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J-bass mod - is this dangerous?

J

j0nny_s

Dec 16, 2007
4
0
#1
Hey there,

I have a Squier Jazz bass ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]), one that I adore - except for the fact that it lacks a certain punch to it (it has none of that P-bass punchiness). Because I don't want to use a different bass to achieve a deeper tone, I was considering the following mod:

-Route out a space between the mid pup and the neck
-Stick in some P-bass pups
-Mod the electronics accordingly for switching between them etc.

This mod would be reminiscent of the Fender Stu Hamm Urge II bass..([Invalid or Expired Link Removed])
Yet with the difference that the P-bass pups wouldn't be between the 2 J-bass pups, they'd be between the mid pup and the neck.

Now, all I was wondering is whether this mod is dangerous or not to my bass? What I mean by that is.. By cutting a space into the body - am I removing a critical structural point? I have visions of perfecting this mod only to find the neck snap off or something like that :S

The reason I'm doing it this way, and not swapping the existing pups with Bartolinis or something, is that I have no money to upgrade it with. Please let me know your thoughts on this mod :)
 
#2
you are talking about routing new cavities into your bass and ask if this is dangerous to the instrument...
Of course it is dangerous to the instrument in it's current shape. It is irrevertible changes you are talking about.
On the other hand, if you like the "new" bass that you'll have, why not do it?
 
#3
I had a 5 string squire and put in Bartolini's and replaced the original pots with CTS. Drastic improvement and very little routing. The bridge was the same size as the neck so I had to take out a 1/16 of an inch on either side of the bridge to fit. If I would known , then I would have bought 2 neck pickups. The 5 string supposedly has the same pickups as a 4 string squire. Also check out the Dimarzio J's DP123. Great pickups for great price.

But since you have no money then whatever you do, change out the cheap pots. In fact you might want to do that first and see what it sounds like :)

One other cheap mod while switching out the pots is to install a push pull on the tone knob and make it a series/ parallel setup. Lots of posts on this forum on how to do that. I have my fretless with 2 J's wired like that and it really expands the tonal possibilities. You can buy this whole wiring harness prewired from Bayou cables for around $45.00.
 
#4
Yeah I'd thought about changing the pots, but I didn't think it would have much of a difference... I thought all they're doing is removing signal/tone (when turned down), but when on full, they would not be enhancing anything?
 
#6
j0nny_s said:
Yeah I'd thought about changing the pots, but I didn't think it would have much of a difference... I thought all they're doing is removing signal/tone (when turned down), but when on full, they would not be enhancing anything?
Click to expand...

i just went from a cheap wiring harness to a Rothstein wiring harness and the difference in tone was definitely noticeable. As mentioned before, you can do the series\paralllel which will give you a different sound from your 2 squire pickups.
 

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