Finally getting to fixing my jazz bass

B

BigTreble

Jan 3, 2006
286
87
4,881
Canada
#1
So I have a MIM Jazz bass that has been through a bit in life and was cased a few years ago due to a broken nut. I am just getting it out now and going to approach making a new nut, but before that part, I wanted to know if there was anything special I had to do outside of following the typical setup videos given my bass having no strings or nut at the moment.

I plan to replace the BAII bridge with the stock on again (at least it's in my mind ATM) and am not sure if I should be doing anything special. Should I take it right down to parts and give it all a once over or? It has Custom Shop 60's pickups and new shielding/pots from 10 or so years ago.

Any help is appreciated - want to do this right. Thanks.
 
#2
Wipe it down, check the condition of the frets, replace the nut and strings (and bridge if that's your desire.) Do a setup. THEN decide if you need to break it down. Unless it's been sitting in a mud puddle it should be in the same condition as when you packed it away. There's no need to pull the neck, anything else can be done with the strings on. You need it strung up to check the pots and pickups anyway.
 
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#3
I don't think I'd do anything other than the nut, strings, and setup. I like the BAII bridge, unless your gonna sell it why change the bridge? It's got a nice set of PUs, sounds like a nice bass. What finish? Pics?
 
#4
It's not in bad shape. It's been in the flight case since. The flight case has done some weird stuff over the past few years, warped the plastic coating all to hell, but that isn't much issue to me, it's the bass I am worried about ;)

I am on the fence about the BAII... It's heavier that is for sure lol. I just feel like it may have made it a bit sterile sounding compared to the original tone. I play my basses unplugged a fair bit, and really notice the difference between my bent plate MIM P Bass - Tho I am sure body wood plays into it.

I got this bass when I was 12 - its over 20 years old. I chose between an Epi Beatle bass, and a blue Jazz or P-Bass - forget now. I went with the black Jazz for some reason with rosewood fretboard. It's been beat on and hacked up a bit but it's my first and am a bit attached to it for sentimental reasons. Black pickguard and poor fitting control panel... classic haha. Since I got my P-Bass and it was strung up, it's been my go-to for some time now, and have neglected my stable of gear.

My plan is to also build a humidor type cabinet for my basses and guitars - this part of Canada is evil to anything wood.
 
#5
You should be able to get a pre-cut Jazz nut that will save you a lot of time. Usually all you have to do is deepen the string slot a hair to get correct height at the first fret. I like the Tusq nuts, but lots of other options. The BAII is an excellent bridge, have one on my Jazz. I don't think it makes much tone difference one way or the other, and the extra weight balances mine a little better. Plus if you drop the bass, it won't bend like that flimsy Fender bent plate! :)
 
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#7
I have the same bass. They are really, really good bases. Your first bass is definitely something you want to hold on to. I had a cracked nut and, of course, I had a gig that weekend and needed a nut fast. I bought a black Tusq replacement nut for around $13,00. I use flats, and it popped right in, and I made no adjustments to slots. It is perfect. Use a tiny drop of crazy glue to keep the nut from slipping when you play. And I can't believe that this cheap piece of plastic doesn't impede my tone, which is exceptional on this bass. I'm not seeing any reason to change it out. Maybe this is the way you should go? Try easy and cheap first.
 
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