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Making an OK Bass Excellent (Squier Deluxe Jazz Active V Content)

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by IotaNet, Dec 7, 2007.

  1. Dec 7, 2007 #1
    IotaNet

    IotaNet

    Dec 8, 2004
    Minneapolis (Chicago Native)
    Team -

    It's no secret that the Squier Deluxe Jazz Active V is a bass that has quickly gained some real supporters here. (Myself included.)

    While some have referred to it as "the flavor of the month," most of us agree that it is an excellent bass for the $299 it costs. Some even use it as a gigging bass but there is always the "good for the money" caveat.

    All that said, I have a question: "What would it take to make this into an 'Excellent Bass. Period."

    I, for one, love the form factor and the construction but I'm only lukewarm about it's ability to compete with other, more expensive instruments from a tone standpoint.

    I'm betting that with $250 worth of electronics upgrades (pups/pre), this bass could hold it's own with any bass in the middle-price range. By then you'd have $550 invested in the bass and that's still a nice overall price/performance investment.

    What do others think about what this bass needs to take it from being "great for the money" to "An excellent instrument, period."

    I'm interested in your thoughts.
     
  2. Dec 7, 2007 #2
    Buskman

    Buskman

    Apr 13, 2007
    Jersey Shore, USA
    I'm thinking:

    1) New PUs (subjective - Nords, Barts, etc.)
    2) Audere pre
    3) Hipshot hardware - bridge, tuners, string retainer(s).

    IMHO, at that point you're there! :bassist:
     
  3. Dec 7, 2007 #3
    FL Knifemaker

    FL Knifemaker

    Apr 9, 2006
    Lakeland, FL
    As soon as Hipshot delivers the "balance" of my order :meh: I'll be installing black tuners and a black BA V bridge. In addition to those simple mods, I'll be fabricating a carbon fiber nut, string bar and neck plate. I'm also going to do something with the knobs, not sure yet. I'm VERY happy with the tone I get from the stock system, playing it through my LMII/Aggy rig. Over the past few weeks, I've had a Sadowski, my active Jazz bass and several other high end jazzes here. I really see no need to change anything on the Squier. I might like to try a set of Nordy pups at some point but leaving the stock preamp alone. It has it's own active tone which I find very nice and very playable.
     
  4. Dec 7, 2007 #4
    IotaNet

    IotaNet

    Dec 8, 2004
    Minneapolis (Chicago Native)
    Interesting feedback and great suggestions.

    I had a plan but I'm noodling over something even MORE different ...

    * I'm cool with the bridge & tuners.

    * Preamp-wise, I am dead-set on upgrading to an Aggie 3-band.

    * PUP-wise, I am thinking something out of the box, specifically ...
    --- A DiMarzio UltraJazz in the neck position
    --- A Nordstrand or Duncan MM-style pup at the bridge :eek:
    (I realize that this will take some routing but I would expect some new tonal versatility from this combo.)

    Thoughts?
     
  5. Dec 7, 2007 #5
    Jjango

    Jjango

    Nov 16, 2007
    Los Angeles, CA
    Considering that this is TalkBass, my answer would be one of these:

    [​IMG]

    :bag:
     
  6. Dec 7, 2007 #6
    GeddyisGod

    GeddyisGod Four on the floor and nothing more!

    Feb 4, 2004
    Moberly, MO
    Provided the fret work is good and the action can be set up nice, I'd say that's plenty.
     
  7. Dec 7, 2007 #7
    MAISKESO

    MAISKESO

    May 23, 2006
    Southern California
    MF had a blem for 229 minus the 15% off so i got it for $194 . this is one of the bass that you could spend a liitle bit more like barts pups and bad ass bridge and youll have a decent bass for gigs and still end up ahead. Great job by Indonesian.
     
  8. Dec 7, 2007 #8
    SuperDuck

    SuperDuck

    Sep 26, 2000
    Wisconsin
    I think I read on the Fender website that the preamp only goes +/- 8 dB on the preamp. I think the minimum on other preamps (Aguilar, etc.) are at least 15 dB?
     
  9. Dec 7, 2007 #9
    Bass Hero

    Bass Hero

    Nov 16, 2007
    Rancho Cucamonga, CA
    LOL ;)
     
  10. Dec 7, 2007 #10
    IotaNet

    IotaNet

    Dec 8, 2004
    Minneapolis (Chicago Native)
    You are correct!

    Aguilar OBP-3 Specs:

    Bass control: plus/minus 18 dB @ 40 Hz.
    Mid control: plus/minus 16 dB @ 400Hz or 800 Hz. User selectable frequency center.
    Treble control: plus/minus 16 dB @ 6.5 KHz.
     
  11. Dec 7, 2007 #11
    SuperDuck

    SuperDuck

    Sep 26, 2000
    Wisconsin
    Interesting... I have an OBP-3 just sitting around that I had gotten for an _obscenely_ low price... that would work pretty well in an inexpensive bass like this one. Maybe after Christmas I'll be able to pick one up for myself!! :cool:
     
  12. Dec 7, 2007 #12
    FL Knifemaker

    FL Knifemaker

    Apr 9, 2006
    Lakeland, FL
    These things play too good for Fender decals :spit: