'87 Jazz Bass Special

[Russell L]

Bought it new in Feb., '88 for $475 at a local store. It's Japanese. It actually has more vibe than my '01 American Jazz, especially when played on the P pickup alone. Love the Jazz neck, too, my favorite.

But, here's the thing. It's all black. Black body, headstock, tuners, bridge, bridge screws, knobs, pickup covers, strap pins. The only place that isn't black is the back of the neck and the fingerboard (rosewood). It has no pickguard, and so I've considered putting one on it to give it some color.

But, does anyone know if there is anything special about the shape of things on these basses? Body variations, pickup placemant, etc. that would prevent a regular Precision pickguard from fitting, other than what mods I'd need to do to it to get around the two volume knobs, one tone knob and toggle switch?

I tried this on the other forum about hardware, but got no real answers (although I did receive a nice PM offering to make one for me). Thanks for any help.

[jim777]

I think you'd need a Jazz bass pickguard cut out for the P bass pickup - I don't think a P bass pickguard would fit because it's a Jazz bass. I'd call Chandler and ask what they might be able to gen up for you.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by jim777

I think you'd need a Jazz bass pickguard cut out for the P bass pickup - I don't think a P bass pickguard would fit because it's a Jazz bass. I'd call Chandler and ask what they might be able to gen up for you.

No, no, it's a P-body. Nowadays they do call the P/J style basses some kind of Precision, but back then it was some kind of Jazz, dunno why they did that. From a distance it looks like a Precision because of the P body.

[A-Step-Towards]

those are sweet , i have seen guards put on them and it ruins them IMO

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by A-Step-Towards

those are sweet , i have seen guards put on them and it ruins them IMO

Ok, thanks. Heh, heh, now I'm confused and can't make up my mind. They are sweet, though.

[husky123]

+1 don't put a pickguard on that Jazz Special! They are too cool as they are.

Here's mine....does she looks like this:

[brokencode]

I have the same year/color. All Black. I just replaced all of the Black hardware with Chrome. Tuners, tree, bridge and knobs. The Black and Chrome color combination looks awesome. I own a sign shop, so thinking about cutting some Chrome vinyl as the p/g to get a visual. Had this one from day one!

[A-Step-Towards]

I just wouldnt do anything you were not able to undo , fenders with out a PG are very few, these are really unique and great sounding bass. My favorite fender bass.

[Febs]

Originally Posted by husky123

Here's mine....does she looks like this:

"It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black."

[Fresh Eddie]

If I remember correctly, the ones without the black finish on the back of the neck are a step above the ones that have the black finish on the back of the neck... in what way, I am not sure, though. The series is called the Contemporary Series. Great basses!!

[Tommy Hagen]

Hey Husky,
Want to sell it?

Tommy

[husky123]

Originally Posted by Febs

"It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black."

Exactly! Like a Spinal Tap rhetorical question.

[husky123]

Originally Posted by Tommy Hagen

Hey Husky,
Want to sell it?

Tommy

I don't think I could part with it Tommy.

[Russell L]

"husky123," that's mine exactly. Black, black, balck. Is yours natural on the back of the neck?

"brokencode," the chrome stuff looks good.

"Fresh Eddie," I didn't know some were painted on back of the neck. Interesting.

Still, anyone know if the shape is any different?

[TN WOODMAN]

First off, it's your's-do what you want, but-I would leave it as is and play it to death. If you wanted a new look, as said, switch hardware to chrome and keep the old black for originality if you wanted to undo.

Must be my age, but the older I get the less I like doing non reversible mods. I'll change pickups, bridges, tuners, pickguards etc. on occasion, but like to have the option to go back original.

[brokencode]

Hey Russell,

Just found a picture from when it was all Black..

[husky123]

Originally Posted by Russell L

"husky123," that's mine exactly. Black, black, balck. Is yours natural on the back of the neck?

Yes the neck is maple with a rosewood board.

[Road-Dog]

I have a 86 Fretless Jazz Special,that is like yours,but the neck is black on the backside with an incredible smooth finish. Being fretless enhances the look even more. Absolute joy to play and great sound. I get lots of comments on the beauty of the complete black look. would not want a pick guard on it, I think it would ruin the look.

[dave120]

It's your bass, so do what you want, but I agree that these basses are unique in Fender's lineup and once you punch holes in it, you're stuck with it unless you do a refinish. These bodies are a little more rounded than a typical P bass so pickguard fits would be a little strange. You'd also probably have to change the pots out to long shaft ones because of the extra thickness they have to go through with a pickguard on top.

I have a few of these basses and I enjoy them because of the fact that they have no pickguard! they look much cleaner. I'd buy a P special body that's meant to have a pickguard and put the JBS neck on it before butchering the body though. Then you can always go back. Or do as suggested above and change the bolt on hardware to chrome or even gold. All that stuff is standard Fender so you can find stuff that is a direct fit.

[BigOldHarry]

Those old MIJ Fenders are good instruments. The hardware / electronics can be spotty, but the wood/finish/necks are dandy.