Squier p bass face lift

[BoxcarBob]

So I have has this affinity series p bass for years now and I'm finally getting the itch to upgrade it. I'm thinking maple on maple neck, gfs hip shot clone bridge,metal pickup cover, and new pick ups. Any suggestions on what else I should do with it?

[teletwang67]

Originally Posted by BoxcarBob

Any suggestions on what else I should do with it?

Sell it and buy a better bass. Trust me, buying all those new parts for a cheap guitar or bass isn't worth the money. It might not be as fun, but just sell it and buy a Classic Vibe or something.

[Rich_S]

Yeah, I think if you're talking about replacing the neck on an Affinity, it's more than just upgrades; you're well into "my grandfather's hammer" territory. Pickup and hardware, okay, but you're basically changing everything but the body.

If it does the job for you, play it as -is, or do a little tweak or two. If you want/need better, move up to a CV or used MIM, and pass the Affinity on.

[studio1087]

I would worry about putting a $200 neck on a $140 bass. I appreciate the enthusiasm but most of the Affinity guitars have a lower grade agathis body and you could pour a lot of money into improving something that was designed for beginners.....perhaps not the best foundation for improvement.

Just to make an example.....these cost $299 new or $250 with a typical coupon.



Maybe think about putting the money into a new Classic Vibe model or used Mexi.

Have fun either way.

[Skully]

I would worry about putting a $200 neck on a $140 bass. I appreciate the enthusiasm but most of the Affinity guitars have a lower grade agathis body and you could pour a lot of money into improving something that was designed for beginners.

There's nothing wrong with an Affinity bass, as is. Plays well + sounds good = is good. Who gives a damn if its body is agathis or plywood? That said, I wouldn't pour money into expensive upgrades. If I wanted to spend some money on a bass, I'd buy another one.

[ThreePlyGuy]

Great playing used basses abound, as you are ready for some tinkering anyway, pick up a Vibe or mim or whatever and go for it. I concur, the Affinity does what it is intended for and now you are ready to move up. Good on you.

[Old Has Been]

I pretty much agree with the above posts.

However, that being said, there are some guys who have the unquenchable desire just to tinker with guitars. It doesn't matter to them how much the guitar is worth. It could be a piece of plywood junk. They are willing to pour money into it in order to fix it up to suit their whims. The project itself is fun for them. Remember, though, if you ever want to sell your fixed-up Affinity, chances are you will never get your investment back. People will give you the value of a used Affinity, no matter how fancy your upgrades are. Like the old saying...it's like putting lipstick on a pig. No matter what you do, it's still a pig. (Nothing against the Affinity...just an old saying.)

If you want to fix it up, just for the sake of it being a fun project...go for it. But if you're doing it in order to get a better bass, you'll undoubtedly be better off by putting your money elsewhere. Just my opinion.

[Thinlineggman]

Do a parts build and make it everything that you want in a bass without throwing money at a plywood body. It'll cost as much as a new bass, but It'll be everything that you want right off the bat, instead of having to upgrade stuff. My parts P is a great instrument and I ended up spending less than $300 on it.

Affinity basses are good for what they are, but not worth the cost of going crazy with upgrades. Might as well just buy a body while you're buying new hardware, electronics and a neck.

[BoxcarBob]

All truth be told I recieved this bass as a graduation present from high school. I really don't want to part with it.

[5595bassman]

Originally Posted by BoxcarBob

All truth be told I recieved this bass as a graduation present from high school. I really don't want to part with it.

Then keep it as it is! And for around the same money you are ready to put on it you will find a better one used or new as said above by many.

I know I went this way a long time ago when we did not have as much choice as we have now. Squier CV or used Fender MIM are easy to find unless you are looking for a very specific finish.

Have look at this : http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/msg/3478123556.html

[voided3]

As said, don't invest too much in it and don't fix what isn't broken. A new bone or TUSQ nut and a bit of fret dressing may make it better than you ever thought possible from a playability standpoint. Also, a $15 investment in a set of CTS pots, an Orange Drop cap, and a Switchcraft jack can bring the stock pickup to life. If you have some rattle issues with the bridge, a little Locktite can fix that, though I like Gotoh's bass bridges (either the vintage or high mass one; I use both). And don't overlook strings, too. Experiment a bit to find what works.

[gagidlof]

If you want to upgrade it? I say go for it. It will never be worth more than a Squier but that's not why we have them is it. Not for what they are worth but how they play and if we enjoy them.

Here is a Squier P bass I did some tweaks to for a friend:


The great thing about a Squier is you have a platform that you can do anything with and not worry that you are hurting some collector value. If you love it, then make it what you want.

[Matthias]

Unless it's a small, reversible change, mod something you aren't attached to. The amount that you're looking to change there, you might as well be parting out an instrument with sentimental value. It's your guitar, though...

[BobHolland]

If you just keep replacing the parts & saving the used parts you will eventually have two basses.

[MrTwang]

You could look at it a a gradual partscaster build - start off with a new neck, upgrade the hardware as you can afford it, eventually get a really nice body. At that point (as someone else pointed out) you can re-assemble the original bass as a spare or pass it on to someone else (or start on the road to bass 3).

BTW, if you are changing the neck, at least try out a Jazz bass neck to see if you like it - a Jazz neck on a Precision body is very cool.