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Post subject: converting a standard p bass to a p/j setup
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 1:12 pm
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is it possible to convert a standard p bass into a p bass special with the p/j pickup setup? and if so where can this be done and how much does it typically cost for a modification like this?

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Post subject: Re: converting a standard p bass to a p/j setup
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 2:35 pm
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Sure it can be done. The reason Fender "introduced" the P/J setup is people were doing it on their own all the time. Easiest way is to move jack location to the lower bout, install the Jazz pickup and routing for the cable, add the extra electronics in the pickguard hole where the jack was. Cost is jazz pickup, 3rd pot, cap, wire, solder. For a professional job, figure about three hours labor plus part.

One of the most famous early P/J conversions would arguably be Tom "T-Bone" Wolk's 1964 sunburst P-Bass played every Saturday night for years on NBC's "Saturday Night Live."


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Post subject: Re: converting a standard p bass to a p/j setup
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 7:47 am
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The real trick is finding the "right" person for the job,are you "friendly" with any luthiers in your area,most MoM and PoP music stores have one they use or even a resident one working there doing on site repairs.
If not you can go to your local Fender dealer and ask for the name of the licensed repairman,they usually have one they use to do all the warrenty work that comes in once the individuals return policy expires but is still covered under warrenty.
Some luthiers get a little pricey and $100.00$ an hour is'nt out of the question(for a good-one)so do your research and may be cheaper to buy one already with this configuration.
This only but a possibile alternative solution under the circumstances of cost efficiency,the bass itself is first and foremost on the list of "is it worth it" a used p/j bass is in the 400.00$ area and new is 550.00$ or so.
So the pickup and extras(pot,jack,wiring)is around 100.00$ safely,add the labor 250.00$ OR SO(we dont yet know)and dont forget Uncle Sam 20.00$ and now its a total of=375.00$ out of pocket.
This is only a guess-tamation and attatchment to your bass figures in highly to this discussion,its only to ment to give you an idea of possible involvement of this task,and please note that I used to do this type of modification work professionally but no longer,and am speaking from exp not opinion and DO NOT advertise for work nor will accept it from any fellow member on this site PERIOD :!: and mention my qualifications only to confirm exp and not for the reason of bragging,learning guitar/bass repair OR being a luthier is far easier to learn now a-days with schools in almost as many states and OldSchool apprenticing is being quickly phased out.

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Post subject: Re: converting a standard p bass to a p/j setup
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:46 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
add the extra electronics in the pickguard hole where the jack was.


This is a nice mod for those who prefer having a side mounted jack, but others like the "traditional" look and feel of a top-mounted jack and drill an extra hole for the front pickup volume pot.

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Two concentric knobs a la '60s Jazz Bass, a master volume/tone with a pan pot and a 3-way selector switch like those found on the Boner P-Bass and the Tony Franklin signature models are the most common wiring options for a passive P/J setup.


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Post subject: Re: converting a standard p bass to a p/j setup
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 12:08 am
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Yeah Chromeface that will work too. I'd suggest some sort of reinforcement under the pickguard though if you do that.


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Post subject: Re: converting a standard p bass to a p/j setup
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 3:07 am
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Those Special P-Basses usually come with a side-mounted jack (Squiers and Hot-Rodded American Series models included).

I recalled Fender offered a pair of Protone basses in 1997, a 4-string PJ and a 5-string with dual humbuckers and gold hardware. Both were featured with a top mount jack.

The 5-string ProTone was favored by Dimitri Sahnas and Slojack bassist Ken Frank.

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The southpaw 4-string Squier Special and its 5-string variant with the dual Jazz Bass pickups were available for a lapse of time with the top-mounted jack (circa 2001/02), however this feature was shortlived.

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