Uber Modified Jazz COMPLETE!

OK folks, no need for flaming as MUCH discussion occured in this thread before --> http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=450376 and I will NEVER sell this bass as a Fender (it's true origin will be fully disclosed if I ever go to sell her). There are also other cases where people who did the same thing (made a Fender from parts and labled it as such were not shredded like I was (example --> http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448399 ).

In any case, here is the full list of mods:

- Started with a brand new Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass
- Brand new Fender USA Custom Shop 60's pickups installed
- Fender 70's "F" logo neck plate
- New Audere JZ3 3 band pre-amp (Volume, Z-Mode switch, Mid/Balance stack, Treble/Bass stack, LED meter, & Output Jack)
- Wilkinson Vintage-Style Tuners -which are almst a dead-ringer for the original 70's tuners that came on the Jazz Basses of that era (the stock ones have smaller plates and shorter stems and just didn't look right to me)
- New upgraded bridge (much heavier) installed (can't remember brand - had it laying around)
- Schaller strap locks installed
- New Fender 7150m/s Nickel Rounds Installed
- Squier logos removed front and back of headstock
- Fender 70's Jazz logo for headstock
- Clear coat applied on headstock
- Full setup by the best setup guy in Maryland (he's also a luthier) IMHO - Ron Carney of Coffey Music (Westminster, MD)

Plays, sounds, feels, etc as good as ANY recently made MIA, MIJ, MIM etc Fender I've played. Ron set this baby up NICE. LOW action, totally free of buzz. Again, no need to go through the Fender logo discussion folks. It got sooo worn out in the last thread on this bass (the link above detailing while I was putting her together), that the mods closed it...

 

Time will tell my friend, but for now, she's stayin' in the stable !

 

I'll have to add everything up, but I'm guessing I have $750 - $800ish into it. I know it sounds silly to spend that kinda dough on a Squier, but I gotta tell ya (again) it WILL hang with any new MIA, MIJ, etc production Fender w/o breaking a sweat.

I'd prob never be able to get a 75' RI (which is what I love) in mint condition with an Audere, upgraded pickups (I love the Fender custom shop 60's pups), etc for that kind of cash. I'd have to spend another $500ish or so for a true 75' RI with those upgrades.

As far as how the Squier was before the mods. Surprisingly good actually. I've always picked up Squiers, plugged em in (if I even got that far after seeing the sub-par construction and poor setup) and thought, to myself that they are generally junk.

That all changed when I picked up this Vintage Modified in the store. Build quality was damn good (better than most MIM Fenders I've picked up) and it felt solid. Setup was reasonable (not great but not bad either). I plugged her in and was DAMN impressed with the stock pickups tone. So I grabbed her and then the madness began!

 

Dude, she's active. Battery is under the control plate (Audere 3-band preamp)!

 

I had a 75' RI a while back and didn't dig the pups (and at the time, I was just into other basses). I prefer the tone of the Fender Custom Shop 60's by a long shot. Just my opinion. We all have one ! Oh and I'm an active guy too. Again, 75' RI's sell for BIG bucks (even used) and then I'd have to buy the pups, an Audere, etc...

When I bought this bass, I really didn't intend to go nutz with it. It just happened over time. A part or two here, another there, etc...