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Fender Jazz with 2 stacked V/T knobs?

rogerbmiller

rogerbmiller

Gold Supporting Member
Sep 16, 2003
7,103
5,920
NYC
#1
Hey folk, I am hoping someone out there can give me a crash course in the 1960 style Fender jazz reissues that feature the 2 stacked V/T pots.

I play a bunch of old basses that have individual tone controls for each pickup and I have decided that I prefer the additional tonal variety that such a configuration affords.

I am playing my jazz bass a bunch, but it has the VVT configuration so I want to look into picking up one of the reissues with the stacked V/T pots to see if I can tweak by tone any better.

So some questions:

1) Does anyone know the name of the model or models Fender makes that have the V/T? Is it called a 1960 RI?

2) Where are/were the RIs made?

2) I am probably going to pick one up used, so hoping for some guidance or experience with pricing. I have seen a wide range on ebay with some selling for sub-$800 and others asking $2500. Is there a rule of thumb on pricing for these for the MIAs, MIJs, etc.

Thanks.


RBM
 
#4
I really prefer the stack knob setup over the regular VVT.
What small amount of control it provides is enough for me to really notice nice difference.

You can find ready-made control plates on the 'bay if you simply want to convert a bass.

rogerbmiller said:
Anyone know if there are MIJ versions ever made that made sell for less?
Click to expand...

I don't think so. Not one I've ever seen, or at least marketed outside of Japan. I've only seen the Custom Shop make one other than the regular US reissue.
You can find deals on used ones all day long 850-1000.
 
#7
Caca de Kick said:
I really prefer the stack knob setup over the regular VVT.
What small amount of control it provides is enough for me to really notice nice difference.

You can find ready-made control plates on the 'bay if you simply want to convert a bass.



I don't think so. Not one I've ever seen, or at least marketed outside of Japan. I've only seen the Custom Shop make one other than the regular US reissue.
You can find deals on used ones all day long 850-1000.
Click to expand...

Hey $850 to $1000 is definitely in my sweetspot. Where is the best place to look and how do people usually list these?

Also I noticed MF sells them new at $1500. Some are shown with ashtray covers and others not. Do they all come with the ashtrays or is that an "extra?"

Thanks!
 
#8
rogerbmiller said:
Hey $850 to $1000 is definitely in my sweetspot. Where is the best place to look and how do people usually list these?

Also I noticed MF sells them new at $1500. Some are shown with ashtray covers and others not. Do they all come with the ashtrays or is that an "extra?"

Thanks!
Click to expand...

avri, american vintage reissue , '62 jazz reissue,

this one was just in the classifieds last week

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/fs-62-avri-jazz-841348/
 
#9
The re-issues come with the covers and screws but are uninstalled (and un drilled as well) for the owner to choose whether to install or not.

These are excellent basses and I do like the stacked knob arrangement as well. It's surprising that the VVT became the more prevalent set up.
 
#11
Hey just following up here.

I played one of these for the first time at Sam Ash today.

To my surprise, the tone knobs had multiple detents, i.e. they clicked into several preset positions rather than being a smooth sweep. So two questions:

1) Is this true to period, mening is this how the original J's were back in the day and

2) Does this work any differently than a regular tone pot other than the detents? I..e are these presets determined by internal capacitors or some such?

Thanks.


RBM
 
#12
rogerbmiller said:
Hey just following up here.

I played one of these for the first time at Sam Ash today.

To my surprise, the tone knobs had multiple detents, i.e. they clicked into several preset positions rather than being a smooth sweep. So two questions:

1) Is this true to period, mening is this how the original J's were back in the day and

2) Does this work any differently than a regular tone pot other than the detents? I..e are these presets determined by internal capacitors or some such?

Thanks.


RBM
Click to expand...

This is true to period. It's no different than a standard tone - it's merely a washer that mates with the bottom knob which has dimples on the bottom. The bent up bump makes the stops. These are still available - look for '62 Jazz parts. I built a Warmoth J with that setup and I find I prefer a smooth sweep. I had to try it though, and it's already in there - no harm done.
 

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#15
themacinator said:
+1 on the just change the control plate. I bought one recently of the TB board and put it on my Jazz. Love the look and tone. Plus I keep the feel and setup of a bass I like already. Oh and saved what, a grand?
Click to expand...

Yep this is a possibility, though I have other considerations about the AVRI. For example, I like the low profile vinatge style frets.

So I was thinking of selling my J and buying the AVRI (used), for not much of a net upgrade cost.
 
#16
bassclef112 said:
This is true to period. It's no different than a standard tone - it's merely a washer that mates with the bottom knob which has dimples on the bottom. The bent up bump makes the stops. These are still available - look for '62 Jazz parts. I built a Warmoth J with that setup and I find I prefer a smooth sweep. I had to try it though, and it's already in there - no harm done.
Click to expand...

Cool! Thanks for the info.
 
#17
+1 on picking up the control panel.only. these go for $70-$90 here or on eBay. I have two jazz basses with these and two set up VVT.

To be honest, I like it both ways. The dual stacks allow me to back off the highs on just the bridge pup, then control and balance volumes.

But, the VVT setup lets me quickly (like mid-song) back off the neck Volume to get some bridge growl for a two-bar riff, then bump it right back up.

Of course, IMHO IME YMMV.
 

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