How easy is it to move a jazz pup down by a few mm

dave_bass5 · #1 07-30-2010, 03:32 PM

So, ive been happy with my MIA and really enjoying the tone. I went to move the strings to different grooves tonight and noticed the neck pup is out of alignment.
It sounds fine i guess but its something that will probably bug me now ive noticed it.

Im not too good with wood, but it doesnt look too difficult. Ive replaced pups before but never moved them.

Am i worrying about nothing (other than the fact that its poor workmanship on an expensive bass).

BigOldHarry · #2 07-30-2010, 03:36 PM

You realize that this is entirely normal for a Fender, right?

This is the sort of thing that you pay for when you pay BIG bux for a boutique bass.

Oh - and to answer your question... Think about it. you'd have to cut into the wood, then run new screw holes to mount the p'ups... but the new holes will be so close to the old holes that you'll have to fill the old holes with wood and re-drill.

which is all silly. If this REALLY bugs you, get pickups without pole pieces (barts or something).

stflbn · #3 07-30-2010, 03:42 PM

Pickup poles not aligning by that little amount won't make a bit of difference in the sound.

If it bothers you... buy different pickups, or simply put a strip of black electrical tape over your existing pickups. It will not effect the sound at all.

dave_bass5 · #4 07-30-2010, 04:01 PM

Thanks for the quick replies.

Harry. Im starting to think the more i spend the more issues i have. My CVJ is perfectly lined up.

Yes, filling the holes and re drilling is about my limit but its something i may be able to do at some point.

There is more than enough room to move it.

stflbn. I guess its more a cosmetic thing, but i did want to move the strings over a bit more and this will then have a couple of them sitting over only one pole pice. Im not sure how that would affect the tone or volume.

Bottom line is they should be spot on for this sort of money but if its an easy fix im happy to give it a go.

tehbassist · #5 07-30-2010, 04:01 PM

You need a router and template bit- new $100

You need an accurate template of a j pick up- $30 because you probably cant make your own

You'll need a new custom pick guard made- $40 if you send out for one or $20 for the material and $20 for the new router bit to cut the bevel

Then like was mentioned you'll have to fill the old screw holes and drill new ones yourself.

And finally $60-$100 bucks to go to a luthier to have him fix your shoddy workmanship and prevent your bass from being ruined forever.

Point being, move your strings back to the original slots or deal with it... Don't ruin your bass...

Edit: Scratch the stuff about the router and ruining your bass if the route looks like that, also scratch the part about owing a fender if thats MIA craftsmanship.

dave_bass5 · #6 07-30-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tehbassist

You need a router and template bit- new $100

You need an accurate template of a j pick up- $30 because you probably cant make your own

You'll need a new custom pick guard made- $40 if you send out for one or $20 for the material and $20 for the new router bit to cut the bevel

Then like was mentioned you'll have to fill the old screw holes and drill new ones yourself.

And finally $60-$100 bucks to go to a luthier to have him fix your shoddy workmanship and prevent your bass from being ruined forever.

Point being, move your strings back to the original slots or deal with it... Don't ruin your bass...

Edit: Scratch the stuff about the router and ruining your bass if the route looks like that, also scratch the part about owing a fender if thats MIA craftsmanship.

Yes, there is ample space at the end where the wires enter the pup. This is the direction the pup needs moving in so no routing would be needed.
You cant see it in the pic but there is about 3mm gap at the same end in the pickguard so again, i wouldn't need a new one. In fact, ive just taken off a black one that i prefer and that has around 5mm gap at that end (this is what alerted me to the offset pup) so even better.

So it really is a case of filling the 4 holes and drilling 4 new ones. But yes, they would be pretty close to the originals.

Ive not posted the pics of the gaps under two of the higher frets where the grooves have been made too deep either

Yep, good old Fender QC was on the ball with this one. It realy does play well and sound good though so im not to worried, they are only minor faults.

tehbassist · #7 07-30-2010, 04:32 PM

Woah I can see what you are talking about now, its not a personal preference thing, its a fender didn't make it right thing...

Ya I'd wait till some one gives you a step by step here and then go for it, I'd try to help but I couldn't tell you if you should use wood filler or dowl in the holes...

dave_bass5 · #8 07-30-2010, 04:40 PM

Yeah, its not good for a £1000 bass is it.
Like i said, i can live with it if i have to but it would be nice to be able to correct it at some point.
The reason i dont really want to send it back is it plays just fine, and the paintwork is perfect, i dont want to risk getting another that might not be as nice to play.

FunkMetalBass · #9 07-30-2010, 04:55 PM

What different grooves are you talking about? Misaligned saddles means that the pole pieces will be further misaligned as well.

If the new grooves, I'm guessing that your neck is slightly misaligned and that it needs to be pushed up toward the top horn a bit.

dave_bass5 · #10 07-30-2010, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

What different grooves are you talking about? Misaligned saddles means that the pole pieces will be further misaligned as well.

If the new grooves, I'm guessing that your neck is slightly misaligned and that it needs to be pushed up toward the top horn a bit.

The grooves i mentioned are the ones in the neck where the frets sit in. Two of them are deeper than they need to be and have no filling. The frets themselves are sitting flat and not causing any trouble.

JLS · #11 07-30-2010, 09:00 PM

Yes.

other than the fact that its poor workmanship on an expensive bass

No, it's the way things are.

So, ive been happy with my MIA and really enjoying the tone.

Stop. Right. There!

202dy · #12 07-30-2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave_bass5

The grooves i mentioned are the ones in the neck where the frets sit in. Two of them are deeper than they need to be and have no filling. The frets themselves are sitting flat and not causing any trouble.

Not completely clear on why the string position should be changed.

If it is because the grooves are in the frets (fret wear) then the answer is to have the frets dressed. Tone and intonation should improve.

If the grooves are the kerfs that the fret tang sits in (referring to the above images) then the proper repair is to fill the offending kerfs with CA glue. There will be little effect on tone.

Pilgrim · #13 07-30-2010, 10:36 PM

I don't see a problem. Play it. You can do a lot of work for no gain at all.

maurilio · #14 07-30-2010, 10:36 PM

can we see a frontal pic of the entire bass?
I'm willing to bet that the neck has shifted down (toward the treble side).
You do realize you'll also have to move the pickguard to fit the new pup placement?

M

dave_bass5 · #15 07-31-2010, 02:10 AM

Thanks guys.
I get the impression I'm worrying about nothing. That's fine, it's put my mind at rest and I think for now I'll live with it.

The grooves in the neck comment was just to mention another example of poor QC and in no way was it to donwith the pup issue or that it's really a problem. The neck feels wonderful and the action is spot on so no fret issues.

Thanks again.

Cutty · #16 07-31-2010, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave_bass5

Thanks for the quick replies.

Harry. Im starting to think the more i spend the more issues i have. My CVJ is perfectly lined up.

Yes, filling the holes and re drilling is about my limit but its something i may be able to do at some point.

There is more than enough room to move it.

stflbn. I guess its more a cosmetic thing, but i did want to move the strings over a bit more and this will then have a couple of them sitting over only one pole pice. Im not sure how that would affect the tone or volume.

Bottom line is they should be spot on for this sort of money but if its an easy fix im happy to give it a go.

Don't mess up the bass,if it bothers you get rid of it and get something else or you will lose loads of dosh on trying to sell it!!!i'm sorry your having this hassle with a Fender!!!but it just goes to show how bad the fender quality control can be!good luck.

202dy · #17 07-31-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cutty

!!!but it just goes to show how bad the fender quality control can be!good luck.

Please enlighten the forum on the issue of Fender quality control.

Cutty · #18 07-31-2010, 02:54 PM

The quality control issue is in the the thread,please read it!neck pickup routed and not placed correctly,if you would be quite happy to buy a new bass with this,i guess your quality control sense is different to mine!,and the guy who owns the bass.

202dy · #19 07-31-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cutty

The quality control issue is in the the thread,please read it!neck pickup routed and not placed correctly,if you would be quite happy to buy a new bass with this,i guess your quality control sense is different to mine!,and the guy who owns the bass.

Respect is important on TalkBass.

This is an old argument. It also doesn't make sense.

Fender guitar bodies and necks are routed on CNC machines. There are only two ways to relocate the pickup routs and bridge screw holes, for that matter. The first way is that the operator misaligns the blank on the deck. Very difficult to do and would be picked up in QC very quickly. The second way is to reprogram the machine. Highly unlikely.

When a guitar owner sees a misalignment the first thing that comes to mind is that the routing and boring sites are improperly located. It is almost always corrected by relocating the neck because it is the neck that is out of alignment. Simple, quick fix.

As far as the space under the fret goes, someone in quality assurance missed it. Not that big of a deal given the MSRP and the overall quality of the guitar. It is mainly cosmetic. Again, it is an easy defect to fix.

Neither of these issues is a major lapse in QC from a major manufacturer.

Cutty · #20 08-01-2010, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202dy

Respect is important on TalkBass.

This is an old argument. It also doesn't make sense.

Fender guitar bodies and necks are routed on CNC machines. There are only two ways to relocate the pickup routs and bridge screw holes, for that matter. The first way is that the operator misaligns the blank on the deck. Very difficult to do and would be picked up in QC very quickly. The second way is to reprogram the machine. Highly unlikely.

When a guitar owner sees a misalignment the first thing that comes to mind is that the routing and boring sites are improperly located. It is almost always corrected by relocating the neck because it is the neck that is out of alignment. Simple, quick fix.

As far as the space under the fret goes, someone in quality assurance missed it. Not that big of a deal given the MSRP and the overall quality of the guitar. It is mainly cosmetic. Again, it is an easy defect to fix.

Neither of these issues is a major lapse in QC from a major manufacturer.

Well that's your opinion,it's not mine,Period!if your paying alot of money for a bass,you need it to be correct out of the box,not having to do "things"to it"you may be quite happy to pay $1000+ for a bass and then spend time correcting issues that shouldn't have been there in the first place,i would not,i would return it and get it replaced,fixed,or get my money back,end off.