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SQ Jazz Bass Vintage Modification Advice!

AldoTheApache

AldoTheApache

Guest
Mar 25, 2012
11
0
39
Athens Greece
#1
Hi! i got the SQ J-Bass recently but im not at all satisfied with the sound..Its quite trebly and even though i go full bass on any amp i own, it still lacks the kick of a "normal" bass at least for my standards..Anyone have any suggestions for modifications i could do ? like new pickups and stuff ? im quite new at mods and i could really use some help.Thanks!
 

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#5
Lawkeeper said:
This is the Squier VM Jazz, right? I've heard and read that the Duncan Designed pickups have a somewhat mellower sound. Swapping out the pickups can make a huge difference. Someone in the 'Official show your basses thread' replaced them with Lundgren pickups.
Click to expand...


I've heard a lot for the single coil noiseless original fender ones
but im doing some more research cause they cost quite a lot :P thanks a lot :)
 
#6
You can find good used p'ups in the classifieds for far less than buying new. I have a VM J with Lindy Fralin single coils that sounds every bit as good,if not better,as my MIA Fender J. They cost almost as much as the VM,but in retrospect,for the price of the stock MIA,one could buy 3 VM's and mod the crap out of them..
 
#7
I bought a Mint American Standard Jazz off of CL for $625, perfect in every way, with the original Fender hard shell molded case.

All of the upgrades I wanted are there, including a healthy resale if I change my mind. No risk.

Obviously do what you want, I just wanted to throw some numbers out there for thought.

rock on! Best of luck in your mod, should be fun!
 
#8
I had a similar problem with my Fender MIM. I tried putting a Basslines Passive Phase II Soapbar in it to give it some more "normal" bass but it just ended up being a mud fest.

I later decided to put a set of Fender Original Jazz Bass Pickups in it. This was awhile ago so a friend did the work for me. I don't remember what he used as far as pots and cap go.

The bass sounds great now and seems to be a lot fuller and punchier. It's like a whole new bass. The new pups was the best thing I could have done.

All that being said I also have a VM Jazz with DD pups and actually love the sound I get out of it. It sounds different than the MIM but still is very capable of punching you in the face.

I think your problem my be your amp. You said that you turn the bass all the way up on the amp and still cannot get enough "bass". Sounds like something is wrong. What kind of amp are you using?
 
#9
Bassbubble11 said:
I had a similar problem with my Fender MIM. I tried putting a Basslines Passive Phase II Soapbar in it to give it some more "normal" bass but it just ended up being a mud fest.

I later decided to put a set of Fender Original Jazz Bass Pickups in it. This was awhile ago so a friend did the work for me. I don't remember what he used as far as pots and cap go.

The bass sounds great now and seems to be a lot fuller and punchier. It's like a whole new bass. The new pups was the best thing I could have done.

All that being said I also have a VM Jazz with DD pups and actually love the sound I get out of it. It sounds different than the MIM but still is very capable of punching you in the face.

I think your problem my be your amp. You said that you turn the bass all the way up on the amp and still cannot get enough "bass". Sounds like something is wrong. What kind of amp are you using?
Click to expand...

I own a fame 45w for practice and all the rest is digital..Though i play at this one place which has an ampeg 750px and still have to boost the bass almost to top level to get the sound i like,which close to the sound of a Marcus Miller sign a friend has..My whole point is how to get this SQ as close as possible to a original fender jazz bass sound cause obviously i cant afford one :P thanks a lot guys by the way thats some awesome stuff :bassist:
 
#11
AldoTheApache said:
Hi! i got the SQ J-Bass recently but im not at all satisfied with the sound..Its quite trebly and even though i go full bass on any amp i own, it still lacks the kick of a "normal" bass at least for my standards..Anyone have any suggestions for modifications i could do ? like new pickups and stuff ? im quite new at mods and i could really use some help.Thanks!
Click to expand...

Start by replacing the pickups, pots, tuners and bridge. Thats the first thing that I did when i got mine. If that doesn't work try replacing the neck. If that still doesn't work, replace the body. If you want to save that time and money, sell the bass and buy a better one.
 

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