Issues with my Squier Affinity PJ (volume problems)

[ThomasGeist]

On my Squier Affinity PJ I have several issues with the pickups & electronics.

For one, the bridge J pickup has very low level compared to the P neck pickup. I already brought it as close to the strings as possible, yet there is still quite a discrepancy.

Secondly, when I turn the tone knob all the way down, the volume knobs show some strange behavior: they reduce volume in the first 1/5 of the way a lot and then take the other 4/5 of the way to gradually go down to zero.

This is totally different to when the tone knob is all the way open (treble not cut). Then the volume knobs act as expected, gradually turning down volume across all the way. Without any jumps.

Anybody else has a similar experience or knows a solution for this?

 

[JW56789]

TG, the output mis-match on P/J layout basses can be noticeable: You've got a thinner-sounding single-coil pickup closer to the bridge (where there is relatively less output vs. where the Precision pickup is sitting) trying to compete with a fuller-sounding split humbucking pickup in a louder part of the string length. This varies from bass to bass. However, your volume and tone pots could easily be aggravating this.

The Affinity Squiers are 'budget models' of a budget line (Squier in general), and like all less-expensive instruments, they (like everyone else) goes cheap on the stuff you can't see, in this case the electronics and the pickups. IF you know a professional guitar repair guy, it's and easy and inexpensive fix to have him replace the pots with high-quality ones that will eliminate the problems you're having for not a lot of money. With these in place, you'd have a better chance of balancing the output of the two pickups. Find a qualified guy and show him what's happening, IF you don't do this sort of work yourself.

Charlotte's a big city and there should be several guys around who work on all the local pro gear for the gigging musicians: THAT's who you want to use. Those guys depend on their axes to eat, so go where they go.

And I'm not picking on Squiers: GREAT value for the money (I own three of them) and the Affinity's are great axes to get started with. Rock On.