If you're shopping locally, pull the knobs off, unscrew the pickguard and take it with you to the store and see if it lines up.
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Project Bass: Mid 80's MIJ Squier P
- Thread starter Chris Fitzgerald
- Start date
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Count the amount of screws, and make sure it has enough knob holes. That is how I have traditionally done it for Fender, I don't know about Squier but I would assume it is the same.
Got the right strings on it and it's up and playing now, sounding great! A friend played it this weekend and suggested a boutique-ish wooden pickguard would look great. At first I thought he was nuts, but I can kind of see it. Where would I shop for something like that. Also, what about knobs and shielding while I'm at it? (This is getting kind of fun)
Two years have gone by and life got in the way of this project, but kind of in a good way otherwise in terms of life. Looking forward to renovating/modding this bass this summer. Here are some slightly better pics:
As you can see, it's basically roadworn from life, and I don't really want to change the finish in any way. It plays fine and I'll get good checkup/setup on it when all is said and done. Currently wearing TI flats, which are fine for now - a little lighter than I'm comfortable with, but that's probably because I'm a DB player accustomed to bludgeoning strings to get them to speak.
Advice and info I'm currently looking for:
Pickguards: where's the best place to shop for them online? Consensus seems to be that it's a standard size. I'd like to look at a bunch of options and choose something that would look nice with this distressed finish.
Pickup Options: The stock pickup sounds OK, but I like the idea of an active/passive option. Is this a good idea, or would I be better off just putting in the best possible passive pickup and throwing a preamp/pedal between the bass and amp? Either way, what are some good pickup options? I like the the classic "P with flats" sound, but would also enjoy more range if possible.
Shielding/Wiring: I'm a noob, so I'll have the setup guy do the work, but what should I tell him in terms of replacing anything that needs to be replaced and shielding the cavity so I can have as little noise as possible?
Bridge: I always seem to like the sound and feel of of heavier bridges. Is this worth messing with, or would it screw up the vintage vibe of the bass? Would love to hear options on this if anyone has thoughts.
Can't say that "money is no object", but anything in the $300-400 range to get this up and running with what's described above would be reasonable since I didn't pay much for it in the first place (maybe $200? - all I remember is that it cost about what a set of DB strings goes for), so if I could salvage a nice working "vintage-ish/has character" P bass out of it in the $500 range total, I would consider it a win.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts!
As you can see, it's basically roadworn from life, and I don't really want to change the finish in any way. It plays fine and I'll get good checkup/setup on it when all is said and done. Currently wearing TI flats, which are fine for now - a little lighter than I'm comfortable with, but that's probably because I'm a DB player accustomed to bludgeoning strings to get them to speak.
Advice and info I'm currently looking for:
Pickguards: where's the best place to shop for them online? Consensus seems to be that it's a standard size. I'd like to look at a bunch of options and choose something that would look nice with this distressed finish.
Pickup Options: The stock pickup sounds OK, but I like the idea of an active/passive option. Is this a good idea, or would I be better off just putting in the best possible passive pickup and throwing a preamp/pedal between the bass and amp? Either way, what are some good pickup options? I like the the classic "P with flats" sound, but would also enjoy more range if possible.
Shielding/Wiring: I'm a noob, so I'll have the setup guy do the work, but what should I tell him in terms of replacing anything that needs to be replaced and shielding the cavity so I can have as little noise as possible?
Bridge: I always seem to like the sound and feel of of heavier bridges. Is this worth messing with, or would it screw up the vintage vibe of the bass? Would love to hear options on this if anyone has thoughts.
Can't say that "money is no object", but anything in the $300-400 range to get this up and running with what's described above would be reasonable since I didn't pay much for it in the first place (maybe $200? - all I remember is that it cost about what a set of DB strings goes for), so if I could salvage a nice working "vintage-ish/has character" P bass out of it in the $500 range total, I would consider it a win.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts!
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That looks remarkably like mine, refin and all. I dig it.
What I'd do:
1. Replace the guard (hell, get a couple, they're not crazy expensive and it can be fun to change the visual vibe), commonly available at pretty much every online supplier, sometimes on CL, often in the TB classifieds. Definitely get one(s) for Fender, not Squier.
B. replace the knobs with flat top barrel types, or something you prefer.
c. You could leave the bridge as is, unless it's got a real problem. I replaced the Badass that came on mine with a threaded saddle vintage type for string width adjustability, of course many suitable replacements abound. TB classifieds will work here too.
4. Pickups are a broad subject, and that's just P bass types (and then you could get into other options). Really gonna have to try as many PU brands/types until you settle on one. TB classifieds are a great place to find these too. Pretty sure my PUs aren't stock, not really sure what they are. Sounds like a P bass, but I do use a pedal for clean boost, just because.
My P is unshielded internally, and grounded as normal, dead quiet. The PU is a humbucker, so shouldn't be a problem. You could of course have the cavities lined just for giggles, could even do it yourself with paint or tape. Not a hard project.
Last: Play the snot out of it.
What I'd do:
1. Replace the guard (hell, get a couple, they're not crazy expensive and it can be fun to change the visual vibe), commonly available at pretty much every online supplier, sometimes on CL, often in the TB classifieds. Definitely get one(s) for Fender, not Squier.
B. replace the knobs with flat top barrel types, or something you prefer.
c. You could leave the bridge as is, unless it's got a real problem. I replaced the Badass that came on mine with a threaded saddle vintage type for string width adjustability, of course many suitable replacements abound. TB classifieds will work here too.
4. Pickups are a broad subject, and that's just P bass types (and then you could get into other options). Really gonna have to try as many PU brands/types until you settle on one. TB classifieds are a great place to find these too. Pretty sure my PUs aren't stock, not really sure what they are. Sounds like a P bass, but I do use a pedal for clean boost, just because.
My P is unshielded internally, and grounded as normal, dead quiet. The PU is a humbucker, so shouldn't be a problem. You could of course have the cavities lined just for giggles, could even do it yourself with paint or tape. Not a hard project.
Last: Play the snot out of it.
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Thanks for weighing in! Do you have a pic or two of yours that you could post here (or a link)? I'd love to take a look at how yours turned out.
My advise:
The pickguard should be the standard "13 hole" style, some MIJ guards are also drilled for pick-up covers....they will be fine also. If you're going tort stay away from the inexpensive aftermarket units....they look horrible in person.
I would leave it passive, there's not much to be gained from an active setup with a single precision pick-up. It wouldn't be a bad idea to just go ahead and replace all the electronics if you are swapping pickups.
A high mass bridge will give you a bit more presence and bass, some folks feel that they suck some of the mid content out of the attack. Personally, I prefer standard bridges on P basses.
The pickguard should be the standard "13 hole" style, some MIJ guards are also drilled for pick-up covers....they will be fine also. If you're going tort stay away from the inexpensive aftermarket units....they look horrible in person.
I would leave it passive, there's not much to be gained from an active setup with a single precision pick-up. It wouldn't be a bad idea to just go ahead and replace all the electronics if you are swapping pickups.
A high mass bridge will give you a bit more presence and bass, some folks feel that they suck some of the mid content out of the attack. Personally, I prefer standard bridges on P basses.
Nice! Really like the knobs. Is that a gold/anodized guard? Would love to see more pics, and also pics of your jazz bass, since I'll be in the market for one.
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Laughing out loud at myself for posting this many years after I started the thread, but this Christmas I finally remembered to ask my wife for a new pick guard, knobs, and strings for this bass. The bass looks and sounds very happy now with its new look and sporting a set of heavy Rotosound flats. Better late than never!
That looks great!
When wearing the black 'guard I have, mine and yours could be identical cousins.
You still using the stock PUs?
When wearing the black 'guard I have, mine and yours could be identical cousins.
You still using the stock PUs?
A marked improvement. Looks great! Late 70s vibe.
@wraub Yes, the stock pickups. But I recently bought a Noble preamp for my main life as a DB player, and through that it sounds exactly as I believe a p bass with flats should... and I should note that I am not calibrated for BG at this point after 20 years fo pretty much DB only practice. But I hope to work in a little BG practice in the coming months/years. I can justify it because more and more of my students at the U are doubling.
Nice one @Chris Fitzgerald 
I put a gold anodised PG on my Squier JV-series P bass this week. Originally bought it in 2014
Also Swapped necks with my Jazz Bass yesterday, so it finally looks and plays real nice.
I put a gold anodised PG on my Squier JV-series P bass this week. Originally bought it in 2014
Also Swapped necks with my Jazz Bass yesterday, so it finally looks and plays real nice.
@Groove Doctor - very nice! I like the gold ano but didn't want to spend like $50 for a pick guard on mine.
Sometime in the next month mine is going to go to the shop for a setup, ground/sheild job, and I'm going to ask him to make a ramp for it (long story for another place and time). I seem to remember some people building ramps over the pickups, but I'm going to have to research that. I figure this bass would be the perfect place to begin experimenting on (for both me and my luthier, who is brilliant but who has never made a ramp before) before I ask him to build one for my much more expensive RA Mouse 5! Looking forward to that process, even though I will be sad not to be able to practice while it is underway.
Sometime in the next month mine is going to go to the shop for a setup, ground/sheild job, and I'm going to ask him to make a ramp for it (long story for another place and time). I seem to remember some people building ramps over the pickups, but I'm going to have to research that. I figure this bass would be the perfect place to begin experimenting on (for both me and my luthier, who is brilliant but who has never made a ramp before) before I ask him to build one for my much more expensive RA Mouse 5! Looking forward to that process, even though I will be sad not to be able to practice while it is underway.
Also, what's funny about my Squier is that up close, it's kind of a Frankenbass, what with the sloppy refin, the drips around the cutouts, the worn through spots on the edges, and the slightly protruding wood strip on the back of the neck. But for some reason, that just makes me admire it more as a physical object more than I would if it were "mint". I can't explain that, but it's a thing!
Cost me $34 USD including postage... but worth it.
Mine was abused & needed work too. I ‘rescued’ it and feel a deep satisfaction and am proud of my efforts. It’s got a story.
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
