Good mods for Fender Jazz

[clauscaixa]

Thread title basically says it all ... I have bought a 2000 Fender American Standard Jazz with the sole purpose of using it as a modding sandbox.

So, I'm looking for input/ideas for mods, primarily PUPs and bridges.

What have you done? How does result differ from stock?

Constraints: the bass is passive, and I am looking for a growly tone for finger style, yet it should also be good for slapping/popping.

 

[GM60466]

Badass bridge

 

[clauscaixa]

Bassass bridge

Despite your spell checker probably screwed up your reply I get the point

Thanks

 

[alembicguy]

Bart's and a BadAss

 

[Woodsbass]

It is a much debated topic, but put an S-1 switch in it. Never again will I own a Jazz bass without one, it adds so much potential for such a simple mod. Also, the new American Deluxe series have brought S-1 switching back, so obviously Fender realized their error in removing it!

tl;dr - S1 switch.

 

[georgestrings]

A set of DiMarzio pups - either Ultra Jazz or Model J, depending on tonal preference, and a series/parallel switch... Either that, or an Audere preamp, and the stock pups... I wouldn't bother changing the bridge - waste of money, IMO...


- georgestrings

 

[georgestrings]

It is a much debated topic, but put an S-1 switch in it. Never again will I own a Jazz bass without one, it adds so much potential for such a simple mod. Also, the new American Deluxe series have brought S-1 switching back, so obviously Fender realized their error in removing it!

tl;dr - S1 switch.

Exactly...


- georgestrings

 

[Pet Sounds]

Not sure I understand the logic of buying a perfectly good bass for the express purpose of making unknown mods to it.

 

[georgestrings]

Not sure I understand the logic of buying a perfectly good bass for the express purpose of making unknown mods to it.

I have never agreed with that way of thinking - especially in the case of a good deal on a used bass... It's not uncommon for people to change things that they own, to suit individual preferences - why should musical instruments be any different??? If anything, one would think that a musical instrument would be altered towards playing preferences more often than most things in life...


- georgestrings

 

[pacojas]

Not sure I understand the logic of buying a perfectly good bass for the express purpose of making unknown mods to it.

+1

spend the money on something that matters!

seriously, the pups are proably the only thing that will make a notable different. certainly not the bridge, IMHO. gl

 

[Gord_oh]

what are you looking to get out of it that you are not as it is?

if it aint broke, don't fix it.

 

[Gintaras]

I don't have a Jazz but an MTD Grendel which pickup wise is a Jazz. I have had the original Bartolini. Bartolini 9 series, Nordstrand nj4's and now Joe Barden's. The Barden's are very open sounding and very versatile. By far my favorite pickup mod that I have ever done.

 

[carl h.]

Strings and electronics.

Tuners and bridge are good stuff and you'd see no benefit in removing and replacing them. But it would look different and be easier to identify as yours.

 

[clauscaixa]

if it aint broke, don't fix it.

So true. I even said something similar in another thread about a week ago.

I guess I'm trying this primarily out of interest. To see (hear) for myself what matters and what doesn't. To learn. And maybe out of fear for missing out on something.

I actually did get a real good deal on a used instrument. So I thought: let me at least experiment with some PUPs.

The long term goal is to try to figure out what "my tone" is ... and thus which higher-end instrument to start saving for (sadowsky, lakland, warwick, etc).

 

[fivestringgecko]

I have never agreed with that way of thinking - especially in the case of a good deal on a used bass... It's not uncommon for people to change things that they own, to suit individual preferences - why should musical instruments be any different??? If anything, one would think that a musical instrument would be altered towards playing preferences more often than most things in life...

+1. Modding is simply a way to explore, a way to personalize it and make a good instrument great in the eyes of its owner.

I have a 2006 Fender American Std Jazz V that I put an Audere JZ3 and SD Quarter Pounders in. It was a good bass to begin with, but now it has more attitude and beef with the pickups and more tonal control with the Audere. I debated the Audere because it did have the S-1 control plate, but in the end I went with the mod and couldn't be happier.

Clauscaixa, I was worried about losing the passive sound you mentioned, but the Audere does a great job of keeping that tone... I don't think I even noticed a real difference in tone, but now I have a 3-band EQ, pickup blend and Z-mode switch. I can dial up any number of sounds just by making adjustments at my bass. I haven't regretted the install FOR A SECOND. There's more growl with the Quarter Pounders too.

There's quite a lengthy thread on J bass pickups that may be of some use to this thread if you guys haven't seen it:

"J" Pickups Discussion and Comparison

In post #598 of that thread, I posted some quick thoughts about the Basslines a visual comparison between the two sets of pickups. I did a ton of research about what I wanted in pickups and just like the Audere install, I absolutely love the QP's.

Subscribed to see what other people weigh in with. I'm thinking about a beefier aftermarket bridge, but I want one that offers a string-thru-body option. Unfortunately, Badass and Babicz don't offer that, unless someone else knows for sure, I think my only option is the updated Fender bridge?

5sg.

 

[Coreythebassman]

FWIW, I believe the OP asked for modding suggestions, not whether or not he should mod his bass. I third the s-1 switch

 

[clauscaixa]

@fivestringgecko: I just browsed through the Seymor Duncan pup line-up and totally lost the big picture. Do you which model designation yours have?

 

[chriscrob]

I have never agreed with that way of thinking - especially in the case of a good deal on a used bass... It's not uncommon for people to change things that they own, to suit individual preferences - why should musical instruments be any different??? If anything, one would think that a musical instrument would be altered towards playing preferences more often than most things in life...


- georgestrings

I'm with george, mods make the instrument feel like it's mine instead of just one of 100,000 other identical basses Fender made. People do this all the time with other things---you buy computers but add RAM/hard drives, trucks and add camper tops/trailer hitches, and basses and change pickups/preamps etc. Upgrades to add features/improve performance are a normal thing.

And why is a pickup change or the addition of new electronics not "where it matters?" Is the only good bass one that is identical to one straight from the factory/one that was good straight from the factory? I have a mexican tele that is almost completely custom---I even replaced the tuners/nut because I thought I was going to put a bigsby on it---it sounds completely different than anything Fender has available (p90 style but tele shaped bridge pup) and its an improvement in my opinion. It sounds exactly like <b>I</b> want it to sound...it was money well spent. I wouldn't be even a little bit happier with a stock American tele.

Spend your money where it matters---trying to find the sound/feel you want.

 

[Sharko]

I guess I'm trying this primarily out of interest. To see (hear) for myself what matters and what doesn't.

I actually did get a real good deal on a used instrument. So I thought: let me at least experiment with some PUPs.

The long term goal is to try to figure out what "my tone" is ... and thus which higher-end instrument to start saving for (sadowsky, lakland, warwick, etc).

I feel like I'm being a dick here, but agree with some of your goals and others have left me kinda perplexed.

The interest I understand. I like to change around components and see what changes and what doesn't. It's interesting to find out what talk around TB is bunk if you use your head and your ears instead of listening to the prevailing wisdom (I'm not a believer in high mass bridges like the badass for example, based on my own experience. But I have had good experiences with bridges that are designed fundamentally from differently from a bent metal bridge, like the sTek that came on old Schecters). I like the flexibility of being able to change one component at a time and see what happens.

Even though you got a good deal, remember that you are holding a valuable, good instrument. Don't change everything just because you can, like other people said "if it ain't broke..." changing out the part isn't likely going to give you any improvement.

It's your long term goal that I don't really understand. If you are planning on using what you learn to buy an expensive instrument in the future, isn't this most expensive and labor intensive way to do it? Wouldn't you be better off playing many different basses in shops and friends' houses for free?

Now, I'm not trying to dissuade you, on the contrary, I just want you to think about what your goals are before you chop up a $1000 instrument. For me, it's been all about customizing the appearance and making it really feel like MY bass. Also, I wanted to see how cheap of a bass I could turn into a stunner. But most of all, at the end I wanted to have a bass that was my number one main player, a workhorse that I put my own blood, sweat, and tears into. So that's my thought, if you're going to really start modding, you might be happier trying to make your dream bass (rather than making a model for a boutique builder to build your dream bass around).

In my experience, here's the best bang for your buck mods:
S1 switch
pickups (I'm a die hard DiMarzio fan but your ears may differ)
straplocks
passive --> active or passive -->active

And the most fun: new paint and pickguard!

Notice what doesn't appear on here: new hardware
Good luck, have fun. BUT, when it's done or in progress, you have to keep us updated with pics regularly.

 

[clauscaixa]

Yeah, there can be many takes on this.

I don't have bass player friends from which I can learn anything. TB represents my network

When I go to shops to play instruments I don't feel I get any valuable input 'cause I can't play freely and in a musical context ... And the sales rep is there looking over my shoulders. And the expensive instruments hanging at the shop often have so old strings on them that playing them is futile. I live in a relatively small city.

I feel I know next to nothing about tonal varieties of pups so that's what I an now researching, with input from TBers, and yes: a little money spent on trying out some possibilities. I have no intention of chopping up the instrument. None.

I'm thinking about having it re-painted because black body with rosewood fretboard doesn't appeal to me.

My other bass, my thus far workhorse, is a 72 all original Fender Jazz. This I would never touch apart from to play it. That of course is a "sacred" vintage bass. This "new" one is nice, granted, but it's a run-of-the-mill standard bass in an un-interesting color combo.

So, modding is maybe too strong a term, but slot-in replacement bridges are being considered, and then of course various pup options.

When I was young I had no money for bass gear but great belief in my talent. Now, 30 years later, I can pretty much buy what I want, I'm an engineer so naturally predisposed to technical investigations, and I have a long time ago reconciled with the fact that I won't be playing for a living.

It's a hobby ... That's exactly what it is.