To mod or to trade? (MIJ Squier content)

[the art guy]

(As some of you know) I am a big fan of '80s MIJ Squiers. I have a couple, and my main player is a Franken-P that combines a real '72 body with the neck from an '83 Squier Bullet. This is my favorite P neck of all time.

So I just picked up another Squier Bullet Bass for a steal. I'm trying to decide what to do now. I've been thinking of parting it out, keeping the neck and using it for a project, specifically a P bass with a fat humbucker (like the Tele bass ones). But in the interest of rounding out my stable a little more, I've also considered trying to trade this Bullet for some kind of semi-hollow (like an Eastwood Classic, or an older MIJ something). I could use the different tone in my band (but of course the mudbucker P would also give me a different usable tone).

Or, of course I could keep it as is. I know the value on these will go up slightly, but it's certainly never going to be like having something that old with Fender on the headstock.

Give me some opinions if you have nothing better to do.......thanks.

 

[BenGrim]

I vote to keep it as is for two reasons...

1. The price will probably go up a bit more than you think.

2. In 20+ years someone will but it and be really stoked to get a legendary 80s MIJ that is so stock and hasn't been parted out.

 

[MPica]

I vote to keep it as is for two reasons...

1. The price will probably go up a bit more than you think.

2. In 20+ years someone will but it and be really stoked to get a legendary 80s MIJ that is so stock and hasn't been parted out.

I agree with this to a certain extent. If resale value is something thats really important to you, I'd follow Ben's advice. You already like it as is, so why not keep it stock and rock it how it is. Then 20 years down the road, you'll be able to make a big profit.

That Franken-P you mentioned on the other hand, sounds like a good candidate for a nice humbucker

 

[the art guy]

Hmm....thanks for the opinions so far. Keeping it as is sure isn't a bad idea. I may not play it a whole lot right now, but it maybe worth hanging onto in order to preserve the trade value down the road.


On the other hand, I'm not really the patient type.

 

[MtDew]

Hmm....thanks for the opinions so far. Keeping it as is sure isn't a bad idea. I may not play it a whole lot right now, but it maybe worth hanging onto in order to preserve the trade value down the road.QUOTE]

I have a 78 MIJ Bullet Squire with the small stock pups that I am holding on to. I started to part it out, but I did not trust my skills to change the pups from the bullet to P-Bass style. I am glad know that I didn't. I have this one setting and waiting until the right time to sell or give it to my son (with the understanding that it should not be modified).

I got mine back in 96 and played it off and on until last year when I got a Squier Affinity Jazz Bass and a Squier MB5. I am currently playing the MB5 and modifying the Jazz bass. We will have to see how the Jazz will turn out.

 

[the art guy]

Hmm....thanks for the opinions so far. Keeping it as is sure isn't a bad idea. I may not play it a whole lot right now, but it maybe worth hanging onto in order to preserve the trade value down the road.QUOTE]

I have a 78 MIJ Bullet Squire with the small stock pups that I am holding on to. I started to part it out, but I did not trust my skills to change the pups from the bullet to P-Bass style. I am glad know that I didn't. I have this one setting and waiting until the right time to sell or give it to my son (with the understanding that it should not be modified).

I got mine back in 96 and played it off and on until last year when I got a Squier Affinity Jazz Bass and a Squier MB5. I am currently playing the MB5 and modifying the Jazz bass. We will have to see how the Jazz will turn out.

Thanks for the opinion. I wonder, though: not to nitpick, but I always thought the MIJ Squier Bullets were only made from about '82 to '84 or so. MIA "Fender" Bullets were done in the late '70s. At least that was my understanding - how sure are you about the date of yours?

 

[bassbully]

Man! Lucky!!! That bullet sounds sweet...can we get a pic?
Heres my 2cents. As you know I finally got my hands on a MIJ Squier and I am looking to get more. I also own a all original 73' mudbucker tele that i love. I understand your wants and needs for the bucker and for the type of music we both do the mud works.

But, I would vote to keep the bullet a player and not mod it with a bucker. You can go out and buy the newer Squier with a bucker if you are gassing for that tone. The vintage one's cost 2 grand or more now

 

[the art guy]

Man! Lucky!!! That bullet sounds sweet...can we get a pic?
Heres my 2cents. As you know I finally got my hands on a MIJ Squier and I am looking to get more. I also own a all original 73' mudbucker tele that i love. I understand your wants and needs for the bucker and for the type of music we both do the mud works.

But, I would vote to keep the bullet a player and not mod it with a bucker. You can go out and buy the newer Squier with a bucker if you are gassing for that tone. The vintage one's cost 2 grand or more now

Good point. Yeah, I should probably drop a couple hundred on the newer Tele Bass and use it for a while to see how I really like the sound. Really wish I would have grabbed an original Tele Bass back when I first was getting into vintage gear. Can't afford one now.

 

[the art guy]

Oh, and pics later. No camera here.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Dont worry about its future rare-ness , you dont keep a bass pristine worrying about who will own it when your gone . Do whatever you need to it to make it a useable tool in your hands. All my basses get modded and parts that are original i sell off, if the basses are collectables in the future mine wont be worth much.

 

[bassbully]

Thats a tough call. I dont even like to think mods to some basses that are over 25 years old or IMO "vintage " due to its is what it is...if you know what i mean. I want it to be what basses were back when they were made that way. The MIJ Squiers are getting harder to find and i couldnt touch mine. Its staying original and i enjoy them that way. My 73' tele..NO way i would mod it since its already worth a few bucks.