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American Deluxe Jazz - what're all these knobs for?

T

thunderbyrd

Nov 29, 2006
52
6
#1
howdy: i just scored an american deluxe jazz bass, not the model fender makes now, but one from about 10 yrs ago, i think. here's a link to some pictures of it:

Invalid Link Removed

i am mixed up about these knobs: the one closest to the neck is a master volume. next is a knob that pans between pick-ups (i think). the next is a stacked knob and i ain't got a clue. last is a smaller knob and it mystifies me also. it just seems to lower the volume, tho not all the way.

the bass has active pick-ups and i don't know alot about them, either. they say "scn" in tiny letters. any enlightenment you care to share is appreciated!
 
#4
Controls as Mellow stated are ALMOST correct.
1st knob - Master Volume
2nd knob - Blend pot for Pick-up selection
3rd knob - Treble Boost/cut (top) Bass Boost/cut (bottom)
2-way Mini-toggle - Active/Passive selector
4th knob - Mid Cut/boost (top) Passive Tone control (bottom)
 
#5
this bass doesn't have any toggle switches at all and the 3d knob is the only stacked knob. the 4th knob is smaller than the others. i took one of the batteries out to see if it would work passively, but no go. complete silence on all settings without the battery - which as far as i know is the way all active systems work. i was hoping there was a way to use it with no batterys at all, but apparently not.
 
#6
thunderbyrd said:
this bass doesn't have any toggle switches at all and the 3d knob is the only stacked knob. the 4th knob is smaller than the others. i took one of the batteries out to see if it would work passively, but no go. complete silence on all settings without the battery - which as far as i know is the way all active systems work. i was hoping there was a way to use it with no batterys at all, but apparently not.
Click to expand...

Ah, I missed the part about 10 years ago. It looks like it has the system that the current Mexican Active Deluxe haS.
 
#8
awilkie84 said:
Ah, I missed the part about 10 years ago. It looks like it has the system that the current Mexican Active Deluxe haS.
Click to expand...

yes, that looks to be the set-up. so the little knob sort of pans between active and passive. you can play passive, then dial in the active sound to raise volume and change tone.

i need to check out the fender manual as mentioned above, but this ain't their present model so it might not be there anymore.
 
#13
The knobs should be:
Master volume, pickup selector pan knob, treble (top) and bass boost/cut (bottom) stacked knobs, mid boost/cut knob. There shouldn't be a toggle switch if it is the same version I am thinking of. The schematics are also available on the fender.com website as well if you want to check out the specs.
Hope this helps.
 
#14
Nice bass! I had the same one only with a maple board. I regret selling it. Was a 2004.
If you mess with the stacked pot (3rd one) you can cop many tones, from vintage to modern. I loved that bass! It cut through a mix like a hot knife through butter. It just got me into trouble because it played so easy that I wanted to solo it too much. Lol.

It has a smaller body than a STD jazz and the neck profile is slick and fast.
I used to get so many compliments on my tone with that bass. I may just have to look into getting me a new one, just a fiver. The new deluxe's are killer as well, BNB, yes please.

Play the heck outta your new bass and remember to keep 2 9v batteries in your case at all times!

Peace,
WG.
 
#15
Control Plate Overlay:
attachment.jpg
 

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