'51 P pup in a Jazz bass?

Yodhan · #1 11-16-2008, 07:27 PM

I did a few searches and have yet to find anything that answers my question or that helps with my idea. My main bass is a modded MIM JBass that I love. My backup is a very similar JBass that is not so modded and I find it a little redundant to have 2 basses that sound similar. Lately, I have been playing a '51 P Bass Reissue at my work (I work at a music store) and really liking the sound. I was tossing idea's around with a bass player co-worker and I came up with the idea of mounting a '51 Pbass pickup in the neck position of my backup. I would keep the controls stock to a Jazz bass so I could blend the sound.

Has anyone done this, or have any input? I know that the pickup size is a little different, but that is the least of my worries. I think it would be a pretty cool bass if it works the way I am thinking it will.

Thanks.

bassist4dalord · #2 11-16-2008, 07:30 PM

IMO an even cooler idea would be to rip out the Jazz PU's and drop in two '51 P PU's

Yodhan · #3 11-17-2008, 01:03 PM

That could work, but I still like the J in the bridge.

I was looking at the new Lindy Fralin. Anyone have any experience with these?

nysbob · #4 11-17-2008, 01:09 PM

I put a '51 P in the bridge position on a standard P bass and really liked it it until it was stolen.

cicatrice · #5 11-17-2008, 01:22 PM

I've been wondering about this too... given the really generous routing on an MIM, it seems like you could put a '51 pickup in the neck position. I'm not as sure about the bridge position (at least without additional routing), and I also wonder if the pole piece spacing would work out well. I'm curious too.

Yodhan · #6 11-21-2008, 06:09 PM

Well, I changed my selection on the pickup because I heard the Quarter-Pounder version of the '51 single coil and loved it. It just came in the mail. I would install it tonight and let everyone know how it sounds, but i noticed a crack on my headstock that worried me, so my main bass is in the shop. I will post the results when I get it back.

Kenny Allyn · #7 11-21-2008, 07:12 PM

The single pole piece single coil pickup taken to the extreme ...

My 1976 Jazz Bass with a pair of Dark Star pickups ...what a great sound

The Quarter Pounder 51s are similar in sound ...

... might be a cool mod ... 51 QPs in a Jazz Bass

Tommy el Gato · #8 11-21-2008, 09:39 PM

I too am interested in how this turns out as I'm considering doing pretty much the same thing, except maybe not with the quarter-pounders. Let us know, man.

Yodhan · #9 12-05-2008, 04:54 PM

I got the bass back from my tech and installed the pickup last night. After fixing a phase issue...

DAMN!

It was exactly what I wanted. The grind of an old P and the bite of a Jazz. I love it. One of the guys I work with (I work at a music store) is drooling all over my bass and wants to do that mod to a fretless Jazz he has.

Rev. Cornelius · #10 12-05-2008, 06:24 PM

PICS!!!!!!!!!

metalmariachi · #11 12-05-2008, 09:51 PM

Cool; I was thinking of building a ''51 'jazz' with 2 of the '51 single coils.

MM

62bass · #12 12-06-2008, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yodhan

I got the bass back from my tech and installed the pickup last night. After fixing a phase issue...

DAMN!

It was exactly what I wanted. The grind of an old P and the bite of a Jazz. I love it. One of the guys I work with (I work at a music store) is drooling all over my bass and wants to do that mod to a fretless Jazz he has.

I have a 51 P clone with a custom wound pickup similar to a QP and love the sound too. How does your J sound to you when you solo the neck pickup? I imagine it'd be a bit thicker than the 51 P because it's positioned closer to the neck.

Yodhan · #13 12-07-2008, 09:08 PM

It is a hair thicker sounding, but over all very 'P-esque' in sound. I like the versatility. Most of the time I am running them both wide open, but I am having fun soloing the neck pickup. The bass has become the tone want of the store. My co-worker with his '79 Ric is very frustrated.

vadersith · #14 05-08-2009, 11:21 AM

Did you have to re rout and were you able to keep the jazz wiring?

Rock-Bassman · #15 05-09-2009, 09:39 AM

UHHHHHH SOUNDS SWEET! I just started another thread about the same thing kinda... the idea hit me before i read this thread... someone got to it first

but I bet it sounds KILLER

Stealth · #16 05-09-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yodhan

I got the bass back from my tech and installed the pickup last night. After fixing a phase issue...

DAMN!

It was exactly what I wanted. The grind of an old P and the bite of a Jazz. I love it. One of the guys I work with (I work at a music store) is drooling all over my bass and wants to do that mod to a fretless Jazz he has.

Got clips?

greengoblin · #17 05-09-2009, 09:24 PM

Yes, try and post some sound clips of both of your J's for comparison.... I responded to Rock-Bassman's post as well. haha