It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 1:41 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 24 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 12:39 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 2:43 pm
Posts: 670
I just finished modifying my new Squier Vintage Modified V. I couldn't have done it without a couple of friends and brotherdave's help. Even though I have played bass for approx 34 years the only thing I have ever done is change strings and do a set up.

Via private messages brotherdave guided me in selecting the parts I would need and also in proper sheilding techniques. He is a big reason this forum is as great as it is. His patience and willingness to share his knowledge in order to help total strangers goes way beyond what I expect anyone to do on any forum.

The modifications turned out great. I really like the sound I'm getting. It's clean, punchy, has a little snap to it with plenty of bottom end. The bass doesn't match up to my FCS Jazz, but I don't think you can find a better 5 string bass for the money I have in this one, approx $450.00.

So a big THANK YOU brotherdave.

Here's some pics;

Parts: Seymour Duncan Quater Pound pups - Copper shielding material - Spraque Vitiman Q .047 200v capacitor - CTS pots, switchcraft jack and wire.(new knobs too since the original pots were smaller)
Image

Bass before mods.
Image

Original wireing.
Image

Shielding
Image

New wireing. (notice I shielded the control plate without thinking. brotherdave told me it didn't need it since it is made of metal :roll: )
Image

Completed bass.
ImageImage

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:34 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
Gorgeous!

We kindly hope seeing your baby in action, post a video if possible.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:20 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:35 pm
Posts: 1212
Location: No way
Nice bass , nice work , nice post ! I've got a feeling that Brother Dave knows his bass..(and others :D ) I've also had the pleasure of reading several of his postings . Even a couple of direct answers to me. Very useful . So I join the ''thanks-a-lot'' -choir!

_________________
ImageA-man


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 9:11 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 2:43 pm
Posts: 670
Thanks chromeface. These Squire basses are surprisingly nice. Easy to play and they don't sound bad with the stock pups. I just wanted a fuller sound than what I was getting out of it. We are currently in the begining stages of recording a CD. Maybe we can do a video on a few of the songs. Should work out since we are not going in the studio, but we've decided to record live. I'll see what I can do about that.

Thanks to you too asgeirman. I have also followed brotherdave's post since joinning the forum. The man knows his stuff for sure.

I am a brotherdave fan. :mrgreen:

I wonder if they make brotherdave fan t-shirts?? :wink:

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 8:28 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:33 am
Posts: 4583
Location: North of Pittsburgh
Looks great! you're right in saying brotherdave is a sage, a guru, the king of the low end. :D :lol: :lol: :lol:

While this bass will never be a CS, you've still got a nicer bass than most on here.

Enjoy!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:32 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 2:43 pm
Posts: 670
Played the Squier at our gig tonight. Sounded really good. I had alot of fun playing it.

Anyone interested in an inexpensive bass, well you can't go wrong with a Squier Vintage Modified. Excellent bass for the money.

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:49 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
So you have now two great-sounding Jazz Basses fitted with a set of quarter pounders.

Not sure if you plan installing active electronics on the VM to match your CS axe.

Personally I recommend keeping the electronics from the VM stock - unless you decide to install an active 3-band EQ later.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:14 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
You're welcome! To quote George Formby, "It turned out nice again!"

You did shield the back of the pickguard? Figured you did, but you didn't show a photo of it. Also you grounded each cavity shield I'm sure.

I don't know that I would have swapped the pots and knobs unless the pots were giving problems. It is OK to swap them, but there is not really a tonal benefit in this added expense. There is usually a hidden extra expense because it usually requires new knobs also, as was the case with this one.

The stock pickups on these are Seymour Duncan Designed which are not exactly as good as the Seymour Duncan USA ones or as sensitive as the Quarter-Pounders but still better than any other Asian Jazz pickups including Fender Japan's standard issue pickup.

I explained in a private message you will never recover expenses in an upgrade of this type in a sale or trade-in and you should only do electronic upgrades like this if you plan to keep the instrument indefinitely. The exception is the shielding which is very inexpensive, just time consuming, and can be a real benefit on any single unshielded single coil instrument even if you change nothing else.

The second change I'd recommend on them is the tone cap. Change it to something that gives the character you want. In this case he went with the USA Sprague Vitamin-Q which is the lowest distortion option.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 2:11 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 2:43 pm
Posts: 670
See....I told you brotherdave knows his stuff!

I didn't include all the info I should have. I faild to mention that I did fully shield the pickguard;
Image

I did ground each cavity. I also want to mention that I placed a small solder spot at each seam of the copper shielding and checked it all to ensure everything was properly grounded. A nice bit of advice that brotherdave shared with me.

I should also mention that the Squier VM V is a perfectly fine bass as it is.....stock. I guess I'm a little picky/spoiled because of the FCS I own. I decided to just go ahead and replace all while I was at it. I know it was overkill, but now I know exactly what's in there. This is a bass I do plan on keeping.

I don't believe that the mods I did are necessary, just something that i wanted to do. So if you are considering one of these, don't let what I have done hold you back.

Oh yeah chromeface. I'm done with the mods. This bass will stay passive.

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 1:21 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 2:43 pm
Posts: 670
I just replaced the bar string guide with 2 round string guides. I consider this a repair more than a mod since the factory installed the bar crooked.
I like the way it turned out. I'll fill the holes from the bar guide with some light wood filler. Souldn't be able to notice unless you're up close.

Before
Image

After
Image

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 5:30 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
Did you plan to install a "stealth" (StrongArm) bar for the low B string?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:52 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 2:43 pm
Posts: 670
Probably not. I got the idea of the 2 round string guides from the American Standard Precision 5 String. The B is a little floppy, but it's not too bad.
It's an idea I'll keep in mind though. Thanks.

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:46 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
With the stealth string bar you can get rid of that floppiness.

The dual round string guides are also present on the MIM Standard, Deluxe and MIM Standard Jazzes.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:18 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 2:43 pm
Posts: 670
chromeface wrote:
Gorgeous!

We kindly hope seeing your baby in action, post a video if possible.

OK. Just remember.....you asked for it!
Here's a couple of recordings using a Zoom handheld recorder, so please forgive the poor quality.
Our light man leaving the lights on blue doesn't help.......long story.
The best thing about the video is you can see how we cut up on stage...get each other laughing....love playin' with these guys.
Anyway it'll give you a small taste of what the bass sounds like. Enjoy. :mrgreen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXgTSIgmNi4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIBI9hkgeec

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Thanks brotherdave
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:18 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:48 am
Posts: 732
Location: SW Oklahoma
Yay brotherdave! He most definitely knows his bass from a hole in the ground! :lol:

I have learned a tremendous amount from his posts and his web site.

Thanks brotherdave!

_________________
Old age and treachery will win every time over youth and enthusiasm.

"You can never have too many Tele's." A quote from my Sweetwater Sales Engineer


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 24 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: