MIM conversion is it possible?

[juancaminos]

My experience: I have a MIM PJ to which I added EMG PJX pups and controls, Hipshot bridge, after market pick guard and a Squire Jazz lined fretless neck. Also had a WD fretless Jazz neck on it for a while. All fit with out issue.

Then came a 2018 MIM Jazz body that I bought loaded. I put an after market pick guard on it and both of the above necks. It currently has the WD neck on it. All with out issue. I have an Audere 3 band preamp set up that will be dropped in soon.

Next came a 2016 MIM Jazz Body that I bought with nothing but a fender high mass bridge installed. I tried two different after market pick guards and they both fit. I bought a Fender MIJ fretless neck for it but it would not fit into the neck pocket. Next I bought a Fender Squire VM neck that fit right into the pocket. Finally I purchased a Warmoth fretless neck but it wouldn't fit into the neck pocket either.
Not sure why the issues with the 2016 body. I am unable to verify the body serial number MO4600915 either.

So you just never know...

 

[mikeswals]

If you're swapping electronics, most of the MIM's use two equal length pickups (bridge pickups), so watch out.
Unless you get one of the reissue models.

 

[StereoPlayer]

If you're swapping electronics, most of the MIM's use two equal length pickups (bridge pickups), so watch out.
Unless you get one of the reissue models.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Can a MIM J body be upgraded with more appropriate parts? I realize that they probably have a larger route and would need a pickguard. I don’t care for the knobs they come with. Is the bridge ok?

Thanks.

Asking for a friend.

I bought a 1996 MIM jazz bass for my son with the intent to upgrade the pickups and the electronics if needed when my son was done with it. I eventually replaced both pickups with replacement 62s. The luthier had to rout out just a little bit of the body to get the bridge pickup to fit. The rout on the neck pickup didn’t need to be routed.

I will say, it improve the sound of this bass significantly and was well worth the expense. So much so, my son in 2004, bought a hardly used America PJ and traded me even up to get the MIM JB back. He’s still playing it today, and as a bassist in the Marine Corps, and he can get just about any bass on the market under $3,500.

 

[StereoPlayer]

Thanks everybody. I got this coming today. And the neck should be here soon too.

 

[Killing Floor]

I agree, that’s why I don’t care for the knobs on a MIM J.
But...however...there’s one guy that did it!

View attachment 4068209

TB is AWESOME!!! You can put a gratuitous picture of Jaco anywhere!

In my experience swapping necks on Fenders and even Squier is pretty consistent. Maybe measure before you buy. Pickguard screw holes don't always line up but usually do. And if you're swapping stuff around an extra screw poke won't kill you. Didn't stop Jaco.

 

[StereoPlayer]

TB is AWESOME!!! You can put a gratuitous picture of Jaco anywhere!

In my experience swapping necks on Fenders and even Squier is pretty consistent. Maybe measure before you buy. Pickguard screw holes don't always line up but usually do. And if you're swapping stuff around an extra screw poke won't kill you. Didn't stop Jaco.

Liked and a +1

 

[telecopy]

The same thing happened with my MIM Precision. It would take a few weeks for the saddles to work their way down. I bought threaded saddles and that fixed it.
I actually like this bass better than my MIA.
Mine had CTS pots and the jack had been replaced. Put a Switchcraft jack in it if it doesn't have one already.
Pickups? That's a long and winding road to travel and it can get out of control for some of us.
Try different strings first. Some MIM pickups are fine as-is.
Personally I can't play a bass that hums, so I would probably put humbuckers in it. That's just me.
Good luck finding a pickguard that fits. I gave up and left the original white one on it.

I sent a MIM P pickguard to Pickguardian for a copy. Got clear with gold paint on back for anodized aluminum look. Worked out great.

 

[StereoPlayer]

@S-Bigbottom
+1

 

[Ryan L.]

I bought a used/like new Player Jazz Bass (MIM) a few months ago at my local store.

So far, I’ve put a white pearloid pick guard on it, a Hipshot D Tuner, a Hipshot A bridge, an Audere 4 band preamp (drilled body for a side jack), and Nordstrand J Blades.

Everything other than the side jack mod was a drop in replacement.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Thanks everybody. I got this coming today. And the neck should be here soon too.

M3phist0 set me up with this place for knobs.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
May do the purple stardust neon, have not ordered yet.

 

[StereoPlayer]

M3phist0 set me up with this place for knobs.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
May do the purple stardust neon, have not ordered yet.

Ya, @/\/\3phist0 is the man! I’ll look at those knobs...but will probably use traditional knobs on this parts bass.

Thanks.

 

[MovingPitchers]

The same thing happened with my MIM Precision. It would take a few weeks for the saddles to work their way down. I bought threaded saddles and that fixed it.
I actually like this bass better than my MIA.
Mine had CTS pots and the jack had been replaced. Put a Switchcraft jack in it if it doesn't have one already.
Pickups? That's a long and winding road to travel and it can get out of control for some of us.
Try different strings first. Some MIM pickups are fine as-is.
Personally I can't play a bass that hums, so I would probably put humbuckers in it. That's just me.
Good luck finding a pickguard that fits. I gave up and left the original white one on it.

Love threaded saddles

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Can a MIM J body be upgraded with more appropriate parts? I realize that they probably have a larger route and would need a pickguard. I don’t care for the knobs they come with. Is the bridge ok?

Thanks.

Asking for a friend.

Oh yes it can, there will be some "wood mods" the neck pocket "may" need alteration (metric vs imperial)
The bridge at worst would need a redrill, but in most cases: straight bolt up.
Knobs? I have a line on a few cool ones.
Iveroid ? PK-3270-000 (2) Faux Ivory Dome Knobs for Bass/Guitar | eBay
Resin in fanciful colors/materials? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Pickguards with attitude? Greasy Groove.

 

[MovingPitchers]

If you're swapping electronics, most of the MIM's use two equal length pickups (bridge pickups), so watch out.
Unless you get one of the reissue models.

The early MIMs did that. AFAIK, the current MIMs going back to 2008 use the normal sizing pickups where the bridge is longer than the neck one.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Cool plate you say?
engraved jazz bass control plate - بحث Google

 

[Ryan L.]

The early MIMs did that. AFAIK, the current MIMs going back to 2008 use the normal sizing pickups where the bridge is longer than the neck one.

Yep, that’s the case with mine. Bridge pickup is longer.

 

[MovingPitchers]

Yep, that’s the case with mine. Bridge pickup is longer.

i owned a 2001 MIM Jazz six years ago and the pickup lengths were the same. That’s when I found out about the whole debacle.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Love threaded saddles

threaded saddles can be purchased as stand-alone items.
Fender replacement, components can be sourced via Darrenriley.com

 

[StereoPlayer]

threaded saddles can be purchased as stand-alone items.
Fender replacement, components can be sourced via Darrenriley.com

Nice link! Bookmarked!