I have the JMJ and I like it a lot. I may have to give this one a try. As much as I’m not a fan of the J, I’m an even bigger fan of what appears to be the correct P. That, to me, is far more important. Plus, I dig the color. Given that the only way I’ll ever get to try one is if I buy it, it may be just a short while before I do.
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Fender Mustang Club
- Thread starter FlyingPigSound
- Start date
I have the JMJ and I like it a lot. I may have to give this one a try. As much as I’m not a fan of the J, I’m an even bigger fan of what appears to be the correct P. That, to me, is far more important. Plus, I dig the color. Given that the only way I’ll ever get to try one is if I buy it, it may be just a short while before I do.
Here's my MIJ Mustang
And my JMJ Mustang
And my JMJ Mustang
I'm totally happy with my decision to buy. I almost bought the JMJ, but I'm not a big fan of relic finishes. I do wonder how similar they made the neck to the old 60's and '70's US ones. My '76 is a baseball bat compared to the others. Also, I just couldn't shell out $1k for an MIM Fender. However, it seems the people who bought it are happy enough, so maybe i should adjust my price/value assessment. BTW- If you do buy new, call Sweetwater and ask for Clint. Tell him a TB member got a $1099 price. Alternatively, he will throw in a decent case. (They ship with a generic P/J bag that's worth maybe $30. I guess I am pissed that Fender has a decent short scale bag and don't ship the Mustang with it.)
Beautiful upgrades. (1) Where did you get your pick-guard from? (2) Did you upgrade your tuners? If so, what did you go with and were they a perfect fit with the current holes?Greetings Mustangers! I have another modded Mustang to put before the assemblage.
Back in January I took advantage of the Adorama special $400 deal on my Surf Pearl Mustang PJ. I liked the price and sound a lot; the color & electronics, not so much:
View attachment 3036431
So, it doesn't look like that any more. And even though it sounded very good out of the box, it doesn't sound exactly like that any more either. Sorry to chew up a bunch of thread, but if you'll indulge me, I just got it back from the mod man and have had serious trouble putting it down long enough to take snaps:
View attachment 3036438
- Replaced all hardware (including face plate) and wiring, and the pups - now both P & J = Lindy Fralin. Strong improvement in both signals, but especially in the J pup.
- Hipshot Kickass bridge. Screws lined up exactly with existing holes.
View attachment 3036456
Ahhh... no more pesky switch! I tripped it accidentally every time I played the instrument, even after lowering it a bit using a trick learned way back in this thread (flailing around in a fit of bassic-delight as usual no doubt)(Edit: switch issue was here: Fender Mustang Club). Instead now, the top single knob is pup blend, and the bottom is a stacked knob - volume on top, tone beneath.
View attachment 3036462
And I have always loved candy tangerine on cars. Ms. Painter-person did a stellar job I think. This is about as close as I'm ever going to get to a real 1965 candy tangerine Ford Mustang 289 - but it's probably just as well. It's a lot le$$, even though it ain't no $400 bass no mo.
I didn't change the neck or fingerboard. Still feels great, solid and straight, no neck dive at all. I've played it with my mates twice since getting it back - small group straight up jazz both times. Gonna try it this weekend at a big band rehearsal. Awesome, wonderful flexibility of sound now with pup blender, and it's just so light and easy on the left hand to play. Punchy, clear, with a nice sweet voice in the higher register. I still love the my Pbass and MM Sterling, but I think I'll keep this little beauty around for awhile.
Question For Mustangers: the black pick guard is ok, but essentially a placeholder. Any ideas on a pick guard color/style? I'm looking for flashy, but classy. Deep blues, greens, fire, lava patterns have been suggested... not white or tort please... always kinda like the idea of chrome diamond plate...
Thanks for checking it out...
Flo
Rondo has a sort scale hard case for $60 + shipping. Not as nice as G&G, but decent protection. I have several of them for my Mustangs and Musicmasters.
Rondo Music Cases @ Bags | Page 1 of 1
1) Pickguard Heaven
2) Nope, stock tuners. Work just fine. No noticeable neck dive.
I had no work done to the neck/head as part of these mods. The action was good right out of the box, nice straight neck, no problem frets or hot spots. I may take it back to the shop at some point to have them lavish some TLC on the neck, maybe lower, profile and machine-level the frets a tiny bit, but it's already playing fine and too far past being a $400 bass to need another infu$ion.
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I got a couple of them cases too. Decent protection, but the tolex rips pretty easily.
Thanks for your input and assistance. Based upon on the great dialogue in the post, I am pulling the trigger on my upgrades. Here is what I'm going with for step #1 (all prices per Amazon):
1) Hipshot KickAss High Mass bridge = $59 on Amazon
2) Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound PJ - $135 (Lindy Fralin #1 choice but a bit too much $ for me right now)
3) Switchcraft 3-way short toggle = $15
4) Labor including new set-up ~ $100
All in $310
Future consideration would be complete re-wiring with stacked knob and eliminating the switch, but I'm not up for the investment right now. I will see how neck dive is with the new bridge, but I am fine with the stock tuners for now. I found Josh at HipShot very helpful regarding both the bridge selection and information on replacement tuners. There have been previous posts about replacement tuners. I was potentially interested in replacements that were drop-in and wouldn't require any new holes. Below is the response I got from Josh.
"The correct tuning machines to replace the Mustang PJ tuners are the HB10. They will be a direct fit.
We also offer a BT10 Xtender that is a direct fit.
Regards,
Josh Borisoff ([email protected])
I would highly recommend Josh, if you have questions regarding the HipShot line of products.
I will provide an update posts once all mods are completed.
Cheers,
1) Hipshot KickAss High Mass bridge = $59 on Amazon
2) Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound PJ - $135 (Lindy Fralin #1 choice but a bit too much $ for me right now)
3) Switchcraft 3-way short toggle = $15
4) Labor including new set-up ~ $100
All in $310
Future consideration would be complete re-wiring with stacked knob and eliminating the switch, but I'm not up for the investment right now. I will see how neck dive is with the new bridge, but I am fine with the stock tuners for now. I found Josh at HipShot very helpful regarding both the bridge selection and information on replacement tuners. There have been previous posts about replacement tuners. I was potentially interested in replacements that were drop-in and wouldn't require any new holes. Below is the response I got from Josh.
"The correct tuning machines to replace the Mustang PJ tuners are the HB10. They will be a direct fit.
We also offer a BT10 Xtender that is a direct fit.
Regards,
Josh Borisoff ([email protected])
I would highly recommend Josh, if you have questions regarding the HipShot line of products.
I will provide an update posts once all mods are completed.
Cheers,
I decided I'm going to delete the J, put a cover plate over it, replace the P with Fralins and get rid of the switch. I saw another post here where someone covered the J with a plate. It looked nice. I'd like to find the same plate. Of course I will replace the pickguard to one without a hole.
Since it has the switch to take it out of the circuit what's the advantage of removing the pup?
The look of the PJ and Performer are starting to grow on me. I don't really use the bridge pup, but I like to have it as a thumbrest.
Not that I need another bass or anything......
Not that I need another bass or anything......
Okay, would love to know where you got the pick guard and what they call the pattern.
I put HB10s on mine and they fit perfectly. Now the bass tunes easily and stays there.
These days, my gigs are limited to the people in my house while I play to iTunes. They are blessed or cursed by my playing along to the songs I like.
It is the stock tortoise shell pickguard on my MIJ Mustang. The photo is a little misleading because it has a red color pass filter. It is more Brown than red.
Hey all,
Well my bass life has taken a complete 180 and none of my doing. I want to say at the outset I absolutely love my PJ and there is no intention of any change. But I felt after all that this group has done for me I should honest up here. This is a 2 parter.
First while I was playing recently, after a break, as I was putting my bass back on I had spasm in my right arm and snapped the switch handle off completely. Now this was a HD Switchcraft Short Stem replacement and pretty heavily constructed. Takes quite a bit of force to break it like that. I was late taking my Parkinson's meds. So I am now ready to join the Ditch The Switch club. Does any of the current members have any problems with me PM'ng you should the need arise? Florinda, daveobleone, UncleK, and the rest? I would prefer not taking up TB space with questions already addressed. If you would prefer I didn't PM, you won't offend me or hurt my feelings. Btw this club is not as small as one would think, I had 10 names to refer to half way through the thread.
Ok secondly and quick as possible. In 1969 I was introduced by a family member to what I believe was a Gibson EB3 bass. It was a short intro. But ever since then I have dreamed, desired, and drooled over owning one. As this is the Fender Mustang Club I won't go further into the back story. Due to a set of unforeseen circumstances I have suddenly come into possession of a 2019 Gibson SG Standard. I paid $0 for this instrument. My PJ is and will be my go to bass. But what this does is put an end to 50 years of all that wondering of what if? Where this ties into is it allowed me the experience of not having the 3 way switch and deciding to consider the alternative options for my Mustang. I have not had the SG long enough for anymore to be said about it and if I do I will do it in the appropriate area.
I am in the process of going through this thread and finding the various posts referring to this mod and printing them out. But as the MFC has grown so much lately it has become a bit time consuming. I prefer not PM'ng without asking first due to past experiences.
With all that said I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!
Keep on thumping!
Bob
Well my bass life has taken a complete 180 and none of my doing. I want to say at the outset I absolutely love my PJ and there is no intention of any change. But I felt after all that this group has done for me I should honest up here. This is a 2 parter.
First while I was playing recently, after a break, as I was putting my bass back on I had spasm in my right arm and snapped the switch handle off completely. Now this was a HD Switchcraft Short Stem replacement and pretty heavily constructed. Takes quite a bit of force to break it like that. I was late taking my Parkinson's meds. So I am now ready to join the Ditch The Switch club. Does any of the current members have any problems with me PM'ng you should the need arise? Florinda, daveobleone, UncleK, and the rest? I would prefer not taking up TB space with questions already addressed. If you would prefer I didn't PM, you won't offend me or hurt my feelings. Btw this club is not as small as one would think, I had 10 names to refer to half way through the thread.
Ok secondly and quick as possible. In 1969 I was introduced by a family member to what I believe was a Gibson EB3 bass. It was a short intro. But ever since then I have dreamed, desired, and drooled over owning one. As this is the Fender Mustang Club I won't go further into the back story. Due to a set of unforeseen circumstances I have suddenly come into possession of a 2019 Gibson SG Standard. I paid $0 for this instrument. My PJ is and will be my go to bass. But what this does is put an end to 50 years of all that wondering of what if? Where this ties into is it allowed me the experience of not having the 3 way switch and deciding to consider the alternative options for my Mustang. I have not had the SG long enough for anymore to be said about it and if I do I will do it in the appropriate area.
I am in the process of going through this thread and finding the various posts referring to this mod and printing them out. But as the MFC has grown so much lately it has become a bit time consuming. I prefer not PM'ng without asking first due to past experiences.
With all that said I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!
Keep on thumping!
Bob
Happy to consult via PM on ditching the switch, but be advised I know exactly 0 about the wiring of same. I paid a certified bass genius to do the setup, as it's his business to know how to do that. I don't know what's going on behind the dang pickguard and don't want to know.
I've seen two approaches to setting up controls without the switch so far it seems, though I'm sure there are others out there.
1) One stacked knob for tone/volume, one single knob for blending the pickups. This is how mine was done (you can see it in my avatar). Smaller top knob in the stack is volume, riding on the larger tone knob, and down as far from the playing area as possible, next to the jack input where I can't bump it. The large single knob by the pick guard blends the pups (frustration at accidentally hitting the switch is what drove me to make the mod, but it also really bugged me that the stock switch setup meant all or nothing at all for each pickup). Using the tone and blend knobs, I have a very flexible range of sounds, despite the tone knob affecting both pups. And I can get to the volume with the pinkie on my right hand easily without worrying that I'll bump it accidentally.
2) Separate stacked volume and tone for each pickup. Ultimate control over volume and tone for each individual pup it would seem, but one too many knobs for my tiny brain. Hell, I'm a P-bass guy at heart, and any number of knobs above two is a bit scary.
Any others out there want to chime in? Other variations of switchless PJs?
I went with the simpler #1 because I need to keep it as simple as possible to adjust things on the fly come gig-time. I see basses (awesome, beautiful instruments) with half-a-dozen or more knobs, switches, EQs etc everywhere and wonder how the heck anyone has time (much less the skill) to use them when the heat is on, like in a 15/30/45-second break between tunes in a dance set, or figure out which one they bumped accidentally in the middle of a tune that made their sound turn to liquid.... molasses?... and fix it pronto. Would be (and has been on occasion) a major fail for me fer sure.
Flo
daveobieone
Providing the "musical foundation" since 1966
Hey Bob...
You can certainly PM me if you wish.
I did the stacked-knob VTVT set-up on mine, really just to have the maximum of control over the mix and the tone of each pickup. That's worked out very well for me. I can make my Mustang P/J sound like just about anything with a few seconds and a twist of a knob or two. With the problems you have physically, the VTVT might not be the right way to go however. Although, I find it quite easy to maneuver. The knobs I used were decently sized.
Either way, unless you are pretty good with a soldering iron, you may wish to have someone else do the work. I'm a broadcast and recording studio engineer with 50 years of experience, so I was practically born with a soldering iron in my hand. I can scribble out a schematic of what I did for a tech to help you with. Any good tech should be able to help you. Perhaps you should look for someone who does guitar amp repairs and upgrades.
I'd mainly suggest that you go with 500k over the stock 250k pots. And the 0.1 mfd tone cap is way to large for my tastes. I went with 0.047 for my P pup, and (I think) a 0.027 for the J pup. You might just want to wire-up the P pup to a new 500k and 0.047 tone cap, and just leave the J pup disconnected for starters...depending on your taste. With those changes, the P pup with have a lot more lively sound. I could be happy with the P on it's own for 90% of what I do.
I've been playing Gibson SG basses for a good while now. I love those short-scale basses too. I have two SG's, and an EBO. I've had the Epi EB3 long-scale as well. I traded that in on the Mustang. In all I have more than 2 dozen basses, but many of them I no longer play because they are long-scale, and long-scale hurts me after an hour or so of playing. Ok for a short session, but for full gigs, I'm only comfortable with SS now. If you want to ask any questions about these, PM me about them.
Isn't it nice that we have some very good short-scale basses to choose from these days!
Dave O.
daveobieone
Providing the "musical foundation" since 1966
Hey Lowplaces...Someday in the future, all bass players will see the light and play a Mustang through an Ampeg. And the world will be better for it.
View attachment 3279721
Tell us a little about that rig you have. I love the pretty purple lights! Is that 4x15's I see? I play through a Mesa D800 and Subway cabs at gigs, but drive it with an Ampeg SCR-DI to get closer to the Ampeg sound. An Ampeg V4B (original USA made, and refurbished) into an Ampeg 15 cab for rehearsal and some recording. I have a mint B-15n as well (in that pic) with the "optional" Altec driver...really sweet sound...wouldn't dare take it out...just for recording in my home studio. I also have a "Blue Diamond" Ampeg R100b combo for smaller gigs. The edge of that 100 got into the Mustang pic. Ya, I love the Mustang into Ampeg sound too! Really hard to beat.
Best bass tone I've EVER had is the Mustang (with my mods) into the V4B and modified Ampeg 1x15 cab. That's the tone I've been searching for since 1966! Finally it's in my grasp.
