possible j-bass mod? and other questions...

redielg · #1 08-01-2008, 04:34 PM

I have a 2006/ MIM jazz bass in sunburst I'll be ordering Model j's soon. (Don't know if I should get them in cream or black though) Anyway, I'm thinking of a crazy mod for the electronics. well, not that crazy, I just don't if its possible.

I'm thinking:
stacked concentric knobs from vol/ton vol/ton for each pickup and then a switch for parallel/series/out of phase.
Is this possible on a standard 4 hole jazz bass control plate? Is it possible period? Technically, both pickups are humbuckers so is it possible to treat them as two single coils and just use 1 switch for parallel/series/out of phase mod?
Needless to say, I have no experience with electronics, just basing this off information i've read here and playing a vintage jazz and and American jazz with the s1 switch at the store.

redielg · #2 08-03-2008, 10:36 PM

bump?

redielg · #3 08-09-2008, 12:13 PM

bump. any help?

badboy1984 · #4 08-09-2008, 12:18 PM

I don't know how useful is the vol/tone for each pickup's sound like and the parallel/series/out of phase.

But i personally will just change the pickup's out and try out the bass before doing other stuff.

I think the standard Vol/Vol/Tone is good enough already with a pair of new pickup.

superfunk47 · #5 08-09-2008, 12:30 PM

With the model J's, I'm not sure you'd want them in series with each other, but choosing just one for the switch to work on maybe? I say that because the model J's are pretty thick from the get go, and wiring one in series would be pretty thick sounding, but wiring in series with each other would just be downright rediculous I'd think.

Fretlessboy · #6 08-09-2008, 01:24 PM

I can work but may get over complicated. I would personaly leave them alone and not not deal with the switching but that is justmy opinion

therex · #7 08-09-2008, 01:24 PM

with that many pots you should also add a bypass to have a really clean signal

redielg · #8 08-09-2008, 01:41 PM

Hmm. Then maybe I should just got with concentric pots. I figure that I wouldn't want both pickups to go in series with each other, since both pups are humbuckers. I just wanted to know what it would sound like.

Maybe I'll try a parallel/series/out of phase switch with my POS guitar research bass later on.

#include <MK> · #9 08-09-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redielg

I'm thinking:
stacked concentric knobs from vol/ton vol/ton for each pickup and then a switch for parallel/series/out of phase.
Is this possible on a standard 4 hole jazz bass control plate? Is it possible period? Technically, both pickups are humbuckers so is it possible to treat them as two single coils and just use 1 switch for parallel/series/out of phase mod?
Needless to say, I have no experience with electronics, just basing this off information i've read here and playing a vintage jazz and and American jazz with the s1 switch at the store.

Why not, you can do all that, nothing "crazy" about it. Will you be doing the mod? If so, then it can be a complicated setup for someone with no experience in electronics. The 4 hole jazz plate will be fine and will cover two stacked pots, one switch (assuming switching will affect both pickups) and jack. Trying out the stacked pot setup first is a good idea.

redielg · #10 08-10-2008, 11:30 AM

I'll be getting the parts but I won't do the setup myself. I could probably even get the schematics down on paper with enough time. But my experience with actual physical soldering work is very minimal.

redielg · #11 08-17-2008, 12:07 AM

I think I'll try the stack knobs first. Then, I can later decide if I want the switch installed.

king_xanadu · #12 08-17-2008, 12:13 AM

Koeda · #13 08-19-2008, 09:04 PM

For what its worth,
I like the Model J's, in fact almost love them. My suggestion is skip the phase option for bass. Leave the V - V - T config but swapp out the V's for push-pull V's. Use them to switch between Par-Series on each PU. Should give you all the tones you could want from the beast. Aloha,
David

lbwdog · #14 08-19-2008, 10:40 PM

I do love the "Model Js", and have had them wired for series /parallel in a conventional V,V,T setup (using a pull up volume pot for the S/P switching. This has become a very common mod for J basses and really gives you a close approximation of a P pickup (IMO).

I also like the tonal flexability of stacked concentric pots as well, so your idea is not that crazy. I personally don't need the "out of phase" option but am thinking of doing a stacked, dual concentric config plus a small toggle switch for S/P switching.

BTW, the "Model Js" each have four wire leads for separating each pair of coils in the pickup, but I prefer to connect the black & white wires together and use the red & green leads for each pickup (per Dimarzio). This way, they still retain their hum cancelling properties and make for a much simpler wiring scheme. Also, if you don't like soldering, Butch at http://bayoucables.com/ can make a custom harness for you for a very reasonable price, although his website's homepage is currently stating that he's not taking custom orders for a couple of weeks till he gets caught up on previous orders. He told me he was swamped the last time I spoke with him.

redielg · #15 08-23-2008, 12:14 AM

those both sound like really good ideas. i got plenty of time to think on the matter. thanks guys.