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Dress up my MIM Jazz!

J

Jon Glassett

Mar 19, 2010
24
0
NH USA
#1
Hi folks,

I have a somewhat odd little MIM Fender Jazz that I'm looking to customize. Based on my internet findings, it's from a short-lived line of instruments called the "Traditional" series. Picked it up for a couple hundred bucks in the mid- to late-90's. Here are a couple of pics of a bass identical to mine:
DSC09376.jpg

DSC09381.jpg


Its unusual features include a one-piece guard, a black logo, and bad pickups. The bass is fairly playable and seems to have potential so I'm looking to spruce it up: new pickups, new guard/plate, new hardware, etc.

I'm looking for recommendations. What would you do to it? What kind of parts would you use?

I'd like to keep it passive, but I've seen some cool mods that let you switch between series/parallel and stuff like that. Just curious what you folks might come up with by way of suggestions.

Thanks!
 
#8
... it may pay to pick up the pickguard you are potentially using (tort would look great IMHO), and place that on to see how much of the existing will be covered with the change over .. it should cover everything with a control plate, and new guard, but it never hurts to know going in before you buy everything ... I agree, a newer 'take-off' of the whole works .. pups, wiring, pots and everything all in one may be the way to go ... also, check your current pups, they should be two different sizes, the bridge being slightly longer, yours may not be, with both being the longer ... this shouldn't be an issue for you, as the neck pup route should just be a tad large, just make sure you position the neck pup with the new gaurd in place so that it sits in the correct position ...

... actually, there does not seem to be a lot of the 'Traditional's' around from what I have seen, maybe guitars, but not basses ... as most have the 'Squier Series' (or at least did before it was scratched off) on the headstock, with the single ply p/g that I see come for sale ... good luck and enjoy the process ...

Edit to add: ... the more I think about it, measure your pups first ... you might actually have two neck pups on there ... I dont have a bass here to measure, but I think your bridge pup should be something like 3 3/4" and the neck about 1/8 - 3/16 less (length) ... just to be aware going in that your routes are the correct size for whatever pups you decide to use ... JMHO
 
#9
tjh said:
... it may pay to pick up the pickguard you are potentially using (tort would look great IMHO), and place that on to see how much of the existing will be covered with the change over .. it should cover everything with a control plate, and new guard, but it never hurts to know going in before you buy everything ... I agree, a newer 'take-off' of the whole works .. pups, wiring, pots and everything all in one may be the way to go ... also, check your current pups, they should be two different sizes, the bridge being slightly longer, yours may not be, with both being the longer ... this shouldn't be an issue for you, as the neck pup route should just be a tad large, just make sure you position the neck pup with the new gaurd in place so that it sits in the correct position ...

... actually, there does not seem to be a lot of the 'Traditional's' around from what I have seen, maybe guitars, but not basses ... as most have the 'Squier Series' (or at least did before it was scratched off) on the headstock, with the single ply p/g that I see come for sale ... good luck and enjoy the process ...

Edit to add: ... the more I think about it, measure your pups first ... you might actually have two neck pups on there ... I dont have a bass here to measure, but I think your bridge pup should be something like 3 3/4" and the neck about 1/8 - 3/16 less (length) ... just to be aware going in that your routes are the correct size for whatever pups you decide to use ... JMHO
Click to expand...

Will do. I'll take some measurements tonight (after work) and post up the results.

Thanks for the suggestions!
 
#11
tjh said:
... it may pay to pick up the pickguard you are potentially using (tort would look great IMHO), and place that on to see how much of the existing will be covered with the change over .. it should cover everything with a control plate, and new guard, but it never hurts to know going in before you buy everything ... I agree, a newer 'take-off' of the whole works .. pups, wiring, pots and everything all in one may be the way to go ... also, check your current pups, they should be two different sizes, the bridge being slightly longer, yours may not be, with both being the longer ... this shouldn't be an issue for you, as the neck pup route should just be a tad large, just make sure you position the neck pup with the new gaurd in place so that it sits in the correct position ...

... actually, there does not seem to be a lot of the 'Traditional's' around from what I have seen, maybe guitars, but not basses ... as most have the 'Squier Series' (or at least did before it was scratched off) on the headstock, with the single ply p/g that I see come for sale ... good luck and enjoy the process ...

Edit to add: ... the more I think about it, measure your pups first ... you might actually have two neck pups on there ... I dont have a bass here to measure, but I think your bridge pup should be something like 3 3/4" and the neck about 1/8 - 3/16 less (length) ... just to be aware going in that your routes are the correct size for whatever pups you decide to use ... JMHO
Click to expand...

He likely does have two neck pickups. MIMs from that era typically do.
 
#12
A-Step-Towards said:
No covers IMO, contro plate , black jazz knobs, good tort, mint or black guard. Pickups? seymour duncan antiquities, nice fresh CTS pots and swithcraft jack, proper set up and a fresh pair of strings.
Click to expand...

+1 to most of it (Antiquity II or Rio Grande vintage pups)

But I would get rid of that white finish.

I just hate white basses, although they look much better than sunburst basses :hiding:
 

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