NPD, Squier Affinity 6-string Jazz, cautionary note....

[Geri O]

I really like the Squier 6-string bass. It's a really decent 6-string bass, especially for $300.

But I did want to wake up the tone a bit. I probably didn't need to go the aftermarket preamp route, but I've never been accused of having good sense, so....

I bought an Audere Jazz control plate 2-band w/ the output jack on the plate. Under $100.

I installed it today. Literally no soldering required, but I did solder together the ground wires as opposed to using the twist-on wire lug. I covered the bundled soldered wires with heatshrink.

Man, wake up the tone it did! It even improved the tone of the high C string, which was a little on the thin-sounding side. Now it's fuller and closer to the tonal quality of the other 5 strings. Punchy, a little brighter, more output if needed and a good upgrade.

I would caution anyone with this bass...I will have to take a Dremel tool and sand away a little of one side of the compartment so the battery will fit under the cover. It needs only an 1/8th of wood removed. I was able to put and secure the control plate in place and give the bass a listen. But for the plate to fully sit flush as it should, a little sanding is called for. And with the Dremel sanding drum bit, I can extend it into the compartment and sand the wall below the surface line so the sanding won't show from the top with the plate in place. Not a biggie at all.

Definitely a worthy consideration, even if the preamp cost almost a 3rd as much as the bass did!.....

 

[tb-player]

How would you compare the tone of the Audere with the John East (I think I recall you saying you had an East pre)?

 

[Geri O]

How would you compare the tone of the Audere with the John East (I think I recall you saying you had an East pre)?

It’s been a while since I had the East preamp in my Lull Jazz-style bass.

I see the Audere described as quite neutral and I’d mostly agree with that. EQ is very accurate for those that use it. The East has a warm, baked in quality that’s nice and full. To my ears, even when I was hearing better that I am now, the tone thing between the two was a case of splitting hairs. Which is fine, of course.

The Audere was a good choice for this Squier. I wasn’t looking for a specific quality as much as an improvement over the passive with these pickups. I’m glad that as subtle as the improvement was, it was good enough that I won’t feel compelled to upgrade the pickups now. Not wanting to put a lot of aftermarket money in this bass as you can imagine.

 

[tb-player]

It's been a while since I had the East preamp in my Lull Jazz-style bass.

I see the Audere described as quite neutral and I'd mostly agree with that. EQ is very accurate for those that use it. The East has a warm, baked in quality that's nice and full. To my ears, even when I was hearing better that I am now, the tone thing between the two was a case of splitting hairs. Which is fine, of course.

The Audere was a good choice for this Squier. I wasn't looking for a specific quality as much as an improvement over the passive with these pickups. I'm glad that as subtle as the improvement was, it was good enough that I won't feel compelled to upgrade the pickups now. Not wanting to put a lot of aftermarket money in this bass as you can imagine.

I get that. I had a Squier Jaguar that I upgraded to pickups to Quarter Pounders. Same effect. I didn’t feel the need to upgrade the wiring harness. Glad it worked out for you.

 

[J Wilson]

I can't decide if it's more amazing Squier took the shot to build these, or that they turned out like the best Squiers, better than you hoped for the price.

Also smart to use trad Fender parts where you can utilize a lot of aftermarket stuff.

 

[Geri O]

I can't decide if it's more amazing Squier took the shot to build these, or that they turned out like the best Squiers, better than you hoped for the price.

Also smart to use trad Fender parts where you can utilize a lot of aftermarket stuff.

I’m sooooooo hoping that the incoming Fender AM Pro II P5 will be close enough to what I need that I’ll not feel the urge to modify it.

Well, there’s a Hipshot Xtender on the way for that one, so much for that…..

 

[Brandon Shea]

That’s really cool, I’m glad you’re enjoying the tone so far! I was thinking about these basses a couple days ago and wondering what they’d sound like with a series/parallel switch added. I hadn’t even considered throwing a totally different control plate on it to get a preamp in there.

Squier definitely came up with a winner with this model.

 

[TrevorR]

Love the Audere preamp in my Frankenjazz- so well voiced. Nothing but praise for their stuff. Enjoy!

 

[bassnyc1]

I've often been tempted to get an Audere for one of my jazz basses but they don't make a model that has a passive tone control and the jack on the plate. I even reached out to them and asked but unfortunately, they said they don't make that.