Squier Jaguar H Mods

[Kev1955]

Series/Parallel Switch using stock pickup. pickup color codes . The Stock humber does have 4 wires, North Coil (Top) Start=Green Finish=White, South Coil(Bottom) Finish= Black Start=Red and Bare

Inexpensive, works great, Just need to get a DPDT Mini Switch

Diagrams I used.

 

[nonohmic]

What does it do? Does it un-muddy it?

 

[TeaTime]

What's the difference between the two settings for this type of pickup? I've done this with MM units, but am curious what your results here are.

 

[covermego]

This is a very timely post! I am just now getting ready to do the something similar...... EXCEPT....... my new Affinity Jag bass only has 2 wires. Well, that's no problem, because I have a box full o' MM pickups, from Affinity Jags and other brands.
I have owned quite a few of these and have not figured out Squier's "rhyme-and-reason" behind some of them having 4 wires and others only 2 wires. Must be whomever they source the pickups from. Originally, I thought Sweetwater's "FSR" Jags in both Shell Pink and Metallic Orange only had the 4 wire offering, but found out differently (your post being a prime example).
A while back I ran a Wilkinson "MM/J" pickup and ran it V-V-T. That thing sounded fantastic! However, this time I'd like to do the same thing as you, or similar.
I would also like to say that this current pickup sounds a lot better than some of the earlier stock Affinity Jag 2-wire pickups. Also tempted to throw a 2 band onboard pre in there, but we'll see.

 

[Kev1955]

What does it do? Does it un-muddy it?

Basically to me it realisticly serves as a passive boost. In series it is louder with more punch, in parallel it is more mellow and broade. the pick up is a ceramic hot pickup that comes wired in series. You can spend more money on an expensive pickup, I chose not to.

 

[Kev1955]

What does it do? Does it un-muddy it?

 

[Kev1955]

Basically to me it realisticly serves as a passive boost. In series it is louder with more punch, in parallel it is more mellow and broade. the pick up is a ceramic hot pickup that comes wired in series. You can spend more money on an expensive pickup, I chose not to.

 

[Kev1955]

This is a very timely post! I am just now getting ready to do the something similar...... EXCEPT....... my new Affinity Jag bass only has 2 wires. Well, that's no problem, because I have a box full o' MM pickups, from Affinity Jags and other brands.
I have owned quite a few of these and have not figured out Squier's "rhyme-and-reason" behind some of them having 4 wires and others only 2 wires. Must be whomever they source the pickups from. Originally, I thought Sweetwater's "FSR" Jags in both Shell Pink and Metallic Orange only had the 4 wire offering, but found out differently (your post being a prime example).
A while back I ran a Wilkinson "MM/J" pickup and ran it V-V-T. That thing sounded fantastic! However, this time I'd like to do the same thing as you, or similar.
I would also like to say that this current pickup sounds a lot better than some of the earlier stock Affinity Jag 2-wire pickups. Also tempted to throw a 2 band onboard pre in there, but we'll see.

View attachment 7511710

 

[Kev1955]

Basically to me it realisticly serves as a passive boost. In series it is louder with more punch, in parallel it is more mellow and broader. the pick up is a ceramic hot pickup that comes wired in series. You can spend more money on an expensive pickup, I chose not to.. I hope the wiring diagrams help. Make sure you get the right color codes for your new pickup, they vary among manufactures

 

[Kev1955]

This is a very timely post! I am just now getting ready to do the something similar...... EXCEPT....... my new Affinity Jag bass only has 2 wires. Well, that's no problem, because I have a box full o' MM pickups, from Affinity Jags and other brands.
I have owned quite a few of these and have not figured out Squier's "rhyme-and-reason" behind some of them having 4 wires and others only 2 wires. Must be whomever they source the pickups from. Originally, I thought Sweetwater's "FSR" Jags in both Shell Pink and Metallic Orange only had the 4 wire offering, but found out differently (your post being a prime example).
A while back I ran a Wilkinson "MM/J" pickup and ran it V-V-T. That thing sounded fantastic! However, this time I'd like to do the same thing as you, or similar.
I would also like to say that this current pickup sounds a lot better than some of the earlier stock Affinity Jag 2-wire pickups. Also tempted to throw a 2 band onboard pre in there, but we'll see.

View attachment 7511710

 

[iiipopes]

Here are my project Jag H basses:
1) Epi Rock Bass body, Jag H neck, Bart pickups (mellow in neck, bright in bridge) wired conventionally VVT with a .033 tone cap, La Bella black tapes;
2) EMG MMTWX wired "backwards"; for this bass I like the stack coil setting for more clarity and pull to get the thicker tone MM setting, EXB for variable scoop tone, D'A XL rounds;
3) My "Funk Machine," stock pickup with 250 kohm pots wired '62 P-Bass style with a standard .047 tone cap, and with a push-pull on the tone knob to get an additional .022 to get .069 to get a little more dub when desired, La Bella flats;
4) Downtuned to Eb standard with a reverse neck so I can use regular long scale strings, stock wiring, GHS Boomers 50-65-85-110 or 115.

 

[iiipopes]

Series/Parallel Switch using stock pickup. pickup color codes . The Stock humber does have 4 wires, North Coil (Top) Start=Green Finish=White, South Coil(Bottom) Finish= Black Start=Red and Bare

Inexpensive, works great, Just need to get a DPDT Mini Switch

Diagrams I used.

The stock pickup is really underrated. It is a great pickup. The problem is that stock a Jag H comes with the cheap "guitar" value 500 kohm pots and .022 tone cap. Rewire it with "real" 250 kohm pots and a conventional .047 "bass" tone cap and the tone will get huge. Consider a DPDT push-pull. Oh - and the bare wire is a ground. Solder it separately to a pot casing if you are going to separate the coils for switchable wiring.

 

[Pep]

 

[Kev1955]

Finished mods. Used Artec Humbucker fit and works great. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM638YNT?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Corrected wiring mistake I made with the series/parallel switch, works perfect now

Final Results

 

[Pep]

I’m going to put another one together with a charcoal body and laurel neck. Parts should be here next week. I look at it this way. A new one in charcoal grey with the laurel neck is $371 including tax. The parts are only $182.31 delivered. It’s a no brainer.

 

[Kev1955]

What's the difference between the two settings for this type of pickup? I've done this with MM units, but am curious what your results here are.

In parallel get a very smooth full sound kind of mello, in series much more volume and very punchy

 

[Pep]

Just reshaped my Squier Jaguar headstock. I’ve already added lightweight tuners. Now I’ve moved the G string tuner hole down and to the right, then eliminated the unneeded wood and reshaped it. Still need to clear coat it and smooth it before reinstalling the tuners.

PS: the reason for the smaller G tuner hole is that I was able bore it to size rather than make shim for it like I needed to on the others due to the larger mounting hole. When assembled it will all look the same.

 

[banikek]

I took the medium scale Jag neck off mine because I want it for another build idea - it has such a great feel. I had a reverse short scale neck and much to my surprise the neck heel was a perfect fit into the Squier body and I only had to slightly move the bridge saddles. The balance now is much better. Plus I can use long scale strings. Looks great and is fun to play.

And now to find the right body for the original neck.
Cheers, Chris