Need setup advice for new Squier VM Fretless

[ofsalesmen]

I just bought a Squier Vintage Modified Fretless. The action was a bit too high for me, so I lowered the bridge saddles and managed to get it intonated (I realized that the notes don't exactly have to fall on the fret lines).

The problem is, I feel that the action could be lower, especially near the nut. I've read about the nut on the VMs being too large. What kind of adjustments did other owners make? I just want to see if it's worth attempting to file down the nut.

[Mastermold]

I left the nut and changed my strings to TI flats, which being so flexable made playing the F in the first position very easy notwithstanding the deeper nut.

[4Slater]

Originally Posted by ofsalesmen

I just bought a Squier Vintage Modified Fretless. The action was a bit too high for me, so I lowered the bridge saddles and managed to get it intonated (I realized that the notes don't exactly have to fall on the fret lines).

The problem is, I feel that the action could be lower, especially near the nut. I've read about the nut on the VMs being too large. What kind of adjustments did other owners make? I just want to see if it's worth attempting to file down the nut.

they should.

unless you're referring to your finger having to be slightly behind the line.

This is because it's where the string makes contact with the board that makes it in key or not.

Try setting your intonation by harmonics as well as the actual note.

This skill takes time...

VM jazz basses are really nice right our of the box.

I still had to modify mine a whole lot more.

I'm acctually going to use the neck off of it on another project.

I'm going to have the neck re-boarded with Pau Ferro. and buy a Tele style body from Warmoth.

My current VM jazz is being rebuilt with a Tele style neck.
and other changes.

They should just close the Mexican plant and call these Indonesians Fender. They are beter in some cases.


I found the Mexican Fenders to be kinda less than average.

I don't like Pick guards either. they look cheezy...

The VM f-less looked the part and it sounded pretty good.

If you want to leave it stock, I still say change the pots to 500k.

and make sure the ground connection is good under the bridge.

[changing the bridge on one of these makes a big difference in sustain]

[Lethean]

Originally Posted by 4Slater

they should.

unless you're referring to your finger having to be slightly behind the line.

This is because it's where the string makes contact with the board that makes it in key or not.

Try setting your intonation by harmonics as well as the actual note.

This skill takes time...

VM jazz basses are really nice right our of the box.

I still had to modify mine a whole lot more.

I'm acctually going to use the neck off of it on another project.

I'm going to have the neck re-boarded with Pau Ferro. and buy a Tele style body from Warmoth.

My current VM jazz is being rebuilt with a Tele style neck.
and other changes.

They should just close the Mexican plant and call these Indonesians Fender. They are beter in some cases.


I found the Mexican Fenders to be kinda less than average.

I don't like Pick guards either. they look cheezy...

The VM f-less looked the part and it sounded pretty good.

If you want to leave it stock, I still say change the pots to 500k.

and make sure the ground connection is good under the bridge.

[changing the bridge on one of these makes a big difference in sustain]

Would this solve the unsmooth volume/tone transition?
If so, are there 500k pots that I can use the stock knobs with? (I like them)

[JustDavid]

Word I got on nut height (recent thread herein) was that the string/board gap at the 1st fret should equal the gap when you 'fret' a note & measure at the next 'fret' down.

Capo & feeler gauge are very handy tools for this.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by Mastermold

I left the nut and changed my strings to TI flats, which being so flexable made playing the F in the first position very easy notwithstanding the deeper nut.

TI's and this bass are made for each other, beautiful sound.

[JustDavid]

Originally Posted by Mastermold

I left the nut and changed my strings to TI flats, which being so flexable made playing the F in the first position very easy notwithstanding the deeper nut.

The solution is to fix the nut slot height, not to change to more flexible strings.

[ofsalesmen]

I went ahead and got mine professionally slotted... I slapped on some DR Black Beauties and this baby purrs now.

I actually got rid of the fretlines with a Sharpie (someone on here suggested it months ago and it worked!) so now it looks stunning. I just need some black knobs to replace the chrome ones and I'll be set.

[Harper]

Back from the dead....

Just picked one of these up yesterday, and I must say you get a lot of bang for your buck. Have they changed the nut on these? I'm not a fretless set up expert by any means, but I tweaked the truss rod a bit and string/nut height doesn't seem to be a problem.