Have an all original 72 jazz bass that has a neck pickup which is going bad. My options would be to rewind pickup or get replacement . Looking for suggestions I'm trying to keep the bass as all original as possible. If I do go replacement route should I replace both pickups?
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72 Jazz Bass pickups
- Thread starter jphilauren
- Start date
What do you mean by "going bad"? Pickups usually don't gradually go bad; they either work or they don't (most of the time).
You might just need something re-soldered.
By going bad I mean the neck pickup has lost output and tone.
The neck originally was louder and had more bottom than the bridge pickup. Now it has about 1/2 the output of the bridge pickup and lost the bottom. It almost is like the two pickups are switched. Pots are OK.
The neck originally was louder and had more bottom than the bridge pickup. Now it has about 1/2 the output of the bridge pickup and lost the bottom. It almost is like the two pickups are switched. Pots are OK.
Re solder the joints before you do anything else. Quick to do and will clarify the situation. +1: pickups either work or they don't. If output drops, its likely a joint issue.
Does it have bar magnets on the bottom of the poles instead of alnico rod magnets?
If it does, a bar magnet might have come loose. That could make it sound funny.
If that's not the case, and the magnets look good; try re-soldering.
If they're original '72 JB pickups they should have alnico rods, but you never know until you look. Parts get changed over the years.
Edit: If re-soldering doesn't do it, try a shot of Caig in the volume pot.
Will try going direct to jack, I think the windings are shot. Ohm meter read 8.6 for bridge pickup and 40.7 for neck
Considering cost to rewind it might be better to buy complete set of Fralins $180 for set or Fender Custom Shop for about $130 for set
Considering cost to rewind it might be better to buy complete set of Fralins $180 for set or Fender Custom Shop for about $130 for set
Not a good move if you want to keep this as original as possible. I had a similar issue with my 77' jazz bridge pup. When I started to disassemble the pups the wire came loose in my hand. I resoldered the joint (not the easiest thing to do) reassembled it and it's been fine ever since.
+1 for the rewind. This will help to maintain the value of the instrument if done by a reputable company.
Pickups can still make sound even if they are open. The tone will be very weak and thin. Your tone control will also function as a volume if this is the case.
Pickups can still make sound even if they are open. The tone will be very weak and thin. Your tone control will also function as a volume if this is the case.
+1 on resoldering the leads before doing anything else. I had one go bad on the '75 Jazz bass I owned in the early '80's. Unfortunately, mine was dead.
Then, if that doesn't fix it, to maintain the value, have someone rewind it, like Fralin, Duncan, Lollar, etc., who will carefully unwind and reuse the original wire.
Then, if that doesn't fix it, to maintain the value, have someone rewind it, like Fralin, Duncan, Lollar, etc., who will carefully unwind and reuse the original wire.
what do the pickups look like? 8.6 might be the highest rating ive seen in a 70's jazz pickup. usually low 7k.
early 70's pickups have the highest incidence ive seen of going bad. the insulation on the wire would break down and it would short the pickup by it touching the pole piece on the inside of the coil.
the rewound pickup will still sound like the original pickup. the replacements wont. i recently had duncan rewind some 74's and it was 60 a pickup iirc.
- Aug 21, 2008
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+1
And rewinds are cheaper than getting a new set of pickups. Usually about $50-60.
Spoke to Lindy Fralin today going to check solder joints on pickups, he thought corrosion
He can rewind for $75 or I can get new pickups $90 ea
He can rewind for $75 or I can get new pickups $90 ea
Had it happen to a 72 Jazz
Before his death, Cesar Diaz could rewind and pot a pickup so well that many experts could not tell they were touched.
Best way to retain the original sound and value.
If you are going to swap, the Duncan stock replacements are the best IMO.
If you want to hot rod; sky's the limit!
Before his death, Cesar Diaz could rewind and pot a pickup so well that many experts could not tell they were touched.
Best way to retain the original sound and value.
If you are going to swap, the Duncan stock replacements are the best IMO.
If you want to hot rod; sky's the limit!
I am in the process of trouble shooting the very thing tomatmojotone describes above:
"Pickups can still make sound even if they are open. The tone will be very weak and thin. Your tone control will also function as a volume if this is the case."
What does "if they are open" mean... My bridge pickup is very thin and the tone has been acting like a volume??? It's been driving me nuts, HELP!
Open means the winding wire is broken or the insulating resin/laquer coating has worn and it is shorting to ground
- Feb 16, 2008
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IMO, the magnet wire's insulation is breaking down, and i think that it should definitely be rewound. i can highly recommend seymour duncan to rewind vintage pickups since he knows more about them and has been doing it far longer than anyone else. every one that he's done for me has been perfect and has performed to exact original specs.
