Same here. Hated Chromes until I put them on my Squier VMP5 now I love them.
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Unexpected NBD: Squier Classic Vibe 60's Precision Bass
- Thread starter primal
- Start date
Same here. Hated Chromes until I put them on my Squier VMP5 now I love them.
Nordstrand, Lollar, Geezers or others will be an improvement for sure but don't be surprised if it's not all that much.
I put the EMG Geezer's in my Matt Freeman (pretty much the same bass as the 60's CV) and it sounds great, currently have LaBella White Gold Tapes on it. Changed the pick guard from black (on black) to a Fender gold anodised aluminium. Has an interesting texture/feel but now the bass looks like a Classic 50's P! I reckon the gold would work on the fiesta red too 
I traded for one just like that 2 years ago. Upgraded the bridge and installed SD1/4 lb pickups and LaBella Black Nylon tapes and it was killer. I don't play 4 string any more so I gifted it to a young girl on our Praise Team and she also plays in her college jazz band. The joy it has brought her is worth more than the few hundred I could have sold it for.
Had I played 4 I'd still have it.
Had I played 4 I'd still have it.
I'm a big fan of DiMarzio products, but many of the pickups run quite hot and wouldn't be my first pick if I was going for a vintage sound. The Split P could probably pull it off though, if memory serves.
I have two Will Powers in my stereo Precision, and the output clips *very* easily into my Apogee Jam. I have to turn the gain all the way down and play lightly or it's fuzz-city. This is exactly what I want out of this particular bass though. Sounds great through my stereo rig.
When upgrading pickups, it pays to do your homework and take your time. Having to sift through todays glut of high quality and affordable upgrades is a fantastic problem to have.
That CV is a beauty and will serve you well. We're going to look back on the Squiers of this era the way we look back on 80's Japanese Fenders. They are excellent instruments at a very reasonable price point. Makes sense that they will go the way of the Dodo.
Yeah, that's a beautiful pickguard and perfectly compliments the bass. Care to share your source?
i put a Fralin in mine but eventually went back to stock.
Another good option in my opinion is the Fender Original precision pickup, they can be found for under $50 which is a good deal on a vintage spec pickup. It'd sound great in this bass. That or the newer Fender 63.
Check this out, I put a vintage threaded saddle on mine, which i think goes much better on a 60s style bass than the high mass
New 2014 Squier Classic Vibe basses
Another good option in my opinion is the Fender Original precision pickup, they can be found for under $50 which is a good deal on a vintage spec pickup. It'd sound great in this bass. That or the newer Fender 63.
Check this out, I put a vintage threaded saddle on mine, which i think goes much better on a 60s style bass than the high mass
New 2014 Squier Classic Vibe basses
I bought the pick guard from WD. The design is called Black Abalone. It is my favorite combination with Sonic Blue. I had to have one custom made for my Super P, because unfortunately, Dingwall does not offer it as an option. 
Sorry for the abalone/sonic blue hijack!
Sorry for the abalone/sonic blue hijack!
I put the EMG Geezer's in my Matt Freeman (pretty much the same bass as the 60's CV) and it sounds great, currently have LaBella White Gold Tapes on it. Changed the pick guard from black (on black) to a Fender gold anodised aluminium. Has an interesting texture/feel but now the bass looks like a Classic 50's P! I reckon the gold would work on the fiesta red too
Got bored and decided one night to do something with mine as well.End result: Aguilar AG-4P-60, new red pearl pickguard, completely new electronics, set of D'Addario Chromes 45-100.
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End result: Aguilar AG-4P-60, new red pearl pickguard, completly new electronics, set of D'Addario Chromes 45-100.
That's a classy creamsicle, dude.
The bass in my avatar began its life as one of these! The original "faux" tort guard is pretty bad, but the Fender replacement guards are a drop-in (despite some contrary info that the screw holes don't line up).
And if you want classic tone, drop flats on that sucker! They sound wonderful!
I went for the Fender 62-spec pickups (used in the 62 AVRI), and they sound great. But, obviously, I was going for the vintage route (Pino tribute, to be precise), so my recommendations may not be what you're looking for.
That's a classy creamsicle, dude.
Thx! Even my guitarist GF really likes it. And she's pretty fussy when it comes to the look of an instrument. Her's especially.
I wanted something different looking than the usual tort this time out. The picture is lousy since you really can't see the dark ruby red color of the pickguard very well. But I like the new look a lot more. And the sound is noticeably different - definitely less aggressive and more vintage-y than the original. But it packs some serious punch with the Aguilar pup and those flats, that's for sure.
And since I kept the pups and fully loaded pickguard intact, I can always switch it back to factory original if I ever change my mind. All I'd need to do is resolder the ground wires and screw everything back in.
Best part about it was I already had everything I needed in my ever changing parts collection - so I didn't need to recycle anything off the original, or go out and buy anything additional to do it. (I usually just grab stuff when I find a really good buy and figure out what to do with it later.) I'm also really glad I finally did find something to do with that Aguilar that's been sitting in a box just waiting to be installed in something. It's one of my favorite pickups for a split-PB routed body. Highly recommended.
P.S. I see you're using the LaBella gold nylons. If you get a chance to try the Copperwound White Nylons, give those a try too. I put a set on a VM Jag Special and it's a really nice combination. Really complex mids - but smooth and creamy. Great strings. The first tapewounds I ever really liked.
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Put some Geezer Butlers and flats on it and you'll want to return the Carvin...
I have the Matt Freeman and it uses the 13-hole arrangement. I'm guessing since the Freeman signature is in the CV family, yours should be the same. I installed in a 3rd party pickguard listed as being for a 13 hole Fender PB on mine and everything lined up perfectly.
+1 on the vintage pearloid. I'd go with flats too, although all this stuff is just personal preference and taste. What I like, you may not, and vice versa.
I tried a set of flats today and can't say I enjoyed it. They were an old set from a previous bass, no idea the brand. Might try some Chromes at some point since they have a good reputation. Not really looking for that super vintage sound anyway, just a good solid P bass tone.
I love tort guards, but not on that bass. Mint gets my vote. And +1 to the fender 62 pups. Hope it serves you well for many years to come.
