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What to do with an unused hole...
- Thread starter oldskoolskatedad
- Start date
Hmm- I may be misunderstanding you here- "stacked" humbucker Jazz pickups use two full length coils, one on top of each-other to cancel out hum whereas "split-coil" use two half-width coils (2-strings apiece exactly like a P-pickup) to create the humbucking effect. Two different designs! I'm pretty sure the Sadowskys are indeed a "split-coil" design based on the Dimarzio Ultra-Jazz pickups, and should have the 4-conductors that you can use for series/parallel using a 4PDT on-on switch. You wouldn't be able to use "single coil" options with these pickups effectively because a single coil of either pickup only cover 2 of the 4 strings (you CAN do this by for instance using the EA coil of the neck pickup and DG coil of the bridge, but its a pretty odd effect!).
I have used the Dimarzio Model Js (also a split-coil J design) with series/parallel switches for each pickup in a bass and all the settings were definitely useable. I haven't tried the Sadowskys nor the Dimarzio Ultra-Jazz which (IIRC) inspired them though
I don't have stacked pups as of yet because so far I haven't found any that would benefit from coil splitting.
Ah sorry I just reread the original post and you said you were thinking of switching to stacked pickups! I personally haven't tried a set of stacked Js that inspired me at all, but I also generally prefer single coils and don't mind the hum. I do love the P-esque midrange possible from a split-coil in series though, and in parallel they can be made much tamer and more polite for a different tone. Another option you could consider is a side-by-side humbucker design like a Joe Barden. I have a pair of his pickups I have fooled around with in a Jazz and they sound great, plus have different useable tones in single, parallel, and series arrangement.
Is there something you dislike tonally about the Sadowskys? You could also try the Model Js for an alternative
Recently acquired a Fender Marcus Miller JB that having the preamp and pups swapped out with Sadowsky equipment leaves an empty hole in the pick guard where the active/passive toggle switch once was. My first thought was to install some stacked pups and a coil splitter but it seems that there isn't much to gain from splitting stacked jazz pups though I haven't done extensive research on the matter. Maybe series/parallel? Would greatly appreciate some creative suggestions
I can tell you what not to do.
And then I'll tell you why I can never go back to guitar center.
I love it on mine... I just need to remember to switch it back where it was after the session otherwise it doesn't sound right...
Madison's designed this harness to unlock the true potential of your guitar. This is a passive unit -no battery- and will work with any passive pickup. The controls offers independent Volume and Tone controls for both pickups. This allows you to blend both volumes and tones at any rate together. The third knob is a center detent boost. 1-5 is a treble boost (eliminates compression) 5-10 is a bass boost. The mini toggle switch is used to invert the phasing of the pickups. Overall we wanted to design the ultimate Jazz bass harness bass players can use.
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To be completely honest, this is my first JB and I'm just getting into it. One of the reasons I chose this MM is the fact that it's got plenty of routed out room to play with and the Sadowsky blend pot has solderless connections allowing for effortless pup swapping. It was my intention to use it as vessel for exploration as there is a plethora of modifications to be done to a JB.
I have no complaints with the Sadowsky HC pups, very clean and well mannered. I'm going to put the Fender pups back in to see how they sound, though I don't forsee doing anything with the stock preamp.
The point of this thread was to find a compelling use for the vacated space from the stock active/passive toggle and so far a series/parallel switch for the inline split coil Sadowsky's will be my first mod.
passive tone or series switch or passive tone push/pull series/parallel
I put an LED with bezel in that hole.Recently acquired a Fender Marcus Miller JB that having the preamp and pups swapped out with Sadowsky equipment leaves an empty hole in the pick guard where the active/passive toggle switch once was. My first thought was to install some stacked pups and a coil splitter but it seems that there isn't much to gain from splitting stacked jazz pups though I haven't done extensive research on the matter. Maybe series/parallel? Would greatly appreciate some creative suggestions
How 'bout an EQ boost? Pick a frequency (like on the Will Lee Sadowsky) and have the switch simply be an on/off.
Recently acquired a Fender Marcus Miller JB that having the preamp and pups swapped out with Sadowsky equipment leaves an empty hole in the pick guard where the active/passive toggle switch once was. My first thought was to install some stacked pups and a coil splitter but it seems that there isn't much to gain from splitting stacked jazz pups though I haven't done extensive research on the matter. Maybe series/parallel? Would greatly appreciate some creative suggestions
