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Series Parallel mod for Jazz Bass

Alexis Duntov

Alexis Duntov

Feb 16, 2013
1,442
1,967
Brooklyn, NY
#1
I’ve done some research and I want to do this mod to my ‘73 Jazz bass. From what I’ve seen, the push/pull version on the neck pickup seems like the one for me. Does anyone have any recs for manufacturers of these modified control plates? I saw something from a company called Impiety. Thanks.
 
#4
MidlifeBeginner said:
Stewmac has the pots also. 250 kOhm for a Jazz bass.
CTS Push-pull Pots, DPDT - StewMac
If you know specifically what you are searching for, you can often find a bit cheaper on Amazon. Bourns are CTS are the most popular quality brands.

You don't need a new control plate. You would need to solder just as many wires swapping a pot vs swapping a prewired control plate.
Click to expand...
Yes, I have used these before. They are very nice! I had forgot about them.
 
#11
Starr Guitar Systems has made several for me. Dave (Starr) is a super nice guy and very good customer service.
You have to specify putting the switch on the vol pot since he usually puts them on the tone pot.
But no extra charge for the change.

https://www.starrguitarsystems.com

I am not a paid endorser, nor am I compensated in any way for this recommendation. I happily pay full price for his products.

And yes, I know I could make up the wiring harness myself and save a few bucks, but I don't want too.
B.
 
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#12
BLDavis said:
Starr Guitar Systems has made several for me. Dave (Starr) is a super nice guy and very good customer service.
You have to specify putting the switch on the vol pot since he usually puts them on the tone pot.
But no extra charge for the change.

https://www.starrguitarsystems.com

I am not a paid endorser, nor am I compensated in any way for this recommendation. I happily pay full price for his products.

And yes, I know I could make up the wiring harness myself and save a few bucks, but I don't want too.
B.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I ordered a CTS 250k push/pull pot and I’m giving it to my luthier with the schematic from Seymour Duncan that someone provided in an earlier response. I’ll keep everyone posted on the project.
 
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#14
LoveThatBass said:
Please let me know how it turns out!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Hey I got my bass back today. The series mod definitely fattens up the tone and takes a little sizzle off the top, which will be nice for tunes that beg for a P bass tone. But I could swear my bridge pickup is now a little diminished in output when in parallel mode (pot in pushed-down mode). I mean maybe I’m hearing things, but I remember the bridge pup being louder when soloed. And to be clear, I’m talking about when we are in parallel mode and each pick-up volume should and does work independently.
 
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#15
Maybe you just need to adjust the height of pickups a bit to your liking. Luthier may have adjusted pickup heights. Remember that a normal Jazz is lower overall volume bridge vs neck with pickups at the same height.

Electrically, things should be the same in parallel mode. The new pot could be a few percent off in resistance than your previous pot. That is a tiny change in tone. Should not notice a difference with volume all bridge. Capacitance switches add is also very small, and shouldn't be noticed.

What you are hearing is likely just caused by your hearing adjusting to the series tone. Set it parallel, put it down, then pick it up to play the next day. Listen with clean slate ears.
 
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#16
MidlifeBeginner said:
Maybe you just need to adjust the height of pickups a bit to your liking. Luthier may have adjusted pickup heights. Remember that a normal Jazz is lower overall volume bridge vs neck with pickups at the same height.

Electrically, things should be the same in parallel mode. The new pot could be a few percent off in resistance than your previous pot. That is a tiny change in tone. Should not notice a difference with volume all bridge. Capacitance switches add is also very small, and shouldn't be noticed.

What you are hearing is likely just caused by your hearing adjusting to the series tone. Set it parallel, put it down, then pick it up to play the next day. Listen with clean slate ears.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure the pickup height would not have been adjusted. But it’s fine, I can just increase the volume on the amp. My usual j bass ratio is bridge 100% and neck 80 %. I’m eager to hear how the series setting sounds in the band mix.
 
#17
920D was recently exposed on The Gear Page for selling fake paper in oil capacitors. or perhaps it was Bumblebee, but they had put a cover over an existing ceramic cap to make it look like something it wasn't.

You don't need a new controls plate, just install a push/pull in one of the current positions & use 500 K-Ohm pots.
 

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