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Twin Jazz TJ PU - Help!

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by burgerdj, Mar 2, 2018.

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  1. Mar 2, 2018 #1
    burgerdj

    burgerdj

    Dec 4, 2006
    Maryland
    I love everything about my Warwick Pro M 5 except the always active MEC TJ pickup. I would really like to be able to replace the pick up with an option that allows a passive bypass of the preamp. I know Delano makes a passive TJ replacement. Who else? I’ve seen some custom work out there, but I am hoping not to break the bank, considering I will also likely need to replace or modify my preamp (Audere classic 4). Any thoughts or advice are appreciated!
     
  2. Mar 16, 2018 #2
    Le Basseur

    Le Basseur

    Mar 26, 2002
    Croatia
    There are two possible replacements of the TJ shape that I know of (I'm talking about passive PUs,as opposed to the only active available wich is the MEC w/golden logo) :
    1.The Delano DJC 4HE/M2 or DJC 5 HE (quite possibly,the very same PU but differently advertised as for 4 or 5-string versions - just check out the dimensions wich are the same on both PUs)
    2.The older TJ-shape MEC PU with a silver logo.Almost unknown PU,it was installed on some early Fortress Masterman basses.It happens that I own one such Fortress,it came with the original MEC preamp(s) and MEC passive PJ PU.
    I don't know if this passive PJ MEC was ever installed on Streamer Pro M basses though these two models share the very same preamp/PU config. By the book,Warwick's "silver logo" MEC PUs were passive and,somehow,considered cheap/inferior to the "golden logo" actives.A weird marketing move?Maybe.
    To resume:the above-mentioned passives have nothing to do with the "always active" thing wich is a matter of the preamp's wiring specs.In other words,the original Pro M/Fortress Masterman preamp was wired in such a way that it wasn't possible at all to get the "passive" way (passive PUs or actives,whatever).This was because originally each PJ section was soldered directly on it's dedicated B+T preamp w. concentric pot and only after that they went to the vol/balance pot (the unique vol/double bal/passive w/pull switch).The latest had a braided wire soldered across the switches' bottom and this switch was left unwired.I'm trying to explain the best I can as to not be confusing but the entire story was really astounding (why Warwick installed such a complex pot if the functions were not used?).Obviously,with these two bass models,someone in the W's electronic department went too far (although the original preamp sporting two independent B+T was already an overkill).
    Back to your (already modified w/Audere preamp) bass....basically,it needs a different volume pot - try finding the same value/type BUT with a DPDT switch on bottom.Secondly,you must determine how the PJ PU's sections are wired - directly on the preamp or to the balance pot?
    Long story short,if you want to "jump the preamp",your wiring should permit this by modifying the existing Audere config.I'm sorry that I cannot be more specific about this but I don't have any Audere preamp on hand and I don't know what version is yours,specifically.Any photos would greatly help.