I am thinking about replacing the electronics(pickups and pots) on my squier standard jazz bass. I have a fender blacktop jazz bass that has a great sound, and play a deluxe active jazz bass that sounds even better. I like the feel of my standard jazz, but it lacks something in its tone. I know that the squier pickups are both the same size, so I will have to watch what pickups I get so they match the dimensions of my current ones. Would prefer not to go active, but if I had to, I would likely have to place the battery under the pickguard, since there is no other place to put it. Has anyone here ever upgraded a standard jazz, and if so, what did you use? I really like the feel of this bass, and since it was the first one I owned, I am extremely reluctant to give it up. I have been gassing for a Geddy Lee jazz, but I think I will come out much cheaper upgrading this bass and get about the same feel with the slim neck. I do not plan on getting rid of it, so value is not necessarily a concern, however I don't want to get stupid with more in upgrades than I spent on it in the first place. Would be willing to spend in the 100-200 range, preferably somewhere in the middle.
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Squier Standard Jazz upgrade...
- Thread starter unclebass
- Start date
I've done a number of different pickup upgrades on my Squier VM jazz. It's also my first bass too, so I understand the sentiment of not wanting to get rid of it. Honestly, I really liked the Fender 60s custom shop pickups for when my bass was passive. I'm a bit too much of an electronics tinkerer, so I decided to make it my experimental bass so I swapped out the pickups for Sadowsky hum-canceling, and put in a bart 3-band pre. It sounds great but was expensive (this is it's latest incarnation, after trying a number of different pickups like Dimarzio Model J, Fender humcancelling, some old Barts I found in my friend's shop). If you want to keep it passive and like the sound of single coils, I still say the Fender Custom Shops. The Aguilar 4J-60s have peaked my interest though....
I'm doing just this on my Squier MIJ 80's Jazz.
You don't need to go active. The simplest way is purchase 2 Jazz pickups and a wiring harness. Type "wiring harness" into ebay and you will get UK/USA suppliers who will supply pre-wired wiring loom with CTS pots, Sprague capacitor, and switchcraft jack etc all with period wire if you're going for a 60's look.
Then you simply solder 3 or 4 connections and Bob's your Uncle.
Davo
You don't need to go active. The simplest way is purchase 2 Jazz pickups and a wiring harness. Type "wiring harness" into ebay and you will get UK/USA suppliers who will supply pre-wired wiring loom with CTS pots, Sprague capacitor, and switchcraft jack etc all with period wire if you're going for a 60's look.
Then you simply solder 3 or 4 connections and Bob's your Uncle.
Davo
Now, which 2 Jazz pickups?
Promise me not to ask TB unless you have worn out the search button!
I saw on another site that there are over 200 independent suppliers of pickups!
Good luck ...
Davo
Promise me not to ask TB unless you have worn out the search button!
I saw on another site that there are over 200 independent suppliers of pickups!
Good luck ...
Davo
I equipped my Squier Std. Jazz Bass with chrome covers, a third strap pin at the back, 60s knobs, tugbar and Fender .095 flatwounds. A great 60s Motown machine! 
The only things I did on the electronics is to put in a good quality jack and grounded copper-foil directly under the magnets of the PUs (so, that the 8 single magnets don't hum anymore when touching).
If you really wanna change your PUs, put in two humbuckers.
This has the advantage that it doesn't matter if you have "a pair". Reverse Wound / Reverse Poled doesn't matter for hum cancelling (when both are on).
If you have a phase problem with both HBs on, change HOT and GND at one PU and everything's okay. Two HBs will build a suiting / matching pair.
And you're right!
I have a Fender Aerodyne P-Bass Special MIJ, but I still love to play on my "cheap Std." because of the great neck! And the Motown Machine is always a reason to chose it!
The only things I did on the electronics is to put in a good quality jack and grounded copper-foil directly under the magnets of the PUs (so, that the 8 single magnets don't hum anymore when touching).
If you really wanna change your PUs, put in two humbuckers.
This has the advantage that it doesn't matter if you have "a pair". Reverse Wound / Reverse Poled doesn't matter for hum cancelling (when both are on).
If you have a phase problem with both HBs on, change HOT and GND at one PU and everything's okay. Two HBs will build a suiting / matching pair.
And you're right!
I have a Fender Aerodyne P-Bass Special MIJ, but I still love to play on my "cheap Std." because of the great neck! And the Motown Machine is always a reason to chose it!
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I can't speak for replacing pickups on your jazz bass but it's never a bad idea to replace the mini pots, jack, and maybe the capacitor. On the two squier p basses I've owned, upgrading all the wiring made everything smoother and quieter(especially when turning the knobs).
Rewiring a single jazz bass should only cost you about 15 bucks in parts if you're able to install it all yourself. I use mouser to get all my electronics, and they have super nice bourns pots for around half the price of the average cts pot. Add in the switchcraft jack and possible an orange drop cap and you're good to go for a long time. You could also get some copper/aluminum conductive tape to shield the inside of the bass to reduce the hum caused by RF interference from neon signs/lights, computer monitors, etc.
Rewiring a single jazz bass should only cost you about 15 bucks in parts if you're able to install it all yourself. I use mouser to get all my electronics, and they have super nice bourns pots for around half the price of the average cts pot. Add in the switchcraft jack and possible an orange drop cap and you're good to go for a long time. You could also get some copper/aluminum conductive tape to shield the inside of the bass to reduce the hum caused by RF interference from neon signs/lights, computer monitors, etc.
When I bought my VM Fretless, it had passive EMG's on it. They sound great. I get a great burpy Jaco sound all the way to a much brighter sound good for modern music.
If you're willing to pay the coin, then Fralins or Aguilar for vintage. I've only heard the aguilar on youtube clips but I played a friend's vm jazz with single coil fralins in it and it sounded incredible. Some real vintage tone coming out of that monster!
