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Squier 50th celebration p bass any thoughts

Ralf1e

Ralf1e

Dec 15, 2021
162
121
#1
I always said I would never buy a Fender P bass until today
I found a Squier by Fender P bass 1996 built in China but the serial number indicates it was made in Taiwan
S no YN630371 20220913_143443.jpg 20220913_143545.jpg 20220913_143508.jpg
It was on Gumtree for £50.
Needs a bit of a clean, fret polish and new strings. I have some La Bella Deep talking bass I am going to try.
Any thoughts on these Tawain made Squiers or China built in general would be most welcome. Also advice about possible pickup replacement if needed. As you can see the maine coone has had to give it a good sniff as I only came home an hour ago.
I'm trying to resist Gas at the moment but at that price how could I not. Its less than dinner out
 
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#4
50 years of Excellence lol
I have to shim the neck or build up the heel with a fine wedge if I am to get the action down to a sensible level. Just as well I know how to do those things. I am in no rush. Time to think through the options.
 
#5
I have a 1996 Squier Strat, which subsequently needed just about everything replaced. Neck, pickups, trem block, pots, input jack were all very cheap feeling/sounding. The Squiers of today almost feel like another brand altogether compared to those earlier offerings, such is the jump in overall quality.

Enjoy the long-term restoration project; nothing quite like pulling an instrument apart and putting it back together with your specs in mind!
 
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#6
I've already had the neck off to put in
the shim and check the truss works.
I think the bridge is not original it looks far too fresh compared to all the other metalwork. Already cleaned up the frets with fret rubber. I'm not a Fender fan but figured why not have it and play with it anyway. It does actually sound nice. I have heard other P basses that didn't so I will have a look inside to see if there is evidence of pick up changing. At the end of it I may find a home for it with a youngster who can't afford to get one of their own. I do that from time to time.
Unless I fall in love with it. Grrr not likely where's my Spector?
 
#7
Thank you for your replies. I did clean out the neck pocket as it wasn't finished properly and have now put in a brass shim out of a pack I got on Amazon. Truss adjusted bridge adjusted and intonation done. I got it down to 2mm on the E string and 1.5mm on the G string at 12th fret. It now plays nicely and easily and sounds really good. Lots of growl and bark and has nice harmonics to explore. It may be a bit of a one trick pony but its a good one. A keeper me thinks. It's changed my view of P basses and left me feeling silly. Never bought a bass that cheap since I was 16. Shakes head in unbelief lol
 

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