I want to bring my Jazz bass back to passive.

Tony G · #1 08-20-2008, 08:32 PM

A number of years ago I had Bart pickups and preamp installed in my MIJ '75 RI Jazz. I've got two other very nice and very active basses, and decided I want to bring my Jazz back to passive to serve as a reliable back up bass and a good old fashioned a$$ kicking funk machine.

First I'm thinking the obvious, just remove the preamp and put a passive control plate on there. I haven't looked into it yet, but should I go with 250K or 500K pots? Anything else I should know about? I'm thinking about having Bayou Cables make one up for me when he is taking orders again.

Eventually I think I will replace the pickups. I'm looking for a traditional jazz bass tone with this bass, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

cybersnyder · #2 08-20-2008, 09:17 PM

I can't come up with anything "cheap", but since you already have the electronics cavity, I'd put single coil pickups in first and then go with an active/passive setup with a Sadowsky or OBP-1 preamp. V/V/T when passive and stacked B/T boost when active. Best of both worlds.

kjpollo · #3 08-20-2008, 09:19 PM

Cant help with the pots-thats a bit over my head but good passive pickups? More choices than you can imagine.

The first 2 that come to my mind are Seymour Duncan SJB-1's which are true passive single coils and the DiMarzio Model J which are stacked-coil humbuckers.

I used to own a Jazz clone that had the DiMarzio's and they had a good full sound to them but I sold that bass to help fund my custom. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to use that bass in a band setting.

I've never used the Duncan J's myself but I do use other Duncans in my main bass and I like their sound. If I had a Jazz and was going to change the pickups, I would probably look to them first.

You'll also probably get a lot of recommendations for Nordstrands. I've never used them but a TON of well-respected bassists on here love them so that says a lot (to me anyway

)

Just one guy's opinion-good luck and I hope the re-mod comes out great!

Tony G · #4 08-21-2008, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

I can't come up with anything "cheap", but since you already have the electronics cavity, I'd put single coil pickups in first and then go with an active/passive setup with a Sadowsky or OBP-1 preamp. V/V/T when passive and stacked B/T boost when active. Best of both worlds.

I'm looking to make this bass completely passive I think. No preamp at all.

needmoney · #5 08-21-2008, 06:59 AM

Just get some good single-coils. Nordstrand and Lindy Fralin are the two big-guns in regards to single-coil J's, but there's also cheaper options that would serve you just as well. I'd look into some Fender pickups since it's going in a Fender. Fender CS 60's are great pickups.

As far as the passive thing, if you're competent in soldering, just grab a vintage wiring kit from http://www.basspartsresource.com/bas...wiringkits.htm and wire it up like this - Jazz. Otherwise, sure, you can get one from Bayou, or Rothstein, or a number of places, but cheaper doing it yourself.

Tony G · #6 08-21-2008, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needmoney

Just get some good single-coils. Nordstrand and Lindy Fralin are the two big-guns in regards to single-coil J's, but there's also cheaper options that would serve you just as well. I'd look into some Fender pickups since it's going in a Fender. Fender CS 60's are great pickups.

As far as the passive thing, if you're competent in soldering, just grab a vintage wiring kit from http://www.basspartsresource.com/bas...wiringkits.htm and wire it up like this - Jazz. Otherwise, sure, you can get one from Bayou, or Rothstein, or a number of places, but cheaper doing it yourself.

Well, my Nordy has the Big Splits in it, so I think I want to go with a different brand of pickups with my jazz. Single coils sound like the way to go for the most traditional jazz tone. I'll look into the Fralins and CS 60's pickups. When it comes to soldering, I'm only ok. I'd rather have a pro do it.

needmoney · #7 08-21-2008, 05:28 PM

Don't forget the Duncan Antiquities, but they're $$$.

bhubb3rd · #8 08-24-2008, 08:57 PM

I have 2 passive Jazz plates the Andy Rothstein put together - volume / blend / tone. He does great work with top quality parts, but you will pay a little more for his great work than doing it yourself! BYW, I also replaced the stock Jazz PUPs with Nordstrands, hard to beat!