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Bass Mods.

F

fetfet

Apr 13, 2008
649
3
Toronto, ON
#1
I own a Squier Precision Special, which has a P/J setup. I'm thinking of doing the following mods

  1. New Neck: Maple Stew-Mac Neck, or other.
  2. EMG PJ set
  3. EMG BTS system
  4. Black Pickguard
  5. Possible new paintjob
  6. Hipshot Tuners
  7. Badass 2 Bridge.

what do you think?

My goal is to make this $225 bass play like a true MIA P.
 
#3
Just a suggestion, sounds like the only thing you are keeping is the body! You can get a really nice body from Warmoth for $225 or less (if you are willing to finish it yourself), so why not just do that, and then you'd have two basses instead of one for the same price.

ps It will not play or sound like a MIA P no matter what with those mods. Mostly because of the active EMG system. If you want a traditional P bass sound, go with a passive pickup from someone like Fralin, or better yet, just pick up a used MIA P--I doubt it would cost more than all those mods you list, especially if you sold your Squier to cover the cost.
 
#5
Why not just spend $50-100 for a good setup? A home-made "Frankenbass" is only going to be as "playable" as you make it... what is your level of experience with this kind of project? A Squier with a good setup will be more "playable" than a MIA with a bad setup. :)
 
#7
I've spent much money on setting this bass up, and it's an ok playing bass, but It leave smuch to be desired. So i'm browsing the used market for the bass i'd like, and with all the money i planned to spend on mods, have only come up with around $500, which is not enough to get a used MIJ, let alone an MIA.
 
#13
You could buy a used Hamer USA CruiseBass (with either a 2-TEK or a Gotoh bridge) for ~$500 and you would be astounded by the quality. If you are patient and attentive, there are lots of good basses out there that you can find for $500. When you "upgrade" an inexpensive instrument, you NEVER get your money back when you decide to sell or trade...and you will ALWAYS sell or trade an upgraded cheapie.
 
#17
I done almost the very same thing with a MIM Jazz, one of my fave basses, everyone who's played it loves it.



Here's what I done different.
fetfet said:
I own a Squier Precision Special, which has a P/J setup. I'm thinking of doing the following mods

  1. New Neck: Maple Stew-Mac Neck, or other. Same here, this is a P sized neck
  2. EMG PJ set Bill Lawrence Jazz
  3. EMG BTS system New Passive Pots
  4. Black Pickguard Pearloid
  5. Possible new paintjob Left it stock
  6. Hipshot Tuners Adjustable Tension, StewMac
  7. Badass 2 Bridge. Kahler Trem

what do you think?

My goal is to make this $225 bass play like a true MIA P.
Click to expand...


If you can get what you want from your bass and some mod's shoot for it!
It feels so good when you play your one of a kind bass! :D
 
#18
I have a Squier Jazz. It is stock. I left it that way while I was building a frankenbass. Now that the new bass is up and running, I am looking to upgrade a little. New pots, maybe new pickups & strings. Leaving it passive though as the new one is equipped with an Audere and I don't want two basses that are too similar. Projects are fun.
However, your list makes it seem like the only thing left will be the body. As someone else suggested, you might want to leave your bass alone and start with a new (or used) body. I bought a new MIM ash body that was already painted for my own project. It was a real gas (pun intended) gathering the bits and building it. Have fun!
Mike
 
#19
I think you just need to go out and play as many basses as possible, figure out what it is really that you want. If you are looking for a maple-neck bass with excellent playability and versatile electronics in the $500-700 range, there are lots of options like Peavey, G&L, etc.
 
#20
I know i'm looking for a trebly, slightly distorted tone, and I've acheived this tone with 3 things

- A maple-boarded P-Bass
- A Jazz Bass and Sansamp
- A Thunderbird


And i have a T-bird and a Sansamp copy, and I'd like a maple boarded P-bass.
 

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