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Modifying an Affinity w/o breaking the bank

#21
ejaggers said:
... That was a nice job you did on your Twerk-o-sonic.
Click to expand...

Thanks. It's going through a metamorphosis at the moment. I took a spokeshave to the body to round it out since it was a '51 style slab with pretty sharp corners. I figured while I was at it and had the time I would also finally reshape the headstock. Also, I put in a Model One at the neck so basically all I have to do now to finish it off is cut a new pickguard and make a polished aluminum control plate.

It'll be finished eventually but between working the ole J.O.B. overtime, finishing up the new office/studio and the standard domestic responsibilities, time is in short supply so fun stuff like this is drawn out longer than it really needs to be.:hmm:;)
 
#22
Help on the SD 1/4 lb pickups please. One Luthier says I wouldn't like them for playing R&B, blues, and classic rock. And said they are for metal, punk, etc. Another Luthier tells me that's the one to get. I've never heard them so I'm confused. My car mechanic said he had some on this lead guitar and didn't like them. Please voice your opinion and what style you play.
 
#23
Thanks for the confirmation, stratovani. I figured the Fender PG wouldn't fit. Personally I wouldn't mind send the Squier PG out and having a custom one made. Since the bass only cost me $99 it's not I like a got a whole lot of money into this. And the neck (with the exception of lack of rolled edges) feels as good as any $1,000 Fender I've picked up.
 
#25
rickl289 said:
I have a Fender tort pg on my 1997 Affinity p-bass. It is tight around the neck and I had to drill a few new holes in the body. I added the Fender Original p-bass pickups and flats.

The $65 pickups cost as much as the bass but I like the results.
Click to expand...

+1
I did the poor man's fix:
I used some aftermarket plastic pickup covers
and with a little elbow grease they fit and fit in the pickguard as well
4040463964_59aff1205c_b.jpg
 
#26
The more I'm following this thread, the more im loving it! :)

I'm expecting delivery of a new Squier Affinity Jazz bass in black finish this week. I'm looking forward to adding the following mods:

- Mighty mite jazz neck with maple fretboard
- New 3-ply black-white-black pickguard (Does anybody know if there are any direct replacement pickguards for Squier Affinity basses?)
- Either a pair of DiMarzio or Seymour Duncan pickups (or maybe others)
- Hipshot direct replacement bridge
- Gotoh tuners
- New strings (duh!)
- Possibly new pots depending on if they are rubbish
- Might think about adding an 2-EQ pre-amp but i'll see how these mods go first
 
#28
ejaggers said:
Help on the SD 1/4 lb pickups please. One Luthier says I wouldn't like them for playing R&B, blues, and classic rock. And said they are for metal, punk, etc. Another Luthier tells me that's the one to get. I've never heard them so I'm confused. My car mechanic said he had some on this lead guitar and didn't like them. Please voice your opinion and what style you play.
Click to expand...

Well if you're wanting a vintage classic rock sound..I wouldn't get them.. the 1/4's are really hot and aggressive sounding.
 
#29
rimtism123, thanks for the tip.


Okay I'm all over the place on pickups. I've been talked out of SD 1/4 lb, because I'm looking for a smooth vintage sound. But now I'm on the Lindy Fralin kick. I would love to know what you think of them. Anybody out there????
 
#30
For smooth vintage the Fender Original and the SD SPB-1 are good. I haven't tried a Fralin.

For caps I usually prefer the polyester OD's, but have used Mallory 150s where space is tight. I had two of these in a two pickup P bass, one for each pickup; they went OFF, .1uF, .069uF, .047uF, .033uF, no cap.
 
#32
Well, I didn’t know at first about modding addiction. I started this thread to make this a nice but cheap project. But now I looking for the nearest 12 step program, because I’m not sure I’m done yet. The more I mod, the more I like it. The neck on this bass is so sweet, that I can’t help myself anymore. Somebody help!!! Call a shrink or something!!! I can’t leave well enough alone!!!

Currect Specs:
1. 2003 CII Squier Affinity Precision bass
2. Lindy Fralin pup
3. Custom nut crafted from dear antler
4. 60’s RI electronics
5. Precision Ashtray Bridge Cover
6. Aluminum tape shielding
7. 50’s Fender Precision decal sealed with satin acrylic
8. Limited Edition Custom Series Neck plate with serial
9. Switchcraft output jack
10. la Bella Deep Talkin' Flats 760FL
11. Squier Affinity Tuning Machines
12. Metallic blue body
13. Dome Precision knobs
14. 3-ply Parchment Pickguard
15. Professionally setup
16. Squier Bridge

http://s676.photobucket.com/albums/vv127/eslie_jaggers/?action=view&current=Pbass2.jpg

I'm a bargin shopper, so I would probably change tuners/bridge if I got a deal, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with the current ones. Isn't That's Sick??? I'm even looking at different color bodies....Sad..Sad..Sad...


And Can Someone Tell Me How To Post Pics!!!! I only know how to post links.
 
#33
I've owned 2 Affinity's, the first was a P-bass my mom bought me in high school, and the second was a Jazz that I picked up on CL.

The weak link in both was IMO, the tuners. I actually don't have any big complaints about the bridge. The pups are kind of weak, but other than that they're fine.

The tuners though? UGH!!! Wouldn't stay in tune when left sitting overnight in a 75 degree house.
I can't imagine trying to play a gig with one of these, I would have to check my tuning for every song, and even then I would be worried about it going out of tune un the middle of a song.

The problem (at least with my affinities, I don't know about the newer models)
was that the tuner holes are smaller than the standard fender tuners, and the stock tuners are ABSOLUTE JUNK!

SO, I either have to drill the holes wider (pain in the ass, plus I would need a new tool)
or get a Fender replacement neck.

I have no complaints about the neck, except the satin finish, but some people like that.
My hands sweat a lot, so I prefer gloss necks. Some complain about gloss necks "grabbing" but since I'm such a sweaty slob my hands just glide right along.

For me it just makes more sense to buy a mighty mite, or allparts neck and avoid the "Squier Logo Stigma"

Oh, and to the poster who asked about squier pickguards... good luck finding one that will fit without modification. And if you do, please post a link to the vendor in the "Drop In Replacement Squier Parts" thread.
 
#34
Got an older CIC (not a typo) 1998 1/2 Affinity P that is solid in all aspects. The neck is clean, straight and solid. I don't know where the rumor of them being made out of balsa came from - certainly not from the results I've personally seen.

I had the original E/A p'up die an untimely death and I got a set of Peavey Fury p'ups in it. Simple retrofit - no cutting or drilling involved. Otherwise I found the OE p'ups to be just fine and mellow-old school thumpers.

The tuners are just fine and really how can a worm and ring gear 'slip' anyway? In fact, the Affinity tuners are as smooth and precise as any Fender tuners to which I have been introduced.

I added another .1uF cap and an ON/ON toggle switch for some deeper tones though, and after putting ROTO 77s on it, it's just where I wanted it to be in my dreams.

100_7504.jpg


100_7505.jpg


The one oddball thing about this bass is that it has a bridge on it that I have never seen on any Squier/Fender before. It's too large to hide under a cover and it's certainly more massive, although I find HM bridges a waste of money and reason anyway.

100_7515.jpg


100_7519.jpg


Yeah - I use foam muting too. I like it deep.

100_7538.jpg
 
#35
DeivoxCarnal, My PG fits perfectly, and I'm thinking I got it from reliablefender on ebay.

SurferJoe46 said:
The tuners are just fine and really how can a worm and ring gear 'slip' anyway? In fact, the Affinity tuners are as smooth and precise as any Fender tuners to which I have been introduced.
Click to expand...

+1 on my neck, HOWEVER, I bought off the web, a china made neck with the small tuners a little while back for a fenderbird project that I wouldn't use on anything. Until then, I couldn't relate to AFN's being crappy, because all but mine that i've played were newer models, or trashed out junk in pawn shops.
 
#36
^^ I've seen those small-tuner necks and although I haven't owned one, I hear they can be a pretzel.

Fortunately I got one with the bigger tuners and maybe some spooked parts that even Fender or Squier won't admit to birthing.

Never ever gonna find a screw-on PG for it though! It is wider than anything in a Fender-esque design by a long shot --- so the stock single-ply white one stays as a testimony to it's heritage and now it's great playability.
 

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