Lionel Ritch Tea Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 (edited) Just bought a 2013 Japanese Fender Jazz with the PJ pickup configuration. I'm sure they're decent, but I'm getting the buyer's fear. I pick it up on Saturday. Any thoughts? Should I upgrade the pickups? I thought it was perfect for someone who likes the P bass sound but prefers the Jazz shape and neck. I'd love to know anyone's thoughts. Edited August 22, 2022 by Lionel Ritch Tea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crawford13 Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 I would wait until you have the bass and play it for a while before thinking about changing pickups. You might like it as is, and if you don't then think about changing pickups or just move the bass on all together. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Don't go into it thinking "what should I upgrade?" Upgrades should only be a consideration if you have played it for a while and found something to be deficient. Japanese Fenders are generally superb. Play it for a while and get to know it. Only then decode if you need to mutilate it. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Looks nice to me, I wouldn’t think about changing anything before you’ve spent some time with it , the Japanese fenders have a good reputation , I’m sure it will be great 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 (edited) Nice... I like Jazz PJ's here are my Bitsa with Kent Armstrongs and Modded Aria Pro with Entwistles... The only thing on yours I might change are the Strat Knobs for Jazz... and wire VBT... Edited August 22, 2022 by PaulThePlug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 I agree with the very sensible comments above, I used to think about upgrades before even buying sometimes, but invariably left them as is. With Fenders I've only ever had to stop hums or noise, none of them ever needed anything replacing. Get the bass and play it for a good while, then, as @Crawford13 says if you like it then think about any deficiencies, if you don't like it, sell it on unmodified. Important to remember modified basses have a lesser resale value and are more difficult to sell. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassfinger Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 55 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said: Nice... I like Jazz PJ's here are my Bitsa with Kent Armstrongs and Modded Aria Pro with Entwistles... The only thing on yours I might change are the Strat Knobs for Jazz... and wire VBT... Entwistle P pickups sound so sexy, and are so inexpensive, I'm sure they must be illegal in some way. One of the best rock or blues P pickups for any money IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionel Ritch Tea Posted August 22, 2022 Author Share Posted August 22, 2022 1 hour ago, PaulThePlug said: Nice... I like Jazz PJ's here are my Bitsa with Kent Armstrongs and Modded Aria Pro with Entwistles... The only thing on yours I might change are the Strat Knobs for Jazz... and wire VBT... 1 hour ago, PaulThePlug said: Nice... I like Jazz PJ's here are my Bitsa with Kent Armstrongs and Modded Aria Pro with Entwistles... The only thing on yours I might change are the Strat Knobs for Jazz... and wire VBT... I quite like the strat nobs. Makes it a little different 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 1 hour ago, PaulThePlug said: Nice... I like Jazz PJ's here are my Bitsa with Kent Armstrongs and Modded Aria Pro with Entwistles... The only thing on yours I might change are the Strat Knobs for Jazz... and wire VBT... Nice basses! I agree re: the VBT controls. Personally I'd keep the Strat knobs but I'd get a black control plate to match the pickguard. As far as the pickups are concerned, I would echo what others have said. Give the stock ones a good trial and only change if you really feel they're lacking. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 6 hours ago, Lionel Ritch Tea said: . . . . Any thoughts? Lots but I'll stick to this. . . . you've owned this bass for all of 3 days and you're asking us what mods you should be doing!!! If you don't like it, send it back and buy something that you do like! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 (edited) You beat me to it, I was watching this myself on eBay, but I obviously hesitated too long. 😉 If I had bought it, I doubt I would have done anything to it because I used to own a Japanese Precision and it was superb in every way. Edited August 23, 2022 by thebrig 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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