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Pimp my Gretsch Junior Jet short scale bass!

andyjevans

andyjevans

Jul 18, 2010
69
28
#1
I have a Gretsch Junior Jet 4 string G2220 (2 PU) short scale bass which I'm generally very happy with. It has maybe the best neck I've ever come across in a short scale and a good thickness and weight body. These are not expensive and I was thinking of getting a second one to customise.

Not having customised a bass, but being good with tools and having a small workshop, I'm ready to investigate what parts should be changed to improve it. Pickups no doubt, so what would make an obvious difference? Maybe a bridge? Maybe even change the body for something exotic?

Let your imagination fly here, and suggest what would raise this nice bass to another level? in terms of style I play jazz and jazz inspired, so looking for clean and full with a good E string sound (good as possible in a short scale...).

G2220 30.3".jpg
 
#3
Not to derail your thread, but I am considering this bass as a backup and was curious about the size and balance? Does it balance ok or does it neckdive a little? I know the length is shorter, but is the body size noticably smaller than a typical 34" scale bass? I love the look and all of the reviews it sounds fantastic, but being a larger guy I don't want to look like I am holding a toy, lol...

OH, and to keep in the spirit of the thread, I would add a p-bass style bridge cover.
 
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#4
That's a nice sounding bass as is, so I doubt it you can make it sound better.
However, if you just want to show off, put some TV Jones on it.

Now you could refin it a different color to make it stand out, in fact I've been thinking the same thing.
I let one of these get by me on CL a while back, and have regretted it.

Here's what Lucy did, and I think it's the most awesome mod on one of these I've seen:
SOLD - FS: Modded Gretsch G2202 - One of a kind short scale tone monster

Warpeg said:
Scalloped fretboard and a tremolo
Click to expand...

Since the distance between frets is longer than a guitar,
what would scalloping gain you?
I’ve never seen this done to a bass.

057912
 
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#5
One thought I have is to get a single PU version - G2202. I've been reading a bit more and the Gretsch PUs are generally well liked. So maybe not an urgent PU upgrade. Not sure how much of a difference a heavier bridge would make.
 
#6
I've been researching pickups mainly by listening to an awful lot of YT videos. The pickup that stands out for me, leaving out multi coils like Wal etc, is the Musicman in Alnico 5. I have a couple of Junior Jets, and I'm thinking of replacing the bridge pickup on one of them with a MM. I was originally going to make a new bass using a Telecaster body, but I'm still looking for a neck as good as the one on the Gretsch which is slim and fast and very easy to play.

Thoughts?
 
#9
I just built a bass from a kit and have started to notice some things on basses like this. Those bridges are all pretty much the same.

I would upgrade to the biggest, heaviest aftermarket bridge possible for max sustain. Those tuners are definitely the cheapest out there. They strip very easily - have the exact ones on my kit bass. I’d get the biggest heaviest replacements there as well.

You want to get nuts? Add some weight to the headstock - one of those fathead or fat finger headstock mass products.



Open the control cavity and line the thing with copper shielding or paint the inside with that shielding paint from Stew Mac.

Set it up for the thickest strings you can find.

Total insanity would be to string it with the bottom 4 strings of a 5 string set, tuned BEAD. You’d have to widen the nut most likely....that is going too far, though, IMHO. You might be destroying the unique nature of the instrument making it BEAD. If you play jazz - forget that.

Hey, I have my eye on this bass as well. If I get one, I will upgrade the bridge and tuners because I know for a fact that those are garbage. That’s probably all I’d do.

Oh...if you really want to get crazy - somehow find a way to get binding on the neck and body. Now that makes any jazz guitar or bass elegant, IMHO!

Enjoy! It’s just a toy, after all. Have fun with it,
 
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#14
Id put TV Jones pickups in it no question. I might change the bridge too but I dont have any suggestions. The tuners aren't even slightly vintage themed so they'd bother me but IDK if there is a replacement I'd like enough to bother with.
 

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