John East JTone Question

[atquinn]

Is the JTone removable from the plate as individual components? Thinking about getting one and transferring the components to a different plate, but the spacing wouldn't be exactly the same which would obviously be a problem if the controls are circuit board mounted. I've been looking at all the pics I can find and it looks like the passive tone knob is separate, but I can't tell about the V/B and Treble/Bass knobs.

 

[ahbass2500]

Knobs are all board mounted. Fat Bass Tone usually has more than just stock photos which I find helpful. You can see the setup clearly at John East J-Tone 2 Band Bass Preamp

 

[funkinbottom]

Perhaps you can configure something close yourself. They make a single stacked pot, bass+/treble+- that with a stacked vol/bal and a passive tone control that is push/pull for active passive? Or contact East, they're pretty accommodating from what I've heard, they might wire that up for you. Not sure. And I'm guessing they don't have a rear mount that works for you.
Curious, what bass/plate are you using.

 

[atquinn]

Ah, many thanks. This would be for a bass with a 3 hole 54 precision's style plate. The spacing for the holes in close, but not exact. I accomplish something similar by replacing a volume knob with a stacked vol/tone in the current wiring scheme, but, while that will be much cheaper, it will also require more effort Ah well...

 

[funkinbottom]

What about making, or have a plate made with correct spacing? Probably though of that already. Maybe cost prohibitive?

 

[atquinn]

What about making, or have a plate made with correct spacing? Probably though of that already. Maybe cost prohibitive?

I have thought about, but I don't know that there's a source for plates with no holes. So, I'll probably just bite the bullet, find a small stacked pot, and get out the soldering iron.

 

[Malak the Mad]

For starters, I've never owned a '54-style bass, so "grain of salt" and all that.

If a John East J-Tone preamp can fit in the control route, you could do a little DIY work, then hand the rest off to someone like WD Music or another business that can fabricate pickguards and such. Assuming it can fit without any additional routing, here's what I would do;

1. Invalid Link Removed, trace the outline and screw holes of the existing Tele-bass control plate onto lined graph paper.
2. Trace the holes¹ from a Jazz bass onto the plates outline, using the graph lines to ensure they're straight.
3. Mail the completed tracing with instructions on what kind of material you want the "plate" to be cut from², making sure they know what needs to be beveled and/or countersunk.

¹: I don't know if the wires to the output jack would reach the edge of the body, so, depending on the answer, the plate may need three or four holes.
²: If I wanted to simulate a chrome plate, I would probably use a piece of mirrored plastic. As for the outside edge of the plate, beveled or not beveled would be a matter of personal taste.

 

[John East]

Is the JTone removable from the plate as individual components? Thinking about getting one and transferring the components to a different plate, but the spacing wouldn't be exactly the same which would obviously be a problem if the controls are circuit board mounted. I've been looking at all the pics I can find and it looks like the passive tone knob is separate, but I can't tell about the V/B and Treble/Bass knobs.

The J-Tone Vol/Vol or Vol/Blend Stack + Bass/Treble stack is fixed to the circuit board with regular Fender Jazz spacing. (1.375" 35mm) The Passive Tone is separate on a plug and has the jack wired to it.

 

[atquinn]

The J-Tone Vol/Vol or Vol/Blend Stack + Bass/Treble stack is fixed to the circuit board with regular Fender Jazz spacing. (1.375" 35mm) The Passive Tone is separate on a plug and has the jack wired to it.

Awesome, I think that will work then. Time to buy one and find out!

 

[atquinn]

Well I got it in today and does indeed fit in a my bass! I had to put it in backwards and get out my soldering iron to reroute wires from the includes output jack isand battery connector (the bass has a I have a battery box and the jack is side mounted). All in all, it fits the cavity better than the original] wiring (obp1 with volume and blend). The very early verdict is that the tone is better than stock when in passive mode and when flat in active mode (less harsh). Bumping up the active treble adds a ton of noise though. I don't remember this noise being present with the stock setup. Even in passive mode it seems a little bit noisier than stock. I'll have to put it through it's paces a bit more to come to a final conclusion.

 

[atquinn]

Got the grounding issue resolved and everything is good. Definitely a bit more work than the intended installation, but I would definitely do it again. This preamp sounds great!