MIM conversion is it possible?

[/\/\3phist0]

Nice link! Bookmarked!

I stumbled across it looking for Gretsch parts.
Invalid Link Removedhas some nifty knobs too.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Thanks everybody. I got this coming today. And the neck should be here soon too.
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since you posted this picture, I need to let you know, my bass was a very easy to match black. You may not be so lucky with that beautiful color on yours. Just a point of consideration.

 

[StereoPlayer]

since you posted this picture, I need to let you know, my bass was a very easy to match black. You may not be so lucky with that beautiful color on yours. Just a point of consideration.

What was I going to match?

Thanks

 

[dbsfgyd1]

What was I going to match?

Thanks

If you have to enlarge the cavity when replacing your bridge pickup like we did, where you rout is not going to have finish.

 

[StereoPlayer]

If you have to enlarge the cavity when replacing your bridge pickup like we did, where you rout is not going to have finish.

Ah, ok, thanks. Forgot you did that. Not sure about PU’s yet. But will keep that in mind.
Thanks again!

 

[coy garcia]

Yes. This is how frankensteins are made. 90's mim fender body. Everything else has been replaced more than twice over the yrs.

 

[MovingPitchers]

My experience.

I owned a MIM 2001 Jazz Bass...it was pretty bad but, hey, as a noob, what did I know? It sounded okay to me. I disliked the rosewood neck because it felt too sticky and just uncomfortable to play. I saved up enough to buy a MIM maple fretboard neck with the black headstock logo which cost me $200 CAD (now they're like $300...wth?) and the swap fit perfectly. Screw hole aligned perfectly; no fret leveling or shim needed.

I then learned about different pickups so I swapped out the stock ones which were the same size pickups (typical in pre-2008 MIM Jazzes) with a stock Geddy Lee pickup set and it fit perfectly. The bridge cavity was a tight fit but I did do some work on it at my local school's wood shop (woodworking teacher and I are close) and it was easy.

MIMs are really nice to swap parts around on. I enjoy it, honestly.

 

[sedan_dad]

I put Strat knobs on this Jazz. I didn't think it looked too bad.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Why bother? Even if you spend hundreds of dollars, it will always be a MIM body.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Why bother? Even if you spend hundreds of dollars, it will always be a MIM body.

It is fun putting lipstick on a pig then getting kisses.

 

[StereoPlayer]

Why bother? Even if you spend hundreds of dollars, it will always be a MIM body.

That’s the spirit. I didn’t say I was going to put hundreds of dollars into it. I never said what I was going to do it. Right now just the knobs. It might break the bank.
Thanks though.

 

[StereoPlayer]

It is fun putting lipstick on a pig then getting kisses.

+1

 

[StereoPlayer]

Thanks everybody. I got this coming today. And the neck should be here soon too.
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I love the look of the covers...but don’t like to play with them on.

 

[juancaminos]

Why bother? Even if you spend hundreds of dollars, it will always be a MIM body.

Is that a bad thing?

 

[Snakeman1066]

There is absolutely nothing to stop you from upgrading either the hardware or the electronics if you wish to. MIM Jazz basses all have pickguards, but if you get a replacement, be sure that it's compatible. There are several flavours of Jazz bass that have pickguards with different drillings. The knobs are attached with a simple screw, and easy to change. The bridge is perfectly functional, and there is little advantage to upgrading it other than for looks, but some prefer to do it anyway.

Dude...Really? no advantage to upgrading the bridge other than for looks!? Seriously? A lot of the high mass aftermarket bridges are made from better materials with more room for action adjustments including spacing and better, easier, and more accurate intonation...

 

[Lownote38]

I had problems with a MIM bridge. A couple of the saddle screws slipped (it took 5 songs for this to happen) and the string completely fretted out. I replaced the bridge. Also the the plastic nut eventually broke outside of the g string allowing the string to slip out so I had a good bone nut installed. It ended up being a great bass.

What do you play that bass with? A hammer?

 

[StereoPlayer]

Dude...Really? no advantage to upgrading the bridge other than for looks!? Seriously? A lot of the high mass aftermarket bridges are made from better materials with more room for action adjustments including spacing and better, easier, and more accurate intonation...

I rather like the old school Fender bridge. Never failed me. I’m building a custom bass right now...guess what? A Fender bridge.
Tasty walnut Jazz

 

[Ian774]

My Player (MIM) Jazz Bass has:

-black pickguard (standard was white)
-Fender High Mass bridge (standard was flimsy)
-Sadowsky-like knobs
-DiMarzio Model J pickups.
-no more original strap holders, as it now has a DiMarzio ClipLock strap.

Makes for a solid, rock bass.

 

[JakobT]

Dude...Really? no advantage to upgrading the bridge other than for looks!? Seriously? A lot of the high mass aftermarket bridges are made from better materials with more room for action adjustments including spacing and better, easier, and more accurate intonation...

I didn’t say no advantage, but little advantage. The stock bridge is admittedly simple, but works perfectly well. I have had no trouble whatsoever setting the action or adjusting the intonation with any MIM bridge, and they hold their settings well. High mass bridges do look nice, but in real terms I don’t think they merit the extra expense.

 

[coy garcia]

Is that a bad thing?

No. Eddie Van Halen made his cheapy famous . IMO