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Pickup placement Jazz bass

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by gimmeagig, Nov 19, 2005.

  1. Nov 19, 2005 #1
    gimmeagig

    gimmeagig Supporting Member

    Feb 25, 2004
    Coeur D'Alene,Idaho
    Hi,
    I have a Moon JB5 bass which is essentially a 5 string Jazz Bass like a Sadowski.I just realized that when I compare it to my 74 Jazz that it does not sound as rich and warm.I measured the pickup locations and found out that the neck pickup on the Jazz is about 3/4 of an inch further towards the neck compared to the Moon.
    I would have to have the bass routed for a new pickup location and also make a new pickguard.
    I really would like to be able to duplicate the sound of my 74 Jazz(w/sadowski preamp)on my Moon 5 string.
    What do you guys think,would it be worthwhile do modify the JB5?
     
  2. Nov 19, 2005 #2
    Magneto

    Magneto

    Jan 7, 2004
    Corpus Christi, Texas
    Tough call. I guess it really just depends on YOU.
    It would take some work, but it's do-able..
    If it were me, I'd leave it the way it is, especially if I already had a Jazz that had the warm sound I was after.
    I would experiment with the Moon and enjoy its own unique sound.

    Mag...
     
  3. Nov 20, 2005 #3
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    I wouldn't go messing with a Moon. A cheap Fender or copy, maybe. But not an expensive bass like a Moon. You can totally disfigure the instrument, kill its resale value, and still not make it sound the way you want it. My advice is to sell it or live with it.
     
  4. Nov 20, 2005 #4
    gimmeagig

    gimmeagig Supporting Member

    Feb 25, 2004
    Coeur D'Alene,Idaho
    I guess you guys are right, I'd hate to cut into the Moon only to find out that it still doesn't sound like my Jazz.But if it did work it would be pretty nice.
    I'll hold off for now and just play my Fender.
     
  5. Nov 20, 2005 #5
    Kilian.

    Kilian.

    Sep 14, 2005
    Netherlands, Delft
    Besides.. there are a lot of other factors that also play a role in this game; strings, wood and pickups.
     
  6. Nov 20, 2005 #6
    SGT. Pepper

    SGT. Pepper Inactive

    Nov 20, 2005
    Phila,Pa.
    That is an expensive bass but price doesn't matter if you are not satisfied. Sell the bass instead of chopping it up and get something more to your liking. You might modify the Moon and still not like it, thus wasting both time and money as well as risking the value of the bass as-is. Sell it!