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Jazz bass that is too heavy...

#161
vindibona1 said:
But it may be important to note that balance is perhaps even more important than sheer weight...
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Definitely. I was thinking this when we agreed to swap out the high mass bridge. Superficially it seems a good move - remove some weight. But it's weighing on the other side of the guitar, it's making the bass heavier, but maybe it's also counteracting some of the neck dive.

I don't think I'll chamber the guitar yet - I'll get it back (a few weeks she said) and play a while and see how it is.
 
#162
Gruff said:
Definitely. I was thinking this when we agreed to swap out the high mass bridge. Superficially it seems a good move - remove some weight. But it's weighing on the other side of the guitar, it's making the bass heavier, but maybe it's also counteracting some of the neck dive.

I don't think I'll chamber the guitar yet - I'll get it back (a few weeks she said) and play a while and see how it is.
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I don't remember if I shared a photo of my Squier with the Gotoh heavy bridge. Honestly it didn't make one ounce of difference in the tone and maybe a drop more sustain. It looks cool, but I should have saved the money.

While your bass is in the shop, one thing you might want to consider is having it wired for both series and parallel. Parallel is standard Jazz bass wiring. Series gives a higher output with a stronger midrange and gives you a much wider sound palette. You can get closer to a P bass sound in series. All it needs is a switch which can be a push-pull, push-push or a separate toggle (I think). I was pretty much done with 4 string when I rewired mine, but it was a good rainy day project The switch/potentiometer costs about $12 retail.
 
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#163
i gave up trying to find a replacement body.

i swapped out the East J-Retro for a 920D loaded plate and swapped the Hipshot A for a standard bent.

down to 9 pounds - done!

plus i just installed DiMarzio UltraJazz pups - sounds and plays great.

and no batteries!


20220716_135727.jpg
 

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#164
An update photo from the luthier. Swapping out the high mass bridge for a standard "bent plate" bridge saved 6.5 ounces. Chambering another 3.5oz. We're changing the Fender tuners for "hipshot lites", which is likely the most significant saving - 6.5oz at the headstock. So a total of 16.5 ounces saved. I did say I'd not chamber it yet, but my partner persuaded me to get it done while the guitar's away at the luthier.

P7221994.jpg
 
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#168
Gruff said:
An update photo from the luthier. Swapping out the high mass bridge for a standard "bent plate" bridge saved 6.5 ounces. Chambering another 3.5oz. We're changing the Fender tuners for "hipshot lites", which is likely the most significant saving - 6.5oz at the headstock. So a total of 16.5 ounces saved. I did say I'd not chamber it yet, but my partner persuaded me to get it done while the guitar's away at the luthier.

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I’d consider chambering or similar cutting on my bass but the chamber in the picture looks too close to the neck for my taste.
 
#172
Gruff said:
We tried those, but they didn't work with the existing holes in the headstock.
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They work using the existing tuner ferrules. Or you can remove the ferrules and put some sort of spacer in there. I use hard plastic bushing material in the proper size. But th fender bushings should work. Whatever though, the hipshots are good, just a little heavier.
 
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