Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

[Ricey]

I just scored a Jackson J-50 BC + J-200 + J200 combo on e-bay to restore my 1990 USA Fusion to stock spec. Does anybody know the original tone and volume pot values for these PUPs?

Thanks,
Rick

[Cleveland Metal]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

That Fusion should have had the JE-1500 circuit in it.

The JE-1500 has a filter boost, like a wah set in a certain position. The JE-1500 has a pot that allows you to dial in the freq. you want to boost. It is switched in and out by a switch on the guitar.

[charvel750]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

Yes, that is correct. The volume and filter boost pots would be 50 K ohm pots per Jackson. You can use 25 K ohm pots with good results as the 50's are not as common. There is no "tone" pot in a Jackson Fusion USA. As ClevelandMetal pointed out, for proper restoration, you'll need to wire those pickups into the JE-1500 active circuit. You can install those pickups without it, but then I'd recommend using a 500 K ohm pot for volume and a 250 K ohm pot for tone, but that's a matter of opinion there.

[Ricey]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

Thanks for the advice guys! The J-50BC and J-200 PUPS I got came from a Charvel Model 6 and included the mid-boost circuit that was standard on that Model. This is different than the wah-wah type circuit that normally came on a USA Fusion. The Model 6 had three knobs (Master Volume + Master Tone + Mid boost); whereas, as you stated, the Fusion only came with two knobs. The switch to turn on the wah-wah took the place of the middle tone knob. Just for kicks, I think I am going to try to install the mid boost from the Model 6. I used to have a Model 6 and I really liked that feature. Also, I do not see the utility of the wah-wah circuit (I already own two wah-wah pedals). I think I can convert to three knobs by replacing the wah on/off switch with a tone knob. What would the pot values be for this configuration (Master Volume + Master Tone + Mid Boost knob)

Thanks,
Rick

[Jim Shine]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

1990= vintage? Okay....

[charvel750]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

The "vintage" term is a funny one with Jackson. Most people would agree that the term means old, at least 20 years. But some feel that it designates an early example of a guitar. Jackson is a young company compared to some of the makers out there, and the Fusion was introduced in 1990. Anyway, you'll need to use a 50 K ohm pot for the volume and active mid boost and a 250 K ohm pot for the tone control. You really could get away with 25 K ohm pots for the volume/active and 500 K ohm pot for the tone. But if you want a true restoration, that's what Jackson was using.

[Ricey]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

Charvel1750:

Great reply...very informative! There is a lot of knowledge on this board and this is the type of info I come to here to get. I guess I was not really thinking when I titled the post, but then again, I don't really sit and analyze everything I write before I post it. Maybe I should, but I try not to take this stuff TOO seriously (If you can believe that coming from a guitar player). I try to post succinct, yet informative titles. In this case I was tying to convey that the PUPS were old models so as not too waste anyones time who is only familiar with newer models. Unfortunately, I apparently wasted someones time who was only interested in reading a post about true vintage PUPS. I do apologize. But, since I have already let the bees out of the jar, I wonder if we could ruffle additional feathers by debating as to whether anything ever made by Charvel/Jackson truly qualifies as "vintage". There are sure to be strong opinions either way.

Rick

[charvel750]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

I tend to define "vintage" as 20 years or older when guitars are being discussed. Now, if we are talking furniture then 20 years isn't vintage! But the electric guitar is barely 50 years old, so anything near half that age should be considered "vintage." Any C/J built prior to 1983 should be considered "vintage." But us JCF'ers can argue that anything built during the Grover years would be vintage Jackson.

[Jim Shine]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

I can agree with 20 years. I tend to think more along 25 years with guitars. Trends change so fast that 20 years is probably about right.

[LouSiffer]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

And dont be surprised if you have a hard time finding the volume/tone pots...depending on where you live. The post on it ( volume ) is normal length. 50k audio taper. Its the thread length that causes problems. The thread length is longer than the standard pot. No one had it locally here....I drove an hour to Columbus......no good there. All-Parts has them if you can't find one.-Lou

[charvel750]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

And Lou, you can get around the pot length by putting an extra washer or nut on the pot and securing it on near the bottom. Then put the pot in the control cavity and the nut/washer will "shorten" the overall length allowing the dome knob to fit neatly.

[lerxstcat]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

Actually the term "vintage" connotatively
simply refers to the year of production,
in the wine industry from which we took
the word in the first place. You could correctly say, "I have a 2003 vintage DK-2" although it contradicts common denotative usage of the word.

Ah, now for some vintage 2003 MD-20/20!!

[img]graemlins/poke.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Jim Shine]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

Vintage can be a noun or an adjective. The use you just posted was using it as a noun. The use as "Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values" is using it as an adjective, which changes the definition to "of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality : CLASSIC : dating from the past".

[Ricey]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

This post has been very informative! Especially the in-depth discussion on the pots I will need (thanks Lou and Charvel). The only problem with this post is it's title. If only I had waited seven more years! Oh well, at least it stimulated some interesting discussion. Does anybody have opinions/advise on whether to leave in the JE-1500 or switch it out to the JE-1200 mid boost? I just don't see any use for the JE-1500, but I am open to the possibility that I am missing something here. If I do remove the JE-1500, of course, I will preserve it so the guitar could someday (say in seven years?) be restored to "vintage" specs.

Rick

[Jim Shine]

Re: Vintage Jackson PUP volume/tone pot values

You can check out most amplifier building supply houses as that is a common amp pot value. Angela.com may even have them.