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Post subject: Squier MB-5 Pickguards?
Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 2:34 pm
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I recently picked up a Squier MB-5 and have been searching for a pickguard for it. Are there any out there? or am I going to have to be a little more creative with this.. Let me know what you guys think is my best bet out there.

This is what it looks like:
Image

Thanks guys.


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Post subject: Re: Squier MB-5 Pickguards?
Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 3:52 pm
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You're going to have to go with a total custom fabrication, since it didn't come with a factory stock pickguard. I remember those old Squiers. They didn't make them very long as they looked like even cheaper Rogues from Musician's Friend and may actually have been the same. Putting a pickguard on that bass will likely cost more than the bass is worth, but that's your call. Your best bet may be having a local luthier design; fabricate, and instal it. Good Luck!

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Post subject: Re: Squier MB-5 Pickguards?
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 1:53 pm
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Actually they were the last flicker of Heartfield Project instruments in mass production. They were based on the infamous Heartfield designs which have been sold under about 5 different brands now. (Heartfield, Heartfield By Fender, Fender, Fujigen and Squier.) The last I heard a few years ago Fujigen's Custom Shop would still make Heartfield based deluxe Elan-type Spanish electric guitars to custom order under their own Fujigen name in their Hirooka plant where the neck through Heartfields had been mass produced at one time. These one-off Fujigen Custom Shop Elan models are actually the very last whimper from the Heartfield project, but they are so pricey and rare that you'll probably never even see one in the USA. The bolt on Heartfield Japan models were made at Fujigen's Matsumoto factory.

When Fender stopped ordering the MB designs manufactured at Fujigen they moved the design, which was owned by FMIC as parent corporation of Heartfield, to Cort Indonesia and rebranded them to Squier. They had a very long run under all five brands. There were also Fender MB4's and MB5's prior to relegating the design to Indo Squier models. I wouldn't be surprised if the Indo Squier versions shared some hardware and electronics with Rogues which were also made by Cort Indonesia for a time, but the Squiers were based on the original Heartfield MB designs. Of course cheaper woods, hardware and electronics were used on the Squier versions along with cheaper finishing than on the Fujigen versions. It was a cheap bass, but better than most in the price class.

The original Heartfield design team that came up with the designs was comprised of some of the sharpest minds in the industry including George Blanda, Jay Black, Bruce Bolen, Larry Brooks, John Page, Dan Smith, Jack Shelton, Yasahiko Iwanade and Fujigen's top people such as Nick Sugimoto and numerous other industry luminaries such as Mark Wittenberg. Comparing Squier MB's to Rogues is so off the mark that I had to pipe up. No they are not "great" instruments, but they are no Rogue either.


Last edited by brotherdave on Thu Aug 07, 2014 1:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Squier MB-5 Pickguards?
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 1:58 pm
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As to the original question, it will be a custom job and probably cost more than the instrument unless you get a local to do it. Ed Roman Guitars in Las Vegas would gladly make you one, for about $250.

I'd just buy a blank and pay the labor locally. You'll have to design it yourself probably. You can start with a cardboard cutout and have it copied.

They really don't need a pickguard. They are superfluous on one of these.


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Post subject: Re: Squier MB-5 Pickguards?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 12:13 pm
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@brotherdave

The MB's headstock and body designs were later adopted for the 1st generation MIM Dimension series, except for the addition of a P/J setup, active 3-band EQ and a 2-octave pau ferro fretboard.

Image

(bass not mine).

Interesting is Fender's decision to not make a 6-string version with Zone humbuckers & a 3+3 tuner configuration and redesign the series in 2013....


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Post subject: Re: Squier MB-5 Pickguards?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 1:50 pm
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chromeface wrote:
@brotherdave

The MB's headstock and body designs were later adopted for the 1st generation MIM Dimension series, except for the addition of a P/J setup, active 3-band EQ and a 2-octave pau ferro fretboard.

Image

(bass not mine).

Interesting is Fender's decision to not make a 6-string version with Zone humbuckers & a 3+3 tuner configuration and redesign the series in 2013....


I think the Indonesian Squier MB models stayed in production long after the first generation MIM Dimensions were discontinued, especially the "SKULL & CROSSBONES" version. Cort Indonesia makes some very respectable instruments and all of the Squier MB's I've seen have "IC" serials which mean Indonesian made by Cort. I'd have no problem owning one of these Squiers. I'm fond of simplistic passive 34" scale P/J bass designs. The MIM Dimension version I'd probably shy away from because it is active. It would appear that the electronics from the MIM Dimension lead to what we now know as the active P-Bass Special. Another fine MIM instrument. If I needed another active I'd for sure consider a P-Bass Special, but it would have to be a FSR version because I don't like any of the body/pickguard color combinations offered stock.


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