Active EQ circuits and batteries question.

[Mr. B]

I would really like to have a Fender PJ bass with a Jazz sized neck on it. Fender makes one that is almost exactly what I want, and Squier almost has what I want in their VM Jaguar bass, but both have an active EQ/boost circuit that requires a battery. Based on my bad experiences with an acoustic electric, I REALLY don't want that battery in there. My question is, what happens when the battery dies? Is the entire guitar dead or just the active EQ knob?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Active EQ circuits and batteries question.

Unless the instrument is fitted with an EQ bypass switch, the signal from the pickups has to pass through the EQ circuitry on its way to the output jack.

As the battery fails to supply the necessary voltage, the pre-amp/EQ under-performs, losing dynamics and detail before turning raggēd and farty.

When the battery fails to power the EQ system, the entire instrument becomes unusable.


It is possible to add an EQ bypass switch or to remove the active circuitry from the signal chain altogether. Either of these suggestions will invalidate your warranty on a brand new bass. Buy pre-owned, however, and you can modify to your heart's content.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Active EQ circuits and batteries question.

Judging by the Fender website, the Am Std Jaguar Bass and American Troy Sanders model have the all-important active/passive switch as standard. The MIM Standard series models do not.

The Squier Troy Sanders model appears to have traditional, passive Vol., Vol., Tone controls plus an active volume boost. The latter could be removed from circuit, leaving the entire instrument passive.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Active EQ circuits and batteries question.

Some basses also switch to something passive automatically. Pretty sure my music mans do.

When you say "Jazz bass size", do you mean 1-1/2" or 1-5/8"?

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Active EQ circuits and batteries question.

Hey, awesome! I had not noticed the MIM Fender Standard Jaguar bass. I guess I had looked at the American version and thought its switching options were way too complex. That may be exactly what I need.

I'm just getting started on Bass, after having played only guitar for 25 years. I bought a Squier Vintage Modified PJ bass, and it is nice, but then I bought a beat up used Squier Jazz bass for the students in my guitar class to mess around with, and I like the neck on the Jazz (1.5) so much better.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Active EQ circuits and batteries question.

Guess what? The necks of your two Squier basses should be interchangeable. Simple screwdriver job (plus a bit of intonation tweakage.)

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Active EQ circuits and batteries question.

Yeah. I thought about buying a Jazz Bass neck and exchanging them, but I wasn't sure whether I could get the money back out of the P Bass neck if more people happened to like Jazz necks. I just bought a MIM Fender Standard Jaguar bass, and will sell the Squier Vintage Modified PJ Bass to finance a bit of the cost. It should satisfy my craving for a passive PJ bass.