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Fender JP 90 club?

#541
Man, you guys got me going with this again. I had a JP-90 that I found in a pawn shop over 20 years ago. I paid something like $40 for it because it looked like someone had stabbed it with a screwdriver. I took it home and tried filling in the gouges and ended up repainting it with a rattle can of automotive touch up paint. Yeah, it came out looking like crap, but I liked the bass. I ended up taking it apart to try to get it repainted properly then life happened, I got married, had a family, got divorced, lost a lot of gear in that process, got remarried about 3 weeks ago, then went back to my parent's house about a week ago and I found that bass neck and body again. It's in pieces now, but complete. It's a 1993, I believe. I was going to have it restored back to the original black, but I'm now thinking about sending it to a local shop and having a proper refin done in surf green with a tortoiseshell pickguard. I need to replace at least the tone pot. I remember that was out over 20 years ago when I last played it. I'll probably get the refin and add a Fender high mass bridge since the one on it is rusty, clean or upgrade the pots and switches, get a new pickguard, and put it all back together. I'm looking forward to getting this bass on stage again! I'll add some pictures when I get home. Oh, and do I get a number?
 
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#542
pflash4001 said:
Man, you guys got me going with this again. I had a JP-90 that I found in a pawn shop over 20 years ago. I paid something like $40 for it because it looked like someone had stabbed it with a screwdriver. I took it home and tried filling in the gouges and ended up repainting it with a rattle can of automotive touch up paint. Yeah, it came out looking like crap, but I liked the bass. I ended up taking it apart to try to get it repainted properly then life happened, I got married, had a family, got divorced, lost a lot of gear in that process, got remarried about 3 weeks ago, then went back to my parent's house about a week ago and I found that bass neck and body again. It's in pieces now, but complete. It's a 1993, I believe. I was going to have it restored back to the original black, but I'm now thinking about sending it to a local shop and having a proper refin done in surf green with a tortoiseshell pickguard. I need to replace at least the tone pot. I remember that was out over 20 years ago when I last played it. I'll probably get the refin and add a Fender high mass bridge since the one on it is rusty, clean or upgrade the pots and switches, get a new pickguard, and put it all back together. I'm looking forward to getting this bass on stage again! I'll add some pictures when I get home. Oh, and do I get a number?
Click to expand...

Surf green with a tort boomerang PG would be sweeeeet.

You'll be number 51! It'll be official as soon as you post a pic (though we don't really stand on ceremony here)

How bad was the screwdriver damage?
 
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#543
I filled in most of the gouges back when I was in my 20s when I used the blue rattle can. The color would’ve actually been ok if I’d have been able to get a proper paint job and a good clear pay on it. My son says he likes the color as it is. I’d still rather strip it down to bare wood and seal the wood and do a proper seafoam green finish and just dress her pretty again. I’ve noticed online that there are some seafoam green instruments that look almost baby blue and others that look almost turquoise. I don’t know if it’s the lighting, but I’d prefer it to be a little lighter, but not so it’s really washed out. Here are pix of my bass and an example of a Jazz Bass dressed like I’d this one.
 

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#544
I like it, either way. This thread is probably the internet's only collection of JP90s in colors other than blaack, red, or white, and I'm always interested to see how they turn out. I find the quirky pickguard makes more of a statement on a JP90 than on most other basses.
 
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#545
Question...The original bent metal plate bridge is still useable, but showing rust. I was thinking of swapping it out, but what are thoughts between the Fender high mass, Leo Quan Badass II, or the Babicz Full Contact bridges?
 
#546
Go with the Hipshot bridge.

Much better option today, adjustable in both height and spacing.

The current production Leo Quan BadAss-II bridges are not the same as the originals (mine was an original I bought the same day I bought the JP90 brand new). The new bridge pieces aren't the same dimensions.

The Fender high-mass bridge is OK but is pre-notched, and I prefer my own string spacing. (long, long threads on that in the setups forum).

The Hipshot is fully adjustable and it would be my choice today above all others for this application.
 
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#547
pflash4001 said:
Question...The original bent metal plate bridge is still useable, but showing rust. I was thinking of swapping it out, but what are thoughts between the Fender high mass, Leo Quan Badass II, or the Babicz Full Contact bridges?
Click to expand...

I put an NOS Badass on mine, but that was because I had it lying around. I still have the original bent bridge, which is the same as every other FMIC bridge since 1950 or so.

I remember there being just about zero difference in sound between the factory bridge and the Quan. I leave the Quan on there because I usually use a pick, and that feels good against my hand. It also helps with neck dive since I've put on a D-Tuner.
 
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#550
You’re just a little late. I bought a black one on Reverb for. It wasn’t quite as nice as that one but I refinish bodies so it’s going to look nice when I’m finished. Should be here sometime this week.
 
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#552
CAN I GET A NUMBER?

The JP90 arrived today. It’s a 1990. The inside of the hardshell case smelled like cat pee. 😭🤧 I cleaned the entire bass and Febresed it. The bass was in good condition. The previous owner had apparently placed a sticker down in the open area next to the lower horn. It had been removed but no one ever removed the adhesive left behind.
There was also a ding on the front edge where the tummy cut is. The previous owner used canned spray paint to hide it.
The only thing I found that I’ll eventually address is an oversized hole where the back strap button mounts. It’s secure but I changed it to one that use on all my basses and I found a 1/4”hole. Fortunately it wasn’t deep enough to affect a lot and I’ll fill it with dowel rod sometime in the near future.
On the sticker residue I used “Bug & Tar Remover” that’s clear coat safe and continued to rub it into the area. After about 15 minutes it as gone and the finish was once again shiny.
Next was the overspray and much to my surprise that worked on it as well.
I then tuned it up and plugged it in. All I can say is WOW! It plays like butter and sounds fabulous. The action is low.
I then waxed it. I don’t have any complete photos of it but here are some of the body.
I ordered an orange pearl pickguard, a new “Fender Corona California”neck plate, Since it has a black Hipshot bridge I ordered new black Schaller tuner and a black string retainer.
I’ll update when it’s done.

PS: I think this was a steal at $595 delivered.
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#556
My new pickguard probably won’t be in for about 10 days but my black hardware should be here next week. Let the games begin! I’m also going to add a Stellartone Bass ToneStyler Bass 6 for the tone control. They’re no longer available but I have a couple in stock.
 

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