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Improving a Squier Mustang Bass

T

Thirt33

Sep 15, 2012
18
4
#1
Hey guys, wondering if you could help me with something. I have a Squier Vintage Modified Mustang Bass like the one in this video (it sounds just like it does here), and I love the playability but I'm a little dissatisfied with the tone.



In my opinion the Fender Mustang in this video is a major improvement (to me it sounds deeper, clearer, and more lively). Do you have any idea what's causing this difference? I was under the impression the pickups in these two basses were pretty similar, so I'm not sure where to look.

Thanks!
 
#3
A lot depends on the signal chain, as el Bajo Verde pointed out. It's really hard to get a good bead on what something will sound like unless you just do a straight DI w/no EQ/FX etc.

I have both the Squier VM and the MIJ Fender. Interestingly, I liked the Squier's pickup slightly more than the Fender one.

I ended up replacing the Fender ones with the Nordstrand NM4 - it is excellent. I'd describe the tone as "similar to the factory PU, only more so". What I mean by this is the basic tonal characteristics were close, but at the extremes (high & low) there's more going w/the NM4. I'm very pleased w/the results of that swap.

Hope it helps,
GT
 
#4
Thanks for the responses guys. One reason why I like this video is because it looks like the signal chain is identical for both basses (both are plugged straight into a Mark Bass CMD121P amp) and both are strung with DR Hi-Beam SMR 45-105 strings. It seems like that would mean that any difference in tone between the two would only be due to the basses themselves, but maybe I'm missing something? Again, my bass sounds very much like the first one she plays and I'd like to make it sound a bit more like the second.

And GoesThump that Nordstrand sounds like a good option but I'm also wondering if things like electronics/wiring or build quality may also be playing a role here. My Squier VM feels very well built but I've never played a Fender Mustang so I'm not sure what the difference might be.

Thanks again!
 
#5
I have a Squier VM and an MIJ Fender as well. I can barely tell them apart in terms of tonal qualities, though I do detect a small difference in this video. I'd recommend experimenting with the pickup height adjustment, string choices and/or maybe a different tone capacitor before investing in new pickups.
 
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#6
macmanlou said:
…string choices…
Click to expand...

This is always my first, go-to method to alter the tone of an instrument. It's usually the least expensive and time-consuming of all the possible changes one could make to an instrument.

That being said, the MIJ in the video sounds like it has better clarity and "presence", so a pickup-swap may be in order. Perhaps an MIJ Mustang pickup could be acquired.
 
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#8
macmanlou said:
I don't know if you can get an MIJ Mustang pickup from Fender, but this one from Seymour Duncan's custom shop seems promising, and perhaps more like what the OP might want, compared to the Nordstrand nm4.
Click to expand...

Yeah, after a cursory run-around-the-intarwebs, it looks like the only other ones readily available are…
  1. Duncan Designed pups made for Squier (averaging around $30 to $35)
  2. Nordstrand NM4's ($88)
  3. Custom-made pickups by Seymour Duncan ($160) or Lollar ($140)
If it were my money, I'd go for the NM4. Not just for the cost, but the company's reputation for excellent work.
 
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#9
These guys also make Mustang bass pups (scroll down linked page to find) but I haven't heard them.

Aero Pickups

I swapped Nordstrand NM-4s into my (MIJ) Fender Mustang Bass RI and am happy with the results. I think they offer greater clarity and articulation than the stockers. Not a night-and-day difference, but definitely noticeable. My guess the improvement over the stock Squier pups would be more dramatic.
 
Last edited:
#12
Universal bass de-sucker. Since everyone is into pedals nowadays anyway... Save money on pickups.

BASSATTACK.JPG
 
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#13
Malak the Mad said:
Yeah, after a cursory run-around-the-intarwebs, it looks like the only other ones readily available are…
  1. Duncan Designed pups made for Squier (averaging around $30 to $35)
  2. Nordstrand NM4's ($88)
  3. Custom-made pickups by Seymour Duncan ($160) or Lollar ($140)
If it were my money, I'd go for the NM4. Not just for the cost, but the company's reputation for excellent work.
Click to expand...

I stumbled upon another option. Guitar Parts Resource offers a non-Duncan, Fender Mustang pickup.

Link Removed
 
#14
Actually stumbled onto a Hartke Tone Shaper today and ran my (MIJ), Nordstrand NM4-loaded Mustang RI through it. I can report that there's something in what Red J says (above post): dat box do squeeze some cool tones out of a Mustang that I din't know was in there.

Plus, since I'm pretty much a passive bass kinda guy, playing through what amounts to a pre-amp of sorts made me feel pretty naughty...
 

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