Sure, I used one 250K CTS type "A" pot for tone control + Orange Drop. I really don't like type "A" pots for volume, and ALPS are better pots.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Fender Blacktop Club
- Thread starter Stranger Danger
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club
Sure, I used one 250K CTS type "A" pot for tone control + Orange Drop. I really don't like type "A" pots for volume, and ALPS are better pots.
I guess SD doesn't have a quarter-pounder pup that would replace the pups in my Blacktop P, but I'm guessing their "NY Bass" pups would still be an improvement.
Got overwhelming GAS for one of the Blacktop Jazz basses - would prefer a 1.625" nut, but I could always trade a neck/get a replacement if it really bothered me. The only reason I haven't pulled the trigger is the feeling I'd be ripped off! For reference..
MIM Standard Jazz
Sweetwater, US: $599
GAK, UK: £574
Pretty usual price conversion here.
Blacktop Jazz
Sweetwater, US: $499
GAK, UK: £565
That's a much bigger discrepancy. Anyone got a clue why? They can't be so much more popular over here that they can price them up, I've never seen anyone play one, or any store I've been in stock it.
MIM Standard Jazz
Sweetwater, US: $599
GAK, UK: £574
Pretty usual price conversion here.
Blacktop Jazz
Sweetwater, US: $499
GAK, UK: £565
That's a much bigger discrepancy. Anyone got a clue why? They can't be so much more popular over here that they can price them up, I've never seen anyone play one, or any store I've been in stock it.
I don't know how Fender's pricing index comes up with that. Maybe they wanted their new (at the time) experimental bass to be more attractive to the U.S. market, which I would presume would be their main target.
Here's an idea, especially if you're considering a neck-replacement…buy a Blacktop Jazz body sans neck. There's more than a few on eBay right now. See if the shipping and any other taxes would equal "a good deal". Then you could put any neck on it you like.
I'm going to be doing something similar very soon. I've got a line on an Aerodyne neck, which is one of my favorite necks in the whole, wide world. I may have to do some fillin' an' drillin' if the bolt-holes don't match, but that's easy enough. Some dowels, a strong wood glue…et violá!
So, when all that is said and done, "Who's interested in a loaded Aerodyne Jazz body?"
Howdy! My first post, so will make it brief. Just picked up my White Chrome Pearl Blacktop P-Bass at lunch. Had my eye on it for awhile and just needed to test her out. I love it! Sounds and feels great.
Someone mentioned that the volume knob was more like an On/Off. I noticed that, too, and thought the pots might be a bit questionable.
Also, thanks to whomever posted the pickguard link. I think I'm going to go with a blue pearl look. Will post a pic in a few months once I have that puppy installed.
Someone mentioned that the volume knob was more like an On/Off. I noticed that, too, and thought the pots might be a bit questionable.
Also, thanks to whomever posted the pickguard link. I think I'm going to go with a blue pearl look. Will post a pic in a few months once I have that puppy installed.
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Howdy! My first post, so will make it brief. Just picked up my White Chrome Pearl Blacktop P-Bass at lunch. Had my eye on it for awhile and just needed to test her out. I love it! Sounds and feels great.
Someone mentioned that the volume knob was more like an On/Off. I noticed that, too, and thought the pots might be a bit questionable.
Also, thanks to whomever posted the pickguard link. I think I'm going to go with a blue pearl look. Will post a pic in a few months once I have that puppy installed.
You know the rules:
No picture = No bass...
Howdy! My first post, so will make it brief. Just picked up my White Chrome Pearl Blacktop P-Bass at lunch. Had my eye on it for awhile and just needed to test her out. I love it! Sounds and feels great.
Someone mentioned that the volume knob was more like an On/Off. I noticed that, too, and thought the pots might be a bit questionable.
Also, thanks to whomever posted the pickguard link. I think I'm going to go with a blue pearl look. Will post a pic in a few months once I have that puppy installed.
As someone else in this thread said, getting the vintage Jazz bass wiring system installed in it will make the volume knobs work like actual volume knobs. I did and now I can blend...although, truth be told, I usually just have one or the other - or both - just turned up all the way anyway. Still, it's nice to have them working like they're supposed to.
Okay... I can't post a link, an image or a "sneaky" link until I've had ten posts. I honestly don't care about being a number, so everyone will just have to wait until I bother to post more and/or get my new bass all prettied up.
I'm not sure I'm qualified to rewire the thing, but I have a buddy who can do it. It's just kind of a weird default configuration. Good thing it sounds fantastic as is, but I would like to have a bit more control over those pickups.
I think its two best sounds are either pickup soloed, and wouldn't worry too much about the controls.
I've barely played it yet, so I will definitely give it a few months before I truly consider modifying the electronics. First order of business is replacing that three ply black pickguard, which I'm not a fan of (almost definitely the knobs, too).
Let's see if I can post images yet... yep... Woohoo! My new baby pre-blue pearl pickguard.
Last edited:
It should be arriving tomorrow, so sometime Sunday perhaps. I also plan on replacing those knobs, but I haven't pulled the trigger on any yet.
Potentially stupid question: I replaced the pickguard on that Peavey with no issue, but do I have to worry about reusing the same screws with the Fender pickguard? I don't want to hurt it any.
Potentially stupid question: I replaced the pickguard on that Peavey with no issue, but do I have to worry about reusing the same screws with the Fender pickguard? I don't want to hurt it any.
- Jun 26, 2012
- 281
- 63
- 58
- Disclosures
- Owner/Operator of Cotten Patch Sound Design. Burns of London Guitars and Basses retail. I do sound design, resetting, and education for churches, organizations, and small venues with no Sound personnel. Studio for "self-produced" rental use.
Quick question for you guys. I ordered a new set of pots and capacitor from Guitarpartsresources.com like was suggested. However I ordered the regular Jazz (for a Blacktop P) instead of the vintage. BUT in reading the description the only difference is $2 to call them vintage. Am I missing something. Also is it a pretty straight forward swap? I can basically use the same wire from the pups and just soldier them into the new pots at the same positions.
(Wiring is not my forte but I'm not too worried, just want to make sure I've got my ducks in a row before the surgery begins.)
(Wiring is not my forte but I'm not too worried, just want to make sure I've got my ducks in a row before the surgery begins.)
Greetings Blacktop owners,
I bought my Blacktop Jazz bass from Musicians Fried in March of 2013, and the only change made was to install a set of medium gauge Daddario Chromes. They have been my favorite strings and It was interesting to read where others had done the same. It is my best sounding bass and I've received several favorable comments on my tone at the blues jams. The volume pots are not as effective as the could be, but I can still use them for some blending, but they sound best wide open. The tone adjustment works well. I have to tweak the host's amp EQ when I get up so I am not too muddy, and back off the bass while turning up the mids. My bass came with some fret sprout on the sides of the fret board which bugged me. I didn't want to ship it back and finished them off myself. I do my own setups and had to lower the action and readjust pickups but now have it where I love to play it. I'd like to join the club.
I bought my Blacktop Jazz bass from Musicians Fried in March of 2013, and the only change made was to install a set of medium gauge Daddario Chromes. They have been my favorite strings and It was interesting to read where others had done the same. It is my best sounding bass and I've received several favorable comments on my tone at the blues jams. The volume pots are not as effective as the could be, but I can still use them for some blending, but they sound best wide open. The tone adjustment works well. I have to tweak the host's amp EQ when I get up so I am not too muddy, and back off the bass while turning up the mids. My bass came with some fret sprout on the sides of the fret board which bugged me. I didn't want to ship it back and finished them off myself. I do my own setups and had to lower the action and readjust pickups but now have it where I love to play it. I'd like to join the club.
Greetings Blacktop owners,
I bought my Blacktop Jazz bass from Musicians Fried in March of 2013, and the only change made was to install a set of medium gauge Daddario Chromes. They have been my favorite strings and It was interesting to read where others had done the same. It is my best sounding bass and I've received several favorable comments on my tone at the blues jams. The volume pots are not as effective as the could be, but I can still use them for some blending, but they sound best wide open. The tone adjustment works well. I have to tweak the host's amp EQ when I get up so I am not too muddy, and back off the bass while turning up the mids. My bass came with some fret sprout on the sides of the fret board which bugged me. I didn't want to ship it back and finished them off myself. I do my own setups and had to lower the action and readjust pickups but now have it where I love to play it. I'd like to join the club.
Now I'm jonesing for a bucket of Kentucky Fried Musician! Mad Love for those "Eleven Verves & Spices"!
Seriously though, welcome aboard fastvee! Once you get your pic sorted out (or once I can see it on something other than my phone) I'll set ya up with a number.
Okay, got the new pickguard installed!
Not bad, eh?
Do I get one of them number thingys now?
Not bad, eh?
Do I get one of them number thingys now?
