What's your best Fender MIA J Bass set-up?

[CooterBrown]

Stock?

New pups?

New bridge?

Strings?


Thinking about dumping a little cash into my 01' Fender MIA Std J Bass and would like a little imput. Curious to hear what mods everyone has done and whether or not it made a big difference in the bass.

[plankspanker13]

Bridge & Hipshot Xtender would be my first choices (I do not count strap locks).

[tribalz0902]

4 string: Dimarzio Model J(in parallel wiring) + Hipshot A type bridge + DR sunbeam(rosewood) or DR fatbeam(maple)
5 string: Nordstrand NJ5 70's + Hipshot A type bridge + DR sunbeam

I'll change the pickup first. IMO, changing pickup always can bring fender jazz alive.

[202dy]

Level, crown, and polish.

Otherwise stock.

[SoonerMatt]

For a post-S1 J bass, strap locks, better shielding, and maybe a Drop D tuner.

For pre- and S1 J basses, same as above but with Hipshot ultralites, a high mass bridge, and Fralin pickups.

[CooterBrown]

Thanks for the input. I am definietly getting a fret level and crown. Do you guys really notice a difference in changing bridges? The hipshot bridge looks pretty good, I was also looking at a Badass III, but it seems that it was discontinued.

I know there are plenty of differing opinions on pickups as well. I am continuing to research that thread.

[FatCity]

I have an 01 MIA Jazz as well. I swapped out the pickups for Bassline SJB-2 early on and have never regretted it. I have found that this bass likes DR High Beams (.45-.100) best. Fretwork was great off the rack. Still using stock bridge. Hipshot D-Tuner added.

FC

[walterw]

the original bridge with the grey saddles is fantastic, rock-solid with adjustable spacing and real steel saddles. no reason to change it. (if you do, mail me your old one!)

all you need are lightweight keys and better pickups. the stock pickups are "fine", but you can get better ones.