Guest Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 (edited) This modded 2010 Matt Freeman was on sale here for a bit, and then got withdrawn, but when I asked nicely, @hooky_lowdown very kindly sold it to me anyway. I think these were built alongside the original Squier CVs — CIC, with a CGS serial number. In transit, the jack had slightly rotated, which in the narrow cavity stopped its spring from allowing a lead to be plugged in — which tbh was good, because it made me get on with taking it to my local tech, Chris at Wintaura Guitars to be set up as I like it and have a Dimarzio pickup fitted. I got it back last night. The neck has developed a tiny bit of an S at the first fret, so we decided to give the bass a new nut as well, to give the strings the chance to get clear over the first fret easily. That means that, aside from the neck and body, the tuners and jack are the only original parts left. So: 42mm / 1.65" Tusq nut 9.5" radius, 'modern C' profile action 1.60mm - 1.90mm Dimarzio Model P pickup unknown pearloid pg & black knobs @KiOgon loom Wilkinson bridge Fender 7250M 45-105 rounds slightly over 9 lbs I've been playing a BB424 the last six months. Relative to that, the P has a lighter body and a wider flatter neck. What struck me first though was the difference between the two split pickups. The BB split is slightly nearer the neck, and much less hot, making a soft dark tone, so that the stern, guttural sound of the P came as a complete contrast. With the TRBX I bought last summer out of the way, on sale at Bass Direct, I now have a pair of similar-but-different basses, both right for me but with characters that are clearly differentiated in feel, sound and looks. I feel very nicely set. Edited December 7 by Munurmunuh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 The number of times I nearly bought that one myself, they’re cracking basses, and a real amazement to my why Squier stopped them. Sure Matt Freeman may not be known too well outside of punk but these are amazingly good basses. Congrats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
such Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 Very cool. Classy, understated, yet somewhat sinister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 (edited) On 21/07/2021 at 11:41, Lozz196 said: The number of times I nearly bought that one myself, they’re cracking basses, and a real amazement to my why Squier stopped them. Sure Matt Freeman may not be known too well outside of punk but these are amazingly good basses. Congrats. Just out of curiosity, do you or @hooky_lowdown know how much of an upgrade (or not) the Wilkinson bridge and the KiOgon loom constitute? The specs say the stock is "4-Saddle HiMass Bridge with Brass Saddles". On 21/07/2021 at 13:04, such said: Very cool. Classy, understated, yet somewhat sinister. To be honest, I could happy live with normal shiny knobs and bridge, but I'm delighted to have a pearloid pg instead of the stock black And knobs and bridge do match the all-black pickups. Much better than half one way, half the other. I've just remembered — you're having a Dimarzio Model P put into the P you're having built, aren't you? I'm really enjoying its tone — strong without changing the essence of the P sound. Edited July 22, 2021 by Ricky Rioli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 The original bridge has a thicker base, making low action more difficult to achieve than the Wilkinson bridge, which has a lower profile base, and a more traditional look. The bass was customised to play in a Ska band, hence the two tone look. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 KiOgon loom will be a good improvement, much better quality parts. That’s one area where Squier keep costs down, whereas the new loom will most likely be same parts as what go in US Fenders. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 (edited) On 21/07/2021 at 14:53, hooky_lowdown said: The original bridge has a thicker base, making low action more difficult to achieve than the Wilkinson bridge, which has a lower profile base, and a more traditional look. Definitely a good thing for me. I shall be sure to give the Wilkinson bridge the occasional grateful glance On 21/07/2021 at 14:55, Lozz196 said: KiOgon loom will be a good improvement, much better quality parts. That’s one area where Squier keep costs down, whereas the new loom will most likely be same parts as what go in US Fenders. I thought I recalled reading a little grumble somewhere about the stock electronics being a weak spot. Well, that's great pair of things to hear, thank you very much. I've not the experience to give a useful objective opinion about the bass, but I know that I'm happy with everything about it I don't know about a P being all the bass you could ever need, but right now this feels like all the P I'll ever want. On Monday I got a Hotone Ampero multieffects unit. One of patches I had created is Xotic RC Booster + Alembic F-2B preamp + David Eden 4×10 — through that the bass is sounding effortlessly commanding. Edited July 23, 2021 by Ricky Rioli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
such Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 3 hours ago, Ricky Rioli said: I've just remembered — you're having a Dimarzio Model P put into the P you're having built, aren't you? I'm really enjoying its tone — strong without changing the essence of the P sound. Indeed - it's ready now but won't be shipped for a few more days 😭 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 Looks great - you deserve it after all your P bass luck over the last year or so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 (edited) 22 hours ago, ped said: Looks great - you deserve it after all your P bass luck over the last year or so! I believe the seller enjoyed being the person who would help my luck finally turn 😊 Edited July 22, 2021 by Ricky Rioli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 (edited) Having spent the day playing the new P, I'm delighted with it, and I'm also delighted to find that there's just no overlap in character between it and my BB — they've both got clear personalities and voices of their own. Now, please can I stop throwing my money around? 😖 Edited July 22, 2021 by Ricky Rioli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Yeah those Freeman Squier basses are fantastic value and really solid. The new loom will just add that extra reassurance of sound electronics and the Model P… well it’s just such a solid pick up in its own right. The original isn’t bad but when I had a Freeman p bass it had a Model P in it too. Great pairing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 (edited) On 22/07/2021 at 09:17, krispn said: the Model P… well it’s just such a solid pick up in its own right To be honest, I was shopping for a bass to put a Dimarzio Model P into .... essentially I've tried to create an impersonation of an early 80s Ibanez Blazer 🙃 Edited July 28, 2021 by Ricky Rioli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 (edited) Oops, didn't mean to post 🤦♂️ Sorry Edited July 23, 2021 by Ricky Rioli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 Lovely. I need a P Bass with a maple neck in my life at some point, especially black and maple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 These basses are on a par with the earlier Squier Classic Vibe range, and I must admit, I always quite fancied one in white. I'm sure the DiMarzio pickup you've added will make a great bass even better. Happy NBD (belated) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 On 21/07/2021 at 10:45, Ricky Rioli said: I now have a pair of similar-but-different basses, both right for me but with characters that are clearly differentiated in feel, sound and looks A friend came round to see and hear the new Squier. We decided that with both basses their sounds match their looks, and that this pair of photos nicely illustrates the difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 On 21/07/2021 at 10:45, Ricky Rioli said: action 1.75mm - 2.20mm This is now 1.60 – 1.90 mm, and my weedy fingers are very pleased. I've noticed that I find fretting on a glossy maple board more effortful than on a nice matte rosewood board. I've never read anyone saying anything like this before, so I'm hoping to have opened up a whole new seam of whining complaint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YRAG87 Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 I think I’ve just bought this bass from bass direct?! 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, YRAG87 said: I think I’ve just bought this bass from bass direct?! 🤔 Well, someone has! It was priced to sell, so I wan't surprised to see it go on its first morning. I think I lost about £300 on it. But for the pleasure it gave me, I don't mind in the slightest. It has lots of upfront confident character. I only sold it because my knackered shoulder wants ultra-light basses from now on, and only sold it once I had a like-for-like replacement for it. For the first six months of 2022, it was the only bass I played. Just before sending it off I replaced the half-dead set of 50-65-85-110 Pro Steels with a set of 45-65-85-105 Swing Bass, as the Rotosounds are much more well known, and Pro Steels don't appeal to everyone. The cap is .022, btw, I found the original cap and the Dimarzio didn't make the tone knob do anything very useful. I hope you enjoy owning it Edited January 27, 2023 by Ricky Rioli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YRAG87 Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 Yeah that was me. Ive got two rancid tattoos so I’m a BIG fan. I’ve always wanted one of these and never thought I’d find one. They are very rare!! this one looks in fantastic condition. I didn’t really look at it much tbh. I just saw it. Saw the low price and thought I cannot wait on this. I play a Hofner violin at the moment, just got rid of a 01 squier affinity that was great! So I’m after a p bass. Glad I stumbled upon this beauty. I put rotosounds on the p I had 50-110! They sounded great. I was actually saving up for an American made P bass. See how I get on with this one instead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Simply gorgeous tint and finish on that neck! Big Dimarzio fan here too 😙👌 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 On 27/01/2023 at 21:10, YRAG87 said: Yeah that was me. Ive got two rancid tattoos so I’m a BIG fan. I’ve always wanted one of these and never thought I’d find one. They are very rare!! this one looks in fantastic condition. I didn’t really look at it much tbh. I just saw it. Saw the low price and thought I cannot wait on this. I play a Hofner violin at the moment, just got rid of a 01 squier affinity that was great! So I’m after a p bass. Glad I stumbled upon this beauty. I put rotosounds on the p I had 50-110! They sounded great. I was actually saving up for an American made P bass. See how I get on with this one instead. Have you checked out Lars’ other band, The Old Firm Casuals? One of my faves, awesome live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YRAG87 Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 Yeah I have. I actually met Lars at his solo gig in Southampton back end of last year. Got a pat on the back and a fist bump. I felt like a fanboy! 😂 what a moment. I also got a signed CD 👌🏻 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloney Balderdash Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 (edited) Nice. However how does a neck develop an S at the first fret, and if only a tiny bit of an S, which bit of an S exactly, and in that case couldn't you just have used a de-esser to fix it? Joking aside, not trying to be snarky here, but I genuinely have no idea what that is supposed to mean, so if you could please elaborate I would appreciate. I do realize it must be referring to the shape of the neck, but I simply can't picture how on earth the neck could possibly develop a shape like an S, and even less so just at the first fret. Edited February 1, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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