Mustang CV upgrade - what would you do?

[Djadja]

I recently picked up a new Squier CV Mustang bass as a backup and for something different. I like it and could easily leave it as is... but... it isn't everything I hoped it would be. I could -
1. leave as is and get accustomed to the bass
2. sell it and try something else... maybe a JMJ Mustang or a Nash Mustang
3. upgrade it and make it into something that I like better.

FYI, my #1 bass is an EBMM Short Scale Stingray with Stringjoy Nickels going through a Genzler MG800, BA12-3 & BA10-2. I usually use a little compression via a Keeley Bassist or Boss GT1000 Core. I also have a defretted SBMM shortscale Stingray.

To the Mustang

I'm not crazy about the gloss finish on the neck although I like the neck itself. I could sand the finish off and add either a gunstock oil or tung oil finish to the neck or I could just get used to the gloss finish.

Other areas of potential change are strings (easy and obvious), pickup, tuners.

There is a bit of muddiness that I'm not crazy about that could be strings, pickup, somewhere else in my signal chain, or my fingers on this bass.

I hated the OEM strings and immediately swapped them for LaBella Mustang flats. I'm not sold on them. I'm generally not a flatwound kind of guy. That could be what I'm hearing as muddiness. I'm going to try some other strings... maybe DR Pure Blues or GHS Balanced Tension Nickels or maybe a set of Stringjoys. That one is easy and obvious.

Likewise tuners are easy. There's a bit of neck dive but the current tuners seem to work fine. I could go for Gotoh Reso-Lites or some Hipshots or live with the OEM ones. I think this bit comes after the decision regarding the pup.

Now to the pup. I could leave as is, swap for another Mustang pup, or go crazy and have it routed for something more exotic like a Serek Lazen B90. Obviously I'll try strings first and if that solves my muddiness and makes me happier, I'm done. I don't mind paying for whatever pup seems right and even to have my tech rout for something else if that is the direction I choose. Assuming strings don't solve the problem, what would you do and why?

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Now to the pup. I could leave as is, swap for another Mustang pup, or go crazy and have it routed for something more exotic like a Serek Lazen B90. Obviously I'll try strings first and if that solves my muddiness and makes me happier, I'm done. I don't mind paying for whatever pup seems right and even to have my tech rout for something else if that is the direction I choose. Assuming strings don't solve the problem, what would you do and why?

Seems you addressed many of the issues already yourself like strings, neck dive, etc.

I have a Squier CV Mustang body that has a Bronco neck. Bought the pieces just for that project. But in reference to the pickups. I put Sentell's in it and they're great. I sent a tracing to be sure the size was correct, and requested them wound to approx 10.5 ohm. No add'l pricing for any of that and I had them in a couple weeks. Not affiliated with them, just happy with the results.

 

[Bikeguy57]

I'd de-gloss the neck with a green Scotchbrite pad. Swap in a new pickup and hipshot tuners, and LaBella DTF Mustang strings. On the other hand, I've had two JMJ Mustangs that we're just perfect. They really got those right! Can't go wrong either way.

 

[Djadja]

I'd de-gloss the neck with a green Scotchbrite pad. Swap in a new pickup and hipshot tuners, and LaBella DTF Mustang strings. On the other hand, I've had two JMJ Mustangs that we're just perfect. They really got those right! Can't go wrong either way.

which pickup would you choose @Bikeguy57 ?

 

[Bikeguy57]

which pickup would you choose @Bikeguy57 ?

The one in the JMJ is a Duncan. It's what I'd go for if it's the right size. There are two sizes of mustang pickups. WI Short Scaler seems pretty happy with the one he posted. I'd PM him for info if the SD pup is the wrong size. I highly recommend the LaBella strings, the tension is good and they sound great.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I strung my CV Mustang with LaBella LTFs. It sounds and feels great. It's been so long since I played DTFs I'm not qualified to voice an opinion.

I have been interested in a tuner swap. The tuners are ok. I don't need to replace them but I've definitely used higher quality tuners in the past and it's probably just a matter of time. That there isn't a direct drop in replacement keeps me from spending money, but I'm sure that'll only go on so long.

I don't have plans to change the pickup. I've addressed its shortcomings with my always on BOSS BC-1x and Tech 21 BDDIv2. So unless it starts cutting out, I think I'm ok here.

 

[Bikeguy57]

The one in the JMJ is a Duncan. It's what I'd go for if it's the right size. There are two sizes of mustang pickups. WI Short Scaler seems pretty happy with the one he posted. I'd PM him for info if the SD pup is the wrong size. I highly recommend the LaBella strings, the tension is good and they sound great.

I see you have the LaBella's. I'd swap pickups before changing strings. If you still don't like them, they're an easy sell in the classifieds .

 

[Basslice]

Check to make sure the headstock is drilled for the right sized aftermarket tuners. Personally, unless I had tuning problems, I would leave them alone.

 

[antfarm]

Medium scale Thomastik Flats.

 

[Lownote38]

Aero pickup. Massive upgrade.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

No need to change pickups until you've tried a different set of strings or two. I suggest rounds. Seriously.

 

[Djadja]

I'll try strings before a pickup swap just because of the price difference. Currently it has the LaBella 760F-MUS Deep Talkin Bass strings. As I said, I'm not a flatwound guy so it could be that the muddiness I'm hearing is just how flats are supposed to sound.

Duncan is clearly on the list for a pup possibility. They're in the neighborhood for me and I've got a couple of friends who work there. Aero, Stonewall, and Sentell are interesting as well. They all look to be about $150 (oops Sentell is cheaper). The Nordstrand pup is about $85 so a significantly lower price point. Then there are Lollar and Novak options too. I've found some files of the Lollar and the Nordstrand... but files are only so helpful when there are so many other influences in how something sounds.

Here's a far out option that sounds amazing but involves a lot more cash and intervention.

 

[macmanlou]

Medium scale Thomastik Flats.

I really like TI flats on strung-through Mustangs. Note that what they sell as "short scale" are really medium scale length, so that they fit well on stung-through Mustangs (like the CV).

 

[iiipopes]

I have done this to a similar short scale bass:
1) Change the strings to La Bella 760FL-MUS, which are made for string-through body. If you want rounds, the GHS Balance Nickels are God's gift to short scale bass players, and it is my understanding they do, even if barely, clear the nut on the string-through.
2) Make sure the pots and tone cap are as they should be. I recommend, as are the vintage spec, 250 kohm audio for both and a .047 tone cap.
3) If after a good setup and time for the strings to settle in the bass still doesn't sound as it should, I would look at replacing the pickup with something like a Nordy. The Nordy, unlike other Mustang pickups, has dual poles per string like a Precision Bass pickup and a little more wire, so the tone is big, round, and the vibe is in between vintage Mustang and P-bass.
4) If neck heavy, replace the tuners with Hipshot ultralights. Drill as necessary. This isn't a collectible bass.

 

[andare]

I'm of the camp of don't fix what's not broken. Set it up and play it a lot for a couple of weeks to feel it out. See how it works with your rig. Sometimes a bass just grows on you or you simply stop noticing what used to bother you at first. Sometimes you just can't make it work and you have to let it go.

If the tuners allow you to tune with decent precision and they hold a tune I would leave them alone unless, as mentioned already, you want to eliminate neck dive.

I would definitely experiment with strings before changing pickups. Turn the knobs on your amp, you just might find all it needed was proper EQ.

Definitely replace the jack with something sturdy like a Switchcraft as that is the most likely part to fail.

 

[mongo2]

I bought a Squier CV Mustang and found I wasn't quite satisfied with the output of the pickup. I tried adjusting it but no dice. I wasn't a fan of the fingerboard but that wasn't a deal breaker.

One day soon after I was at the same shop and they had just taken in a first version Fender Mustang PJ with the rosewood fingerboard used in mint condition for not much more than I paid for the CV. I tried it and realized it sounded much more like I wanted so I returned the CV and bought the PJ.

 

[felis]

I use these strings on some of my Mustangs: https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-ECB81M-Chromes-Guitar-Strings/dp/B000H28IPA
Worth a try, I think.

 

[TNCreature]

Put your preferred strings on the bass before doing anything else.
It is odd that you would put flats on the bass after saying you are not a fan of flats .
The strings are something that you are familiar with, so you will be able to more easily gage the muddiness/brightness issue.
Good luck!

 

[Pdaddy1978]

I probably wouldn't do anything other than get a good set up on it and rock it.
Maybe find your favorite strings for it.
But....its your tool....... Do as thou wilt

 

[macmanlou]

I use these strings on some of my Mustangs: https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-ECB81M-Chromes-Guitar-Strings/dp/B000H28IPA
Worth a try, I think.

I like Chromes, too. Note that TI flats and Chromes are both flexible enough to work with strung-through Mustangs with no problem.