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Buying a Squier Affinity P bass as a mod platform?

#41
probably get railed for saying this, but IME the type of wood used in the body contributes less to the tone than the pups. In my opinion, the cheapest body paired with the most quality pup is the best bet to get good tone ON A BUDGET. I will admit, i'm not crazy about the neck on my affinity. But, that is only because I prefer THE LOOK of the adjustment at the heel instead of the headstock. Everything else about that bass is fine. The original pups and pots were junk. It only took me a week of evenings and $180 to totally refurbish a used affinity P. total. I don't think there is a better platform for modification than an affinity. They are extremely inexpensive when you buy used. Check craigslist, there are 4 or 5 on there now in the Baltimore/Philadelphia area right around $100 and I bet you could get them fro $75. Then get all your parts in the TB classifieds. I'm definitely doing an affinity j next. It was a really fun project. Of course, this is just my 2 cents.
 
#43
dukeandrews said:
probably get railed for saying this, but IME the type of wood used in the body contributes less to the tone than the pups. In my opinion, the cheapest body paired with the most quality pup is the best bet to get good tone ON A BUDGET. I will admit, i'm not crazy about the neck on my affinity. But, that is only because I prefer THE LOOK of the adjustment at the heel instead of the headstock. Everything else about that bass is fine. The original pups and pots were junk. It only took me a week of evenings and $180 to totally refurbish a used affinity P. total. I don't think there is a better platform for modification than an affinity. They are extremely inexpensive when you buy used. Check craigslist, there are 4 or 5 on there now in the Baltimore/Philadelphia area right around $100 and I bet you could get them fro $75. Then get all your parts in the TB classifieds. I'm definitely doing an affinity j next. It was a really fun project. Of course, this is just my 2 cents.
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Great to hear...thats my thinking too.

I personally don't think the body wood contributes to the tone that much either (think PU's, PU position and strings do much more). I'm after Alder for a harder body compared to basswood and poplar
 
#44
Ok, update: i've re-done the maths and estimate doing this will cost me about £400. Thats right, only £80 short of a new MIM P. Kind of doesn't make sense unless i pick up a really cheap Squier on the Bay along with a cheap neck, which i'm inclined not to do (want the neck at least to be quality...IMO thats the most important part out the 2)
 
#45
.. as I mentioned earlier, any post '02 MIM Standard with a black body should get you that half, will be alder with decent electronics .. pups will be ceramic, but if they do not suit your taste, easy to recitify there .. maybe watch for used USA pups that match your other bass (if you like them), pots, etc will be the same ...

IF you are lucky enough to find your used MIM Standard in black/maple (would need to be '08 or newer, as maple board only was offered from that point), you are good to go .. necks are decent, but some of the 'newer' MIM Standard necks could use a touch up on the fret ends, but thats not rocket science ... IF your used purchase has a rosewood board, consider a $199 new replacement neck from Fender with a maple board (new) then switch over hardware, or you could be patient and watch for used maple board MIM Standard neck (rare) ... then sell off the used rosewood neck ...

... you may actually like the pups in a MIM Standard if you put the flats on that bass ... at least try it before you start changing out pups ... JMHO
 
#48
What I did when I wanted a p-bass with the same specs as yours (Black body, maple neck and fretboard, satin neck finish) was go to ebay. I didn't care about what brand of body I bought so long as it was in okay shape an reasonably Fender shaped. I ended up scoring a fully loaded body with: pickups, electronics, all hardware and the whole works included for $30 CAD. I bought a neck for about $40 CAD and then I bought myself a set of tuners at a local music store for $30.

In the end, I ended up with a fully playable p-bass w/ maple neck for $100. I gigged it that way for about 3 years. Every so often I will change a part on the bass that I don't like for something that I prefer more. Changed the cheap bridge for a higher quality bridge with a quick load option; changed out the pickup because although the stock one was usable, it wasn't my "flavour"; changed the wiring harness for one that I soldered myself w/500K pots instead of 250K.

The best advice I can give is:

Buy a used Squier and play it. Every few months, look at what you have and think about something you would like to purchase for it. $400+ dollars seems like a lot when you blow it all at once, but when you spread it out over a few months it becomes no more expensive than a few cups of coffee every week. If you buy the Squier (preferably used!) you will have a decent, giggable bass that will sound good enough for live playing. Once you've settled on what you don't like about the bass, change it.

-Ron
 
#50

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#53
envy1400 said:
Boris what did you end up doing? I have an affinity p bass from 8 years ago with EMG's and a broken trussrod (from my dumb 16 year old self). I thought about buying a Fender MIM Jazz neck to replace it. Anyone have any suggestions on necks?
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I concluded its not worth it unless i score something cheap on eBay. So currently saving for a MIM whilst i keep an eye on eBay just in case in the meantime. There's plenty of non Fender/Squier P's out there but i can't guarantee their compatibility so i'm waiting for Fender or Squier branded.

I think you have a lot more options in the US: i regularly see P bass bodies and necks for sale in the US that i would snap up if i was that side of the pond. Here in Europe there's less choice unless i go for a blank body and spray can (but not keen to do that as want a decent poly finish that will last)
 
#54
i am amazed at the quality of the new 2013 - current Squier Affinity. Alder body - full size. full size pots and the wiring and 1/4" jack are good quality. tuners and bridge look same or very close to MIM fender. Neck is very nice with good fret work. The - jazz- control plate is full size and I checked a MIA pickguard and it is same size and the screws line up. its a 3 ply pickguard. Synthetic bone nut - not cheap plastic. I did a set up - not that it was bad- and it plays great. The pickups were just OK. They look similar to the Fender MIM pickups with magnets on the bottom.
If you have not checked out a recent Affinity check one. Not the same as they once were.
 

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