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Seeking help for my J-Bass

S

soundtweakers

Oct 22, 2010
32
1
#1
Hello, my first post here. I recently got a used Jazz Bass off of ebay and I have some question regarding it's electronics. It's a stock 2006 Am. Std. fitted with the S-1 Switch.

Initially when I engage the S-1 switch(series) I can notice a significant drop in volume compare to when the S-1 switch is up(parallel). I opened it up and checked the wiring and everything checked out and it seems like original factory soldering job, it also match the schematics of perfectly. The physical components of the S-1 knob and pots doesn't seems to be damaged in any way.

Then I put it in parallel normal mode, made sure I cranked the vol. knobs all the way up for both pickups and did the tapping screw driver on the magnet pole pieces test. My neck pick up produces significantly lower output. At this point I'm hoping that's the fault of the electronics, but it's possible the pickups are defective(which I have never experienced in my 15years of messing with guitars/basses).

Any suggestions?

thanks
 
#4
ok, that's not right. series operation on the jazz (button down) is definitely louder than parallel, and if tapping on one pickup is significantly quieter than tapping on the other, then something is very much wrong.

you might be lucky, in that american standard fender pickups sometimes lose connection right at the point where the hookup wire meets the coil bobbin.

carefully re-flowing the solder right where the leads come off the pickup can often save it.
 
#5
walterw said:
ok, that's not right. series operation on the jazz (button down) is definitely louder than parallel, and if tapping on one pickup is significantly quieter than tapping on the other, then something is very much wrong.

you might be lucky, in that american standard fender pickups sometimes lose connection right at the point where the hookup wire meets the coil bobbin.

carefully re-flowing the solder right where the leads come off the pickup can often save it.
Click to expand...

you know, you might be right, under the pick guard is the one place I didn't check. visually the inside of this bass looks very stock as if I'm the first one opening it up.

thanks for your advice, going to check the pup it self.
 
#8
I just swapped out the S-1 on this Jazz Bass and rewired it for Volume/Blend/Tone, the wiring checks out, all works as it should but I'm afraid walterw is right. The neck pickup is defective.

walterw, can you give me some detailed instructions on fixing this pickup?
 
#9
it does exist, friend. with a defective neck pickup, but still it does exist.
 

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#10
danomite64 said:
Nah, there's nothing wrong. The S-1 switch just isn't a good idea for a Jazz. If both pickups were humbuckers, it might sound better, but with 2 single coils it falls a bit flat.
Click to expand...

Not sure why it would matter. Two pickups is series, even single coils, sounds fatter with less high end. There should be a slight increase in volume, however, our ears are more sensitive to high end.

Does the pickup work OK in parallel or when soloed? If it does then it's either wiring or the S-1 switch is defective or dirty.
 
#13
today I bypassed everything and wired the pickup directly to a jack, and now I'm 100% sure that the neck pickup is busted. I had a guitar tech friend/mentor work with me on it and we tried to reflow the leads with no positive result.

the seller on eBay(an individual not an store) who I bought this bass from has not replied any of my message, but afterall I still got a great deal for this bass even with a busted neck pup. Super light, made in USA, incredible feeling neck, none-existing fret wear....and I got it for less than a new Std. Jazz Bass MIM.

The added PIO vitamin Q cap is incredible. I did a quick direct recording before the cap upgrade thinking I might not be able to hear the difference...well, that recording was not necessary because the difference is HUGE!! At this point I don't really care about the Neck PUP(I should though), because the tone is soooo sweet....

I'm a firm believer now and everyone who owns a Fender should do a cap upgrade!!!
 
#14
meh, those american standard pickups are just "okay" anyway.

the basses themselves are home runs, and well deserving of a pickup upgrade. (my '96 AS P-bass sports a fralin and just kills.)
 
#15
walterw said:
meh, those american standard pickups are just "okay" anyway.

the basses themselves are home runs, and well deserving of a pickup upgrade. (my '96 AS P-bass sports a fralin and just kills.)
Click to expand...

any experience with the Fralin single coil for J-basses? I obviously need a neck pick now but not sure if I should spend 20 bucks for a Fender MIM pickup or 50-60 bucks for something cheap made in USA or 90+ bucks for one of those boutique handmade pups named after the guy who wind it up?
 

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