Literally "jazz" up my bass, help

[carl_thompson83]

Hi, I have a couple Fender basses that I've owned for 10+ years now. I play off and on but want to get more into it again. My 4-string precision deluxe I take very good care of and have kept it in a case for periods I don't use it.
My other Fender (5-string jazz bass, made in mexico) is my beater that I leave around and have played most often. This bass has a serious issue with boeing (bending of the neck), I don't know what wood they use, but I know it's cheap.

Anyways to get down to it I don't have much cash and was wondering if it would be worth while to buy new pickups and other hardware to perhaps just beef up my beater bass. I don't have much knowledge with building basses. My direction would be to get it sounding like a REAL jazz bass if possible. Anyone with some knowledge on this and can point me in the right direction?

I heard to help with boeing of the neck you can just simply take off the strings and put it face down and add a little weight on top, this true? (don't have a case for it) Also i'm worried about over tightening the rod and haveing it snap. Is there a way to tell how much is enough?


Sorry some of these questions don't pertain to electronics, but thought better to include it in one post.

 

[Febs]

I heard to help with boeing of the neck you can just simply take off the strings and put it face down and add a little weight on top, this true?

Have you adjusted the truss rod?

 

[carl_thompson83]

I haven't because i'm worried I might damage it. Overtighten it or something.

I did some researching and I'm looking at a couple different pickups. I'm looking for a deeper lower growl, raw funk. Then I would have the two extremes with my two basses I think. Or closer to that..

Dimarzio's dp149 ultra jazz, dp123 Model J, and EMG J Active

leaning towards the dp123's but one review I read says that it's not as good a slap sound as the 149's. I really want it to have punch.

 

[carl_thompson83]

Have you adjusted the truss rod?

I've had it adjusted a few times at a shop over the years. Not in awhile tho.

 

[jphilauren]

Instead of buying new pick ups/electronics, try a Sadowsky external bass pre amp or the Tone Hammer

 

[Febs]

I've had it adjusted a few times at a shop over the years. Not in awhile tho.

I think that you are focusing on the wrong things in this thread. Your first step, before you even consider switching out the electronics, should be to have a good set-up done. More likely than not, you can address the issues with your neck bowing with a truss rod adjustment, but if there is a more serious problem with the bass, then upgrading the electronics would be silly.

 

[kevinmoore73]

More likely than not, you can address the issues with your neck bowing with a truss rod adjustment, but if there is a more serious problem with the bass, then upgrading the electronics would be silly.

I agree. To me it's like saying, "The transmission in my car is blown and it won't shift out of first gear. Should I get 18" or 19" rims?"

 

[carl_thompson83]

I agree. To me it's like saying, "The transmission in my car is blown and it won't shift out of first gear. Should I get 18" or 19" rims?"

Or you know it could also be like saying... my transmissions gone and instead of getting a new transmission I'm going to buy a whole new car. Because at first glance I'm going to say **** it it's not fixable.

I asked those other questions for a reason? Why would I ask if I didn't think it might be an issue smart ass? Your analogy makes no sense.

 

[carl_thompson83]

I think that you are focusing on the wrong things in this thread. Your first step, before you even consider switching out the electronics, should be to have a good set-up done. More likely than not, you can address the issues with your neck bowing with a truss rod adjustment, but if there is a more serious problem with the bass, then upgrading the electronics would be silly.

I hear what you are saying. So it would be more worth while to get a bass preamp than to start with pickups your saying. I use a Korg toneworks effects pedal that also has an equalizer in it. I also use it when I use logic pro as well but the compressor's and equalizer's in amplitube and logic work well as well.

It plays fine besides the boeing which I explained. When I use that term I don't want to imply that it's totaly unplayable Just around the 12th frets you notice that you have to press down a little harder. Oh also I think there's a loose connection with the tone knob or something when I turn it to adjust it buzzes through the amp which is another reason why I want to mess with the electronics. Only when I turn it though.

I really have nothing to loose with this bass cause I don't play it as often anymore since I got my 4-string going. I know that the electronics are sub par since it was made in mexico and how would it not be a good idea to spend a couple hundred to get it going rather than say f' it?

Like I said I haven't taken the best care of it of late. But If I adjust the truss rod and keep it in a case or something the neck problem should be fixed no?

I was just reading a thread where a guy took the same bass I have upgraded the pickups the bridge and used... I forget a Retro pre or something? And has it sounding great now.

 

[carl_thompson83]

What do you guys think of the Fishman Pro-EQ platinum preamp? I was watching Slap Bass the ultimate guide by Hal leonard and Ed Friedland (guy in the vid) uses it.

 

[louloomis]

Sorry to be a party pooper, but what about:

1. Have a repair shop give the bass a good setup. And, if this doesn't remedy the neck issue then....

2. Sell the bass and replace it with something a bit more robust. I personally think the MIM stuff is sub-par in many ways, although a lot of people don't think so.

LouLoomis

 

[FaithNoMan]

I asked those other questions for a reason? Why would I ask if I didn't think it might be an issue smart ass? Your analogy makes no sense.

His analogy makes a lot of sense.

Putting pickups in a bass with a bowed neck seems rather daft to me.
As well as your attitude.


P.S. - Getting your neck straightened and a proper setup has a good chance of changing the tone of your bass for the better.

 

[carl_thompson83]

Look you can give me advice, or leave a message as though I'm a toddler.... thats just disrespectful. He didn't even address me in the thread as though I was below him, my attitude should of been more course.

I asked the question for a reason because it is a concern or else I wouldn't have asked it

Get it? So obviously the neck issue is on my mind.... thanks

 

[stflbn]

Or you know it could also be like saying... my transmissions gone and instead of getting a new transmission I'm going to buy a whole new car. Because at first glance I'm going to say **** it it's not fixable.

Because... if you just get a different bass you WILL end up with the same problems do to neglecting and not understanding the MAINTENANCE of your basses. If your bass is not setup properly it WILL effect the sound, playability, durability, etc etc etc.

But obviously you're not here to get actual advice that will help you...

 

[Febs]

I hear what you are saying.

What I said: "Your first step, before you even consider switching out the electronics, should be to have a good set-up done."

What you heard: "It would be more worth while to get a bass preamp ..."

It plays fine besides the boeing which I explained.

"Well, other than that, how did you enjoy the show, Mrs. Lincoln?"

Oh also I think there's a loose connection with the tone knob or something when I turn it to adjust it buzzes through the amp

Like I said I haven't taken the best care of it of late.

I'm thinking that these two statements are related.

I really have nothing to loose with this bass cause I don't play it as often anymore since I got my 4-string going. I know that the electronics are sub par since it was made in mexico and how would it not be a good idea to spend a couple hundred to get it going rather than say f' it?

I agree that it may make sense for you to spend some money to "get it going," but as I said earlier, I think that you are starting in the wrong place. An inexpensive bass that is set-up properly can be a great bass to play. A bass that is not set-up properly can be a horrible bass to play, regardless of what electronics are in it.

Get the bass set up, and while you're at it, have them clean the pots and make sure the pickups are set at the appropriate height. Once you have confirmed that there are no structural problems with the bass and you like the way it plays, then it would make sense to upgrade the electronics if you're still unhappy with the sound. But it just doesn't make any sense to upgrade the electronics in a bass that doesn't play well to begin with. Your money would be better spent elsewhere.

 

[carl_thompson83]

I thought you meant gear by set-up. Could you elaborate more? I don't want to argue and make a mess of things, Honestly.

 

[carl_thompson83]

Because... if you just get a different bass you WILL end up with the same problems do to neglecting and not understanding the MAINTENANCE of your basses.

Ok... thats why my 4-string is in excellent condition. I doubt you fully read and understood my post rather than looking at a spot of attack. This 5 string has been my beater bass that I let company come over and use and leave around while I keep my other bass in good condition make sense?

 

[Febs]

I thought you meant gear by set-up. Could you elaborate more? I don't want to argue and make a mess of things, Honestly.

I edited my post while you were typing your reply and added some additional detail.

When I say "get a good set-up," I mean to take your bass to a professional who will check the frets for wear, level and crown them if necessary, adjust the relief of the neck, set the bridge saddles to the appropriate height, adjust the pickup height appropriately, adjust the intonation at the saddles, and clean the electronics if necessary.

 

[FaithNoMan]

Look you can give me advice, or leave a message as though I'm a toddler.... thats just disrespectful. He didn't even address me in the thread as though I was below him, my attitude should of been more course.

I asked the question for a reason because it is a concern or else I wouldn't have asked it

Get it? So obviously the neck issue is on my mind.... thanks

Yeah, I got it, people are trying to help you, and you have a nasty attitude.

Listen to Febs, he knows what he is talking about.

 

[louloomis]

Can I jump in here for a second?

In a lot of these forums (although TalkBass is the least guilty of this in my opinion) frustrated know-it-alls (I may be one myself, I don't know....it all.) often speak in an unhelpful condescending voice. We're all on the same side here - musicians. That's a rare and smallish community....and then "bassist" makes the community even smaller.

Carl_Thompson has valid concerns and some of the posters, too, have chimed in with some good offerings.

I think the message here is to prioritize the following:

1. analyze/resolve the neck issue and resolve potentiometer issue (this may be a good idea anyway if you do decide to sell the bass, it depends on where you live and how much it will cost to set the bass up).

2. once done, then carl_thompson can decide whether or not to sell.

3. in terms of adding to that bass, this may not be the best investment because, carl_thompson could take that money and the sold bass money (if necessary) and get something a bit more upscale perhaps.

Just my 2 cents of where we are.

Yes, I'm insane.

LouLoomis