Squier VM TB "Tele" Bass mod- How to "fix" your Mudbucker!

McSpunckle · #1 06-22-2009, 10:23 PM

I just got a Squier Vintage Modified P bass-- the Tele model. I planned on just changing the pickups-- I just wanted a Tele bass, and I loved the neck on it.

I've read a lot of complaints about the pickup is too hot, it has no high end, etc etc. It truely lives up to the name "Mudbucker."

Anyways, I took the pickguard off and discovered the pickup has 4 conductor wiring. Very rare for basses in this price range. The pickup actually looks very high quality overal-- just very hot, and very dark. It's actually very cool sound if you use distortion.

I decided to try wiring the pickup in parallel. It was very, very easy to do. The bass actually sounds much, much closer to a regular P bass now-- and a good one, at that. The lows are still solid, but the mids and highs are much better now. I was going to put 2 Darkstars in it, but now... I don't think I need to. Plus, everyone's doing that. Still might do one in the bridge.

I suppose you think you'd like instructions? It's very easy.

If you take the pickguard off, you'll see the wire from the pickup. The green wire will be attached to one of the lugs of the volume pot-- the black will be attached to the back of the pot.

You'll see a red and white wire tied together. Just separate them. Solder the red wire to the back of the pot with the black wire. Solder the white wire to the lug where the green wire is.

That's it. And it sounds GREAT. I actually like the stock sound, though. I'll probably install a switch to go between them-- eventually.

I apologise, I don't have a decent way to get sound clips.

GODSBASSMAN · #2 06-23-2009, 02:46 PM

That appears to be a great way to go at it. Someday I will have one and do this thing with the series/parallel switch included. Nice post. Thanks

Darkstrike · #3 06-23-2009, 02:49 PM

When I done it, I put in a switch, for the stock sound, and a single coil mode.

This is the thread.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/taming-beast-squier-vm-telebass-mudbucker-524029-post7081206/

EDIT: I forgot to mention, there's a soundclip or two in there too.

McSpunckle · #4 06-23-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

When I done it, I put in a switch, for the stock sound, and a single coil mode.

This is the thread.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7081206

EDIT: I forgot to mention, there's a soundclip or two in there too.

Grrr. I missed yer thread. I did quite a bit of searching for these pickups too.

Cool stuff, yo! Diagrams and everything.

davelowell2 · #5 07-13-2009, 03:00 PM

I just did this mod and it ROCKS!

I was about to swap out the pup with a Dark Star. I thought, I'll just try it out and see how it sounds. Wow! I am going to leave it like it is and find something else for the Dark Star!

Thanks!

davelowell2 · #6 07-13-2009, 04:08 PM

McSpunkle, if you ever get around to the switch between the two, let me know. I'd like to wire it up but would need some help, thanks!

davelowell2 · #7 11-03-2009, 09:15 AM

MrSpunkle, have you had a chance to make a switch between the two sounds? I have some extra time and would love to do this!

Your help is appreciated here, thank you!

Dave.

Beej · #8 11-03-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davelowell2

MrSpunkle, have you had a chance to make a switch between the two sounds? I have some extra time and would love to do this!

Your help is appreciated here, thank you!

Dave.

Darkstrike posted a how-to including a diagram in his link above. Its here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7081206

davelowell2 · #9 11-03-2009, 01:17 PM

I guess I was looking for a way to do this with just the two ways, stock which is series and the modded way which is parallel...

I could just do it like Darkstrike and not use the single coil mode... but that seems a little more difficult and requires more opportunity to mess up.

Thanks!

davelowell2 · #10 11-03-2009, 01:24 PM

Couldn't I just get an on/off switch and wire the red and white to that?

Any chance someone out there can help? I can do the soldering, I just don't know specifically what switch, from Radio Shack or something? to get.

Darkstrike · #11 11-03-2009, 01:31 PM

If you get a two way on/on switch, and wire it as I have shown, it will do series/parallel, without the single coil mode.

davelowell2 · #12 11-03-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

If you get a two way on/on switch, and wire it as I have shown, it will do series/parallel, without the single coil mode.

Ahh, thank you!

Now, which one should I get?

This one?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...lterValue=SPDT

Or, this one?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...lterValue=SPDT

Thank you, Darkstrike!

Darkstrike · #13 11-03-2009, 01:54 PM

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062499

This one, I think.

Beej · #14 11-03-2009, 02:02 PM

Yep, you'll need a DPDT. Consider putting it in a push/pull pot switch. That way there's no new holes in the pickguard...

throbgod13 · #15 11-03-2009, 03:57 PM

perfect..

Steveaux · #16 11-03-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beej

Yep, you'll need a DPDT. Consider putting it in a push/pull pot switch. That way there's no new holes in the pickguard...

No new holes in the pickguard ?..?..?

Where's the fun in that ???

davelowell2 · #17 11-04-2009, 08:01 AM

Thanks, fellas! I'll try to get to the Shack in the next couple of days and let you know how it turns out. I'll probably make a new hole for it, and I'll probably need some help troubleshooting!

Darkstrike · #18 11-04-2009, 08:10 AM

About the new hole, I'll warn you, to get the switch where I wanted it, I did have to rout some more control cavity.

davelowell2 · #19 11-05-2009, 01:54 PM

Ok, so I did it! I put the switch between the knobs, simple. I didn't have to rout. I could only play for a second through my bench guitar amp, but it seems like it works! Thanks!

Darkstrike · #20 11-05-2009, 02:00 PM

Awesome dude!