Fender(ish) PJ with Jazz neck for £2k max - what would you go for?

[Terry M.]

39 minutes ago, kwmlondon said:

I put a bitsa together a few years ago and bought a MIM roasted maple Jazz neck from Fender and it was sublime. Everyone who has played it has commented on how slick and comfy it is. The fretwork was top-notch and it looked gorgous too. Going by that I'd have no worries getting a MIM bass in the future, but the USA hardware is very nice - the tuners and bridge on the USA Pro range feels lovely in the hand.

Ironically I really like the bridge on my aforementioned Fender as it has 19mm string spacing which is a fraction larger than the typical Fender 5 string bridge.

[kwmlondon]

10 minutes ago, Terry M. said:

Ironically I really like the bridge on my aforementioned Fender as it has 19mm string spacing which is a fraction larger than the typical Fender 5 string bridge.

Well, you see, the lovely thing about the Fender USA high-mass bridge is the saddles are cut with grooves so you can change the spacing. I KNOW!!! I've never seen the like before or since. Well. Maybe on something I don't know but I remember being very impressed indeed.

[Beedster]

On 31/08/2025 at 00:35, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

To fit the specs given, I'd build my own using:

 

Swamp ash PJ body from guitarbuild.co.uk - order one with nice looking grain and get the control cavity extended. Wipe on some Danish oil for a natural finish.

Fender Precision to Jazz bass conversion neck - I was knocked sideways with how one of these necks has transformed a previously ignored bass into one of my favourites

Schaller 3D bridge

EMG GZR PJ Pickups

£10 aliexpress pickguard

Hipshot HB7 lollipop tuners

gotoh bass string tree & strap buttons

callaghan heavy knurl knobs

Fender F neckplate

Fender pickguard screws

Ernie Ball 2815 cobalt flatwound strings

self-adhesive copper anti-slug tape

 

The parts should come to under £1000. If you don't want to assemble it yourself, take the bits to a luthier (or possibly an experienced basschatter) to put together.

 

I’d do the same albeit with Warmoth wood and Dimarzio PUPs, and have done a few times, but it usually takes several months so probably wouldn’t meet the 1-month criteria 👍

[danbanbass]

2 minutes ago, Beedster said:

I’d do the same albeit with Warmoth wood and Dimarzio PUPs, and have done a few times, but it usually takes several months so probably wouldn’t meet the 1-month criteria 👍

I was looking to do a self build but @Beedster beat me to that limelight neck 😂 

[Beedster]

3 minutes ago, danbanbass said:

I was looking to do a self build but @Beedster beat me to that limelight neck 😂 

 

The reason self-builds take so long is you have to wait from the right parts to come along and then be quick when they do! I only rarely buy new bodies or necks, they’re getting stupidly expensive, at least at the quality end, and I prefer played-in necks, and don’t ask me about my experience of buying new Allparts, it was not good….

[Beedster]

6 minutes ago, danbanbass said:

I was looking to do a self build but @Beedster beat me to that limelight neck 😂 

PS sorry 🙂

[Terry M.]

17 minutes ago, kwmlondon said:

Well, you see, the lovely thing about the Fender USA high-mass bridge is the saddles are cut with grooves so you can change the spacing. I KNOW!!! I've never seen the like before or since. Well. Maybe on something I don't know but I remember being very impressed indeed.

Yes indeed I've had USA 5 string Fenders with those bridge types AND the Sire Vintage V7 also has them. Being the fussy git I am I found that when the 19mm spacing on them was realised, the pickup pole pieces didn't line up with the strings. First world problems eh? 😄

Edited 1 hour ago by Terry M.

[kwmlondon]

17 minutes ago, Terry M. said:

Yes indeed I've had USA 5 string Fenders with those bridge types AND the Sire Vintage V7 also has them. Being the fussy git I am I found that when the 19mm spacing on them was realised, the pickup pole pieces didn't line up with the strings. First world problems eh? 😄

No. I can relate. This would have me shaking my fist at the clouds too.

[danbanbass]

24 minutes ago, Beedster said:

PS sorry 🙂

It’s all good, I was looking to do a relic type build. If however you decide you don’t need the neck….let me know 😊