Recent content by Morningside

The latest version of my small collection. From left to right: 1976; American Performer; Mexican PJ. The two newer models have Novak pickups (which are amazing) and various other mods, including lollipop tuners, bone nuts, pearl and clay dots, and nitro finishes. I don’t need a fourth...

I just installed this set of pickups on another Mustang. The first (dark brown with a tortoise pickguard) is an American Performer; this one (lighter brown with a black pickguard) is a PJ.

It’s the stock bridge on the American Performer (although the brass saddles and mounting screws are my addition).

Here's another sample, playing along with an Emmylou Harris song.

In case anyone is interested, here's a sample video of the BS-DS and H22, in combination and in isolation.

Here's a sample video. I recommend headphones or external speakers. 0:00 Both Pickups, Tone Full 0:40 Neck Pickup (BS-DS), Tone Full 1:15 Bridge Pickup (H22), Tone Full 1:52 Both Pickups, Tone Off 2:27 Neck Pickup (BS-DS), Tone Off 3:05 Bridge Pickup (H22), Tone Off

Joining those who recommend sanding it down. I like rolled fingerboard edges and a matte (not glossy) neck, so I always do some careful, light sanding on a new bass. One of my Mustangs had a similar issue, and I just sanded it down. Problem solved.

I’ll post some!

I have an American Performer Mustang, which came with a Mustang pickup in the neck and a Jazz pickup in the bridge. I reached out to Curtis Novak about getting a BS-DS for the neck and a new bridge pickup, and he suggested his version of the Harmony H22 Goldfoil pickup. Just got them installed...

The H22 sounds very well balanced to me. Also note that on the American Performer, the H22 is replacing a Jazz pickup in the bridge. So you're replacing one more-or-less "flat" pickup with another. (I know Jazz pickups are slightly adjustable, but not very.) It's the BS-DS in the neck that...

Thanks! No additional routing was needed for the H22. It’s basically sitting on top of the existing Jazz pickup route. I did also use a 1/16” riser I bought from Curtis with the pickup. I may fill the old Jazz route with a wood block and epoxy to give the H22 mounting screws more material to...

Just added two Curtis Novak pickups to my American Performer: BS-DS in the neck position, and an H22 Goldfoil in the bridge. Sounds killer.

This is an inspiring thread. I just decided to join the club! I have an American Performer Mustang. The stock pickups are adequate, but I've never liked the look of the little Mustang neck pickup with the Jazz bridge pickup, and I also miss having a bass with a Bisonic. (I used to have a Guild...

Howdy, I have a basic electronics question: I have an American Performer Mustang bass with a Mustang-style pickup in the neck position and a Jazz pickup in the bridge position. I like the Jazz pickup, but I'm not as big a fan of the neck pickup. Can I simply replace the Mustang pickup with a...

A few years ago, I winnowed my bass collection down to three Mustangs (a vintage '76, an American Performer, and a Mexican PJ). I haven't really been tempted by any other bass since then ... except the short-scale Serek models, which look amazing. I'm particularly interested in the Midwestern or...