Which Squier VM?

3234718 · #1 06-18-2012, 08:28 AM

I always hear good things about the vintage modified Squiers.
I prefer warm and thumpy rather than bright and growly, and I'll most likely put flatwounds on whatever I get. Any thoughts/ideas/experiences on these basses with flatwounds?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/searc...ntage+modified

Squier Vintage Modified P Bass
Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass
Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass
Squier Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz Bass
Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass '77
Squier Vintage Modified Precision Bass TB
Squier Vintage Modified Mustang Bass Guitar

96tbird · #2 06-18-2012, 09:00 AM

Flats are going to be warm and thumpy anyway. I would go for a Jazz 77 black and maple, the jazz has a bit more tonal range over the P. But that's me. I have the bnb natural VMJ and have gas for the 77 now.

3234718 · #3 06-18-2012, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96tbird

Flats are going to be warm and thumpy anyway. I would go for a Jazz 77 black and maple, the jazz has a bit more tonal range over the P. But that's me. I have the bnb natural VMJ and have gas for the 77 now.

I like the 77 too, not crazy about the maple neck though.

96tbird · #4 06-18-2012, 09:04 AM

Take a look at the Classic vibe line? They're awesome. I'm a maple lover.

3234718 · #5 06-18-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96tbird

Take a look at the Classic vibe line? They're awesome. I'm a maple lover.

My only options for trying these out are Samash, Guitar Center, and little local retailers, and they'll only ever have one Squier to try. It would be awesome if Musiciansfriend did some sort of "try before you buy" but I can understand why that wouldn't work. People are sheisty and shipping a 20 pound box ain't cheap.

VicKevlar · #6 06-18-2012, 09:17 AM

Warm n' thumpy would suggest either the P or TB. I really like my VM P bass, it sounds good with flats or rounds. I have a Classic Vibe 50's P/TB, it has a single coil not the split like the VM, but it sounds wonderful with flats. I was shooting for a sound like in the Air song La Femme D'Argent and just about hit it. I would think with the pup closer to the neck you'd get an even rounder sound.

The P and TB have the same neck specs. The difference that catches my eye is the TB has a slab body while the P is contoured. Depending on how you feel about that, I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

To everyone else, check out that video. It was filmed in 1906 from a cable car on Market Street in San Francisco. It is fascinating.

96tbird · #7 06-18-2012, 09:24 AM

Yeah, I had flats on my CV 50 p, loved them, but in rehearsal, found them a little too soft and mush for the music and switched back to rounds to get the punch I wanted. That's just my story..... I loved the flats when practicing though. YMMV.

troy mcclure · #8 06-18-2012, 09:25 AM

They are cheap buy em all...

3234718 · #9 06-18-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy mcclure

They are cheap buy em all...

I'm tempted. I'm sure the bank wouldn't mind if I skipped a mortgage payment or two.

C.Linton · #10 06-18-2012, 09:36 AM

I have these two:
VM Jazz:

VM P (sadly now OOP):

Both with GHS Precision flats, both very warm, very thumpy.
EDIT: althought this ^^^particular color combo of the Amber VM P is indeed OOP, Musician's Friend still has some, at a discount at $254 new, and $221 used.

Old Fart · #11 06-18-2012, 10:11 AM

I have the Jazz pictured immediately above. LOVE it. Get lots of compliments on tone. But.....it is brighter than most basses. I simply use the brightness to add a bit of punch to the tone. In my case, it works. It's a full, rich tone that is thumpier than Jazzes usually are. Plus, it growls on command.

3234718 · #12 06-18-2012, 10:22 AM

Ugh. I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any experience with used basses from musiciansfriend? The Squier Vintage Modified P Bass for $221.84 is very tempting.

Doragon · #13 06-18-2012, 10:33 AM

I say the Jag....you get the thump with the P pickups and you can add growl with the J pickup. Just a great overall bass. Yes I do have one and also have a MF precision, VM Jazz, and the CV 50's P.

Floridabwoy · #14 06-18-2012, 10:44 AM

The white and black P bass. I love'd that bass and used the neck on another project that I love.

96tbird · #15 06-18-2012, 10:55 AM

So, as you can see, there is no consensus! But you can't go too far wrong with whatever you choose.

Robertjoel · #16 06-18-2012, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doragon

I say the Jag....you get the thump with the P pickups and you can add growl with the J pickup. Just a great overall bass. Yes I do have one and also have a MF precision, VM Jazz, and the CV 50's P.

+1
the passive VM Jags are great, I don't like the active short scale ones, though.

josiah goldfish · #17 06-18-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96tbird

Flats are going to be warm and thumpy anyway. I would go for a Jazz 77 black and maple, the jazz has a bit more tonal range over the P. But that's me. I have the bnb natural VMJ and have gas for the 77 now.

Hmmm, hmmm hmm, hmmmm... I borrowed a 77, and I'd say it's quite growly, not thumpy. Then again, I've only tried it with rounds, so what do I know?

What about the fretless? I don't know if you're a fretless player, but I tried it and it's fantastic.

And if you're looking for vintage tone, there's the '51 p bass. I think it's cv, looks pretty cool though?

3234718 · #18 06-18-2012, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josiah goldfish

Hmmm, hmmm hmm, hmmmm... I borrowed a 77, and I'd say it's quite growly, not thumpy. Then again, I've only tried it with rounds, so what do I know?

What about the fretless? I don't know if you're a fretless player, but I tried it and it's fantastic.

And if you're looking for vintage tone, there's the '51 p bass. I think it's cv, looks pretty cool though?

I don't know if my fretless ubass counts, but the samash by me has the fretless squier. I liked it, but if I can't get that Jaco mwaaaa out of it, I'll be disappointed.

96tbird · #19 06-18-2012, 11:03 AM

I can only say what I have heard from others with flats on the J's its gonna smooth the growl out. Just like my cvp 50s with flats, smooth and thump, but put the rounds back on, it snarls. Have never tried the fretless.

Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm is right!

og61pbass · #20 06-18-2012, 11:06 AM

I would get the VM P BASS in amber with the maple board,I have this bass and its thumpy,warm and has a really nice tone about it,sounds just like my 61 p.it has also replaced my 61 p as my main ax now and have been gigging with it for the past few months,all the good stuff your hearing about the VM squiers is true ,Squier has really come up from where they used to be,I've tried several MIM p basses before i scored the VM and they were dogs everyone of them,the squier was a better feel and the quality to me was way better..I want a VM jazz now or a classic vibe jazz..my VM has round rounds and i bet with flats it would sound even better,thinkn about going with rounds for both my P basses...