Fender P-bass w/ S-1 electronics

[paradog]

is this a special electronics package or is this standard on all fenders? When was this introduced?

[cybersnyder]

It was standard on the American P and J basses for a few years around early to mid 2000's. I can't remember the exact years though. I have one on my P-bass and I like it, but others hate the setup. YMMV.

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by paradog

is this a special electronics package or is this standard on all fenders? When was this introduced?

It's over with.

It ran on the "American" from approximately 2004-2008.

Fender likes control circuit comedy. Their latest joke is the Greasebucket, which at least has the virtue of being easy to remove on the models that have it.

The only really positive thing I have to say about the post-'08 American Standard changes is that they have normal, conventional passive controls of the sort the vast majority of players prefer.

[cybersnyder]

I should add that the reason that I like the S-1 switch on my P bass is vastly different than most. I also have a Stellartone tone control and a Redeemer buffer. With the S-1 engaged and the Stellartone at the right position I get a sound in the ballpark of a Ric.

[Bongolation]

I'm sure that you can find a way to make this stuff work for you in some application. I just prefer simplicity.

It just drives me crazy how FMIC will not leave well enough alone and constantly "fixes" stuff that isn't broken, while leaving long-standing problems like the V/V/T syndrome uncorrected (though this may in fact be an insuperable problem with passive controls...I dunno, I'm a BFA, not an EE).

[cassius987]

VVT syndrome? You referring to passive tone roll-off when you roll one volume off, or what?

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

I'm sure that you can find a way to make this stuff work for you in some application. I just prefer simplicity.

It just drives me crazy how FMIC will not leave well enough alone and constantly "fixes" stuff that isn't broken, while leaving long-standing problems like the V/V/T syndrome uncorrected (though this may in fact be an insuperable problem with passive controls...I dunno, I'm a BFA, not an EE).

I forget the TB'ers name, but he works at Alpha Music in Virginia. Anyways, he had a few thoughts on relatively simple changes to the VVT Jazz setup that seemed to really make sense.

[iunno]

It's just a series\parallel switch.

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by cassius987

VVT syndrome? You referring to passive tone roll-off when you roll one volume off, or what?

The controls simply not working right in different ways if the volume pots are in anything but full-on or full-off position.

Severity varies, but in worst case, they don't work at all.

I just got a tech PM from an upset buyer of a $2300 Fender Jazz model with a bad case of it asking me about it.

[cassius987]

Funny, that doesn't happen with any of my Rics at all but you would think it would have the same problems (or worse) than VVT considering it has an even more complex wiring scheme--actually way more complex. And I don't remember anything like that from owning a Jazz either (with an S1 ironically... it wasn't that bad, just a subtle tone change). I guess I've never run into it.

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

The controls simply not working right in different ways if the volume pots are in anything but full-on or full-off position.

Severity varies, but in worst case, they don't work at all.

I just got a tech PM from an upset buyer of a $2300 Fender Jazz model with a bad case of it asking me about it.

I've never heard of this, and I've owned several Js. Considering they have been making Jazz basses for 50 years and it is one of the most used, and most recorded, basses in the history of the bass guitar it couldn't be too widespread.