Squier SQ MIJ- worn frets...what would you do?

[DylanD]

I have Japanese squier 1983/84 P bass with frets that are low enough to not be able to take a dressing. The repair guys said there is slight twist in the neck which wouldn't be a big deal if there was enough life in the frets to work with to compensate.

I could spend $325 on a refret, but that would about double what I have into the bass.

Or I could buy a replacement neck, fender or otherwise...I'm not sure if i would have to then get some fret work done or if it would be a simple replace and play situation.

The bass isn't unplayable currently..it could just be more playable without the divots in the frets.

Any thoughts appreciated

 

[LowNloud1]

A replacement neck would eliminate the twist, practically give you a new bass and probably cost less than a refret. It would kill its pedigree unless you replaced it with an exact duplicate.. The only other option I would consider is to convert the present neck to a fretless.

They are worth something. I've seen them selling for around $500 in very good condition. A refret might allow you to recoop the money spent when you sell it.

Just my thoughts.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I'd get a new neck. Keep the original one if you want to sell the bass (and you keep the replacement neck for your next project). Less money - more bass.

 

[friskinator]

A friend of mine put an AllParts neck on his SQ when the original developed a twist. He also dropped a Lollar pickup into it, and it's now one of the best playing/sounding basses I've experienced.

 

[Gorn]

A replacement neck seems like the only reasonable course of action unless you have some kind of sentimental attachment to it.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

I just sold a near perfect sq neck in here so you can find them

 

[DylanD]

Some good input. I have no real attachment to the bass and it already has replaced pickups and bridge, so I'm more interested in having a nice playing p bass than keeping it original. It looks like bassparts resource has an allparts 60s style neck that would have similar specs to the original.

Are most replacement necks able to be installed+minor setup to get playing well.? or do some need fretwork? Reputable sources?

Thanks

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

If it has already been modded, swapping necks will not hurt the value. Even if a refret were less than a new neck, I would go with the new neck. A twisted neck, IHMO, is a fatal disease.

 

[Eilif]

New Neck.
There's no sense dumping $ into something like that neck. Japanese squires are nice, but they're not so nice or valuable as to be worth investing in a warped neck. Still, there is wisdom in sticking the bad neck in a closet in case values skyrocket and you decide to sell. If the values to go way up, a bass with a bad original neck might be worth more than a replacement good neck.

 

[mpdd]

my extremely clean sq neck is still attached to my bullet bass at future music in highland park north of LA fyi

 

[Gilmourisgod]

New neck, no brainer. A good chance to dress it up a little too, maybe blocked and bound? Measure the neck pocket carefully and go hunt for something that matches. Allparts frets usually pretty good, Warmouth better, but s lot more money. Mighty Mite a crapshoot, some good, some not so good.

 

[DylanD]

Here is an update: New neck installed...allparts with ebony fingerboard, hipshot HB2s, Detuner. Plays well! minimal setup. It's fatter than I'm used to on an electric bass...not a bad thing...it actual feels pretty good

 

[Eilif]

Looks nice.
Good to see a bass get a new lease on life.