Do you guys reckon that these Player basses (both P and J) would benefit a pickup upgrade? I’m thinking of putting Aguilar 4J-HC pickups (humcancelling) in my Jazz, to get rid of the hum when not with both pups full on... and to enhance its sound.
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Fender 2018 MIM Player Series
- Thread starter OllyW
- Start date
I popped an Original ‘62 in my P and Pure Vintage ‘74s in my J, and am really happy with both choices.
Full disclosure I bought a roasted maple neck too though I thought the original was fine. I just liked the feel and look of roasted maple especially with the buttercream. I got the hipshot lightweight tuners.
I turned my player into a beast with some upgrades. Put in a fralin. Changed tuners to gotoh resolites. Changed bridge to fender american vintage. Changed knobs to am vintage style.
pots and switches to cts and switchcraft with labella flats. Spent about $300 total. Incredible bass
pots and switches to cts and switchcraft with labella flats. Spent about $300 total. Incredible bass
I actually think the stock pick ups are pretty good I bought some PV63s but someone said they didn’t notice a huge difference. Do you think there was a bit improvement with the bridge and pickup upgrade?
Just picked up a buttercream J today! Looks and feels beautiful, although I think I may be on the worse end of QC issues. There's a pretty noticeable gap in the bridge pickup and it came with a loose screw in the neck pickup. Besides that, looks and feels really nice. Have yet to plug it into an amp or audio interface, sadly.
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Congrats on the new axe. That buttercream would look killer with a black pickguard.
Too bad about the issues, but so long as the loose screw can be tightened, it seems mostly cosmetic.
Congrats on the new axe. That buttercream would look killer with a black pickguard.
Too bad about the issues, but so long as the loose screw can be tightened, it seems mostly cosmetic.
Thanks! It's my first ever fender bass, so something I've wanted for quite some time. I was actually looking to slap a white pearloid pickguard on it but black looks good too. I don't notice the gap unless I really stare at it and I'm sure I can find some way to fill it up. The minor qc things get me down a bit, but hey, its an MIM. Everything else about it is flawless, which is great.
Definitely. The stock pickups aren’t bad at all and total useable, but it is a whole different league of clarity, tone and freq response. In a band situation you want that.
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
I had the Aguilar 4J-HC pickups in another Jazz Bass. They are good pickups! I sold the bass for other reasons ..pickups were great though
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
thanks! Nevermind though... since then I’ve ordered a 5 string Maruszczyk Elwood with Aguilar 5J-HC... hasn’t arrived yet!
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
Love the Buttercreams. And no offense, but IMO, that is one color that I think looks perfect with a white pickguard. I love black or tort guards; but on this particular bass, white looks killer. White Pearl would also be good.Congrats on the new axe. That buttercream would look killer with a black pickguard.
I have a MIJ E-Series ('84-'87) P-Bass in Vintage White. Very similar to the current Buttercreams. One of my very favorite basses; and one I'll never sell (unless I'm no longer capable of playing)...
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
Nice Bass! Not knocking it but what did you gain with swapping vintage MIM with vintage American bridge? Just curious as they are not that much different
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
I picked up a 2018 tide pool. The electronics too me are the biggest let down.
Thin and clanky. I have to roll the tone on big time to warm up the sound. I’ve got the bass set up and playing to my feel, but I’m not sold on the sound. Pickups are not wax sealed. If I keep this one that would be my upgrade.
Also, just not great fret work. Rough edges and I ended up doing a full fret level and crown. Plays much better now. If I bought a new one I’d have it Plekked.
The neck pickup in mine was misaligned with a screw hole about 1/4” off. Had it redrilled by my tech. Inexcusable fit and finish.
the neck itself is the best part. Satin finish plays fast and smooth. Dead spot not as bad on 5th fret g-string.
i don’t think it’s in anyway deserving of its price tag and glad I picked mine up on a trade.
Paint job and the fender logo are seductive, but Fender needs to up their game.
absolutely nothing! But after changing everything else, why not an extra $25 for a vintage style quality part.
