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Post subject: Seymour Duncan SJB-3
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:46 am
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Hello everyone!

I'm quite new to changing pickups on a guitar so I have a question for you! I bought my Squier Classic Vibe Jazz Bass '60s a few years back and I had some problems with its stock pickups (Custom Single-Coil Jazz Bass) so I decided to buy a pair of Seymour Duncan SJB-3 (bridge and neck). So the question is, with buying those new pickups, do I need to replace the pots on the guitar (e.g. DiMarzio's) and if I do, which one should I buy? Which types are there? I know there are the 250k and 500k but don't know the difference and which one suits my bass? And will a DiMarzio one work with Seymour Duncan pickups?

Thank you very much in advace for any help! :)

Cheers!


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Post subject: Re: Seymour Duncan SJB-3
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 12:31 pm
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Location: Albemarle, NC
1. Compare physical measurements of the pickups carefully. Make sure they will fit. Also be sure to get some pickup mounting foam as SD does not include it.
2. Use the SD diagram or use the JACO diagram here:
http://guitarnucleus.com/gitschems/FenJacoJazzSchem.pdf
3. Check the control cavity and see if that instrument came stock with MINI pots, which are smaller in diameter than standard sized pots. If they are mini sized then you may have to route the cavity a bit to accommodate full sized pots. This is easy with a Dremel tool or similar device. Wait until you have the full sized pots in hand before doing any routing. Also if they are mini-pots in there you may have to drill out or auger out the control plate pot shaft holes a bit for the slightly larger shaft diameter of standard sized pots.
4. I'd use CTS brand 250K audio taper pots in all 3 pot positions. These come in both split shaft for use with push on knobs and solid shaft for use with knobs that have set screws. Just get the type that works with your knobs as there is no tonal advantage in changing knobs. (I never use Dimarzio pots and can not speak to their application here.)
5. Change the tone cap. It is probably a little poly chicklet type. I currently have settled on two types personally, the vintage ceramic disc and Sprague Vitamin-Q. Another popular type is the Poly Orange Drop and it's cousin the less commonly seen Mylar Orange Drop. Any of those types are fine. While diagrams may show 0.05uF values, the 0.047uF caps commonly available are essentially the same value. The current Fender Ceramic Disc is NOT the same thing as a vintage one. A vintage one is like a dollar, and I suggest that if you want to use a ceramic disc that you use a vintage one.
6. Change the jack to genuine Switchcraft also.
7. When doing a complete electronics overhaul on a single coil bass like you are talking about doing I always suggest COPPER TAPE/FOIL SHIELDING TO GROUND the pickup and control cavities along with the BACK of the pickguard. Read more about that by scrolling down to SHIELD YOUR BASS here:
http://brotherdave.com/add_maint.htm
8. You'll also need some wire. I use the cloth covered vintage style wire because it is so easy to work with, no stripping required as you just push back the insulation and solder.
9. Some parts dealers sell JAZZ BASS WIRING KITS that include pots, jack, wire and an Orange Drop tone cap. They offer a good value usually when compared to buying the parts separately. The dealers that sell these kits also sell the copper tape/foil shielding I'd also install when doing the overhaul. One of these rewiring kits with the right shaft design to work with your knobs that has the vintage cloth covered wire along with a copper foil sheet for the back of the pickguard and some copper foil tape for the cavities will run you about $40 plus shipping. One source for these kits is GUITAR PARTS RESOURCE DOT COM. There are other sources as well.

Good luck with your project!


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Post subject: Re: Seymour Duncan SJB-3
Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2013 12:11 am
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Thank you very much for your detailed reply, it helped me very much!

I only got one more question left: is it necessary to replace the pots when switching to new pickups or should they be adequate, if they work properly of course?


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Post subject: Re: Seymour Duncan SJB-3
Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2013 2:27 pm
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Location: Albemarle, NC
Depends on what the value of the pots are. If they are 250k pots then 250k is 250k. If they are working well with no issues there is really no tonal advantage to changing them so long as they are 250k ones. If they are not 250k I would change them to 250k. I would change the tone cap myself, but if it is working then you can just leave it alone too.

The quarter pounder pickups are not full range. They have sort of a scooped midrange flavor to them. 500k pots might be too harsh sounding with these pickups. Definitely I'd start by using 250k pots with them.

The value should be stamped onto the back of the pots in there now, so have a look. If they are 250's and working fine you don't have to change them out.


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