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Did I ruin A great Bass?
- Thread starter chuck65
- Start date
A bass like that might be worth significant money in 20 years. Maybe. If you still have it then, it will have given you much more value over that time than any decrease in its value. TB creates way more angst about modding high volume production basses than will ever be warranted.
^ That's right, after all it was a common thing at the time. The working musicians did not think about the value of an instrument in order to collect it, they did not hesitate to make the modifications which they considered useful. Without it, we would not have as many P/J configurations on the market, for example.
- to the "what about resale?" group = you'll never make it yours! too bad. so sad.
- to the "best to make it your own!" group = it will never fetch the money! too bad. so sad.
per the OP: it depends.
i used to be in the former group because i was 'burning through basses' in my own way. now i'm in the latter group because i don't care about the next cat who gets one of my axes....their loss, not mine!
- to the "best to make it your own!" group = it will never fetch the money! too bad. so sad.
per the OP: it depends.
i used to be in the former group because i was 'burning through basses' in my own way. now i'm in the latter group because i don't care about the next cat who gets one of my axes....their loss, not mine!
Yeah, but what Jaco would've done with a '61 Jazz?
Your luthier did not have to create a battery compartment. The battery will fit under the tone controls. I did this mod to my '72 Jazz.
IMO you didn't ruin your bass, not one bit. You changed it's pickups to make it a better bass for your needs. Rock On!!
FWIW In the early 90's, I bought an early 70's Jazz disassembled in a box. It was a basket-case and I bought it for next to nothing. I had a local guy refinish it, install a Badass-II bridge, new tuning gears and install a set of EMG-Js. It ended up being my #1 gigging bass for over a decade.
P.S. If you ever want a "Jazz Bass-meets-a-P-Bass" sound out of your bass, try a set of DiMarzio Model J pickups. IMO Model Js are also killer sounding pickups.
FWIW In the early 90's, I bought an early 70's Jazz disassembled in a box. It was a basket-case and I bought it for next to nothing. I had a local guy refinish it, install a Badass-II bridge, new tuning gears and install a set of EMG-Js. It ended up being my #1 gigging bass for over a decade.
P.S. If you ever want a "Jazz Bass-meets-a-P-Bass" sound out of your bass, try a set of DiMarzio Model J pickups. IMO Model Js are also killer sounding pickups.
yea, but that's a pain to replace. rear access is WAY easier... otherwise you're bending your pickguard and removing way more screws than you should have to and lifting pickups out of position... lots of things. I put a battery on a strat under pick guard - regretted that decision for all the years I kept it.
Here's my outlook. I don't worry about the value of common mass produced electric guitars. If I want to hog out the body or perform other mods to try a logical upgrade, it will happen. 99% of the time it works out great.
To worry about the value for the OP is a non-issue. You knocked value off the instrument. If it was currently as it was before the mod and you tried to sell it, some jerk would STILL knock your price because there's a dent in the back or a ding on the headstock. Doesn't matter - Battery box, wear & tear, missing original strings, scuffed original case, etc. Or (GASP) you had to replace a tone pot with a NEW one??!! Somebody is ALWAYS going to find fodder for a price hit. So don't worry about it. Enjoy it and if you ever decide to sell it you will find out what it is worth.
To worry about the value for the OP is a non-issue. You knocked value off the instrument. If it was currently as it was before the mod and you tried to sell it, some jerk would STILL knock your price because there's a dent in the back or a ding on the headstock. Doesn't matter - Battery box, wear & tear, missing original strings, scuffed original case, etc. Or (GASP) you had to replace a tone pot with a NEW one??!! Somebody is ALWAYS going to find fodder for a price hit. So don't worry about it. Enjoy it and if you ever decide to sell it you will find out what it is worth.
Absolutely! Original EMG J's with the EMG 2 band preamp is a favorite setup of mine. They were in everything in the '80s. They're not trendy anymore but they still sound killer. The lack of a passive option is the only downside.
I'm in the same boat. I think the current standards come from ultra vintage markets where changing a pickguard screw can cost thousands. But if I see a MIM Jazz with Hipshot, Nordstrand, and Aguilar I'll pay well over the going rate for it. If they are mods I'm going to make I'm saving time and money. I don't care what the internet thinks.
agreed, and personally, I'll take the bass you described over a fully stock american. might just be me....
This is my only objection. You just remove three screws, pull the battery, put in new battery, you’re good for a year. I have EMGs in my fretless jazz and would not switch back for anything.
I was hoping for ‘I installed a vintage Gibson mudbucker in an Anthony Jackson Presentation Fodera’, so no, you’re good.
In 2003 I purchased a brand new CIJ Geddy Lee JB. Has the " Limited Edition" neck plate.
I bought a set of active EMG's and took it to a local luthier / tech and asked him to do the install. All went well , EXCEPT .... When I got it back it had a battery holder installed in the back of the Bass.
In his defense , he did call me , but I was at work and busy so I misunderstood him when he said something about " battery access ".
SO, now that I have a modded CIJ GL JB. Is it still worth what a stock one goes for these days?
BTW , it is a total tone monster and I would not put the stock pickups back in it even if I still had them. It's not my daily driver but works great with my old ME 50B for open mics and jams that I don't want to take my G&Ls and main rig to.
Opinions , comments , and chastising welcome
You're doing just fine, you answered your own questions, and you don't need our opinions to know you have a great, lovable bass.
Besides, never sell them. Just love them.
