• 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 Deluxe Jazz Active V -- Unbelieveable Bass!

#581
so, what do you think about this? :)

SQJV_mock_SMB5A.gif
 
#583
T-34 said:
... is the pole spacing large enough? Looks like this humbucker is too narrow?
Click to expand...

Well spotted.

Yes, ideally it should be a bit wider, but in my experience it'll only have a visual effect. The huge polepieces have a wide enough field that it will not be noticeable. Try bending a string on a Stingray and you will not really notice a dropout.
I *might* use a different pickup... but this SD SMB5A was already in my drawer, so that gives it extra bonus points. That, and the fact that I am a huge fan of their sound (been using SMB4A pickups for a while, which to me are nicer than the Nordstrand MM4.2... and cheaper too)
 
#586
Looking more closely at the pickup replacement situation I realised one thing that now just seems obvious:

The pickups are not placed as in a standard Jazz: both pickups are closer to the neck on the Jazz V!

No wonder it does not sound like a Jazz!

preamp/pickups may contribute too, but it's now clear that with the pickups located farther from the bridge, it's not going to nail the Jazz sound ever.

I'm definitely putting a MM pickup there (Nordstrand MM5.2 seems to be winning, but I'm looking into getting a Duncan SMB5A in wide string spacing, which I would prefer). There will be a Stingray preamp. Most likely one of the 'unclefluffy' boards assembled and wired by 'SGDLutherie' of this parish, coupled to a mid control module from John East.
Undecided about the neck pickup. I might not wire it at all and just leave it there, screwed down deep into the body... or get a decent replacement. I've never been a big fan of Jazz neck pickups, but both pickups on could give some cool sounds...

All in all, it's not a bad bass at all. It is really the first 5er that I feel "at home" with and I love playing it. That's why I want to mould it into my ideal 5er (a SR5 in wide string spacing, at a much lower cost ;)... something not even available at any cost in any shop, it seems)
 
#591
Aha!

So Seymour Duncan will be able to make an SMB5A equivalent in wide spacing :bassist:

They sent me a pdf to verify dimensions... perfect:

SQJV_MMmock.gif


This time I measured the distance from the 12th fret to get the right location and I found that... the bridge pickup on the Squier is placed *exactly* where the Stingray sweet spot is.

I had noticed it was slightly higher than usual for a Jazz... but now I know it was not a random position it was moved into.
 
#592
mcnach said:
You are right about the weight. It didn't seem like that at first, but now that I've played it for 1-2h at a time standing, it's clearly not lightweight.

How does the ebanol fretboard "suck"? I personally love it.
Click to expand...

Sorry about the wording... I just don't like how it feels and my ears tell me it changes the tone in a bad way... Can't prove or theorize about it...
 
#596
mcnach said:
Aha!

So Seymour Duncan will be able to make an SMB5A equivalent in wide spacing :bassist:

They sent me a pdf to verify dimensions... perfect:

SQJV_MMmock.gif


This time I measured the distance from the 12th fret to get the right location and I found that... the bridge pickup on the Squier is placed *exactly* where the Stingray sweet spot is.

I had noticed it was slightly higher than usual for a Jazz... but now I know it was not a random position it was moved into.
Click to expand...
why dont you make it into a REAL MONSTER with 2 of those SD MM pickups! your giving me ideas!
 
#599
I just scored my second squire jazz V in black. the first is white all original and is staying that way. This one will get a pair of SGD Nd series 3 humbuckers. I have the precision v with a pair of norstrand big singles sounds awesome. I saw a post once where someone had done a mat finish on these. looked awesome I may do that here as well.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back