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Question about my Squier Short Scale

T

toz22

Mar 4, 2013
9
0
#1
Hey all,

Bought a Squier Jaguar Short Scale last month. I love the thing but it is a Squier so there are a few things that I would like to upgrade. My question is, would Fender parts fit on this bass if I were to replace the tuners and the bridge? Does the fact that the bass is a short scale change the size of the bridge? I would love to replace the tuners and bridge with the standard Fender parts that would go on an American Jazz or P bass. Also, if I wanted to replace the pickups, would I be able to drop in standard size pickups? Thanks for the help!
 
#3
Toz22,

Like you, I have been "experimenting" with short scales after playing 34" scale basses for 2 years. I have the Squire short scale Jaguar. After adjusting the neck, bridge height, and intonation, the only mods I made was putting a set of chrome flatwounds on it and changing the J (bridge) pickup. I put in a DiMarzio DP148BK Ultra Jazz pickup, and it is sounding really good. The original J pu was really weak but after changing it out, it's got a lot more punch to it! I also have a "higher priced" short scale with the P/J set up. I honestly cant tell a whole lot of difference in the tonal variations of the two. I play at a large church in a praise band, and also with a band that plays classic rock. Nobody has been able to really tell a difference in "sound" between my Squire and my 34" SR 500 Ibanez. The only negative is that it does have a bit of neck dive, but that can be dealt with with a decent leather (and wider) strap.

Don't let anyone slam the Squire. My brother does a lot of studio work with various country and Christian artists in Nashville. He messed around with it in the studio and said for the price of the guitar and a few mods, it actually sounded pretty good! Enjoy it!
 
#4
Fender parts do fit the SS Jag. The pickguard and the control plate are smaller than the standard size ones but everything else is standard size. I've replaced the tuners with Hipshot ultralites because the stock tuners suck and they are very heavy. I also replaced the stock chrome bridge with a black bridge. Nothing wrong with the chrome one, I just love black!

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#5
I wouldn't bother with the tuners, unless you've got relentless neck dive. In that case, Ultralights are an improvement. The bridge is a salt to taste issue that many disagree on. But I don't think you would gain anything going from your stock bridge to a Fender bridge. The biggest upgrade you could make would be the pickups.
 

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