Tricked Out Squier Club Part 3

[gustobassman]

what's wrong with the ones on it?

they are 1/2 inch standard fender tuners (mim, hwy 1). you could go with hipshot ultralites, thats what im getting.

They seem really loose. Just not very "solid" feeling.

1/2" standard fender tuners.. cool. The Hwy 1 was never a 5-string model with a 4+1 headstock, or was it? I can't remember Fender doing that. I'd have to get 4+1 tuner set for this right? 5 inline would or would not work?

 

[Gord_oh]

They seem really loose. Just not very "solid" feeling.

1/2" standard fender tuners.. cool. The Hwy 1 was never a 5-string model with a 4+1 headstock, or was it? I can't remember Fender doing that. I'd have to get 4+1 tuner set for this right? 5 inline would or would not work?

inline tuners are smaller. there isnt a 5 string hwy1, but the tuners are the right size. hipshot makes a direct replacement or for a few bucks more per tuner you can go to hipshot ultralites.

 

[gustobassman]

inline tuners are smaller. there isnt a 5 string hwy1, but the tuners are the right size. hipshot makes a direct replacement or for a few bucks more per tuner you can go to hipshot ultralites.

OK, cool. I wasn't sure if i needed a "right hand side" tuner or if i could just throw another Hwy 1 on the +1 side of the headstock.

I'll keep the ultralites in mind for sure.

 

[Southway]

OK, cool. I wasn't sure if i needed a "right hand side" tuner or if i could just throw another Hwy 1 on the +1 side of the headstock.

I'll keep the ultralites in mind for sure.

You could probably just flip one and drill new holes depending on how it looks. However, the Hwy 1's may be reversible like at least some Squires are.

 

[Gord_oh]

You could probably just flip one and drill new holes depending on how it looks. However, the Hwy 1's may be reversible like at least some Squires are.

they are. unscrew the gear, flip the tuner, and put it back together.

 

[gustobassman]

So i did some research on the Squier i bought and i was way off on the dating. It's actually from 2000 (Ser # starts with IC00), and it STILL HAS PLASTIC ON THE PICKGUARD. This thing has not been played at all! I've got ideas for pickups... oh yeah... its on!!

 

[Batmensch]

Nice Avatar, gusto. I forget, is that Lightning?

 

[FourtyOneHz]

Here's my entry to the club...

I have a 2002 20th Anniversary Squier P Bass that I did some work on last weekend. I installed a Fender Original pickup, replaced the pots from the unmarked ones that were in it to CTS (I also put on the Fender P Bass knobs) and put in a Switchcraft jack. I also decided to have a bit of fun with a mod, so I put in a switch that would let me select between .1uf and .047uf capacitors.

Since I'm sure you all know what a black Squier with a white pickguard looks like, I'll include some more interesting pictures.

The pots/caps/switch wired and ready to be put back in:

A picture of the switch mounted on the pickguard:

With the upgrades the bass now sounds amazing!

I have one question though... Since the pickguard has 13 holes, will a regular 13 hole P Bass pickguard fit? The plastic is very flimsy and flexes when I take the cord out from the jack so sooner or later (probably sooner) the pickguard is going to break. A white or red pearl pickguard would look great!

 

[sgtpepper]

Here's my entry to the club...

I have a 2002 20th Anniversary Squier P Bass that I did some work on last weekend. I installed a Fender Original pickup, replaced the pots from the unmarked ones that were in it to CTS (I also put on the Fender P Bass knobs) and put in a Switchcraft jack. I also decided to have a bit of fun with a mod, so I put in a switch that would let me select between .1uf and .047uf capacitors.

Since I'm sure you all know what a black Squier with a white pickguard looks like, I'll include some more interesting pictures.

The pots/caps/switch wired and ready to be put back in:

A picture of the switch mounted on the pickguard:

With the upgrades the bass now sounds amazing!

I have one question though... Since the pickguard has 13 holes, will a regular 13 hole P Bass pickguard fit? The plastic is very flimsy and flexes when I take the cord out from the jack so sooner or later (probably sooner) the pickguard is going to break. A white or red pearl pickguard would look great!

Thats a great job! But I would say you go with a tort pickguard. It'd look amazing!

 

[wraub]

I put a 13 hole anodised gold guard on my Squier P. Works and looks great, pretty much indestructible.

wraub

 

[Mykk]

Update to my VMJ-5, added a Bass Mods active pre. Sounds great, exactly what this bass needed. Please excuse my lack of wood working craftsmanship. I only had a drill, needle nose pliers and a set of hobby blades & chisels.

 

[FourtyOneHz]

Thats a great job! But I would say you go with a tort pickguard. It'd look amazing!

Thanks! I agree on the tort pickguard (I'd love a red tort), but I am unfortunately unable to source one over the net from Canada, where I am. All of the places I've been that have them are from the US, and they all ship UPS which makes it prohibitively expensive. With what UPS charges for clearing customs and collecting the sales tax the cost of shipping would exceed the cost of the item.

I'm going to go to the shop where I get everything on the weekend and see what they have to offer, but I'm probably stuck with Fender branded stuff if I want to do it at a reasonable price.

 

[FourtyOneHz]

I put a 13 hole anodised gold guard on my Squier P. Works and looks great, pretty much indestructible.

wraub

Thanks - it's nice to know that it will fit.

 

[rust_preacher]

Update to my VMJ-5, added a Bass Mods active pre. Sounds great, exactly what this bass needed. Please excuse my lack of wood working craftsmanship. I only had a drill, needle nose pliers and a set of hobby blades & chisels.

Nobody's going to look under the pickguard unless you have a tech to change batteries for you. Great job!

 

[Cney]

How are the basslines compared to the duncan designed?

I am still doubting if i want to make my VMJ 4 active.
And changing out the PU's.

the Babicz bridge however is a mod i did aswell...
i like it. looks and sound of it.
makes the bass look modern and tough

 

[Cney]

Ok While i'm here anyway.

Let's see if i already qualify for the tricked out Squier division.

Squier VMJ 70 4 string:

• Babicz bridge
• CTS 500K linear Pots allround
• Sprague Orange Drop Cap
• Switchcraft Jack
• Black mini toggle switch on-on DPDT for Series Parallel
• New wires and wiring (see pics)
• Control cavity copper taped Shielding
• Classic black Jazz Bass Knobs

I first had an Alpha push pull DPDT 250K audio Pot and retrofitted the rest with 250K CTS pots. but i wanted to switch back to 500K Pots because of the sound and wanted all linear CTS pots.
So i went for the toggle switch which would change the look.
But i liked the idea of a switch that would give the mod away.

I reversed one of the pots to fit the switch and had to take off a little with my my dremel.

I think it looks quite awesome with the knobs and the switch in black.

But you guys tell me what you think, i can take it .

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[Thir13teen]

Anybody else have a Squier j bass but with a modulus neck and EMG or Delano pickups?

 

[Mykk]

How are the basslines compared to the duncan designed?

I prefer the Quarter Pounders to the Squier Duncan Designs. However, I like a modern, thick and low end heavy tone. Adding the active pre made the most difference. It cleaned up those mids and added a bit of 'sparkle' to the high end with thick lows

 

[Gord_oh]

sneak peak

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

sneak peak

Impressive that the pickup opening could be cut that close to the edge of the pickguard without that sliver breaking off.

It's going to be interesting to see how the routing in the body ends up and whether it's exposed or not.