Mexican Jazz Bass Replacement Hardware and/or Pick-Ups?

idontplaybass · #1 11-29-2008, 01:17 PM

I have a Fender Jazz Bass (Mexican) and I was hoping to switch out the pick-ups and potentially make it active. I'm having a lot of trouble finding vendors who distinguish between parts that will fit a American Vs. a Mexican. I'm trying to avoid finding original Mexican parts.

Is there a place where I can find better hardware, parts, and pick-ups or preamps that will definitely fit a Mexican Fender J?

Any extra information regarding Mexican J Basses or J Basses in general would be awesome.

newbold · #2 11-29-2008, 01:48 PM

Look into DiMarzio Model J's (or ultra jazzes for a 5 string)

big fat tone, in line split singles, great sound. Spend the difference on a better Preamp.

Have fun with Series/parallel.

idontplaybass · #3 11-29-2008, 02:15 PM

That sounds good. I'll check it out. Is it difficult to figure out how to wire pick-ups? I've literally never looked into changing out parts. I have a general sense of it.

PS: MIM is 'Made in Mexico'?

Thanks a lot.

Stan Hinesley · #4 11-29-2008, 02:51 PM

Yes, "MIM" is "Made In Mexico". Pickups are easy to wire if you can use a soldering iron. Just wire in the new ones the same way you took out the old ones.

idontplaybass · #5 11-29-2008, 03:02 PM

Hey, you make pickups!

Intense.

What about making a passive bass active? What does that entail?

barrybass33 · #6 12-11-2008, 05:43 PM

You have to be careful with MIM pickups. The bodies some times have the same size routes in them and may have to route the back pickup cavity. I would just drop a audre
preamp in the bass and see if that give the bass any muscle......

Good luck. Barry.

heavyhitter · #7 12-11-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idontplaybass

What about making a passive bass active? What does that entail?

Wiring pickups is really easy but if you are not even sure on the answer on this one you may want to have someone do it for you. Not trying to be rude but you I'd suggest having an idea how it workd before attempting it yourself.

Why do you want to go passive anyway? Unless you have a specific need there are plenty of passive units theta will fit most applications perfectly.