'80s MIJ "Boxer" Inspired Projekt…

[Malak the Mad]

Greetings, All!

I've been mulling over a new parts-bass Projekt heavily inspired by the Fender-Japan JB-555 "Boxer Series" Jazz bass. I already have the basics planned out…Aerodyne neck, Warmoth body with four control holes + output jack, black or smoked chrome hardware, etc…so now my thoughts are turning towards my pickup and electronics options.

If you were putting together something with a very "Eighties" bend, what would you consider?

Off the top of my head, there are two pickup options that have my attention;

1. DiMarzio Model J 123BK. They appear to get a lot of respect around here, are hum-cancelling and the adjustable poles could work well with the Aerodyne neck's curvy, 7.25" fretboard radius. Also, the black poles would be a nice, but not 100% necessary, visual match.
2. Fender-Japan "HOTROD" Pickups. I wrote about them in an older thread when I briefly owned an MIJ "All-Black" JB62. They had enlarged pole pieces* and sounded great. However, tracking down a set of those would be like hunting a unicorn, so I'm not holding my breath.

*: I've tried Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders and they're a bit too "boomy" for my tastes.

For reference, here are some pics. This is the JB-555 "Boxer" Jazz I'm talking about…

(…note the slightly beefier pole pieces…)

…and here's a close-up of the JB62's "HOTROD" pickups.

As for the electronics, I'm probably going to go with an active/passive preamp, but a pickup switch doesn't have to be involved. Like I said, it's the inspiration, not a matter of "100% accurate reproduction".

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I thought you were going to do this one...

 

[Malak the Mad]

I thought you were going to do this one...

Tempting as that was, it would take way, waaaaaay more work than I'm willing to put into a parts-bass build. (And I don't want to even know what Warmoth would charge for that kind of specialized routing! ) Besides, I already have enough black basses AND a monster of a Blacktop Jazz, so I'm good on that front.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I would go with the DiMarzio Model J's. Just make sure you use the recommended pots and cap:
https://d2emr0qhzqfj88.cloudfront.net/s3fs-public/diagrams/DiMarzio Model J Wiring Diagram.pdf

the only other pickups that might satisfy are the Aguilar AG4J Hot with their enlarged pole pieces. I have never used them, but they may not be as boomy as QP's.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I would go with the DiMarzio Model J's. Just make sure you use the recommended pots and cap:
https://d2emr0qhzqfj88.cloudfront.net/s3fs-public/diagrams/DiMarzio Model J Wiring Diagram.pdf

the only other pickups that might satisfy are the Aguilar AG4J Hot with their enlarged pole pieces. I have never used them, but they may not be as boomy as QP's.
View attachment 4254214

Thanks for the heads-up, Eddie! The funny thing is, two demos later and I'd diggin' the AG4J-HC's sound even better. While I do remember the HOTROD pickups being rather beefy, that quality didn't overwhelm the growl which, to my ears, the Hot Aguilars do. Not to say they sound muffled, more like the balance is tipped a bit too much towards the bass EQ.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I tend to like the sound of the HC's as well...though the Model J's have been available throughout the 80s, which would lend credence to the 80s motif of the bass you're planning.

 

[Malak the Mad]

After a whole day of doing research and watching demos (what else am I gonna do while suffering the slings and arrows of my 2nd vaccination jab? ) I'm very much leaning towards the Seymour Duncan Apollo pickups. Not only are they hum-cancelling, but they sound great. As a bonus feature, they have taller pole pieces for the A and D-strings, which will help with that super-curvy Aerodyne fretboard.

All that being said, I'm still open to options. While the Apollo pups are currently in the lead, I'd love to hear more suggestions and feedback. This Projekt is a long way off, so I'm not in any rush to pull the trigger.

 

[HardNHeavy]

looks like a fun build

 

[sonojono]

I think you'll like the Dimarzio Ultra Jazz pickups better quite honestly as their almost on par with the Aguilar HCs

 

[Malak the Mad]

I think you'll like the Dimarzio Ultra Jazz pickups better quite honestly as their almost on par with the Aguilar HCs

From what I've heard today, they're definitely on my list of considerations. They sound very nice and modern. Plus, they cost a bit less than the Duncan Apollo sets.

My main concern is I keep seeing conflicting images of them. Some pics show them with staggered pole pieces, while others look flush to the pickup covers. It might be a minor thing, but I want to make sure I get even output across the strings.

 

[Malak the Mad]

On the subject of "preamps", it's too early in the game to decide, but I'm taking a shine towards the Audere Classic module preamp. Specifically, I'm thinking about a basic, 3-band with controls for Volume/Volume, instead of a blend pot.

My admittedly limited experience with active basses make me lean towards V/V controls. I guess I like to be able to fine tune the respective volumes, even though I'm probably being silly since I usually have one pot at 100% anyway. Still, it's what I'm used to, so there's that.

Does anyone else know of a 4-knob or 3+1-switch preamp that allows for a V/V control suite?

 

[funkinbottom]

Does anyone else know of a 4-knob or 3+1-switch preamp that allows for a V/V control suite?

I think the Aguilar OBP3 has that option.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Does anyone else know of a 4-knob or 3+1-switch preamp that allows for a V/V control suite?

Yes
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[Smooth_bass88]

Greetings, All!

I've been mulling over a new parts-bass Projekt heavily inspired by the Fender-Japan JB-555 "Boxer Series" Jazz bass. I already have the basics planned out…Aerodyne neck, Warmoth body with four control holes + output jack, black or smoked chrome hardware, etc…so now my thoughts are turning towards my pickup and electronics options.

If you were putting together something with a very "Eighties" bend, what would you consider?

Off the top of my head, there are two pickup options that have my attention;

1. DiMarzio Model J 123BK. They appear to get a lot of respect around here, are hum-cancelling and the adjustable poles could work well with the Aerodyne neck's curvy, 7.25" fretboard radius. Also, the black poles would be a nice, but not 100% necessary, visual match.
2. Fender-Japan "HOTROD" Pickups. I wrote about them in an older thread when I briefly owned an MIJ "All-Black" JB62. They had enlarged pole pieces* and sounded great. However, tracking down a set of those would be like hunting a unicorn, so I'm not holding my breath.

*: I've tried Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders and they're a bit too "boomy" for my tastes.

For reference, here are some pics. This is the JB-555 "Boxer" Jazz I'm talking about…
View attachment 4254133

(…note the slightly beefier pole pieces…)
View attachment 4254134

…and here's a close-up of the JB62's "HOTROD" pickups.
View attachment 4254135

As for the electronics, I'm probably going to go with an active/passive preamp, but a pickup switch doesn't have to be involved. Like I said, it's the inspiration, not a matter of "100% accurate reproduction".

I love these things! Wish more were available stateside. If Fender reissued these I'd buy one in a millisecond.

One thing to consider- everyone in the 80s put EMGs in their basses. Even vintage Fenders. My buddy Sean H. had a black '64 P Bass with an EMG in it. When I acquired my vintage 1962 Jazz, it too had EMGs. Maybe consider their passive models (I forget the exact model name). Doesn't Bobby Vega have the passive EMGs in his bass? gold hardware would look killer too. Good luck with your build!

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I have a set of Apollo's in my VMJV

I would have suggested them, but I felt that the Model J's might fit that bass better as something that would have been in an 80s bass.
This guy in Poland has some pretty good sound samples:


as far as preamps go, for Jazz I seem to favor 2-band with passive tone control always in the circuit.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Yes
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That's almost exactly the one I was looking at. My only concern is can the switch be adapted to fit a standard size control hole. With that in mind, I'd probably just go for the simple V/V/Mid/Treb-Bass setup.

 

[Malak the Mad]

as far as preamps go, for Jazz I seem to favor 2-band with passive tone control always in the circuit.

That's another option I'm considering. I have one like that from Guitar Fuel waiting to go into another Projekt. If it works out well, I may grab another like it.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

Greetings, All!

I've been mulling over a new parts-bass Projekt heavily inspired by the Fender-Japan JB-555 "Boxer Series" Jazz bass. I already have the basics planned out…Aerodyne neck, Warmoth body with four control holes + output jack, black or smoked chrome hardware, etc…so now my thoughts are turning towards my pickup and electronics options.

If you were putting together something with a very "Eighties" bend, what would you consider?

Off the top of my head, there are two pickup options that have my attention;

1. DiMarzio Model J 123BK. They appear to get a lot of respect around here, are hum-cancelling and the adjustable poles could work well with the Aerodyne neck's curvy, 7.25" fretboard radius. Also, the black poles would be a nice, but not 100% necessary, visual match.
2. Fender-Japan "HOTROD" Pickups. I wrote about them in an older thread when I briefly owned an MIJ "All-Black" JB62. They had enlarged pole pieces* and sounded great. However, tracking down a set of those would be like hunting a unicorn, so I'm not holding my breath.

*: I've tried Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders and they're a bit too "boomy" for my tastes.

For reference, here are some pics. This is the JB-555 "Boxer" Jazz I'm talking about…
View attachment 4254133

(…note the slightly beefier pole pieces…)
View attachment 4254134

…and here's a close-up of the JB62's "HOTROD" pickups.
View attachment 4254135

As for the electronics, I'm probably going to go with an active/passive preamp, but a pickup switch doesn't have to be involved. Like I said, it's the inspiration, not a matter of "100% accurate reproduction".

AHHHH! Ive been trying to get my lazy GF to schedule a PHOTo shoot of my Jazz bass Special!!( Iknow It dosent exsist if I dont have Pictures!Arrghhhh!) it too is all Black! with model P& J PUPs all black/cosmo Hardware! & strings Ive nick named her "Bettie" after the pinup model Bettie Page! and song Ol' Black Betty! cause Bam Ba lam! I love Her because the Poly finish on those MIJ basses are spectacular! She gleams like a polished Grand Piano!! I almost thought it was polished Lacquer from Japan! Every one Marvels at that bass. Love it! I get tons of compliments every time!!

 

[Malak the Mad]

One thing to consider- everyone in the 80s put EMGs in their basses. Even vintage Fenders. My buddy Sean H. had a black '64 P Bass with an EMG in it. When I acquired my vintage 1962 Jazz, it too had EMGs. Maybe consider their passive models (I forget the exact model name). Doesn't Bobby Vega have the passive EMGs in his bass? gold hardware would look killer too. Good luck with your build!

I would have suggested them, but I felt that the Model J's might fit that bass better as something that would have been in an 80s bass.

I've given a lot of thought on whether or not to go with an '80s-period sound and I've decided that's one point in which I'm gonna break with tradition. As much as I love my Eighties music, there are times when the basslines sound too sterile for my taste.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I've given a lot of thought on whether or not to go with an '80s-period sound and I've decided that's one point in which I'm gonna break with tradition. As much as I love my Eighties music, there are times when the basslines sound too sterile for my taste.

I hear that. However, Duff's tone on Appetite is a boxer bass. Sounds freaking great.