Squier "Perfect Fit Replacement Parts" Mega thread

[Jayhawk]

Classic Vibe 60's questions:

1. What have you guys replaced the stock tuners with?
2. Which other model pickguards will fit both the 60's P and J basses?

I replaced the stock tuners with Invalid Link Removed. These tuners were "Perfect Fit Replacement Parts" and required absolutely no modification or adjustment to the headstock. I have read others recommend the HB7 tuners for the CV P but the HB1 tuners and BT1 detuner are what you need. If you don't upgrade the tuners and decide to add a just the detuner, I did notice that the shafts of the paddles are shorter on the Hipshots than on the stock tuners so that may, or may not, be an issue to you.

I don't know about the pickguards but the P bass guard looks pretty standard.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Classic Vibe 60's questions:

1. What have you guys replaced the stock tuners with?
2. Which other model pickguards will fit both the 60's P and J basses?

I can only comment on the Pickguard part and only for the Jazz. I replaced one with a black/white/black American Standard guard. Only one hole was ever-so-slightly off, but it was such a minimal angle that the screw still went in. Some might not like the white notch showing through at the neck heel, but it didn't bother me none.

EDIT: Let me rephrase, "…it didn't bother me none, especially since I was spared the massive freakin' headaches I've endured dremel'ing and refitting pickguards to the Squier Standard basses!"

 

[Malak the Mad]

I have read others recommend the HB7 tuners for the CV P but the HB1 tuners and BT1 detuner are what you need.

I know the Vintage Modifieds are compatible with the HB7's, but I can't say much about the CV's. The guard was the only mod I made. Still, this is great to know since I might look to a CV neck for a future parts-build. Thanks, Jay!

 

[96tbird]

Classic Vibe 60's questions:

1. What have you guys replaced the stock tuners with?
2. Which other model pickguards will fit both the 60's P and J basses?

Stock tuners work just fine. No need to change them.

Standard 13 hole P pick guard fit my '60s P perfectly.

 

[shoulderpet]

I know the Vintage Modifieds are compatible with the HB7's, but I can't say much about the CV's. The guard was the only mod I made. Still, this is great to know since I might look to a CV neck for a future parts-build. Thanks, Jay!

Do you know if the HB7's will fit my vintage modified jaguar sort scale?
I assume if they fit the vm Jazz they should fit the Jaguar(i assume they both use the same stock tuners) i would like to replace the tuners on my Vm Jaguar short scale and a set that drops straight in with no drilling, modification etc would be great

 

[shoulderpet]

Just read somewhere in the thread that the HB7 tuners screw holes don't line up with the Squier vm jag anybody know what tuners are a direct drop in replacement ?

 

[Malak the Mad]

Do you know if the HB7's will fit my vintage modified jaguar sort scale?
I assume if they fit the vm Jazz they should fit the Jaguar(i assume they both use the same stock tuners) i would like to replace the tuners on my Vm Jaguar short scale and a set that drops straight in with no drilling, modification etc would be great

Sorry, I've never owned an SS Jag, let alone modded one. Maybe someone at Hipshot would know for certain.

 

[shoulderpet]

Sorry, I've never owned an SS Jag, let alone modded one. Maybe someone at Hipshot would know for certain.

I emailed them, no reply from them though

 

[Malak the Mad]

I emailed them, no reply from them though

That's a shame. To give them the benefit of the doubt, perhaps they don't want to give an answer until they know for sure. You could just buy a set of Ultralite clover keys. All you'd have to do is screw in one, new hole. I did that for the Jag neck I used in a parts-bass project.

Lil' tip if you go the Ultralite-route: I threaded the tuners and grommets in nice and tight, making sure they were all lined-up at their proper angles, then gently tapped a penny-nail into the screw-hole to create a guide for the single screw.

 

[nerkoids]

Do you know if the HB7's will fit my vintage modified jaguar sort scale?
I assume if they fit the vm Jazz they should fit the Jaguar(i assume they both use the same stock tuners) i would like to replace the tuners on my Vm Jaguar short scale and a set that drops straight in with no drilling, modification etc would be great

The tuners on the Jaguar SS are the same on pretty much all the other VM basses and the MiM and the American Special. So they should fit.

Are they faulty or is there something you don't like about them?

The Classic Vibe tuners (which, incidentally are manufactured by Ping Well) seem to have the same foot print, thereabouts as the ones on the VMs.

 

[MTN.bass72]

I'm glad I stumbled upon this thread, but don't want to read all 29 pages in hopes to find a quick answer.
I have a Squier VM Jazz, with the "Designed by" Seymour Duncan pups. Im not really digging the sound and looking to replace them.
I'm looking for a warm, well rounded, punchy tone, but still having some decent grunt and bite from the bridge pup. Hope this descriprion makes sense.
This will be my first mod project so any advice/ suggestion is greatly appreciated.
At a later date I'll replace the bridge with a Babicz full contact, and replace pots and caps as well. Thanks in advt

 

[Malak the Mad]

I'm glad I stumbled upon this thread, but don't want to read all 29 pages in hopes to find a quick answer.
I have a Squier VM Jazz, with the "Designed by" Seymour Duncan pups. Im not really digging the sound and looking to replace them.
I'm looking for a warm, well rounded, punchy tone, but still having some decent grunt and bite from the bridge pup. Hope this descriprion makes sense.
This will be my first mod project so any advice/ suggestion is greatly appreciated.
At a later date I'll replace the bridge with a Babicz full contact, and replace pots and caps as well. Thanks in advt

I have some Classic Vibe Jazz pickups for sale (shameless plug ahoy! ), but they're both neck-sized. You'd need to find a similar bridge-sized one to best compliment it. But don't take my word for it…ask anyone who owns a CV Jazz about the sound they get out of them.

If you want to take it a step further, and if you can find a set, I'd recommend the sadly/tragically-discontinued Fender Super 55's. They're pretty ballsy! Also, they're split-coils, so no pesky, 60-cycle hum.

On a related note for the entire thread, I just had some routing done to my Squier Standard Jazz. Specifically, I had the bridge-route enlarged a wee bit by my local and highly-talented Guitar Center tech. I'll post some pics to show everyone just how much needed to be taken off to fit a properly-sized bridge pickup. And what, might you ask, is going into it? Why, the aforementioned Super 55's, of course!

 

[nerkoids]

Buy one of Malak's neck pups, then get this one for the bridge:
Invalid Link Removed

The manufacturers who make both the Classic Vibe pups and the Guitar Fetish is the same: Artec. Unless you can find a set on Amazon or ebay, this bridge pup is the closest you will get to matching Malak's neck pup.

I have the VM 70s Jazz, and the pups in them are perfect. Loud, clear, deep, and with both pups dialed up, full and non-scooped, and from my experience, much meatier and mellower (yet clearer at the same time, if that makes sense, than the Duncan Designed ones) The neck pup alone has enough hotness to almost sound as punchy as a P (dial in the bridge one between 5-8, and you got something that is at least as loud and useable). I know Ebay and Amazon sell the pickups as a set.

 

[tomersg]

Buy one of Malak's neck pups, then get this one for the bridge:
Invalid Link Removed

The manufacturers who make both the Classic Vibe pups and the Guitar Fetish is the same: Artec. Unless you can find a set on Amazon or ebay, this bridge pup is the closest you will get to matching Malak's neck pup.

I have the VM 70s Jazz, and the pups in them are perfect. Loud, clear, deep, and with both pups dialed up, full and non-scooped, and from my experience, much meatier and mellower (yet clearer at the same time, if that makes sense, than the Duncan Designed ones) The neck pup alone has enough hotness to almost sound as punchy as a P (dial in the bridge one between 5-8, and you got something that is at least as loud and useable). I know Ebay and Amazon sell the pickups as a set.

how you know its all artec?

 

[MTN.bass72]

Buy one of Malak's neck pups, then get this one for the bridge:
Invalid Link Removed

The manufacturers who make both the Classic Vibe pups and the Guitar Fetish is the same: Artec. Unless you can find a set on Amazon or ebay, this bridge pup is the closest you will get to matching Malak's neck pup.

I have the VM 70s Jazz, and the pups in them are perfect. Loud, clear, deep, and with both pups dialed up, full and non-scooped, and from my experience, much meatier and mellower (yet clearer at the same time, if that makes sense, than the Duncan Designed ones) The neck pup alone has enough hotness to almost sound as punchy as a P (dial in the bridge one between 5-8, and you got something that is at least as loud and useable). I know Ebay and Amazon sell the pickups as a set.

Thank you for this, these look promising. If they can give me a sound similar to how you described your 70's VMJ, (I'm still kicking myself for not getting it instead) I'm sure I'll be plenty happy. Meaty was a great description, mine seem really thin, for lack of a better word. IME, turning to my bridge pup it gets a nice grunt but it's very tinny and harsh, unusable to me. The neck pup is OK, but still lacks the "meatiness" you mentioned, and seems almost muddy, no definition and clarity.

 

[MTN.bass72]

I have some Classic Vibe Jazz pickups for sale (shameless plug ahoy! ), but they're both neck-sized. You'd need to find a similar bridge-sized one to best compliment it. But don't take my word for it…ask anyone who owns a CV Jazz about the sound they get out of them.

If you want to take it a step further, and if you can find a set, I'd recommend the sadly/tragically-discontinued Fender Super 55's. They're pretty ballsy! Also, they're split-coils, so no pesky, 60-cycle hum.

On a related note for the entire thread, I just had some routing done to my Squier Standard Jazz. Specifically, I had the bridge-route enlarged a wee bit by my local and highly-talented Guitar Center tech. I'll post some pics to show everyone just how much needed to be taken off to fit a properly-sized bridge pickup. And what, might you ask, is going into it? Why, the aforementioned Super 55's, of course!

This may be a dumb question to some, but as I stated, this will be my First mod/project, so its a complete learning experience that I'm excited about... You said the neck and bridge pups are different sizes?? The actual pup, or the routed whole they drop into? And if you'd split the set, I may be interested in the neck pup you have ( per advice of nerkoid)... Also I'm hoping to find direct drop in components as I'm definitely not a woodworker unless very simple tasks.
Thanks for your time.

 

[96tbird]

Bridge pickup on the VM is longer than the neck; just like a real Fender.

 

[nerkoids]

how you know its all artec?

Poking around different forums, asking questions to websites like Guitar Fetish, TNT, Calig, Tonerider, Tonemonster, Warman (in the UK) they all get their pickups customized from Artec. Artec also sells their stuff to many Chinese and Korean guitar manufacturers in their guitars, usually referred to as the 'Korean upgrade'. There is another manufacturer in Korea that is a direct competitor that make the Kent Armstrongs (Sky, which companies like Reverend, Puresalem, and possibly D. Lakin get theirs from) that might also sell pickups of customized specs. They might be responsible for the Duncan Designed ones.

I originally assumed that the pickups in my VM were Artecs, but Cort does make their own too, so it could be theirs.

 

[NortyFiner]

My Squier VM P came with a Duncan Designed pickup. I guess they aren't using those anymore.

 

[Malak the Mad]

This may be a dumb question to some, but as I stated, this will be my First mod/project, so its a complete learning experience that I'm excited about... You said the neck and bridge pups are different sizes?? The actual pup, or the routed whole they drop into? And if you'd split the set, I may be interested in the neck pup you have ( per advice of nerkoid)... Also I'm hoping to find direct drop in components as I'm definitely not a woodworker unless very simple tasks.
Thanks for your time.

No problem, MTN, I love dumb questions live but to serve!

Before it was discontinued, the "Standard" series had many, little quirks that made their parts physically incompatible with those of other Fender/Squier models. (This is something I've written about extensively on this and other threads.) In this case, I'm referring to the routes for their single-coil pickups, both Jazzes and Precision Bass Specials. As a cost-cutting measure, they stuck with a single, neck-sized pickup for all their needs, even if it's in the bridge position. This has made upgrading pickups a bit of a headache.

I seriously loved the tone I got out of my previous Classic Vibe Jazz, more than most VM's I've tried out, in fact. So, to replicate that sound, I picked up a pair of neck-sized, CV-J pups and installed them into my Standard Jazz. By and large, it worked quite well!

However, at this point in time, I only have one Jazz bass in my possession…the Squier Standard…so, I've decided to do a number of serious mods upon it. The first step was to have the bridge-route enlarged to accommodate an as-yet-unused Fender Super 55 pickup set. Eventually, I'll be installing a new bridge (either an American Standard or BadAss II), pickguard (glossy B/W/B) and wiring harness/control plate with a three-way pickup selector switch. Basically, I plan on making it as kick-ass as possible!