73 Jazz Bass pickup repair

sax_man · #1 08-16-2007, 07:22 PM

I recently re-obtained my 1973 Fender Jazz Bass, which had been on "loan" to my nephew for the last 24 years. It hasn't been played in 13 years. Going over it and doing the set up, I find that the bridge PU isn't working. I know it is the PU, because I wired the neck PU to a dummy pot, and it worked, but wiring the bridge PU to the same pot, it doesn't work. The PU is stamped on the bottom 16 38 73. I'm assuming that there is a break in the wire somewhere. My question(s):
1. Is there anyway to come up with a precise diagnosis?
and
2. Is this PU worth having rewound?

I am leaning towards replacing both pickups (possibly Dimarzio DP123's or EMG JV's).
Any advice or opinions is appreciated. Thanks

steve66 · #2 08-16-2007, 07:29 PM

check out the Lindy Fralin Jazz Pups as well. Awesome vintage fender sound.

P_bass · #3 08-16-2007, 08:52 PM

If it took new pickups I would consider having Lindy Fralin rewind the originals. Just a thought to keep it original as possible.

JimmyM · #4 08-17-2007, 02:24 AM

I wouldn't replace the pickups. I would look into the problem a lot further before I did anything. I'm sure there's a way to diagnose the exact problem. I have no clue what it is, but it may not be as drastic as needing a full rewind. But even if it is, it's worth it as stock pickups are highly desirable in old Fenders.

Phil Mailloux · #5 08-17-2007, 06:19 AM

Definitely don't change the pickups unless you're 100% sure they're dead and can't be rewound.

Put a multimeter to the two leads of the pickup to see if there's an output from them, if there is then the pickup isn't the problem. If there's no output you might still be able to save it, maybe one of the coil wires is broken and can be resoldered. If the coil wires are broken and unfixable then consider having that pickup rewound by a pro.

You're much better off keeping the original pickups in that bass or at worse having that dead pickup rewound. The bass is worth a lot more with the original pickups then with replacements.

sax_man · #6 08-17-2007, 10:12 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I took all of the electronics out tonight, and cleaned them up. Inspecting the PU with my magnifier, I found a loose end of one of the coil wires, but I couldn't find the other broken end. I'm assuming that this is the problem. I will probably be sending the PU in for professional rewinding. Thanks again.

pilotjones · #7 08-18-2007, 08:54 AM

If the other end can be found, and if that's the only problem, maybe it could be repaired rather than rewound. Even better.