NGD Bass VI swap: Squier + new tort
- MKR
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1702
- Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:06 am
NGD Bass VI swap: Squier + new tort
I have been a bass VI owner for a couple years with a fender pawnshop version. I really like the idea of the instrument, but i was never really fond of the pawnshop version's deviations (the switch and the bridge pickup).
So i sold it and picked up a used Squier version. For my needs at least the Squier is so much better. I really feel the pickups and electronics are a step up from the fender. The guitar sounds so much better. Setting it up was fine. The neck is great. I put in the trem from my 60s lacquer jag and it all plays fantastic. The dude i bought it from had labella's on there as well as a set of baritone strings which i may try out.
I immediately bought a new tortoise shell pickguard for it. I picked up one of sneaky T's red tort drop in replacements. It was so worth it. such a beautiful tort. Totally recommend to anyone who wants to replace their crappy squier printed tort pickguards. It's interesting to note however, that Squier HAVE improved their tortoise shell prints recently. I remember a few years ago the torts were really really horrible and mostly just brown and black - almost pixellated looking. My new bass VI was made in 2017 and the tort on these models is a big improvement over the older ones. It has a lot more depth and looks more realistic. not great, but not THAT bad either.
here are some pics.
also for comparison, here is a pic of the stock pickguard:
So i sold it and picked up a used Squier version. For my needs at least the Squier is so much better. I really feel the pickups and electronics are a step up from the fender. The guitar sounds so much better. Setting it up was fine. The neck is great. I put in the trem from my 60s lacquer jag and it all plays fantastic. The dude i bought it from had labella's on there as well as a set of baritone strings which i may try out.
I immediately bought a new tortoise shell pickguard for it. I picked up one of sneaky T's red tort drop in replacements. It was so worth it. such a beautiful tort. Totally recommend to anyone who wants to replace their crappy squier printed tort pickguards. It's interesting to note however, that Squier HAVE improved their tortoise shell prints recently. I remember a few years ago the torts were really really horrible and mostly just brown and black - almost pixellated looking. My new bass VI was made in 2017 and the tort on these models is a big improvement over the older ones. It has a lot more depth and looks more realistic. not great, but not THAT bad either.
here are some pics.
also for comparison, here is a pic of the stock pickguard:
- Embenny
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 10363
- Joined: Tue May 24, 2016 5:07 am
Re: NGD Bass VI swap: Squier + new tort
Looks great! I have a black sneakyT guard on my black VI (for that Gilmour effect) and love it, but white with tort is a classic look. What strings are you using?
The artist formerly known as mbene085.
- MKR
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1702
- Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:06 am
Re: NGD Bass VI swap: Squier + new tort
so right now i have labella round wounds. great strings.mbene085 wrote:Looks great! I have a black sneakyT guard on my black VI (for that Gilmour effect) and love it, but white with tort is a classic look. What strings are you using?
- Embenny
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 10363
- Joined: Tue May 24, 2016 5:07 am
Re: NGD Bass VI swap: Squier + new tort
What gauge? I haven't taken the plunge on La Bellas yet. Still using cheapie D'Addarios.MKR wrote:so right now i have labella round wounds. great strings.mbene085 wrote:Looks great! I have a black sneakyT guard on my black VI (for that Gilmour effect) and love it, but white with tort is a classic look. What strings are you using?
The artist formerly known as mbene085.
- MKR
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1702
- Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:06 am
Re: NGD Bass VI swap: Squier + new tort
095 - 026mbene085 wrote:
What gauge? I haven't taken the plunge on La Bellas yet. Still using cheapie D'Addarios.
Honestly the biggest difference is the low E string. Just go out and buy a single 095 string and replace it. I did it with my old fender VI and combined with the stock string it was a huge improvement.
- daysleeperjeff
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2011 5:48 pm
- Location: Buffalo, NY
Re: NGD Bass VI swap: Squier + new tort
MKR wrote:I have been a bass VI owner for a couple years with a fender pawnshop version. I really like the idea of the instrument, but i was never really fond of the pawnshop version's deviations (the switch and the bridge pickup).
So i sold it and picked up a used Squier version. For my needs at least the Squier is so much better. I really feel the pickups and electronics are a step up from the fender. The guitar sounds so much better. Setting it up was fine. The neck is great. I put in the trem from my 60s lacquer jag and it all plays fantastic. The dude i bought it from had labella's on there as well as a set of baritone strings which i may try out.
I immediately bought a new tortoise shell pickguard for it. I picked up one of sneaky T's red tort drop in replacements. It was so worth it. such a beautiful tort. Totally recommend to anyone who wants to replace their crappy squier printed tort pickguards. It's interesting to note however, that Squier HAVE improved their tortoise shell prints recently. I remember a few years ago the torts were really really horrible and mostly just brown and black - almost pixellated looking. My new bass VI was made in 2017 and the tort on these models is a big improvement over the older ones. It has a lot more depth and looks more realistic. not great, but not THAT bad either.
here are some pics.
also for comparison, here is a pic of the stock pickguard:
Sneaky T? Did you get this on eBay? Is his screen name Twneagle on eBay?
I need a red tort replacement for mine too. Not digging the stock one. Thanks!
- MKR
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1702
- Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:06 am
Re: NGD Bass VI swap: Squier + new tort
yes. that's the one.daysleeperjeff wrote:
Sneaky T? Did you get this on eBay? Is his screen name Twneagle on eBay?
- Embenny
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 10363
- Joined: Tue May 24, 2016 5:07 am
Re: NGD Bass VI swap: Squier + new tort
I'm definitely trying to make that work. My problem was replacing the trem with a hardtail plate I got off Reverb. It gave me the tone/sustain change I wanted, but the darn thing isn't cut to handle the ball-end of bass strings. The D'Addarios fit because they have smaller balls...I really need to just take a file to it to fit a .095 but haven't gotten around to it. I'm in love with the tone of roundwounds on it, though.MKR wrote:095 - 026mbene085 wrote:
What gauge? I haven't taken the plunge on La Bellas yet. Still using cheapie D'Addarios.
Honestly the biggest difference is the low E string. Just go out and buy a single 095 string and replace it. I did it with my old fender VI and combined with the stock string it was a huge improvement.
The artist formerly known as mbene085.
- SneakyT
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 945
- Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2012 3:10 am
- Location: Roanoke TX
- Contact:
Re: NGD Bass VI swap: Squier + new tort
Thanks for the ups.
Troy Neagle Luthiery & Custom Pickguards
Please contact me at Reverb
https://reverb.com/shop/neagle-luthier
Please contact me at Reverb
https://reverb.com/shop/neagle-luthier
- Big tuna
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Sat May 03, 2014 11:28 am
Re: NGD Bass VI swap: Squier + new tort
Cool guitar the tort looks great! I like the block inlay on those a real classic look for sure!