Has Gretsch been lying to us for over a decade?

[mrperkolator]

That's a disappointment. I had these on my list to try, because I love Gretsch minibuckers in the G5260 baritone and also wanted something like that on bass.

Still try them. If you like the size, then swap the pups for real TV Jones.

Edit: @Patrice B and all others wondering about the TV Jones pickups, to my knowledge, it requires a little bit of sanding on the stock pickup ring, and they will fit. The TV Jones are just a hair wider. TV Jones also has replacement rings as well. I'd just get my dremmel out and sand though. I've been planning this upgrade a while... But other stuff gets in the way so I may just shield/rewire to a rotary switch.

 

[generik]

Not to keep with the derailment but yep, just alittle sanding on the stock pickup rings and the Thunder'Blades will fit, no problems.
The way the bass is sitting on the stand gives the illusion that the pickups are crooked. They are not, my OCD wouldn't let that happen hahaha!

 

[Buster53]

I have an original 2202 single pup and have the pup cover off as I’m having it gold plated. Am away traveling this week but can post pics next week.

 

[Patrice B]

Not to keep with the derailment but yep, just alittle sanding on the stock pickup rings and the Thunder'Blades will fit, no problems.
The way the bass is sitting on the stand gives the illusion that the pickups are crooked. They are not, my OCD wouldn't let that happen hahaha!
View attachment 4648760

You’ve replaced the toggle switch with a pot isn’t it?

Still try them. If you like the size, then swap the pups for real TV Jones.

Edit: @Patrice B and all others wondering about the TV Jones pickups, to my knowledge, it requires a little bit of sanding on the stock pickup ring, and they will fit. The TV Jones are just a hair wider. TV Jones also has replacement rings as well. I'd just get my dremmel out and sand though. I've been planning this upgrade a while... But other stuff gets in the way so I may just shield/rewire to a rotary switch.

Oh well, thanks for the infos but I’m short on money for 500 Canadian bucks pickups upgrade…

I’ll live with the Hum Debugger for now.

 

[Kev1955]

Are there any mods needed to make them fit? As a workaround, I bought an EHX Hum Debugger mainly for my Junior Jet…

**Aye!! Quite pricey for two TV Jones pickups, more than what I’ve paid for the bass itself.

I’ll (one day) shield it even if one user found it unsuccessful ( @yucafrita ):

Is this how is supposed to be installed from the factory? help!

So. Played with it awhile figured it out figured I would post my lessons learned and reasons why I did what I did, based solely on my opinions and preferences just in case they help someone else.
1. Pickups..stock pickups were strong but to me they got muddy and developed a lot of overtones when blended and/or when playing higher on the fretboard. The TV Jones pickups are much clearer and more defined.
2. TV Jones pickups... TV Jones recommended 500k pots, .022 cap, tried that hated it, was like the pots were on/off. Went back to 250k pots, .047 cap.
3. Zero Mod Thumbrest.. no new holes, works great
4. Hipshot Tuners Drop in replacement work great
5. The only physical mod I had to make was to the pickup rings, The TV Jones pickups were slightly wider along the long edge had to file a couple mm's to get them to fit in the stock pickup rings.
6. Strings, I found the bass just to dark with flatwounds on, went to Nickle Rounds got the sound I wanted.
7. Wiring it up VVT, just a lot more options with two volumes. I put o-rings on the Tone pot shaft to act as spacers because of the bigger hole for the 3 way switch.
Very happy with the results, fits my preferences much better
View attachment 4299687

my original post, to install TV Jones pickups will need to file or sand the pickup rings just a bit for them to fit, also went with two tv Jones thunderblades, worked much better. Any questions please ask.

 

[DECEMBER]

I have this bass. I haven't taken them apart but they definitely sound like humbuckers. It didn't become noisy until after I had it a year.

 

[DECEMBER]

I am really happy with the TV Jones Thunderblades!
View attachment 4648548

Are those the stock pickup rings with the Thunderblades? I'm thinking about getting some Filter'Trons for mine but it doesn't look like they would fit right.

 

[generik]

You’ve replaced the toggle switch with a pot isn’t it?

I did. I remove the toggle switch and replaced it with a Bourns M/N taper blend pot. I like to experiment alot, lol.

 

[Kev1955]

Are those the stock pickup rings with the Thunderblades? I'm thinking about getting some Filter'Trons for mine but it doesn't look like they would fit right.

Yes they are the stock rings but you have to file or sand the long inside edges for the tv Jones to fit

 

[LBS-bass]

I was trying to find info about when I bought mine, but any emails that were involved must have been deleted. I can probably look for a date in the Gretsch owners club.

 

[srayb]

I think @Pilgrim should comment on this as he’s had a Jr. Jet for quite a while. Trying to recall whom else has an older first run one?

@srayb

I’ve got a recent one:
Production year: 2021
Manufactured in CHINA (Yako factory)

It has some hum that I’ve found I can tame with sensible EQing. The pickups sound good enough for me, but curious how this turns out nonetheless.

 

[LBS-bass]

I was trying to find info about when I bought mine, but any emails that were involved must have been deleted. I can probably look for a date in the Gretsch owners club.

OK, apparently I bought mine in March of 2020, just before the big lockdown. So not that old. I thought I had it a bit longer than this.

 

[Kev1955]

My Stable, the Gretsch holds it own with the PBass.

 

[Kev1955]

Are those the stock pickup rings with the Thunderblades? I'm thinking about getting some Filter'Trons for mine but it doesn't look like they would fit right.

A Close up

 

[flannel cat]

cool thread!,,ive also got to add gretsch makes an attractive bass..
Gotta get myself that magnetic viewing paper..Never even knew it existed.

 

[mrperkolator]

@LowEndLobster does that paper happen to be able to show whether it is a N or S pole coming from the pickup? I'm wondering how many of these may be wired such that when both pickups are on, it still doesn't cancel hum. Sorta like a miswired jazz. Which is effectively what we have here... a weird short scale jazz.

 

[LowEndLobster]

@LowEndLobster does that paper happen to be able to show whether it is a N or S pole coming from the pickup? I'm wondering how many of these may be wired such that when both pickups are on, it still doesn't cancel hum. Sorta like a miswired jazz. Which is effectively what we have here... a weird short scale jazz.

I just tested, the paper cannot differentiate the poles. It will simply show the magnetic field but not the polarity. You can see the separation of the poles when you look at the 'side' of the magnet, but no way to tell which is positive or negative using the paper.

 

[Rich Fiscus]

I was even more shocked that they pulled it together so quickly.

Just think how polarizing it will be if their current album gets them inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 

[mrperkolator]

I just tested, the paper cannot differentiate the poles. It will simply show the magnetic field but not the polarity. You can see the separation of the poles when you look at the 'side' of the magnet, but no way to tell which is positive or negative using the paper.

I feel kinda dumb.... a cheap child's compass would tell me this....

 

[Glazenn]

My G&L JB-5 (single coils, one is RWRP to the other => hum cancelling)

1) North Up (Bridge PU)

2) South Up (Neck PU)