• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Clever way to convert Jazz to P/J?

#21
Fwiw, the warmoth cutout is in the true p spot while the WD looks a little more forward.

Also, there are a number of PJ wiring threads here that get pretty heated. Check those out for some inspiration.

Just throwing that all out there. Not sure how persnickety you want to get in all this.
 
#24
It's been bugging me since I saw it, the thread title.

There is nothing 'clever' about putting a different pickup in a bass, or any guitar, with a pickguard.

New pickguard made to order and a little wood removed and it's done.

It's about as clever as changing tuning machines or putting on different knobs. You buy 'em and you put 'em on with a wee bit of fiddling.
 
#25
Thanks man! But remember, not everyone is as skilled at working with wood as you are. You're right, it is a pretty stupid idea. I would change the title for you but I don't think I can anymore.

FourBanger said:
It's been bugging me since I saw it, the thread title.

There is nothing 'clever' about putting a different pickup in a bass, or any guitar, with a pickguard.

New pickguard made to order and a little wood removed and it's done.

It's about as clever as changing tuning machines or putting on different knobs. You buy 'em and you put 'em on with a wee bit of fiddling.
Click to expand...
 
#27
I have very little woodworking skills, but it is all under the pickguard, nobody will know how badly it gets dredged out.

Here's all one would need for a garage job like this:
Ruler, pencil, screwdriver, chisel, soldering iron, pliers with cutter.

Remove the J pickup ans mount the new PG empty. Trace the hole. Remove the PG and make a rectangle a little bigger than your tracing, then chisel it out going no deeper than the original rout for the J. Wire in the P pickup, replace both the control plate and PG. done.

Almost harder to write than do.
 
#28
Well said. I had read that post but bit my tongue. I'm an experienced woodworker. I have a shop that can keep 30 carps busy. Taking a router to a piece of wood is nothing in my universe. I see a bass body as a piece of wood which can be manipulated. But, I do not expect people who have never touched a table saw or a router to see it as I do. When these people ask what might seem like a 'dumb question', I understand that much, if not most of their concern centers on their insecurity, which is based on their lack of experience to date. An honest question deserves an honest answer. As 'self made' as I am, I'd have nothing if not for the help and guidance of others. I'll stop here. But it irks me when people take someone to task for being as stupid as they once were themselves.
Garrett151 said:
Thanks man! But remember, not everyone is as skilled at working with wood as you are. You're right, it is a pretty stupid idea. I would change the title for you but I don't think I can anymore.
Click to expand...
 
#29
No offense meant. I see it as something any adult should know how to do, work a chisel to open up a little hole. On the same level as changing a flat tire or fixing a clogged disposal or putting your kids bike together at Christmas. You don't even have to be shown how to do these things as long as you can follow a pictorial example. If you can't do that, you shouldn't have been given a high school diploma.
 
#32
Good luck with your project Garrett, however you decide to proceed. I'm surprised there isn't a J-format pup that has P-like innards. Or is there? Wouldn't that be clever?

Ahhh, I see, someone posted a link of this very thing. I started to type this post before I checked the link.

How stupid of me. Very clever pup.

So pleased that a few of those here were able to give you constructive answers without devolving to petty cleverless pedantic antics. I feel so sorry for the children who graduate into adulthood, yet are restricted in their life's journey having not been home-schooled in simple civil manners.
 
#33
One thing to consider - find someone with good woodworking skills. With the right tools (as stated above) and using a Precision pickguard as a template with a bearing-guided bit, this would be a quick, simple routing project. If you lived near me (I'm in Northern Colorado) this would rate a 6-pack of beer for a friend or TB member (for drinking after the project, not before)!

Chisel approach would work, but may look sloppy, even with the pick guard in place. Good luck with the project - sounds like a fun one to try!
 
#34
Find a good tech.

A little off topic:
If you can find footage of Jack Casady with the Jefferson Airplane at the Monterey Pop Festival, you will see his Jazz has a P pickup between the neck heel and first jazz pickup. Looks sweet. Sounds sweet.

On topic:
Over the years to me, most such iterations always seem to sound less than exceptional.
 
#35
Good thing I haven't graduated high school yet. Being young sucks.

FourBanger said:
No offense meant. I see it as something any adult should know how to do, work a chisel to open up a little hole. On the same level as changing a flat tire or fixing a clogged disposal or putting your kids bike together at Christmas. You don't even have to be shown how to do these things as long as you can follow a pictorial example. If you can't do that, you shouldn't have been given a high school diploma.
Click to expand...
 
#36
Thanks man. I'm only 17 and don't have the proper tools but I'll find a way to do it. I know a good woodworker that I can work with I think.

JoeWPgh said:
Well said. I had read that post but bit my tongue. I'm an experienced woodworker. I have a shop that can keep 30 carps busy. Taking a router to a piece of wood is nothing in my universe. I see a bass body as a piece of wood which can be manipulated. But, I do not expect people who have never touched a table saw or a router to see it as I do. When these people ask what might seem like a 'dumb question', I understand that much, if not most of their concern centers on their insecurity, which is based on their lack of experience to date. An honest question deserves an honest answer. As 'self made' as I am, I'd have nothing if not for the help and guidance of others. I'll stop here. But it irks me when people take someone to task for being as stupid as they once were themselves.
Click to expand...
 
#38
Yeah I know I love being young. That comment was just to go along with the sarcastic way I handled grumpy old guys. Thanks for the support!

bherman said:
Hey, don't take these grumpy old guys too seriously (I'm 58, we're not all like that). And trust me, being young doesn't suck!

Good luck with the project and let us know how it goes.
Click to expand...
 
#39
The only real reason not to do it is that it might not work as well as you hope. Pickup balance is a problem with P/J's unless you go active. It's an age-old problem. The only good way to do it passive is the way Fender did it with the Tony Franklin.
 
#40
I dont know if this is useful but here is a picture of my MIM jazz bass. I ordered a warmoth pickguard (without a pickup rout) and had a guy cut out the P-pickup shape in the spot i wanted. And then just route out some extra space in the body.

If i ever feel the need to do this again to any other jazz basses, i think I will grab this pickguard instead to see how that goes :)
Invalid Link Removed

2yuel3q.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: bmac314

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back