Tuners and Bridge for Squier Affinity Jazz

rydin4lifebass

rydin4lifebass

Sep 13, 2009
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#1
I'm considering going BEAD with one of my Squier Affinity Jazz basses and possibly flatwoods on another. I may also do a few other things and was considering tuners and bridge replacements for more stability and better quality. What are some good drop in replacement's for each? I really prefer not to do any other mods or put other holes in the bass so direct replacements would be preferred. I'm open to Fender, Gotoh, Schaller, BadAss Bridges, or any other brands really.....Suggestions?
 
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#2
rydin4lifebass said:
I may also do a few other things and was considering tuners and bridge replacements for more stability and better quality. What are some good drop in replacement's for each?
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So what exactly is wrong with what you have got? I gig an Affinity 5 string every weekend and it is extremely stable.

rydin4lifebass said:
I'm considering going BEAD with one of my Squier Affinity Jazz basses and possibly flatwoods on another.
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I would be very careful with "flatwoods", you could end up with lots of splinters in your fingers just to get more of that "woody" tone.
 
#3
Haha..no flatwoods...although maybe I'm sitting on a gold mine idea! Nothing is wrong with what I've got..just wanted to add some more mass to it...likely just MIM or MIA Fender stuff if possible.

Out of curiosity, what made you go with the Affinity as your gigging bass? As I've said in other threads, I wanted to like Squier VM and Fender stuff, but I think it's mostly the glossy neck finish that I don't like...but I do love the feel and finish of the Affinity necks!
 
#6
96tbird said:
The Affinity tuners have changed over time. Older are 3/8" newer are 1/2". Can you post a pic?

Current models use standard Fender five hole screw pattern bridges.
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Thanks..So either of these bridged would be direct replacements without any new holes? Preference between these two?
American Standard Bass Bridge Assemblies (2007-Present) | Fender
Standard Series Bass Bridge Assembly | Fender

As far as the tuners, here is a picture...This is an Indonesian made bass and my other one is a Chinese made current model, but that's not at my house right now. I do think they're the same though. I measured the distance between mounting holes and the Affinity does not match the tuners on my MIM Jazz FSR...as an FYI. There isn't any problem with the current Squier hardware, I was just looking to upgrade for something with a "beefier" feel that would be of better quality, unless that's just simply "uncalled for". Admitadly, these pictures are from my Indonesian Affinity, but I believe the tuners are the same measurements.

affinity1.jpg

affinity2.jpg

affinity3.jpg

affinity4.jpg

affinity5.jpg
 
#7
I just replaced the bridge and tuning mechs on a brand new Squier Affinity PJ bass just two weeks ago, so hopefully this info helps you.

The tuning mech holes were slightly bigger than 1/2". I know this because my 1/2" hipshot tuners fit in with some wiggle room. I used business cards to shim the difference and they now fit snugly and hold tuning very well.

I replaced the bridge with a Badass II and it fit perfectly, which I believe means that the stock bridge screw positions are to the typical Fender specification. I had a VM Squier a few years ago that could not properly accommodate the screw spacing on the BAII (I think the screws were closer together on the VM bridge but cant remember TBH; this bass had the "high mass vintage bridge", so it likely has to do with that bridge style).

As a comment to Squiers in general:
I bought the PJ Affinity two weeks ago with the intent of heavily modding the bass. Playing the thing fresh out of the box I was VERY impressed. I could never find a Squier of this build quality 10 years ago. The neck was set up very well (as far as my experience tells me); it was quick, frets were level, no jagged edges, awesome grain pattern on the headstock, and then some. Somehow, intonation was near perfect right out of the box. I'm convinced someone in QC gave this bass love. I wouldn't have a problem playing this stock Squier bass at a gig. As of now, the only stock items are the neck, body, and pickguard; everything else was upgraded.
 
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#8
Rather than put that much money into a cheap bass, why not save up for a better one? I have had a '75 Jazz that I bought used for many years. Like many from the era, they put on a BadassII bridge. When I restored it, I put on a vintage style bridge. Absolutely no difference, other than less weight.

Wilkenson tuners are not expensive, but decent.
 
#9
Unless there's something actually wrong (i.e., broken) about your tuners, I wouldn't bother replacing them. I don't have a whole lot of experience with Squier tuners, but on the handful of Squier basses I've played and worked on, including a friend's Affinity P I spent a fair amount of time with, they've seemed reasonably functional. The one reason I could see to replace stock tuners---saving weight with Ultralites or something similar---seems to be the opposite of what you're trying to do. People spend piles of money on tuners fixing stuff that ain't broke.
 
#11
The American Standard bridge won't work as it only uses three screws and isn't a drop-in replacement. The other is the bridge used on the Mexican basses and you can frequently find them in the classifieds here for about half that price.

Nothing wrong with upgrading an inexpensive bass you really like but I'd hunt for good used parts. I have a SX Jazz that has the original body, neck plate and some screws...just felt like having some fun with it.
 
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#12
Thanks guys. I guess the best way to check the tuners would be to take them out and measure the hole itself and then find ones that have the matching 4-hole pattern. I can't say that there is anything wrong with them, just wanted something that had a little more weight to it and a little "sturdier" feel. I was hoping for Fender brand replacements, but I don't want to shim anything or worry about drilling new holes. Are there any that would fit the bill here?

For the bridge, what is the difference in the Standard bridge and the one on the Affinity? Would there be any real reason to upgrade aside from having sturdier, better made product?

As for why I didn't buy a better bass, I played a few Fenders and Squiers, but I just didn't like the necks on them and the feel of the body. I liked the way the Squier felt, the way it played, and the sound. I honestly preferred it by quite a bit over the Fenders.
 
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#13
Yeah, you'll have to remove a tuner to get an accurate measurement of it's hole. I don't know if anyone makes tuners that will be exact replacements.

The MIM bridge is similar to yours but is probably a little better made. I don't think it'll make much difference if the bridge you have works fine.
 
#14
It does look like the MIM bridge would work..although the bridge on my FSR is slightly different, it does have rhe same hole pattern. As far as the tuners, the FSR tuner holes don't measure the same as the Affinity so it doesn't look like the MIM tuners would work, Im not sure about the other Fender options. In your experience, am I just throwing away money here by even cosine ring this or would any of these changes be worthwhile?
 
#15
#17
rydin4lifebass said:
It does look like the MIM bridge would work..although the bridge on my FSR is slightly different, it does have rhe same hole pattern. As far as the tuners, the FSR tuner holes don't measure the same as the Affinity so it doesn't look like the MIM tuners would work, Im not sure about the other Fender options. In your experience, am I just throwing away money here by even cosine ring this or would any of these changes be worthwhile?
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Yep, the MIM bridge will work.

Only you can say if you're throwing money away. Do you really like the bass? Can you afford to toss a few bucks at it that you won't get back if you sell it? If you're not sure about it leave the bass as it is.
 
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#18
I can afford a few bucks that I won't get back, not a big deal. Honestly, I really like the bass and there is nothing wrong with it the way it is. I'm not sure what got into my head about why I wanted to change things around......guess I just had money burning a hole in my pocket. Everything people have said in this thread and the NBD thread was that the tuners and bridge on the Squiers were solid and worked great, so I'm not sure why I can't get that through my thick skull! I guess I was just looking for reasons to change or to keep things the same, and honestly, it seems like keeping things the same is the way to go at thing point. Anyway, thanks for all of the input and responses to everything, it's much appreciated!
 
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#20
rydin4lifebass said:
I've never heard of the Kmise brand...how were they as far as quality? Also, were these on an Affinity or another Squier? If I do upgrade, i'll likely go Fender for the bridge...still not sure on the tuners though. I really don't like the idea of drilling new holes in case I need/want to replace the stock tuners at some point.
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Surprisingly, they're pretty decent. I had never heard of them either but, for the price, I took a chance. The first set of tuners I ordered from them were just too difficult to turn. Returned them for an "upgraded" set and they're much better. I was very surprised at how easy it was to setup the bridge too. Lots of resources here and on YouTube to help with that. The bridge dropped right in too.

No drilling required to install either.
 
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