Fender Jazz '77 Pickups possibly replaced?

[FunkJunk96]

This is my first post on here...

My high school recently received a generous donation- A fender American Jazz '77. Black body/Black pickguard, real beauty (says the amateur).

However I was wondering why the bridge pickup seems like it has extra space around it (like a large slot).
I'll post pictures in a while, but for now maybe an answer? I was wondering if it's normal or if any previous owners changed the original pups?

-Thanks ahead of time.

[DJJazzV]

I'm looking forward to seeing the picture. My 76 Jazz has a little extra space around the bridge pickup too. Certainly doesn't bother me though.

[ReiPsaeg]

I have a 1977 Jazz with a little extra space around the bridge pickup too. It also has some extra space around the neck pocket.

[gravesbass]

Bad router jobs in a lot of the 70's basses I have seen. My 74' had very wide router bridge pup hole and a router slip at the corner. Must have been a Friday bass. :/

[DJJazzV]

Originally Posted by gravesbass

Bad router jobs in a lot of the 70's basses I have seen. My 74' had very wide router bridge pup hole and a router slip at the corner. Must have been a Friday bass. :/

"Friday bass". I like that.
My '78/'82 3 bolt neck "transition period" has a perfect fit bridge pickup rout, that's why I'm curious about why my '76 has a larger rout. I would certainly like to rule out that anybody messed with the rout afterwards. If it's somewhat common, then I'm totally fine with that.

[FunkJunk96]

Originally Posted by DJJazzV

I'm looking forward to seeing the picture. My 76 Jazz has a little extra space around the bridge pickup too. Certainly doesn't bother me though.

Yeah, I certainly will follow you there. It doesn't bother me when I'm playing and when the cover is on, so I'm not majorly concerned. I was just curious if that was a sign that the pickups had been replaced in the past (I'm still new to this all, and have a lot of questions).

However, since it seems others are in this boat, I know the previous owners didn't destroy it or anything.
Either way, here are the photos. I hope they turn out ok because I'm uploading them with my iPhone.

[narud]

Originally Posted by FunkJunk96

Yeah, I certainly will follow you there. It doesn't bother me when I'm playing and when the cover is on, so I'm not majorly concerned. I was just curious if that was a sign that the pickups had been replaced in the past (I'm still new to this all, and have a lot of questions).

However, since it seems others are in this boat, I know the previous owners didn't destroy it or anything.
Either way, here are the photos. I hope they turn out ok because I'm uploading them with my iPhone.

Attachment 309522
Attachment 309523

youre fine. totally normal for that era.

[Frenchy-Lefty]

Originally Posted by narud

youre fine. totally normal for that era.

No actually this bass can no longer work properly or be fixed. I'll buy it for parts for $60.

[FunkJunk96]

Haha, you're funny. Nah, I was just wondering if maybe the pickups had been exchanged. Had they been, I'd totally invest in some vintage ones to restore it to its former self, that's all.
Well, thanks everyone. You can expect more questions soon I'm sure.

[DJJazzV]

Awesome bass! That's almost exactly what the routing looks like on mine as well.

[FunkJunk96]

Originally Posted by DJJazzV

Awesome bass! That's almost exactly what the routing looks like on mine as well.

Thanks! I'm really into it, but at the moment it's in need of a nice cleanup, tuneup, and a new nut. Im pretty sure I can solve the nut problem by ordering one from Graphtec, but after that I'm sending it to a more experienced luthier.
Hopefully after all that, I'll have a nice jazz bass to perform with.