Help with Squier Deluxe Jazz Bass V Mods

cdginger · #1 07-26-2010, 06:45 AM

I'm sorry if this has already been posted, but currently I'm in the process of Modding my Squier Deluxe Active Jazz Bass V 5-String. I know that I want Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Pickups, but I'm completely clueless when it comes to the electronics and the preamp. Im mainly playing Jazz, Gospel, and R&B if that helps at all. Please give me some reccomendations on Electronics, or tell me what you have done to yours. Thanks!!!

C.Linton · #2 07-26-2010, 08:32 AM

I know this may seem a silly question, but I'm curious - exactly why are you modding it? Are the components you want to change all that bad?

cdginger · #3 07-26-2010, 08:38 AM

i know this may seem silly, but i sold my rickenbacker 4003 and bought a macbook pro and the squier. So im kinda just trying to make the squier the highest quality that i can. Thepickups were actually pretty decent, but there was clearly room for improvement. The electronics were ok but they were wired very sloppily. I could get by with what is in there, but i'm just trying to get the nicest quality out of a cheap but great bass.

plangentmusic · #4 07-26-2010, 08:45 AM

The pu's in the Squier J Deluxe are hot as hell. WHy would you want to change them?

PhiDeck · #5 07-26-2010, 11:27 AM

Can't Leave Well Enough Alone Syndrome?

cdginger · #6 07-26-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiDeck

Can't Leave Well Enough Alone Syndrome?

Basically

PilbaraBass · #7 07-26-2010, 05:33 PM

I really love mine...have had it since 2008 and it's still stock...

the major thing I did with mine that made a huge difference for me was to string it with Fodera Diamond Series SS...I know many folks don't like these and they may not work with all basses, but I feel they suit this bass particularly well.

In the electronics department, I'm looking to change out the SC pickups with a pair of DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups... I know that they're bright for an already bright bass, but they also have a low-end structure that's particularly well-suited for this bass...and I want something clean in a hum-cancelling design.

Finally, after I've changed the pickups and I still feel I need to go further, I've decided on a glockenklang 2-band preamp...
this way I can take advantage of the 2-band, a passive-bypass and a passive roll-off...I like the glock's specs...

finally, I'd have the toggle position free and may look to doing something "crazy" like a mid-boost circuit...

cdginger · #8 07-26-2010, 06:32 PM

Thanks, i was thinking get the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Pickups (if they make them for 5 strings) and then get an audere preamp put in. And after that I'd get a Badass Bridge and get a nice setup and it should be sounding tight. And i'm looking to do the same thing to a Vintage modified fretless.

Rano Bass · #9 07-27-2010, 05:59 PM

An Aguilar OBP3 sounds great with those basses.
I dont know if the Antiquity pups fit but there are other options like Sadowsky, Dimarzio, and Nordstrand.

A440Hz · #10 07-27-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdginger

Thanks, i was thinking get the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Pickups (if they make them for 5 strings) and then get an audere preamp put in. And after that I'd get a Badass Bridge and get a nice setup and it should be sounding tight. And i'm looking to do the same thing to a Vintage modified fretless.

The only Antiquity pups I've seen for Jazz were fours. Seymour would make you one for custom, but that's more money than you were probably planning for. You could try Fralins, Lollars, or Nordstrands for a vintage vibe and reasonable $$.

BFISHER1970 · #11 07-28-2010, 08:52 AM

I put a Sadowsky Preamp with VTC in mine when I had it.
Sounded great with the stock pickups. I used the stock switch for series/parallel switching.

Joe Nerve · #12 07-28-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdginger

And i'm looking to do the same thing to a Vintage modified fretless.

I'd do that bass first.

I've got a Squier Active 5 and it's held up to lots of my other basses. Even became my number 1 gigger for a while, and I got an incredible amount of compliments on the sound. I think the "Squier" logo begs for mods, but IMO you'll be throwing a bunch of money into something and possibly winding up with something that sounds worse than what you already have.

pb9717 · #13 07-28-2010, 09:18 AM

I went crazy modding mine. OBP1, Dimarzio Ultra Jazz, Sadowsky Pots and Knobs, VTC, preamp bypass..and gold EVERYWHERE. I found the stock preamp unusable. I just could not get the sound I needed. The OBP1 is boost only so It works well with a Vintage tone control ( read treble cut) especially with the UltraJazz's. I say..start with the pre, and then go to the PUPs. OBP1's can be had used for under $80 bucks many times. Got mine on ebay for $72, and workd great throught the sadowsky stacked POT. Even put a Marcus Logo on it.

Take a look.......

cdginger · #14 07-28-2010, 09:31 AM

Ok, thanks for the advice. I think i'll probly do that because i bought both of the basses at the same time and money really isnt an issue so probably in a month or two i'll take it over to jives shop and see what he can do. But heres what i was kind of thinking:

Squier Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz Bass
LeoQuan Badass Bass Bridge II
Fender Noiseless J Bass 2-Pickup Set
Audere JZ3 Bass Preamp

And

Squier Deluxe Active Jazz Bass V 5-String
LeoQuan Badass Bass Bridge V
Basslines SJ5-3S Quarter Pounder Jazz Bass Set
Audere 3ZB Bass Preamp

...
In my head this all worked out, but if something pops out at you that i should change or wont work, or any suggestions just let me know.

cdginger · #15 07-28-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pb9717

I went crazy modding mine.

Take a look.......

MAN! That Looks So Fresh!

PilbaraBass · #16 04-29-2012, 09:26 PM

Zombie thread, I know...
Just wanted to know if anyone has done anything to their deluxes lately?
I recently installed the Glockenklang 2-band and put a series/parallel switch in where the slap switch was.
The stock pickups sound really good to me, so they’re staying.
Love the glock preamp... it is truly transparent... the stock pickup coloured the tone quite a bit and compressed the sound.

dausualsuspact · #17 11-18-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

In the electronics department, I'm looking to change out the SC pickups with a pair of DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups... I know that they're bright for an already bright bass, but they also have a low-end structure that's particularly well-suited for this bass...and I want something clean in a hum-cancelling design.

This is what I'm thinking of doing, except installing DiMarzio Area J pickups. Is there a difference between the Ultra Jazz and the Area J pickups?

PilbaraBass · #18 11-19-2012, 04:18 PM

I did the glockenklang 2-band preamp mod, and I like the result ... it's not a huge change...preamp changes seldom are... i also added a series mod on the pickups, which gives me a different tone for my use... a thicker low-mid-focused tone

Yes, there are differences between the Ultra-J and the Area-J.

The Area-J is voiced for a more polite, more balanced tone. Great for all around.

The Ultra-J is voiced for a bit more low-end "oomph" and is slightly scooped in tone to give you a great funk tone.

But the differences aren't huge from the samples that I've been able to scrounge around and hear.

rojo412 · #19 11-20-2012, 03:04 PM

I've had 4 of these and mod'd all of them.
It's a great platform for mods, as it takes a ton of different stuff, easily.

If anyone ever has questions, I'd be happy to answer them, just PM.

Currently have the white one, but I'm not keeping it

bassbenj · #20 11-20-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojo412

I've had 4 of these and mod'd all of them.
It's a great platform for mods, as it takes a ton of different stuff, easily.

If anyone ever has questions, I'd be happy to answer them, just PM.

Currently have the white one, but I'm not keeping it

Sure I've got a question! Why are you getting rid of that white one? It's the one with "the look" for sure! Cripes the burst doesn't even have a tort pickguard. You trying to get your TB license revoked or something?