To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

[Funkfingers]

Imagine, if you will, that you are in the position to afford a Fender USA FSR guitar or bass BUT you are not entirely happy about its stock pickups or electronics. Should you keep one eye on the collectibility value by respecting the original spec OR would you modify with your ideal/fantasy "upgrades"?

For the sake of argument, assume that any modifications must be reversible. So, no DPDT mini switches in the metal control plate of a Telecaster or Jazz Bass, no third pot and knob in the pickguard of a P Bass, no battery compartment cover plates.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

Are you buying it to play it or store it away in a case?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

All of my instruments get played - eventually.

BACK STORY
I just landed a pair of the old SD Active EQ bass pickups. I quickly discarded the notion of installing these in my Fender AVRI '75. I toyed with hunting down a bass of German Warwick quality. The concept was "something like a Jazz Bass."

After trying a Fender Am Std FSR Jazz Bass earlier today, the obvious answer hit me. Something like a Jazz Bass? How about a Jazz Bass!!! (Specifically, the unbelievably resonant example I just tested).

EDIT - This model. http://american-standard-hand-stained-ash-jazz-bass

 

[astrozombie]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

What wouldn't be reversible?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

Active EQ "switch" pickups offer vast tonal variety but look kinda wrong.

Lightnin' Rods look right but probably need the assistance of a Blackouts For Bass stacked knob EQ system.

I would not want passive pickups in the Am Std Jazz Bass. My AVRI '75 already takes care of the vintage sounds, appearance and feel. I am looking for an "everything else" modern bass. All manner of sounds residing in a familiar container, so to speak.

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

Not sure on the basses but I saw many, many FSR strats on the market when I bought mine earlier this year. There may not be much collectible value with them. I modified mine extensively including routing under the pickguard.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

Active EQ "switch" pickups offer vast tonal variety but look kinda wrong.

Lightnin' Rods look right but probably need the assistance of a Blackouts For Bass stacked knob EQ system.

I would not want passive pickups in the Am Std Jazz Bass. My AVRI '75 already takes care of the vintage sounds, appearance and feel. I am looking for an "everything else" modern bass. All manner of sounds residing in a familiar container, so to speak.

im guessing you use the tone pot and both volume knobs?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

im guessing you use the tone pot and both volume knobs?

Well, that is all that a Jazz Bass normally has to offer.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

I approach every guitar that I own with one simple objective.....what can I do to make it the best guitar that I own. I never plan on reselling them...only owning them and playing them and enjoying them. Only one exception, there is one that I bought with the sole purpose of selling, and I never touch that guitar. It spends its life in a display case until I decide the time is right to get rid of it.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

modify that sucker... it's just FSR, not custom shop masterbuilt XtREME RELIKZORZ or something

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

I approach every guitar that I own with one simple objective.....what can I do to make it the best guitar that I own. I never plan on reselling them...only owning them and playing them and enjoying them.

This pretty much where I am at. The downside to making each instrument as good as it can be is that my personal touches are not necessarily appropriate for any potential purchasers.

modify that sucker... it's just FSR, not custom shop masterbuilt XtREME RELIKZORZ or something

Yeah. I am aiming to finish up with a modern FJB that can dish out most of the sounds that would need. (This is where the ol' Active EQ JJ pickups come in.) In the longer term, most of my bass guitars will be for the chop.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

I would not consider the collectability of an FSR instrument. Make it into whatever you want, IMO.

Fender basses are easy to get into, and easy to return to stock. You can put a battery under the pickguard on a P Bass, or under the control plate on a Jazz Bass, and get in to change it very easily. You can take off the stock plates and guards and replace them with modified parts, retaining the original parts for the event that you want to return it to stock some day. You don't even need to take off the strings to do any electronics or pickguard mods on Fender basses.

Is it an FSR Thinskin?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

Is it an FSR Thinskin?

Yes and no.

American Standard Hand Stained Ash Jazz Bass.

The Satin varnish is not thick enough to fill in the grain of the tonewood. (Kinda reminds me of the Fender Highway 1 series after they have been gigged a lot.) I do not actually like the finish much but, when an instrument resonates this well, I can forgive pretty much any cosmetic issue.

I suspect that today is going to turn into an NBD.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

That's the spirit!

 

[tc]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

It's not a vintage specimen or Custom Shop one off. Get it, mod it, and get funkadelic.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

Tempted to get an attention-grabbin' pickguard. Candidate graphic design ideas include a DSOTM prism, a Phil Lynott-esque mirror or Hello Kitty.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

I'm now of the belief, and in the habit of, setting up entire new pickguards for Fender-style instruments, so the entire pickup/electronics/pickguard configuration is a simple drop-in arrangement requiring only the connection of a few wires. That way the original setup can be stored, intact, and the instrument can be returned to stock in a short time. The new pickguard(s) can be drilled for any switching arrangements or experiments without having to worry about originality or value.

It costs a little more (second pickguard, pots, switches etc.) but you have the best of both worlds ... freedom to try any pickup/wiring ideas, and maybe 30 minutes work to re-install the original pickguard (and/or control plates) and return the instrument to stock.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

In the past, I have assembled "spare", "ready to wear" Stratocaster scratchplate and electronics assemblies. On a conventional Jazz Bass, this is not applicable. Nothing electronic is attached to the scratchplate.

Just discovered the Fender glass sparkle retrofit scratchplates. A golden one of those would be the ticket.

 

[hermetico]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

Imagine, if you will, that you are in the position to afford a Fender USA FSR guitar or bass BUT you are not entirely happy about its stock pickups or electronics. Should you keep one eye on the collectibility value by respecting the original spec OR would you modify with your ideal/fantasy "upgrades"?

For the sake of argument, assume that any modifications must be reversible. So, no DPDT mini switches in the metal control plate of a Telecaster or Jazz Bass, no third pot and knob in the pickguard of a P Bass, no battery compartment cover plates.

hmmm, if it was an Strato, no issues. You just need to swap the entire loaded pickguard with a new one with all your stuff and, you can always rollback changes by installing back the original pickguard.
That's why I specially love stratos and similar.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: To modify or not to modify? (Fender FSR content)

I'm now of the belief, and in the habit of, setting up entire new pickguards for Fender-style instruments, so the entire pickup/electronics/pickguard configuration is a simple drop-in arrangement requiring only the connection of a few wires. That way the original setup can be stored, intact, and the instrument can be returned to stock in a short time. The new pickguard(s) can be drilled for any switching arrangements or experiments without having to worry about originality or value.

It costs a little more (second pickguard, pots, switches etc.) but you have the best of both worlds ... freedom to try any pickup/wiring ideas, and maybe 30 minutes work to re-install the original pickguard (and/or control plates) and return the instrument to stock.

crusty is wise