How do I know if my pickups are stock?

[Audiophage]

I have a Jazz Bass that was given to me second or third hand, and I'm curious about how I would go about finding if the pickups had been replaced at any time in it's life.

[meev992]

Originally Posted by Audiophage

I have a Jazz Bass that was given to me second or third hand, and I'm curious about how I would go about finding if the pickups had been replaced at any time in it's life.

Start with the manufacturer of the bass; you can often find specifications online that discuss the pickups.

After market pickups often have distinct details for the pole pieces, or some sort of logo or company name on them (otherwise, how else would they advertise?)

and of course, the last thing u could do, is gut the bass check for any distinguishing features on the pickup, electronics.

good question too, i just ran into this issue yesterday.

the bottom line is, u can pop open the control cavity. If it's a low-end bass and u find that the inside is filled with lots of sophisticated electronics, probably isn't stock.

[Audiophage]

Yeah, I'm well acquainted with the inner workings of this bass and noticed other things that would suggest previous modifications. It's all basic passive Fender stuff inside, but I just had a suspicion that the pickups had been swapped out at one point or another.

[meev992]

Originally Posted by Audiophage

Yeah, I'm well acquainted with the inner workings of this bass and noticed other things that would suggest previous modifications. It's all basic passive Fender stuff inside, but I just had a suspicion that the pickups had been swapped out at one point or another.

I suspect swapping on an old Kramer I had to restore the other day...the pickups are just really hot. But other than that, yanking them out and looking for details is the only way to go...which of course, is never fun.

I might suspect a swap, because it's really hard to lower the pickups on the Kramer, I think that maybe someone was overzealous with pickup foam.

UGH I just hate the mystery, it's like, not knowing how many "partners" that your current lover has been with

perhaps worse

[Audiophage]

Originally Posted by meev992

UGH I just hate the mystery, it's like, not knowing how many "partners" that your current lover has been with

perhaps worse

LOL, good comparison, sort of. Luckily, I know one of the previous owners of the bass in question was my brother in law.

See, this is a 1977 Fender Jazz bass, and it used to have pickup covers, so someone got the idea to remove them, and fill in the holes with wood putty. Talk about lack of foresight.

Well, I don't plan on finding out about the pickups until I have to change my strings.

[#include <MK>]

Originally Posted by Audiophage

Well, I don't plan on finding out about the pickups until I have to change my strings.

In the meantime, you can check the control electronics. If someone has performed a mod, you can pretty much tell if you know what the stock parts should be. Also, the soldering is a give away if the person wasn't skilled at it.

[meev992]

Originally Posted by #include <MK>

Also, the soldering is a give away if the person wasn't skilled at it.

I suppose I should just let a professional do it...I don't want to risk destroying a good bass because I wanted to save some money on pickup-replacment