Squier vintage modified club, part 2 - Page 9

hernameisrio · #**161** 01-26-2013, 12:23 PM

That's funny because I'd probably do the opposite with the necks and then put a P-bass pickup in the jazz body (if that's even possible!? Never thought about it, might be a dumb question...!). So we would have like, inside out opposite basses! I was also considering a badass for my fretless, but I just won an EBMM Sterling on Ebay so I have to scale back a bit financially for a few months.

I'm kinda not wild about the tone of the pickups though. How weird/feasible would it be to change them over?

C.Linton · #**162** 01-26-2013, 12:47 PM

I actually have both of those basses, and, quite frankly, I like them pretty much the way they are.

andk5591 · #**163** 01-26-2013, 12:58 PM

Got mine (VM 70s Jazz) a year or two ago. The nut needed refiled, a general set up and DR Med Hi-Beams. Personally feel that even with just that, it was better than my real early 70s jazz that I had years ago. Decided after about 6 months to do a couple upgrades. Balance pot, better pots, Gotoh direct replacement bridge and lacquered the neck. Was a pretty nice improvement.

After about a month, decided that I needed a quicker more reproducible tone switching (play in a classic rock cover band). Got rid of the balance pot - did 2 mini-toggles for pickup switching and just one volume and tone. Made a 1 piece black pickguard and its great.

Still wont replace my Explorer P/J that I built close to 30 years ago, but its a close second.

Jason Carota · #**164** 01-29-2013, 07:18 AM

After quite a few basses over the years, I finally landed "the one:"

Everything about this bass is top-notch. Classic J sound with only a minor roll back of the neck pickup and tone. I've had a hard time putting it down.

Mykk · #**165** 01-29-2013, 07:59 AM

VMJ-5 here. Duncan Quarter Pounders, BassMods active preamp, Babicz bridge, Blue Steel Strings.

GoneFission · #**166** 01-31-2013, 06:59 AM

Can anyone help me out with the size and what type of tool is needed to adjust the VMJ70. Need to do a slight tweak and i can't seem to find this information anywhere. Thanks!

GoneFission · #**167** 01-31-2013, 07:00 AM

Ooops i am sorry i am talking about the Truss rod tool needed

SurferJoe46 · #**168** 01-31-2013, 10:41 AM

It's only an Allen wrench - but get a long shank one - and NOT from Harbor Freight

I buy long Tee-types as they are the best for ultimate controls.

gurensan · #**169** 01-31-2013, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoneFission

Can anyone help me out with the size and what type of tool is needed to adjust the VMJ70. Need to do a slight tweak and i can't seem to find this information anywhere. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

It's only an Allen wrench - but get a long shank one - and NOT from Harbor Freight

I buy long Tee-types as they are the best for ultimate controls.

I don't know about Harbor Freight's hex keys (Allen is a brand name! Mine are all American-made Bondhus!), but my VM precision is a 4mm.

Ball-end is worthwhile.

SurferJoe46 · #**170** 01-31-2013, 09:14 PM

"Allen" is the original designer/manufacturer of the internal-hex design, but the patent has long expired.

The word is generally considered as generic and even gets applied to other six-sided, internal cup-socket-driver fasteners.

HF troops will usually destroy the truss rod screw when the inferior Chinese metallurgy fails.

GoneFission · #**171** 02-01-2013, 08:52 AM

Thanks for the help...much appreciated!! 4mm it is and just ordered a T-type.

pica · #**172** 02-16-2013, 10:16 AM

I had gotten this bass as a back up to my Fender FSR Jazz. As it turns out this is an amazing bass. I love it so much that I use both basses. I did a blind sound test with a friend of mine and he could not tell the Squier from the Fender. IMO Squier quality has gotten much better then earlier models. People use to make jokes about Squiers, I don't hear them making jokes now.

oldleftybass · #**173** 02-16-2013, 02:16 PM

Yeah, I just got the same one- lefty. I had a Squier strat in the mid-80's couldn't get rid of it fast enough. This one is a whole 'nother ball game. Yeah, they've come a LONG way.

Low Class · #**174** 02-16-2013, 02:52 PM

I'm on my 3rd VM 70's 4 string. I've tried every pickup, bridge, and electronics upgrade under the sun. The VM I have now I picked up about a month ago on craigslist for $175 in mint condition. 1st year production. I tried several pickup and bridge swaps in this one, but finally landed on keeping it stock except for a Babicz bridge and strung with DR HiBeams. Run it through a Demeter BEQ pedal and it sounds great. A pleasure to play.

Fafner · #**175** 02-16-2013, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low Class

I'm on my 3rd VM 70's 4 string. I've tried every pickup, bridge, and electronics upgrade under the sun. The VM I have now I picked up about a month ago on craigslist for $175 in mint condition. 1st year production. I tried several pickup and bridge swaps in this one, but finally landed on keeping it stock except for a Babicz bridge and strung with DR HiBeams. Run it through a Demeter BEQ pedal and it sounds great. A pleasure to play.

I like the Babicz Bridge very much with thomastik flats the vintage modified precision has lots of girth and soul grind

Jason Carota · #**176** 02-17-2013, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low Class

I tried several pickup and bridge swaps in this one

Ever try the Nordstrand NJ4SE's in the VM?

Zapp · #**177** 02-18-2013, 07:04 AM

I'm bummed I just Missed a sunburst sweet deal to go with blondey.
Awfully sweet players. I'm interested in what you guys say of the babicz

GoneFission · #**178** 02-22-2013, 11:26 AM

LowClass ....you said you have the first years production of the VM70. What was the first year that they were made? I have two of them and purchased a 2012 a few months ago a loved it so much that i purchased another one used as a backup. The backup is a 2008 model and it feels totally different then the 2012 model. Slightly thicker neck and very noticeably a larger binding. Larger headstock. Overall a better balance in weight IMHO. The 2012's body is much heavier. Both basses sound terrific however but the 2008 is THE ONE for me.

GoneFission · #**179** 02-22-2013, 11:30 AM

Also i wanted to add that not only is the neck thicker on the 2008 it is slightly wider too. I measured it awhile ago and believe it was like 1/8" wider. Love the feel of the neck on the 2008 VMJ70!!!

Now i wonder though if all of the 2008's feel like mine or if there are variants in production of these basses even within the same year??

Low Class · #**180** 02-22-2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoneFission

LowClass ....you said you have the first years production of the VM70. What was the first year that they were made? I have two of them and purchased a 2012 a few months ago a loved it so much that i purchased another one used as a backup. The backup is a 2008 model and it feels totally different then the 2012 model. Slightly thicker neck and very noticeably a larger binding. Larger headstock. Overall a better balance in weight IMHO. The 2012's body is much heavier. Both basses sound terrific however but the 2008 is THE ONE for me.

Mine is a 2007. The neck feels a little chunkier, but not much. The neck definitely feels like a better quality.

btw, for all of you doing bridge and pickup mods. Spend your money on a Sadowsky outboard instead. Best this bass has ever sounded.