Pimp my DeArmond Pilot Bass

indie folk guy

New member
Alright guys I scored a mint condition black DeArmond Pilot 4 string bass on the local craigslist for $50. It doesn't work (doesn't really bother me I wanted a cheap bass project).

So anyway here is what I have to work with:
P/J pickup configuration
3 holes for pots
Black finish on body and headstock
Black hardware

Here's what I'd like to do:
upgrade the stock pickups I was thinkin Vintage P and J pickups (possibly a Hot J pickup)
upgrade the wimpy stock bridge for something in nickel/chrome with a higher mass like an ABS or Leo Quan Badass
Swap the tuning machines for chrome/nickel
swap the black plastic nut for polished bone
swap the cheesy black dome knobs for a set of cream/off white vintage style knobs (I'm sick of the black out look)
swap the pots/wiring out (I would definitely want to be able to at the simplest do a volume for each pickup and a master tone, doesn't have to be anything crazy but I'd just like to see what options you guys can come up with for three spots)
obviously put on new strings and set it up
 
Re: Pimp my DeArmond Pilot Bass

You may want to look at a stacked Jazz bass pickup to avoid the hum since the P pickup hum cancels. The only other suggestion I'd offer is to consider volume-pan-tone instead of volume-volume-tone. This is if you're planning on staying with passive electronics, if you're willing to consider active then the sky's the limit. If it were my bass, I'd go for P/J EMGs with an active balance control and either a passive tone or BTS controls.
 
Re: Pimp my DeArmond Pilot Bass

I am not by any means opposed to trying EMG's or going active in fact the EMGs in cream might look kinda cool
 
Re: Pimp my DeArmond Pilot Bass

Unless you go for an overwound J pickup, a passive PJ pair will always be imbalanced in favour of the P pickup.

For some reason, on a Jazz Bass, a Balance pickup blending control never yields quite the same "honk" as individual volume controls for each pickup.

If you can find any, the old Seymour Duncan Active EQ series bass pickups would be great. Firstly, you can use their microswitches to vary the sound. Secondly, despite the outer casings, the innards of the P and neck position J pickups are identical.
 
Re: Pimp my DeArmond Pilot Bass

well then I suppose I'd do the vintage P and the hot stack for jazz bass bridge

I suppose the simplest approach would be passive vol-vol-tone and I'd replace the wiring and output jack as well

this is assuming I go the passive route which is probably the best way imho as I'm not really a bass player I just wanted a bass to have around for demos and playing around for fun

I'll switch out the black hardware for some nickel/chrome stuff and get new knobs as it was missing it's original knobs
 
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