£150 from santa. How should I upgrade my bass?

[Friskydingo]

As the title says got a nice tidy sum this Xmas. What do you suggest? 

I have a squire jazz vintage modified, nothing high end, but i've set it up to a high level (intonation, fret dress, the works) 

I'm already buying a new amp 😁 in case people suggest it

[Pea Turgh]

What does it lack?  Is the next pickup weak?  Does it need shielding?  Nice little wiring harness upgrade maybe?

[Doctor J]

If there's nothing wrong with the Squier, keep the money. You don't need to upgrade things just because you can and the adverts pressure you into thinking you should.

[PaulThePlug]

Have a look in the FS...

Pickups? Noisy? - Shield Paint Kit for a tenner... remember that Jazz Pups do hum a bit unless both on full. If ya wana change the tone try the FS section and make an offer on some older posts?

Kiogon Loom VVT or VBT or Switching.. £30ish well spent and sometimes appear in the FS...

What are the machine heads like? - Try a dab of vaseline on the worm drives and giving em a good turn can smooth em out...(and some pencil lead rubbed in the nut slot) before resigning the current tuners as no good!

Bridge? - Maybe cosmetic... maybe more sustain? Gotoh or Badass to replace the BBOT...

Scratchplate? - Just dont waste money on Tort?

Edited December 27, 2021 by PaulThePlug

[hooky_lowdown]

Nothing needs upgrading on the Squier other than maybe the tuners. To improve it no end - have the fingerboard rolled, will feel and play much better! 👍

[paul_5]

This.

 

[Friskydingo]

It does seem the low end is either on or off on the neck pickup but maybe pick up height needs adjusting 

[hooky_lowdown]

2 minutes ago, Friskydingo said:

It does seem the low end is either on or off on the neck pickup but maybe pick up height needs adjusting 

The stock pickups are known to be fairly hot, being alnico, they should have decent low end, so I agree a height adjustment may be required to taste.

[Lozz196]

A KiOgon loom is a worthy addition to most basses, and will more than likely help on the low end on/off aspect. As Hooky says rolled fingerboard will make it feel & play a lot better. 

[Friskydingo]

2 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

A KiOgon loom is a worthy addition to most basses, and will more than likely help on the low end on/off aspect. As Hooky says rolled fingerboard will make it feel & play a lot better. 

What's the best way to roll the edges? I've done the frets using a file

[bubinga5]

I suggest you put in a drop in preamp like an Audere or an East, Turn it into a super jazz. Oh come on the guy has just some Christmas money.!!!

[bubinga5]

1 minute ago, Friskydingo said:

What's the best way to roll the edges? I've done the frets using a file

for gods sake dont even try and roll the fingerboard

[Friskydingo]

Just now, bubinga5 said:

I suggest you put in a drop in preamp like an Audere or an East, Turn it into a super jazz. Oh come on the guy has just some Christmas money.!!!

This is the kind of impulsive thinking I'm looking for! 

[LukeFRC]

Buy a (cheap) P bass  

[bubinga5]

If you feel you need to. Ive put a preamp in a Squire jazz and believe me it was smokin. 

[paul_5]

If you feel you [I]must[/I] spend some money on it then LaBella LowTension Flats are amazing strings...

 

Edited December 27, 2021 by paul_5

[Friskydingo]

2 minutes ago, bubinga5 said:

for gods sake dont even try and roll the fingerboard

Looked at people doing it and they don't seem to have much of a clue. Most luithers don't offer it, so I won't attempt it

[fretmeister]

EMG pickup set.

[bubinga5]

https://www.east-uk.com/product/j-tone/?v=79cba1185463 cash left for some strings. 

[Friskydingo]

11 minutes ago, fretmeister said:

EMG pickup set.

Any suggestions? Also above, j-tone, looks nice

[funkle]

I dropped a J-Tone into my Squier CV Jazz a while back. Well worth it. 

[Lozz196]

1 hour ago, Friskydingo said:

What's the best way to roll the edges? I've done the frets using a file

I’ve no idea I’m afraid, something that technical would sit firmly with a luthier

[Rayman]

If you don’t already KNOW what you would change on the bass, my advice is don’t change it at all. Save your money for when you think of something you really want.

 

They’re good basses as they are.

 

A lot of money is wasted on unnecessary “upgrades”. A lot.

[Rayman]

Sorry….. didn’t mean to sound like your dad 🙂

[Guest]

You could update it by buying a Harley Benton to keep it company.