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Fender Custom Modified Blacktop Jazz Bass

PBASSTONE

PBASSTONE

Feb 16, 2012
84
12
Petaluma, California
#1
Just wanted to post a few pictures of my newest project. I've been in the process of customizing a Fender Blacktop Jazz Bass. It was such an inexpensive bass I figured I'd have fun personalizing it. As soon as I have more money I want to change out the bridge, change the neck to all maple, change the tuners, change the pups, and change the pickguard.

So far I've added... Stack knob '62 control assembly. Fender chrome 3-hole control plate w/screws, (2) CTS 250/500k concentric pots, (2) black/chrome stack knobs, black/white cloth wire, Switchcraft mono 1/4" jack, and one each .033mfd and .047mfd Orange Drop tone capacitors, GHS M3050 Precision Flatwound strings.

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#4
Hi:
what about a Hipshot BT7 bass extender (whenever changin' those machineheads), a DiMarzio ModelP in the neck position and Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound SPB3 in bridge position?!

Just my 2c (alright, 3c!)
You know? I play heavy,
really heavy kinda stuff!

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#5
I have a jazz bass blacktop and I think about putting some new pups in it (not model P :P ). The bass has an agressive, metallic kind of sound. I would like to keep it's agressivity but give it also some smoother tone to make it more universal sounding. I was thinking about either:
-2 spb-3
-spb-2 (bridge), spb-1 (neck)

I don't know if the spb-3 won't be too harash in the higs (knowing that this bass already have strong highs), but besides that I like the 1/4 pounder sound (at least in my other P bass).

The other pickup option is a kind of try to simulate the Duff pickup combination (STKJ2 and SPB1) in a P version style :P I have no idea how this combination sound but I think those pickups can mixe nicely with the agressive sound of the blacktop.

Have anyone tried those combinations, or have nay advices?

Thanks!
 
#6
I replaced the stock pickups in my Blacktop for Quarter Pounders. They definitely makes the bass more finicky, but you can get some really nice, varied sounds with it. I plan on putting a Hipshot on it soon, hoping that it will help aid in some of the issues I've been having with sustain and overtones.
 
#7
Hand of Doom said:
I replaced the stock pickups in my Blacktop for Quarter Pounders. They definitely makes the bass more finicky, but you can get some really nice, varied sounds with it.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about putting those pups in it as well but I was afraid maybe it would make the bass too boomy. It already seems boomy now, and I'd like to mellow that out. Maybe just some plain old vintage Fender pups would chill it out some?
 
#10
I had a Fender MIM Jazz Copy that I customized with Ultrajazz Pickups by DiMarzio and a Black Schaller 3d (that I eventually changed with a normal hi-mass bridge in the style of the Gotoh's for appealing reasons).

With the Schaller On

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With a tortoise pickguard and the Schaller Off

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Too bad I don't have pictures of the final customization coz I sold it (I didn't feel comfortable with its neck, I'm more of a P Guy).
 

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