Squier Affinity - Replacement Tuning Machines

MattimusPrime · #1 06-08-2010, 12:27 AM

Hi Everyone,

I've recently gotten hold of a pretty decent sounding Squier Affinity and now I want to upgrade the hardware, as the existing stuff is a little corroded and well, stock squier stuff.

I've seen that the size of the holes in the headstock for the tuners to go through are actually quite a bit smaller than on the normal fenders (I measured them as 10mm - where as it seems like most Hipshot, gotoh etc tuners are 17mm).

I don't mind having to re-drill these holes, but does anyone per chance, know of a set of tuners manufactured by a good tuner manufacturer (like Hipshot or Gotoh), that would be a drop in replacement?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice offered!
Matt

SurferJoe46 · #2 06-09-2010, 07:37 AM

I'm still in a learning curve, time/space continuum warp here about these basses. I also own one and was told that I got the better machines than some of the other S/As have.

If you don't mind aesthetics, you can go to Gotohs and whatever, but I would want to make a Q-ship outta an Affinity that I had an - er: "Affinity" for.

That's why I have stopped with the cosmetic and obvious superficial changes that take the bass out of the 'Gee - it sounds so much better than an Affinity" double takes. I had, at one point considered a custom decal too - that's out now.

ME? I'd go and use the larger/better Fender-style that is available on some of the Affinities - maybe even consider real Fender ones.

That's just me though.

MattimusPrime · #3 06-10-2010, 06:26 AM

Yeah - These look way better than the ones I have - I'd guess the footprint of these guys must be very similar to the actual fender machines - I'll have to mod my bass a bit - so I might as well go for the best machines I can get my hands on! I must try and post a pic of what mine currently look like - I got the bass 2nd hand, so they were already corroded before I got it..

SurferJoe46 · #4 06-10-2010, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattimusPrime

Yeah - These look way better than the ones I have - I'd guess the footprint of these guys must be very similar to the actual fender machines - I'll have to mod my bass a bit - so I might as well go for the best machines I can get my hands on! I must try and post a pic of what mine currently look like - I got the bass 2nd hand, so they were already corroded before I got it..

I'm collecting information on the whole Affinity bass line - and I would really like it of you post a pix before you mod the machines.

I wonder if somehow yours might be nickel plated and not chromed?

That would be interesting!

**RedsFan75** · #5 06-10-2010, 04:40 PM

I've got some stock MIM Fenders, be better than the Squiers...

SurferJoe46 · #6 06-10-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedsFan75

I've got some stock MIM Fenders, be better than the Squiers...

I'll let you know tomorrow when I pick up my new MIM Deluxe Active J.

squashedOpossum · #7 06-10-2010, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattimusPrime

Hi Everyone,

I've recently gotten hold of a pretty decent sounding Squier Affinity and now I want to upgrade the hardware, as the existing stuff is a little corroded and well, stock squier stuff.

I've seen that the size of the holes in the headstock for the tuners to go through are actually quite a bit smaller than on the normal fenders (I measured them as 10mm - where as it seems like most Hipshot, gotoh etc tuners are 17mm).

I don't mind having to re-drill these holes, but does anyone per chance, know of a set of tuners manufactured by a good tuner manufacturer (like Hipshot or Gotoh), that would be a drop in replacement?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice offered!
Matt

Yeah, unfortunately you're not going to find big clover leaf tuners to fit those holes. I have a highly modified Affinity Jazz bass and searched for months for a better tuner to fit those tiny holes. I went to Corner Music here in Nashvegas to get the holes drilled out to fit standard Fender tuners, but the cost was going to be almost as much as I paid for the bass. As I was leaving, JD said, "Hold on, I got something you might be interested in" and pulls this used neck with tuners out from behind a wall of Ampegs. SOLD!!

I've been told it's a Mighty Mite neck, but that was just JD's best guess. It's definitely not a Fender, but it works and looks amazing. Moral of the story: Unless you want to do a lot of work, you might have to replace the neck if you want standard size tuners.

Once you make your mods, come join us over at Gord_oh's Tricked Out Squier Club and bring lots of pictures!

MattimusPrime · #8 06-11-2010, 07:56 AM

Hi again,

Yes- it really does look like I'm going to have to drill out the holes - I'll probably do this myself, but I'll make sure I actually get my replacement machines first. I think it'll work out cheaper this way then getting a new neck shipped out to SA. I'm thinking a set of hipshot's will be nice - but I'll see what I can get.

SurferJoe - I'm quite sure they are chrome plated, but I'll try get those picks fro you as soon as possible.

SquashedOpossum - thatnks for the invite to the tricked out squier club - I'm sure I'll be posting there soon.

At the same time - I'm busy looking at replacing my current pick guard - I've heard that the squiers holes are not exactly in the same places as the fender pick guards - is this true? I'll probably go the route of making my own pickguard, and I was also thinking of redoing all the wiring and adding new pots. The squier website stated that the affinities come out with 500k pots - I've seen mine are currently 250k - any idea if this would give an indication to the year of this bass (the guy I bought it from was clueless).

Thanks for the info, advice and commentary.
Matt

ErikW · #9 06-11-2010, 08:03 AM

If I'm not mistaken, it is not just a matter of drilling out existing holes. They have to be relocated for the larger tuner. In otherwords, moved more to the top (as you are holding it like you are playing) of the headstock and back towards the neck as the large tuners have a shorter clover stem. There is a thread here on TB with just that mod. I will try to find it and post it.

Erik

ErikW · #10 06-11-2010, 08:07 AM

Try this one

Squire P Bass gets a new lease on life

squashedOpossum · #11 06-11-2010, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattimusPrime

...

At the same time - I'm busy looking at replacing my current pick guard - I've heard that the squiers holes are not exactly in the same places as the fender pick guards - is this true? I'll probably go the route of making my own pickguard, and I was also thinking of redoing all the wiring and adding new pots. ...

I've had two other pickguards on my Squier - the first was a Fender tort that needed very little modification (just a little dremel work around the neck pocket), and the second was a no-name black one that I got when I got the blocked neck. It dropped in perfectly. It's my understanding that for the most part Squier's are made to Fender specs so that upgrades can be easy.

The wiring would be a great upgrade. Try one of these wiring kits. If you go with the solid shaft pots, you'll need a new control plate because the pots need larger holes than what comes on Affinity basses. As long as your at it, I suggest putting in a DPDT switch and doing the series /parallel mod. You'll be glad you did.

And Erik found the link I was trying to find for you earlier. Yeah, it's a big deal to convert to the larger tuners. I'm glad I didn't go that route.

rockinrayduke · #12 06-11-2010, 08:58 AM

Aren't those the same size as the MIM tuners? Hipshot makes a replacement for those that would certainly be an improvement. Unless you're just dead set to have the larger tuner..

SurferJoe46 · #13 06-12-2010, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattimusPrime

Hi again,

Yes- it really does look like I'm going to have to drill out the holes - I'll probably do this myself, but I'll make sure I actually get my replacement machines first. I think it'll work out cheaper this way then getting a new neck shipped out to SA. I'm thinking a set of hipshot's will be nice - but I'll see what I can get.

SurferJoe - I'm quite sure they are chrome plated, but I'll try get those picks fro you as soon as possible.

SquashedOpossum - thatnks for the invite to the tricked out squier club - I'm sure I'll be posting there soon.

At the same time - I'm busy looking at replacing my current pick guard - I've heard that the squiers holes are not exactly in the same places as the fender pick guards - is this true? I'll probably go the route of making my own pickguard, and I was also thinking of redoing all the wiring and adding new pots. The squier website stated that the affinities come out with 500k pots - I've seen mine are currently 250k - any idea if this would give an indication to the year of this bass (the guy I bought it from was clueless).

Thanks for the info, advice and commentary.
Matt

I tried to replace the PG on my 1998-99 Affinity Squier and the new PGs won't cover all the routed-out area near the jack.

Sadly, after I called the company, they told me they don't make any that fit and suggested some of their blank material to make my own. That's when I decided to leave it single-ply white stock and spite them.

MattimusPrime · #14 06-14-2010, 02:19 AM

Wow- thanks for all the posts! After looking through that link about the mods - I'm not sure I'm ready to spend that much time on this bass - I also noticed how crowded that back of that headstock looked! I think I'm going to go the route of refinishing the existing tuners (SurferJoe - the tuners seen in the link are the same as mine - with the fake screws).

It would be a fun profect if I had the time - maybe one day, so I'll keep all this info in mind. It's been tricky enough to try source tuners here, so I think I'm going to go the route of making my own replacement pickguard out of perspex, then I'll redo the wiring and volume, tone pots with stuff from my local electronics store.

SquashedOpposum - I assume for the series/parrallel mods - I'd need to have a p bass with the jazz pickup also? Mine only has the P pickup - or is there a way this can be wired differently (excuse the ignorance here - not too sure about this stuff).

The sheilding is a good idea - which I'll probably do. Now I just need to find a place that can refinish the chrome for me - otherwise I'll see if I can perhaps repaint them myself - Hammerite might be an option if I take time to do it properly!