CorrieDeee Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 (edited) Hi everyone, Earlier this week I became the owner of this Fender Jazz Bass Special from 1985, I had wanted a bass like this for some time and this one came my way. In good condition for its age, but the three-way pickup selector is showing signs of wear, I will have it replaced. It looks like it has been replaced before, given the melted sleeve of the wires attached to it. The entire switch doesn't seem original to me, it only fits into the space sideways. The TBX tone control works well but does not seem original, given the size of the potentiometers. The two volume pots are much larger. The values of the resistors and capacitor seem to be OK, but I don't know whether they are original. There is also some melted sleeve there. My question is: could someone who has the same type of Jazz Bass Special post a photo of the untouched control cavity? Then I can do some comparative work. I've searched the internet but couldn't find a photo of this. I didn't buy the bass as a collector, so i do not have a problem with replaced electronics, but I'm just curious. And the pickup selector must be replaced anyway, preferably with something that resembles the original. Thank you in advance! Pictures of the situation in my bass below. Edited January 12 by CorrieDeee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 I have a pair of the "Power" models and, having stripped out the electronics I can't really be of much help, however, I just wanted to congratulate you on your new purchase. I adore the 80's MIJ Fenders. These basses really are incredible when you can find one that has been looked after. I keep trying other basses but for my 4 string needs, my pair are beautiful. I actually want another for a little project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 No mention of electronics, but here's the original bass manual for these models too: https://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Original/10001/OM_leg_bass_Power_Jazz_Bass_Japan_1987.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy_r Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 (edited) On 11/01/2024 at 22:35, CorrieDeee said: could someone who has the same type of Jazz Bass Special post a photo of the untouched control cavity? Then I can do some comparative work. I've searched the internet but couldn't find a photo of this. I didn't buy the bass as a collector, so i do not have a problem with replaced electronics, but I'm just curious. And the pickup selector must be replaced anyway, preferably with something that resembles the original ....looks to me like they've missed off the Tone cap(s) on the (stacked) Tone control (in this diagram). Some diagrams have a single Tone pot and some dual. If using a single pot like yours then the cap needs to be connected from Gnd (case) to one of the end lugs (depending on which direction you want the control to turn forTreble cut) Edited January 14 by sandy_r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxyFuze Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 (edited) Mine has different electronics in it now but I believe the switch is original, if that helps? EDIT: the switch is meant to be oriented that way, so could well be original. Edited January 12 by foxyFuze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 I can’t add anything of any use other than Duff-Mungus!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorrieDeee Posted January 14 Author Share Posted January 14 Thanks for your responses. It appears, after some more research, that the electronics are original. Bad soldering job from the factory I think. The three way switch works a lot better after a dose of contact spray so I'll keep it that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 12 hours ago, CorrieDeee said: Thanks for your responses. It appears, after some more research, that the electronics are original. Bad soldering job from the factory I think. The three way switch works a lot better after a dose of contact spray so I'll keep it that way! Original electronics, but it may be that someone had them out, put other pickups in and, when it came to sale, saw the benefits of putting the originals back in - Definitely not bad factory soldering! My 10 year old could do better! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirellithecat Posted June 16 Share Posted June 16 Having recently bought a Power Jazz Bass Special as a Project, I find the controls too complex to use when gigging so thought I'd "upgrade" them! ... Can anyone suggest suitable replacement electronics/pickups? Preferred configuration would be; Master Volume, Blend control, Bass and Treble tone controls (not really used a mid on an instrument) There are three rotary controls and 2 three way switches so could probably use on of the switches as an Active/Passive Switch or a Mute Switch? Suggestions welcome Ta! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted June 17 Share Posted June 17 (edited) I have two PJBS basses that I have modified, the third is still stock. I love these basses! They really are fantastic and, even better with custom electronics, they can really come to life if the onboard pre isn't your vibe. There are many drop in solutions, you're in luck! I am running an EMG active PJ set in both basses. They are currently tied to a 3 band preamplifier but they are a little different. The first bass is using the included pan control, the second I retained the three way switch set up that we'd have on the stock PJBS. It might seem an odd choice, but it was down to having the first bass refinished and I was in the lucky position of having the existing holes resized to suit the preamplifer I wanted to install, whereas the second I have had to stick with the current lay out. I did use a tool to very carefully widen the hole that had the (small) switch in so that the final control pot could fit in. You could do the same of course. So, I have, Master volume, Pan, Bass, Mid & Treble. The pan is a 'zero drop' type, so there's no change in volume in the 50/50 position. Bass number two doesn't have the pan as mention, I bought a high quality three way and installed that too. The current set up for both has a pull-up switch on the master volume to bypass the preamplifer, an alternative to using a separate toggle, but, a good suggestion for utilising the small hole without drilling. On the subject of EMG, they do offer a wide range of preamplifer configurations including two and three band types, stacked controls and even 'bass and treble on one pot' (EMG EXB) that could be a useful too. https://www.emgpickups.com/bass.html?cat=324 Edited June 17 by Dood typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirellithecat Posted June 18 Share Posted June 18 (edited) Thanks Dood! If anyone can help demystify the controls, that could save me lots of potentially expensive "upgrading" ( ..... possibly ....). There are two large rotary controls. The one nearest the neck is the Master Volume. Anyone know what the one adjacent, but towards the Bridge does? It changes the tone, but not in any obviously predicable way - I can't convince myself that it is a Blend control because I would expect clockwise rotation to give a more mellow, Neck pick-up tone, and counter clockwise the opposite. If anything it's the reverse effect. Moreover, if I use the use the selector Switch (Larger Black one) which predictably switches between Bridge, Neck or both pickups, and select the Bridge setting, one would expect there to be no sound when the Blend control was rotated Clockwise to favour the Neck pickup. The smaller rotary dial is the TBX dial and that does what it says on the can, with centre detent and all. Any insight greatly appreciated - within this "recovering" instrument I suspect there's a lovely bass pining to be released! Edited June 18 by Pirellithecat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirellithecat Posted June 19 Share Posted June 19 Ha! Taken it apart to check! This is an extremely well made bass! Anyway, the second rotary knob does appear to be a Pan/Blend knob . Without the centre detente its tricky to gauge where you are on the Pan - but I guess that all good as it's the ears that decide! Whilst there are comments about the pickup outputs being fairly low, they seem quite high compared to my new Sire V5, but that's using headphones so I'll check through a rig later. Going to try to understand how to get the best sound from this before any modding, especially because the paintwork is a bit "worn" so I think it's a DIY refin at some point, so might do everything at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirellithecat Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 Nah ..... it's not a Pan/Blend - it's a "Frequency Sweep" (whatever that is!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirellithecat Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 I found a labelled picture on Talkbass (courtesy Kerren 2009). And that makes sense with what it does. (basically means it's very difficult to get a specific sound when used live ......... too complicated for an old dummy like me!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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