Two questions about mods to a Fender Classic Series '70s Jazz

Gbass75 · #1 08-08-2009, 01:45 PM

Okay everyone... I was hoping to tap into your expertise about some modifications for my '70s Jazz.

Two things...

First, I would like to change the black pickguard to tortoise shell... do I need to order custom, or is there a stock pickguard that will fit this instrument?

Second, I would like to change out the bridge... ideally to a Bad Ass II. However, I have the bridge cover installed, and would like to keep it on the instrument. Will a Bad Ass II fit under the bridge cover? If not, can anyone recommend another bridge that would fit under the cover (and, of course, be better than the stock bridge)?

Thanks for your professional opinions, everyone!

Cheers,

~Gbass75

Grissle · #2 08-08-2009, 05:23 PM

Not sure on the pg, but Gotoh and Hipshot bridges are very nice and should work for you. Leo Quan(BA bridges)seems to be out of business, for the time being, and the BA won't fit under a cover anyway.

Pilgrim · #3 08-08-2009, 11:20 PM

A BA will not fit under the bridge cover - and the original bridge normally works fine. No reason to change it. A 70's J is increasing in value and if you do change the bridge, don't lose the original parts or screws.

The placement of screw holes varies so much over the years and models that I don't know if there's a definitive answer about the PG. Maybe someone who answers later will know.

Nighttrain1127 · #4 08-09-2009, 04:19 PM

Bass parts resource has an aftermarket Tort Pickguard for 70 jazz basses listed for 45.00
the Bad Ass II will ont fit under the Bridge cover +1 to the bridge working fine and not needing to be replaced. The gains from a BAII or other aftermarket bridge is not drastic. I am not sure about the Hipshot or others aftermarket bridges fitting under the cover.

walterw · #5 08-09-2009, 10:47 PM

yeah, a badass will not fit under a cover.

what you could do is lose the single-grooved cheese-metal saddles for some real fender USA vintage reissue steel threaded saddles. these will sound better, and they will let you space your strings to actually line up between the pickup magnets like they were designed to.

oh, and fender replacement pickguards will fit USA and mexican basses just fine.