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J/MM... options...

ninepoundjammer

ninepoundjammer

Apr 23, 2010
624
92
Berkeley, CA
#1
I'm building up a new body with a Nordstrand J/MM system. No existing routes, so I can do anything I please. I'll wire the MM so I can run one or both coils. As I see it, the options for MM pickup locations are:

a) rear coil of MM aligned with 70's Jazz bridge location, should be able to approach 70's Jazz sound with only rear coil running

b) rear coil of MM aligned with 60's Jazz bridge location, should be able to approach 60's Jazz and Stingray sounds with rear/both coils running, BUT would require modification of pickguard and control plate to make me happy

I'm leaning towards (a), which I'm sure will sound good in its own way, and just getting a stingray if I decide I *really* need the stingray sound at some point. I wouldn't mind modifying the pickguard, but I'm not excited about messing with the control plate. I want this to look and sound good, and while you could almost get away without modifying the control plate in the 60's location, I don't think I'd be happy.

What experience is out there about this?

Can somebody say what Lakland does?
 
#2
Ok I have been talking to Nino about doing a build like this for a while.

If you put the MM pickup in its sweetspot you will cut into the pickgaurd if you have the body set up as a standard J configuration.

On a Lakland the MM is a little further back.
(To me I would rather have the MM in the sweet spot).
 
#3
When making my "J" body template I actually slimmed it down just a bit in some dimensions. Not enough that you really notice, I thought, but it turns out it was enough that the standard pickguard/control plate doesn't fit quite right. I was able to modify the pickguard such that the control plate fits better and also making more room for the MM pickup. I think it'll end up something like a 1/4" shy of the actual sweet spot, maybe, but close enough for me. So my oversight seems to have worked out in the end.
 
#6
ninepoundjammer said:
Yeah, you could do that, but then you're farther from the MusicMan "sweet spot", so that's the tradeoff you need to decide on.
Click to expand...

I suppose so...

I guess it just comes down to whether you're really looking for a "Musicman with a bit more flexibility" or a "Musicman-styled Jazz Bass with multiple options". I guess it really comes down to what you want here.

There is a tradeoff and a benefit either way. Good luck.
 
#7
BananaKing said:
I suppose so...

I guess it just comes down to whether you're really looking for a "Musicman with a bit more flexibility" or a "Musicman-styled Jazz Bass with multiple options". I guess it really comes down to what you want here.

There is a tradeoff and a benefit either way. Good luck.
Click to expand...

+1

Its all a matter of what you are looking for.

I love both J and MM basses and I found IMHO when trying to blend you never really get either...(That does not mean you will not get something cool...)

I personally think the MM sounds best in the sweet spot and if I want a J I will play J.

A MM in the sweet spot with an additional pickup is cool as well and think that is your best bet if you want that MM sound and then have the option in the same bass to have something different.
 
#8
I don't know that Nordys, but a week ago I did some soldering in a friends Cort (MM+J).
the J is 1 cm closer to the neck than it is on a JassBass, and the rear coil of the MM was in the '73 position, as I remember... at least, not in Musicman location. actually I think I liked it better if it was in the normal MM position - the pickup itself sounded close to a Musicman pickup, but the position wasn't MM. so what I got: no MM sound, no JB sound :-/
okay, it can be very good to have a distinct tone, but this time I wanted some traditional :)
 
#9
Those Cort have an alright sound tbh!

I had to pick either jazz/stingray/Cort JMM .......i picked the Jazz, then, soon a Ray.

Like everyone has said, its hard to mix the 2. I think the 2 best options are.

Either make your build and find the sound YOU want.

Or grab a Sterling HS, that would do both a good jazz and Ray sound.

Personally, id put that MM in the sweet spot and just put the neck whether suits.
 
#10
pandathe3 said:
I disagree its not a a Jazz sound with a HS (I know it looks that way) its more of another spin that of EBMM sound thats hollow-ish
(Not being a jerk just don't want some to expect one thing and get another)

Check out Ed talking about position 2 with a Sterling HH that uses coil 1 & 4 which is the 2 outer coils (which is what you would use if you have a HS) He even mentions that that you would think its a Jazz tone but its not.

Skip to 2:30 seconds to hear Ed talking about this.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=10255286

I have and still have several J basses and a EBMM Sterling 5 HH I'm sorry but the Sterling cannot cop a J bass tone at all. :hiding:
Click to expand...
 
#11
Yeah, i get what your saying, Which is why ive got a Jazz and soon to be Ray. I had the option to mix but decided against it. Will have to watch Eds video soon.

Its just like the whole PJ argument. P purist say it doesnt sound like P. J purist complain also, whereas the people that play them believe youve got the best of both worlds.

If you want a jazz sound get a jazz and vice versa.
 
#12
pandathe3 said:
If you want a jazz sound get a jazz and vice versa.
Click to expand...

+1 to that...

Unless you want a hybrid sound.

However I find more and more people don't they either want X or Y and I have to admit I have become like that myself.
 

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