the thing is, I don't intend to spend $1000 on this bass. I was just gonna throw about $200-300 into it and call it a day. I wouldn't sell it, either.
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Is taking a Squier and making it better over the years a good idea?
- Thread starter J03YW
- Start date
the thing is, I don't intend to spend $1000 on this bass. I was just gonna throw about $200-300 into it and call it a day. I wouldn't sell it, either.
Changing parts is fun and valuable learning experience - sounds like that's what you're planning. Enjoy!
Squier CV P body
Flame maple J neck w/a Curly maple 'board and reverse headstock
Fender Ultralyte tuners
original Badass bridge
CTS pots/cloth wire
SeyDunc SPB-3's
WD Abalone 'guard
Dunlop Straploks
My favorite Squier,modded to my liking for about $500 total cost. That's a far cry from the $3K the big F's custom shop wanted,and less expensive than any MIA's or MIM's for that matter..
Yes, I took a Squier VM Fretless Jazz and modded so much on it, I have a hard time calling it a Squier. It is also the best playing and sounding bass that I've ever had. I removed the neck and replaced it with a Mighty Mite unlined ebonol one. Replaced the pickups with Lindy Fralin single coils. A year later, I shielded the cavities and replaced the pots with CTS ones, and a switchcraft jack, which was a HUGE improvement. I also put on a new nut, a hipshot A bridge, new knobs, a thumbrest, and even a new neckplate to get the Squier name off of it (really to make it look more custom).
The only Squier parts remaining are the body, control plate, and tuners, which will eventually get replaced with hipshot ultralights. It really is a custom bass at this point, and plays like it.
I plan on doing similar upgrades to a Squier VM P bass.
The only Squier parts remaining are the body, control plate, and tuners, which will eventually get replaced with hipshot ultralights. It really is a custom bass at this point, and plays like it.
I plan on doing similar upgrades to a Squier VM P bass.
Yep. I also have both a VM Precision and a VM Jazz that I will be modding to suit my own taste and needs. It's a lot of fun for a guy who likes to tinker. I'm really enjoying both basses.
That said, I wouldn't mod a CV like the OP proposed. They're right at that price point where I just leave them as is.
- Jul 7, 2010
- 3,383
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist for: Duncan Pickups; Line6, Hipshot, GHS Strings, Somnium Guitars
The only modding you should need is a better pickup....and maybe a LEO QUANN II bridge (if that's your liking of sustain) and strap locks!
The neck on that p-bass plays better than ALOT of MIJ and MIA bass necks. You just want a good setup and cleanup.....Good luck with the bass.
The neck on that p-bass plays better than ALOT of MIJ and MIA bass necks. You just want a good setup and cleanup.....Good luck with the bass.
Buy it up. Set it up. Play it up.
You practically have a genuine MIA Fender in a $350 package. With a 60s voice to boot!
You practically have a genuine MIA Fender in a $350 package. With a 60s voice to boot!
I enjoy doing handy work, so I figure I'll do a little soldering and make a project out of it
If you're like me(and it sounds like maybe you are), you will probably end up bonding more with an instrument you modded yourself in comparison to buying an instrument that's theoretically "better" in some way out of the box.
Objects don't really feel like they are "mine" until I've modded them in some way.
NICE!!!! I did similar with one of my Squire J basses... put a left handed P neck on it and tuned to BEAD.
MODS = FUN!!!
I understand that, but based on the modifications you're looking to do I don't think $200-$300 is going to go nearly as far as you think it will. It might work if you buy everything used and if you do all the mods yourself, but if you're thinking of buying a new neck, new set of pups, new pots and wires, a new bridge, new tuners, and then have it properly set up and put together by a tech for that much you're going to be sorely mistaken. At the price it'll cost you to do all that, you would have been able to buy an older, used MIA Fender for roughly the same amount.
+1
...with that being said, modding basses (most any bass) can be a great deal of fun and can increase the level of satisfaction one has with his or her instrument.
Hopkins
Commercial User
Here is my take,
You may love the way the stock pickup sounds, if not, change it for something you like.
The CV's come with a very nice, high mass bridge already. Changing it out will gain you very little to nothing, so save that money.
The stock tuners will work fine, but it may be worth the upgrade to go with something like a set of Ultralites.
The necks on these basses are good, so no need to swap it on a quality basis. But if you just like the feel of a Jazz neck, you could probably work out a trade with someone, or buy used on the TB classifieds.
As far as electronics go, swapping out the pots and jacks for something of higher quality may be a cheap investment as far as piece of mind goes, but you will gain nothing as far as tone goes. If you are talking about installing a preamp and going active then that is a whole different can of worms. Personally I prefer P basses passive and Jazz basses active, but that's just me.
So basically when its all said and done, you really wont be dumping all that much money into the bass. A new pickup (if you really need it) and tuners should be around $200 to $250 new and you could do some horse trading for a jazz neck.
In the end you could probably do everything you want for under $750 including the bass, cheaper if you find used parts. So the question is, can you get a better bass for that money. I personally have my doubts, so my vote would be to go for it.
Since you're adamant on modifying, I get it. It does give you a sense of satisfaction. But I still stand, buy closer to what your end result will be. I modded my bass, by swapping the neck and redoing the finish on the new neck... I am happy, but I would have been happier if I spent less money on the same thing.. besides it's the same result.
You say you want a P-pickup, and a Jazz neck? Well, the only Squier stock bass like that right now, new are the Jaguar basses.
So my vote, goes Squier VM Jaguar. Then change what have you, when you get the itch.
You say you want a P-pickup, and a Jazz neck? Well, the only Squier stock bass like that right now, new are the Jaguar basses.
So my vote, goes Squier VM Jaguar. Then change what have you, when you get the itch.
Here's my take...
I've a 62 Jazz which I love to bits, it's my main gigging bass but it's modded to almost a freak bass.
I've always fancied a CV 60's Jazz to use as a platform as a replica project.
Lately I had the chance to a/b/c with a RW Jazz and a Fender custom shop model and blow me if the CV came a close second to the RW!
I'd swap out the machines for some vintage reverse, maybe a repaint (sonic blue - matching headstock, covers and a new scratchplate) and some stacked pots. That's all... They are superb basses and with a little modding as good as much more expensive instruments.
Good fun too! go for it!
I've a 62 Jazz which I love to bits, it's my main gigging bass but it's modded to almost a freak bass.
I've always fancied a CV 60's Jazz to use as a platform as a replica project.
Lately I had the chance to a/b/c with a RW Jazz and a Fender custom shop model and blow me if the CV came a close second to the RW!
I'd swap out the machines for some vintage reverse, maybe a repaint (sonic blue - matching headstock, covers and a new scratchplate) and some stacked pots. That's all... They are superb basses and with a little modding as good as much more expensive instruments.
Good fun too! go for it!
I'd just start with mighty mite body and GFS neck if I were you. it'll be somewhere in the neighborhood of $150 to start on before you spend all that money on the junk you were upgrading anyway
Save up a little more cash and get a used Highway 1. I got mine for the equivalent of $400 and changed the knobs and the pickup. Other than a J neck and installing my CL score $60 Kahler trem, it's almost there. 
Absolute bollocks... teh CV Squiers are super, certainly NOT junk, and only require light mods.
New machines is all I reckon.
I'll get on it when I've some sponds, then you can eat my words.
From this...
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to this...
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Tis the bass I've always wanted.
Mod a Squier Affinity? Yes. All other Squiers? No.
I completely transformed my Squier Affinity P-Bass into a pro player. Only the body and neck are original. Everything else has been upgraded. Hipshot tuners. Fender bridge with threaded saddles. Active EMG P/J setup with an EMG BTC control. New Bone nut.
I completely transformed my Squier Affinity P-Bass into a pro player. Only the body and neck are original. Everything else has been upgraded. Hipshot tuners. Fender bridge with threaded saddles. Active EMG P/J setup with an EMG BTC control. New Bone nut.
