abused affinity needs HELP! PLEASE!

posaffinity · #1 10-06-2011, 11:07 PM

So I decided to start playing bass about two years ago and since then I've found myself practicing bass more than I have any other instrument, and I don't want to stop. I have a 2001 Squier Affinity p bass(Indonesia) that I rescued from my cousin's basement. Seriously though, I'm about to light it on fire. It can't sustain a pitch, I've had to re-solder the electronics twice, it's missing a saddle screw, needs a new nut; the list goes on. I would really like to continue playing but I definitely need a better instrument.

I know there are some CHEAP!!! modifications out there, and I am looking at the CHEAPEST!!! way to make this thing halfway respectable. I have absolutely no problem modifying existing electronic components, in fact I would prefer this over spending money, however I know absolutely nothing about guitar construction.

It won't play in tune, but that could be because of the tuners or bridge or a warped neck. (I understand that it's supposed to be slightly warped; adjusting the truss rod helped)

I only have one shot at this, and I only have like $75. I'm thinking of new tuners, new bridge or at least saddle, new nut, DIY pickup improvement, DIY shielding, DIY wiring/pot replacement. Please tell me what I can do, because I can barely stand to play this thing any more.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SolidFooting · #2 10-07-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by posaffinity

Seriously though, I'm about to light it on fire. It can't sustain a pitch, I've had to re-solder the electronics twice, it's missing a saddle screw, needs a new nut; the list goes on. I only have one shot at this, and I only have like $75.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a great idea! I wish more people would take the plunge and set their Squier Affinities on fire. $75 should be plenty for the project. You'll need lighter fluid, matches, and maybe a little kindling. Don't forget to give the fire room to breathe. And be careful!

Seriously though, don't spend any money on parts until you've figured out what you're doing. What do you mean when you say it won't play in tune? Can you get it in tune at all? Details and pictures would help.

SurferJoe46 · #3 10-07-2011, 12:58 PM

Aw c'mon! Seriously - this isn't totally the Squier's fault.

Wires just don't fall off for no reason, and I suspect that someone's hacked this poor bass, and not in a good way.

A solder joint is either good or bad, and if you are re-soldering and not taking the joints apart and cleaning them and then re-soldering them anew, then you are spinning your wheels on a Squier or a ZON or anything in between.

The bass is solid and if you take time to learn how to remove all the idiosyncrasies from it, you'll just chase your tail, and when someone absurdly suggest or supports the flame test, then you aren't going to be any better off with a better, more expensive or less maligned bass in the future.

Missing parts are not a model-specific problem --- as in - there is no way it can be held accountable for missing parts.

Buy some screws, learn to solder correctly and stop complaining about things that you most like are responsible for in the first place.

Muckaluck · #4 10-07-2011, 01:17 PM

The first thing that comes to my mind is a string change. If it can't sustain a pitch it is possible that the strings are past their prime. I'd try that first.

With the sustain problem it could also be that broken nut or the missing screws in the bridge that you talk about.

My biggest concern for you is that you may start to purchase different parts to troubleshoot the bass, get to your $75 cap and then realize that it was a warpped neck all along.

Would you consider pawning the bass for $20, then putting your $95 toward an SX or something like that? This route, to me, sounds least prone to headaches.

Pilgrim · #5 10-07-2011, 02:15 PM

I don't think the OP has expressed the problem well.

The neck almost certainly isn't warped - it's bowed, and possibly appropriately.

If it won't hold tune, most likely thing is that it's not strung correctly. There's nothing wrong with Squier's tuners if the strings are correctly installed - as per stickies linked in this forum.

Solder isn't a big deal - get it right the first time (using Fender's wiring diagrams available through their website) and you're good.

I suggest that he STOP and modify nothing until he has the bass set up the way it should be. That's the first step.

My advice to the OP is to check the way the strings are installed, get a GOOD setup done first, then evaluate the bass.

KingRazor · #6 10-07-2011, 05:57 PM

OP, where do you live?

Collider · #7 10-08-2011, 12:19 PM

OP - sell it and get something you can live with. Modding and repairs are only fun if you can either be sure of doing a good job or you can afford to lose the gear if you screw up.

96tbird · #8 10-08-2011, 12:47 PM

Like SurferJoe said, solder properly done doesn't just fail. You can't hang that on the bass. Oy.

Saddle screws, any bass can vibrate them out regardless of cost. You can set them and hold them in place with a drop of nail polish. On an Asian Squier, the screws are metric,M3 around 15 mm (milimeters) long and you can get them easily at any good music or hobby shop.

You didn't say the nut was broken, so how do you know its bad? Sustain and tuning; strings and how you wind them on the post. I chuckle when some blame tuners for not holding tune as if the tuner is unwinding. This is nearly impossible, the post is attached to a spur gear that is rotated by a worm gear. When string tension is on the spur, one tooth is jammed tighly against the worm gear tooth; the mechanically large contact patch on the worm is held in place via its shallow pitch. You can move a spur with a worm, but not the ather way round. Nearly impossible unless the spur is loose on the post. In a sealed tuner, if you have those, the spur is not easily serviceable, if at all.

Find a good tech and get an evaluation of the neck condition and if good, get it setup and new strings. Read the stickies top of forum.

How to find a good tech? Find someone who is cool and enthusiastic. If you speak to someone who is telling you the bass is too cheap to bother, walk away. A tech should understand your current status as a player and want to help you with a smile and kind words of encouragement. That's a pro.

Don't give it up yet! Play on friend.

panda bass · #9 10-08-2011, 08:21 PM

My best answer to your question is first go over the bass top to bottom and adjust it as best as you can with out modifying it. Now play it for a little bit and come back here with a straight forward list of whats wrong with it. That will make it much easier to give you advice because your original post seemed frustrated and some what scattered.

azfryguy · #10 10-08-2011, 08:33 PM

Well no matter what you do get new strings. Also if you dont have a lot of tools,time and patience just take it in for a set up. Also go to ACE and get the missing screws. All of it should run you about $50-$75. It is the best way unless you want to buy the tools and do it yourself which will cost you well over $100 and 10 set ups on at least three various basses till your good and comfortable.

jelwood · #11 10-08-2011, 08:46 PM

I have to agree, get new strings and have it set up, then decide.

And I love the name "posaffinity."

gtvrb · #12 10-08-2011, 10:18 PM

Take it in to a shop and have them look at it. Any decent luthier will give you a free estimate for repairs. The guy I take my stuff to when I can't do it myself is very cool and will tell me the things that need to be done for sure and other things that may not be necessary. Before you start throwing money at things you don't know for sure will make a difference you should have someone who knows instruments take a look.