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Clever way to convert Jazz to P/J?

#61
The damage is done!

image13_zps8179c6e9.jpg


photo7_zps2ad96444.jpg


image14_zps707eb7be.jpg


One thing I didn't notice before is the rounded edges of the pickguard cutout which doesn't match a precision pickup. I'm curious to see how this plays out. The pickup should arrive late this week.
 
#63
Garrett151 said:
Pictures, yes. Soundclips, I'll try my hardest to muster up the courage.
Click to expand...

:)

One thing you will notice for sure is that the copper (or is it brass?) grounding plate that comes connected under the '62RI pup will be too big to go in your pickup rout. Don't worry, you can cut it down to size ok as I did. The general consensus on TB is that you can just remove it altogether as it's just there for authentic looks seeing as your bass will be grounded at the bridge (you should find a grounding wire poking through the body under the bridge.) Every other P pup you get won't have one anyway and apparently it won't affect your tone if you do remove it. Still, I cut mine down as I knew I wouldn't be selling that pickup after trying one out!

Good luck with the rest of the project.
 
#64
I had a luthier convert my handmade Vanderend jazzbass from full jazz to P-J. It's a real player:
• 2-band Active - passive
• Nordstrand P - VanderEnd handwound J
• Maple neck and fingerboard
• Sandwich alder-mahogany-alder body
• Drop D-tuner
It's simply the best bass I ever played!

vdebody1.jpg


vdetotal1kl.jpg
 
#65
Thanks for the advice!

miles'tone said:
:)

One thing you will notice for sure is that the copper (or is it brass?) grounding plate that comes connected under the '62RI pup will be too big to go in your pickup rout. Don't worry, you can cut it down to size ok as I did. The general consensus on TB is that you can just remove it altogether as it's just there for authentic looks seeing as your bass will be grounded at the bridge (you should find a grounding wire poking through the body under the bridge.) Every other P pup you get won't have one anyway and apparently it won't affect your tone if you do remove it. Still, I cut mine down as I knew I wouldn't be selling that pickup after trying one out!

Good luck with the rest of the project.
Click to expand...
 
#66
I have some specific questions as I am getting closer to converting my bass.


First, I have a MIM jazz that I am converting to a P+J and routing it out for lighter weight. Since I am keeping the routing all under the pickguard, I decided to go with a Marcus Miller guard for the controls and a standard P guard for the upper section.

So, any tips on how much wood I might want to leave between the pickup route and the neck pocket? I want to clear as much excess wood as I possibly can.

Next, has anyone modified a P pickguard, like what I am talking about doing? I would need to cut the little tail off and retro fit it with the MM control covers.

Any tips or info on this would be much appreciated. I'll link the thread here for anyone interested once I have all the pieces.
 

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