First of the shaping of the head stock, Im keeping at the J-AV75 shape as I like the thicker look as opposed to the original Jazz head stock shape Fender shape, I know its a copy, but that's what I want. Still a little tweaking to do a couple of high spots to sort out, all in good time.
The bridge on a P- or J-bass does sit very close to the rear edge. Of course the original Fender bent-metal sheet bridge design is a lot thinner on the section thats bent upwards than the rear section on most replacement cast bridges, so the gap between the bridge and the end of the body is smaller, despite the saddles being in exactly the same place.
It may only be a couple of mm extra, but the visual difference on the bridge to body-end gap is significant.
Ok thanks Simon, I wasn't aware of that set up. Im getting closer to the soldering stage, I'm thinking about a set of Seymour Duncan pick ups. Huge variations in pricing. I have a niggling urge to get a nice pair of puppies and I may get them sooner and put them in rather than the kit pickups, ??? Whats your thoughts ?? Are the kit pups ok ???
The kit pickups work and make an OK, if not great sound. Think basic Squier bass level.
If mine, I would upgrade the pickups, but if I was going for a fairly standard Jazz Bass sound, I’d probably go for some Toneriders rather than pay more for SDs for the same sound. If you want something heavier or more powerful, then SD would be a good starting point.
But do please note that (and we’ve complained about it for ages) the kit pickups and subsequently the bridge pickup rout and scratchplate neck pickup hole, don’t confirm to the standard JB pickup shape. The semi-circular mounting lug positions are an annoying mm or so slightly out.
So to fit any replacement pickups you’ll want a new scratchplate and you’ll need to modify the bridge pickup rout to make the fixing lug cutouts a bit bigger. People have successfully done this using a Dremel with a drum sander bit.
Things may have changed as I’ve been out of the forum for a few months, so worth checking any recent Jazz Bass builds in case it’s mentioned.
Last edited by Simon Barden; 28-07-2023 at 03:55 PM.
Thanks for the heads up on the pickup pockets, That would be annoying, Im guessing the scratch guard could be adjusted as well. I will take a look at the Toneriders, I have my eye on a set of SDB 2 hot pickups, they have nice punchy sound but a little on high dollar side. Thanks for the help Simon.
P:S Looking at a set of tone riders the measurements from eye to eye mounting holes for the neck pickup, come in at 39.2mm which is the same as the kit, likewise, for the other dimensions, all the same but cant seem to find the measurements for the SD's will keep looking and compare.
Thanks again.
It may be the size of the lugs then, but I thought the kit ones used to be maybe slightly smaller and offset from normal. You definitely had to modify the body to fit replacements.
Maybe the kits now come from a different factory that uses the right size pickup. It will be good news if that’s the case.
I meant to mention the kit neck pickup matches the Tonerider neck pickup, not sure about the bridge pick up but it is definately slightly longer around 40.2mm eye to eye ???
P:S ............Just confirmed the tone rider neck and bridge jazz bass pickups match the kit size.
Here's a link to a build from 2020/21 where they had to enlarge the bridge pickup routs slightly (so I didn't imagine it!). They'd made their own 3D-printed pickguard so there was no need for modification on that. https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...l=1#post215924
hmmm ok, well, that bit of information helps. I wasn't doubting you at all, just thought I would pull up some specs and compare, It does look to be the diameter of the set screw cover casting. Unless, as you said, the supply chain has changed, and I don't know how old that info on the specs is. At least now I know what to expect if I decide to change out the pups.
Thanks Simon.
First of the shaping of the head stock, Im keeping at the J-AV75 shape as I like the thicker look as opposed to the original Jazz head stock shape Fender shape, I know its a copy, but that's what I want. Still a little tweaking to do a couple of high spots to sort out, all in good time.
Look here
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