1974 Fender Jazz Pickup replacement question

[DirkP]

The pickups on my '78 Jazz are very weak too (I have to set the input of my Markbass amp to 100% and it still doesn't overload the preamp). But they sound very good. Some posters here proposed that maybe the coils have shorted. But if I understand the original poster correctly, the problem is that the volume is too low, not that the pickups simply don't work at all. If coils are shorted would the only result be that the overall volume of the bass is lower?

 

[devnulljp]

I also have a '74 Jazz (I don't think I've been on a thread with so many of them!). I would check the DC resistance of each pickup, for which you'll have to desolder at least one wire on each pickup.

You can check the resistance just by plugging in a cable and taking the readings off the free end. Black to sleeve, red to tip (it'll give a close enough figure to tell whether something's not right).

 

[Mickey R.]

Thanks Everyone for all the great input. Lots of info, and a few ideas to try before I change anything major. I certainly came to the right place.

 

[cripula]

How's the output when the volume knobs are cranked all the way?

 

[pbass888]

Seymour Duncan is the sound of vintage, ask the guy who said "gimme a gig ". I had the same issue on my 64 L series and they did a rewind and it sounds better than ever. Check with John Kallas here on talkbass. A real vintage expert. I'm sure he would have a Duncan- esque recommendation.