Squier Affinity Jaguar Bass...H?!

[P Cheen]

It’s plenty loud, I gigged it two nights ago.

However—mine has a grounding issue that was causing an insane amount of hum, so I ordered the $13 generic Music Man pickup from Amazon. It just arrived today and sounds just as good, is 100% identical in terms of construction (two ceramic bar magnets floating in a layer of hard black goop), and is completely quiet. I highly recommend saving some money and getting the Amazon pickup instead. The Wilkinson is probably made in the same overseas factory with the same materials except it costs about 3x as much after tax.

Thanks! Did you wire the Wilkinson is parallel?

I’ll look into that! Do you have a link? What is the DCR reading of the Amazon humbucker?
Some dude is selling a Duncan SMB-4A for $60 on Reverb. I would buy it in a heartbeat but like I said, i’m just wary it won’t be enough for passive since it’s built as a direct replacement for Music Man StingRay basses.

 

[Yammer]

It’s plenty loud, I gigged it two nights ago.

However—mine has a grounding issue that was causing an insane amount of hum, so I ordered the $13 generic Music Man pickup from Amazon. It just arrived today and sounds just as good, is 100% identical in terms of construction (two ceramic bar magnets floating in a layer of hard black goop), and is completely quiet. I highly recommend saving some money and getting the Amazon pickup instead. The Wilkinson is probably made in the same overseas factory with the same materials except it costs about 3x as much after tax.

I thought it was the same thing too, looked identical! Between that and your woes, I never installed the Wilkie. Thanks for saving me a round of chasing the (el cheapo) dragon. I’m going upmarket to Nordstrand or Herrick next. The Amazon one was fine and serviceable, but I need to be dazzled I guess, so we shall see what the dragon provides…

 

[Yammer]

Thanks! Did you wire the Wilkinson is parallel?

I’ll look into that! Do you have a link? What is the DCR reading of the Amazon humbucker?
Some dude is selling a Duncan SMB-4A for $60 on Reverb. I would buy it in a heartbeat but like I said, i’m just wary it won’t be enough for passive since it’s built as a direct replacement for Music Man StingRay basses.

Here’s the link, I think I posted it many pages ago:BQLZR Noiseless Good Balance 4 String Bass Guitar Pickup https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EQ277JK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_9X1ESZ3J7JFA9Z06CKSQ

 

[P Cheen]

Here’s the link, I think I posted it many pages ago:BQLZR Noiseless Good Balance 4 String Bass Guitar Pickup https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EQ277JK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_9X1ESZ3J7JFA9Z06CKSQ

Thanks! And I was also considering Herrick. Are you also US-based? I wish they had a plain jane model with the usual alnico rods of a StingRay pickup. But they do have a ton of options.

 

[Fitz]

Thanks! Did you wire the Wilkinson is parallel?

I’ll look into that! Do you have a link? What is the DCR reading of the Amazon humbucker?
Some dude is selling a Duncan SMB-4A for $60 on Reverb. I would buy it in a heartbeat but like I said, i’m just wary it won’t be enough for passive since it’s built as a direct replacement for Music Man StingRay basses.

Yep, parallel.

New pickup: Somewhere in the 12-13 range if I remember correctly

I think you’ll be fine with either the $13 Amazon or the $60 Duncan.

 

[Fitz]

An update on the Hipshot 1/2” to 18mm adapter bushings:

the good news is they fit the bass headstock holes.

the bad news is the thread pitch does not match the tuner shafts. They’re also heavy. Very heavy. They’re made of steel and negate a majority of the weight savings of using light tuners.

I muscled them on, knowing full well that I was chewing through soft aluminum threads with these crappy steel adapter bushings.

My experience with Hipshot products has been mostly a waste of time and money. I think the tuners themselves are really nice. The hardware is where they caused me a huge amount of trouble. They’re fully installed and working well, but I wish I would’ve just left the tuners alone. That was not worth saving less than half a pound on the end of the headstock.

 

[Yahboy]

An update on the Hipshot 1/2” to 18mm adapter bushings:

the good news is they fit the bass headstock holes.

the bad news is the thread pitch does not match the tuner shafts. They’re also heavy. Very heavy. They’re made of steel and negate a majority of the weight savings of using light tuners.

I muscled them on, knowing full well that I was chewing through soft aluminum threads with these crappy steel adapter bushings.

My experience with Hipshot products has been mostly a waste of time and money. I think the tuners themselves are really nice. The hardware is where they caused me a huge amount of trouble. They’re fully installed and working well, but I wish I would’ve just left the tuners alone. That was not worth saving less than half a pound on the end of the headstock.

How about this ? It has list the weight (each unit) .

[This invalid link has been removed]

 

[stonehenge]

What's that bridge you got for it?

Hipshot A Style

 

[kevmac]

I wondering if anyone has knowledge or used the Sentell b34 MM pup as a replacement in a MM style bass.Im interested in one for my Jaguar Affinity.I used a Sentell Ric replacement in a bass and it's a good one,I am hoping this (b34) would be a good choice for the Jag.

 

[P Cheen]

I wondering if anyone has knowledge or used the Sentell b34 MM pup as a replacement in a MM style bass.Im interested in one for my Jaguar Affinity.I used a Sentell Ric replacement in a bass and it's a good one,I am hoping this (b34) would be a good choice for the Jag.

I’m in contact with Jerry and Christine Sentell, I was asking if they offer their MM humbuckers in white covers. Negative. But it looks like a good replacement. 10.5 kohm winding, 4-conductor, 9mm alnico rods.

I’m also speaking with Howard Ulyate and Martin Herrick, trying to weigh my options.

 

[Bassiclees]

I'm really digging the stock PU although it's HOT. Eyeballing an Aero MM4 PHC though but I can't find too much info about them. Gonna hang tight and see what @LowEndLobster ends up doing.

 

[P Cheen]

I'm really digging the stock PU although it's HOT. Eyeballing an Aero MM4 PHC though but I can't find too much info about them. Gonna hang tight and see what @LowEndLobster ends up doing.

That sounds good, I was eyeing that too! But parallel wiring only. It looks like I may be going with Ulyate. Howard quoted me $110 for a “standard” MM-style humbucker wound hot enough to be run 100% passive.

I know Delano makes the MC4 AL, a two-coil alnico model; and the MC4 FE/M2, a four-coil ceramic model. Both 4-conductor.

Lobster said he’ll go with a G&L MFD humbucker on his and something similar to the G&L Fallout Bass for the controls.

 

[stonehenge]

 

[Obsesspool]

Curious. I got home and started online shopping for gig bags. Laid both my Jaguar and SB14 on the floor to start measuring… lo and behold they are practically the same length. They measure between 44 and 45 inches.

View attachment 4344313

(I know, sorry, the Sterling SB14 looks weird without the pickguard)

*Looks better.

 

[Bassiclees]

Was going to put D'Addario tapes on it but the delivery got botched so I wanted to go with TI Flats because they rule HOWEVER half of the first wrap would be on the post. Is this a bad thing? Is it mandatory that it is silk only on the post? Am I asking to snap the string? Hm...

 

[Novarocker]

View attachment 4357255

Nice! Got me debating on buying one of these to mod instead of my own build.

BTW if you haven't tried it, you'd be amazed at how good the ric treble pickup sounds in the P spot.

 

[J Posega]

Was going to put D'Addario tapes on it but the delivery got botched so I wanted to go with TI Flats because they rule HOWEVER half of the first wrap would be on the post. Is this a bad thing? Is it mandatory that it is silk only on the post? Am I asking to snap the string? Hm...View attachment 4358896

TI flats are super flexible, but I’d be concerned with how much string is gonna have to wind on the tuning post. More than a couple wraps around the post and that’s when the string can start binding up and being harder to keep in tune.

 

[Yahboy]

Was going to put D'Addario tapes on it but the delivery got botched so I wanted to go with TI Flats because they rule HOWEVER half of the first wrap would be on the post. Is this a bad thing? Is it mandatory that it is silk only on the post? Am I asking to snap the string? Hm...View attachment 4358896

For me, I don't do it.
I suggest do the only string through body on E string. Ofcause you need get this first.... And ferrule.

 

[Davyo]

It seems like everyone is looking at this bass as a mod project.
While I own way to many bass’s I decided to get one of these just for fun,,, and the fact that they only cost $250.
I was favoring the gray color, got it delivered and exchanged it for the black color with the maple neck.
The black version looks totally awesome in my opinion after seeing and comparing the gray and black versions in person.
At first I wasn’t sure if I liked the sound or feel of this Jaguar but after playing with it for the last week I’ve really come to enjoy this new addition to my large family of bass’s.
I actually think I’m just going to leave it stock and not do any mods on it, it’s actually a great little bass as is, in my opinion.
Definitely a great bass for band rehearsal’s and I have no second thoughts about using it on paying gigs as well.
Anyhow, just my 2cents.
Cheers, Davyo

 

[Yammer]

Agreed it’s hard to beat a classy Black and Tan. Unbelieveably well-built and great to play bass. Medium scale is just a pleasure, along with the small body size and the electronics are simple. $249 is steal. The pickup is kinda dark due it being series, if you were going to change one thing this might be one place to upgrade someday. The one I bought on Amazon was for cheap and did help that, and is no noisier. We’re going to lead you down the mod path if you hang out here for too long!