NBD: Squier Precision

JB_From_Hell

JB_From_Hell

Jomo's Nimions
I traded my ex-bro in law an old compound bow for a Squier P-bass. Picking it up tonight, but he sent me a pic. Black, rosewood board, P/J pickups. This is only the second bass I’ve owned, the first being an old USA Peavey Foundation J-copy.

I’m sure it needs restrung, so what’s the bass equivalent of 11-50? 45-105? I like the aggressive Geddy Lee, Les Claypool style of playing.
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

JB_From_Hell said:
I traded my ex-bro in law an old compound bow for a Squier P-bass. Picking it up tonight, but he sent me a pic. Black, rosewood board, P/J pickups. This is only the second bass I’ve owned, the first being an old USA Peavey Foundation J-copy.

I’m sure it needs restrung, so what’s the bass equivalent of 11-50? 45-105? I like the aggressive Geddy Lee, Les Claypool style of playing.
Click to expand...

I've always thought 45-105s are more like 10s on electric. If you're wanting to fight it a bit (like 11s in standard tuning) I'd look for a 50-110 set.
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

Got the bass, action is seriously about 3/4” off the board. Neck has relief like a macaroni noodle, but the truss rod is completely loose. Needs a bit of tlc.
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

I'd love to see it when it is finished with that TLC. I have a Squier Jazz that I really like, and it sounds amazing. I got it to play really well, too. Balancing a P with a J pickup is slightly harder, but possible with the right combos.
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

I forgot to take good before pics, but it’s cleaning up well. I’m worried the neck is fried, though. Tightened the truss rod a lot, still way too much relief. I’m going to get some ultra light strings and see if that helps.

Also, I discovered it’s a 2000 model. Indonesian Standard. Says Precision Bass, not P-Bass. Anybody know specs from that era?
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

For bass, I consider .100 light, .105 medium, and .110 heavy. Just like most guitars come with 9's, most basses come with .100 or lighter from the factory. In terms of difficulty, I'd call .105's about equivalent in feel to 10's or 11's on guitar, and .110's to be like 12's or 13's (though it's bass, so it's different). .105's are a good middle ground for most people. I myself find anything lighter than .105 to be so floppy that they're practically unplayable. The first thing I do to a new bass is to slap La Bella .110's on it; those are my go-to strings.

P.S. If the truss rod was totally loose when you got it, tightening it "a bit" isn't gonna cut it. Try clamping the neck face down to a work table (using good cauls, of course), with the head/nut overhanging the edge, but all frets on the table. Then tighten the rod until it the nut gives you significant resistance. Then reinstall the strings and let it sit. Come back a day or two later and see what you have.
 
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Re: NBD: Squier Precision

I’m going to try clamping the neck, thanks.

I’m also looking at a super light string set to help. I’m putting together a custom SIT set that goes 35, 50, 65, 90. It puts each string around 30 lbs, with the G slightly lighter. Any opinions?
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

All you guys with the heavy bass strings, you must play really simple stuff, huh?

I’m either using .045 to .130 (5 string), or .040 - .125. I prefer the lighter set. You get more attack if you pluck them hard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

JB_From_Hell said:
Nope, stronger hands. I use heavier than normal guitar strings, too.
Click to expand...

lol! Tell that to Stanley Clarke! Like I said, you wont find any virtuosos using heavy strings. You lose all nuance. But if you are just playing simple 4 note lines, then fine.

It's funny how string gauge always comes down to some macho crap. Same with guitar players... yet Page and all those guys use really light strings.
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

DavidRavenMoon said:
lol! Tell that to Stanley Clarke! Like I said, you wont find any virtuosos using heavy strings. You lose all nuance. But if you are just playing simple 4 note lines, then fine.

It's funny how string gauge always comes down to some macho crap. Same with guitar players... yet Page and all those guys use really light strings.
Click to expand...

You were the one who started the string gauge insults. I tried light guitar strings recently and hated how they felt and sounded. I think I mentioned that in another thread, and I’m pretty sure you said something similar to above then, too.

If you like light strings, by all means, use them. Why are you so insecure about it? I have nothing against you, but it sure does get old reading the same old stuff from you every time someone says “heavy strings”, or in this case, even when no one says that.
 
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Re: NBD: Squier Precision

JB_From_Hell said:
You were the one who started the string gauge insults. I tried light guitar strings recently and hated how they felt and sounded. I think I mentioned that in another thread, and I’m pretty sure you said something similar to above then, too.

If you like light strings, by all means, use them. Why are you so insecure about it?
Click to expand...

I'm not insecure, but as someone who has given lessons, I can't understand why people want to make things harder than they need to be. The only hand strength you need is to press a string down. More than that will slow you down. So why fight with your bass? Plus using too much hand pressure will result in RSI. I've been playing 48 years, and the last thing I need is to damage my tendons.

And I didn't start any insults, I asked why people were using such heavy strings, and whether they were playing simple music. I know lots of players who do.

But heavy strings leads to pressing your fretting hand down too hard, which will lead to injuries.
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

Playing light gauge strings doesn’t make it easier to play for me.

After all this time of playing an adjustable instrument with a plethora of choices for things like string gauge or action height, I’ll never understand why people don’t get that not everybody likes the same thing.
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

Mincer said:
I'd love to see it when it is finished with that TLC. I have a Squier Jazz that I really like, and it sounds amazing. I got it to play really well, too. Balancing a P with a J pickup is slightly harder, but possible with the right combos.
Click to expand...

Ain't there a balanced PJ set in the SD catalog? I am still debating myself if buying a Squier PJ or a J. My Yamaha RBX375 is great but sometimes I want to have some classic bas sounds too. That or a second cab to play guitar in stereo.
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

JB_From_Hell said:
Playing light gauge strings doesn’t make it easier to play for me.

After all this time of playing an adjustable instrument with a plethora of choices for things like string gauge or action height, I’ll never understand why people don’t get that not everybody likes the same thing.
Click to expand...

But JB - he gives lessons....
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

We have a guy who uses the low B string tuned up to E on a 4 string. If you can't hear the difference in tone you are deaf. It has a serious power/ring/foundation about it that the standard string size just doesn't. I prefer middle of the road myself.
 
Re: NBD: Squier Precision

JB_From_Hell said:
I traded my ex-bro in law an old compound bow for a Squier P-bass. Picking it up tonight, but he sent me a pic. Black, rosewood board, P/J pickups. This is only the second bass I’ve owned, the first being an old USA Peavey Foundation J-copy.

I’m sure it needs restrung, so what’s the bass equivalent of 11-50? 45-105? I like the aggressive Geddy Lee, Les Claypool style of playing.
Click to expand...


For bass, you can just wash the strings.

WD-40, then rinse with kerosene, then rubbing alcohol


Throw em in a plastic container and stir em around in that.
 
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