Pickup/Preamp replacements for Jaguar Bass?

[ChordMelody]

Hey there! I have a CIJ Jaguar bass.

I've had it for a long time, but I finally pinpointed that there's just some underlying characteristics with the preamp and pickups that I can't make up for.

I've decided to replace them, and I've come down to the Dimarzio model Js and the Nordstrand NJ4s (But I'm unsure if I should go for the SV or SE Split coils?)

I also am looking at the 2B Nordstrand preamp as a replacement.

Anyone have any other suggestions? Maybe in particular the preamp as I have not as much experience with different preamps and such!

Also, I'm unsure if I'd need the splitcoils and if it will affect the series/parallel wiring options in the Jaguar bass.

Thanks!

 

[basspedaler]

here's a fun thread on the subject:
Jaguar mods!

and good stuff here from John K:
Jaguar Bass preamp mod

 

[ChordMelody]

Thanks for the reply !!! I will check it out! Should have seen those sooner!

 

[walterw]

i re-did one of these with dimarzio area J pickups (very close to straight vintage sound) and an EMG BTS preamp.

it was a little tricky to wire it up, but worth it. the pickups themselves sound much better and are of course noiseless, while the preamp has actual boost and cut controls, with a center detent on those thumbwheels.

the other big improvement was had from a set of gotoh res-o-lite keys, because the JAG body is inherently more neck-heavy on a strap.

 

[ChordMelody]

Hey there! Second time hearing of the EMG BTS preamp now! I'm actually really debating between an Aguilar preamp and that one now! I am still doing more demo listens of different pickups but I like the darker bass heavy sound of the model Js atm!

I really want to get better tuning machinese (lighter ones) but I can't stand drilling new holes in it. I am thinking of a hipshot kickass bridge and hopefully it will be less neck heavy!

Thanks for the tips and suggestion!

 

[secondbestcody]

i re-did one of these with dimarzio area J pickups (very close to straight vintage sound) and an EMG BTS preamp.

it was a little tricky to wire it up, but worth it. the pickups themselves sound much better and are of course noiseless, while the preamp has actual boost and cut controls, with a center detent on those thumbwheels.

I just got an EMG BTS preamp for my Jaguar. My thumb wheels also don’t fit my new pots so I’ll have to open them up a bit to fit. You wouldn’t happen to have a wiring diagram for replacing the preamp with the BTS one would you?

 

[Gase Baytar]

I just got an EMG BTS preamp for my Jaguar. My thumb wheels also don’t fit my new pots so I’ll have to open them up a bit to fit. You wouldn’t happen to have a wiring diagram for replacing the preamp with the BTS one would you?

Did you ever end up finding a wiring diagram to replace the stock preamp with the bts? I've got a BTS but I'm not quite sure how the wiring should be

 

[secondbestcody]

Did you ever end up finding a wiring diagram to replace the stock preamp with the bts? I've got a BTS but I'm not quite sure how the wiring should be

I made my own. It’s crudely drawn but it worked for me.

 

[Gase Baytar]

I made my own. It’s crudely drawn but it worked for me.

View attachment 4551670

Ok, that's awesome. Thank you so much!

 

[OldJag]

I made my own. It’s crudely drawn but it worked for me.

View attachment 4551670

Hi,
I’m just now starting to wire in my new EMG BTS system in my Jaguar bass asJohn K had done with new Mouser pots etc.
When it came to wiring in the new preamp, your sketch was extremely helpful and I thank you for that. The only thing that’s not clear to me is how the “switch” is wired. The original Jaguar Passive/Active switch has each of the double poles wired together so in essence it is equivalent to a single pole double throw switch. The passive side of the switch is connected to the master volume pot and the input to the original preamp. So in the first position the master volume pot is connected to the original preamp input to the output jack. In the second position, output of the original preamp is connected to the output jack.
It seems in your sketch that only the active side of the switch has the poles connected. In one position, the new preamp input connects to the preamp output and the volume pot connects to the preamp input and preamp output jack. The output jack has a capacitor to ground.
Am I reading this correctly or is this very old brain very confused? Thank you so much for any help you can give me.

 

[secondbestcody]

Hi,
I’m just now starting to wire in my new EMG BTS system in my Jaguar bass asJohn K had done with new Mouser pots etc.
When it came to wiring in the new preamp, your sketch was extremely helpful and I thank you for that. The only thing that’s not clear to me is how the “switch” is wired. The original Jaguar Passive/Active switch has each of the double poles wired together so in essence it is equivalent to a single pole double throw switch. The passive side of the switch is connected to the master volume pot and the input to the original preamp. So in the first position the master volume pot is connected to the original preamp input to the output jack. In the second position, output of the original preamp is connected to the output jack.
It seems in your sketch that only the active side of the switch has the poles connected. In one position, the new preamp input connects to the preamp output and the volume pot connects to the preamp input and preamp output jack. The output jack has a capacitor to ground.
Am I reading this correctly or is this very old brain very confused? Thank you so much for any help you can give me.
View attachment 7380428

It’s been a few years, but from what I remember, I also used the original wiring diagram. The original preamp board has an input and output wire that both go to separate sides of the switch. Just put them in the same spots on that switch. I kept the original switch.

 

[OldJag]

It’s been a few years, but from what I remember, I also used the original wiring diagram. The original preamp board has an input and output wire that both go to separate sides of the switch. Just put them in the same spots on that switch. I kept the original switch.

I appreciate your response. It makes a lot of sense. Thank you

 

[secondbestcody]

I appreciate your response. It makes a lot of sense. Thank you

I also just realized when looking at my poorly drawn diagram, I also drew the switch on there. I must’ve taken out two of the jumpers.

It looks like in the “up” position, the preamp in/out and volume/output jack are activated and the “down” position is only the volume/output jack. I wish I could be more helpful with this, but I don’t have this bass anymore.