NBD! Fender Original 70's Jazz

Could the pickups be microphonic...? I had the same issue with my old Jazz...had to wax pot them , but I would much rather have done that than remove the original pickups...I’d be surprised a brand new Fender is coming off the line with microphonic pickups...it sure would be funny in a way though...seems like a bunch of 70’s Fenders had that issue...it’d be par for the course of catching the “old 70’s Fender vibe”...now all it needs is to be 11+ pounds..microphonic pickups are not a huge deal for an old bass...simple fix..a new bass..? ...that might have to go back..

 

Rotos are very loud strings, could that have something to do with it? Ever try DR Sunbeams?

 

Thought I could help since I read original 70's bass and I've had a few.
No idea about the repros though.

 

Sorry and congrats. Good luck with the setup/onboarding. Blocks look nice.

 

I am sorry you are having issues with it because it certainly is a gorgeous bass.

 

Very Nice!! Sorry about the pickups- that’s very weird...

 

70s pickups have raised pole pieces. Every 70s Jazz I can think of had the little “tabs” set up slightly lower than the pickguard.

The 60s style flush mounted magnets can be mounted a little higher without the string warble magnet interference. It sounds different though which may also be what you want.

If you haven’t already shimmed the neck during set up, you might like to try that before replacing the 70s style pickups. Let me know if you need a walk through on the proper way to do it. That will get you the same string action on the neck but pull the strings up a little further away over the body, getting the strings a little further from neck pickup at a reasonable depth, while also allowing you to raise the bridge height slightly for better string break angle and tone.


Now this next idea is risky. Sometimes you can “radius” the pickup poles yourself by pushing gently down on the E and G poles. They will definitely slide. Why is it risky? If they snag a winding the pickup is dead until it’s rewound.
Generally the best successes here are with smooth cast magnets. You’d want to examine your specific pole pieces carefully and decide if it’s a worthwhile risk-to-reward ratio for you before you proceed.
I’ve done it before successfully on strats a number of times, but I’ve read about people who failed. I’m pretty sure 70s Style magnets Are smooth cast and the enamel is thicker but again check your own specific instrument first and decide if you want to do it.

 

This is a new instrument, neck shimming and messing with the poles sounds like a good way to void a warranty. If the bass needs major labor to be playable, send it back.

 

Shimming (correctly) is part of every bolt on neck instrument set up and cannot void the warranty.
I agree messing with the pole pieces is somewhat drastic, it can not only void the warranty but if it goes wrong ruin the pickup, but swapping the pickups like he’s considering and installing the aftermarket bridge he put on probably also voided the warranty.

Of course since OP is also not sure he’s happy with the neck profile I am in total agreement with recommending to send it back. Especially if the new bridge is the same shape as the old one. For that money IMO you gotta LOVE it

 

That’s tough, man....I’ve have pretty solid experiences with the American made stuff....either way, glad it’s fixable..

 

Sorry to hear your having problems with your new bass, I thought these Fenders were supposed to be top of the line.... guess not. Have you considered Duncan Antiquity 2’s for a pup replacement? They are wound with the purple wire and have grey bottoms, just like the real 70’s pickups. Plus, they sound great. Nordstrand and Lollar offer 70’s winds too. Best of luck!