DogHammer Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Hi All, I have just acquired a very nice Lefty 2002 Fender MIM Jazz from the forums own Psycoandy. This is my first Fender. I have always been put off in the past, as everyone seems to have them. And as I am left handed, I haven't really had much opportunity to try one. Have tried an American precision a few years back and didn't like it. My first bass was a Jazz copy, a Legend I think, and looked exactly like the Fender, but cant really remember what it played like... I was only 13ish. Then from there it was Ibanez and eventually my Corvette $$. I must say I am very impressed. Really easy to play, and so very light compared to the Warwick. Maybe I have a 'Good' one? Think I may break it out for a few numbers at our next gig. Any recommendations on upgrades? Pickups? Preamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerstodge Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 If it plays and sounds the same as my 2001 lefty mim jazz i wouldn't upgrade anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 If I had a bass I was so chuffed with I'd play it to death for quite a few weeks before I decided what - if anything - needed changing on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 If you realise you don'tt like it,I'll have it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Welcome to the club I have two Jazz basses and have never looked back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I t took me a while to get mine sounding nice, new strings made a huge difference as did experimenting with volume and tone settings on the amp and the bass. I was playing a precision before and couldn't get the bassiness I was after until I worked out that i should use neck pickup on full bridge on half. as for up grades , the tuners are great , it stays in tune for ever. It's through strung so I can't see what difference a new bridge would make. I'm getting the sound I wanted so the pickups can stay. Pre-amp? tried actives , didn't like them, passive all the way for me. I did change the white scratch plate for a grey tort one, the tone , response, intonation, sustain, output, coolness were all much improved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1349945056' post='1832452'] I did change the white scratch plate for a grey tort one, the tone , response, intonation, sustain, output, coolness were all much improved. [/quote] [b]Bollocks![/b] You [b]must[/b]'ve known you wouldn't get away with this. Only red or burgundy tort will do that. best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Welcome to the club! took me years too but once I did I haven't looked back! I'd play it in anger (at a gig) a few times before you work out what you need to do it (probably not much). If it plays well and sounds well its probably better to let it get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogHammer Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Hmmm..... alrighty. I will break it out on November the 10th, for a beer festival gig we are doing and post my experiences and other peoples feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 [quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1349904049' post='1832186'] If I had a bass I was so chuffed with I'd play it to death for quite a few weeks before I decided what - if anything - needed changing on it. [/quote] Definitely this. There's no point looking to change stuff when in all likelihood the bass is absolutely fine. As long as you're happy with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1349945056' post='1832452'] I did change the white scratch plate for a grey tort one, the tone , response, intonation, sustain, output, coolness were all much improved. [/quote] ....... yeah, you conveniently omitted to mention the neckdive it caused though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr zed Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I changed the 'aged' white pickguard on my sunburst American deluxe jazz for a tort one a while ago. Looked great. A few weeks ago I started gassing for another bass (maybe a passive jazz) then last weekend I put the original pickguard back on for a change. Hey-presto, gas gone (well subsided as it never really leaves you). Feels like i'm playing a different bass. I'll probably change it back again in a few months and get that new bass feeling once again. Just thought i'd share that with you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 [quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1349965973' post='1832841'] ....... yeah, you conveniently omitted to mention the neckdive it caused though! [/quote] I fixed it by fitting a pre-amp as a counterweight. (it's not wired in though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretlessguy Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I like mine the way it is. The only modification I made was to put on a Hipshot bass extender so I could drop the E to low D quickly. Since mine is a 1974 I wouldn't change out the pups, but if a had a Mexican I would be tempted to put in a set of Fender noiseless pickups so I could adjust the tone knobs without any hiss. If you like the way it sounds, then don't change anything. Oh, a set of straplocks would be a good move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza 2905 Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 Like you, I have just bought my first Jazz (from here on Basschat), & I'm delighted with mine too! [quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1349904049' post='1832186'] If I had a bass I was so chuffed with I'd play it to death for quite a few weeks before I decided what - if anything - needed changing on it. [/quote] [quote name='risingson' timestamp='1349963077' post='1832784'] Definitely this. There's no point looking to change stuff when in all likelihood the bass is absolutely fine. As long as you're happy with it! [/quote] The boys are spot on! Change the pickguard if you want to change something. You could buy a few over time, & 'ring the changes' every now & again as mr zed has suggested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogHammer Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 Ok, After playing with the Jazz quite a bit at band practice last night, I have found that it is struggling to cut through . I was running through my MarkBass 151p, and found I really needed to ramp the volume up nearly to full, and I had to dig in a bit for it to cut through. So whats the solution, has anyone else had this issue[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]?[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Turn the drummer down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Precisely that problem. I put new strings on (D'Addario nickel round wound) and the output shot up. I don't know what the strings that were on it when I bought it but they didn't look old and sounded ok acousticlly. So unless you are 100% certain of your strings it's worth a go. The other thing was that I was playing with both pickups on full volume, this actually causes a volume drop. Everyone uses a slightly different blend but for me it's full on neck , half bridge. My brother also has a jazz bass and he does it the other way round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogHammer Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1350389306' post='1838097'] Precisely that problem. I put new strings on (D'Addario nickel round wound) and the output shot up. I don't know what the strings that were on it when I bought it but they didn't look old and sounded ok acousticlly. So unless you are 100% certain of your strings it's worth a go. The other thing was that I was playing with both pickups on full volume, this actually causes a volume drop. Everyone uses a slightly different blend but for me it's full on neck , half bridge. My brother also has a jazz bass and he does it the other way round [/quote] Thanks for this. I will try a different string setup, they are Rotosound at the moment, may try some of those [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]D'Addario's. [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I keep the back pickup on full front on about half. [/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerstodge Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Try a sansamp bass driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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