (micro switch in the middle or towards the bridge).

I think that you can compare the passive mode (which is sort of like a passive P/J bass) to one of the active modes:
Turn the freq. sweep knob "off" (like when you turn off the volume - but with the frequency sweep knob), then change the small switch from passive mode (switch towards the neck) to the middle position. You'll hear the difference immediately...

Does anyone know the frequency sweep settings? There is no center detent. I'd like to start from no frequency shift and be able to adjust from there.
I'm also considering installing Quarter Pounders. I see a few of you have done that. Did anyone ever switch back, or was it a great change?

[kerenn]

I think that in the two active modes, the preamp boosts around a certain frequency, and the freq. sweep knob only changes the frequency that is boosted.

I do not think you can control any other parameter (such as 'how much to boost') or select "no frequency boost".
If you're in passive mode - the preamp is bypassed and the freq. sweep knob is unused.

When you move the switch to one of the 'active' modes, and play a bit with the freq. sweep, you change the frequency being boosted by the preamp (but the boost is there).

[OzzyGreg]

.
I stumbled across one of these at a garage sale about 5-6 years ago. Picked it up (absolutely mint condition apart from some corrosion of the black chrome bridge) for $600.
Its identical to yours A Wine Guy

I have always been confused by the switches/knobs, as a result the Ricky 4001 sees far more active duty with me.

Reading this topic has me thinking I might have to spend a bit more time with the Fender, getting to know one another.

Greg

[CrashCarlisle]

I just picked up one of these last month for $400....I love it! I feel very lucky to have it. (It's also a white one, identical to the ones shown).

[stroopy121]

I've had one of these for a few years now, absolute workhorse of a thing, I love her! Unfortunately, during a frantic battery change at a gig the other week, I lost that little screw that holds the battery compartment shut!!

Anyone happen to have the dimensions of fastener I'm after to replace it??

xx

[Fred_79]

Hello,

after reading this thread, the only way for me was to find one here in France.

That was done on March 2012, and since then that's a great thing beetwen this bass and me.

a few pics:

[heckraiser]

Hi guys! I just wanted to get in to the discussion and show off my two MIJ Jazz Specials. Also, throw my cents in on what is considered a Duff Mckegan Bass.

I happen to own both an 87' Power Jazz Special and an 87' Jazz Special as shown below:



It was the Jazz Special that was considered the "Duff" bass. He played that model with GNR. Light as hell. Power Jazz is way heavier. Notice the difference in the bridges and the pickups in the body pictures:

• P Pickups have the top pickup routed on the left on one bass and on the right on the other
• The Jazz Special uses passive pickups with over-sized magnets.
• The controls are simple on the Jazz Special - Vol, Vol, Tone - 3 way Switch P, Both, J
• And lastly - They actually put a better bridge on the Jazz Special(At least on this one).

Knobs actually very from year to year and guitar to guitar on whether you got the plastic f-knobs or the black or gold metal ones. Same with the bridges. Some have lacquered necks and some don't. Some have the set-screw neck adjuster and some don't.