Hey Lenny! Chromes are my "go to" and what I'm starting with on this one. I just put some GHS Pressurewounds on my other Mustang, but not sure about them yet.
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Fender Mustang Club
- Thread starter FlyingPigSound
- Start date
Hey Lenny! Chromes are my "go to" and what I'm starting with on this one. I just put some GHS Pressurewounds on my other Mustang, but not sure about them yet.
The posts about switching necks got me thinking about differences between various Mustang models over time. The pickup configuration is the most obvious one, but I've also noticed some more subtle differences between my three Mustangs (1976; PJ with a Pawn Shop neck; American Performer).
My '76 Mustang has a big old baseball bat neck. It's not exactly uncomfortable, but it's chunkier than the necks on the two recent models I own, and probably rounder than my personal ideal. I think this is probably either a "U" or "C" shaped neck, but I'm not sure which. Maybe a "deep C"? I'm sure there are some Fender historians here who would have a better idea.
The American Performer neck feels more like a "D" (a relatively shallow curve), and the Pawn Shop neck looks like it could be either a "D" or a "modern C." The biggest difference between these two necks is the width at the nut. The American Performer has a fairly wide neck, whereas the Pawn Shop neck is narrower with tighter string spacing. I'd compare it to the difference between a Precision and a Jazz.
I haven't played a Vintera, but I see that Fender describes it as having a "mid '60s C” shaped neck, which makes me think that the "U" or "deep C" baseball bat on my '76 is something that was introduced later (assuming the Vintera is made to '60s specs). I haven't had a chance to play a JMJ yet, and I haven't played a MIJ reissue in many years, but I'd be curious to compare how those feel.
My '76 Mustang has a big old baseball bat neck. It's not exactly uncomfortable, but it's chunkier than the necks on the two recent models I own, and probably rounder than my personal ideal. I think this is probably either a "U" or "C" shaped neck, but I'm not sure which. Maybe a "deep C"? I'm sure there are some Fender historians here who would have a better idea.
The American Performer neck feels more like a "D" (a relatively shallow curve), and the Pawn Shop neck looks like it could be either a "D" or a "modern C." The biggest difference between these two necks is the width at the nut. The American Performer has a fairly wide neck, whereas the Pawn Shop neck is narrower with tighter string spacing. I'd compare it to the difference between a Precision and a Jazz.
I haven't played a Vintera, but I see that Fender describes it as having a "mid '60s C” shaped neck, which makes me think that the "U" or "deep C" baseball bat on my '76 is something that was introduced later (assuming the Vintera is made to '60s specs). I haven't had a chance to play a JMJ yet, and I haven't played a MIJ reissue in many years, but I'd be curious to compare how those feel.
Trade deal for a JMJ fell off. I'll stick with this CIJ I got. Miss having a short scale, just waiting for the la Bella flats to arrive. Pickup is a bit boomy but I'll give it a chance.
Got that on order! Checked the wiring and I keep forgetting you can ground the pots thru the control plate. Looks like this has never been opened. Did any of you bother shielding it with copper foil?
I copper shielded my JMJ. It made a world of difference. I used to get pretty unruly hum if my hands stopped making full contact with the strings for even a fraction of a moment, now it's pretty quiet. It's still single coil so certain rooms there can be a hint of hums depending on the lights, but it's really not bad at all.
- Feb 16, 2008
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- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
hmmm.... my JMJ doesn't hum at all. the stock pickups are single coils, but they're wired in series and have reverse polarity like a p bass so they're hum cancelling.
My black JMJ (store bought recently) was noisy like nothing good, too. Shielding with copper tape was a very easy job though, took maybe an hour, and did work extremely well: It’s been dead silent ever since.
I'm not aware of any reason NOT to shield in a passive instrument, other than extra cost. It's a cheap upgrade for us, but expensive for manufacturer when multiplied by their throughput.
Just make sure you buy the copper (or aluminum) tape that has conductive adhesive. If you're unsure, test with a meter first. Older copper tape didn't have conductive adhesive, and you had to put a dab of solder across layers of tape because the non-conductive adhesive behaved like the coating on a wire. Cheap stuff I bought on amazon was conductive, so it's more of a "just make sure" thing.
Just make sure you buy the copper (or aluminum) tape that has conductive adhesive. If you're unsure, test with a meter first. Older copper tape didn't have conductive adhesive, and you had to put a dab of solder across layers of tape because the non-conductive adhesive behaved like the coating on a wire. Cheap stuff I bought on amazon was conductive, so it's more of a "just make sure" thing.
hi, can I be a member of this club? I’ve got a MIM pau ferro Mustang PJ and I just scored a JMJ
Wow! Nice both! Quarter Pounder P pickup in the PJ; is the J also a QP? And the Babicz bridge! Sweet! Any other "secret" mods?
I realize they are completely different basses (I have a PJ and a JMJ mod Mustang also) but how do you compare the two? I'd be interested 6 months down the road to see which is your #1. I'm wrestling with that myself. (Not losing any sleep, though...
).
When I bought the PJ a few years ago the Duncan’s and Babicz had already been installed by the original owner. I think the pickups are an improvement over the stock pickups based on the PJ Mustangs I played in stores. I like the PJ, it had flatwounds on it when I got it too. The JMJ, as you mentioned, is a bit different. I’ve only had it for a few weeks, and it’s really a joy to play. Installing LaBella MUS flats this weekend, hoping they’ll alter the wonkiness of the E string up around the 12th fret and beyond.Wow! Nice both! Quarter Pounder P pickup in the PJ; is the J also a QP? And the Babicz bridge! Sweet! Any other "secret" mods?
I realize they are completely different basses (I have a PJ and a JMJ mod Mustang also) but how do you compare the two? I'd be interested 6 months down the road to see which is your #1. I'm wrestling with that myself. (Not losing any sleep, though...
Hi @claude13 -
That's a fine looking pair of Mustangs you have there!
I'm away from the Mustang Club master list until Friday, but will add you and get you a genuine remuda-approved number as soon as I return to my home ranch. Meanwhile, welcome to the corral!
Flo
Well, I can say the nordstrand pickup is really an upgrade on my CIJ. La Bella flats are on it too. On another note, are the JMJ about to be discontinued? My trade fell for a JMJ, but someone on the mustang Facebook group posted a link at Adorama, they were priced at $899. And now it says discontinued there, but the black is still available. GC actually priced matched it. And here we are.
Yeah the only one available there is the black one. Here is the FB link, it was up til Sunday, got mine price matched Saturday.
