sblueplanet

Its quite straightforward. Just take your time. Tools needed will be a tuner and guitar cable; suitable screwdrivers and allen keys. Depending on the type of bass you have will determine the exact type of screwdriver and size of allen keys. The string height should be adjusted first. Play all the notes on each string as you adjust and best result is no buzzing on any of the frets. To adjust intonation use the tuner and press and play the 12th note of a string, followed by the harmonic on same fret.They both should be as close as possible to each other on the readout. To make them match up you will need to move the bridge saddles that the strings rest on, backwards or forwards. If there is a problem with the neck relief then this will require a truss-rod adjustment. This is best left to a guitar tech who would set bass up at same time. Hope this helps.

Here is the finished result and it looks pretty good. [attachment=121024:Pbass04.jpg][attachment=121025:Pbass05.jpg][attachment=121023:Pbass02.jpg]

Plenty jazz bass pickguards available on fleabay.

If the control plate is not bevelled and is flat edged it might be possible to reverse it and have the screw holes on other side counter-sunk. Im also a lefty and was talking to a guitar tech who said he could make one in plastic, any colour for around 20 quid. Making it in metal would be a much bigger job given the tools required.

[quote name='tomflyer' timestamp='1349383330' post='1825696'] i just looked at my one and the finnish on the back is a bit ropey and i agree with your matey who said just countersink the other side. if you were down this way id let you try it out but Scotlands a bit of a trek from me. sorry if this isnt very useful Tom [/quote] Haha! Thanks Tom. All input is useful. Im going to look at a new one in a guitar store in Glasgow and Im taking the bass along to see what it could look like. The store has an in-house luthier and repair workshop so may get something done then and there. Im also considering making a metal control plate as bass currently has no pickguard but just a plastic control plate which is cracked.

UPDATE: Ive spoken to a collector of left-handed Fenders online. He has several instruments featuring gold pickguards. His method is to flip the righty pickguard over and counter-sink the screw holes on the other side. He says the finish on reverse side is not as good but is close,even more relic'd looking. It may be the way to go if I want this look for my bass.

On both my jazz basses, acquired 2nd hand, the stock p/u's had been replaced. One had Seymour Duncans fitted and the other Di Marzio. I'm guessing the originals just weren't up to the job. Both are excellent replacements.

From the image I found the pickguard itself looked flat edged. Ive contacted a seller to ask the same questions so Im hoping to get a response. I'll quote the reply if I get one.

Hi, Ive just acquired a 57 re-issue Fender Precision cij. Thing is, it's a lefty and has no pickguard. Does anyone know if the righty gold anodized pickguard available from Fender is the same finish on both sides and could be flipped over as I'm darned if I can find a lefty one. I believe from photos that it is not bevelled but I'm guessing the screw holes will be but that can be overcome, right?