American Deluxe Jazz - what're all these knobs for?

thunderbyrd · #1 12-13-2012, 01:25 PM

howdy: i just scored an american deluxe jazz bass, not the model fender makes now, but one from about 10 yrs ago, i think. here's a link to some pictures of it:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bass-place/367727-nbd.html

i am mixed up about these knobs: the one closest to the neck is a master volume. next is a knob that pans between pick-ups (i think). the next is a stacked knob and i ain't got a clue. last is a smaller knob and it mystifies me also. it just seems to lower the volume, tho not all the way.

the bass has active pick-ups and i don't know alot about them, either. they say "scn" in tiny letters. any enlightenment you care to share is appreciated!

thunderbyrd · #2 12-13-2012, 03:03 PM

wow, this forum moves fast! bump back to the top... for a couple of minutes.

mellowinman · #3 12-13-2012, 03:28 PM

Master Volume, Pan Pot (pickup selector), Treble Boost/Cut, Midrange Boost/Cut, Bass Boost/Cut, Active/Passive Mini Toggle

**awilkie84** · #4 12-13-2012, 03:35 PM

Controls as Mellow stated are ALMOST correct.
1st knob - Master Volume
2nd knob - Blend pot for Pick-up selection
3rd knob - Treble Boost/cut (top) Bass Boost/cut (bottom)
2-way Mini-toggle - Active/Passive selector
4th knob - Mid Cut/boost (top) Passive Tone control (bottom)

thunderbyrd · #5 12-13-2012, 03:52 PM

this bass doesn't have any toggle switches at all and the 3d knob is the only stacked knob. the 4th knob is smaller than the others. i took one of the batteries out to see if it would work passively, but no go. complete silence on all settings without the battery - which as far as i know is the way all active systems work. i was hoping there was a way to use it with no batterys at all, but apparently not.

**awilkie84** · #6 12-13-2012, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderbyrd

this bass doesn't have any toggle switches at all and the 3d knob is the only stacked knob. the 4th knob is smaller than the others. i took one of the batteries out to see if it would work passively, but no go. complete silence on all settings without the battery - which as far as i know is the way all active systems work. i was hoping there was a way to use it with no batterys at all, but apparently not.

Ah, I missed the part about 10 years ago. It looks like it has the system that the current Mexican Active Deluxe haS.

Pilgrim · #7 12-13-2012, 04:11 PM

You can always check Fender owner's manuals online, too.

thunderbyrd · #8 12-13-2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awilkie84

Ah, I missed the part about 10 years ago. It looks like it has the system that the current Mexican Active Deluxe haS.

yes, that looks to be the set-up. so the little knob sort of pans between active and passive. you can play passive, then dial in the active sound to raise volume and change tone.

i need to check out the fender manual as mentioned above, but this ain't their present model so it might not be there anymore.

Kenzy · #9 12-13-2012, 04:52 PM

1st- Volume
2nd- Pickup Selector
3rd top- Treble cut/boost
3rd bottom- Bass cut/boost
4th- Mid cut/boost

portlandguy · #10 12-13-2012, 04:55 PM

turn the volume all the way up, the rest set all flat.

Kenzy · #11 12-13-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenzy

1st- Volume
2nd- Pickup Selector
3rd top- Treble cut/boost
3rd bottom- Bass cut/boost
4th- Mid cut/boost

I'm almost sure this is it. Hope that helps.

Doug Parent · #12 12-13-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenzy

1st- Volume
2nd- Pickup Selector
3rd top- Treble cut/boost
3rd bottom- Bass cut/boost
4th- Mid cut/boost

If it's a stock Fender than thats the set-up, no question about. No passive tone control. 18 volt.
Samarium Cobalt Pickups. Nice bass, I had two. Fender changed the pre-amp for 2010.

talknbass bro · #13 12-13-2012, 05:21 PM

The knobs should be:
Master volume, pickup selector pan knob, treble (top) and bass boost/cut (bottom) stacked knobs, mid boost/cut knob. There shouldn't be a toggle switch if it is the same version I am thinking of. The schematics are also available on the fender.com website as well if you want to check out the specs.
Hope this helps.

Wyattsgroove · #14 12-13-2012, 05:27 PM

Nice bass! I had the same one only with a maple board. I regret selling it. Was a 2004.
If you mess with the stacked pot (3rd one) you can cop many tones, from vintage to modern. I loved that bass! It cut through a mix like a hot knife through butter. It just got me into trouble because it played so easy that I wanted to solo it too much. Lol.

It has a smaller body than a STD jazz and the neck profile is slick and fast.
I used to get so many compliments on my tone with that bass. I may just have to look into getting me a new one, just a fiver. The new deluxe's are killer as well, BNB, yes please.

Play the heck outta your new bass and remember to keep 2 9v batteries in your case at all times!

Peace,
WG.