NBD - Squier VM Jazz Bass

[jorgensg]

Nothing special here, probably just like the other 300,000 that are out there!!! Picked this up, no wait, stole it, on closeout for $170. No, it's new, not used...makes a great addition to my RW P and Highway 1 P basses. Sure, it needs a setup, but for $170, I can do that! Otherwise it sounds great and I am sure it will play great once I get it setup. Would like to put flats on it (TI or Chromes??? suggestions?) and will probably dress it up with covers and a thumb rest. Was a thumb rest or tugbar correct for the 70's jazz basses? Or didn't they come with a rest and covers? Anyway, here are the pics, sorry for the crappy quality!





Gary J.

[C.Linton]

This is how my Squier VM J was set up to look like a 70's Fender, and is accurate as far as I know:

Except the bridge cover is a little off, it needs remounted properly, maybe like about 1/8 to a 1/4 inch towards the endpin.
Oh, and It's set with GHS Precision flats, they sound nice on this bass.

[mellowinman]

I love that bass!

[Gord_oh]

Originally Posted by C.Linton

This is how my Squier VM J was setup to look like a 70's Fender, and is accurate as far as I know:

Except the bridge cover is a little off, it needs remounted properly, maybe like about 1/8 to a 1/4 inch towards the endpin.
Oh, and It's setup with GHS Precision flats, they sound nice on this bass.

close to accurate but not quite. the thumbrest would take the screw hole in the pickguard, you have an extra. nice looking bass.

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by Gord_oh

close to accurate but not quite. the thumbrest would take the screw hole in the pickguard, you have an extra. nice looking bass.

Um, that's exactly what I did, as per instructions I got from Fender.

[jorgensg]

Cliff - looks nice! Is that the original pickguard then and you drilled the additional holes or did you purchase one that had holes for the pickup cover?

Gord_oh - so are you saying that the back screw of the thumbrest should be located where the pickguard screw is directly behind (toward the bridge) of where the thumbrest is now?

This was only a $170 bass and it is not a 70's bass, but if I go ahead with the covers and rest would like it to look as close as possible. Thanks!!!

Gary J.

[TheAnalogKid]

Despite all the threads and posts about the Squier VM Jazz, I am still surprised at how much more solid (and heavier) it feels, as opposed to an alder-bodied MIM. For the money you didn't spend on a new VM, you can easily buy a set of both TI and D'Addario Chrome flats and do an A/B comparison there (I'm biased on Chromes, ha-ha). So for now, I say...just dial it in, string it up, and thump away!!! It's a Jazz, fer cryin'-eye...what could go wrong?

[jorgensg]

Kid - you're right! This bass is heavy, solid, resonates like crazy even when not plugged in, and has tons of sustain. Fit and finish is excellent, the grain in the wood is very nice, and as far as I can tell, it looks like a 2 piece body, basically joined in the middle. Just by picking it up, it is heavier than both of my P's, but there is more body there as well (I think). Anyway, maybe you are right, grab a set of each and see what works! Thanks!

Gary J.

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by jorgensg

Cliff - looks nice! Is that the original pickguard then and you drilled the additional holes or did you purchase one that had holes for the pickup cover?

Gord_oh - so are you saying that the back screw of the thumbrest should be located where the pickguard screw is directly behind (toward the bridge) of where the thumbrest is now?

This was only a $170 bass and it is not a 70's bass, but if I go ahead with the covers and rest would like it to look as close as possible. Thanks!!!

Gary J.

It's the original PG which I drilled.
And as I said, the diagram I got from Fender (came with the thumb rest, it was an actual Fender product) had the thumb rest mounted using the PG screw hole closest to the neck and set at that angle. I only had to drill the one hole, the one closest to the pickup.
That also pretty much matches any pics I've seen of 70's Fender Jazzes, too. So, As far as I know, it's fairly accurate. Close enough for me, anyway, if it is indeed not 100%.

[Old Fart]

I have one just like it. Love it.

[TRyan5289]

These are great basses, I picked one up back in February. I have thought about modding it, but decided against it. It's a great bass as is. Don't worry about changing something, unless it's cosmetic. I replaced the pickgaurd, and think its a stunning looking and playing bass.

Most of all, ENJOY!

[jorgensg]

Cliff - after I went back and looked at it a bit, I saw that you had used the PG screw hole closest to the neck. I can google a bit too for pics and if the diagram that came from Fender indicated that, it would be good enough for me! Thanks for your time.

Gary J.

[C.Linton]

You're welcome.
And here's a pic I found at Gbase of an actual '77 Fender J bass -

As you can see, the one screw on that side of the PG closest the pickup doesn't EXACTLY match the Squier, everything else appears to be accurate.

[kbaxter26]

LOVE THE VINTAGE MODIFIED SERIES. I THINK I HAVE PLAYED EVERY CONFIGURATION AND OWN A 77 MODEL. OTHER THAN REQUIRING A SET-UP, THEY ARE KILLER. THE DUNCAN DESIGNED PU'S JUST AMAZE ME!

[wkirk08]

I love these basses. I got mine back in april of 07 before they were even starting to be popular, and i just loved it. Sadly, my combo amp fell on the neck on the way to a gig...

Damage was irreversible. Its retired with no strings on it. I just loved it. I think its great that they havent jacked the price up at all with how many they sell. No doubt that it gets my vote for "i have 300 to spend on a bass....."

Good choice, op.

[C.Linton]

Agreed, love mine. As I had bought a brand new MIA Fender Jazz the year before for about $1200, I was totally blown away by how favorably this $300 Squier compared to it.

[blindrabbit]

Originally Posted by C.Linton

Agreed, love mine. As I had bought a brand new MIA Fender Jazz the year before for about $1200, I was totally blown away by how favorably this $300 Squier compared to it.

+1 (+2?), I'll concur with this. My VM Jazz was a great bass, my local set-up/luthier guy commented that it played and sounded as nice if not nicer than his "actual" 70s Jazz. I never was able to find a Fender that was as nice as it. The pickups were a touch hot and bright for my liking, but it was easily mitigated with the tone control. I got all sorts of compliments on how it looked, and as noted above, it plays fantastic.

The only reason I don't still own it is due to the weight (10+ lbs) and my wrecked shoulder demanding that I get a lighter bass. I sold it for basically what I paid for it to a guy who used it for studio work.

The fact you paid $170 for a new one is absolutely criminal! I think they are a steal at their regular street price! Well done!

[Jookbox]

Got a VM Jaguar, and put Chromes on it. I'm in love with this bass. These Vintage Modified basses are great.

[fenderlover77]

I always hated Squiers and never thought they were decent instruments UNTIL one day a friend of mine insisted I play his Squier VM Precision. He is a well known bassist in the metal community and has endorsements with Fender and Aguilar. I picked up his pbass and was amazed at how substantial it felt. Then I played it and was blown away. I immediately ordered one from Musicians Friend. It arrived a week later and I brought it over to my friends to do an A/B comparison. The quality was again top notch. So I ordered a vm jazz used and was again blown away. Although the vm jazz looked like it has water damage and it was filthy, the neck is still true and it plays amazing.

Overall, really impressed with these Squiers.

[pica]

Dude, $170 is a steal. Nice grab. Those VM basses are nice.