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Change pickup on Squire

D

danniee

Jul 29, 2009
26
1
#1
I have a Squire Precision Bass. I kind of like the feel of it. It is very light and has a good grip. But the pickup is not the best in the world and they are a bit noisy. I would like to change to some good (and quiet) p-bass pickups for punkrock/rock. Is it possible to for exampel put in "Seymour Duncan SSPB-3 Bass Pickup for 'P'-Style Basses" pickups in my Squire? Invalid Link Removed

Will it fit and work with the wiring and all? I know nothing about the insides of a bass.

I am going for the Mike Dirnt sound kind of.

Is it worth the trouble?
 
#2
If they're pickups specifically made for P-bass style basses, then I see no reason why they wouldn't fit in a Squier P-Bass. I have Fender MIM pickups in my P, I had to file the pickup opening a bit to make them fit, but it was no big deal. So if you like your bass and it plays well, then go for it! It's absolutely worth the trouble!
 
#4
Installing a pickup on a Precision is fairly simple. Actually, the only real critical skill you'll need is soldering skills. And if you can solder then get the wiring diagram from fender.com and have at it. Otherwise, take your bass to a competent technician. I don't know how much they would charge you in your country but over here I don't think I'd pay any more than $50.00 to install pickups on a P-Bass.
 
#11
Hi Danniee,
The original P-Bass pickup until 1957 is a single coil and will be noisy. A friend of mine has an Allparts retro P-Bass like an early 50's one. He tried everthing to make it quiet, but with no success. A Seymour Duncan Basslines or a USA Fender vintage pickup will be fine and the split pickup has two coils so it is a humbucker so it cancels the hum. You just need a soldering iron, solder, wire strippers, some time (very important!) and a file as the pick guard will probably need some adjustment. However while your at it you might as well throw out the cheap pots wiring and the jack socket and start again.
Get yourself some of the vintage cloth covered wire the CTS pots and a switchcraft jack socket. All of my Fenders and Squiers have been modded. If you look online there are places offering kits like this. Allparts is a good place to start and the wiring isn't expensive. Photo the wiring before you take it out from several angles and note which wire goes to which leg of each pot. Just unsolder the pickups from the pots and the bridge earth tag from the jack and remove it all still soldered together, then if there are any problems you can put the old stuff back!
I hope this is a help!
Phil.
 

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