• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD James Johnston jazz

static0verdrive

static0verdrive

Jul 22, 2014
1,783
1,344
United Provinces of America
#1
Here she is, my fretted 4-string:

Squier James Johnston sig Jazz

Squier James Johnston sig Jazz

I may try a black pearloid pickguard just to see...

It's funny, I frowned when I saw "Made in China" on the box, but wowie zowie.

The frets are small! The fretwork is beautiful. I'm pretty stunned... stock setup / rounds on it and slapping sounds incredible. This thing feels so great.

I'm trying to find a black pearloid pickguard just to see what it would look like - the mint green looks like an aged off-white in some lights, which is really cool, but I like to do minor customizations. I can always swap back if I prefer this look anyway :cool:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Malak the Mad, Fabian_Aryo, placedesjardins and 1 other person
#2
I was ready to buy one and put on a blue pearl pickguard and I've seen a few with tortoishell pickguards, too...but black pearl will look great. You might even want to add black jazz bass fret decals. I put some white pearl ones on my FSR Jazz bass...easy to do and they only cost $20.
I had a Inca Silver CV Jazz bass...a lot of bass for the money.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: static0verdrive
#3
Update: A couple of hours in and I've noticed the intonation is perfect. There is a little 60-cycle hiss but only when I play..? I'll have to investigate and possibly do the paint shielding trick in the routes etc. I can't believe the tone! Sweet for slapping too. The high-mass bridge provides sustain like mad!
 
Last edited:
#5
jd56hawk said:
I replaced the pickups in my FSR with Super 55s...they're noiseless, but I did try out some copper shielding tape. Is the shielding paint easy to do?
I do like those bridges, too...should put one on my bass.
Click to expand...
It's great but I also love the hipshot bridge I got from bestbassgear for the fretless - there are a few awesome high-mass bridges out there and I love the difference they make compared to a thin L plate.

Not sure how the paint would go... I like the sound of that tape to be honest!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: jd56hawk
#6
I've had one of these for about a year and I love mine. Everybody who has played it can't believe it's a Squier. It sounded as good if not better then my MIM fender which I eventually sold and got a Carvin. While I love my Carvin, I always seem to want to play my Squier. I did also change the pickguard to a red tort. Something about that mint green pickguard botherd me. Congrats man, you got a great bass. P.S. I did start a James Johnston bass club. Feel free to join.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: static0verdrive
#7
Nice looking bass, Static. I always was a sucker for matching headstock. Its amazing to me how inexpensive these are relative to the quality. I haven't tried the shielding paint. The copper tape will reduce but not eliminate hum. If you go tape, get the stuff with electrically conductive adhesive, otherwise you have to tack solder all pieces together. Sound clips, perchance?
 
  • Like
Reactions: static0verdrive
#10
static0verdrive said:
Here she is, my fretted 4-string:

Squier James Johnston sig Jazz

Squier James Johnston sig Jazz

I may try a black pearloid pickguard just to see...

It's funny, I frowned when I saw "Made in China" on the box, but wowie zowie.

The frets are small! The fretwork is beautiful. I'm pretty stunned... stock setup / rounds on it and slapping sounds incredible. This thing feels so great.

I'm trying to find a black pearloid pickguard just to see what it would look like - the mint green looks like an aged off-white in some lights, which is really cool, but I like to do minor customizations. I can always swap back if I prefer this look anyway :cool:
Click to expand...

If you didn't know already, the JJ-Jazz is a Classic Vibe Jazz with a different paint job. Beyond the obvious care and quality Squier puts into their top-of-the-line series, there's one more advantage…if a replacement part will fit a CV-J, it will fit your JJ-J. For example, I replaced a CV-J's pickguard with a black/white/black guard meant for an MIA Jazz. (pic below) It's a 95% perfect fit, which means there's the notch for a heel-adjustable truss rod and one screw had to be angled a little to fit…so-not a problem. A similar black pearl guard should fit your bill nicely.

static0verdrive said:
Heh no one noticed Jabba...
Click to expand...

Noticed, but not talked about. We wouldn't want him to think we're trying to take away his other favorite trophy! ;)

CVJazz-Blackout01_zpsdc17ea4a.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: static0verdrive
#11
My $5 chinese knockoff pickguard from ebay finally arrived - it looks pretty good (makes the "lake placid blue" look a little darker but that's not necessarily a bad thing). Later that night I swapped the black plastic knobs for metal ones. Still loving this bass!

JJJ in black pearl

JJJ in black pearl

$5 chinese knockoff pick guard from eBay.

JJJ black pearl & metal knobs

JJJ black pearl & metal knobs

Replaced the vintage plastic knobs with black metal ones.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back