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Converting a Jazz bass to a PJ Bass

Fat K

Fat K

Mar 7, 2008
217
2
Hong Kong
#1
My apologies if this sounds like a silly question.:D

Anyone has experience in converting a Jazz Bass to a PJ Bass? Would the neck pickup (centre line) position be close enough to that "sweet spot" to create a "proper-ish" P Bass sound, of course soloing the neck pickup.

Thanks in advance.
 
#2
I'm in the proccess of doing that right now.:D
(Mockup of my bass)
3789233775_e3d1b84203.png


Get a Warmoth JBass pickguard with the PBass routing on it.
The pickguard is actually a bit wider at the bottom to properly accommodate the P pickup in the traditional location without it going outside of the pickguard.

This tracing i did shows the difference in shape.
3792623507_03c8086a82.png
 
#5
Personally, I prefer the "Hoppus" spacing on the P pickup - it's slightly closer to the neck than a regular P, making it sound a bit warmer. Warmoth's P on a J is spaced lower, and aesthetically doesn't look quite as nice.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#6
The Delano split coil J pickup on my Sandberg California JM sounds remarkably "P like" soloed.

I've previously tried a Di Marzio Model J on one of my Jazzes to achieve the same thing but without success.

This would save any irreversible modifications.
 
#7
kasbrey said:
The Delano split coil J pickup on my Sandberg California JM sounds remarkably "P like" soloed.

I've previously tried a Di Marzio Model J on one of my Jazzes to achieve the same thing but without success.

This would save any irreversible modifications.
Click to expand...


Oh dear!

Just checked out the the Delanos with the large pole pieces on YOUTUBE, I think they are the ones you are referring to. You are right it does sound like a Precision Pickup this could be a could be an alternative solution! Besides, the large pole pieces IMO look DEAD COOL!
 
#9
line6man said:
I'm in the proccess of doing that right now...Get a Warmoth JBass pickguard with the PBass routing on it...
Click to expand...

Funny you would mention the warmoth pick guard. I got one to use as a guide to convert a j to a p/j, but before I got very far I ran up on a killer deal for a deluxe p. Not a j body I know, but it's got the p/j pup config and a rather nice pre so the project to convert a j to p/j kind of lost steam.

I do however have a nice j body and a new warmoth p cut pick guard if anyone is interested in giving it a whirl.
 
#10
line6man said:
I'm in the proccess of doing that right now.:D
(Mockup of my bass)

Get a Warmoth JBass pickguard with the PBass routing on it.
The pickguard is actually a bit wider at the bottom to properly accommodate the P pickup in the traditional location without it going outside of the pickguard.

This tracing i did shows the difference in shape.
Click to expand...

I think you can cheat death with this bass--jb fretless p/j
 
#11
Anonymous Guy said:
Personally, I prefer the "Hoppus" spacing on the P pickup - it's slightly closer to the neck than a regular P, making it sound a bit warmer. Warmoth's P on a J is spaced lower, and aesthetically doesn't look quite as nice.
Click to expand...

IIRC, Warmoth puts the P pickup in the same location that it would be on a regular P, and that it makes it a little closer to the bridge J pickup.

I agree, though...it doesn't look as nice. I think the Hoppus sig and Aerodynes have a nicer pickup spacing, even if the pickup isn't in the same space as a standard P.

374584.jpg
 
#15
line6man said:
I'm in the proccess of doing that right now.:D
(Mockup of my bass)
3789233775_e3d1b84203.png


Get a Warmoth JBass pickguard with the PBass routing on it.
The pickguard is actually a bit wider at the bottom to properly accommodate the P pickup in the traditional location without it going outside of the pickguard.

This tracing i did shows the difference in shape.
3792623507_03c8086a82.png
Click to expand...

Since this is an OLD thread, here is what the bass looks like now.
3933866013_6f41cfcd9d_b.png

5131807853_32629ea7e2_b.png
 
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#20
I've done this, there's a thead that I made about it somewhere but I'm on my phone so can't find it, I took the diy route and made my own pickguard from 3mm black acrylic using the old J guard as a template and a saw, files and sanders to cut the routes and shape. the P pup almost lines up perfectly with the trad placing but not quite.
It's a nice tonal change from J to P muuch rounder but I eventually swapped it back (gotta love pickguards, they make mods so reversable) to get a more balanced and slightly more aggressive set of tones from the J pickups.

i encourage you to make your own pickguad then you have full control and with time and patience it can look spotlessly done, just cur wide and sand down to the right shape and go through a lot of grades to get a clean finish on the edges
 

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