Pickup problem on Squier Precision 5

Oldboy · #1 05-27-2007, 08:29 AM

When using the bridge pup only on my Squier,I find that the volume on the G string is much lower than the other 3.The bass has 2 J type pups but I always thought that the bridge pup was supposed to be slightly bigger(longer) than the neck pup.I find that my bridge pup is in fact slightly smaller than the neck and as such,the G string is too near the edge of the pup.Should this be so?Can someone put me on the right track?

luknfur · #2 05-27-2007, 10:53 PM

FWIW:

some confusion but you can take a pup screw and just hold in the proximity of the G string. If there's comparatively adequate pull on the screw relative to maximum (over the pole) then it will read the string fine in my experience. Usually not an issue unless the string is beyond the outer edge of the pole. Raise the G side of the pup to balance it. If the D is then too loud the you'll have to alter the saddle height - which will throw intonation out assuming it's relatviely accurate now.

Usually the D & G would be soft, not just the G.

tonejunkie · #3 05-29-2007, 03:42 PM

Oldboy,
I have a Squier Precision 5 too. Mine is about 4-5 years old so maybe it is a little different. I also found that the B & G were weak. Do your pickups have exposed pole pieces? Mine didn't and I was in for a shock. Mine weren't 5 string pickups. When I loosened the strings and took the pickup covers off, they were just 4 string jazz pickups with 8 pole pieces. That explains the weak G & B.

So now I've bought some Dimarzio Ultra Jazz pickups. They should also solve the massive amounts of interference my bass always picked up. I got my ideas (and pickups) from the bass that BFisher1970 upgraded. I'm going to copy him and add a B string retainer as well. I'm curious to see how she sounds. He says that it gave the Squier P5 the best low B he's ever heard on a Fender.

Does that help?

Oldboy · #4 05-31-2007, 09:17 AM

Tjunkie I hear what you're saying altho my B string is OK.It's just the G that's the problem.I'm currently looking at Seymour Duncan SJB-5s as they are the right size for the Squier,all the other pups that I looked at involved enlarging the cut-out.I will check out the number of pole pieces as you say,because that would definitely cause probs if it were only a 4 pole.Cheers for your input.

tonejunkie · #5 06-01-2007, 03:57 PM

Oldboy,
You're welcome. Bfisher1970 said that the only "modification" required to the body to get the Dimarzio Ultra Jazzes in was 5 min of sanding on the ends of the bridge pickup cavity. I obviously haven't done it yet but it doesn't sound like it takes much. Of course, you want to choose based on what kind of sound you want too. Check the string spacing on the Seymour Duncans--the P5 has relatively wide spacing for 5 strings. I hope the best for you and your bass!

Oldboy · #6 06-10-2007, 03:16 AM

To continue.......I installed the Seymours yesterday,and guess what!!The bloody problem is still there!!I kid you not.I'm beginning to think that the problem is inbuilt in the bass itself.Is this possible?Could the actual body of the guitar(the wood) be at fault.If anybody can come up with any pointers please do so,because at the minute I am seriously thinking of consigning this thing to a bonfire!!
Thanx in anticipation.

tonejunkie · #7 06-10-2007, 07:39 AM

Really? Is the bass set up right? Do the strings line up with the poles on the new pickups? Is the G string farther away from the pickups than the rest?

Oldboy · #8 06-10-2007, 09:11 AM

TJ,its set up fine as far as I can tell.Action is OK,no buzzing or rattles on the frets.In fact,the G is slightly nearer the pup than the others.I raised the treble side ever so slightly and this has made a difference,albeit slight.The original pups were indeed 4 pole,by the way,and the SDs look the same,from the outside,ie no pole pieces,so who knows?
Maybe it's just me,but even acoustically,it doesn't sound right.I think I'll just let it go,learn to live with it,wont let it bring me down,wont cry,etc.etc.Thanx for your input.

luknfur · #9 06-10-2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldboy

...

FWIW:

The original pups were indeed 4 pole,by the way,and the SDs look the same,from the outside,ie no pole pieces,so who knows?

Read the first response and you will know.

Maybe it's just me,but even acoustically,it doesn't sound right.

That was a flag that the problem was not related to the pup.

You might check the string and string path: tuner, nut, saddle. You always want to go with the quickest, cheapest, easiest, non-invasive approach first.

Slop in the tuner, pinched nut, lose saddle may have something to do with it, maybe not. See setup forum FAQ.

Oldboy · #10 06-11-2007, 03:37 AM

OK Luknfur I guess I'll take a different approach.It may be a mechanical problem rather than an electrical one indeed,but anyways I've now got a decent set of pups,so that can only be good.Thanx.

tonejunkie · #11 07-19-2007, 09:34 AM

Oldboy,
I have finally dropped my UltraJazz pickups into my P5 and it is a new bass. I hope you have had as good a experience as I have. I was looking forward to telling you how it sounded perfect and everything and then I tried some 2 handed tapping stuff. Now, I am not experienced at 2 handed tapping so it could be my technique but I noticed that the G string seemed weaker than the rest as well.

Then I noticed that the G string has the least string angle at the nut of any string on the bass. When I finally make a string retainer for the B string, I'm going to make one for the G string as well. I just need to find some small, skinny chrome screws.... Hmmm

Oldboy · #12 07-20-2007, 01:41 PM

Well TJ,I'm glad it all worked out for you.I have had a bit more success with mine.I tried a heavier gauge G,and while its better,its not 100%.Let me know if the string retainer makes any difference.I've got to the stage now that I'll try anything.It beats me why new pups and new strings haven't solved the problem.
Good luck and thanx for the update.

lucasred · #13 02-21-2008, 05:29 AM

Hi guys! I know this is an old thread but I find right to ask here... I've a squier precision 5 too... just want to upgrade my pickups (original sound very bad) . I was thinkin about di marzio ultra jazz, but it seems only seymour sj5s 70/74 are the right size. Now, I've read that some of you are using DiMarzio anyway... what about string spacing? many thanks

Gintaras · #14 02-21-2008, 05:41 AM

I had a squier 5 and had put Bartolini Jazz (needed two neck pickups). Whatever you do replace the pots with some quality stuff. In fact if you are doing that then you might want to put in a parallel/series setup. I have used the dimarzio J's and really like them. The Jazz pickup shootout on this forum really liked them and that is what lead me to try them out.