Reccomend some mods for my MIM Jazz Fretless

[owensea777]

I am about to own a used MIM Jazz fretless. I will need a new output jack for some scratching noise problems.
Please reccomend some upgrades I could put on it. If you could explain why and estimate a cost that would be great, too. In a few years I want to have a custom instrument that will blow an American out of the water, or at least match one.

Thanks

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by owensea777

Please reccomend some upgrades I could put on it. If you could explain why and estimate a cost that would be great, too.

Recommend some upgrades on what particular basis? What specifically about the instrument do you wish to improve? What exactly is it that you want to accomplish?

There are a number of things you might do. Whether any of them are things that you might find beneficial and cost-effective is very much a function of your own personal agenda for the instrument - and hence, your responses to these questions...

MM

[steve66]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Imo, as long as all is working correctly leave it alone. It's a classic recipe. After you've played it for awhile, worry about mods only if there is something you specifically want to change...

I agree. If it plays well, your good to go.

[owensea777]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Recommend some upgrades on what particular basis?

Pickups? Tone knobs? Um pretty much anything, I am pretty much a beginner.
Basically I'm trying to get a personalized response by members who have modded their Jazzes or fretless Jazzes. Also I can find out if mod's were not worth it in the end. I don't really care about the cost, just happened to add that at the time .

No one has to reply. I don't mind any +1's to not modding at all, though.

[Bass Mule]

Mods are worth it for those who do the mods. Don't go doing mods to your bass if you don't even know what it is you're looking for. When you get your bass, play with it. Think of a tone or sound in your head that you like. Figure out what kind of sound you're hearing in your head. Then, figure out (possibly with help here on TB) if you can achieve that sound with your bass as is. If not, then start thinking about mods. Figure out what part of the bass is preventing you from attaining your sound (i.e. pickups), then go from there. Good luck.

[uethanian]

if the bass has stock pickups, u may consider changing those out for nicer ones...although plenty of people are happy with stocks. new knobs if the old ones dont shine? if the neck isn't epoxied, you might consider doing that. or not, i prefer a wooden fingerboard. or if you dont like the bridge, you could upgrade, but that depends on how it sounds right now. remember that on a fretless, you (probably) want as natural a sound as possible, so dont go tacking on things just because you can. if you want the classic tone, just leave it be.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by owensea777

Pickups? Tone knobs? Um pretty much anything, I am pretty much a beginner.
Basically I'm trying to get a personalized response by members who have modded their Jazzes or fretless Jazzes. Also I can find out if mod's were not worth it in the end. I don't really care about the cost, just happened to add that at the time .

No one has to reply. I don't mind any +1's to not modding at all, though.

I have a new fretless J-style Carvin LB70F to which I've thus far added a BadAss II bridge and an epoxy coating for the fingerboard. Next steps will be to add aftermarket pickups (Ultra Jazz or NJ4SE) and a Bartolini onboard preamp (NTMB).

But I've been playing for many years, know the instrument and the gear quite well, and have very specific, well-informed reasons for each new upgrade/modification I make. For you, I'd recommend logging a lot more playing time before you even think about modifying your bass.

Save your money and learn the instrument first. If/when the need for modifications should arise, by that time you'll have the experience to know how to proceed - and the reasons why...

MM

[owensea777]

What about a part that will allow more sustain? Pickups that allow for less noise?
I'm not going to up and buy a part because someone reccomended it, I just want some ideas.

[paullong444]

If you want something to do to you bass you should properly shield and ground the instrument. That is the first thing you should to new fender....Even the MIA Fenders aren't really shielded properly. Some cool mods I have done to my jazz basses that I think are practical are: a series/parallel switch and a capacitor selector (DPDT switch on one bass and a 5 way rotary switch on the other).

If you are interested in mods check out these sites.
http://alexplorer.net/guitar/mods.html
http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/menu.php
http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/shielding/bass.php
If you plan on shielding the bass you can pick up cooper with adhesive backing at gardening stores. People use it to repel snails but it works for shielding and it is cheaper than the stuff Stewart McDonald sells.

[Nick Ioannucci]

imo shielding is the best mod for an mim fretless, i have one and it is my only electric bass and it was by far the best bang for the buck mod, especially with stock pickups. it was my first mod and definitely was worth it. i also changed the pickups for some lindy fralin single coils, added a Bad Ass II bridge, and tried a bunch of different strings until i settled on thomastik jazz flats. my bass currently awaits a set of hipshot tuning pegs and at some point, most likely after a get a fretted bass, an epoxied fingerboard. This didnt happen though until i actually knew what i was looking for, alot of research went into those mods, and so did alot of playing, learning exactly what i didnt like about my bass. if you dont know what you want modding is pointless, you will just waste money on things you possibly wont even like.

[Philbiker]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Imo, as long as all is working correctly leave it alone. It's a classic recipe. After you've played it for awhile, worry about mods only if there is something you specifically want to change...

+ infinity. I once modded a MIM Jazz and everything I did I regret. I should have left well enough alone - it was a great bass right out of the box.

If you want to have a fun learning experience taking apart a bass and chainging out all kinds of stuff, get yourself an SX.

[groove pump]

I may be mastering the obvious, but I think that a great initial investment on a newly acquired bass would be a really good set-up. If the playability is really dialed in, the honeymoon may last forever!

[owensea777]

I say I'm a beginner, but that's because I'm comparing myself to most people on TB. I want to getter better lows and more sustain. The sustain on the MIM really sucks.
I play a lot of reggae and hip-hop grooves. In the pocket stuff.
Thanks for the responses, but why did you guys get those upgrades? Why did you decide on the BadAss II bridge, or certain aftermarket pickups?

[bassmanrocke]

Cheap upgrades - good quality pots and a .05 capacitor $15 -$20. Wiring schematics on fender website

Sustain upgrades - better bridge, many people like badass II, I prefer gotoh bridges. Either will improve sustain. Depending on the model they bolt right on. $30 - $60. Also, the mexican tuners can get loose and this vibration can decrease sustain. I like to replace with gotoh reverse style tuners which have heavier basses and tend to hold tune very well. $50 - $70

Tone - Tone is subjective, but good quality pickups by Bartolini, lane poor, seymore, nordstrum,etc will be a great deal quieter and have wider tonal range then the ceramic pickups typically in Mexican Jazz basses. $80 - $200 depending on brand and model.

[glwanabe]

I have used a variety of bridges on my basses. I've liked all of them but not for the same reasons.

I prefer the BAII over the Gotoh 201. It just sounds better. When it is properly cut and dialed in, it gives a certain snappy response that the Gotoh lacks, IMO.

On a fretless bass, or a bass with flats, I prefer to use the stock fender bridge. There are times I can't decide which way I want my MIM jazz setup. The stock Fender bridge is a nice lightweight design that imparts a low fundamental to the notes. On a fretless, IMO, that design is just what the bass needs. The bass breathes a little more with the stock bridge.

The one area I always check and get real critical about, is the nut. They almost always could use some fine tuning as to the cut. I also prefer to replace the cheap plastic, with a Graph tech nut.

Other than that, like others have said. A good initial setup will be the best investment. Either in your own time, or having somebody else teach you.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Imo, as long as all is working correctly leave it alone. It's a classic recipe. After you've played it for awhile, worry about mods only if there is something you specifically want to change...

I agree. About the only thing I'd do short-term is cosmetic stuff. if you want to dress it up, add a bridge cover (I think they really improve the look) and if it's not in your way, a pickup cover. If there's a brand and type of strings you prefer, install them. Then play it for at least a few months to determine how it's working for you.

You may very well find out what so many of us have - a good MIM Fender is better than a so-so MIA Fender.

Here's my MIM Jazz with black pearloid pickguard and covers. After two years of playing, I haven't heard anything from the pickups that make me think they're lacking - and of course, the bridge works fine. Fender bridges are solid.

[GlennW]

Pilgrim, that's a pretty one.

Is that a Matsumoku (Conrad, etc) to the right of it?

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by GlennW

Pilgrim, that's a pretty one.

Is that a Matsumoku (Conrad, etc) to the right of it?

There are are actually TWO Matsu basses in that photo....directly behind the Jazz neck is a tobacco brown Lyle hollowbody (a Matsumoku product) that needs a pickup and electronics.

To the right is an Applause (Ovation) acoustic/electric, and to the far right is my 60's Univox 335-copy, also a Matsumoku product. it is a very nice bass with a great sound, although it is a neck-diver like many hollowbodies.

I am very impressed with the woodwork and finish of the Matsu products. I keep getting distracted from finishing that Lyle, although I now have a Gretsch chrome pickup and an original 60's Univox bridge and tailpiece with a rosewood insert to install on it. Gotta get around to that....

[GlennW]

I was looking hard at the one behind the Jazz's neck, but confinced myself that it was 4-in-a-line headstock. I really like those pickups - had one for a while. Their finishes are nice, and seem to be durable too.

[ubado]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Imo, as long as all is working correctly leave it alone. It's a classic recipe. After you've played it for awhile, worry about mods only if there is something you specifically want to change...

+1

If you are itching to do some mods... start with the bridge. Try adding a Bad-A II... IMO it's far better than the stock ones. You'll hear the difference right off the bat.

Then go for the PU's ... that however is a personal opinion of what kind of tone you're looking for. For me, I love Bartolini's for fretless (gives it a nice dark sound)... but for vintage... there are many to choose from... depending on you budget.

Just remember... it's a MIM Fender... what you put in... you might not be able to get out of it, if you decied to upgrade later.