Jazz Bass - best build

[Douglas101]

Hello Talk Bass people

I'm building a Jazz Bass - starting with a swamp ash body and a maple neck - these seem to be good for tone - I'm wanting a classic 60s kind of sound - I particularly like The sound Norman Watt-Roy gets. Do you have any tips on the best pick ups for a jazz bass.

 

[staccatogrowl]

Welcome to Talkbass.

Classic 60's Jazz bass?
Alder body
Rosewood fingerboard, maple neck
60's pickup placement
Nordstrand pickups such as NJ4 models, configured according to your need.

Otherwise, maybe you have a good start on a classic 70's Jazz. However, you should be able to make your choices work with a bit of luck and some skill.

 

[Douglas101]

Classic 60's Jazz bass?
Alder body
Rosewood neck
60's pickup placement
Nordstrand pickups such as NJ4 models, configured according to your need.

Otherwise, maybe you have a good start on a classic 70's Jazz.

Thank you very much

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Welcome to Talkbass.

Classic 60's Jazz bass?
Alder body
Rosewood neck
60's pickup placement
Nordstrand pickups such as NJ4 models, configured according to your need.

Otherwise, maybe you have a good start on a classic 70's Jazz. However, you should be able to make your choices work with a bit of luck and some skill.

I'm certain you meant maple neck/rosewood fingerboard.

 

[Douglas101]

I'm certain you meant maple neck/rosewood fingerboard.

I didn't but I'm interested in what people recommend is that a great combination?

 

[Bassist30]

Alder body, maple neck w/ rosewood fingerboard. I would get the 64 fender replacement pick ups.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I didn't but I'm interested in what people recommend is that a great combination?

Well then pray tell what do you mean? Rosewood neck and what kind of fingerboard? I don't expect everyone to have the same semi professional journalism skills I've developed, but in two posts you still have not clarified what complete neck you are recommending.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

A rosewood NECK would sound great but keep in mind rosewood is heavy. My newest bass has an ASH neck with a variagated Florida swamp rosewood board.

 

[Flaked Beans]

Well then pray tell what do you mean? Rosewood neck and what kind of fingerboard? I don't expect everyone to have the same semi professional journalism skills I've developed, but in two posts you still have not clarified what complete neck you are recommending.

Well then pray tell what do you mean? Rosewood neck and what kind of fingerboard? I don't expect everyone to have the same semi professional journalism skills I've developed, but in two posts you still have not clarified what complete neck you are recommending.

staccatogrowl and Douglas101 are very confused now.

 

[bucephylus]

My preference for passive classic J pickups are the Seymour Duncan SJB2. Same growl as the Fender pickups with just that little bit more punch. Great pickups.

 

[ELG60]

I put Klein Retro 62's and swappable stacked knob controls on this build. It yielded a very snarly early 60's sound . . . Exactly the tonal goal I was attempting. i did a thread on it once:

 

[Malak the Mad]

I put Klein Retro 62's and swappable stacked knob controls on this build. It yielded a very snarly early 60's sound . . . Exactly the tonal goal I was attempting. i did a thread on it once:
View attachment 3495425

Hmmmm…luscious, spalted goodness!

Is that an AllParts neck?

 

[Douglas101]

I put Klein Retro 62's and swappable stacked knob controls on this build. It yielded a very snarly early 60's sound . . . Exactly the tonal goal I was attempting. i did a thread on it once:
View attachment 3495425

Thanks what's the body and neck and fretboard made of

 

[ELG60]

Hmmmm…luscious, spalted goodness!

Is that an AllParts neck?

As I recollect, yes. Had my tech file the fret ends and it's quite comfortable.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Welcome to TalkBass, Douglass!

Hello Talk Bass people

I'm building a Jazz Bass - starting with a swamp ash body and a maple neck - these seem to be good for tone - I'm wanting a classic 60s kind of sound - I particularly like The sound Norman Watt-Roy gets. Do you have any tips on the best pick ups for a jazz bass.

Here are a couple of comparison videos, one finger-style and one slap-style. And while the parts you've selected could very likely alter the final sound, these might be a good starting-point. Furthermore, if you tell us which one(s) you like, it might give some of us ideas for alternate suggestions.

 

[ELG60]

Thanks what's the body and neck and fretboard made of

The body was from Spaltking out of Canada and the neck is maple/maple. I don't recall the exact materials used in their bodies but they are delineated on their website. Mahogany with a spalted maple top, perhaps?

Oh, and welcome to Talkbass.

 

[kentiki]

I also built a 60s style jazz bass and went with Lollar pick ups. I couldn’t be happier. Have received many compliments from other bass players.

 

[DavC]

to me , the most important thing - bridge pup placement ...

plus whatever makes a nice fat sound , that You prefer ..!!

 

[Altitude]

Excellent discussion on J pickups here. Recommended.

 

[bassdude51]

There are soooooo many good pickups for a Jazz Bass out there that you can't even shake a stick at them all!

My .02 cents. The best are the Aero Instruments Type 1 Jazz Bass pickups. But they are so expensive! OUCH!

One J pickup set that is very affordable and sounds excellent are these..................Genuine Fender '75 reissue J pickups. $80 for a set but you have to buy them individually. I have a set of these in one of my basses and I LOVE THEM!

Don't be fooled by the '75 reissue title. They sound like a classic J.

NEW - Genuine Fender '75 Reissue Jazz Bass Neck Pickup, 005-5230-000 717669063863 | eBay

NEW Genuine Fender '75 Reissue Jazz Bass Bridge Pickup, 005-5231-000 717669063870 | eBay