Jazz bass Mod becomes Build?

[fender3x]

Some years ago I got an SX Jazz bass for about $100 as a backup and a platform for experimenting with mods. Over time I replaced the pickups and electronics twice, cleaned up the fret ends, gave it a bone nut and proper setup. It's got a new tone control plate and pick guard, Schaller strap locks and Gotoh GB640 Res-o-lite tuners. It sounds and plays pretty well, although it may still need some fret leveling...



...But I'd really like it to be lighter..So I got it a paulownia body. Also got is a Sung-Il locking bridge.

It occurred to me that when I put it back together the only parts that will be OEM are the neck, neck-plate and string tree.... Which I think means it will no longer be a modded SX bass, but has become a build with some a few SX parts. That made me think about when the build began? I have had the new body for a while, but only recently started work on it. The pickups are a PJ combo (EMG Geezer Butlers), so I routed the neck pickup cavity to accommodate a split Precision pickup.



I'll add the Sung-Il bridge as well. At the moment I am planning to use the SX neck... But I have also asked Tim about whether he can get a Jazz Bass profile neck for me. Adam got me one that has become my favorite neck...that might be ideal if they are still available. In any case, will keep a diary of the build here ;-)

[Trevor Davies]

The paulownia body has quite a lot of character! I never realized it could have that much pattern. For my axe bass the paulownia had no pattern at all.

How heavy is the SX jazz at the moment?

[fender3x]

The bass now weighs about 4.5 kg (9.8 lbs). Not all that different than my G&L ASAT bass (similar looking to one of your Tele bass builds). By contrast, my semi hollows weigh around 7.6 and 6.9 lbs...and my paulownia Precicision is under 6.3 lbs. I am pretty sure that I'll play the Jazz more if I can get some weight off. As is, both the ASAT and the Jazz make my back twinge if I play them very long.

On the character of the wood, the three bodies I have are pretty well figured. Just dumb luck. I ordered them without seeing them. I also have the remains of a bunch of 1/4" thick small boards that my kids broke in Tai Kwon Do, and I have experimented a little with a finish. Will post later. I am not great at transparent finishes, but it seems a shame to use a solid color on nicely figured wood...unless I screw up a transparent finish first ;-)

[Trevor Davies]

I had to google the G&L ASAT bass. Looks nice! Is yours natural colour?

My pine basses are between 3.4 and 3.7 kg (assuming my luggage scale is accurate), and the Victorian ash bass was 4.2 kg.

[fender3x]

Ha! I think it's the last bass that Leo Fender designed. As far as I know the only Fender bass that has a body like the Tele guitar. (I am, of course, talking about Fender-designed basses, regardless of the logo on the headstock). It has the same electronics and pickups as the main bass that Leo Fender designed for G&L, the L2000. Aside from the body shape the real difference is the neck profile which is like a Jazz bass, but with a flatter radius. (The L2000 has a similar neck to a Music Man)



The electronics in mine have been modded to get more sounds, and the have to have easier access to the battery. Not a great pic but you can also see that it has an aluminum strap extender so that it balances better; without it the bass has quite a bit of neck-dive. It has a "blue swirl" finish that makes it look a bit like a bowling ball. I bought it for the neck, which was the best I had ever put my hands on when I got it. I think the Jazz profile neck I got from PB feels just as good, and I tried to get the finish as close as possible. It's a great bass, it just makes my back twinge after a while. It's not that heavy at about 4.6 KG. My interest in light basses says more about my back than about the basses

[Trevor Davies]

Very Nice. I have also never seen or heard of a "strap extender" to stop nose dive - (I lead a sheltered life!). Is yours attached to the neck plate?

[colin2121]

Very Nice. I have also never seen or heard of a "strap extender" to stop nose dive - (I lead a sheltered life!). Is yours attached to the neck plate?

I have not heard of that strap extender either.
Would like to know a bit more about it. I have a SG copy that dives.

Nice looking bass there.

[fender3x]

These were sold by a guy who was a huge fan of ASAT basses. He offered them to folks who sent him an inquiry at Talkbass or at the G&L bass forum (https://www.bassesbyleo.com/forum/index.php). I don't know if he's around anymore. He milled them out of .25" aluminum, anodized them black and included three* slightly longer neck screws.



I am not sure you can get them anymore. I think the guy who made them stopped. I am sure there are people with the skills to build them on the forum though ;-)

Steinberger makes something similar. When I have taken the bass out, the Tele body is always an eye catcher, but no one seems to notice the strap extender. T-Birds, LPs and other basses with a short upper bouts that are prone to neck dive might benefit from something like it.


*Old G&Ls have three bolt neck plates.

[Trevor Davies]

Thanks for the info fender 3x. I might try and get an extender and give it a try.

[fender3x]

I was amazed at the difference it made.