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Show your P/J Precision!

#322
Parts PJ I recently put together - Nitro 2 tone sunburst MIA '57 body, MIA Standard Jazz neck, Fralin P and 5% overwound J. Wired up with a 3 way switch - P/PJ/J. Plays and sounds great.

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#324
Herrick said:
Inquiry: What is the advantage of two seperate volume controls for pickups over a blend control with a master volume control?
Click to expand...

I believe the only real (measurable) advantage is less pots between pickups and output, meaning less loss of highs. With separate volume controls, the signal goes PU -> vol -> output. With a blend pot it goes PU-> Blend (Which is just a fancy two-way volume AFAIK) -> master volume -> output.

But there are of course personal preferences; people may be used to one controlscheme over the other.

I used to think two seperate volume controls also gave you more tones to dial in, but I now believe that is not true. A loud and determined French TB'er convinced me :D
 
#327
Herrick said:
Inquiry: What is the advantage of two seperate volume controls for pickups over a blend control with a master volume control?
Click to expand...

IME it is all personal preference. I have basses set up both ways (2 vol, 1 tone and 1 vol 1 pan 1 tone). I find the single vol with pan a little easier to adjust the overall volume level a the bass without affecting the tone while playing during a song. As far as a difference in tonal variety or clarity, in a band setting I hear no difference at all between the the different control setups.

I'd guess the real reason for the VVT configuration has to do more with lower manufacturing cost than anything. A simple 250K is considerably cheaper than a blend pot. Not needing to have more parts in inventory is more cost effective and the VVT control setup is also a simpler wiring process (less time, less cost). Fender is about mass production and reduced cost, (lower production cost = more profit) I'd guess increased profit is the primary reason they designed the Jazz and P/J bass with VVT controls.

Please note that the early Jazz basses had 2 stacked controls, each set of knobs functioning as V-T for a single pickup.

Oh, and from a non-instrument specific but production standpoint the VVT basses wiring and the VTT wiring of the Fender Strat can all use the same pots. Another cost / inventory saving for Fender.
 

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