Squier Affinity Jaguar Bass...H?!

[Fitz]

I went and tried one out, and didn't leave with it. I'm of two minds. The neck was a really good size for me. I'd have preferred a little deeper, but didn't expect it, and I liked it a lot the way it was. Construction was really clean like everyone says. I even liked the sound a lot. All the dense mids started to make me think that maybe highs were overrated, although I'm pretty sure I'd eventually feel compelled to get a more flexible pickup.

But this one was REALLY neck heavy. It dove straight for the floor! I'm currently trying to cure neck-heaviness in my P-Bass (which at least has the excuse of being very light). Maybe if I succeed at that, I'll get one of these, and hopefully it won't be such an extreme example.

I tried 3 of these in my local brick and mortar (I purposefully avoided guitar center), and the lightest one neck dove, the heaviest one was too heavy for my liking, so I went with one that was not as heavy, but still kinda heavy, and with a very minor neck dive. I’m in the process of addressing the neck dive.

My advice to anyone buying one online or sight unseen, don’t go for the lightweights, or you’ll have a bad neck dive.

 

[Fitz]

Suggest fender badass Himass bridge (single tiny string slot) or Omaga Himass bridge ( 3 string slot on each saddle which adjustable string spacing ), both plate has longer length from plate mounting screw holes till string ball end holder which around 1/2 inch extent .
Work better on 34in standard length E string which has less wrap on tuning post.

Example.
View attachment 4347922 View attachment 4347923

Great info, thank you. You’ve been very kind and helpful.

 

[Yahboy]

Great info, thank you. You’ve been very kind and helpful.

You are welcome.

I am truly impressive with this jaguar H, even just test drive at Guitar store. But, the only issue to me(just me )are dark ballsy tone (I believe pickup swap could solve it) and my favourite EB cobalt flat E string warp on 32 scale tuning post , worry the string get break once over warp on tuning post, since EB has different string winding warp on end of this string compare to others company.

 

[J Posega]

You are welcome.

I am truly impressive with this jaguar H, even just test drive at Guitar store. But, the only issue to me(just me )are dark ballsy tone (I believe pickup swap could solve it) and my favourite EB cobalt flat E string warp on 32 scale tuning post , worry the string get break once over warp on tuning post, since EB has different string winding warp on end of this string compare to others company.

View attachment 4348746

I don't understand what you're trying to say about the string. It tapers before the tuner, so it's fine.

 

[skycruiser]

An update on the tuner situation: I have 1/2" ultra lites, and the the stock bushings do not fit the 23/32" (18mm) tuner hole in the headstock, so I had to oder adapter bushings directly from Hipshot. They're $28 shipped for a set of 4.

I ran into a similar problem putting ultralites on a Ray4 the other day. But I just wrapped a few layers of aluminum tape around the bushings until they were snug and moved on. Didn't want to put any more $ into that bass!

 

[skycruiser]

I don't understand what you're trying to say about the string. It tapers before the tuner, so it's fine.

That's probably a 34" scale bass he's showing.

 

[P Cheen]

@Yahboy is saying that he’s afraid if he uses that string on a 32” bass, the thick part of the string might also wrap around the tuning post, which might cause it to break.

 

[Yahboy]

I don't understand what you're trying to say about the string. It tapers before the tuner, so it's fine.

Yah,it is tapers, but become different story while this cobalt flat load on 32 scale jaguar H.
Even I never meet the cobalt flat or group flat string break on tuning post issue myself.
IBut, i been meet a cobalt flat B String break at tuning post on my friends Ibanez SR 5 string bass (3+2 headstock configuration).

 

[Yahboy]

Sorry. Off topic opinion share .

Both EB cobalt flat and group flat has similar tapered pattern.
Unlike others brand, EB only silk warp on tiny inner core without more outer winding on it.
Much easier occur break problem on tuning post which has small size compare to traditional tuning post.

 

[Fitz]

I ran into a similar problem putting ultralites on a Ray4 the other day. But I just wrapped a few layers of aluminum tape around the bushings until they were snug and moved on. Didn't want to put any more $ into that bass!

I had a similar idea, then the single anchor screw in the back sheared off when I was screwing it in and the tuners still didn’t even fit very well. Long story short, I now have to go dowel shopping to plug the 1/4” hole where that screw used to be. I decided to just do the job properly after that. Ha.

 

[Yammer]

Have you noticed the hardware screws are non-standard from what's usually seen with Fender/Squier? And they do appear to be of lower quality. The pick guard and bridge hold down are smaller/shorter, and the neck screws are bigger. Possibly true for the tuner hold down screws as well?

 

[Yahboy]

Have you noticed the hardware screws are non-standard from what's usually seen with Fender/Squier? And they do appear to be of lower quality. The pick guard and bridge hold down are smaller/shorter, and the neck screws are bigger. Possibly true for the tuner hold down screws as well?

I think it is a common hardware choice issue between Asia OEM factory and USA/Mexico（under FMIC）.

The size different on bridge mounting screws issue been happened on earlier 2008 china Squier CV and Indo VM to Fender Mim STD.
Shorter and thinner on both Squier.

Plus, the nickel coat hardware like tuning machines, jazz bass/Tele bass control plate and bridge on China Squier CV bass all get oxidation easily than chrome part on USA/Mexico Fender bass.
But, on earlier batch before 2013, china Squier CV bass all has chrome hardware.

 

[Yammer]

Yeah, well the neck screw difference is making it a pita to swap necks among my 32” basses. I kinda need to find more of the Chinese version. It is unusual with a shallow head but wide thread. Any ideas where to find?

 

[P Cheen]

I inquired about buying a pickguard, saying somebody here already sent in theirs for a template and this was their [WD Music] response:

 

[Yammer]

I inquired about buying a pickguard, saying somebody here already sent in theirs for a template and this was their [WD Music] response:

View attachment 4349931

I sent mine to Troy Neagle, maybe he’d do it based on mine. Or just send in your pick guard.

 

[P Cheen]

A little story as I was checking out the bass last Friday. So I bring it out to the Guitar Center sales dude and I ask if I can talk down the price since there is a finish chip by the neck joint and several black scuffs on the backside of the body.

After about 3 minutes on the computer he goes “best I can offer you is $205.99,” and so of course I took it and paid. I honestly thought he was only going to give me a $20 or so discount. After that I asked him for a bass box (because I had a Squier Precision that needs a packing box), he goes in the back and spends another 5 minutes or so. He comes out with a sealed Charvel box in which a lime green San Dimas PJ IV resided. As he was taking it out to place my new Squier in, I ran my fingers across the $900 Charvel’s fretboard and much to my surprise it wasn’t as rounded as on my $250 Squier. There was a bit of fret sprouting too.

Several factors have maybe come into play as to why the Charvel with a roasted maple neck seemingly had a worse fret-end job than an Affinity Squier. I was just shocked. But things like these happen, and paying more doesn’t always guarantee better outcomes. I’m also eager to try the other [new] Affinity Squiers, though those are made in Indonesia and not in China.

Anyway here is a photo of my bass headstock. I took it because the flames are pretty nice. There’s more of this in the back of the neck too.

 

[Yatta79]

I'm about to order new tuners. Just to be safe, can I use Hipshot HB6C 1/2" Ultralites? If not what will fit?

 

[Yatta79]

I inquired about buying a pickguard, saying somebody here already sent in theirs for a template and this was their [WD Music] response:

View attachment 4349931

Have you sent in yours to WD? Anyone else who has sent theirs yet? I had mine ready by scan but I had a few more PGs to add and I'm trying to pool in more people due to shipping cost etc so it got a bit delayed. I'm also thinking about buying another Jaguar H to do a neckswap, I could add the PG of that one if they accept two PGs from same order. But if there's anyone in the US of Americans that has their on the way to WD it would be cool to know as I have to pay by weight so anything helps to cut down cost.

Anyone got any good colour combos for a LP Blue?

 

[P Cheen]

Have you sent in yours to WD? Anyone else who has sent theirs yet? I had mine ready by scan but I had a few more PGs to add and I'm trying to pool in more people due to shipping cost etc so it got a bit delayed. I'm also thinking about buying another Jaguar H to do a neckswap, I could add the PG of that one if they accept two PGs from same order. But if there's anyone in the US of Americans that has their on the way to WD it would be cool to know as I have to pay by weight so anything helps to cut down cost.

Anyone got any good colour combos for a LP Blue?

Yeah i’ll send in mine on Monday. I’m thinking dark red tort or black. I’m not that creative haha!

 

[Bassiclees]

Fender HiMass bridge was a perfect drop in. Slight impact on neck dive. Looks and sounds great, adjustability has plenty of headroom for proper intonation and string height.