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Post subject: FCS 60s Jazz Pickups - Low E sounds dead?!?
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 12:02 pm
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I installed a set of Fender Custom Shop 60s Jazz Pickups in a cheap, short scale bass and they sound fantastic—clear, defined, ringing—except for the E string. It sounds dead. Tried each pup individually, three different amps—all the same. Acoustically it sounds fine. Nothing impeding string vibration or anything like that.

Anybody out there have any suggestions? Is it the pots or the capacitor? did I burn something out when I soldered in the new pups?


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Post subject: Re: FCS 60s Jazz Pickups - Low E sounds dead?!?
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 1:26 pm
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Can you tried a new string ?


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Post subject: Re: FCS 60s Jazz Pickups - Low E sounds dead?!?
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 1:35 pm
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That's a good suggestion. Thanks, I'll give it a shot tonight. Love the Tele.


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Post subject: Re: FCS 60s Jazz Pickups - Low E sounds dead?!?
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 2:44 pm
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for test, any old guitar string will show you if it the string


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Post subject: Re: FCS 60s Jazz Pickups - Low E sounds dead?!?
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 6:48 pm
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String change didn't make any difference. I put new flatwounds on when I replaced the pickups, so I put the old E string back on. It had less output than the other three flatwounds. Hard to tell if there was a tonal difference at low volume. Kids are asleep --- ahhh, maybe headphones!

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Post subject: Re: FCS 60s Jazz Pickups - Low E sounds dead?!?
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 7:02 pm
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1: The new (2 week old) Ampeg Micro VR's headphone jack doesn't work. Not sure about this amp. Might be going back. Just seems kind of cheap for $600.

2: There is a definite difference in the output and tone of the E string compared to the other three strings.


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Post subject: Re: FCS 60s Jazz Pickups - Low E sounds dead?!?
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 7:21 pm
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I've used these pickups before and I never had that problem. Is the pickup height even across the strings? Try raising them on the E string side. Also, is this issue on both pickups, or one? It is also possible there is some low end being cut somewhere either in the bass or amp.

It's a stretch, but check out the tone circuit. It's possible there's an accidental high pass filter being formed somewhere, though that's a stretch. As you suggested, there might be an issue in the amp as well. All I can suggest is try different amp/bass combos, and possibly new strings. Also, check the pickup height.


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Post subject: Re: FCS 60s Jazz Pickups - Low E sounds dead?!?
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:58 pm
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I've been thinking there might be a problem in the circuitry since the electronics are not the best. Pickup height is even. I've run it through both the Ampeg Micro VR and a Mesa Walkabout: Same with both. Changed the string and it got worse (smaller diameter roundwound as opposed to the flatwound). I could raise the pups, but the other three strings sound great and they are even all the way across.

I'm thinking a new tone circuit.


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Post subject: Re: FCS 60s Jazz Pickups - Low E sounds dead?!?
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:56 pm
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You say its a short scale bass. Is it a Jazz bass copy?

I'm thinking that the location of the pickups could be in a nodal point that doesn't favor the e string.

Can you post any pictures of your bass?

Check he tightness f the E string tuner (machine head).

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Post subject: Re: FCS 60s Jazz Pickups - Low E sounds dead?!?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:19 am
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Yeah, it's a Rondo SX short-scale jazz bass ripoff. I just wanted to fiddle around with something with a short scale while chilling on the sofa, and how can you go wrong for $139? Then I ended up really liking the feel. So I thought I'd put on some flatwounds and upgrade the pups and maybe play it out for fun. Everything came out great except for the dead E string.

I took some photos last night, but since I'm not very "forum" saavy so I don't know how to upload them.


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