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Modding a passive JB5

Which mods should be done to my JB?

  • Parallel/Serial-PushPollPoti

    Votes: 13 31.0%

  • Glockenklang Onboard Preamp

    Votes: 12 28.6%

  • Other Onboard Preamp

    Votes: 11 26.2%

  • P/S-Switch plus Preamp Pedal (e.g. Sadowsky)

    Votes: 6 14.3%
  • Total voters
    42
  • Poll closed .
J

JB5

Jun 23, 2011
3
0
St. Gallen, Schweiz
#1
Hi there

it's a topic that is described well in different threads, but I couldn't find a real decision for me. I got a Fender Jazzbass 5string passive from 1994. Fine instrument, don't want to sell it ever. :)

BUT (there's always a "but", isn't it?): sometimes I get annoyed of the humming it produces, and sometimes I wish or think, that active electronics would make it more versatile. I mainly play Jazz/Funk.

1) I read the threads about push/pull-potis to switch between parallel- and serial-wiring. Sounds interesting! Not much effort, I could solder that, I guess. WHICH potis do you use? I mean brand, shaft diameter etc. – do you have links to the correct ones? I'd go for

DiMarzio EP1201PP
Invalid Link Removed

2) There's onboard preamps, and of them I think the Glockenklang 3band might be interesting. I now only have 3 knobs and of course no battery compartment. Is there a suitable cover plate for 5 knobs and is there all the place inside my JB to fit in the 9V block? Don't really want to drill a hole into my JB's back for the compartment…

3) I see there's Sadowsky preamp / DI floor box. Have you worked with that one, do you like it? Is it somehow similar to onboard electronics? If yes (and if money didn't make any difference) one could combine the s/p-pushpull and active/passive, right?

Thanks for the energy to read to this point AND for your answers, of course. ;-)
 
#5
I have series-parallel on one volume (pull for series).

One mod I have not tried but may at some point - use push pull on the other pot to switch to divert both pickups (in parallel mode) to the other volume control.

In other words - pull one for single volume series or pull the other for single volume parallel.

The whole single volume thing is more helpful with pure single coils (because they hum if you don't adjust both together).
 
#8
randysmojo said:
+1

I put Dimarzio Ultra Jazz pickups and an Audere 3-band preamp in my 4-string and I'm loving everything about it!!!! I hear the Area J's are closer sounding to vintage Jazz Bass, but I like the Ultra Jazz PU better myself.
Click to expand...

randysmojo and toyzbass: thank you for the tips and comments (to all others,too, of course)! had a look at the audere, that seems to be just what I thought of. I think I'll drop in the JZ3-VB-3B.

Taking a closer look at the audere page I also found nordstrand, which was a new brand on my small horizon. As I could then read on the nordstrand page they seem to be used at Sadowsky, that's not the worst one could say about your pickups. :) I consider buying a pair of nj5fs.

The Dimarzio ultras don't seem to fit into the JB without modification, as it's stated on their product page. I want to avoid that, if possible. Anyone experience with that? What about Dimarzio Areas? Described as lower output types…

e. didn't notice there was already an answer to the areas. Thanks! Maybe them plus the Audere make a perfect combination, including original JB-sound.
 
#9
i don't think any dimarzios fit the american jazz Vs.

if nordstrand makes split-coils that do, those would be nice for running them one at a time.

i vote for series wiring of the stock pickups; that adds back the missing beef on the B string, and since they'd both be full up to get the tone boost, they'd hum-cancel anyway.

series would be strong with or without adding a preamp, too.
 

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