Mustang CV upgrade - what would you do?

[Pings Bass]

I mean, it's a squier. Put some brighter strings on it and take a few swipes with a scotch brite to the back of the neck

 

[MCF]

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?

Option #2.

 

[BazzaBass]

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?

Is this an American thing. Buy something then modify it, sort of like hot rods? Why not buy just buy what you want in the first place?

 

[Oatis]

I like stainless roundwounds for a lasting bite.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

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. View attachment 4841321

View attachment 4841322

I have said it before, but will say it again, I love the paint jobs on your basses!

 

[sleddogn]

New Squier CV Mustang — Gettin' stripey with it!
check out this thread and my post #14, i modded mine with new electronics and tuners..

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I have said it before, but will say it again, I love the paint jobs on your basses!

Thank you sir, talented kids!

 

[WI Short Scaler]

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.

You turned me on to these strings and still have them. They have been great aside from the hideous green silks.

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.

When I had flats these are what I liked and for a short scale with string through bridge like mine you do need to order the "M" for medium scale or the silks don't clear the nut.

 

[CletusMarley]

Is this an American thing. Buy something then modify it, sort of like hot rods? Why not buy just buy what you want in the first place?

I think more than anything it's internet forum culture. I played and was totally happy for almost 20 years before I discovered forums like The Gear Page and learned that my Gibsons sucked and I was a noob for playing the stock pickups etc. But yeah. Modding is kinda fun. Lol

 

[sleddogn]

Is this an American thing. Buy something then modify it, sort of like hot rods? Why not buy just buy what you want in the first place?

Not an American thing, a bass player thing....yes hot rods are cooler than non hot rods...( ever watch Madmax or Roadwarrior?) they don't make what i want, so i mod....next..​

 

[And I]

I'm waiting for the Nordstrand replacement pickup to be made and shipped to me (replacing the stock one in my Vintera). i'll let you know how it goes -- from everything I've heard / read it turns the Mustang into a tiny P-bass.

 

[And I]

Is this an American thing. Buy something then modify it, sort of like hot rods? Why not buy just buy what you want in the first place?

sometimes you can get 90% of what you want from a stock instrument, and you do the last 10% yourself. sometimes you just want to have a project to work on to stave off the boredom. some folks (regardless of what country they live in) just like to tinker... to each their own. enjoy your stock basses, the rest of us will enjoy modding ours.

 

[Djadja]

Is this an American thing. Buy something then modify it, sort of like hot rods? Why not buy just buy what you want in the first place?

Good question. Sometimes what you want just isn't available or it comes only at a higher price point than you'd like to pay. Ex. I think the Nash MB63 would hit all of my wants but prices out at over $2K. I paid $350 for the Squier. If I swap the pup for $150 and the tuners for $100ish and spend a few hours working on the neck, I still won't have a Nash, but I likely can get very close sound wise for a lot less money.

 

[Djadja]

New Squier CV Mustang — Gettin' stripey with it!
check out this thread and my post #14, i modded mine with new electronics and tuners..

What do you think of the Novak fat pup?

 

[Djadja]

So I ordered a set of GHS Balanced Nickels yesterday to try. It looks like the short scale might fit, but since they're roundwounds, I ordered a long scale set. Should work fine as long as I crimp the string before I cut it to length.

Currently the bass has a set of LaBella DTB - MUS strings on it. I like them more than the flats I've tried on other basses (D'Addario Chromes, LaBella Low Tension). I like the thump they bring to the table but I'm not sure if what I heard as muddiness was due to the strings or something else. I don't hear the muddiness when playing acoustically which makes me think it is coming from somewhere else. Still, trying another set makes sense.

I found this sound comparison that was helpful… soundcloud.com/benjy-rickard/sets/mustang-bass-pickup-comparison (Thanks Benjy-Rickard). I haven't decided which I like best from these files but was pleasantly surprised at well the CV pup presents itself.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I think more than anything it's internet forum culture. I played and was totally happy for almost 20 years before I discovered forums like The Gear Page and learned that my Gibsons sucked and I was a noob for playing the stock pickups etc. But yeah. Modding is kinda fun. Lol

LOL, yes, I had to be a member of TB to learn that playing short scales was a bad idea, that my Squier's were junk, that picks were bad, cover bands players were worse, etc.

 

[sleddogn]

god must hate short scale players with picks in cover bands then..., aren't all worship players, doin covers, some with pics?

 

[The Great Genius]

LOL, yes, I had to be a member of TB to learn that playing short scales was a bad idea, that my Squier's were junk, that picks were bad, cover bands players were worse, etc.

I am about to the point that I agree with all of this. Add in round wounds suck, and we are golden.

 

[Djadja]

I've had the GHS Balanced Tension Nickels on for a few days and so far I like them. I haven't had a chance to try them in a band mix yet and they do need to calm down some but so far they sound and feel good. I was taken by the lower volume of the Mustang compared to my EBMM Short Scale Stingray. It hadn't seemed so different before these strings so I wonder whether the all nickel wrap causes a hit to the signal volume… or if the difference was larger than I had noticed all along. In either case, that is making me think I will need a pup swap but I'll wait for that judgment until after I've played it with the band.

 

[Djadja]

I still like the GHS strings... and I'm liking this bass more and more with a couple of asterisks - the pickup, the sticky neck, and the weight. I think by addressing these issues it could be a really good bass. My EBMM short scale will still likely be #1 (it is a wonderful instrument) but this could be a very cool #2.

1st the pickup - I think I've decided on having it routed and installing a Serek LZ B90 unless my tech says, "no." I meet with him on Monday. I like the acoustic sound of the bass a lot so I think it just needs the right pup to be stellar. If my tech says no to routing, I'll have to decide if I want a different pup or a different tech.

Sticky neck - once I decide to rout for a new pup, I might as well go all in so I'll take a Scotchbright pad to it and then some gunstock oil.

The weight- not much that can be done there other than Gotoh resolight tuners or hipshot ultralights which would drop a few ounces and also help a little with the neck dive...