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Active "Power Jazz Bass Special" (Fender)

#41
I've been a lurker for a long while, happened to fall in to this topic so I registered...my first real bass is an '87 Fender Power Jazz Bass Special, I bought new in '89 in NJ. Mine is black. I stopped every weekend to see if it's there still. In December '89 I finally bought it for $650 with a case, new strings and a set up. Mine is a little modified, it fits the music I play (NYHC, metal cross over). I've had over 30 basses over the years, but I seem to not able to get rid of the bass. I'm actually glad I never got rid of it :)
 
#43
kerenn said:
I find my POWER Jazz Bass to be very 'beefy'. While the "Frequency Sweep" knob is turned fully 'off' (probably boosting lower frequencies) the sound is very bassy - in both 'active' modes (micro switch in the middle or towards the bridge).

I think that you can compare the passive mode (which is sort of like a passive P/J bass) to one of the active modes:
Turn the freq. sweep knob "off" (like when you turn off the volume - but with the frequency sweep knob), then change the small switch from passive mode (switch towards the neck) to the middle position. You'll hear the difference immediately...
Click to expand...

Does anyone know the frequency sweep settings? There is no center detent. I'd like to start from no frequency shift and be able to adjust from there.
I'm also considering installing Quarter Pounders. I see a few of you have done that. Did anyone ever switch back, or was it a great change?
 
#44
I think that in the two active modes, the preamp boosts around a certain frequency, and the freq. sweep knob only changes the frequency that is boosted.

I do not think you can control any other parameter (such as 'how much to boost') or select "no frequency boost".
If you're in passive mode - the preamp is bypassed and the freq. sweep knob is unused.

When you move the switch to one of the 'active' modes, and play a bit with the freq. sweep, you change the frequency being boosted by the preamp (but the boost is there).
 
#45
.
I stumbled across one of these at a garage sale about 5-6 years ago. Picked it up (absolutely mint condition apart from some corrosion of the black chrome bridge) for $600.
Its identical to yours A Wine Guy

I have always been confused by the switches/knobs, as a result the Ricky 4001 sees far more active duty with me.

Reading this topic has me thinking I might have to spend a bit more time with the Fender, getting to know one another.

Greg

fender%20power%20special%20jazz%20bass%201.jpg
 
#47
I've had one of these for a few years now, absolute workhorse of a thing, I love her! Unfortunately, during a frantic battery change at a gig the other week, I lost that little screw that holds the battery compartment shut!! :(

Anyone happen to have the dimensions of fastener I'm after to replace it??

xx
 
#48
Hello,

after reading this thread, the only way for me was to find one here in France.

That was done on March 2012, and since then that's a great thing beetwen this bass and me.

a few pics:
 

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#49
Hi guys! I just wanted to get in to the discussion and show off my two MIJ Jazz Specials. Also, throw my cents in on what is considered a Duff Mckegan Bass.

I happen to own both an 87' Power Jazz Special and an 87' Jazz Special as shown below:

Link Removed

It was the Jazz Special that was considered the "Duff" bass. He played that model with GNR. Light as hell. Power Jazz is way heavier. Notice the difference in the bridges and the pickups in the body pictures:

Link Removed

  • P Pickups have the top pickup routed on the left on one bass and on the right on the other
  • The Jazz Special uses passive pickups with over-sized magnets.
  • The controls are simple on the Jazz Special - Vol, Vol, Tone - 3 way Switch P, Both, J
  • And lastly - They actually put a better bridge on the Jazz Special(At least on this one).

Knobs actually very from year to year and guitar to guitar on whether you got the plastic f-knobs or the black or gold metal ones. Same with the bridges. Some have lacquered necks and some don't. Some have the set-screw neck adjuster and some don't.
 
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#53
heckraiser said:
Hi guys! I just wanted to get in to the discussion and show off my two MIJ Jazz Specials. Also, throw my cents in on what is considered a Duff Mckegan Bass.

I happen to own both an 87' Power Jazz Special and an 87' Jazz Special as shown below:


It was the Jazz Special that was considered the "Duff" bass. He played that model with GNR. Light as hell. Power Jazz is way heavier. Notice the difference in the bridges and the pickups in the body pictures:

  • P Pickups have the top pickup routed on the left on one bass and on the right on the other
  • The Jazz Special uses passive pickups with over-sized magnets.
  • The controls are simple on the Jazz Special - Vol, Vol, Tone - 3 way Switch P, Both, J
  • And lastly - They actually put a better bridge on the Jazz Special(At least on this one).

Knobs actually very from year to year and guitar to guitar on whether you got the plastic f-knobs or the black or gold metal ones. Same with the bridges. Some have lacquered necks and some don't. Some have the set-screw neck adjuster and some don't.
Click to expand...

Btbp said:
Some strong similarities with this bass and the Zone / Lyte bass. Don't know about the Duff bass as I'm not a fan nor know anyone who is.

Is the body size the same as a P, or smaller like a Zone / Lyte?
Click to expand...

Zombie thread, I know, but zombies need love, too. Or brains. Whichever. I was looking for some info on how the Power and "non-Power" versions of this bass compare. (I have a modded '88 Power Jazz Bass Special that I got in '90 which is still my main bass. Articulate, with an excellent neck.)

@Btbp, the body is the same size as a regular P-bass, but the cutaways for the upper and lower horns are contoured more.

@heckraiser, if you're still reading this after four years, how do you like the neck on your "regular" Jazz Bass Special as opposed to the Power Jazz Bass Special? I love the neck on my Power Jazz. I've considered picking up one of the "Duff" models in a fretless, but don't know if I'd like the neck as much.
 
#54
I just recently scored a Power Jazz Bass Special, so this thread is interesting to me! The prior owner replaced the stock bridge with a Bad Ass, but I think that the bottom plate on the Bad Ass must be thicker than the stock bridge, because even with the truss rod getting the neck as straight as possible, and with the saddles as low as I can get them, the action is still too high. And FWIW, I don't think the neck needs to be shimmed; the neck to body angle seems quite proper.
 
#55
tombowlus said:
I just recently scored a Power Jazz Bass Special, so this thread is interesting to me! The prior owner replaced the stock bridge with a Bad Ass, but I think that the bottom plate on the Bad Ass must be thicker than the stock bridge, because even with the truss rod getting the neck as straight as possible, and with the saddles as low as I can get them, the action is still too high. And FWIW, I don't think the neck needs to be shimmed; the neck to body angle seems quite proper.
Click to expand...
Tom, I have a Bad Ass II on my Power Jazz Bass Special. (Did you by any chance pick up the white one that was in the classifieds recently?) I'll have to look to see how low I've got the saddles on mine. The Bad Ass was on my bass when I got it, so I don't have the stock bridge to compare it to, but I think I've read a scattered couple of posts before about the bottom plate on the BA being thick or it being hard to drop the action low enough on one (not 100% on that, but it rings a faint bell). I like the action fine on mine (in fact I've raised it a bit in recent years) but maybe I like it a bit higher than you do? People used to tell me that it was crazy low -- I could play it fine, but I find that I have a little more dynamic range available with it a bit higher (not that that helps you!).

When I've seen a PJB Special come up, I've thought about picking it up as a backup to mine, but I think that might spoil the sanctity of my "one and only" (not my one and only bass, but you get the picture). If it was a fretless, that wouldn't count. ;)

And, hey, I thought you only did the fancy, boutique stuff! Or do these count as "vintage" now?
 
#56
No, I bought a black one off of Facebook. In truth, I fell in love with a Jazz Bass Special (not Power) back when I had no funds to my name, and I've kinda always had my eye out for one ever since. And FWIW, I get excited about gear that is great in its respective price range, and I play plenty of stuff that is not in any way "fancy." :thumbsup:

Regarding the action on my PJBS, I definitely think that the base plate on the BAII is a contributing factor, and I typically prefer a medium-height action.
 
#57
tombowlus said:
I just recently scored a Power Jazz Bass Special, so this thread is interesting to me! The prior owner replaced the stock bridge with a Bad Ass, but I think that the bottom plate on the Bad Ass must be thicker than the stock bridge, because even with the truss rod getting the neck as straight as possible, and with the saddles as low as I can get them, the action is still too high. And FWIW, I don't think the neck needs to be shimmed; the neck to body angle seems quite proper.
Click to expand...

I don't know about the Power Jazz but my regular Jazz Special has the microtilt feature. You say the neck angle is fine but it couldn't hurt to see if it helps. :)

Those BA plates are pretty huge though, definitely could see that being the cause.
 
#58
Right_Butterscotch64 said:
I don't know about the Power Jazz but my regular Jazz Special has the microtilt feature. You say the neck angle is fine but it couldn't hurt to see if it helps. :)

Those BA plates are pretty huge though, definitely could see that being the cause.
Click to expand...

My bass does not have the micro tilt feature, unfortunately.
 
#59
tombowlus said:
No, I bought a black one off of Facebook. In truth, I fell in love with a Jazz Bass Special (not Power) back when I had no funds to my name, and I've kinda always had my eye out for one ever since. And FWIW, I get excited about gear that is great in its respective price range, and I play plenty of stuff that is not in any way "fancy." :thumbsup:

Regarding the action on my PJBS, I definitely think that the base plate on the BAII is a contributing factor, and I typically prefer a medium-height action.
Click to expand...
Hey, Tom, I took a look at the bridge (Bad Ass II, like yours) on mine. Without measuring, I'd say that I have maybe a millimeter of room, give or take, to drop the G-string (not much, but some) and over 2 mm that I could drop the E string from where they are currently. A good amount of room on the A and D, too -- fingerboard curves, bridge is flat, so I guess that makes sense. I set my bass up with maybe a bit more difference in height between the E and G strings than some folks do (kind of like a doublebass in miniature). I set it up by feel and generally do my own setups, but the last time a tech checked the setup on one of my basses he told me that I had my action a little lower than Fender spec (whatever that is). I don't think that I could drop the strings to the frets, but I can get the action as low as I'd want it (though, again, not a ton of room to go lower on the G string).

If I can find my ruler or feeler gauges (and remember!) I'll measure so I can give you a more precise answer.
 
#60
MarkA said:
Hey, Tom, I took a look at the bridge (Bad Ass II, like yours) on mine. Without measuring, I'd say that I have maybe a millimeter of room, give or take, to drop the G-string (not much, but some) and over 2 mm that I could drop the E string from where they are currently. A good amount of room on the A and D, too -- fingerboard curves, bridge is flat, so I guess that makes sense. I set my bass up with maybe a bit more difference in height between the E and G strings than some folks do (kind of like a doublebass in miniature). I set it up by feel and generally do my own setups, but the last time a tech checked the setup on one of my basses he told me that I had my action a little lower than Fender spec (whatever that is). I don't think that I could drop the strings to the frets, but I can get the action as low as I'd want it (though, again, not a ton of room to go lower on the G string).

If I can find my ruler or feeler gauges (and remember!) I'll measure so I can give you a more precise answer.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback! I will try and take similar measurements on mine.
 

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