• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Best passive option for a '78 Jazz?

TimBosby

TimBosby

Somewhere in middle America
Gold Supporting Member
Dec 19, 2004
11,931
10,235
47
Omaha, NE, USA
#1
So I have decided to keep my '78 Fender Jazz after coming to my senses (every now and then I'll consider selling it and then change my mind.)

However, I'd like to take the Audere preamp out and put it in a different bass. The Audere will go in my Modulus Genesis neck / ESP P/J body Frankenbass that currently sports a J-Retro. The J-Retro will be sold. It's a great preamp but I daresay I like the Auderes just a little bit better (probably sacrilege but hey :D)

I'm wondering though, what to put in my '78. Kinda want to go passive. It's got a battery box in the back, which I wish were not there, as it devalues the bass, but then again, I *did* get it re-finished, had the neck converted from 3-bolt to 4-bolt, and had the neck re-fretted and re-finished in buttery satin...so I can't talk about devaluing the bass :hmm:

Nonethless it is BEAUTIFUL and sounds amazing but I'd like to get the best passive tone possible. The original electronics are long gone. I don't even think the ones that were in the bass when I got it were original. The pickups, however ARE original, as far as I know. Is it worth pursuing Stellartone or Varitone or any of those other passive-but-offering-greater-tonal-freedom options? I've tried Villex on other basses and had mixed results. But I don't want new pickups. Just a simple pre-wired control harness that I can drop in.... MAYBE some sort of passive control shaping...
I want it to LOOK old-school (Audere is too shiny and chrome-y) with 70s-looking Jazz knobs..but not require a battery........
and be fairly inexpensive ;)

Suggestions?

Thanks!
 
#2
I was working around the vintage tone and preamp for quite some time and realized that the pickups are the most important think you have to mind. If you plan to get the pickups off the box make sure you check the impedance that it is right one that you are looking as not all of them were properly QC. I think the bridge is more important to get the tone right so be serious with it.
On my 74 jazz it have Augi2 and that is just fine but that same didn't happen to my other bass because the bridge pickups has too low impedance than normal so I change and got it where I want. I think Sadowsky preamp is also interesting so check it too but make sure you get a good pickups first.
 
#3
Go with the Nordstrand 70's wind pickups. I know you said you wanted to keep the originals in there, but these pickups kick ass and keep it in that vintage passive realm you are looking for. I change the pickups in my '78 Jazz to the Nordstrands and couldn't be happier.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back