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Fender Deluxe 5 Mods/Questions

C

CTbass613

Nov 20, 2009
114
0
Connecticut
www.myspace.com
#1
Hey,
So it looks like i will be acquiring a fender deluxe 5 Jazz, ash in three tone SB with Maple fingerboard, and here is what i am thinking...rerouting for p/j config, and taking out passive electronics, going 4 knob, volume, volume, tone, tone. Any opinions, experience, slaps of reality would be greatly appreciated! to get an idea I prefer passive basses, but i do use effects that do allow me to boost and Eq signal as neccessary (ie tone hammer, vt bass).

Recording...active basses deliver better in the "home" studio,
Tone hammer has allowed me to get better active tone from passive basses.

Again just looking for takes as to whether or not everyone thinks its worth the investment (professional routing isn't to cheap). Thanks again
 
#2
If it's an American Deluxe Jazz (MIA) then I say avoid the cosmetic or body mods 1) because they are some classically beautiful basses 2) they tend to hold their value pretty well relative to other basses on the used market without mods that affect the look.

I'd say take baby steps towards the tone you're after. You say you like passive? Get an onboard 3-band with a passive tone option. I'm sure Bartolini, Aguilar, and Audere could handle that. It'll give you load of options. After that maybe consider a pick up swap if your still after a different tone. If you do decide to make it PJ (which would actually be pretty cool IMO) have it done so that you would be able to still swap in the J pup. Versatility is the name of the game.

Good luck :).
 
#3
CTbass613 said:
Hey,
So it looks like i will be acquiring a fender deluxe 5 Jazz, ash in three tone SB with Maple fingerboard, and here is what i am thinking...rerouting for p/j config, and taking out passive electronics, going 4 knob, volume, volume, tone, tone. Any opinions, experience, slaps of reality would be greatly appreciated! to get an idea I prefer passive basses, but i do use effects that do allow me to boost and Eq signal as neccessary (ie tone hammer, vt bass).

Recording...active basses deliver better in the "home" studio,
Tone hammer has allowed me to get better active tone from passive basses.

Again just looking for takes as to whether or not everyone thinks its worth the investment (professional routing isn't to cheap). Thanks again
Click to expand...

I just finished a mod that involved complete rework of the body and electronics. I would not do it again.
If you want something that is totally different then what you are looking to modify, you are better off starting from scratch, or at least from parts. A Fender Deluxe 5 ain't all that cheap of a starting point. I started with a $99 dollar Ebay special, and have about $600 into it. It is a sweet bass, but it would have been better to start with a block of wood and take away everything that did not look like my dream bass.
Just one mans opinion,
DRoot
 
#4
On my 2002 Am Dlx Jaxx V, I already tried removing the active preamp while still using the original noiseless pickups. I wasn't impressed. I had the preamp put back in, along with a new set of Quarter Pounders, and BOOM! For about $100, it was quite an upgrade. Good luck!

2jazzbasses.gif


CTbass613 said:
Hey,
So it looks like i will be acquiring a fender deluxe 5 Jazz, ash in three tone SB with Maple fingerboard, and here is what i am thinking...rerouting for p/j config, and taking out passive electronics, going 4 knob, volume, volume, tone, tone. Any opinions, experience, slaps of reality would be greatly appreciated! to get an idea I prefer passive basses, but i do use effects that do allow me to boost and Eq signal as neccessary (ie tone hammer, vt bass).

Recording...active basses deliver better in the "home" studio,
Tone hammer has allowed me to get better active tone from passive basses.

Again just looking for takes as to whether or not everyone thinks its worth the investment (professional routing isn't to cheap). Thanks again
Click to expand...
 
#7
DJJazzV said:
On my 2002 Am Dlx Jaxx V, I already tried removing the active preamp while still using the original noiseless pickups. I wasn't impressed. I had the preamp put back in, along with a new set of Quarter Pounders, and BOOM! For about $100, it was quite an upgrade. Good luck!

2jazzbasses.gif
Click to expand...

I know this is more than a little OT but that jazz on the left of that picture is beautiful! Mind if I ask exactly what model it is?
 
#8
I'm using NJ5FS (split coil) pu for neck to get beefy "P Bass" and
put AERO type 1 (single coil) pu at bridge for "Jacoish tone"
then ACG EQ2 active preamp :smug:.

I stay at this setup on my Fender Deluxe V 2008 it's because of soo wide variety of tone.

ps :
I'd try passive VVTT on Fender Deluxe V but it is unsatisfy me.
I'd try both pu's NJ5FS but it is too dark in bridge (IMO).
I'd try both pu's AERO type 1 but it is less beefy on neck (IMO).

Little pic..;)

100_0196.jpg
 
#9
It looks like the others also suggest to simply swap the pickups first, then if you aren't happy, consider more changes. I think just changing the pickups would do it for you though. Good luck!

CTbass613 said:
thanks for the input guys, will definetly be putting some serious consideration into it once its in my hands.
Click to expand...

OT answer: 1996 Fender Jazz "The Ventures" model, MIJ. Ebay (no affiliation to me) has a full set of 3 "Ventures" models right now to see better pictures.

Kwesi said:
I know this is more than a little OT but that jazz on the left of that picture is beautiful! Mind if I ask exactly what model it is?
Click to expand...
 

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