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Post subject: Modding my Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:08 am
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A friend of mine gave me a Jazz Bass a couple of years ago and I have been slowly modding it.
Here it is..an 05/06 MIM Sunburst...
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I didn't like the white pick guard so I painted it with a Prismatic clear over black..

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I then added a Bad $@! II bridge...

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I wanted to spruce up the neck a bit..so I got some nifty inlay decals....

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The next step was to add the Pro JZ3 preamp module from Audere Audio. I have 2 other basses with similar units installed on them. An amazing preamp tailored especially for Jazz Basses...

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Notice the wood pick guard. I laminated the original guard with veneer and stained it..just to see how it would turn out. I didn't really dig it too much so I ordered a black pearl guard....

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Give me your feedback..what do you think? BTW..the preamp gives me the following controls now:
Vol/Bal
Mid Hi/Mid Low
Treb/Bass
3 way Z-Mode switch. affects the Pups freq response and can be programmed using a removable button harness that attaches to a 2 pin input on the preamp's PCB.Got to record with it last night and it sounds tremendous!!!!


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Post subject: Re: Modding my Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 3:36 pm
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Looks great man! The black pearl PG looks good against the SB body.
The preamp was a good idea. How's the tone improved? I use BAII's on mine also.
The decals add a personal touch

SWEET


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Post subject: Re: Modding my Jazz Bass
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 10:52 pm
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Thanx! The JZ3 adds more power without sacrificing that wonderful passive tone.It sounds like a Jazz on steroids! The EQ and ZMode switch really gives me a ton of tonal options without masking that Jazz Bass sound...un-restrained! And I love the sustain I get from the Bad $@!. Some folks call it a tone sucker..but I disagree.when properly set up,that is,when the saddles are grooved right,the contact between string and saddle block is maximised allowing for greater sustain. I notice a difference that is not subjective.
Aesthetically I like the way the bass looks! That black pearl PG does play well with the sunburst.


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Post subject: Re: Modding my Jazz Bass
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:28 am
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where did you put the kitchen sink? :D

I am glad you are successful with all the mods you have done to your Mex Jazz. I did the same with my Mex Jazz a few years back. I put so much money into it that I could have just bought a USA to begin with. HA!! My Mex Jazz didn't turn out so good. :cry: It's gone. Anyway- nice bass and keep on Rockin'. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Modding my Jazz Bass
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:48 am
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Very nice! Tastefully done. Cards aren't my thing, but you executed it very well. Not a big fan of BA bridges, but it really works well on your bass. Visually impressive.


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Post subject: Re: Modding my Jazz Bass
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 6:49 pm
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krleese wrote:
Very nice! Tastefully done. Cards aren't my thing, but you executed it very well. Not a big fan of BA bridges, but it really works well on your bass. Visually impressive.



Thanx! I have another Jazz Bass..a 5 string,that I am slowly modding as well...

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Here's the same bass after I installed a Bad $@! V and a Black abalone pick guard..

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And after I added some custom inlay stickers to match the pick guard....

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UPDATE: I recently swapped out the neck for a 2013 Fender Modern Player Jazz BASS V 5 string (4+1) 34" Scale Rosewood neck complete with classic tuners. The old neck felt a little to clunky for me and the Modern Player feels fast and thinner.

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Love the easy truss rod adjustment nut!

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The then and now pic

All I have left to do on this one is the Pro-JZ3 pre amp.

I also have a Squire Jazz Bass Vintage Modified Fretless with the JZ3 and Gotoh bridge,and a Squire Jazz Bass Affinity V with the JZ3 and a custom painted pick guard done with prismatic paint over black.Looks real slick!


Last edited by Meshica7 on Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Modding my Jazz Bass
Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 2:11 am
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Meshica7 wrote:
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The pre-2010 US Deluxe fretboard cosmetics are a classy touch 8)


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Post subject: Re: Modding my Jazz Bass
Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:00 am
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Pickguards look great! I'm slowly getting my new fretless jazz the way i want it, a black pickguard is coming, which one hasn't been decided yet.

I made some changes to my fretted Jazz too.

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Post subject: Re: Modding my Jazz Bass
Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 9:07 pm
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Nice- I liked the Black Glass- where do you get those?


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Post subject: Re: Modding my Jazz Bass
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 1:26 am
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The black glass is sweet, I'm going in that direction with my fretless.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... ss-sparkle


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Post subject: Re: Modding my Jazz Bass
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 4:49 am
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stroker vance wrote:
where did you put the kitchen sink? :D

I am glad you are successful with all the mods you have done to your Mex Jazz. I did the same with my Mex Jazz a few years back. I put so much money into it that I could have just bought a USA to begin with. HA!! My Mex Jazz didn't turn out so good. :cry: It's gone. Anyway- nice bass and keep on Rockin'. :wink:



Thanx! I have actually thought about getting some paint from Guitar Reranch..Sea Foam Green...and doing up a nice retro look on it. Still on the fence about it though but I love that color along with the Seashell Pink.

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