Price estimate & details of modding a bass.

jarrhead · #1 06-16-2009, 05:41 PM

Alright I have my starter SR200 and my Fender '94 MIA Jazz I bought a few months back.

If anybody is familiar with an SR200 they give fuzzy sounds quite often. Would it be possible to switch pickups on the basses and have my SR200 sounding just sharp? I've been thinking about it because I like the SR200 look better and my Jazz has a bolt-head which makes it buzz on high AD strings and low G string.

Also my 19th and 20th fret on A and D are the same note.

Anyways, back to point, would switching the pickups make my SR200 sound good and my MIA Fender Jazz sound like crap?

If I do this I figure I wouldn't have the bolt Jazz sound and have a more rock-style look. Or would it be worth it to just buy new pickups?

How much would it cost to have somebody swap pickups?

Or if possible, is there a way I could get a non-Jazz sound on my bass by taking out the bolt or something? What could be done here?

I basically want my Jazz to be able to play some rock-style, as I play in a hard rock band. I often use Bruce's Ibanez MK II instead of my Fender MIA because the sound is much better for rock with the Ibanez.

So if possible, de-bolting to get rid of the buzzy pop Jazz sound price?

Swapping pickups or getting new pickups for SR200 price?

Plus maybe $35 to get a different pick guard.

Now that I get into this I might just wanna sell my MIA Fender Jazz '94. lol

EDIT: Got pics.

SR200 Pickups

SR200 Full View

Fender Jazz '94 MIA Bolt Head

Fender Jazz '94 MIA Full View

JustDavid · #2 06-16-2009, 05:50 PM

I'd say your best bet is to take some steps to solve the problems on each bass first.

The fuzzy sound on the Ibanez; a bit more detail.

I have no idea what the bolthead is that is causing Fender problems, but it might be something easily repairable.

Same note on Fender's 19th & 20th has me guess the saddles are extremely high.

Some more info would help those wishing to help you. And I'd highly recommend some pics of the issue areas.

jarrhead · #3 06-16-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

I'd say your best bet is to take some steps to solve the problems on each bass first.

The fuzzy sound on the Ibanez; a bit more detail.

I have no idea what the bolthead is that is causing Fender problems, but it might be something easily repairable.

Same note on Fender's 19th & 20th has me guess the saddles are extremely high.

Some more info would help those wishing to help you. And I'd highly recommend some pics of the issue areas.

I'm going to take pictures at this moment. I'm not quite sure how to put them on here without using links. Would I use IMG /IMG BB code?

JustDavid · #4 06-16-2009, 07:08 PM

Is the "bolthead" the string retainer? By the A's tuner, with the D & G strings going under it.

jarrhead · #5 06-16-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Is the "bolthead" the string retainer? By the A's tuner, with the D & G strings going under it.

I dont know. I think it's either a string retainer or it's there to give the Jazzy pop/buzz sound.

jarrhead · #6 06-17-2009, 01:06 PM

I really need some help so I bumped it.

Wait does that even work on TB?

JTE · #7 06-17-2009, 01:32 PM

OK, I have no idea what you mean by half of this...

Same note on two consequetive frets means that most likely you have a high fret, bad neck angle to the body, or the action is too low. Before spending a dime on electronics, I'd take both basses to a GOOD repair tech/set up person and have them set up correclty. That'll eliminate a lot of variables.

What exactly is the "...bolt-head which makes it buzz on high AD strings and low G string"? Are you talking about string buzz or electrical buzz? If it's string buzz, then set up is the answer not electronics.

If the stock pickups on the Ibanez are responsible for the "fuzzy" sound, then replacement may or may not solve the problem. Are you sure it's the pickups or does the bass have a preamp? If it's got a pre, when did you last put a good alkaline battery in it?

jte

stflbn · #8 06-17-2009, 01:34 PM

Take your basses to a professional and get them set up. That will solve a majority of your issues.

jarrhead · #9 06-17-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

OK, I have no idea what you mean by half of this...

Same note on two consequetive frets means that most likely you have a high fret, bad neck angle to the body, or the action is too low. Before spending a dime on electronics, I'd take both basses to a GOOD repair tech/set up person and have them set up correclty. That'll eliminate a lot of variables.

What exactly is the "...bolt-head which makes it buzz on high AD strings and low G string"? Are you talking about string buzz or electrical buzz? If it's string buzz, then set up is the answer not electronics.

If the stock pickups on the Ibanez are responsible for the "fuzzy" sound, then replacement may or may not solve the problem. Are you sure it's the pickups or does the bass have a preamp? If it's got a pre, when did you last put a good alkaline battery in it?

jte

It's a string buzz, not an electrical buzz.
And I just replaced it.

I'm thinking of buying a stingray when I get a few hundred dollars and using the proceeds from my Fender sale to fund it.

ashtray · #10 06-21-2009, 03:36 AM

Just know that just about any bass cheap or expensive can sound & play decent, or terrible. So a cheap Ibanez could play better than your MIA Jazz due to a bad setup, or actual issues. I really don't understand half of what you are asking - but the answer isn't always to sell a bass and buy a new one. First get the bass set up and get everything working - no buzzes, no same note problems, etc. Finding a COMPETENT bass tech who knows what they are doing can result in a bass playing like a dream.

Swapping pickups is common, but only do so after you have the basses issue free and playing right. Then you can isolate what difference a different pickup would do for you. Also note that in general changing pickups won't result in a radical change in tone.

motionkid · #11 06-21-2009, 04:09 AM

Your A and D string problem is probably bad intonation. Check your intonation.

mcnach · #12 06-21-2009, 06:28 AM

I'm quite confused by a LOT of what you said... it makes me think you're rather new to bass and guitars in general (not meant as an offense, ok? everybody has to start somewhere and you only learn through experience, effort, and TIME).

Through the years I have played all sorts of instruments, and owned many, some expensive, some dirt cheap. They all had one thing in common: they played alright... AFTER you take care of them. Just a little.

Same notes on 19th/20th fret between A/D strings? What is that? I don't understand, because if I understand correctly then your bass is way off... and I am not sure you can make it so offtarget through bad intonation.

I suggest you find a local luthier/repair guy... someone good, with experience, not just some dude who fixed a couple of guitars and things he's a guitar tech now :-) and show him the bass. He should be able to have a look, and tell you what he thinks may be needed and give you an estimate of cost before commiting to anything. Chances are that it'll cost you very little, and you'll end up with a hell of a bass. The SR200 is not a top of the range bass, ok, but it is a nice bass. Have it set up correctly, and it'll be like day and night. It will probably need intonation adjusted (easy), neck adjusted (easy for an experienced person), *maybe* some mild fret levelling if there are rough spots, *maybe* some work at the nut... checking hardware... an you'll have a killer bass.
Seriously, expensive or cheap... if an instrument is not set up correctly, it'll be a frustrating experience, and you can throw a lot of money at it, pickups etc, it will still be a dog.
One of my favourite basses is an ultra cheap Wesley Monarch (about $100-150 new!). I play it more than my Warwick Corvette $$... because it's set up nicely.

Another note about intonation: how old are your strings? very old strings, covered in crud (finger cheese TM :-) can be incredible hard to tune and intonate properly.