Dimarzio Model Js pot/wiring recommendations

[NKBassman]

I just got a CIJ Geddy too and it just so happens to have the Dimarzio Model J's in it. I love this bass. I can't put it down. Its plays and sounds wonderful. I too have wondered about doing the series/parallel mod at some point. But man is it confusing to me! I have some kind of wiring harness I bought and installed in my VMJ and I like it well enough. But then I think maybe I should just leave well enough alone and leave the Geddy as is. Cause it's beastly.

Def watching this thread. Right up my alley atm.

Honestly it's probably not necessary with Model J pickups, they're hot enough all on their own. Wiring two of them in series would probably be overkill and more-than-a-little muddy.

I added a series/parallel switch to my jazz when I went back to more standard output pickups. I like it live for a little extra kick on some songs.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I wanted to have the option of series vs parallel would I need the following: 2x 500k push/pull pots, and 1x 250k for tone?

I overlooked this originally, because I didn't think you'd want to run Model J in parallel. They don't have enough output for that configuration.
If you did intend on running each pickup in series or parallel then you should get pickups with more output, like the Ultra-Jazz.

The series/parallel drawing I posted is for the two pickups to be in series or parallel with one another.
A 250k Ohm treble cut pot would take away some of the brightness you added by using 500k Ohm volume pots.

If you're not interested in high-end frequencies you could just wire both Model J in permanent series.
In that drawing you maintain independent volume control for each pickup. With both pickups on full volume you'll have more low end & more output, but lose some high-end.

edit: I should add that you'd still have all the high-end you wanted if you blended to the bridge pickup.

 

[gregmon79]

The Model J aren't really strong enough for parallel wiring (per pickup).
If you intend on series/parallel for each pickup I'd suggest the Ultra-Jazz:

Ultra JazzTM Pair | DiMarzio

Thanks for the info. I'll probably just either stick to how it is now or swap them out and do that like you're saying. I really like the way they sound now. Very powerful and full.

 

[gregmon79]

Honestly it's probably not necessary with Model J pickups, they're hot enough all on their own. Wiring two of them in series would probably be overkill and more-than-a-little muddy.

I added a series/parallel switch to my jazz when I went back to more standard output pickups. I like it live for a little extra kick on some songs.

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it. You guys know more than I on these pups so I'll listen to that. Besides, as I stated above, I really like the Model J's as they are. They are very powerful and beefy. Very punchy. They suite that Geddy sig very well IMO.

 

[NKBassman]

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it. You guys know more than I on these pups so I'll listen to that. Besides, as I stated above, I really like the Model J's as they are. They are very powerful and beefy. Very punchy. They suite that Geddy sig very well IMO.

Yes they do! Bonus, the adjustable pole pieces make it possible to compensate for the "vintage" fingerboard radius on the Ged, which is pretty tight IMO and can lead to string-to-string volume balance issues with other pickups.

 

[gregmon79]

Yes they do! Bonus, the adjustable pole pieces make it possible to compensate for the "vintage" fingerboard radius on the Ged, which is pretty tight IMO and can lead to string-to-string volume balance issues with other pickups.

Yes!! I've never had pups like that before so its a really neat feature to have at your disposal.

 

[fhm555]

I’ve had an MIM J loaded with model j pickups for going on 4 years now and i’ve tried just about every combination of pots, caps, and switching imaginable.
After all that i’m back to the stock 250k CTS pots with an .047 disc capacitor.
Oh and i wired the pickups as instructed in the included directions so i’ve got two full time humbuckers.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

0.047 of a capacitor must be a really small capacitor

I think I'd rather just use one 47 nF one.

 

[fhm555]

0.047 of a capacitor must be a really small capacitor

I think I'd rather just use one 47 nF one.

Please forgive my tech ineptitude. I just copied what was on the invoice that came with the order the cap was included in.

 

[JagV]

The Model J aren't really strong enough for parallel wiring (per pickup).
If you intend on series/parallel for each pickup I'd suggest the Ultra-Jazz:

Ultra JazzTM Pair | DiMarzio

I agree with you as my Model Js in parallel sound weak but when in series they sound full and punchy. The tone is almost the same just louder. Exactly what I need on my jazz bass.