Jazz Bass, now with added chrome

[Matthias]

I've been itching to put some chrome covers and a thumb rest on my 70s reissue JB to give it a bought-stock-in-1974 look. Obviously it plays slightly differently, but the two areas of string you can still get to sound pretty good.

All very easy to install with a dremel, a ruler, some masking tape and a lot of measuring.

 

[Abu Twangy]

Nice job, Matthias.

I've had an inclination to install some of the covers/tug bars on my newer instruments.

Now if I could only find the landfill where I threw the covers from my '71 Jazz Bass, '60's Tele and early '70s Strat.....

 

[Matthias]

It really does complete the look.

At the same time, I also bought an ashtray for my Thinline Tele. that popped on like a charm. Now the modern Gotohs are annoying me on that, but it's an MIJ so I don't think the 70s 'F' tuners will fit due to the peg hole spacing.

 

[Cadfael]

Hi Matthias,

German origin with this name???

Looks GREAT!
I did the same with all my Jazz Basses (including a sunburst Maruszczyk Elwood).

As a "little gift" for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msZ0eMoB7lY
"Your bass" in action with Bob Marley ...

I first also pu foam under the bridge cover (plus flatwounds) - but flatwounds are "enough" for me to get the right sound.

 

[Martinp]

nice, the covers look perfect with the blocks and binding.

 

[5595bassman]

The day I acquired this JB I knew it would be modded that way.
Looked naked as it was.

I had a special device done by a luthier in order not to drill holes in the original.
A thin stainless plate with threaded studs slipped under the bridge. Cover is fastened with nice finishing nuts ( not shown ). All mods are reversible in order to get back to stock design.

 

[5595bassman]

Here is a bigger pic! (Clic on the bar above the pic for an even bigger view)

 

[thumbpick]

hubcaps

 

[w3stie]

I have to admit those basses are cool. Don't the covers limit your playing style though?

 

[macthestrat]

Hi all,

I'm after building an early 60's Jazz. Can anyone point me to a source for accurate blue print or template? I'm based in the uk.

 

[Matthias]

Cheers, all.

Cadfael > No, just one of the many variations of 'Matt' that gets thrown at me, although I do have some German ancestry.

Cheers for the link. I'd seen that video before but not seen the covers! Stir It Up was one of the first songs I learned on bass.

W3stie > Yes, but not in a way that affects the way of the stuff I play too much. Palm muting would be a lot more difficult, and you can't play right over the pick-up of course. I don't know how they'd affect slap as I don't playy much at all, but on the bit I tried the neck pup cover provided something to rest on and pivot from, which was interesting. I think they'd really annoy some people, hence the fact they get taken off.

 

[Matthias]

Hi all,

I'm after building an early 60's Jazz. Can anyone point me to a source for accurate blue print or template? I'm based in the uk.

Welcome tot he forums, macthestrat. You should post in the Tele Home Depot forum. There's more than just Teles being built in there

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/

 

[rjbass]

My Huggy Bear Bass

Welcome tot he forums, macthestrat. You should post in the Tele Home Depot forum. There's more than just Teles being built in there

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/

Well, I couldn't resist getting into the mix on this one. I have my "Huggy Bear" bass as an example of what can be done with too many parts and some time. It is made up of a MIM "70" body, Fender licensed neck, Seymour Duncan Vintage pickups, Tonestyler pot, and a Babicz bridge. I had to mod the bridge cover to clear the Babicz, but it was worth it.

 

[dannew02]

They do look naked without the covers, don't they?

I would like to know more about the no-drill cover plate, was that a "one-off" or are they available? That is a fantastic idea.

 

[bcarter_1]

Where did you get the neck inlays?

I love the way it looks, great job!

 

[harleysr]

Do you wear a fur coat with that?

Well, I couldn't resist getting into the mix on this one. I have my "Huggy Bear" bass as an example of what can be done with too many parts and some time. It is made up of a MIM "70" body, Fender licensed neck, Seymour Duncan Vintage pickups, Tonestyler pot, and a Babicz bridge. I had to mod the bridge cover to clear the Babicz, but it was worth it.

Who talked you into putting a Babicz on that thing? Don't you know you can get shot for that around here?

 

[Matthias]

Where did you get the neck inlays?

I love the way it looks, great job!

The inlays and binding on the neck are stock, and part of what sold the model to me. I'm not usually one to pay for bells and whistles, but... well, look at the thing.

It's the Fender Classic 70s if you're wondering:

(link removed)

 

[bcarter_1]

My buddy has a '74, and enough parts to make two.
I really want to replicate the look with the binding and inlays.
His is natural finish.

It sure is a sweetheart with the frets leveled and buzz gone.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bass-place/325496-1974-jazz-bass-help-needed.html

 

[5595bassman]

danew02 asked :

I would like to know more about the no-drill cover plate, was that a "one-off" or are they available? That is a fantastic idea.

Yes a "one-off". Design done by me and device done by a local luthier who made a stainless steel bass as a custom order for somebody. As I knew he was equipped for stainless steel cutting, welding and finishing, I made a mock-up on cardboard to show what I wanted.

Stainless sheet has same gauge than the cover itself and is still very rigid compared to usual thin metal.

Threaded SS studs were welded from underneath and the surface well smoothed and nicely polished. 7 holes (3 screws & 4 strings ) were drilled in the new plate corresponding to those of the bridge. One additionnal hole was done for the ground wire that is now pinched on the plate by the bridge for a real secure contact.

Nothing done to the body. I simply place the SS plate underneath the bridge and rescrewed it. Then placed the cover over and fastened with round top finishing nuts.

The strings pressure on the saddles and the rigidity of the SS plate keep it flat on the body and the cover is very stable. I lowered a bit the saddles to compensate the new (tiny) height of the bridge and ajusted the intonation.

Edit : In fact there are new holes drilled in the body. It is for the finger rest and neck PU cover. But it is under the pickguard. The lower screw of the neck PU cover is falling in a cavity and is screwed to a little wood post (acting as a nut) that simply sits on the bottom of the cavity to avoid bending of the PG.

 

[harleysr]

I liked the look of that so much...

My buddy has a '74, and enough parts to make two.
I really want to replicate the look with the binding and inlays.
His is natural finish.

It sure is a sweetheart with the frets leveled and buzz gone.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bass-place/325496-1974-jazz-bass-help-needed.html

....I put a white pick guard on mine. Replaced a red tort. This has a smoother appearance. Thanks for posting your pic. Will have to snag some chrome, though.