Squier vintage modified 70s bass closed

Interesting... I was never a fan of the N3 pickups myself. Did you try the Deluxe with the preamp off, or on? I much preferred the Duncan Designed pups on my Squier VM Jazz, honestly. If you have one of the newer Squier models with Fender designed pups, are they really that bad?

 

What kind of tone are you looking for? There is already a huge thread on J style replacement pickups.
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/j-pickups-discussion-and-comparisons-part-ii.1024277/

 

I have a newer Squire VM V J with the Fender design pups. I really like the sound.
The problem with putting factory Fender parts on it is Fender will not sell them directly to you. You have to take your bass to an authorized service center.
They don't want people buying Squires and swapping out American parts. I know, because I contacted them and got a very nice email back stating this.

 

Not sure what you mean exactly by "factory Fender parts", because other than a few items that aren't for sale, you can buy tons of "factory" Fender accessories online, including the N3 Jazz pickups mentioned by the OP, which are the stock pickups on several models. Even Amazon carries those.

They don't really sell many "Squier parts and accessories", because there just isn't much of a market for those items when equivalent or better Fender parts are available. The primary exceptions are items with branding, like neck plates that say "Squier", in order to keep the aftermarket mods "brand-consistent."

The "Fender designed" pups in your Squier are still Squier pups, just "designed" by Fender.

 

Assuming there aren't any obvious issues which need a luthier's attention (raised or buzzing frets, sharp fret edges, bad nut, etc), if you want to "upgrade" it, here is what I would do in order:
1. Good strings & setup, 2. add RF noise shielding, 3. new pickups, and possibly 4. a preamp.

The last two are really a personal choice about what tone you're seeking. Over time I have gotten much more relaxed about "tone", because in the mix lots of the nuances of bass tone get lost anyway. I thought the DD pups in the VM Jazz were really pretty good, but if you don't, then by all means go for a swap! I have Ultra Jazz pickups in one bass, and they're also very good. They're not really single-coil clones; they're a bit EQ-scooped. Would be great for slap/funk, IMO.

I'm not really a fan of bridge upgrades unless you're having intonation problems or issues with string spacing. IMO, high-mass bridges are mostly a gimmick (I have two basses with them and don't think they make a bit of difference tone-wise). The whole "sustain" argument is overblown, IMO.

Lightweight tuners can save a few ounces if that matters to you, and they can have better turn ratios if your tuners have trouble holding stable tuning. I honestly don't think they make a bit of difference otherwise.

 

my friend ask me to upgrade his Squier VM '77, so i do changed here and there such as
- Basslines SJB-3 Quater-pound
- CTS pickup
- Wilkinson birdge w/ brass saddle
- Ernie Ball Strings 45
- full shielding
- fix the wiring and grounding

here it is the video sample, it may inspire you

 

Thanks for pointing out the obvious. What I mean by factory Fender parts is those items you by directly from Fender. I know you can buy after market parts, but you can't be sure they are exactly the same as those sold by Fender.
I did try to buy Fender American Standard pickups from Fender and they told me they would not sell them directly and I would have to take my instrument to an Authorized Fender Service Center for the parts. I never said anything about buying Squier parts. You seem confused.

 

You're the only one in this thread even mentioning "factory Fender parts"... the OP specifically mentioned N3 model pups, which Fender sells via retail channels. Do you have some specific information which indicates that the N3 model pups sold by Fender in retail channels are different from the N3 pups they install at the factory? If so, that would be relevant to the thread. Otherwise, you're making a big deal out of nothing.

 

He didn't say anything about purchasing them from anywhere. He said he tried an American Deluxe that had them and was wondering if he could put them in his Squier. I emailed Fender about purchasing American Standard pups and was told BY FENDER they do not sell American Standard parts to end users. They were available only through Fender authorized service centers. I was only offering the information I have. How is that making a big deal out of nothing? Perhaps it is you that is making a big deal out of it.
But, this does sort of piss me off at Fender that they will sell the N3 for the Deluxe, but not the ones for the Standard. I plan to contact them and ask why as well as confirm those in the basses they sell are the same as those they sell on line.

 

Okay, so I checked the Fender web site and the N3 they put in the American Deluxe is what you can buy from a retailer. I also see the American Standard pups are available now. This is what I said I had asked about, not Squire parts. Work on your reading comprehension. I tried to call them, but they are closed for the holidays.
I know about Fender Design. You post was pretty hostile and condescending. Before you start ragging on people, be sure you know what they said and what you are talking about.

 

Either the Fender representative misspoke (wouldn't be the first time) or you misunderstood. The current series of American Standard jazz basses come with "Custom Shop 60s" series pups, which are also available retail from virtually everywhere that sells accessories.

In general, Fender doesn't sell all of the parts from these instruments to the general public. But depending on the year, sometimes these models are advertised to include "upgraded" parts, which happen to be the same parts you have been able to purchase retail for years. Bridges, tuners, pickups, etc. It's part of the marketing strategy: i.e., no need to upgrade your pickups, they're already upgraded for you.

 

OP:
I have an older VM Jazz - the one with the Duncan Designed pick-ups.

I have been able to get a wide variety of sounds out of it by using various brands, style (rounds & flats) and gauges of strings.

Have you tried this?

 

I haven't "ragged" on anyone. If you feel slighted, it's because you're getting defensive.

My initial mis-read of your post was because I had no idea what you were suggesting, and thought you were suggesting that he should try to purchase the newer "Fender Designed" pups from the current Squier VM series. At that point in the thread, I had no idea that you didn't know about N3 pickups being available retail.

We all have bad information from time to time, and the reason we participate in this forum is to correct misunderstandings, like the idea that the OP can't buy current-gen AD pickups or that you can't buy AS pickups. No big deal.

 

OK, OP, first I'd check the link that Troph posted on the fourth post, then follow the link that is on the first post in that thread to the original thread. I waded through a lot of that first thread yesterday, a lot of good info in there. The second part is on my reading list too, although I haven't looked over it much yet.

 

Ok, thanks. Also, I have copied the text from the email I receieved from Fender. I am upset with them. Sorry if I got defensive. Perhaps I read too much into your posts. It sort of sounded like "Hey , dummy, you don't know what you're talking about.:

Happy New Year to you.

Here is the text:

Hi Dave,
The replacement parts are available through our Fender Warranty Centers, but are not available for sale aftermarket. So you can get replacement parts to fix your Fender basses if you take them to an Authorized Service Center, but they are not available for sale directly. I hope this helps out, if you have any additional questions please let me know!
Thanks
Elias Srouji
Consumer Relations Representative
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
17600 N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-596-7195
We now know this isn't exactly correct. So now I want to buy some American Standards for the Squier.