• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

What should I do with this Bass?

Replaced the neck on one of my SX basses
pa6sloy3h8.jpg



Changed the pups out for Fender supper 55's
v05jmhspni8iv7ljuungrsa83zxsdnhl.jpg


It this point I've decided I can now name it something else....
saiou8hcr1r3zpbi6oiq8fsse4j685lh.jpg


:D
That is gorgeous! Love the colour and pickup choice
 
I can't tell if it's a Fender or Squier neck but looks like it says jazz bass. Pots look like Alpha so guessing import Squier model. The sunburst looks great vs. the pink - nice one! I'd play it as is and if not, it's a cheap parts bass that could get you maybe $150 on CList. Not sure about neck plate. Haven't seen a Squier date stamp look like that either.

As a Squier aficionado, I like to take them, install USA/boutique PU's, CTS pots, upgrade the jack and usually the tuner/bridge, to make sweet player guitars for half the price of MIM's and that sound and play better......
 
  • Like
Reactions: RyanHallAudio
I can't tell if it's a Fender or Squier neck but looks like it says jazz bass. Pots look like Alpha so guessing import Squier model. The sunburst looks great vs. the pink - nice one! I'd play it as is and if not, it's a cheap parts bass that could get you maybe $150 on CList. Not sure about neck plate. Haven't seen a Squier date stamp look like that either.

As a Squier aficionado, I like to take them, install USA/boutique PU's, CTS pots, upgrade the jack and usually the tuner/bridge, to make sweet player guitars for half the price of MIM's and that sound and play better......
Yes this is my plan!

I’ve done this with a squier strat guitar already, and I love how it plays now.

gonna give the neck a deep clean because it really needs it, I’ve polished the frets already.

Already got a pack of strings so the next test is the neck’s durability! In the end I’m after something that will track rock/punk bass well so if the neck holds, hardware and pickup swap will be the next move!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lo-E
I can't tell if it's a Fender or Squier neck but looks like it says jazz bass. Pots look like Alpha so guessing import Squier model. The sunburst looks great vs. the pink - nice one! I'd play it as is and if not, it's a cheap parts bass that could get you maybe $150 on CList. Not sure about neck plate. Haven't seen a Squier date stamp look like that either.

As a Squier aficionado, I like to take them, install USA/boutique PU's, CTS pots, upgrade the jack and usually the tuner/bridge, to make sweet player guitars for half the price of MIM's and that sound and play better......
I’m also thinking it’s maybe an aftermarket neck? It’s got 21 frets and no truss screw at the neck heel, definitely a bit different to the necks I’ve been searching from around 1997 hmm
 
I’m also thinking it’s maybe an aftermarket neck? It’s got 21 frets and no truss screw at the neck heel, definitely a bit different to the necks I’ve been searching from around 1997 hmm
I have a 1999 Squier (China) P bass that has a truss rod on top (not on the heel). I broke the neck trying to drill out the tuner holes. They were the smaller holes with rectangular lug casings and I wanted traditional tuners, but when drilling out the G hole, it took a chunk out of the headstock and that neck is likely toast, although it was a great feeling neck. I ended up buying an aftermarket generic J bass inlay neck that someone here had relic-ed, added a bone nut and refretted and it fit perfectly.........and looks and plays great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RyanHallAudio
Soldered and mostly put back together, circuit works fine and I’ve got some cheap tuners arriving tomorrow. I doubt they’re as good as the £160 fender vintage ones, but they’re a 24:1 ratio and they’re in the same style as the stock ones that were first on it.

Thanks for following along! I remembered that when I was handed this bass it was tuned up to standard but the strings were so old they’d rusted and turned black 😂 I’ll come back at some point and post some sound clips when I get the chance, and reply in this thread.

Cheers, really appreciate the help 🎸
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5203.jpeg
    IMG_5203.jpeg
    937.6 KB · Views: 6
  • IMG_5196.jpeg
    IMG_5196.jpeg
    1 MB · Views: 6
  • IMG_5190.jpeg
    IMG_5190.jpeg
    986.1 KB · Views: 6
In other threads I’ve seen that gel based solutions work really well on this kind of thing. Don’t worry, that’s not dish soap 😂

It’s scratched to all hell but I don’t mind that, they’ve tried to sand/scratch the original finish off before painting it but that didn’t go to plan by the looks of it!

I’m not a pro on finishes, but that looks a bit red and is telling me it might be a no-name fake? The neck is still a weird one to me so I’ll have a go at sanding the headstock
Now that I see the sunburst, I think you're on your way. As someone said, get the tuning machines fixed up, put it back together and play the hell out of it. No big deal that it was scratched up by the previous owner that painted it pink. It's got its own mojo and story and it's yours to play
 
  • Like
Reactions: RyanHallAudio