Squier vintage modified 70s bass closed

[Troph]

So now I want to buy some American Standards for the Squier.

These are what's in the current American Standard Jazz:
http://www.bestbassgear.com/fender-custom-60s-jazz-bass-pickup-set.htm

These are what's in the current American Deluxe Jazz:
Invalid Link Removed

Interestingly, I could be wrong, but I believe the N3 pickups were at first only available on the factory American Deluxe bass; only years later were they made available aftermarket. The Custom Shop 60s pickups, on the other hand, have been available aftermarket for many years, and only in the last few years were included in the factory American Standard bass.

One other point: the American Deluxe has a preamp, so if you are comparing the sound you get out of the Deluxe N3 pickups to how they might sound in your Squier, make sure that the preamp is switched off.

 

[Troph]

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 too really enjoyed the DD pickups in my old Squier VM; in fact, I almost kept that bass just to keep the pickups around! I didn't like it much with flats, but with some nickel rounds, I thought it sounded fantastically funky.

However, they are not everyone's cup of tea, and I'd argue that everyone needs to try upgrading the pups in a bass at least once in their career. If it makes you happier with your instrument, I say go for it! You can always swap them back later if you change your mind.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

These are what's in the current American Standard Jazz:
http://www.bestbassgear.com/fender-custom-60s-jazz-bass-pickup-set.htm

These are what's in the current American Deluxe Jazz:
Invalid Link Removed

Interestingly, I could be wrong, but I believe the N3 pickups were at first only available on the factory American Deluxe bass; only years later were they made available aftermarket. The Custom Shop 60s pickups, on the other hand, have been available aftermarket for many years, and only in the last few years were included in the factory American Standard bass.

One other point: the American Deluxe has a preamp, so if you are comparing the sound you get out of the Deluxe N3 pickups to how they might sound in your Squier, make sure that the preamp is switched off.

I would not want the N3 for the Squire. I would want the Standard. Maybe the guy at Fender have.com bad info. The Squier sounds good now. I don't know if spending$160 would make that much of a difference.

 

[iiipopes]

Fender N3 pickups for sale aftermarket:

http://www.google.com/search?q=fend...o=u&sa=X&ei=pXulVIGmMcKuggS1nYJQ&ved=0CB8Qsxg

 

[khutch]

The parts that Fender will or will not sell direct to consumers varies with time. Invalid Link Removed

The N3 pickups do have a unique sound which some people like and many dislike. The Ultra Jazz pickups will sound more like the single coil pickups in the OP's Squier than the N3 pickups. However, a big part of the wide range of tones you get from the American Deluxe Jazz comes from the onboard three band preamp plus the passive mode with a passive tone control. If you want your Squier to have the tonal flexibility of the American Deluxe then you want to put in a preamp with a passive mode and a passive tone control. In my opinion you also want hum canceling pickups too, not for their tone but for their absence of hum. Either the Ultra Jazz or the N3 pickups would give you that. You might want to try a Squier Active Jazz which has single coil pickups to determine if you really prefer the N3 sound or the single coil sound which the Ultra Jazz pickups will get you close to.