• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Squier Affinity Jaguar Bass...H?!

#301
Hey, first post here on TalkBass! This thread has been of such help to me, because of it I purchased this great bass in the first place, so I feel compelled to talk about some minor mods I did (pics below!):
  • Gotoh GB640 black tuners (fits the 18mm holes without adapters)
  • Gotoh RB20 black string retainer
  • Fender Badass Himass bridge - I first tried the one with round saddles (008-1460-049), it was too tall, had to get 099-4407-000 instead
  • Schaller S-Locks black
Most of the changes above were to counteract the neck dive, and it definitely feels better now. Another minor annoyance was that the skunk stripe on the back of the neck was protruding a little bit (first time I've seen that!), but nothing that some sandpaper couldn't fix.

Thanks all for all the info, it has been super helpful!

2021-08-24 18.44.01.jpg
2021-08-24 18.42.04.jpg
2021-08-24 18.43.54.jpg
2021-08-24 18.43.47.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: DubHunter, Basman58, Shasta and 11 others
#302
vkat said:
Hey, first post here on TalkBass! This thread has been of such help to me, because of it I purchased this great bass in the first place, so I feel compelled to talk about some minor mods I did (pics below!):
  • Gotoh GB640 black tuners (fits the 18mm holes without adapters)
  • Gotoh RB20 black string retainer
  • Fender Badass Himass bridge - I first tried the one with round saddles (008-1460-049), it was too tall, had to get 099-4407-000 instead
  • Schaller S-Locks black
Most of the changes above were to counteract the neck dive, and it definitely feels better now. Another minor annoyance was that the skunk stripe on the back of the neck was protruding a little bit (first time I've seen that!), but nothing that some sandpaper couldn't fix.

Thanks all for all the info, it has been super helpful!

View attachment 4382376 View attachment 4382378 View attachment 4382379 View attachment 4382380
Click to expand...
That’s a winner! Love those Gotoh tuners. All it needs now is a pickup wired in parallel!
 
#304
vkat said:
Thanks! Yeah that is definitely my next mod, thinking about going with the cheap Amazon pickup someone recommended, but open to suggestions :)
Click to expand...
Watch out for a used Seymour Duncan SMB-4A or SMB-4D on Reverb or ebay. Those go for well under $100!
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#305
Figured I’d update the progress of this bass here since I hadn’t updated in a while.

The cheap Amazon pickup sounds good and is very quiet. I basically tried every single wiring combo I could try, until I found one with no hum that sounded good. No idea if it’s in series or parallel actually, but it sounds really nice and I’m finally done battling hum after that defective Wilkinson pickup debacle. Still is not as dead quiet as my P bass. That guitar is perfectly silent and no amount of shielding or perfect wiring on this one can make it as quiet.

I bought the Fender high mass bridge with brass saddles and it helped neck dive and looks cool. The original bridge weighs almost nothing. This bass is kinda heavy for how small it is now.

I also applied 2 layers of electrical tape over the pickup poles, as for some reason I can’t explain, the low E is always slapping against it no matter how low I set the pickup. It drives me nuts and it’s very loud when it does.

Lastly, I strung it with half-rounds. That gave me the feel of flats, and basically the exact sound of old dead round wounds out of the box. They’re really awesome and I’m not sure why people hate on them so much online. Half rounds are my new favorite strings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vkat and Novarocker
#312
Hardbassjunkie said:
Does anyone actually like the stock pickup? I am not a big fan of modding but I'd like a medium scale bass and I found one with these with no neck dive.
Click to expand...
I was wondering the same thing. It is wired in series and cavities can be lined with copper for noise, and if it stays in tune, and sets up to your satisfaction, and the bridge and tuners work fine, you are all set if you like the sound. The only mod I may like would be a 3 way switch for series/coil/parallel for more variety of sounds, but that would require a pickup with more wires.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassiclees
#314
The pickup is interesting. Mine is hum filled and really hot despite shielding the cavity. So I'm swapping for a silent passive three position MusicMan and have a control plate which will let me change it up accordingly. Aguilar, Delano... Still not sure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kevmac
#316
taosword said:
I was wondering the same thing. It is wired in series and cavities can be lined with copper for noise, and if it stays in tune, and sets up to your satisfaction, and the bridge and tuners work fine, you are all set if you like the sound. The only mod I may like would be a 3 way switch for series/coil/parallel for more variety of sounds, but that would require a pickup with more wires.
Click to expand...
Exactly. As mentioned previously, the pickup actually sounds good. I personally prefer a parallel-wired humbucker, but this reminds me of a mudbucker.
The hardware is of no issue at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vkat
#318
Hardbassjunkie said:
Does anyone actually like the stock pickup? I am not a big fan of modding but I'd like a medium scale bass and I found one with these with no neck dive.
Click to expand...
Hi, well, I like mine. Played it at home for about 10 minutes, then headed to a gig. Played it the whole time. I have not shielded it nor done any other mods and it was quiet. My fellow bandmates loved the sound and fullness. So did I. I would love to do some mods, but can't really justify it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: amoodymule, Outtaseezun and Cantstandsya
#319
I'm not worried about the pup; a mudbucker sound is just great with me! -I'm more concerned about the Jag's weight? My other main SS basses (Squier Mustang, Mikro) are both under 7 Lbs, and that's what I much prefer and need nowadays. -I believe most of these new Jaguar H's are 8 Lbs and up?
Greywoulf,
(-An arthritic geezer...) :sour:
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back