Tricked Out Squier Club Part 3

[Billy K]

I forgot to post a picture

[Billy K]

I wish I could have fit the pickguard but I couldn't.

[sakai4eva]

Wow!

As an avid DIY-er, I'm really interested in modding and upgrading things from stock to whatever beasts that they can be...

All of theses basses looks really nice and since I'm shopping anyway I've got some questions for the owners:

1. Why did you choose the Squire as the base for the mods?
2. I'm looking for a versatile bass guitar with wide ranges of sounds (I play CCM) so is the Squire J with future mods a good choice or should I be looking elsewhere? I mostly play fingerstyle but have to cover rock all the way to... er... ballads, I would guess.

Thanks in advance!

[TJBass]

Originally Posted by RadioRob

Where did you get this decal?

TB member lavmonga will take your design and print it as a waterslide decal. Or he can design what you describe to him like I did. They are very good quality and he does great work on them and gets them to you promptly and cheap.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by Billy K

Attachment 320406 I wish I could have fit the pickguard but I couldn't.

Love the control plate!

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Originally Posted by sakai4eva

... I've got some questions for the owners:

1. Why did you choose the Squire as the base for the mods?
2. I'm looking for a versatile bass guitar with wide ranges of sounds (I play CCM) so is the Squire J with future mods a good choice or should I be looking elsewhere? I mostly play fingerstyle but have to cover rock all the way to... er... ballads, I would guess.

...

1a. I chose my Squier (note the correct spelling of the brand) Precision 5 because it's a great looking, great feeling, great playing bass bone stock. It didn't sound bad either, but with two J pickups, it didn't sound like a P-bass. I took care of that and added the obligatory TalkBass tortoise pickguard

1b. Used Squiers are quite inexpensive.

1c. Aftermarket parts are plentiful in all price points, from Chinese made bargains from eBay (like the 5-string P-Bass pickup I used for my bass) to high-end pickups, bridges, preamps, tuners, etc.

2. The model depends on what you like. I'm a P-Bass guy at heart (and have been since I bought my first bass in the early/mid '70s). It's handy to have a J pickup at the bridge to blend in (in small doses) but I'd be happy with a pure 5-string P-Bass. If you prefer the feel, look and sound of a Jazz Bass, go with one of those.

Besides a Squier, perhaps give SX basses a look (www.rondomusic.com). You can get a new one for the price of a used Squier...but you gotta be OK with the new style headstock. Or the Xaviere line from www.guitarfetish.com. No 5-string basses there if that's what you're after.

[RadioRob]

Is there an online store that makes vinyl pickguard covers?
If not there should be.
It would be way cheaper and the possibility's would be unlimited.

[TJBass]

No websites I know of that make decals for pickguards. Thats why I did carbon fiber, only cozt $18 on Amazon.

[dewbass4]

Originally Posted by sakai4eva

1. Why did you choose the Squire as the base for the mods?
2. I'm looking for a versatile bass guitar with wide ranges of sounds (I

I chose a Squier Precision Special (P/J) because stock it was a decent sounding, great feeling, very inexpensive, good looking
platform to start with.
I swapped pick ups (Duncan SPB-1 and STK-J1B), pick guard, bridge (BAII), changed controls to V-Blend-T, added strap locks.
New strings are an absolute necessity before any other mods.
IMHO the P/J is one of the most versatile passive pickup combinations you can own. I love the feel of this model's jazz profile neck.



I also agree with the previous post that SX bass are a great starting platform for modifications.

[Egil94]

Hello
Is this page just for the Squier, or can I post other cheap modified basses?

Egil

[jperala]

Vm fretless

- pickguard
- thumb rest
- knobs
- bridge

[Cadfael]

My VM fretless has a black pickguard (but 3ply) and a thumb rest, too!
But mine has "70s Strat knobs" and both chrome covers!

Great with Fender .095 flatwounds ...

I also have a Squier 2007 Std. bass in Candy Apple Red.
Turned this one into a 60s JB with chrome covers, .095er flatwounds, tagbar (thumbrest under strings), 3rd strap holder at the headstock and 60s knobs ...

[Gord_oh]

Originally Posted by Egil94

Hello
Is this page just for the Squier, or can I post other cheap modified basses?

Egil

Squiers....just Squiers.
Updating numbers this week!

[Cadfael]

Here a pic of my 60s tuned Squier Std. Bass

[dwagner]

Originally Posted by Billy K

Attachment 320406 I wish I could have fit the pickguard but I couldn't.

That's awesome. Where'd you get the pick guard/control plate?
I have the same bass and that color combo or similar ones looks great.

[savofenno]

Originally Posted by Cadfael

My VM fretless has a black pickguard (but 3ply) and a thumb rest, too!
But mine has "70s Strat knobs" and both chrome covers!

Great with Fender .095 flatwounds ...

I also have a Squier 2007 Std. bass in Candy Apple Red.
Turned this one into a 60s JB with chrome covers, .095er flatwounds, tagbar (thumbrest under strings), 3rd strap holder at the headstock and 60s knobs ...

I remember that many Fender Jazz Basses in 75-80 came with black Strat type knobs. Fender Custom Shop had some time ago Jazz models with 3 Strat knobs too.
I got a VM Jazz 5 weeks ago with frets in my case, i have not thought much how to pimp it more yet, but i had some black knobs over so i did put them on, and just a hour ago swapped strings to Pyramid Fusion 0.40-0.95 set. Just what doctor ordered, typical 70s sound appeared! I have 3 basses with flats (enough for now) and 6 with rounds, i think this VM JB is somewhat late 60`s - early 70`s-ish to me. I will keep tort pg, i think it`s the best Squier tort i have seen this far.
I am glad if someone have reasonable and tasty suggestions how to pimp this more, but i don`t feel any great urge this time.
My old Standard Jazz in black/antigua has both covers and red VM Jag Bass bridge cover, i think i`ll keep this without covers in 70`s spirit.
I have changed to 2 vol and 1 tone knobs after i took these photos.

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Originally Posted by Cadfael

Here a pic of my 60s tuned Squier Std. Bass

The photo isn't coming through (for me anyway).

[Figjam]

squier precision bass special body, walnut satin
1982 fender precision neck
dimarzio model PJ pups
gotoh 201
vintage fender neckplate and screws

[A-Step-Towards]

You guys wouldnt believe the proto-type squiers I saw yesterday while touring fender. Stuff that may or may not go into production. I soaked in every detail, 5 string basses, fretless, LBP, CAR, PJ , soap bars, etc.

Just badass, I asked what they do with the guitars if they dont go into production and they said they donate them, raffle them to workers etc.

[Billy K]

the control plate that matched the pickguard I think I got from Greasy Groove.But any pickguard maker can do it for you.