Fender Blacktop Club

[Chains]

Malak, this is probably for another forum thread, but how easy is it to install a hipshot drop d?
I play a lot of drop d songs, thanks!

 

[Malak the Mad]

If you is satisfied with the original sound of his BT, good, that's what matters. I always disassemble my new basses, and not like what I saw on my BT, so I change all the electrics, it's not expensive. And sorry for my bad english, I'm trying to improve it. Nice pickguard.

Don't worry about it at all. I can easily catch your drift. If I need a clarification, I'll simply ask.

Malak, this is probably for another forum thread, but how easy is it to install a hipshot drop d?
I play a lot of drop d songs, thanks!

This is a perfectly valid question for this thread, seriously.

It's pretty much a direct drop-in replacement. I did have to angle one of the screws a little so I wouldn't have to drill a new hole. Other than that, I'd call it a perfect fit. I got the BT7, built specifically for MiM basses, which, by the way, also seems to work just fine with most Squier offerings.

 

[darius8]

I did it! I got a BT P in black. With both pups turned up the sound is deep, fat, and punchy.

The truss rod was a little tight but I got the neck the way I liked it. It's a great bass.

 

[AlarmClock314]

My heavily modded Blacktop Jazz will finally be in my hands tomorrow. I'll be posting photos soon =)

 

[AlarmClock314]

Here it is! I'll take a number.

 

[Vinny_G]

Here it is! I'll take a number.

I find your bass absolutely gorgeous! All black is a good idea for a Blacktop Are you going to match the headstock? That would be awesome, I think.

 

[hillerup]

Here it is! I'll take a number.

What bridge is that - a Hipshot?

 

[AlarmClock314]

I find your bass absolutely gorgeous! All black is a good idea for a Blacktop Are you going to match the headstock? That would be awesome, I think.

Thank you! I'm done modding this BA bass for now.

 

[AlarmClock314]

What bridge is that - a Hipshot?

Yes, it's a custom bridge. Lots of parts were not drop-in replacements, like the bridge, tuners, 4-way switch, and pickups.

 

[AlarmClock314]

The photos in my earlier post are now higher-quality.

Here's a photo of the inside cavity too:

 

[Vinny_G]

Thank you! I'm done modding this BA bass for now.

So bad, with a matching headstock it would be perfect! Thank you very much for your pics, this is a beautiful bass, it inspires me a lot

 

[SCOMan]

Malak: Which Hipshot bass extender did you use, the BT7? Keen to install one of them myself.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Malak: Which Hipshot bass extender did you use, the BT7? Keen to install one of them myself.

Got it in one! The BT7 should work for all MiM Fenders. As a bonus, I've also successfully installed the same model on a Squier Jaguar neck. Supposedly, it works with most, if not all, Indonesian-made Squiers.

 

[Malak the Mad]

And while I'm "tending shop", I may as well assign some numbers and bring the Master List up to date.

#1 StrangerDanger
#2 ShadowVampyre
#3 Fair Warning
#4 unclebass
#5 StephenDaRacket
#6 Johnnywad
#7 hillerup
#8 Auspex
#9 Paradog
#10 VoodooMagicBoas
#11 emdsd
#12 Mmoore2490
#13 Malak the Mad
#14 Rich McCoy
#15 Fernandino
#16 Plectrum72
#17 Aetheriac
#18 Tom-Phil
#19 TimboZ
#20 Rabidrasbora
#21 Karkfum
#22 TheOnlyJuan
#23 Jookbox
#24 Tbone76
#25 oysteivi
#26 stavros911 (him and his "Aegis"!)
#27 kingofbogarts
#28 ExaltBass
#29 mizzou541 (plastic film and all)
#30 dodokns
#31 Graeme D
#32 BlueTalon
#33 Wallygator
#33.5 AbstractLunatic (So what if it's a Tele…it's still a Blacktop! Here's your honorary number with my compliments!)
#34 pastorjamesc (formerly "jandscotten")
#35 Petesurvival
#36 MikeyV
#37 Huge
#38 BlkMt
#39 Neil2094
#40 ivorytower
#41 mmukav
#42 Chains
#43 javi_bassist
#44 Fernando Costa
#45 Big Mikey
#46 SCOMan
#47 Princedead

And our newest member…
#48 AlarmClock314
Enter of your own free will, and leave a little of your happiness behind!

I'm still waiting for pics from Top Timmy, darius8 and, if he got a replacement BT, Sidewinder7. Grace us all with images full of light and color. Then, and only then, will a number finally be within your grasp.

---end of line---

 

[SCOMan]

Hey All, any one got any experience with Delano Pickups? I was after a Flea-ish tone from my BT Jazz bridge pickup, the description of the Delano PMVC 4 FE/M2 looked like it might be what I'm after but it could just be marketing jargon. Can anyone suggest any other alternatives, Dimarzio Split P or Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders maybe? Thanks

 

[AlarmClock314]

There are two issues with changing pickups in the Bt Jazz: the shallow pickup cavities (especially at the bridge, which will likely require routing depending on the new pickup dimensions) and the unique pole piece spacing (since the P pickups are not in the standard P location). My suggestion would be custom-made or rail pickups, but it'll be an expensive upgrade.

If you want to do some simple modding, replacing the pots and cap might give good results.

 

[SCOMan]

thanks AC314.. I assumed the pickups were standard P pups, so this is good information. Delano do a dimensions guide for the PC series: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].
From a quick measure up of the width and length of the stock bridge pups they seem to come in about the same. I've not looked at height / depth.

Any good recommendations on POTS - I was considering putting new ones in, the stock POTS don't seem have an even volume distribution through the entire range.

 

[Fernando Costa]

I think SD Quarter Pounds fit on this bass, their height is 1,37 cm (with no foam). About POTS, low quality originals are log type, "A", I think because they are P-pups not J, linear/B POTS work better.

 

[AlarmClock314]

Yeah, measure the depth for sure. My photo above shows how shallow the cavities are. And again, be conscious of the pole piece spacing.

Bourns is my favorite brand for pots. They're easy to find online, have a wide selection (of resistances, tapers, shafts), and turn very smooth/fast. Buy extras and measure their resistances to install exactly what you want. I'd recommend using linear taper for volume controls and audio taper for tone controls.
I also feel like an "aggressive" and "growly" tone matches the Bt Jazz well =)

 

[xrockstrongox]

I got mine last weekend. Watched it not sell on Craigslist for 2 months and snatched it right up when the price dropped! I love it. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who thinks the volume knobs are really "on/off" switches but that's kind of how I play anyway. And I am really enjoying the chrome pearl color.