How to Install Fender Jazz Bass Pick Ups
The Fender jazz base guitar was created in the 1960s. It is notorious for its deep "growling," or "barking," sound. This guitar has been nicknamed the "J" because of its jazz style. It has been used in a variety of music genres since the '60s and is still used today. To give the guitar its deep sound, upgrading the pickups is recommended. The upgrade consists of a few steps and requires some skill in guitar assembly.
Instructions
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1
Lay two towels on a flat surface, such as a wide table. Spread one towel flat. This will create a soft surface for the guitar, which will prevent any scuffs or scratches. Roll the other towel and place it on one end of the towel. Place the guitar on the towels, with the head of the guitar on top of the rolled towel.
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2
Remove the strings. Loosen them by turning the tuning knobs counterclockwise. Unwind one at a time from the pegs. Do this for the top and bottom of the strings. Use pliers for a better grip if needed.
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3
Remove the pick guard. Do this by unscrewing the screws that attach it to the body of the guitar.
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4
Remove the neck, head and bridge pickups. Remove the screws that attach them to the body of the guitar then pull them away from the guitar.
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5
Unscrew and remove the control plate. Pull it away from the body of the guitar.
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6
Heat the joints where the wires attach to the control panel. Use a heated soldering iron to do this. Once heated, the joints will weaken and release. Pull the wires from the control panel. This will release all of the pickups.
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7
Connect the new pickups and the connecting wires of your new pickups to the locations where you just removed the wires of the old pickups. Hold the wire end in place and apply a plentiful amount of solder to each attachment. Allow the connections to cool.
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8
Place the pickups in the location from which you removed the old pickups. Screw them into place.
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9
Cover the pickups with the pick guard. Screw it in place.
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10
Restring and tune the guitar.
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References
- Photo Credit head of fender telecaster type electric guitar image by david hughes from Fotolia.com
