Jazz Bass Grounding Strap Question

[JohnDeereJack]

Hi Folks,

I have a project I'm working on just now and was looking for a jazz bass ground strap - ala Fender's Jaco tribute bass - but am unable to find one.

(Angela.com were the only retailers that came up in a google search but are currently out of stock.
http://angela.com/jazzbassbridgegroundingstrap.aspx)

As this is the case I've decided to go ahead and just make one using adhesive copper tape.

My question is about the width of the strip. If I was to make it look 'Period Correct' how wide would I have to make it? Does anyone know the exact dimentions?

Thanks,

JDJ

[davidprice]

I had several originals that had the strip and it was about half the width of the ones on the reissues - about 1/4 or 3/16 inch (I no longer have one so can't measure one). Also thicker stock than the tape and no adhesive backing (but that could be a good option if just going for the look).

[JohnDeereJack]

Yeah it's just the 'retro' look I'm going for. It's a Squier VM Fretless I'm doing up.

So far I have a tort guard, black jazz bass knobs, replacement chrome neck plate, a Gotoh 203 bridge, I'm gona replace the stock electrics with 250k pots, cloth wiring and a .05 cap and have the pups wired series/parallel.

Along with the grounding strip I plan to add, I may also get ashtrays, a pull bar and put inlays on the face of the board too. Not sure about going that far tho.

I also bought a '62 Jazz Bass repro headstock decal but I'm really in two minds whether to apply it or not. I know loads of other folk have done the same but the bass isn't actually a Fender so I feel I'll be 'cheating' for want of a better word.

[tripp2k]

You may be able to find brass and copper strips like that at some of the few remaining mom and pop hardware stores out there. Perhaps at hobby stores as well. Here in the States, places like C&S Hardware still carry this stuff. If you reach out to Fender Customer Service, they insist these parts are in inventory but their official parts dealers insist that Fender no longer has it.

[bassgod76]

Another TBer gave me his grounding strap for my Jaco tribute build. Perhaps someone will be generous here.

[JohnDeereJack]

I've seen some copper tape on ebay that'll suit. It's 6mm wide, so equates quite nicely to davidprice's 1/4 inch estimate, and is dirt cheap. I may as well just go with that unless, as bassgod76 says, some generous soul out there in TB-land wants to pass one my way!

As always folks, I appreciate the input!

[bassgod76]

Originally Posted by JohnDeereJack

I've seen some copper tape on ebay that'll suit. It's 6mm wide, so equates quite nicely to davidprice's 1/4 inch estimate, and is dirt cheap. I may as well just go with that unless, as bassgod76 says, some generous soul out there in TB-land wants to pass one my way!

As always folks, I appreciate the input!

I did the copper tape at first. It works.

[loinmute]

Originally Posted by bassgod76

I did the copper tape at first. It works.

I like your line after your username. I am doing my first refurbing on a Mim '09 J bass. I am getting a neck from Carvin, they should be sending it in a week or so. Put a BA II on. Now, I am debating what finish on the neck I should use, which tuners, and looking for quality pots/cap and debating p/u's.

[bassgod76]

Originally Posted by loinmute

I like your line after your username. I am doing my first refurbing on a Mim '09 J bass. I am getting a neck from Carvin, they should be sending it in a week or so. Put a BA II on. Now, I am debating what finish on the neck I should use, which tuners, and looking for quality pots/cap and debating p/u's.

Sweet! Just curious. Why a Carvin neck?
Refurbing is a fun way to learn the art of modding.

You like the BAII? Why?

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by JohnDeereJack

Yeah it's just the 'retro' look I'm going for. It's a Squier VM Fretless I'm doing up.

So far I have a tort guard, black jazz bass knobs, replacement chrome neck plate, a Gotoh 203 bridge, I'm gona replace the stock electrics with 250k pots, cloth wiring and a .05 cap and have the pups wired series/parallel.

Along with the grounding strip I plan to add, I may also get ashtrays, a pull bar and put inlays on the face of the board too. Not sure about going that far tho.

If you are changing the bridge - did you say to a BAII? - than I am thinking the bridge cover won't fit. It gets tight in there with a stock bridge.

[bassgod76]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

If you are changing the bridge - did you say to a BAII? - than I am thinking the bridge cover won't fit. It gets tight in there with a stock bridge.

I doubt a bridge cover would fit over that. Besides, I think the Fender Vintage threaded bridge is a better bang for the buck with no real difference in tone. Just my .02

[duderasta]

Mcmaster Carr sells 1/4 x 12" copper strips in different thicknesses. might be a good start.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#red-metals/=b4f5kr

[Willicious]

Originally Posted by JohnDeereJack

Hi Folks,

I have a project I'm working on just now and was looking for a jazz bass ground strap - ala Fender's Jaco tribute bass - but am unable to find one.

(Angela.com were the only retailers that came up in a google search but are currently out of stock.
http://angela.com/jazzbassbridgegroundingstrap.aspx)

As this is the case I've decided to go ahead and just make one using adhesive copper tape.

My question is about the width of the strip. If I was to make it look 'Period Correct' how wide would I have to make it? Does anyone know the exact dimentions?

Thanks,

JDJ

If you're in the mood to roll your own, just grab some thin brass sheetstock from your local hobby shop and trim it out. Easy.

BTW, I've seen both 1/4" wide and much thinner ground straps (approx. 1/8") on original early 60s Jazzes, so I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.

[Jake Morris]

Sorry to sound like an idiot but is there a tonal or playability advantage?

[JohnDeereJack]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

If you are changing the bridge - did you say to a BAII? - than I am thinking the bridge cover won't fit. It gets tight in there with a stock bridge.

No Bad Ass for me SurferJoe46, I'm gona use a Gotoh 203! Looks more 'stock' than a BA and I've only heard good reports about them. Plus I think I'll stand a better chance of fitting an ashtray over one of those (I have ashtrays that came as case candy with my '75RI Jazz so I'll try that for fit before I buy a new set. IF I buy a new set that is!)

I managed to get a new 203 off ebay for £28 all-in, which is pretty cheap actually.

@ duderasta: I'll have a look at McMaster and see what's going on with these guys, cheers!

@ bassmasta1209: The copper strip was originally used to ground the pups to the bridge plate before they discovered how to drill horizontally thro the body and run a wire to the bridge plate internally. As far as I know it offers no tonal or playability advantages. Although having never played an original (or reissue for that matter) with a grounding strap, I could well be wrong!

[davidprice]

Originally Posted by Willicious

If you're in the mood to roll your own, just grab some thin brass sheetstock from your local hobby shop and trim it out. Easy.

BTW, I've seen both 1/4" wide and much thinner ground straps (approx. 1/8") on original early 60s Jazzes, so I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.

Good point; I believe these were made from brass sheet rather than copper.
Sounds right on the width too - the ones on the reissues are very noticeably wider.

Going to do the holes for the mutes that would have been there as well?

FWIW if the point is to try to clone Jaco's bass (but I guess not, if using a guard), his had stock Fender bridges IIRC.

[JohnDeereJack]

Originally Posted by davidprice

Going to do the holes for the mutes that would have been there as well?

FWIW if the point is to try to clone Jaco's bass (but I guess not, if using a guard), his had stock Fender bridges IIRC.

Not really going for a Jaco BoD clone, more of a 'Vintage' look to be honest (think '62RI) and I have absolutelly NO PLANS to 'relic' it!

I bought the PG as I thought the stock bass, sans PG and with chrome knurled knobs, looked a bit too 'Jaco' plus I've always had a thing for 3TS & Tort guards!

As for the bridge; the Gotoh 203 certainly looks a lot closer in terms of that stock Fender 'Bent Piece of Tin' look than a BAII or even a Gotoh 201 which again will add to that retro look, and yes, I've seriously thought about the mute holes too but that's in the 'Am I Taking This Too Far' pile along with the hedstock decal, ashtrays, pull bar & inlays for the board!

The only part of this I'm actually having trouble with is the repro 60's Fender Jazz Bass headstock decal. I don't know why, but it just seems wrong to put a Fender logo on what is clearly a Squier bass!

Come on then people, convince me otherwise!

[davidprice]

Originally Posted by JohnDeereJack

Not really going for a Jaco BoD clone, more of a 'Vintage' look to be honest (think '62RI) and I have absolutelly NO PLANS to 'relic' it!

I bought the PG as I thought the stock bass, sans PG and with chrome knurled knobs, looked a bit too 'Jaco' plus I've always had a thing for 3TS & Tort guards!

As for the bridge; the Gotoh 203 certainly looks a lot closer in terms of that stock Fender 'Bent Piece of Tin' look than a BAII or even a Gotoh 201 which again will add to that retro look, and yes, I've seriously thought about the mute holes too but that's in the 'Am I Taking This Too Far' pile along with the hedstock decal, ashtrays, pull bar & inlays for the board!

The only part of this I'm actually having trouble with is the repro 60's Fender Jazz Bass headstock decal. I don't know why, but it just seems wrong to put a Fender logo on what is clearly a Squier bass!

Come on then people, convince me otherwise!

Yeah, I won't touch the decal issue as it's such a loaded one. Gets into a gray area with a Squire as it is a Fender of sorts... but that can just be rationalization.

I do wish someone made tort guards that really looked like the old ones - I've not seen any yet.

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by JohnDeereJack

Not really going for a Jaco BoD clone, more of a 'Vintage' look to be honest (think '62RI) and I have absolutelly NO PLANS to 'relic' it!

I bought the PG as I thought the stock bass, sans PG and with chrome knurled knobs, looked a bit too 'Jaco' plus I've always had a thing for 3TS & Tort guards!

As for the bridge; the Gotoh 203 certainly looks a lot closer in terms of that stock Fender 'Bent Piece of Tin' look than a BAII or even a Gotoh 201 which again will add to that retro look, and yes, I've seriously thought about the mute holes too but that's in the 'Am I Taking This Too Far' pile along with the hedstock decal, ashtrays, pull bar & inlays for the board!

The only part of this I'm actually having trouble with is the repro 60's Fender Jazz Bass headstock decal. I don't know why, but it just seems wrong to put a Fender logo on what is clearly a Squier bass!

Come on then people, convince me otherwise!

Me personally, I would go with that feeling. Stick with the Squier logo.

[bassgod76]

Originally Posted by davidprice

Yeah, I won't touch the decal issue as it's such a loaded one. Gets into a gray area with a Squire as it is a Fender of sorts... but that can just be rationalization.

I do wish someone made tort guards that really looked like the old ones - I've not seen any yet.

IDK. It's your bass. I changed out my Squier for a Fender in a refurb I did, two years ago. I just like the look of the big F better.

Squire P Bass gets a new lease on life

I know this won't fit under an ash tray, but did you ever consider the Hipshot Vintage Bridge? It has a vintage vibe of a Fender bridge, but isn't a "bent piece of tin."
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/car...t_detail&p=209

Fender also offers this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Genuine-FEND...item45f8308ed0

It's a little more substantial than the vintage bridge, but fits under an ash tray. The only catch is that you have to dowel and redrill the outter mounting holes as this is a three fastener bridge.