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- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
Hi all, I've always loved the aesthetics of Jaydee Basses, (particularly the series 3 proportions, the GA24, and the Calibas). After reading through this thread, I've got a few questions about Jaydee if you'd permit me to pick your brains.
Firstly the pickups:
So the Jaydee Supernatural traditionally has two reverse split coil pickups, and if I understand correctly for a few years now they offer a humbucker, with the former being an option?
If that's the case, what are peoples thoughts on the difference in tone?
Do Jaydees' have a series/parallel switch or are they wired in parallel?
Are their pickups using ceramic or alnico magnets? (I assume the former)
Can anyone tell me about the their stacked humbucker pickups (Calibas or Celeste?), if they're still an option, how do they compare to the traditional reverse split coils?
How different do the various series and GA25 Supernatural sound due to the the different pickup placement, ie are the series i and the GA24 completely different beasts or can they get in the ballpark of each other)?
On the Jaydee Facebook page, there's a pic of John Diggins working on pickups where one is clearly in a standard split coil configuration (the pic was not mirrored), does anyone know how common that is?
In regards to materials, in a blind test could one tell the difference between a Series iii and a Roadie Active?
Beyond the aesthetics of the body laminates and an XLR jack, is there anything else that separates the series iii from the Roadie Active?
They're said to be heavy basses, they're certainly wider than a lot of Basses. How thick are the bodies generally?
Could one ask for a thinner body to cut weight?
I've noticed that Jaydee do many custom variations, such as subtle body shape differences like the upper bouts being a hybrid of a Supernatural and Calibas, non standard headstocks, or a Calibas headstock on a Supernatural, Calibas string retainers on Supernaturals etc
Do these customizations come with a modest price increase or steep?
If I understand correctly, the Pearl colours are a standard option, not extra?
Do Jaydee offer different scale lengths and string spacings?
What can anyone tell me about the rare Series iv Supernatural?
I know these questions could be sent to Jaydee, i thought I'd like to hear from owners of their basses first. If anyone's kind enough to answer / share thoughts to any of my questions, please don't feel obliged to answer everything as I certainly asked a lot.
Thanks
Firstly the pickups:
So the Jaydee Supernatural traditionally has two reverse split coil pickups, and if I understand correctly for a few years now they offer a humbucker, with the former being an option?
If that's the case, what are peoples thoughts on the difference in tone?
Do Jaydees' have a series/parallel switch or are they wired in parallel?
Are their pickups using ceramic or alnico magnets? (I assume the former)
Can anyone tell me about the their stacked humbucker pickups (Calibas or Celeste?), if they're still an option, how do they compare to the traditional reverse split coils?
How different do the various series and GA25 Supernatural sound due to the the different pickup placement, ie are the series i and the GA24 completely different beasts or can they get in the ballpark of each other)?
On the Jaydee Facebook page, there's a pic of John Diggins working on pickups where one is clearly in a standard split coil configuration (the pic was not mirrored), does anyone know how common that is?
In regards to materials, in a blind test could one tell the difference between a Series iii and a Roadie Active?
Beyond the aesthetics of the body laminates and an XLR jack, is there anything else that separates the series iii from the Roadie Active?
They're said to be heavy basses, they're certainly wider than a lot of Basses. How thick are the bodies generally?
Could one ask for a thinner body to cut weight?
I've noticed that Jaydee do many custom variations, such as subtle body shape differences like the upper bouts being a hybrid of a Supernatural and Calibas, non standard headstocks, or a Calibas headstock on a Supernatural, Calibas string retainers on Supernaturals etc
Do these customizations come with a modest price increase or steep?
If I understand correctly, the Pearl colours are a standard option, not extra?
Do Jaydee offer different scale lengths and string spacings?
What can anyone tell me about the rare Series iv Supernatural?
I know these questions could be sent to Jaydee, i thought I'd like to hear from owners of their basses first. If anyone's kind enough to answer / share thoughts to any of my questions, please don't feel obliged to answer everything as I certainly asked a lot.
Thanks
Ooh, last question: Due to the set back design of the Jaydee body, with the upper horn not reaching the *12th fret like most basses. Does anyone have any reach or left wrist issues with playing in first position?
A rough demo of an original tune performed on my trusty Jaydee Series 3
I think this depends very much on how long your arms are. I'm 5'9" and playing octaves in first position isn't particularly comfortable. However using a slightly longer strap length allows me to angle the neck upwards more to bring the headstock closer to my shoulder, reducing the stretch.
A little unusual request here. I just picked up this Yamaha BB3000 that was customized by Jaydee in the mid-90’s. Can anyone explain the controls layout to me, or provide a diagram or schematic for this system? I think I have most of it figured out, I would just like more detail. Also, the toggle switch…is that a series/parallel switch? If so, which side is which?
If you haven't already I suggest you send Andrew Diggins an email at :-
[email protected]
Beautiful floor!
Last edited:
Thanks! These marble floors are very common in Italy.
I figured out that the toggle switch activates/deactivates the active eq (the four small knobs). The bigger knobs are VVT, and there is a 4 position pickup selector switch with ccw being off. That’s all there is to it, I guess.
The active EQ is normally bass, middle and treble; you may have an extra EQ band. Perhaps bass, low mid, high mid and treble?
Yes, it’s a four band eq and like what you said, to my ears.
I would agree with this. Your hands fall differently on the neck of a JD compared to a precision, similar to a series alembic but not so pronounced. I could imagine you could have problems if you were of shorter stature or had shorter arms. If that's the case, get a medium scale GA24.
That sounds like a heck of a bass! If it's not too much trouble, can I get a demo of how it sounds like?
I just field stripped it, and scraped off decades of bodily excretions. Replaced a few parts and polished and touched up others. I’m putting it back together this week.
I’ve never done sound clips before. I’ll see what I can come up with!
- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
As many of you have seen, The Diggins family shared information that John Diggins passed away yesterday. On the FB pages and other socials, people are posting pics of their basses as well as thoughts of condolences and respects. A true innovator in the UK, we remember the man with the vision to make these awesome instruments for us all!!
