Geddy Lee Jazz neck on Standard American body?

Travisx2112 · #1 07-10-2011, 12:23 PM

Sounds like I'm trying to put the neck on some American girl, but alas, no.

Anywho, can I put a Geddy neck on an American Standard Jazz 2011 Fender body? Would I have to do any modifications to the pocket or the neck itself?

Thanks,
Trav

SMILEYSIXX · #2 07-10-2011, 12:46 PM

As far as I know, Fender keeps their parts similar, so if any modding is needed it's probably minimal. Sanding the pocket, shimming the neck etc.

Travisx2112 · #3 07-10-2011, 01:51 PM

Cool! I've been thinking about putting my own bass together for a bit now, and I love the Geddy Lee Jazz, but it definetly has its own tone, and I'd like something with the same neck, that sounds different. Plus, I think putting it together myself would be a really fun project.

Travisx2112 · #4 07-10-2011, 02:34 PM

I'm guessing a Standard Mexican Jazz body would work just as well as an American. Also, I'm planning on getting some 60's Jazz pups put in the body. Are there different sizes for pups throughout the years or all they all the same size?

Edit: Or even an American Deluxe body...hmm...so many options!

walterw · #5 07-10-2011, 02:53 PM

the american deluxe body won't work, it's a different spec, requiring a different-spec neck.

(unless it's a brand-new 2011 deluxe, which finally has the shape of a normal jazz bass again.)

Travisx2112 · #6 07-10-2011, 03:06 PM

Yeah the one I was looking at was an '11, however I think I'd like to go with a candy apple red standard jazz bass body. I found a mexican one on ebay, but not an american. If I'm replacing the pickups, I don't think there'd be much of a difference between the two, would there?

Slightly off topic, but whats this about 250k pots (as an example..I don't even know if that's an accurate number at all) what's the "k" for, in relation to the pickups and why is it important?

SMILEYSIXX · #7 07-10-2011, 03:59 PM

The higher rating of the pot, the more "open" you can make it, reducing resistance. A 250k leaves the bass with a more warm tone, I believe they're standard on all Fenders. 500k (my personal choice) opens the sound more, leaves the bass a tad louder and makes it brighter.

Travisx2112 · #8 07-10-2011, 05:54 PM

oh so it doesn't have as much to do with the pickup? Interesting. I know this is a lot of questions, but I've never built a bass before and this is all new to me

Would the Geddy fit on a Highway one body? Once again, really sorry for so many questions, but I'm a noob with this

SMILEYSIXX · #9 07-10-2011, 06:51 PM

The only time pots are related to pickups is when you're using active pickups. I'm not too familiar with those though.

Again, it should fit relatively well, minor mods may be needed.

Travisx2112 · #10 07-10-2011, 06:59 PM

Thanks so much for your help, Smileysixx

walterw · #11 07-10-2011, 07:32 PM

pots have very much "to do" with the pickups, passive or otherwise.

the "k" is for "kilo-", as in kΩ, kilo-ohms. a 250kΩ pot is normal for passive fenders (guitars and basses).

i also prefer the added clarity of 500k pots; to me, you hear more of the personality of the bass in the mix, where a P really sounds like a P and a J sounds like a J when the band's playing, as opposed to just sounding like "bass".

SMILEYSIXX · #12 07-11-2011, 07:27 AM

Yes, they are very much related to pickups but not dependent on them. My point was that whether a J, P, or MM, vintage or modern, EMG or Basslines, the pot doesn't depend on that, it's preference.

Travisx2112 · #13 07-11-2011, 10:17 AM

Oh gotcha. Here's another (very minor) question. Lets say I end up sanding the neck and/or shimming the neck pocket. What type of screws would I use? I can't seem to find any for the Geddy Lee Jazz style neck plate.

SMILEYSIXX · #14 07-11-2011, 08:27 PM

Just use the screws that came with the bass originally.