Fat Steve
The poodle bites, the poodle chews it.
Yeah, I think it will give it that certain touch I'm looking for.
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Yeah, I think it will give it that certain touch I'm looking for.
I brought my black jag SS to band practice earlier this week. The guitar players decided to tune down a half step to make some tunes easier for the singer, and I followed suit on my regular band practice bass. Normally I tune all my basses DGCF, including my short scale which is strung with LaBella flats. My regular bass was then tuned down to C#F#BE. So I used my short scale for the songs we decided to leave in the original pitch.
I pulled my J volume knob, making it a pure P pickup bass, and BOOM! That stock P pickup is loud! i had to turn down the amp quite a bit compared to my regular band bass. I kinda knew that it is loud, but it became very obvious when changing basses in such an A/B fashion.
I just love this bass. Very comfortable to hold and play. The flats make it a very smooth ride, and that P only switch makes it very powerful.
I pulled my J volume knob, making it a pure P pickup bass, and BOOM! That stock P pickup is loud! i had to turn down the amp quite a bit compared to my regular band bass. I kinda knew that it is loud, but it became very obvious when changing basses in such an A/B fashion.
I just love this bass. Very comfortable to hold and play. The flats make it a very smooth ride, and that P only switch makes it very powerful.
after more than 5 months, i still love my short scale jag. it's very comfortable and fun to play, and it sounds pretty good with flatwounds, too. a great bass for those of us with shoulder problems, as it's nice and light - at least, compared to other basses i've owned.
Was thinking of putting flats on mine...........the strings that came with are stock roundwounds and just a tad on the thin side.....although they don't sound all that bad...
But I'm a flats fan since I put them on my Ibanez.......
What can I expect from putting flats on a Jag SS in terms of sound?
But I'm a flats fan since I put them on my Ibanez.......
What can I expect from putting flats on a Jag SS in terms of sound?
A lot smoother tone, takes the jangley top end out of it. Fender might put the worst strings on their basses of anybody out there so basically anything is a step up.
On my one with stock pickups I use Chromes. These work great, good tone. Do recommend.
On my one with stock pickups I use Chromes. These work great, good tone. Do recommend.
Just ran across this thread (I posted in it a year ago but forgot all about it) and it reminded me hat I haven't played my Jag SS in over a year!
Took it out if the case and it was still in tune and the battery was still good (yes I dropped a John East preamp in it a couple of years back). Sounds great! But the jazz pickup is still a bit limp compared to the outstanding precision pickup. Has anyone replaced their bridge pickup, and if so, with what?
Took it out if the case and it was still in tune and the battery was still good (yes I dropped a John East preamp in it a couple of years back). Sounds great! But the jazz pickup is still a bit limp compared to the outstanding precision pickup. Has anyone replaced their bridge pickup, and if so, with what?
I replaced the pickups on one of mine with Alumitones. Not sure if they can be run active or not. But they are good pickups. Very clear, lots of thump.
I did the magnet mod to my bridge pup and it made a huge improvement to the quality of tone and power. I don't like chomes on mine but that's more a statement on my arthritic fingers than the string. Sounded fine but my fingers didn't like them. I've got to replace my pots this weekend. Had one go bad. Saves my shoulder while sounding and playing great.
Interesting, I may give that a try. I've already lowered my strings and raised the pickup as much as I can with no significant change in volume.
Those magnets in your post are pretty strong, do you notice any negative effect on sustain or harmonics due to additional string pull.
I'll be honest, I haven't done the mod. I have a DP-126 P/J set installed and have't had the need to. Others that have didn't mention any issues. Hopefully one of them will post a reply. There have been so many requests for that link it was easier just to put it in the signature
First I want to thank AltGrendel for keeping the magnet mod post readily accessible.
GBassNorth: As far as I can tell there are no negative effects when adding the magnet to the bridge pup. There is the very positive change of the improved output as noted in the original post. Mine have been in place since I made the original post in March 2013. I only modified the bridge pup. Like many I think the stock P pup is very good. I did acquire a set of the DP123 pups at the same time I order the magnets. So far, I've heard no reason to instal the DiMarizio set (they're still in the box and waiting for the "right" project). The Jag SS has been in regular rotation since I bought it, especially when I'm tired or the "stage" is very small or I just don't want to deal with the weight/size of a 34" scale bass. I have experience nothing but positive comments about the sound of modified Jag SS. For reference purposes I use the Jag SS with Ampeg, Roland or G-K amps/cabs anywhere from small "unplugged" coffee houses to very loud blues bars. As always YMMV.
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Very helpful, thanks!First I want to thank AltGrendel for keeping the magnet mod post readily accessible.
GBassNorth: As far as I can tell there are no negative effects when adding the magnet to the bridge pup. There is the very positive change of the improved output as noted in the original post. Mine have been in place since I made the original post in March 2013. I only modified the bridge pup. Like many I think the stock P pup is very good. I did acquire a set of the DP123 pups at the same time I order the magnets. So far, I've heard no reason to instal the DiMarizio set (they're still in the box and waiting for the "right" project). The Jag SS has been in regular rotation since I bought it, especially when I'm tired or the "stage" is very small or I just don't want to deal with the weight/size of a 34" scale bass. I have experience nothing but positive comments about the sound of modified Jag SS. For reference purposes I use the Jag SS with Ampeg, Roland or G-K amps/cabs anywhere from small "unplugged" coffee houses to very loud blues bars. As always YMMV.
I had issues with the bridge electronics, but it had nothing to do with the magnet. I added, then removed, then added, then... well you get the picture. Ended up being a bad pot. I'm also a bit of a geek about things, so did take the springs from under the pickup so I could lower it more. The ONLY time the strength of the magnet was an issue was trying to put the pickup screws back in. 
Seriously though if you get you strings super low it could have a bit of an effect, but not at normal height.
Seriously though if you get you strings super low it could have a bit of an effect, but not at normal height.
I think I'll give it a try!I had issues with the bridge electronics, but it had nothing to do with the magnet. I added, then removed, then added, then... well you get the picture. Ended up being a bad pot. I'm also a bit of a geek about things, so did take the springs from under the pickup so I could lower it more. The ONLY time the strength of the magnet was an issue was trying to put the pickup screws back in.
WOW! I am gravitating back to Short Scale where I started so many years ago. After reading so many positive posts here, I started looking and just scored a VM Jag SS from CL - and it is just awesome!! I did not realize that the neck was so much thinner than the Mustang - I like it much better than my VM Mustang. Only my '68 Hagstrom has a nicer neck (IMHO).
It is a 2011 and seems to hardly have been played - just mint condition. 7 lbs.
The strings are very light D-A XLs - the low tension is a little clanky with my ultra-low setup, so I have a set of Medium light Sunbeams (45-100) on the way from BSO. These are my favorite rounds, by far. I have 3 other shorties with flats, so this one gets rounds.
And in all the talk about strings - no one has mentioned the incredible TI Jazz Flats !! They would be beyond amazing for this bass. Much better than the Chromes, which sound "honky" to me, and the TI's play so easy and will last forever. They are penciled in for the next string change.
The sound from this bass is HUGE!!! Even on my little SWR practice amp - can't wait to try it with my MarkBass setup. The guy that has been writing that Short Scale basses don't have any bottom end obviously has never played one of these, or a Gretsch Electromatic Jr. or an old Hagstrom Hag II. They all have too much bottom end.
I also find that the bridge pickup is a little weak, but so what? The sound is amazing as-is for my Blues, Classic Rock, etc. playing. I tried the magnet mod by placing some small round Neo magnets on top of the pole pieces - essentially the same thing as adding the bar magnet inside the case. YES - it made the bridge much louder and clearer, but it also created some weird interaction with the P Pup - phase issues with many little dead spots on the neck, etc. Very strange, so I took them off. The P Pup is VERY good - I don't see any need to change it.
Mods? I think I will try a balance pot - I really hate VVT setups. I will also add a mini-toggle for Mute function - I do this on nearly all my basses. Especially useful with the VVT so you can kill the output without losing your settings. Great between sets. I also find it hard to tune the E exactly. I'll see how it is with the new strings. If it is the same I may replace the tuners. I think I will also add a small bridge cover.
I have a Mustang Hard case that works. Fender also has the "Short-Scale Bass Multi-Fit Case" that should fit it. Part # 099614106. My VM Mustang came with a small gig bag from Rondo marked SX, so perhaps you get get one from them as well.
Anyway - Thanks for all the great feedback, and helping me find this amazing instrument. I NEVER would have anticipated that it could feel, play and sound so great.
Number Please!!
It is a 2011 and seems to hardly have been played - just mint condition. 7 lbs.
The strings are very light D-A XLs - the low tension is a little clanky with my ultra-low setup, so I have a set of Medium light Sunbeams (45-100) on the way from BSO. These are my favorite rounds, by far. I have 3 other shorties with flats, so this one gets rounds.
And in all the talk about strings - no one has mentioned the incredible TI Jazz Flats !! They would be beyond amazing for this bass. Much better than the Chromes, which sound "honky" to me, and the TI's play so easy and will last forever. They are penciled in for the next string change.
The sound from this bass is HUGE!!! Even on my little SWR practice amp - can't wait to try it with my MarkBass setup. The guy that has been writing that Short Scale basses don't have any bottom end obviously has never played one of these, or a Gretsch Electromatic Jr. or an old Hagstrom Hag II. They all have too much bottom end.
I also find that the bridge pickup is a little weak, but so what? The sound is amazing as-is for my Blues, Classic Rock, etc. playing. I tried the magnet mod by placing some small round Neo magnets on top of the pole pieces - essentially the same thing as adding the bar magnet inside the case. YES - it made the bridge much louder and clearer, but it also created some weird interaction with the P Pup - phase issues with many little dead spots on the neck, etc. Very strange, so I took them off. The P Pup is VERY good - I don't see any need to change it.
Mods? I think I will try a balance pot - I really hate VVT setups. I will also add a mini-toggle for Mute function - I do this on nearly all my basses. Especially useful with the VVT so you can kill the output without losing your settings. Great between sets. I also find it hard to tune the E exactly. I'll see how it is with the new strings. If it is the same I may replace the tuners. I think I will also add a small bridge cover.
I have a Mustang Hard case that works. Fender also has the "Short-Scale Bass Multi-Fit Case" that should fit it. Part # 099614106. My VM Mustang came with a small gig bag from Rondo marked SX, so perhaps you get get one from them as well.
Anyway - Thanks for all the great feedback, and helping me find this amazing instrument. I NEVER would have anticipated that it could feel, play and sound so great.
Number Please!!
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Glad you're as happy with yours as the rest of us are with ours.
You can have #141.
Enjoy!
Edit:
Oh and about the E string, higher tension strings will do the trick though you may have that covered. That was my solution at least.
You can have #141.
Enjoy!
Edit:
Oh and about the E string, higher tension strings will do the trick though you may have that covered. That was my solution at least.
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