Late 90s MIM Jazz bass

[matty1039]

Hi all, I've got a 1997 Fender MIM Jazz bass. It has the ugly one piece pickguard, but most annoyingly the pickups are not the standard size. The neck pickup is much wider that what is going into today's basses making getting a replacement pickguard difficult.

Adding to that when I have attempted to put a new one one the control plate and pickguard don't line up. You have to shave the pickguard down and it is not a perfect fit. Plus shave the hole for the pickup to fit.

Lastly if I wanted to upgrade the pickups what would I do about the neck pickup since the body is routed for the wider one?

The difficulties upgrading it make me think about getting rid of it, but I'm somewhat sentimental to it since I've had it since 1999.

 

[BassUrges]

I built a CAD model of the bridge pickup cover for a '91 MIM. (Bridge and neck were the same that year and both most closely match modern neck pups). I just finished machining a new cover today--going to do a thread when I have time. The model is not perfect but it's close.

Anyway, I modded the new pickguard and replaced the broken cover. If you want the CAD model you can have it.

 

[96tbird]

Standard jazz sets have a narrower neck pickup. A larger body route won't impede installation and it will fit a standard pickup.

Once the pickup and pickguard are in place, You can then fit a normal steel control plate.

 

[matty1039]

Standard jazz sets have a narrower neck pickup. A larger body route won't impede installation and it will fit a standard pickup.

Once the pickup and pickguard are in place, You can then fit a normal steel control plate.

That is one thing that bugs me a little about Fender. You think they are all modular and easy to tinker with but they always adjust something little to throw it all off.

 

[BassUrges]

Standard jazz sets have a narrower neck pickup. A larger body route won't impede installation and it will fit a standard pickup.

Once the pickup and pickguard are in place, You can then fit a normal steel control plate.

Fitting a matching bridge pup is another matter.

 

[matty1039]

Actually the night I posted this I decided to not do anything to it save up some money and trade it in for a P bass or Mustang or some other Fender. I don't play it very often because it is so heavy and only keep it because of how long I've had it, but I won't feel so bad about letting it go if it is for a better Fender.

 

[Lownote38]

Fitting a matching bridge pup is another matter.

Nothing a little filing can't fix. I've done it to a bunch of basses that belong to other people who wanted their pickups changed. I've switched out both pickups, and the pickguard/control plate in about a half hour. Not that hard really.

 

[BassUrges]

I may try it, but I measure the difference at .15", so I'd be cincerned about the finish.

 

[Lownote38]

I may try it, but I measure the difference at .15", so I'd be cincerned about the finish.

Just be careful. That's why I use a file instead of sandpaper for this.

 

[72LML]

Matty, I sent you a PM about the jazz bass.

 

[tbplayer59]

You use a new, sharp narrow wood chisel and literally scrape a little wood from each side. So easy.

 

[PeckBass]

Hi all, I've got a 1997 Fender MIM Jazz bass. It has the ugly one piece pickguard, but most annoyingly the pickups are not the standard size. The neck pickup is much wider that what is going into today's basses making getting a replacement pickguard difficult.

Adding to that when I have attempted to put a new one one the control plate and pickguard don't line up. You have to shave the pickguard down and it is not a perfect fit. Plus shave the hole for the pickup to fit.

Lastly if I wanted to upgrade the pickups what would I do about the neck pickup since the body is routed for the wider one?

The difficulties upgrading it make me think about getting rid of it, but I'm somewhat sentimental to it since I've had it since 1999.

Old thread revival!
Re MIM Jazz pickups-

I went through the same thing with my 94 MIM jazz. Fralin and a few other companies now make MIM size jazz bass pickups. I got a set of Fralin Hc for MIM Jb and had to reshape the holes a little in the stock one piece guard. I used a dremel. Minimal shaving required. I also dropped in a golden age pre-wired harness from Stewmac. I had to enlarge the cavity a little bit to fit the larger pots and jack. Dremel did it well. Then I dropped in a BA2 bridge. Next I’m getting some replacement keys from Hipshot [HB7] this this is a beast!!
hope this helps!

-Nathan Peck-
Bass- Alex Skolnick trio