tangodown87 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 hi all. was just looking for some advice, thinking of upgrading the pickups and bridge on this squier p bass i picked up last year. I was thinking of changing the pickups as ive heard good things about the wizard pickups. i play mostly with a pick and i go for a nice bright "trebeley"(if thats the word) tone but with some deep bass power behind it. however, i am not too technically minded and have no idea what im doing, is this going to be difficult for me to figure out? i appreciate any wisdom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 what are the current pickups? they aren't the original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1329552431' post='1544081'] what are the current pickups? they aren't the original. [/quote] They look like EMGs to me. Pickups are not difficult to replace. Especially in something like a P bass. It does require the use of a soldering iron though. Do you know how to use one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangodown87 Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1329552431' post='1544081'] what are the current pickups? they aren't the original. [/quote] nah, there some emgs the previous owner put in [quote name='EdwardHimself' timestamp='1329583994' post='1544552'] It does require the use of a soldering iron though. Do you know how to use one? [/quote] haha, i did electronics at school, i knew that would come in handy some day! Ill start looking to into getting some now, anyone got an idea with bridges? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 [quote name='tangodown87' timestamp='1329640412' post='1545044'] nah, there some emgs the previous owner put in haha, i did electronics at school, i knew that would come in handy some day! Ill start looking to into getting some now, anyone got an idea with bridges? [/quote] solder bridges or bass bridges? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangodown87 Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 just bass bridges to replace the existing one, i assume thats correct as i dont know what a solder bridge is...haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 [quote name='tangodown87' timestamp='1329642145' post='1545068'] just bass bridges to replace the existing one, i assume thats correct as i dont know what a solder bridge is...haha! [/quote] Good question. I suppose the "standard" fender replacement bridge would be a Badass. One of them comes with 5 screws (can't remember if it is the I or II) which is the one you would want to replace this one with. Otherwise you could look at something like a Hipshot or Gotoh bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangodown87 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 yeah i hear a lot about Badass', are they easy enough to fit also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) [quote name='tangodown87' timestamp='1329745533' post='1546605'] yeah i hear a lot about Badass', are they easy enough to fit also? [/quote] Pretty easy to fit. As I say, they make bridges which are pretty much a direct fender replacement, as in you just unscrew 5 screws, take the old bridge off, put the new one in and screw 5 screws back in. You may have to solder the ground wire onto the bridge but that does depend on the bass. Some of them just sit underneath the bridge. Edited February 20, 2012 by EdwardHimself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSix Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) The Gotoh 201 is a direct Fender replacement bridge IIRC. If you want to splash out on the Badass you want the Badass II. Edited February 20, 2012 by StraightSix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I play 100% pick. I put Wizards (thumpers) in my Precision. Fatter bass and zingier top end. More grind too. I like them a lot. Should be right up your strasse. I would think about fitting new pots and a jack at the same time. I wouldn't bother with a new bridge myself. I've got a bent bit of tin on one Precision and a badass II on the other. I swapped them to check once and it makes zero difference to my ears. Other people will disagree though and they do look chunky and cool. Oh and a black scratchplate always looks more tasteful to me on a sunbusrst P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 If you put a 1/4 and a BAII on there it will sound very VERY close to my MIM I would expect, with a pick it's very clear and defined. Not so good for mellow stuff. If you're anywhere near me then you're welcome to come give my MIM a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) +1 on the black scratchplate! It's worth tracking kiogon down on this forum, he makes and sells wiring kits or basses and I've hears they are of extremely high quality. So, grab one of those, stick in some wizard thumpers and you'll have a great sounding bass! I agree that bridges add little to the overall sound, the only reason I'd ever buy a badass is because they look a bit cooler! Why not look at getting a nice vintage solid brass one and a nut to match? Might not make much difference tone wise, but it'll look wick! Truckstop Edited February 20, 2012 by Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 New BadAss's can be fairly unobtainium at the moment I believe. There's always Babicz from Bass direct. I rate the Gotoh 201 higher than a BadAss myself. Pickup 1st I'd say, then wiring & pots. Finally bridge. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangodown87 Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 thanks for all the input guys, really good stuff! when were talking wiring kits and pots, again, easy enough to fit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_B Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) Yeah, if you get one of KiOgon's, it's extremely easy to fit! I have 3 in different basses and they're great bits of kit and John's very nice to deal with. I'd echo what people say about bridges - keep the one you've got. The hi-mass ones don't make any difference. I'm having to use one at the moment as a stand-in and it makes absolutely no difference to tone, sustain, etc.. Save your money! Edited February 21, 2012 by Jerry_B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangodown87 Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 interesting how lots of people saying stick with the bridge... appreciate the help guys. i have some ideas now so ill update here with how i get on!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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