MartyBRebelMC

I have modified a Squier 5 deluxe by putting Nordstrand pickups on it and latterly an East U retro preamp. Those two mods alone cost around £400 and as such I probably fall into the slightly bonkers category. I did find out a few things along the way though. The Squier deluxe is active out of the box and i replaced the pickups as the first upgrade. This didn't do a great deal to improve the tone however changing the preamp to the East U retro made an extraordinary difference, so if you have one of these basses I'd say the preamp is probably the weak link in it's tone although I haven't had a chance to try the original pickups with the East.

However I'm drifting of topic slightly, I think given the build quality of budget basses they are a great way of incrementally trying out high end parts that might otherwise only be available on very expensive instruments and as someone pointed out earlier you can take the bits off them and use in other instruments or sell on.

I recently tried some AB testing in a few shops between Squire jazzes (in particular the CV 60's jazz) and their Mexican and American counterparts, I'm looking for a jazz and having recently bought a second hand USA MM stingray and been amazed at how good it is I thought I'd better check out some American made Fenders and see if they are way ahead of their Chinese cousins.

I suspect other peoples ability and technique may well reveal differences that I as an only modestly able player was unable to, but I was hard pressed to tell the difference between the Squire and the American standard although in terms of build the fret finish was marginally better on the American basses neck. As for the mexican fenders...let's not go there! If you want a natural or transparent finish then the American made instruments are in a different league because of the wood used, otherwise I think the Squier basses are definitely worth sticking high end parts on.

Martin

you have a PM

is there any chance you might sell for cash, if so, how much would you be looking at?

ah well these basses don't stick around long and if it's to a friend that's not so bad.

this may seem an odd response but I recently tried to sell a 5 string version of this bass for £185 (didn't have as nice figuring as yours)...luckily I took it with me to a music shop and out of interest asked how much I'd get in part exchange on a new bass...in short I was given £250.00 trade and told they would sell it on at £370.00 (this is Andertons in Guildford). If you are buying new it might be worth checking out the trade in value as it may be more than you're asking here.

Otherwise bargain price for a great bass!

Good luck with your sale.

you have a PM

Mmmm very nice bass, i'd be very interested too if you weren't the other end of the country....never mind. Good luck with your sale.

blimey, that's inflation for you!

If the depreciation is a concern just buy secondhand then most of the fall in price has already happened. Since discovering this forum i don't think I'll ever buy another bass brand new - great bargains to be had and honest, pleasant people to deal with!

Interesting stuff, thanks for taking the time to record and post the clips Michael. My preference is for the ESP, but here's the thing - I agree with others that the MM sounds least impressive in this context, however, having recently started using a Stingray I have found that in the mix of a band the tone is wonderfull, probably because of the midrange hump. The problem often seems to be HiFi sounding bass EQ's are great when recorded but very difficult to hear when played with other instruments especially live, this has been my experience anyway. Which is your favourite live bass Michael?

darn it - this is just what I want, but you're the other end of the UK to me!

I bought this Stingray off Bubinga5 and it is quite simply the best bass I've ever owned and played...effortless to play, very comfortable and the tone is to die for. I now run the EQ on the amp flat and just plug in and play, the tone just cuts through the band mix and sounds wonderful (barring my playing of course).

I bought it because I've always hankered after a Musicman - just something about them (the bassplayer in a band I was in as a guitarist 25 yrs ago had one and always liked them since) so it wasn't anything as considered as what it might actually sound like! Therefore the fact that I've always wanted one combined with it sounding and playing great means this one is definitely a keeper, oh and its blue and sparkly too!

Cheers

Martin

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untill recently I had one of these and they are very good indeed, very usable pre amp and great build quality, good luck with your sale.

price drop bump, needs to go by Wednesday!

still available

midweek bump

lunchtime bump

Sunday roast bump

I'm in Basingstoke

[attachment=36279:P1030633.jpg][attachment=36280:P1030632.jpg][attachment=36281:P1030631.jpg][attach
ment=36282:P1030629.jpg][attachment=36283:P1030628.jpg]I have just bought another bass - so in accordance with the strict one in one out policy and the fact that it won't get a lot of use now, I am going to offer my Spector Legend 5 for sale. It was bought off a fellow basschatter and is in good condition barring a chip on the headstock and the usual signs of wear but nothing serious (I will post pics asap).

This is a 35inch scale and has a very good B, active electronics with spector Tone Pump preamp and EMG pickups. The Legend has the curved body and locking bridge, as I say I am selling because of a new purchase otherwise this would not be leaving me!

I am in hampshire and dont really want to post this, I can deliver or meet half way (within reason and perhaps cover my fuel) if collection is not possible.

NOW £165 (DROPPED FROM £185) THIS NEEDS TO GO IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND WILL NEED TO BE COLLECTED THIS WEEK.

Thanks for looking

Martin

Is this still for sale?

You have a PM

I have a 121p combo and use it with a 121 new York cab, it will go very loud and I would be surprised if it wasn't man enough for most applications. I wanted a compact rig that I could easily carry and store, this has proved perfect. I do find it useful to set it up close to a wall for some boundary reinforcement of the low end as you won't get the same efficiency from such small cabs as say a couple of large enclosures, but it is very impressive and I don't think I've ever turned it up beyond 11 o'clock.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='600818' date='Sep 16 2009, 10:22 PM']This is a really individual looking bass. Lovely! [/quote]

thanks, I'm really pleased with how it has turned out - the inspiration for the pickguard shape was the Steve Bailey Fender Jazz.

Just saw this thread and thought I'd add my recently modified Squier Deluxe Jazz V.

[attachment=32886:P1020946.jpg][attachment=32885:P1020948.jpg]

It has:- Hipshot string retainer (on refinished headstock), Nordstrand NJ5S pickups, John East U retro deluxe preamp and a homemade black pearl pickguard.

Sounds great to my ears... and if I could play it better - probably to others ears as well.

Mart