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Mod project. Need insight on its worthiness.

Zeus_Mutation

Zeus_Mutation

Feb 6, 2010
89
18
#1
Hi,
I've read several posts about individual parts, but its hard to discern the info. Money is the problem. I'm trying to get the very best I can with limited funds.

I've started a project and now wondering if I should stop and get a better starting point. The whole don't polish a turd thing. After reading so many debates I wonder if it's all subjective.

Quick background.
I've owned a Squire Affinity Jazz Bass - Hated it. Neck felt cheap and unrefined. I sold it.
Harmony P-bass that's heavy and has two high of a bridge with a glossy neck I hate. Still have it.

I recently picked up a Squire Standard Precession. The P/J pickup combination. This is the bass I started modifying.
My issue is with the neck. The body is fine. I purchased new electronics already, just not installed.
It needs better tuners, Damn thing doesn't stay in tune very well.
All things said & done I prefer the look of maple fretboards. I have a rosewood J neck.

I feel this is a nickel & dime money pit. Do I trade in some gear to GC and get something better. Buy a used MIM bass off CL or buy a $200-$300 new neck?
I'll still need new tuning pegs if I buy a neck. Bump that price to $300-$400 and that's a used MIM bass.

Looking for advise and opinions.

Thanks!
 
#3
You can keep an eye out and find used necks in need of refurbishment fairly cheaply. It'll take some work to get them nice though. I've done this twice now, once with an old lawsuit era neck that had seen far better days, and once with an unfinished neck from a dent and ding type sale. Both required a lot of sanding, finishing, and patience, but I wound up with two fantastic necks for a total of about $50 (including the finishing materials required to complete the work).

If you don't like that route, i'd just buy the neck. If you go with a new MIM, you'll have to play around with a number of models and features, and you may find more things that you want to upgrade, and there's no guarantee it doesn't end up a money pit in and of itself. If you're already happy with everything else but the neck, $200-300 will get you a very good neck, an and thats the end of it.
 
#4
Harmony's don't hold a lot of $ value, so I'd shim the heel pocket and take a scotch brite pad to the neck. No out of pocket investment (aside from the scuff pad) = one useable bass.

I don't see MiM P/J's for sale everyday, so I would buy decent tuners for the Squier ($50-75) and drop in the new pickups and guts you bought.

If you can't get over the rosewood, a one piece maple neck drilled for your tuners would be ~$100 from Mighty Mite. I have one. It's good. And, it wouldn't say Squier on the headstock anymore, if you care about that stuff.

Total shelled out? $150. And you have two basses instead of just the MiM
 
#5
I went to GC today and played several Fender's.
No question the feel of the American is different. The MIM is also different. Squire is very functional, not memorable though.
I found a few MIM standard P-basses in that $300-$400 price range. No P/J combo's. I must admit I don't use the bridge pickup much, but I like having the option.

I'm leaning towards a new neck. If I get something from USACG or Warmoth I can also put it on a better bass body as I get the money.

I've not decided though… I appreciate all your feedback!
 
#6
So, Follow-up question. I've just been offered a 2006 MIM P-bass for $275. Hard to say no really. Thinking I'd be getting a better neck and tuning pegs for less than a Warmoth or USACG neck itself.

Thoughts?
 
#8
Zeus_Mutation said:
...I've just been offered a 2006 MIM P-bass for $275...
Click to expand...

That's about the going rate for a used MIM P around these parts so I'd say if you like it snag it, sell off the other Fender stuff you have, get your new P routed for a J bridge pup and redo your controls to the config you prefer. If you shop hard and are lucky you might even come out with enough cash to not only add the J pup to your P, you may have enough cash left over to pick up one of those toney MOTS pickguards while you are at it.
 
#9
Thanks fhm555!

I've actually decided to use this bass for learning… bought tools & such to complete a setup, soldering, truss rod adjustment, etc. I won't feel bad if something gets messed up. Then I'll save up for either a new neck or a MIM bass and add the electronics I already own. Not being afraid to mess with all its parts will help me in the long run. I will post my project once completed.
 
#11
i'd say mexi fenders are the starting point for something that's worth modding with better parts. cheaper than that and you're indeed turd-polishing.

(BTW tuning problems are almost never the keys themselves, that's likely just a setup issue.)
 

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