Since your Debut P has anodized black pickguard and carbon machine head, how about place some carbon sticker on both bridge cover and top of the knobs ?
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NBD Squier Debut Series…
- Thread starter C Stone
- Start date
I’m a big time lurker here only occasionally posting over the years, but I thought I’d chime in with my experience in swapping pickguards/hardware on a Debut body that I snagged on eBay.
After reading most of the anecdotes online about having to drop down the pickup placement as well as some re drills for the pickguard holes, I was bummed but totally cool with doing it. Ended up going with a Warmoth pickguard, finally received it, got everything ready, and realized that it dropped right in (with pre existing pickup placement) and every hole aligned. I was baffled! The only thing I had to modify was the size of the outer ear/screw holding portion of the pickup cover with a little filing.
I’ve also heard of bridge screw holes not aligning when attempting to swap, but I also had zero issues tossing on a Gotoh 201b. I can also confirm the neck pocket is compatible with an Ensenada made Fender neck. All of this said, I’m not sure if this is possibly a newer batch with more Fender spec placement? Or maybe this is just a dud (in a good way I guess!)
After reading most of the anecdotes online about having to drop down the pickup placement as well as some re drills for the pickguard holes, I was bummed but totally cool with doing it. Ended up going with a Warmoth pickguard, finally received it, got everything ready, and realized that it dropped right in (with pre existing pickup placement) and every hole aligned. I was baffled! The only thing I had to modify was the size of the outer ear/screw holding portion of the pickup cover with a little filing.
I’ve also heard of bridge screw holes not aligning when attempting to swap, but I also had zero issues tossing on a Gotoh 201b. I can also confirm the neck pocket is compatible with an Ensenada made Fender neck. All of this said, I’m not sure if this is possibly a newer batch with more Fender spec placement? Or maybe this is just a dud (in a good way I guess!)
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I refinished the headstock on mine with spray paint.Came out perfect. Did some minor fret dressing myself. New bridge from Amazon ($15) and and old pickguard and alnico pickup I had lying around. It's a fantastic bass.
Nicely done! That painted headstock looks terrific!
Plus, that pickguard looks very nice with the thin white outline on all black.
Beautiful!
thank you for all your inputs here, i want to ask about pickup upgrade. I am more concern on the articulation and definition of the notes sounded. which is one be a worth of upgrade tonerider or GM Thumpers or other much better than could make the notes sound well define and articulate well
thanks
thanks
FWIW, I found getting decent strings mattered much more than pickup swap on this bass regarding articulation and definition. And my playing...
I found EB Cobalt flats to work great for me. Others have found different strings to help. Yet that's all mine needed...still using the stock pickups.
My 2c!
I really like it though
Personal opinion, I installed G&L MFD split coil.
None better imho
I found the stock pickups in my Debut uninspiring and I rock many basses with
stock ceramics, I just found them lackluster, I ultimately went with CV 60’s that I already in the bin. I agree with @joeLowB the strings on the debut are pretty bad, they are not 7250’s.
I also dig Toneriders a lot and had them in
my Debut for a minute but as I mentioned above I ultimately landed on the CV 60’s.
Very similar, I think the Toneriders had a
bit more color (in a good way). Toneriders seemed to have better articulation and if I remember correctly slightly better mids.
I'll echo the stock pickups being a little lackluster. Real low output and kind of flubby.
That said, I went in the opposite direction and put in some Duncan Quarter Pounders.
That said, I went in the opposite direction and put in some Duncan Quarter Pounders.
I ended up winning a 2TS B model on MAC bid for about $75 including tax, transfer fees and everything. Went and picked it up and unboxed it yesterday, wasn't sure what I would get as the majority of items on there are restock or returns, but my fiancee and I have had a good success rate with the handful of items we've bought so far. Taking it out of the box and putting it on a stand, it looked pretty much brand new. Wrapper still on pickguard and pickups, tags still on tuners, no immediately visible major blemishes. Once I picked it up and started attaching a strap and headphone amp, I discovered some scratches in the finish on the lower part of the body, as well and a thumb-sized dent in the opposite side below the controls. Tuned it up, intonation seems good, setup is decent overall, definitely planning on getting new strings and shielding the cavities.
I'm now debating whether I want to sand the finish off and paint it, or just touch up the nicks and dents. Also considering leaving the mojo as is, although I'm wondering if I do that if I should still do anything to protect the exposed wood on the body. I knew going in there could be blemishes and the nature of the site means I can't return it. I was planning on doing a kit build or refinishing a beat up Squier or similar, so this should scratch that itch. I'd love to hear your input or advice. Not planning on putting a ton into it beyond possibly refinishing or touching it up, maybe a new PG or eventually a pickup but planning on seeing how better strings sound first. Thanks in advance, I'm really impressed how favorably this compares to my Affinity Jazz.
I'm now debating whether I want to sand the finish off and paint it, or just touch up the nicks and dents. Also considering leaving the mojo as is, although I'm wondering if I do that if I should still do anything to protect the exposed wood on the body. I knew going in there could be blemishes and the nature of the site means I can't return it. I was planning on doing a kit build or refinishing a beat up Squier or similar, so this should scratch that itch. I'd love to hear your input or advice. Not planning on putting a ton into it beyond possibly refinishing or touching it up, maybe a new PG or eventually a pickup but planning on seeing how better strings sound first. Thanks in advance, I'm really impressed how favorably this compares to my Affinity Jazz.
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$75 is a good score, I would leave it as is, but if you want a project, looks like this one could be it.
Congrats on the new bass.
Nice score for $75!! I think you'll like it...I sure like mine, still. Good strings and a copper shield will solve a ton of issues. Enjoy it.
I picked up a "hammered" Washburn P bass a couple years ago with some very similar nicks. Since I had no grand plans for it, I got some model paint and simply painted the chipped places in a color very close to the color which surrounded the chipped area. The chip remained...nothing got smoothed over. But, from a distance, it no longer looked like it was chipped and the underlying wood was sealed against the heavy humidity we have every summertime. Boom, done.
For the ding, I'd just leave it be and carry on.
That's a great find for $75...I'd take another one in a heartbeat for that price!!!
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That's a great score! That would make a great mod platform. It would be perfect to learn and practice finish repair, electronic swapping/modification, and setup work.
