Should I add a jazz route my 1980 P bass?

[aproud1]

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

Usually I would say no because if a bass isn't what you want, buy something that is. There's no guarantee a bass turns out right after the extreme mod.

But you need to tell us the story on this old Fender because it doesn't seem original at all to me:
A matching headstock on a 'standard' model? non original bridge and reverse tuners?

It is a 1980 Precision special which was the first precision with a matching headstock and active electronics. It had brass hardware but since I don't care for the gold look I threw on some Gotoh Res-O-Lite tuners and a Hipshot bridge I had laying around. They are not reverse tuners I loathe those....

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

If you think you need another pickup, get a J bass. Don't mess with this one, because you love it the way it is.

Why do you think you need another pickup? Did the Pickup Police write you a citation for not having enough electronics?

I really like the bass and especially the neck but am more of a Jazz sound kind of guy. I really like the P/J sound too. I like the straight up P Bass sound but it doesn't sound like me. I know I would like the sound with an added J but kind of go through basses and am worried about messing this up for someone down the road.

[Bassamatic]

Originally Posted by lowfreqgeek

If really like how it feels and plays, and you like the P-J setup, then just do it. Make it right for you.

One thing I've noticed is that many pros have oddly modified instruments that fit their needs above anything else. Lee Sklar's frankenbass had EMG pickups in very different locations from the normal. Abe Laboriel put an early Seymour Duncan P into his Fender because "it didn't have any personality" before. I've also seen Abe with a Fender Pbass set up much like Sklar's frankenbass. Jimmy Earl's (white) jazz has a P pickup located right between the stock J pickups. All of Gary Willis' mods on his Ibanez SR885s led to the signature instrument he has today. Or look at Marcus Miller's jazz, or Jaco's fretless, or Gary Grainger's Stingray (w/P pickup), or Anthony Jackon's Fodera, or Mike Pope's Fodera... Those are just a few examples.

Yeah, you can screw it up, but it's just a tool and if it does everything else you want/need and adding a pickup completes the package, then why not? Who cares what anyone else thinks about it?

Just make sure that YOU want to do it.

The difference is that those guys can AFFORD to alter a nice instrument. The resale value is not as important to them as the earning ability of the instrument.

For this one - I would (in order)
1. Buy a cheap P/J and see if this is what you want. I was totally surprised by the sound and quality of my Squier P Bass special.
2. Sell it and find a nice P/J.

I don't think I would mod a nice bass unless I was sure I would never sell it or just didn't care.

[millsbass5]

I would put a Jazz pup in the 70's bridge position, for sure. Also, I'd go with DiMarzio pups in it. Just make it a good, old-school passive beast. I like that. It's nice. But, it'd be a lot nicer (and versatile) with a Jazz pup.

[Turock]

I would not do it. If you do, I predict that you will regret it.

[diegobxr]

No, please don't.
Please.

How about getting a good ol' SX for your PJ needs? Or a Squier?
If that doesn't float your boat and you really want a PJ, sell it and buy a nice Fender, and you'll even get some profit.

[aproud1]

I think I'll just sell this bass and have a new one built.

[lowfreqgeek]

I'm tempted to buy it from you and put a J in the bridge position myself!

However, I've got a P-bass of my own that I've been planning to do the same with. Never mind that I have 2 J-basses already - I want a P/J.

[JLS]

"Route", and, "Dremel", in the same sentence, are worrisome...

[Caca de Kick]

Originally Posted by aproud1

It is a 1980 Precision special which was the first precision with a matching headstock and active electronics. It had brass hardware but since I don't care for the gold look I threw on some Gotoh Res-O-Lite tuners and a Hipshot bridge I had laying around.

I too have an old Precision Special, but looking at yours it only has two knobs and no switch. The Specials came factory with three knobs and an active/passive switch. Who modded your electronics?
Either way I don't think it would be a good idea to cut the body. You can buy a Warmoth P/J body and paint it blue to match the headstock.

[96tbird]

Put. Down. The. Dremel. Walk. Away.

Don't mess up that pretty bass. IMO.

[aproud1]

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

I too have an old Precision Special, but looking at yours it only has two knobs and no switch. The Specials came factory with three knobs and an active/passive switch. Who modded your electronics?
Either way I don't think it would be a good idea to cut the body. You can buy a Warmoth P/J body and paint it blue to match the headstock.

I had that configuration. The bass knob was a little goofy so I removed the original pickguard and wired it volume tone. Also have all the original parts.

Originally Posted by JLS

"Route", and, "Dremel", in the same sentence, are worrisome...

Funny and true. And don't worry. I'm going to sell this fine bass and get something else. The dremel tool is no longer in play! I wouldn't have done it myself with the Dremel, have already made that mistake.....twice.....

[meatwad]

Originally Posted by aproud1

I had that configuration. The bass knob was a little goofy so I removed the original pickguard and wired it volume tone. Also have all the original parts.








Funny and true. And don't worry. I'm going to sell this fine bass and get something else. The dremel tool is no longer in play! I wouldn't have done it myself with the Dremel, have already made that mistake.....twice.....

Excellent choice! I'd get a MIM Deluxe Active Precision, and consider it a done deal. Except, I'd have to keep this one, too.