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I Just Can't Get With The Squires

#141
Pimmsley said:
It really is a lovely neck, it's also the only bass I own with those tiny banjo frets and a full one piece neck and fingerboard...
It's such a woody sounding bass too, which I love, the Lollar just brings a bigger bottom that I thought the stock pickup was lacking a little in, although probably closer to the original. I've had mine almost two years and well beyond any honeymoon period.
Just a rockin' bass !
Click to expand...
You've got me rethinking my pickup choice. lol
I had a set of Thomastik flats laying around so i put them on and so far i love the feel and tone. Old school thump with just enough articulation. Got a gig this weekend and i'm giving it a go. I've tweaked the truss rod a bit and intonated it. Very little setup required. The neck seems very stable. Just need to decide if i go with the Fender 100T and SVT210av's or the RPM/Crest Pro-lite/Fearful 15/6.....kinda leaning toward the tubes at this point.
 
#142
kapaauguy said:
You've got me rethinking my pickup choice. lol
I had a set of Thomastik flats laying around so i put them on and so far i love the feel and tone. Old school thump with just enough articulation. Got a gig this weekend and i'm giving it a go. I've tweaked the truss rod a bit and intonated it. Very little setup required. The neck seems very stable. Just need to decide if i go with the Fender 100T and SVT210av's or the RPM/Crest Pro-lite/Fearful 15/6.....kinda leaning toward the tubes at this point.
Click to expand...

Gig sounds exciting, enjoy... Crazy you mentioned the flats. My CV 50's came with the stock fender rounds, and although it sounded good it also sounded a bit limited, I really wanted to try a set of GHS P flats (played nickel rounds the last 20 years). Within minutes of putting them on I was in total 70's funk heaven, plus the flats actually brought more tonal variation in finger style from the end of the neck to the bridge. I also find the truss a breeze to adjust and tweaks remain stable. Really beautiful instrument.
Don't be afraid to gig it, I gig mine regularly, which makes my 64' jazz a little sad, but the old girl is now 50 years old and I'm a little scared to gig it all the time ;) I got over the decal fear...
The Lollar is a stunning pup, look into it... It's fat yet still vintage, just what I wanted.

Flats n' tubes does sound good to me ! I don't have a gigging tube amp in my stable but my tone hammer amp and this bass are rocking my world for over a year now :)
 
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#144
Pimmsley said:
Gig sounds exciting, enjoy... Crazy you mentioned the flats. My CV 50's came with the stock fender rounds, and although it sounded good it also sounded a bit limited, I really wanted to try a set of GHS P flats (played nickel rounds the last 20 years). Within minutes of putting them on I was in total 70's funk heaven, plus the flats actually brought more tonal variation in finger style from the end of the neck to the bridge. I also find the truss a breeze to adjust and tweaks remain stable. Really beautiful instrument.
Don't be afraid to gig it, I gig mine regularly, which makes my 64' jazz a little sad, but the old girl is now 50 years old and I'm a little scared to gig it all the time ;) I got over the decal fear...
The Lollar is a stunning pup, look into it... It's fat yet still vintage, just what I wanted.

Flats n' tubes does sound good to me ! I don't have a gigging tube amp in my stable but my tone hammer amp and this bass are rocking my world for over a year now :)
Click to expand...
Where do you anchor your thumb? Or do you? I always put my thumb on my split coils with my PBass's but find the single a bit weird to rest on. My plan is to take the tugbar and relocate it above and slightly behind the pickup. Then fill the holes in the scratchplate with extra scratchplate screws.
Was also looking at the bridge cover (the 51 style with the open back) I think that would really give it the vintage look and hide the modern bridge. This is one sexy Axe!
 
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#145
I'm a floating thumb or thumb on the E string guy, so it's not something I really have to think about...
I did get the Fender 51' RI pup and bridge covers too (which might be a really good idea for you) to make it look more old school but I like the tone plucking directly over the pup for some things, and I sometimes pluck right down at the bridge so the covers never made it on. I agree they look sexy... Damn you have me re-thinking the covers now... Ha ha...

Edit: ha ha, looks like we are antipodean axe buddies !
 
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#146
kapaauguy said:
Where do you anchor your thumb? Or do you? I always put my thumb on my split coils with my PBass's but find the single a bit weird to rest on. My plan is to take the tugbar and relocate it above and slightly behind the pickup. Then fill the holes in the scratchplate with extra scratchplate screws.
Was also looking at the bridge cover (the 51 style with the open back) I think that would really give it the vintage look and hide the modern bridge. This is one sexy Axe!
Click to expand...

Also be really careful resting your thumb with any pressure on that single coil pup. There is nothing really holding the top part on, so with too much force it will pop off and the bobbins may leap out... I've read some horror stories about it here on TB ;)
 
#147
Pimmsley said:
Also be really careful resting your thumb with any pressure on that single coil pup. There is nothing really holding the top part on, so with too much force it will pop off and the bobbins may leap out... I've read some horror stories about it here on TB ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the warning! It does seem kind of frail.
I think the bridge cover looks really cool. I really love to pluck right over the PU so that cover wouldn't work for me.
I also was looking at this muting foam that stuck with some adhesive tape to the inside of the bridge cover. Only played a bass with muting foam on it once so not sure if it would be for me but if Bob Babbitt likes it... i'll give it a go!
I have quite a few friends in OZ. Mostly on the South Coast around Jervis Bay. One friend lives in Melbourne and he raves about the food, coffee shops and music scene. Got to see your city some day!
 
#149
kapaauguy said:
Thanks for the warning! It does seem kind of frail.
I think the bridge cover looks really cool. I really love to pluck right over the PU so that cover wouldn't work for me.
I also was looking at this muting foam that stuck with some adhesive tape to the inside of the bridge cover. Only played a bass with muting foam on it once so not sure if it would be for me but if Bob Babbitt likes it... i'll give it a go!
I have quite a few friends in OZ. Mostly on the South Coast around Jervis Bay. One friend lives in Melbourne and he raves about the food, coffee shops and music scene. Got to see your city some day!
Click to expand...

I know everyone loves their home town, but Melbourne won't disappoint if you have a good guide, and a little cash... He he... Coffee, food, music, beaches, bars, clubs and pubs.

Pity we both dig the covers on look but find the pup cover impractical, it's like my 64' Jazz, the original covers are immaculate and would look so sweet, but I can't play the instrument with either on :( they just get in the way, a lot.

I made a few different mutes too ! (This is getting a bit weird, lol) different density foams.
Settled on one made from Xbox 360 packing foam that is the perfect density, I actually slip it under the strings against the bridge, intonation stays in tact and I don't need to worry about putting on and taking of the bridge 'ashtray'... Highly recommend as an alternative. Very useable sounds with pick and fingers.
 
#151
My main issue with the sound of my VM70s Jazz was that it sounded a little bit high-mid focused. When I investigated, it had 500 value pots in it. With the body and the maple board, it was nice and bright but lacked some of that lower end fullness of my Fender jazz a trip to the classifieds had a MIM jazz control plate with pots, orange drop cap and knobs. I installed it, and found the low end warmth I was missing. It surprises people how good that "cheapie" bass sounds. Now to find a good deal on a hip shot detuner and I'll be groovy.
 
#152
rolandm said:
Now to find a good deal on a hip shot detuner and I'll be groovy.
Click to expand...

Just a friendly heads-up…if you don't know it already, look into the HB-7 for MIM models. That is, unless you're thinking of an ultra-lite style. Then you want an HE-C½ or Y½. I've already installed two BT7's, one for a Vintage Modified Jaguar and another for a Squier Standard Jazz.
 
#153
Played the 50's Cv at band practice tonite. Went through my Fender 100t and two SVT210AV's. sounded really warm and woody and thumpy. We played a mix of 80's Pop and Motown stuff. It nailed the older stuff but felt a bit one dimensional sonically for the more modern stuff. For the second half of practice i switched to my GL Jazz and as usual it sounded fantastic through the Fender tube head. My drummer gave the nod to the Jazz bass but i know it definitely has a place in my arsenal. I'm hoping the new pickup gives it a touch more of a modern tone. Also my D string is quiet and my G is way loud so i hope the new SD SCPB-3 solves that as well. Overall very happy with this bass.
And yes Pimmsley....The Big Island is an awesome place to live but so is OZ!
 
#154
Pimmsley said:
I know everyone loves their home town, but Melbourne won't disappoint if you have a good guide, and a little cash... He he... Coffee, food, music, beaches, bars, clubs and pubs.

Pity we both dig the covers on look but find the pup cover impractical, it's like my 64' Jazz, the original covers are immaculate and would look so sweet, but I can't play the instrument with either on :( they just get in the way, a lot.

I made a few different mutes too ! (This is getting a bit weird, lol) different density foams.
Settled on one made from Xbox 360 packing foam that is the perfect density, I actually slip it under the strings against the bridge, intonation stays in tact and I don't need to worry about putting on and taking of the bridge 'ashtray'... Highly recommend as an alternative. Very useable sounds with pick and fingers.
Click to expand...

Hey Pimmsley, how thick was your mute foam? Does it press only lightly on the strings or lots of contact?
 
#155
kapaauguy said:
Hey Pimmsley, how thick was your mute foam? Does it press only lightly on the strings or lots of contact?
Click to expand...

I just measured the one that works best and it's exactly 1/2 an inch in height (sits on the bottom of the bridge to under the strings) and about 3/16" wide... Not a huge amount of pressure, I have a slightly taller one that applies more pressure and mutes more. Both made of that high density Xbox packing foam...
 
#156
Pimmsley said:
I just measured the one that works best and it's exactly 1/2 an inch in height (sits on the bottom of the bridge to under the strings) and about 3/16" wide... Not a huge amount of pressure, I have a slightly taller one that applies more pressure and mutes more. Both made of that high density Xbox packing foam...
Click to expand...
Thanks Mate! Appreciate the US measurement as well! lol
 
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#157
I play drums in a band where the bassist plays a Squier 5 string Jazz bass, it sounds decent.

It drives the guitarist (who plays two different American Fender Stratocasters) nuts that the bass player gigs with a Squier. I own a few American Fender basses and wouldn't mind lending them to him for gigs to shut up the guitarist. But I'm a four string guy.

The bass player can afford to play whatever he wants, at this point he is playing the Squer just to drive the guitarist crazy. (It's fun to watch.)
 
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#158
There is so much variance between instruments when you're looking at mass produced stuff that it's impossible to be snobbish about brands. I've encountered some amazing Squiera and some utter dogs of Fenders and vice versa. There's no substitute for playing whatever feels and sounds best to the player, regardless of what's printed on the headstock.

One of the nicest Chinese Fenders I've heard was a Modern Player Jazz - Full, lovely sound. You just have to pick and choose.


Basses by Status-Graphite & MusicMan
Amplification by Genz-Benz & TC Electronic
 
#159
I have a Squier, but would like a Fender, just because I've never had one.

That said, I'd like to get a Mustang, and from what I gather, the standard ones are made in Japan,
the Pawn Shop models are made in Mexico, and the only USA made ones are vintage and going for
pretty stupid prices for what they are.

So for now - I'm happy with the Squier.
 
#160
I bought a Squire Jazz in white for my Middle School Jazz Band and it plays and sounds just fine. I do the neck adjustments and just put a set of Fender 7250's on it and it's great! Do I personally own one...no, since I prefer a thicker neck but the name wouldn't stop me from getting a Squire Pbass
 

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