Should I modify my 74 vintage fender jazz

pbass888 · #1 06-24-2011, 11:12 AM

I have a 74 fender jazz that I just love. But I sold my workhorse bass with sjb-2 hot jazz pups. I was wondering if I should go get some more of these pups and put them in my original fender jazz. Will it affect the resale value if I keep the original pups but put these in ( not sure about the vintage market if I want to sell this bass down the road). Will removing the soldering joints and adding pups change the value of the bass (even if I keep the orig pups). Basically is unaltered preferred by folks who might buy this bass IF I sell it down the road.

I want more oomph (thump low end and keep all of the growl) in my jazz. I loved the sound of the sjb-2 pups after trying several different ones. Are there any luthiers that might be suggested that can bring an old jazz to life? Ive raised the pups ever so slightly but no other modifications done to this bass (as far as I can tell since 74 other than a pickguard). Im getting in touch with john_10. I was maybe thinking Mike Lull.

Thank you in advance!!!

smcd · #2 06-24-2011, 11:18 AM

If you're that unhappy about the sound of your '74 Jazz, you definitely don't "just love" it.

Changing the pickups won't affect the value of the bass as long as you keep the original pickukps. Whatever you do, make sure the new pickups are drop-in replacements. If you rout the body to fit new pickups, you're screwed.

DigthemLows · #3 06-24-2011, 11:22 AM

Make the Tools you use to create music work for you..........if that involves modifications, then go for it..............it's a tool, just wood and wires............make it your own!!!

pbass888 · #4 06-24-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcd

If you're that unhappy about the sound of your '74 Jazz, you definitely don't "just love" it.

Changing the pickups won't affect the value of the bass as long as you keep the original pickukps. Whatever you do, make sure the new pickups are drop-in replacements. If you rout the body to fit new pickups, you're screwed.

Thanks for the advice. I loved the feel of the 74 bass, especially the neck and the sound is good. I just got into the whole pickup experimentation phase recently (last few years). I found that the new aftermarket sd's have a bigger range of sounds which is attractive. Ive had the 74 jazz for a long while but considering the prices of some early 70's stuff ive seen here on tb.....

pbass888 · #5 06-24-2011, 11:24 AM

This sound reasonable thank you much....

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigthemLows

Make the Tools you use to create music work for you..........if that involves modifications, then go for it..............it's a tool, just wood and wires............make it your own!!!

smcd · #6 06-24-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbass888

Thanks for the advice. I loved the feel of the 74 bass, especially the neck and the sound is good. I just got into the whole pickup experimentation phase recently (last few years). I found that the new aftermarket sd's have a bigger range of sounds which is attractive. Ive had the 74 jazz for a long while but considering the prices of some early 70's stuff ive seen here on tb.....

I have a bass with SD Quarter-Pound pickups, and it sounds fantastic. If your Jazz plays well, there's no harm in swapping the p'ups. Getting someone who works regularly on vintage instruments to do the work for you is a good idea.

AltGrendel · #7 06-24-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcd

If you're that unhappy about the sound of your '74 Jazz, you definitely don't "just love" it.

Changing the pickups won't affect the value of the bass as long as you keep the original pickukps. Whatever you do, make sure the new pickups are drop-in replacements. If you rout the body to fit new pickups, you're screwed.

+1 to all of the above.

godofthunder59 · #8 06-24-2011, 11:42 AM

One way to get more powerful signal is to use a Seymour Duncan pickup booster pedal. I use one when I play my &70's P and J basses you can adjust the db level and it has a selector switch for flat, humbucking H1 and H2 settings. Works great and you don't have to mod.

Spinal Tapper · #9 06-24-2011, 11:49 AM

Just know this - the replacement pickups may not sound exactly like they did in your old bass...so you could be in for a world of disappointment. What is it that you don't like about your 74's tone? Maybe its as simple as EQing your amp differently...

If the solder joints in your 74 have never been touched, snipping those WILL reduce some value in the guitar. Even with the original PU's in or out of the body.

If you want to get the most for you money one day by selling your jazz, I wouldn't touch it, personally. If I were you, I'd just buy a MIM Jazz and put the aftermarket PU's in there...but then again, I'm not you...and I'm also legally insane.

millsbass5 · #10 06-24-2011, 11:51 AM

I was pretty much in your dilemma. I own a pretty much all-original '75 Jazz,with the only mod being a Badass Bridge installed w-a-y back in the day. Don't get me wrong,the bass kicks ass on it's own,I just wanted a lil' more flexibility in the EQ dept. What I done was leave EVERYTHING ALONE,and purchased one of the old Sadowsky clip-on preamps. It's still has ALL the awesome tonal qualities that a great mid-70's Fender Jazz has (As you know,a few bad apples passed thru their quality check points,back then,especially. Glad I have "one of the greats!")
For me,that fixed all it's shortcomings. Try one! You will not regret it!

REVIEW:

Bass Gear Review

narud · #11 06-24-2011, 11:53 AM

i wouldnt worry about the solder joints myself and would opt for the tone your after. solder joints are a concern in high dollar precbs stuff due to concerns of refins. the thick ass poly on your 74 isnt anything refinishers would duplicate and im sure it will be obvious that its the original finish.

narud · #12 06-24-2011, 11:56 AM

and heres a trick i do with my old fenders. the pickups are generally lowish wind and can be bright and not super deep. use a an old school coil cable with high capacitance and then run through an outboard pre. the cable will give you tons of grind and tame the glassiness before the pre and then you can boost lows on the pre for some beef.

OmnitzGarima · #13 06-24-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigthemLows

Make the Tools you use to create music work for you..........if that involves modifications, then go for it..............it's a tool, just wood and wires............make it your own!!!

This is pretty much my philosophy.

On the other hand, I don't have a '74 J.

Whatever you do, keep the original pups. Don't do anything that can't be effectively reversed.

smcd · #14 06-24-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

If the solder joints in your 74 have never been touched, snipping those WILL reduce some value in the guitar. Even with the original PU's in or out of the body.

A good tech won't "snip" wires. Ever. He'll melt the solder joint with a soldering iron and pull the wire out. He'll then pop the new wire in, leaving a neat and clean joint.

A professional pickup replacement on a '74 Jazz won't affect the value in any meaningful way. The only time "original solder joints" count is when you enter the upper strata of collectible instruments (certain pre-CBS Fenders, for instance). A '74 Jazz isn't in that league.

johnk_10 · #15 06-24-2011, 12:18 PM

not having the original solder joints WILL definitely decrease your bass's value, so i wouldn't recommend changing the pickups.

smcd · #16 06-24-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

not having the original solder joints WILL definitely decrease your bass's value, so i wouldn't recommend changing the pickups.

I don't want to sound smug or anything, but can you show me an instance where the original solder joints on a '74 Fender made the slightest bit of difference in the selling price?

ClassicJazz · #17 06-24-2011, 12:27 PM

One word.....SADOWSKY!

I have two '72 jazz basses that I use a Sadowsky outboard Pream/DI box with. Definitely adds some "extra" to both of my basses. And no mods required!

I use this:

With these:

Great combination!

Caca de Kick · #18 06-24-2011, 12:27 PM

Honestly, the collector market for a 1974 having virgin solder joints just doesn't matter. A 64 might make a difference, a 74, sorry but no.
And since 74 Jazzes don't all sell for the same price anyway, it just doesn't matter.

king_biscuit · #19 06-24-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicJazz

One word.....SADOWSKY!

I have two '72 jazz basses that I use a Sadowsky outboard Pream/DI box with. Definitely adds some "extra" to both of my basses. And no mods required!

I use this:

With these:

Great combination!

+1 Excellent idea! Nice looking basses too CJ!!

pbass888 · #20 06-24-2011, 12:44 PM

never even thought of it.... what a great idea.
thank you god!

Quote:

Originally Posted by godofthunder59

One way to get more powerful signal is to use a Seymour Duncan pickup booster pedal. I use one when I play my &70's P and J basses you can adjust the db level and it has a selector switch for flat, humbucking H1 and H2 settings. Works great and you don't have to mod.