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I´ve got a Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... ric-guitar), and I´m feeling an upgrade.. So, what fun things should I do to it?

the only thing i felt absolutely necessary to upgrade on mine was the bridge. i got a roller tuneomatic but staytrem now makes a bridge to fit the squier j mascis which would definitely be a worthwhile upgrade
http://staytrem.com/epages/950002362.sf ... _Category3

also if you can't do it yourself, taking it to a tech and getting a bone nut or graphtech nut installed (maybe even brass or aluminium) should improve tuning stability and make string breakage less likely, that's a really good idea for squiers because in general the material they use for nuts is dreadful softer plastic shit.

there are options for tuner upgrades but i honestly thought the stock ones were awesome so i can't really make a recommendation for anything in particular, you can also get wiring kits to clean up the electronics and put m0j0 components in there but that stuff probably won't make much difference, i've been happy leaving the pickups and electronics stock, it sounds way fatter and louder than any vintage spec JM i've played.

the stock tailpiece is sort of prone to sticking too much when you use the trem so unless you were wanting to block it off and use it as a hardtail (there are simple tutorials on this floating around, it should increase sustain too) the AVRI tremolo unit is a cool upgrade (or a mastery vibrato if you can swing the money, which is a very nice piece of hardware), staytrem also sell a tremolo arm and collet set which is useful so the arm doesn't flop around and fall out all the time.

but yeah, i just changed the bridge and covered mine in stickers, they're such rad guitars, have fun with it!

Single coil in mid position? Pickup behind the bridge? Staytrem bridge?

backwardsvoyager wrote:the only thing i felt absolutely necessary to upgrade on mine was the bridge. i got a roller tuneomatic but staytrem now makes a bridge to fit the squier j mascis which would definitely be a worthwhile upgrade
http://staytrem.com/epages/950002362.sf ... _Category3

also if you can't do it yourself, taking it to a tech and getting a bone nut or graphtech nut installed (maybe even brass or aluminium) should improve tuning stability and make string breakage less likely, that's a really good idea for squiers because in general the material they use for nuts is dreadful softer plastic shit.

there are options for tuner upgrades but i honestly thought the stock ones were awesome so i can't really make a recommendation for anything in particular, you can also get wiring kits to clean up the electronics and put m0j0 components in there but that stuff probably won't make much difference, i've been happy leaving the pickups and electronics stock, it sounds way fatter and louder than any vintage spec JM i've played.

the stock tailpiece is sort of prone to sticking too much when you use the trem so unless you were wanting to block it off and use it as a hardtail (there are simple tutorials on this floating around, it should increase sustain too) the AVRI tremolo unit is a cool upgrade (or a mastery vibrato if you can swing the money, which is a very nice piece of hardware), staytrem also sell a tremolo arm and collet set which is useful so the arm doesn't flop around and fall out all the time.

but yeah, i just changed the bridge and covered mine in stickers, they're such rad guitars, have fun with it!

Well, I'm going to upgrade the bridge. I see what you're saying. I might switch the pickups too(I like them, but I'd like something different)

I've enjoyed playing one in the store.

Depending on what you are going after, maybe some Novak pickups.
Electronics do matter. It's one place that keeps the price point down. Not that you need to change it all up right now, but maybe look to change pots, switches, wiring down the road.

This is an interesting read. The Japanese JM's are well regarded, and even they cheap out on components and wiring: http://www.alphabetcityblog.com/2013/05 ... iring.html

I'D probably just play it as is for a while, and see what you'd want to change about it once you get used to it.

Hyphen Nation wrote:I've enjoyed playing one in the store.

Depending on what you are going after, maybe some Novak pickups.
Electronics do matter. It's one place that keeps the price point down. Not that you need to change it all up right now, but maybe look to change pots, switches, wiring down the road.

This is an interesting read. The Japanese JM's are well regarded, and even they cheap out on components and wiring: http://www.alphabetcityblog.com/2013/05 ... iring.html

I'D probably just play it as is for a while, and see what you'd want to change about it once you get used to it.

Oh, I´ve had it for about a year, and I just feel like changing a few things.

Eivind August wrote:Single coil in mid position? Pickup behind the bridge? Staytrem bridge?

Never actually felt the need for 3 pickups

I'd definitely get a Staytrem bridge. As for PU's I'd give The Creamery a go. UK based and great sounding.

http://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/custo ... NugnZm9Kc0

AmberClouds wrote:

Hyphen Nation wrote:I've enjoyed playing one in the store.

Depending on what you are going after, maybe some Novak pickups.
Electronics do matter. It's one place that keeps the price point down. Not that you need to change it all up right now, but maybe look to change pots, switches, wiring down the road.

This is an interesting read. The Japanese JM's are well regarded, and even they cheap out on components and wiring: http://www.alphabetcityblog.com/2013/05 ... iring.html

I'D probably just play it as is for a while, and see what you'd want to change about it once you get used to it.

Oh, I´ve had it for about a year, and I just feel like changing a few things.

Then I'd look at electronics and PU's. After that I'd look at pick guards, though I am sucker for gold, spitfire tort is hot. After that I would look at a used AVRI tremolo..or mastery everything.

Change the bridge for sure!
I put a mastery in my Squier JM and it's a brand-new instrument.

One simple thing that doesn't seem like much but actually makes a big difference : proper shielding of the pickup/knobs cavities.
I did that for both my Jaguar and my Mustang Bass and it's really nice not to have any buzz/humming even when you're not grounding the thing by touching the strings/metal parts.

All I've done to my Mascis is swapped the bridge for a roller bridge and dropped a bone nut in there. I also treated the fretboard a bit and did a really good set up. Entirely different instrument and it was already nice/good before that. Tuners seem to be okay so far, and I tune low with thick strings. I actually enjoy the bridge pickup but the neck is kinda useless. I might swap them both out soon, along with the electronics. Just to get an overall clearer sound. I also want black pickup covers to match the other accessories.

If you're thinking of swapping out those Mascis pickups, let me know, I want a set for the guitar I'm putting together!

UglyCasanova wrote:I'd definitely get a Staytrem bridge. As for PU's I'd give The Creamery a go. UK based and great sounding.

http://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/custo ... NugnZm9Kc0

I HAVE FINALLY CONVERTED YOU.

OP: The only upgrade I felt was necessary on mine was the pickups. I didn't like the P90ish stock ones and got a decent set of vintage style used pickups on teh cheapz. I've owned for quite a while now, maybe 2-3 years and I'm really ok with it. The stock bridge works ok with the tremolo and the general specs of the guitar (radius, neck angle).

Disarm D'arcy wrote:

UglyCasanova wrote:I'd definitely get a Staytrem bridge. As for PU's I'd give The Creamery a go. UK based and great sounding.

http://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/custo ... NugnZm9Kc0

I HAVE FINALLY CONVERTED YOU.

Haha, I always loved what I've heard of his PU's. He just slipped my mind when I was considering new ones for my TC72 (Actually, didn't even know he made wide range buckers). I'm going with The Creamery or http://www.wolfetone.com/ for my next PU needs.