On a Bass Gear-Maintenance Adventure

[Aceman]

So, all of my basses are now home with me. Time for some project work and TLC

1. Dean Edge Crusher 5 string in Natural - All good. Could probably put new strings on. Don't play it that much, so no big deal. It's fine. Got a 5 if I want / need. 5 String Jazz gig? Good to go.

2. Ms. Jackson - My Silver Jackson JS2 Concert Bass. Tweaked the truss, Adjusted the bridge, Got some Rotosound 45-105 Stainless for it. Gonna punch like Mike Tyson!!! Probably my overall best bass. Pop to Rock to Metal

3. Dean Metal Master Z - A cheap black explorer style with one big brick of a pickup. I took the neon pink duct tape stripes off, am cleaning the gunk off, and am going to paint the pink stripes on permanently, and got some DR Neon Pink strings! 80's baby! 45-105. Hard Rock and Metal

4. Finally, my Black Squire P Bass Special. I play this a lot. Love it. Could also use strings. But first...some DiMarzio Model P+J pickups. My first Bass pickups project....Blues, Jazz, Pop, Rock, or Metal.



First after market pickups for Bass
First string purchases
First serious setups
First paint job

Good times!!!!

 

[Mincer]

I have to put some time into my Jazz Bass. I think I am going to go for an Apollo set.

 

[ErikH]

I got out my Sterling SUB Ray4 the other day for the first time in a while. Strings are still in good shape and the setup is how I like it. I use Ernie Ball strings on it. Can't remember the gauge. It has a Duncan SMB-4A pickup in it. The stock one is not bad but I wanted something less harsh.

 

[Aceman]

I have to put some time into my Jazz Bass. I think I am going to go for an Apollo set.

I know nothing about Bass strings or pickups. DMZ Model seemed to be a no-miss option and cheap enough.

 

[Mincer]

I got out my Sterling SUB Ray4 the other day for the first time in a while. Strings are still in good shape and the setup is how I like it. I use Ernie Ball strings on it. Can't remember the gauge. It has a Duncan SMB-4A pickup in it. The stock one is not bad but I wanted something less harsh.

I always loved these basses. A lot of bass for the money.

 

[Mincer]

I know nothing about Bass strings or pickups. DMZ Model seemed to be a no-miss option and cheap enough.

Jazz bass pickups can hum, since they are single coils. I need ones that don't. Apollos are side-by-side humbuckers.

 

[jeremy]

im a big fan of that smb4a pup! used it a on a few basses i built

 

[Aceman]

Jazz bass pickups can hum, since they are single coils. I need ones that don't. Apollos are side-by-side humbuckers.

You say that like I ever only use the J pickup without the P....LOL

 

[Mincer]

You say that like I ever only use the J pickup without the P....LOL

Even with the P, it will hum. The P pickup is a humbucker, the J isn't.

 

[Benjy_26]

I threw some Aero pickups into my MIM fretless Jazz not too long ago. Waiting on a Gotoh hi-mass bridge so I can slap on a new set of DR Sunbeams.

 

[Aceman]

Welcome Back Benjy!

I was pondering a new bridge....but Squire.

 

[Benjy_26]

Welcome Back Benjy!

I was pondering a new bridge....but Squire.

Thanks!

Squiers can take the gotoh style hi mass units, and those can be had for under 40 bones on fleabay. Not a horrible investment, IMHO.

 

[Benjy_26]

For instance, here's a Fender hi mass unit:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Fe...p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

[Aceman]

Thanks!

Squiers can take the gotoh style hi mass units, and those can be had for under 40 bones on fleabay. Not a horrible investment, IMHO.

oh really.....

Well, who am I to not put $200 (pups & bridge) into a $200 Bass!?!?!?!?!?!

Thanks for the tip. Wouldn't have even looked!!!

 

[Benjy_26]

oh really.....

Well, who am I to not put $200 (pups & bridge) into a $200 Bass!?!?!?!?!?!

Thanks for the tip. Wouldn't have even looked!!!

Lol No prob! I got my MIM for free and had custom pickups made. Lol

 

[Mincer]

oh really.....

Well, who am I to not put $200 (pups & bridge) into a $200 Bass!?!?!?!?!?!

Thanks for the tip. Wouldn't have even looked!!!

I would totally do this, too. My bass is a cheap Squier, but it is a blast to play.

 

[ErikH]

Check this out. https://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/standard-bass/relentless-middle

And to keep it totally quiet, get this for the bridge. https://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/standard-bass/ultra-jazz-bridge

 

[PFDarkside]

Check this out. https://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/standard-bass/relentless-middle

And to keep it totally quiet, get this for the bridge. https://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/standard-bass/ultra-jazz-bridge

They really need to make and Ultra Jazz or Model J with the same cover as the relentless!

 

[PFDarkside]

oh really.....

Well, who am I to not put $200 (pups & bridge) into a $200 Bass!?!?!?!?!?!

Thanks for the tip. Wouldn't have even looked!!!

I was prepared to put a Gotoh 201 and dual
Model Js into my Vintage Modified Jazz Bass, but it sounds so good with fresh strings it’s still stock!

Model J is hum cancelling by itself, and obviously the Model P is too. For a more modern tone without going EMG it’s a cool set. Add the bridge and it is a bass that sounds way better than the $400 total!

 

[Aceman]

You guys are not helping....I mean you are, in a tonal sense, but you know what I mean!