MIJ Jazz Special wiring question....

Alreadysweaty · #1 04-11-2009, 09:32 PM

As many are now aware, I am the proud owner of a MIJ Jazz special. I've decided that this will be an excellent candidate for a complete refurb. My first question is regarding the pickup switching. My on/on/on toggle is shot and it's been a real pain finding a suitable replacement. Could I just remove the switch (fill hole before repaint) and run the pickups on the volume knobs only? It seems like a simple enough solution and the only loss being quick pickup selection. Does this make sense? TIA... AS

Alreadysweaty · #2 04-12-2009, 12:28 AM

Maybe it would be better to ask why it might be a bad idea. Keep in mind I'm new to bass, not to guitar...

Skyblue977 · #3 04-12-2009, 01:22 AM

Try a Les Paul style toggle switch as a replacement. I fitted one to my MIJ Power Jazz Special and it was a perfect match.

Fletch · #4 04-12-2009, 01:28 AM

Whats wrong with the switch? Could it be fixed by spraying some contact cleaner/tuner lube in there or does it absolutely need to be replaced?

Alreadysweaty · #5 04-12-2009, 01:40 AM

Most of the time it will not stay clicked all the way towards the bridge (P pickup only position if I remember right). A slight bump or sometimes just riding E will make it click back up to center. I already tried contact cleaner but thanks for the tip. The thought of a "cleaner" look without the pickup switch is appealing to me, but I think if the Les Paul switch works I'll probably go that route. Thanks again

MIJ-VI · #6 04-12-2009, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alreadysweaty

As many are now aware, I am the proud owner of a MIJ Jazz special. I've decided that this will be an excellent candidate for a complete refurb. My first question is regarding the pickup switching. My on/on/on toggle is shot and it's been a real pain finding a suitable replacement. Could I just remove the switch (fill hole before repaint) and run the pickups on the volume knobs only? It seems like a simple enough solution and the only loss being quick pickup selection. Does this make sense? TIA... AS

Hi AS.

According to the downloadable Jazz Bass® Special (Japan, 1987) manual, your bass employs passive circuitry.

It's likely that it uses a standard type of pickup selector switch.

Please post pics of your bass and its defective switch so that someone here can direct you to a source for a replacement part.

Alreadysweaty · #7 04-12-2009, 02:03 AM

Ho boy, I looked for a link to a manual for days and don't know how I missed that. Thanks! Will post pic tomorrow...

Alreadysweaty · #8 04-12-2009, 11:35 AM

Here's the pics of the current switch. I ordered a les paul switch last night (black switch/black hardware). It should look nice. Also ordered a TBX tone pot. This sould be a fun project...

MIJ-VI · #9 04-12-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alreadysweaty

Here's the pics of the current switch. I ordered a les paul switch last night (black switch/black hardware). It should look nice. Also ordered a TBX tone pot. This sould be a fun project...

Please let us know how the new switch and TBX tone control works out.

Fletch · #10 04-12-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alreadysweaty

Here's the pics of the current switch. I ordered a les paul switch last night (black switch/black hardware). It should look nice. Also ordered a TBX tone pot. This sould be a fun project...

Hey!!! Mines the same color as yours. I've never been able to find out what Fender called that. I really love the bass though.

JTE · #11 04-12-2009, 04:36 PM

It was a really crappy switch. Fortunately, you can replace it with almost any good 3-way toggle switch. Peavey makes (or did when I was in retail) a good switch that worked well in my JBS before I got rid of the switch entirely. Being a long-time Precision and StingRay guy, I really like having only one volume control so a V/B/T worked for me.

jte

Alreadysweaty · #12 04-12-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fletch

Hey!!! Mines the same color as yours. I've never been able to find out what Fender called that. I really love the bass though.

Yes, I saw a pic of yours on the sticker thread. I really like the body and neck color combination. I had it up for sale on EBAY (a MIJ J special with a very similar serial went for over $800 a few weeks ago and another yesterday for $600+) until I did some poking and prodding on it and realized that it wasn't hardly fit to part out so I pulled the auciton early. I would really like to find out the name of the color also and I'm thinking I might have to go to an auto shop to try to match it after I've sanded/repaired the body?

Alreadysweaty · #13 10-19-2009, 09:33 PM

Installed new switch and TBX pot, new strings and all sounds good and was an easy fix. However, I don't have time to take on a re-furb project or hardly even play it so off to ebay she goes. Thanks to those that helped.

JTE · #14 10-20-2009, 09:23 AM

That's Fender's MIJ Candy Apple Red!!! My fretless started life off that way.

John