Anyone upgraded/modded their G&L JB-2 Tribute?

[SteveC]

Background

My wife gave me a G&L JB-2 for Christmas last year. I've been playing it stock and it's a pretty nice bass all things considered. She paid $240 on a close out sale. It has a little neck dive an dis a pound or so heavier than I'd like, but other than that it's a pretty nice bass. But...

My main bass is a Roscoe 5 with active a Bart preamp and soapbar pups. It's an amazing bass. Plays itself and sounds fantastic. But...

There is a certain sound to a jazz bass, and in my cover band I think that a jazz sound might be better. I used it at a rehearsal and it sounded good and was fun to play. I use my B in the cover really band (and at church) for a few songs so I don't know if I'd replace my Roscoe, but the G&L could be a nice back up and if we had a set (I don't like to change mid set for timing) I could see using it for a set for something different.

The Point

Wondering if anyone has modded a JB-2. There are a couple issues - it's not a typical control cavity for a drop in preamp and the pickups are the same length - but I wonder if a couple upgrades would really make is a different bass. The other issue is - how much do I want to put into a $240 bass. I mean it's nice, but a preamp and pups could easily be twice the cost of the bass.

If you've modded one, what pups did you use (some say the stock are good so maybe just a preamp?) or what preamp?

 

[Panos138Athens]

Bumping up this thread for more or less the same reason.
I have a G&L JB-2 Tribute bass, loaded with the Vintage Alnico V Single Coils. The passive pups and circuit deliver a dynamic and vintage tone, but a little ...too warm for my taste. In addition the overall output volyme is (obviously) rather low. Myself being keen on overdiving the singal, pushing quite hard on the preamp or the OD pedals, I rarely find myself satisfied with the results... The passive singlecoils are way too mellow and "timid" and often leave me hanging.
I love my G&L, it is a beatifully sounding & playing instrument and I am in no means looking for a replacement anytime soon.
So... in comes the option for an inboard preamp! After a quick look around the interwebs I am fairly satisfied that the Seymour Duncan STC-2P is just the thing I'm looking for! Added headroom, transparent tone on flat EQ and a handy low/hi boost when called upon. Said product is just the right match for the existing knobs on my bass (3 knobs) so I won't have to make any extra mods/holes on top of the bass at all. I really don't wanna mess with the factory specs & looks of a well-made instrument.
...and now comes the main question: Could I ever know beforehand if the preamp circuit and the 9V battery would fit in the control cavity, without me having to (dreadfully) route any extra space in the body???
I know the Seymour Duncan circuit takes all but very little space overally, but upon inspecting the G&L's control cavity I saw that the available space is not much... at all...
I am attaching a couple of quick reference photos and I'd be more than grateful if anyone has some relative experience to share. Cheers!

 

[delta7fred]

If you've modded one, what pups did you use (some say the stock are good so maybe just a preamp?) or what preamp?

Bumping up this thread for more or less the same reason.

The stock pickups are what make it a G&L, hot as hell and great tone. The secret is not to run the volume pot wide open, unless you like it like that. (IMO, YMMV of course.)

I rewired mine as an SB-1, a P bass on steroids. I disconnected the jazz pup and used the jazz volume pot position for a tone pot and love it.

It's not for everyone I know but it works for me, (I played P bass for almost 40 years before I discovered TB and GAS. )

 

[SteveC]

I have found a set of Bartolini pups that are the short/short version but wound as a neck/bridge pair. I may try them.
I will also try not running the volume all the way up but I'm thinking the Barts would sound pretty sweet.
I debated going active but I also don't want to route - or put much more than $150 into a $400 bass.

 

[Zoobiedood]

Well, it *looks* like it would fit, but I never know these things until I actually get in there.

 

[A-Ro]

I put Dimarzio Model J’s in the one I had. Huge improvement to the tone of that bass. The only reason I got rid of it is I only play fives now.

 

[SteveC]

I put Dimarzio Model J’s in the one I had. Huge improvement to the tone of that bass. The only reason I got rid of it is I only play fives now.

My measurments show that they won't fit. The back pickup on the G&L JB-2 Tribute is the same length as the front - 91mm i believe.

 

[A-Ro]

My measurments show that they won't fit. The back pickup on the G&L JB-2 Tribute is the same length as the front - 91mm i believe.

I called and talked to Dimarzio about that very thing. They said to order 2 neck pickups...it worked perfectly.

 

[craigb]

The stock pickups are what make it a G&L, hot as hell and great tone. The secret is not to run the volume pot wide open, unless you like it like that. (IMO, YMMV of course.)

I rewired mine as an SB-1, a P bass on steroids. I disconnected the jazz pup and used the jazz volume pot position for a tone pot and love it.

It's not for everyone I know but it works for me, (I played P bass for almost 40 years before I discovered TB and GAS. )

Umm Fred, he said "JB2" not "SB2" - no MFDs there.

to the original question:

I did add a series/parallel switch to my Trib JB2 and DiMarzio Model Js to my US JB2. I love love love the adjustable pole pieces on the Model Js - MFDs sold me on the utility of adjustable poles and the Model Js reinforce it for me. I went to town on the US JB2 and have series/parallel for each Model J and series/parallel for the pair. Lots of tonal variation there - although that gets me into "switch flipping paralysis" where I'm spending too much time looking for the right tone.

Good to hear from A-Ro that a pair of Model J neck pickups fit perfectly. I did put a regular pair of Model Js in a Trib JB2 many moons ago and had to break out the chisels to get them to fit.

 

[delta7fred]

Umm Fred, he said "JB2" not "SB2" - no MFDs there.

Ooops, I just had a senior moment - please ignore me.

 

[SteveC]

I called and talked to Dimarzio about that very thing. They said to order 2 neck pickups...it worked perfectly.

That's good to know. I have had good luck with those in previous jazz bass mod projects.

 

[Panos138Athens]

Feeling heartily obliged for all the replies and jolly chit-chat on the matter, yay!

Well, it *looks* like it would fit, but I never know these things until I actually get in there.

First chance given, I'm planning to eventually lay hands on the SD STC-2P circuit and go for the mod!
Can't tell how soon, but I'm definitely planning to take pics and keep notes on the operation, to share with you all.

 

[SteveC]

I called and talked to Dimarzio about that very thing. They said to order 2 neck pickups...it worked perfectly.

So just order 2 neck pickups and it works? In a normal pair aren't they wound differently?

 

[A-Ro]

So just order 2 neck pickups and it works? In a normal pair aren't they wound differently?

Yep. 2 neck pickups. They balance together fine adjusting the heights.

 

[SteveC]

Cool. Now if I could only find singles for sale.

 

[RussB]

I just got myself a JB2 and was somewhat disappointed with the overall output and the wonky tone when the tone knob was turned all the way down. What I did was swap out the pots for some DiMarzio branded CTS pots and installed a .047uf tone cap to replace the stock .022uf. The difference is quite amazing.

The output increased, as did the clarity even though the replacement pots were the same value as the stock ones. The "proper" .047uf cap made a significant difference as well. I also had to replace the knobs to fit the new pots.

I also noticed G&L had the output jack wired to the neck pickup. I wired to the tone pot as most Jazz basses are wired. I don't know if that made any difference but I like this bass a lot more now.

 

[Protagonist]

I joined to add to this thread, as I found it googling for info on the JB2 Tribute and it might help someone else.

Nordstrand told me they will put a bridge pickup in a neck shell for a $10 customization fee if you're ordering from them direct. Messaging them through the website ahead of time to confirm would probably be a good idea though.

 

[JKessell]

I put Dimarzio Model J’s in the one I had. Huge improvement to the tone of that bass. The only reason I got rid of it is I only play fives now.

How would you describe the change in tone? My problem with the stock pups is how pokey they are when fully open. Did this affect that at all?

 

[ComeHomeShane]

Just purchased a JB2 from SweetWater as my first bass with the intention to mod. This thread is getting me excited!

Does anyone know which hipshot ultralight tuners with fit the JB2 tribute? There's a few other forums with the same question, but no one seems to be able to answer...

BTW, idk if its common knowledge, but G&L announced that they're discontinuing the JB2 tribute. IDK if that means also the USA JB2 custom order... but you might want to sweep one up ASAP because my Sweetwater sales guy says they're going fast.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Got a JB2 in January, 2021 from Sweetwater. Such a great bass... even stock! I hadn't played it for a while and I pulled it out of its case to use for practicing songs for an upcoming rehearsal. Man, I forgot how much I love this bass! Great tone, sustain, and the pickups sound soooooo good. Sure glad I snagged this bass!