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Fender Blacktop Club

#601
Just a little update to the thread. I've sold the original neck and mounted one from a Classic '70s Jazz. Mad Love for the curvy radius + chunkier neck…and the blocks & binding are the best gravy! I'll likely buy a new black/white/black pickguard as well. As much as I love how the tinting worked on the original guard, I think the white highlight will offset the blocks better.

I'll post pics when the weather is nice enough for a proper photo-shoot. :snaphappy: Until then, you're just gonna have to use your imagination.
 
#602
Grabbing a blacktop jazz shortly.

I'm really stoked, as I haven't purchased a bass in about 3 years. This will also be only my 3rd bass ever owned :O

But one quick question. Has anybody installed a Neutrik Locking jack on their bass? I dislike having the output jack on the control plate! Its not a huge issue, and frankly if this is my only issue I'm one lucky dude.
 
#606
Chris Hass said:
Scored my Blacktop Jazz last night for $280. Really excited to put some work into this beauty. Pictures will be posted Before/After.
Click to expand...

Well done, Chris! And damn…what a great price! How did you manage that? :wideyed:

Once you have some pics posted, I'll get you set up with a number. :thumbsup:

T. Brookins said:
BTJ is great bass. Sounds like a '70s Jazz on steroids. Its free of pickup hum like in a jazz, and has this smooth, thick tone. Fender scored a winner with this one.
Click to expand...

Do you currently have one? If so, I don't see you on the Master List. Wanna number in exchange for a pic or two? The more the merrier! ;)
 
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#607
Joining this club soon; got this off the 'bay, which will be fitted with a '62 RI P neck I have laying around.

jaGgMhA.jpg
 
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#608
I'm keeping it, and thus I'm in.
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Next step is to string it BEAD and forget the G string ever existed. I'm leery about filing the nut, as I expect I'll somehow either screw it up or hate what I've done and not be able to replace it.
 
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#612
Wife bought me a silver on black paisley pick-guard for the blacktop. I guess I'll do the new knobs now that I really have a reason to take the pick-guard off. (I'll send pics as soon as I get it done.)
 
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#613
Okay guys, before I start warming up the ole iron I want to get some help. This is what I found under the hood. I was planning on swapping the pots and cap out one for one. (No fancy stuff, I'm not confident enough to try that unless some one can talk me through it.) I bought the vintage Jazz pots that have been recommended. (250k) What made me pause is all the grounds soldered just to the back of the pots AND no cap that I can find????
Blacktop Wiring 2.jpg Blacktop wiring.jpg
 
#614
LOL found the microscopic capacitorBlacktop wiring.jpg ....
 
#615
I came to find out that the stock pots and jack were pretty awful. Anyone who happens to be serious about this bass should consider replacing the pots and wiring.

It's possible your stock electronics were fine, but one of my pots was static-y and that total lack of pot range and blending was kind of a sore point for me as I've mentioned previously.
 
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#616
stelles75 said:
I came to find out that the stock pots and jack were pretty awful. Anyone who happens to be serious about this bass should consider replacing the pots and wiring.

It's possible your stock electronics were fine, but one of my pots was static-y and that total lack of pot range and blending was kind of a sore point for me as I've mentioned previously.
Click to expand...

Weird! Mine work just fine…great even. It makes me wonder if you got some defective parts and/or a shoddy wiring job from the factory.

Anyone else end up with a crappy, factory wiring job?
 
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#618
Okay, put all three new pots in 250k, tried the tone with both the new and the old cap...NO tone control? Should I use the 500k pot that it came with for the tone control. I put the old cap onto the new pot and I can get the faintest tone control. OH and snagged the soldering iron with my thumb on that last try. So NO, I'm not too happy and bit frustrated right now.

On the bright side the volume are working spot on now. and the pick guard is great. (Think I'll just leave it as is with the old cap, new pots, and give it a rest. I may order a new cap later.
blacktop with new pickgaurd.jpg


*Needs new knobs. Don't really care for the old ones with this pickguard. Thinking chrome?)
 
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#620
pastorjamesc said:
Okay, put all three new pots in 250k, tried the tone with both the new and the old cap...NO tone control? Should I use the 500k pot that it came with for the tone control. I put the old cap onto the new pot and I can get the faintest tone control. OH and snagged the soldering iron with my thumb on that last try. So NO, I'm not too happy and bit frustrated right now.

On the bright side the volume are working spot on now. and the pick guard is great. (Think I'll just leave it as is with the old cap, new pots, and give it a rest. I may order a new cap later. View attachment 532194

*Needs new knobs. Don't really care for the old ones with this pickguard. Thinking chrome?)
Click to expand...

Do you know where paisley patterns come from? They say it's what some people see on the edges of their vision when they're having a psychotic episode. I find that to be very appropriate, because that pickguard is insane! :thumbsup:

As far as knobs go, how about black metal domes?
 
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