Fender Blacktop Club

[Jalan]

Awesome, those are the exact strings I was thinking of getting.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Awesome, those are the exact strings I was thinking of getting.

If you're looking for a lighter set, I have some barely-used [This invalid link has been removed] just sitting around. Send me a PM if you're interested.

 

[bassstrangler]

I was able to keep my Blacktop p bass as someone mysteriously backed out on the deal. I did however sadly sell the Blacktop j bass. So I take it as a sign that I was meant to have the Precision because I was able to raise the required funds for a relocation to the southwest. But, I'm considering switching out the neck to a fretless. But, before I take the time to do it is it worth it sound wise as the look of the whole swap seems worth it. Thanks for any feedback, glad to still be in the club.

 

[bassstrangler]

Well, I now have a Blacktop P Bass with a fretless Jazz Bass neck. The bridge is basically down to the lowest it will go. I also now have a MIM Jazz Bass with a P Bass neck. Interesting combo. I think I just might sell the J body and the P neck. It was worth the switch.

 

[Wallygator]

Question: I have a Blacktop Jazz that I totally love. Great tone, love the neck. Now wondering about the P. Anyone out there have experience with both? I have noticed a few used P's around and am curious what I would expect.

 

[Danomo]

Hay Malak, I think you have a couple numbers to hand out...

 

[Malak the Mad]

Hay Malak, I think you have a couple numbers to hand out...

Can't right now. I'm trying to convince a new TB'er to get a Blacktop Jazz.

EDIT: No, really…I am!

Oh, and BAH-HUMBUG!
(So kidding! )

 

[Malak the Mad]

Well, after a little (much-needed ) prodding, I've finally gotten up off my derrière and updated the Master List. Please give a warm welcome our two newest members, @ux4484 (Number 72) and @Jalan (Number 73)!

#1 StrangerDanger
#2 ShadowVampyre
#3 Fair Warning
#4 unclebass
#5 StephenDaRacket
#6 Johnnywad
#7 hillerup
#8 Auspex
#9 Paradog
#10 VoodooMagicBoas
#11 emdsd
#12 Mmoore2490
#13 Malak the Mad
#14 Rich McCoy
#15 Fernandino
#16 Plectrum72
#17 Aetheriac
#18 Tom-Phil
#19 TimboZ
#20 Rabidrasbora
#21 Karkfum
#22 TheOnlyJuan
#23 Jookbox
#24 Tbone76
#25 gfen (formerly held by oysteivi)
#26 stavros911 (him and his "Aegis"!)
#27 kingofbogarts
#28 ExaltBass
#29 mizzou541 (plastic film and all)
#30 dodokns
#31 Graeme D
#32 BlueTalon
#33 Wallygator
#33.5 AbstractLunatic (So what if it's a Tele…it's still a Blacktop! Here's your honorary number with my compliments!)
#34 pastorjamesc
#35 Petesurvival
#36 MikeyV
#37 Huge
#38 BlkMt
#39 Neil2094
#40 ivorytower
#41 mmukav
#42 Chains
#43 javi_bassist
#44 Fernando Costa
#45 Big Mikey
#46 SCOMan
#47 Princedead
#48 AlarmClock314
#49 xrockstrongox
#50 Top Timmy
#51 EriktheRed
#52 Scungilli
#53 stelles75
#54 fastvee
#55 ynotnv
#56 Sleeq
#57 aksteve
#58 T. Brookins
#59 jg42
#60 bassandkeys42
#61 alfoders
#62 stgabhas
#63 Squittolo
#64 funkometer
#65 bassstrangler
#66 Broham
#67 bdwgml
#68 comatosedragon
#69 slugger
#70 Chris Fitzgerald
#71 Benko
#72 ux4484
#73 Jalan
#74 Paul Corrosion

---end of line---

 

[Danomo]

Why thanky Malak, and good luck recruiting #74.

 

[Danomo]

While I really like the Blacktop Jazz as was, it's already gone under the soldering iron. Having two P pups, you would think it would nail that Precision sound, but it doesn't, it's just a tad dark (I was surprised it didn't have 500 K pots), but when I bypassed the controls with some 500's and a .047 cap I had, I still couldn't get that bright P sound (think green day 'Longview'). When I bypassed the controls altogether... Bingo (on the neck pup)!

I was going to make a varitone switch, but found a six way on eBay for about the cost of the parts, and got it instead, it's wired as follows:
1 bypass (no tone)
2 .01
3 .02
4 .033
5 .047
6 .068

Wanting to go back (or be swappable), I picked up a loaded J plate (and some other parts) from user Ken LLoyd here and modded that plate. The operation was a success, and I'm loving switch positions 1,2, and 4 on the neck, and 1,3, and 5 on the bridge.

Previous to the varitone, I had a love-in with a couple P necks at Chicago music exchange (MIM & Squier), and found a Squier one listed here by member Systolic on Reverb (wasn't showing in my searchers here?!). It was a near perfect fit, and feels so comfortable for a P.

I still have the Jazz neck, it'll be going in a REAL Jazz project coming up soon.

 

[Paul Corrosion]

Hi all, the Blacktop Club's just been brought to my attention, so here's my P, all of six months old. Plays like a dream and sounds awesome, naturally.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

They recently took Blacktops off the menu of Fender's online store, so hold onto yours.

 

[Paul Corrosion]

They recently took Blacktops off the menu of Fender's online store, so hold onto yours.

Yeah, I'd heard rumours at the end of last year that they were about to be discontinued and was so glad I raised the money in time as I *really* wanted one.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Why thanky Malak, and good luck recruiting #74.

Not the person I was gunning for, but…

Hi all, the Blacktop Club's just been brought to my attention, so here's my P, all of six months old. Plays like a dream and sounds awesome, naturally.

…Mr. Corrosion here will do plenty fine. So as far as "Number 74" is concerned, you are it! Welcome aboard, sir!!

They recently took Blacktops off the menu of Fender's online store, so hold onto yours.

I never had a huge interest in getting a White Chrome Pearl BT Jazz, but when I heard this news, the though of getting one for the "historical value" took hold. Eventually, I found a fellow TB'er who was selling a mostly-loaded WCP body (sans-pickups & bridge) for a very reasonable price. What made it even more reasonable is that he was sorta-local, so a face-to-face, cash-in-hand, no-need-for-shipping-discount deal was struck.

I'm planning on turning it into a sort-of-tribute to the '80s-era "Fender Japan Jazz Bass Special", the same kind Duff McKagan bought to record "Appetite For Destruction" and the basis for his own signature bass. I already have a BT Jazz pickup & wiring harness from The Stratosphere, a TBX tone circuit from a previous project, a three-way ON/ON/ON switch waiting to be utilized and an all-black, high-mass bridge on it's way. Then, some proper top-hat knobs and other little fiddly-bits will be in order.

Eventually, I plan on getting a neck to do a gloss-black finish-job on the headstock and backside, plus the requisite black hardware. Too bad I already sold a set of Hipshot tuners and Drop-D tuner before this inspiration struck. Ah well, life goes on.

 

[Paul Corrosion]

Not the person I was gunning for, but…



…Mr. Corrosion here will do plenty fine. So as far as "Number 74" is concerned, you are it! Welcome aboard, sir!!

Thanks Malak, I'm very happy to be here. Now, where's the bar? ;-)

 

[Malak the Mad]

Thanks Malak, I'm very happy to be here. Now, where's the bar? ;-)

Sorry, it's currently closed. The bartender was hit by a Guinness truck.

How about we meet at The Winchester instead?

 

[Paul Corrosion]

Sorry, it's currently closed. The bartender was hit by a Guinness truck.

How about we meet at The Winchester instead?

That's cool. I hear they have Queen on the jukebox there.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

The Winchester I know has naked dancers, but it's on the South end of Pattaya beach.

 

[ET777]

Hello Everyone. Two nights ago, I purchased a new Blacktop Precision, in white from Sam Ash which was on closeout. It came with flatwounds and a very nice setup. The quality of the setup and hardware was much better than the other Mexican basses there, and was fairly close to a US PBass, so I was hooked.

However, upon taking it home and attempting to record via DI, I noticed a lot of 60 cyc hum and other hums in the signal. It is too much to record with. This happens whether one or the other, or both pickups are on full volume. The bass is poorly shielded, and worse the "humbuckers" are not humbucking anything at all!

So I hope that you may be able to help me with a few Qs. I searched all over online and was not able to find info:

1) What are good replacement for the double jazz type humbuckers? I would prefer to pay under $200 so the Seymour Bassline NYCs are probably too much.

2) If I keep the exisiting PUPS...how can this be better shielded? Shouldnt humbuckers buck hum on their own?

3) Ideally, it would be very cool to keep the bridge as a double-jazz humbucker, and put a real P-Bass pup in the neck position. The best of both worlds. Is this possible or would the bass need to have the neck PUP slot enlarged (im assuming it would be)

Thanks in advance for your help and tips.
e

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I just started a thread on almost the exact same subject. I find it odd that the "humbuckers" are making so much noise on my new amp when the treble is up.
BTW, if I roll back the tone knob on the bass, it goes away, or if I keep the treble knob on the amp at 50% or less.

NGD - GK MB200 - hum/buzz with a MIM Fender | TalkBass.com