Members elsupermanny14 Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 Hey what up guys. I'm heading back up north to visit home in like two weeks. I've been looking for a really really good price on a used Gibson LP Studio but haven't found the right one yet. Anyways I'm getting antsy and want something new to play. So I figured I'd pickup the laying around pieces of my old Squire Affinity and just put some pickups in it and kinda hold myself over until I get the LP. Anyways I'm gonna put some GFS pickups in it, just haven't decided which ones yet. I wanted to get your guys' opinions on what I can expect from my Squire with a good set of pickups. Can it sound as good as my fixed up MIM? or could it sound as good as an American Strat? Realistically what can I expect from it? If I can't expect much (which if that's the case I hope someone let's me know) then I'll settle for the GFS 40 dollar pre-wired pickguard just to get the gutiar working again. Any help would be great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Phishmonkey Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 Sound wise yeah but it will still feel like a squire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jcameronk2 Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 I've played MIJ and MIM squiers that were sweet as hell... some of the older ones really hold thier own with anything out there. I guess the same as any MIJ or MIM fender. If they're built in the same factory does it really matter if the name printed on the headstock is squier or fender? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members headless Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 My (1996) Korean Squier Strat's original tuning machines were sub-par, as far as I'm concerned. They tuned the guitar, and didn't slip, but felt very cheap. I have swapped them out with a set on non-locking tuners, from my local Carvin shop (they might be Gotoh, but are not marked). These feel much better to me. The neck it's self is fine, but I did a fret-mill/crown/polish. When I got the guitar the frets did not look good (I don't know it someone had done a bad fret-mill, or if it came from the factory like that. The original pickup selector was cheap, and malfunctioning, so I changed it to a Fender switch. The pots haven't given me any trouble. The body is plywood, and you can see the laminations in the arm-bevel area (though the paint). That bothers me. It really does not look good in the neck-pocket, where the plywood has been carved. I would not buy another plywood guitar (yes, I've heard the arguments for plywood--it's just an aesthetic thing for me). I have kept the original ceramic magnet pickups, but I don't think they are potted, because they are so microphonic (I only play through headphones, so it's not too big of a deal, but you can sure hear it when I knock my pick against the middle pickup). I changed the jack to a SwitchCraft. I would have no problem buying another (at the right price), if it had a solid wood body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members headless Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 ^Oh, and I like the bridge saddles, which are the "chunky" cast type (not the stamped-steel type). But, the tremolo/string block is as small as it could be made (and still perform it's job), and it's made of the cheapest "pot-metal". It has chipped while I was working on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members studdhuss Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 I didn't know Squiers were ever made in Mexico. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aloha Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 I have a MIM Squier. It dates back to about 1990. It isn't that bad. It just has issues with hardware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Burgess Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 You should be able to get the sound close to or better than a MIM Strat but that's not saying much because MIM Strats IMO are some of the {censored}tiest sounding guitars out there. At least that's the impression I got from mine. I can't say for sure about any of the GFS pre-loaded pickguards because I haven't heard any personally. I'd actually be surprised if you could get close to the sound of a MIA Strat with one. As for the guitar itself, MIA Strats are much better built than most MIM players realize. They are better in literally every aspect and that does contribute to tone to some degree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members the new guy Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members IRG Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 I think investing in the $40 prewired pickguard set is the way to go. It should sound decent. I don't know if it will rival anything, but all you want is a decent sounding guitar at this point, right? It doesn't makes sense to spend a lot on an Affinity Squier, especially if you sell it later on, you won't recoup your costs. So if a good LP is what you're after, save your money, get the GFS set, install, be happy, and give us a full report soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members _pete_ Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 I think investing in the $40 prewired pickguard set is the way to go. It should sound decent. I don't know if it will rival anything, but all you want is a decent sounding guitar at this point, right? It doesn't makes sense to spend a lot on an Affinity Squier, especially if you sell it later on, you won't recoup your costs. So if a good LP is what you're after, save your money, get the GFS set, install, be happy, and give us a full report soon. That is very good advice. There's another way to go though if you want. Get the best pups you can (Fender CS, Fralin, BG, etc.) and replace other parts over time. Get a good bridge with a steel block, then later a Warmoth body, and after that a top notch neck. You can slowly evolve the guitar into a custom shop killer over time as your budget allows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Latheron Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 Hey what up guys. I'm heading back up north to visit home in like two weeks. I've been looking for a really really good price on a used Gibson LP Studio but haven't found the right one yet. Anyways I'm getting antsy and want something new to play. So I figured I'd pickup the laying around pieces of my old Squire Affinity and just put some pickups in it and kinda hold myself over until I get the LP. Anyways I'm gonna put some GFS pickups in it, just haven't decided which ones yet. I wanted to get your guys' opinions on what I can expect from my Squire with a good set of pickups. Can it sound as good as my fixed up MIM? or could it sound as good as an American Strat? Realistically what can I expect from it? If I can't expect much (which if that's the case I hope someone let's me know) then I'll settle for the GFS 40 dollar pre-wired pickguard just to get the gutiar working again. Any help would be great! A friend of mine who has a squire instaled seymour duncan pickups. Including the ones Murray uses. I plYED WITH THE GUITAR AND IT WAS A DIFFERENT INSTRUMENT No noise, maiden sound and in genrally pretty satisfying as a backup guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members metalheadUK Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 I prefer my Squiers to my Fenders.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members animl Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 MIC Squier Std + Fralins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bluesrock70's Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 Hey what up guys. I'm heading back up north to visit home in like two weeks. I've been looking for a really really good price on a used Gibson LP Studio but haven't found the right one yet. Anyways I'm getting antsy and want something new to play. So I figured I'd pickup the laying around pieces of my old Squire Affinity and just put some pickups in it and kinda hold myself over until I get the LP. Anyways I'm gonna put some GFS pickups in it, just haven't decided which ones yet. I wanted to get your guys' opinions on what I can expect from my Squire with a good set of pickups. Can it sound as good as my fixed up MIM? or could it sound as good as an American Strat? Realistically what can I expect from it? If I can't expect much (which if that's the case I hope someone let's me know) then I'll settle for the GFS 40 dollar pre-wired pickguard just to get the gutiar working again. Any help would be great! I noticed in your sig you already have a MIM, your Affinity can be as good or better than the MIM by changing the pickups and electronics. Since you alreadfy have the H-S-S on the MIM you might try H-H, GFS is a good source to start. Anyways, will be fun and make you a good backup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members narwhal Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 I have a Squier 51 that I did some stuff to (Earvana nut, Graph-tech saddles, DiMarzio EJ bridge pickup), and it is now a very nice guitar that I play all the time, and the $$ I spent on it was less than what I spent on many of the used MIM fender guitars I own. I've been planning to get a fancier pickguard for it, and a higher-end neck single-coil, and it will be completely tricked-out. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members batotman Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 I have 3 mid 90's MIK squiers so my answer is yes, hell yes, {censored} yes. One has a set of Fender Atomics, one is completely original, and the last one is all original except a HSS guard and MIM humbucker in the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members elsupermanny14 Posted September 22, 2007 Author Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 I think I'm gonna have to go with IRG's advice. Cuz I don't know how much I want to put into my Squire. And a $40 pickguard won't set me back in that search for the LP. Sweet! Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members batotman Posted September 22, 2007 Members Share Posted September 22, 2007 The GFS prewired pickguards don't have GFS pickups. They are pretty average sounding. I'd just get a cheap pickguard and toss a decent humbucker in the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members elsupermanny14 Posted September 23, 2007 Author Members Share Posted September 23, 2007 The GFS prewired pickguards don't have GFS pickups. They are pretty average sounding. I'd just get a cheap pickguard and toss a decent humbucker in the bridge. They're not GFS pickups? What are they? Since they're not GFS are they worth it for the price or should I just start scavaging through ebay to get a good deal on something for my Squire? Can anyone suggest a cheap set of pickups that would significantly improve the sound of my Squire?...the key word being "cheap." And to be honest since I just want the Squire running again I don't care if people suggest vintage sounding, or modern sounding, or whatever. Just a cheap set of pickups that would significantly improve my Squire regardless of genre. Thanks guys! and a huge thanks for the heads up from batotman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members batotman Posted September 23, 2007 Members Share Posted September 23, 2007 They're not GFS pickups? What are they? Since they're not GFS are they worth it for the price or should I just start scavaging through ebay to get a good deal on something for my Squire?Can anyone suggest a cheap set of pickups that would significantly improve the sound of my Squire?...the key word being "cheap." And to be honest since I just want the Squire running again I don't care if people suggest vintage sounding, or modern sounding, or whatever. Just a cheap set of pickups that would significantly improve my Squire regardless of genre. Thanks guys! and a huge thanks for the heads up from batotman! I thought they were before i bought them. But read the ad, no mention of GFS pickups. They are no names. They're not terrible but you know what I'm saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members radonballoon Posted September 23, 2007 Members Share Posted September 23, 2007 it's hit and miss. as far as sound goes, some squires are alder just like an mim and some mia's so a good gutting of the electronics is all you will need to get the sound. it's the build quality that becomes an issue. some squires are built well while others are just plain {censored}ed up. that's where the issues are with them, imo. bottom line is for the cost of the pickups and the guts (and if you really want to get serious a fret job or new neck) you may as well get a new mim or a used mia or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members batotman Posted September 23, 2007 Members Share Posted September 23, 2007 I think mine are made out of some sort of plywood. They RULE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Anonymous Guy Posted September 23, 2007 Members Share Posted September 23, 2007 For what it's worth- We just redesigned all of the pre-wired guards- So much so that we now brand the humbuckers in the HSS and HH configs as "GFS" pickups- True all still ceramic- which you would expect for the price- But I thin you really can't go wrong with these- especially for the price- Those of you who have bought one recently from us perhaps you can compare them to the other versions on the market- I think we come out on top on this one.Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members batotman Posted September 23, 2007 Members Share Posted September 23, 2007 The single coils in the pre-wired pickguards are all generics, while the humbuckers are of GFS make. Well that might not be too bad then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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