Squier 5-string (porn??)

[radansey]

See attached some pics of my baby (DoB 2001, Purple metallic, Maple neck, Rosewood board, Agathis body)

[attachment=3726:DSC_2596.JPG]

I have replaced the crappy bar-type string retainer with two Fender types, looks much better IMHO

[attachment=3727:DSC_2592.JPG]

Original PU's replaced with EMG Selects. Electronics rewired from original Vol/Vol/Tone to Vol/Blend/Active Tone (Artec EXP module) the latter requiring a little routing of the control cavity so the assembly would fit (as well as routing for the rear-mounted PP3 compartment - see final pic).

[attachment=3728:DSC_2598.JPG]

Has seen some action (no pun intended) with through paint wear in the usual places and a major chip on the upper rear bout/arm chamfer (don't ask!!).

[attachment=3729:DSC_2599.JPG]

I have also taken the step of fitting Schaller Straploks - the bass is very heavy (11 pounds) so having it fall to the floor would have major repercussions.

Very impressed with the EXP module (£17.00 from www.axesrus.co.uk) since it gives me a range of tones from dub bass (neck PU) to the Jaco growl (bridge PU) as well as several tones in-between.

I would be interested in any comments or questions.

Ross

[neepheid]

[quote name='radansey' post='93553' date='Nov 23 2007, 10:02 PM']I have replaced the crappy bar-type string retainer with two Fender types, looks much better IMHO

[attachment=3727:DSC_2592.JPG][/quote]

Rather than the two round string trees, I would have used one of these:

[url="http://www.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=236"]http://www.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=...etail&p=236[/url]

Some good modding going on there though.

[Rich]

Or a couple of [url="http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_parts/Bass:_String_trees_retainers/Roller_String_Retainer_For_Bass.html"]these[/url]... got one on my Jazz, it's nice & unobtrusive and very effective.

[SJA]

is that an XLR socket on the front?

how are the EMG selects, particularly the B string tone and output?

I've got a PJ set in a precision plus and the J buzzes a bit (with no 2nd J to humcancel against), great growly tone though.

I've been interested in the squier P 5 because of the wide string spacing, and acoustically the ones I've tried sounded great, but the B string output was weak- I hear because they use 4 string pickups and the polepieces don't cover the B enough.

[radansey]

Those string-trees look the mutts, unfortunately I didn't know of their existence when I added the round trees a few years ago

Yes, that is an XLR on the front. This is for a future DI-output mod, mind you there's not much room left to add the circuit-board - I'll have to be careful with the router to avoid turning it into a semi-acoustic

EMG Selects are good, giving a nice tonal range. The B-string output is OK, but the G-string is a tad weak. The Selects use blade pole-pieces of 2 7/8" and 3" for the neck and bridge pickups respectively - the overhang of pole-pieces is only slightly wider than the G-string to B-string dimension. Hence, whilst the other strings each sit over a pole-piece area of 1/2", the G and B's only 'see' 1/4" The trick I found that works is to crank-up the treble-side a tad to compensate - this means obviously that the B sits lower, but due to the mass of the string it seems to work (if this makes sense!)

The Squier P5 is a very good bass for the money, I feel that the mod's that I have made over the years have added to the quality of the tone and feel. The wide string spacing which makes the transition from 4 to 5 strings much easier since the fingerboard is not too cramped. The only other mod that I may make would be to add a black scratchplate - comments??

Thanks for the comments.

Ross

[Ghosts Over Japan]

i love that finish so much

sweet bass, bet it sounds ace!

[SJA]

[quote name='radansey' post='98360' date='Dec 3 2007, 07:42 PM']EMG Selects are good, giving a nice tonal range. The B-string output is OK, but the G-string is a tad weak. The Selects use blade pole-pieces of 2 7/8" and 3" for the neck and bridge pickups respectively - the overhang of pole-pieces is only slightly wider than the G-string to B-string dimension. Hence, whilst the other strings each sit over a pole-piece area of 1/2", the G and B's only 'see' 1/4" The trick I found that works is to crank-up the treble-side a tad to compensate - this means obviously that the B sits lower, but due to the mass of the string it seems to work (if this makes sense!)[/quote]


thanks for the info,
it sounds like standard width J pickups just don't have the coverage for a wide-spaced 5.
I'm thinking whether a squier 5 could be routed for soapbars, or wider J 5 string pickups.

Squier did do a previous P5 that had soapbars and 5-inline mini machineheads (IIRC the Protone Precision 5), but I think it had narrower spacing.

[radansey]

[quote name='SJA' post='105680' date='Dec 18 2007, 12:32 AM']thanks for the info,
it sounds like standard width J pickups just don't have the coverage for a wide-spaced 5.
I'm thinking whether a squier 5 could be routed for soapbars, or wider J 5 string pickups.

Squier did do a previous P5 that had soapbars and 5-inline mini machineheads (IIRC the Protone Precision 5), but I think it had narrower spacing.[/quote]
I think the problem IS the wide-spacing of the P5. Whilst the Select (and others) PU's are marketed as suitable for 5-stringers, this refers to the 'normal' narrower string-spacing. So it's a personal decision - narrow-spacing/good overall tone or wide-spacing/not so good on G and B strings. Personally, I prefer wide-spacing, and in any case if there are major 'issues' with the G-string (oo-err missus) then its just a matter of playing some notes on the D instead - a bit simplistic I know.

If it's any consolation, as an aside, I played the P5 through my recently acquired S/H Peavey TNT 115S at rehearsal on Sunday - the combination is the dogs-wotsits.

Ross