Turning Squier into Something better?

[JjjonnyY]

Hey guys,

So I was thinking if it is possible to buy a Standard Jazz Squier, Replace the neck, Replace the pickups and maybe replace the Preamps with different parts?

I want to try my best to match the "ESP AMAZE- J Bass" since i can't afford one.


reference: ESP Original Series -AMAZE-ASM-

Thanks for reading!

[3506string]

Well buying a bass with the intention of hot-rodding can be a slippery slope. You could end up with a bass that you love, or you could end up with a bass you dropped a butt load of cash into and probably won't even be able to get back the price you paid for the bass alone.

For example I paid $1000 for the bass I have now.
A mtd kz6 run around $1400
The pickups that are installed run $345
The preamp installed runs around $140
Just an estimate but the routing and install probably ran around $200
So the original owner was probably in for around $2000 and the auction I bought from actually said "just trying to get back a fraction of what I put into this"

Just so happens I love the thing, but you see where I am going.


IMO hot-rodding is best when done with a bass you already like but want to make specific changes to make it better.

Throwing money at random changes on a bass is a roll of the dice.

Not meant to discourage just to inform.

[rojo412]

As a Squier Mod'er with experience, I'd say this...

Buy a Squier, upgrade the pickups and get it set up.
If you want, add a preamp for more tone control.

Just that will be enough to blow your mind. If that doesn't do it for you, convert it back to stock, sell the bass and parts, and just buy the bass you want.

[C.Linton]

Or, you could just get a Squier VM or CV bass and not have to change anyhting at all. Unless you are modding stuff just for the sake of modding.

[DwaynieAD]

step one place squier in closet
step two buy american fender
step three winning

[BulbousMoses]

How about playing it in stock form for a year before you make any decisions. This will result in one of two things happening. 1) You end up liking it in stock form and not want to change anything or 2) Having played it stock for a year, you will at least be able to identify what you don't like about it and you can then make an informed decision about what componenets to upgrade. IMO, upgrading a bass without playing it for awhile is a potentially disastrous move.

[Floridabwoy]

New pot's and pickups will make a huge difference. But make sure you like the neck, if the the neck is not comfortable, then there is nothing you can do to make the bass better for you.

[BassNoob1]

Originally Posted by Floridabwoy

New pot's and pickups will make a huge difference. But make sure you like the neck, if the the neck is not comfortable, then there is nothing you can do to make the bass better for you.

I'm also interested in upgrading my Squier instead of having to buy a new bass. My neck feels fine to me, but if it didn't wouldn't one just be able to buy a new neck? I'm a bit new to this sort of thing and have only owned this Squier P-bass, so maybe that's unreasonable, but would you please enlighten me?

[JoeVictim]

Originally Posted by BassNoob1

I'm also interested in upgrading my Squier instead of having to buy a new bass. My neck feels fine to me, but if it didn't wouldn't one just be able to buy a new neck? I'm a bit new to this sort of thing and have only owned this Squier P-bass, so maybe that's unreasonable, but would you please enlighten me?

There will always be neck options. The slab bodies have a different neck pocket but any standard P or Jazz is indeed interchangeable with any other standard P or Jazz. You may have to shim, but it will take the same bolt pattern so no drilling should be needed.

[AmadeusXeno]

Originally Posted by Floridabwoy

New pot's and pickups will make a huge difference. But make sure you like the neck, if the the neck is not comfortable, then there is nothing you can do to make the bass better for you.

Ever herd of Warmoth? They make replacement necks that fit. You could also go on ebay and buy another Squier neck to put on. The P bass and Jazz bass have different neck profiles, but are interchangeable.

[jallenbass]

As long as you keep all of the OEM parts you can then always make it stock again if you aren't happy with the results and not lose as much money if sell everything.

[PazzoBasso]

Originally Posted by C.Linton

Or, you could just get a Squier VM or CV bass and not have to change anyhting at all. Unless you are modding stuff just for the sake of modding.

+1

especially on the CV's - throw on some good strings & give it good set-up - you should be happy... My VM Jazz needed some fret work & a good set-up (I struggled to like it for a while) ended up using all it's parts on an aftermarket ash body + an Audere preamp & it's a little funk monster now... CV Jazz was good to go!!!

I wanted to mod like it was going outta style - but the CV didn't need any help - maybe tuners & a preamp in it's future, but I have an outboard Sadowsky... Can't really justify the mods - other than it's fun to tinker...

[Floridabwoy]

Originally Posted by AmadeusXeno

Ever herd of Warmoth? They make replacement necks that fit. You could also go on ebay and buy another Squier neck to put on. The P bass and Jazz bass have different neck profiles, but are interchangeable.

Gotcha, but why spend $$$ on a warmoth neck that cost more than Squier bass in the first place. If you are buying a bass to customize to your taste, make sure you have a good platform to mod, or you are just wasting money is what I am saying.

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by DwaynieAD

step one place squier in closet
step two buy american fender
step three winning

Snob

[AmadeusXeno]

Originally Posted by Floridabwoy

Gotcha, but why spend $$$ on a warmoth neck that cost more than Squier bass in the first place. If you are buying a bass to customize to your taste, make sure you have a good platform to mod, or you are just wasting money is what I am saying.

IMO as long as you like the body wood and it's ready for the pups and everything you want it is a good platform to start with. Good doesn't always mean more expensive. Just because something is cheap doesn't mean it's junk.

[JjjonnyY]

I already own a fender American but i would like a separate bass with the ESP pick ups and ESP cinnamon preamplifier and a thin c neck similar to the geddy lee fender without the premium price tag.

I'm very new to this modding scene, but I realize the squire probably has one of the largest variety of bass parts available in the market today. But I'm also open to other routes and ideas as how to solve this.

the ESP amaze @ $3000 not including s & p is definitely out of my price range.

Jon

[loinmute]

Do it, mod all the electronics, get a BA II or Hipshot bridge.

I love modding, got a couple projects going on as I type.

[tangentmusic]

Sometimes it's as simple as a new set of strings & a good set-up.

[gryhund666]

I bought a beater Made in Indonesia VM Jazz for $75. It had no pots, pups or strings. I Installed genuine MIA jazz pickups (from ebay) for $55. Again from ebay installed a used bad ass II bridge for about $65. Installed new pots and an orange drop capw/ all new wiring my self. Knobeeze Jazz style rubber knobs about $23.. D'Addario ECB82 flat wound strings about $34.
OK so after all that work (it wasn't all that hard really) I have a bass with (I think) a great sound and feel for not too much bucks.
Could basses like this be called bar basses? You know, a bass that sounds/plays well but says Squire on it and you really won't get too mad if beer gets on it.
Take your time w/ the set up and you can have a very decent bass and have had the fun of putting it together yourself.
Go for it!

[LilloEsquilo]

The thing is by the time you put all that money into the Squier, you could have something better and not have to do the work.

I don't see it as "worth" it. But in the end only you can make that call.