Vista, did you have to make any modifications or can any P neck just drop in a Jazz body? Don't want to spend too much but I think this would help me like Jazz basses a little more.
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Vista, did you have to make any modifications or can any P neck just drop in a Jazz body? Don't want to spend too much but I think this would help me like Jazz basses a little more.
JPee, I think all the 4 string necks and pockets are supposed to be the same size, or at least close. I don't have a ton of experience swapping necks around, but this is what I have found.
Early in 2013 I bought 2 Mighty-Mite 1 5/8" (Fender licensed) Precision bass necks, a maple and a fret-less. The fret-less went on the CIJ Jazz, the maple onto a Squier Affinity P-bass. In both installations, the neck pocket in the bass body was a bit wider than the heel on the M-M neck and I made it up with a business card stuck with double sided tape (has worked fine for 2 years with zero problems), or wood veneer glued to the inside walls of the pocket.
Now here are the details and you'll see it's kind of hit or mis.
The M-M maple neck measured 2.5" at the widest point of the neck heel, the Affinity P neck measured 2.54" a difference of .040".
The M-M fret-less neck was 2.48", the MIJ Jazz neck was 2.5"a difference of .020".
Both basses had well fitting necks originally, and you can see that had I installed the maple neck on the Jazz it would have been a perfect fit.
The size of these necks as well as the pockets has been somewhat inconsistent. Making it up with shims along side the neck, as I did, is much easier than sanding a too wide neck to fit, although I would prefer the latter as I could create a perfect fit. Gluing wood veneer to the side walls of the pocket is a good solution and I will use that method in the future, if done carefully it is nearly un noticeable.
I'm sure other brands of replacement necks have their quirks. Mighty-Mite has been a decent neck in all other areas of playability and adjust-ability.
To further muddy the waters regarding heel size, I have a 1969 Fender P neck which I have made two bodies for, the heel measures 2.475 on that neck. One of those bodies (solid Bubinga) will end up with the fret-less M-M neck eventually. I expect a nearly perfect fit with maybe a little neck sanding required.
Bottom line...expect to do some custom fitting, but you may get lucky and have a perfect fit.
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Thanks Vista. That was very informative. Essentially, I've got nothing to lose (well, not that much). Even though I don't like the feel of a jazz neck I'm reluctant to swap out the neck. I do all my own setups and I got my jazz setup quite nicely and I'd hate to muck it up by swapping out necks. Anyway, it seems like an excuse to buy more basses. I see in my local Cragislist there is similar looking MiM jazz for sale . . .
Finally all put together. I have a grand total of $88 into it. For now, it is my go-to practice bass. Tonight I might take it to a jam session in Branson just to see how it sounds. I'm happy with the way it came out. You might remember the neck had way too much relief, so I had to heat and clamp it. I did need to level the frets a little and recrown them. The electronics were perfect as they were. One of my hobbies since I was young, has been taking instruments that had problems and making them playable again. This 2000 bass had just been neglected.
I haven't posted my Squier P bass.
I bought a Chris Aiken neck and attached it to a Affinity alder body.
I just added a BA II also, not in shown in the pic.
I bought a Chris Aiken neck and attached it to a Affinity alder body.
I just added a BA II also, not in shown in the pic.
I guess if you still enjoy playing it, no problem. For me the slim jazz profile was at times, contributing to left hand cramping.
There were a few nice looking used P necks for sale in classifieds last I looked. Going with a used neck will sometimes require plugging the old screw holes and redrilling to match the body.
This Fender licensed neck was a loose fit in the pocket of my Squier Affinty, the answer was to glue in some wood veneer (while the refin is underway), to both sides of the neck pocket. The veneer was an afterthought and should have been done at the beginning of the refin project, first time around I used a business card and double sided tape. I'll be doing some white touch-up around the pocket, and one more coat of lacquer before buffing out the sheen. Once painted to match, the veneer will become part of the body.
+1 For white/black/maple Affinity P basses!
Hope I get mine done soon and I'll post a new pic.
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Just bought my first Squire, refurbed-natural, VMJ-V two weeks ago. Saved a few bucks off new. I am really impressed with this bass's weight, tone, feel build quality. I do see where the strings don't line up directly over the bridge pup pole pieces. When I contacted seller about what was refurbed on this bass, he couldn't say. He did say that the slightly askew bridge pup is very common on these VMJ's. From researching pics, I don't find this to be true.
But the bass sounds great, even liking the stock strings. Some type of Fender strings?
Now, the sale item descript says this bass has the SD-designed pups. But the pups don't have SD logo like the one's I've seen on here. Does that mean they are the "Fender-licensed" pups? Seller thinks it was built about 6 months ago.
Again, it plays very nice and sounds pretty great. I'm not a DIYer at all on basses but see some interesting mods I may try later. But for now the bass is very playable as is so will stay stock for awhile. Doing second gig with it tonite, means my Valenti is staying home again. That says quite abit. Peace, e.
But the bass sounds great, even liking the stock strings. Some type of Fender strings?
Now, the sale item descript says this bass has the SD-designed pups. But the pups don't have SD logo like the one's I've seen on here. Does that mean they are the "Fender-licensed" pups? Seller thinks it was built about 6 months ago.
Again, it plays very nice and sounds pretty great. I'm not a DIYer at all on basses but see some interesting mods I may try later. But for now the bass is very playable as is so will stay stock for awhile. Doing second gig with it tonite, means my Valenti is staying home again. That says quite abit. Peace, e.
Post a pic of the bass up close ErnieD. I've seen where the string spacing on Squier bridges is closer than the pole spacing on the pick-up's. Is that what your asking about? To remedy that I'm replacing the Squier bridge on my refin Dual P bass project with a Fender "vintage style" nickle plated bridge. The one with threaded string saddles. Spacing on the vintage is 20mm as opposed to 19.
thanks vc. Well, all 5 strings line up over the center of neck pup pole pieces but not over the bridge pup pole pieces. Just slightly off center of the bridge pup poles. First I was thinking crooked bridge but again the neck pup lines up right. Doesn't seem to effect sound from this bass. It plays very well and has a lot of sounds just from slight knob rolls.
Pretty impressed so far. Course so far I am gigging it using: Zoom 60B-OD, Eden WT pre and EBS MultiComp. But it does so well with these pedals for a grindy, really punchy tone. A lot of fun so far to play.
Will try to post a pic next day or so to show what I'm seeing. If anyone can speak to the pups. Will the "Fender lic" pups just be plain, black unlike the SD loaded pups with logo? Does this mean anything to the build date of the bass. My serial # on back of headstock is 311xxxx, IIRC. thanks, e.
Pretty impressed so far. Course so far I am gigging it using: Zoom 60B-OD, Eden WT pre and EBS MultiComp. But it does so well with these pedals for a grindy, really punchy tone. A lot of fun so far to play.
Will try to post a pic next day or so to show what I'm seeing. If anyone can speak to the pups. Will the "Fender lic" pups just be plain, black unlike the SD loaded pups with logo? Does this mean anything to the build date of the bass. My serial # on back of headstock is 311xxxx, IIRC. thanks, e.
After some buying, selling and trading over the past year or so, I think I've settled on my favorite Squier-fecta. From the discontinued (as far as basses go) Squier Standard Series, I give you The Three Amigos! (Mad Love for those matching headstocks!)
The Precision Bass Special and Stratocaster are completely stock, save for the black pickguard screws. The Jazz has a pair of Classic Vibe pickups, both neck-sized (a curious idiosyncrasy of the Standard Series), and a high-mass bridge from a Blacktop Jazz. However, the bridge will only drop-in on four out of five holes, and since it's my designated travel/beater bass, I'll probably just return the original bridge to it's proper place.
The Precision Bass Special and Stratocaster are completely stock, save for the black pickguard screws. The Jazz has a pair of Classic Vibe pickups, both neck-sized (a curious idiosyncrasy of the Standard Series), and a high-mass bridge from a Blacktop Jazz. However, the bridge will only drop-in on four out of five holes, and since it's my designated travel/beater bass, I'll probably just return the original bridge to it's proper place.
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I like that collection ^^^^
Cool-thanks! Now, if only I knew how to play a six-string!!
It was on Guitar Center's used database for super-cheap. It was also within days of my birthday, so I said "Eff' it! Happy Birthday to me!"
It doesn't matter if you never play it. The family together and happy.
Yep! And if any of my friend's kids wanna learn to play, it'll be there…all set-up and waiting to shred!
After some buying, selling and trading over the past year or so, I think I've settled on my favorite Squier-fecta. From the discontinued (as far as basses go) Squier Standard Series, I give you The Three Amigos! (Mad Love for those matching headstocks!)
The Precision Bass Special and Stratocaster are completely stock, save for the black pickguard screws. The Jazz has a pair of Classic Vibe pickups, both neck-sized (a curious idiosyncrasy of the Standard Series), and a high-mass bridge from a Blacktop Jazz. However, the bridge will only drop-in on four out of five holes, and since it's my designated travel/beater bass, I'll probably just return the original bridge to it's proper place.
I was noodling around Guitar Center's used database to kill some time and I spotted two listings for Squier Standard basses, both in my most-favored Satin Pewter Metallic finish. There's one Jazz and one Precision Bass Special…both are going for a scant $150! Since I'm good on that front, I thought I'd pass on the listings to anyone interested. (If anyone is wondering, outside being an off-and-on customer, I have "zero" affiliation with Guitar Center.)
EDIT: I found the direct links on GC's website.
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The listing says "SLATE BLACK", but it's definitely Satin Pewter Metallic. The only one they made that came close to that look was the Special Edition Black & Chrome and the older ProTone, and that ain't either.
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I don't know about the 5'er, but my 4 string VMJ had that where the strings didn't line up with the p'up's poles, I ended up getting the threaded saddles for it.
As far as the pickups go, I have to ask, does this bass have a glossy fretboard/neck? If it does, then it is a newer model that has Fender made pickups instead of the Duncan designed ones. There is no logo on those.
@Batmensch LOL ;>) YES to all. I was told by seller this one should have been built about 6 mos ago or so. Since its' a refurb, there is a sticker with series of numbers on back of headstock. Maybe actual SN# is underneath that??
This one does have the glossy ftb/neck. Did the older one's come w satin neck? I'd like that better. And the pups have no logo so looks like they are the "fender designed" pups. Looks like if the bridge pup was moved about 1/4" the strings would aline at bridge. Doesn't seem to effect tone or volume, seems OK like this.
Bmensch, what did the "threaded saddles" do for you?
Either way, I'm really enjoying playing this VMJ-V a lot. My MIA J5/P5 basses have been staying home last few gigs. And I sit around the house playing it a lot; just a fun bass. Guessing that'll wear off in time, we'll see. So far, about 3+ weeks since buying it the bass feels/sounds great. Came setup great right outta the box. I'm even liking the strings a lot. They some sorta Fender strings? I think I read somewhere 8250's or like that? I usually go right to DR nickels or other brand of flats. But these play great. Wonder how the Low Riders(nickels?) would sound? Never tried em before.
I'd like to play a "Duncan designed" pup loaded VMJ to compare. Some here have said, not a huge difference. So I'm pretty happy with this bass and for what it cost me, very pleased playing it. Any other VM's y'all recommend I try, no P's please, I think I'm hooked. peace, e.
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