Tell me what you think of this custom bass idea?

[Conformer]

I have a worn out Fender Jazz bass on layaway at the local Pawn Shop. Mid-90's Mexican Standard. White, with white pickguard and a neck on it that has seen better days.

 

Well I am planning on replacing the neck with a Warmoth unlined fretless neck, and replacing the pup's with 60's Reissue Fender Jazz pups.

 

Also replacing the bridge with either a hipshot or a gotoh bridge. Still doing some bridge research, but I hear good things about those badass bridges also.

 

Another question is.....

 

Would pickup covers reduce the hum sound? I have heard they would, and I like that old school look. Also be cool to have with the 60's pups.

 

Anyway I am kinda just building a bass for me. My own kinda custom fretless. Still undecided on how I am going to finish the neck. Also I am going to replace that white pickguard with a brown pebble one or a black one.

[sunburstbasser]

The only way a pickup cover might reduce hum is if it acts as some kind of shielding, and it won't eliminate all of it.

 

You should look into some Dimarzio Ultra Js or other humbucking J pickups, if buzz is a major concern. The Ultra Js sound really close to most regular Js so they should at least be checked out.

 

Otherwise, if you wire your pickups in reverse and have the volumes at the same level, you'll cancel the hum. Unless you want to solo one pickup, this will work in 90% of situations.

 

I'd also suggest getting a push/pull pot for your neck volume pot, and doing the series/parallel mod. There is a FAQ for how to do it, and you will definately like it!

[HORSE]

the series/parallel option is killer! I have dimarzio ultra jazz pickups in my jazz bass with the series/parallel mod on both. I can get a HUGE variety of sounds just from the two pickups in different combinations.

[Conformer]

 

Originally posted by sunburstbasser The only way a pickup cover might reduce hum is if it acts as some kind of shielding, and it won't eliminate all of it. You should look into some Dimarzio Ultra Js or other humbucking J pickups, if buzz is a major concern. The Ultra Js sound really close to most regular Js so they should at least be checked out. Otherwise, if you wire your pickups in reverse and have the volumes at the same level, you'll cancel the hum. Unless you want to solo one pickup, this will work in 90% of situations. I'd also suggest getting a push/pull pot for your neck volume pot, and doing the series/parallel mod. There is a FAQ for how to do it, and you will definately like it!

 

 

Thanks for the info. I know Fender started the S1 switch about 2 or 3 years ago. Is that what you are talking about? Since it is a series/parallel mod.

 

Can these type of mods (pots) be obtained through after market sources like pups are now?