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2nd Bass: Squier CV '50s, VM TB or VM Jag?

2nd Bass: Which do you recommend?

  • Squier CV '50s P Bass (Blonde)

    Votes: 118 57.0%

  • Squier VM Telebass

    Votes: 24 11.6%

  • Squier VM Jaguar

    Votes: 65 31.4%
  • Total voters
    207
  • Poll closed .
S

soulfool

Dec 28, 2009
41
0
#1
I'm planning on purchasing my second bass soon. I started playing bass a little under 2 years ago after purchasing a Hofner Ignition, which may seem a little unconventional as a first bass but it's light weight and easy transition from a guitar has made it an ideal first bass for me. But now I'm ready to try a standard 34" scale with Fender attributes. Something that is as easily played with fingers as it is a pick, unlike my Hofner which almost demands a pick. After much research I've narrowed it down to 3 basses that I'd like to get some opinions from TBers on before making a final decision. In my situation, stated above, which would you recommend:
• #3) Lowest on my list but still in the running is the Squier VM Precision Bass TB: Invalid Link Removed
PROS: Based on the few youtube videos, I love the deep humbucker sound. I'm also very fond of telecaster headstocks and satin necks. The color of the body is nice and the pickguard makes it look bad-ass.
CONS: Haven't found one in the wild and some reviews claim it's heavy and not very versatile... Having only a Hofner as my other bass, I'm look for some versatility. Plus I have a suspicion that Squier will be phasing out or replacing this model soon.
• #2) The Squier VM Jaguar:
Invalid Link Removed
PROS: Versatility due to the P&J pickups. Undoubtably the sleekest Squier out there. Thin jazz neck – I'm 6' tall but I have somewhat small hands, another reason my Hofner has been my sole bass.
CONS: Not my favorite body shape and not loving the black headstock.
• #1) The Squier CV '50s P Bass in Butterscotch Blonde:
Invalid Link Removed
PROS: As mentioned in #3, I LOVE telecaster style basses. Before this came out, but after seeing the Amber CV P Bass, I imagined something closely to this as being my dream bass, looks-wise. I've also read reports that it's light, which is very important to me. The body appears to be thin and nicely contoured. Honestly if this had the humbucker from the VM TB, this would be the one. But based on the specs and having not ever actually played one is where I get my cons.
CONS: the 60 cycle hum due to the pickup – Any unwanted pickup noise REALLY annoys me. I'm not sure how extreme it is, CV 50s owners please let me know if this is a non-issue. Also having somewhat small hands I'm concerned about the "baseball bat" neck claims and the 1.65" neck width. I've played in-store Standard P-Basses and was immediately turned off by their neck width but I'm not sure if the rounded neck on the CV '50s P would help offset some of the discomfort or add to it.

So that's my 3. Which do you recommend as my second bass?

Some last minute details that might be helpful: I play at home nightly, occasionally record with a four track (I know, old school) or Garage Band. Every now and then jam with friends, that includes 2 guitarists and a drummer. Favorite bands that I like to play are: Pixies, The Beatles, The Strokes, Pinback, Bob Marley and Belle & Sebastian.

Thank you in advance for any feedback and/or voting!
 
#2
I can vouch for the VM series, but I only have experience with the Jazz bass.
I love it and that's about it.

60 cycle hum on my bass is pretty noticeable, but its hard to hear when I'm playing with my band.

And I see you're looking for versatility. Some may say that Precision basses aren't the best for this.
Just an observation...
 
#3
Thanks for the quick response. It's funny you mention the VM Jazz. The new special run sunburst model from MusiciansFriend is practically tied with the VM TB from my list.

Vintage Modified Jazz Bass: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

I haven't omitted it completely as an option but I have a somewhat similar looking Squier electric guitar so it doesn't excite me as much as the three I listed.

note: in the link above you'll need to select the drop-down menu to "3-tone sunburst" to view the sunburst model.
 
#5
#s 3 & 2 both have Jazz necks and are thin and fast.

#1 is a Precision-style neck and a little wider, although nice and fast too - your choice. # 1 is kind of a one-trick pony and doesn't have a large pallet or voices and sounds - whereas the other two - especially the Jag have a greater number of voices and abilities.

The Jag has some very bright p'ups and can honk hard and long in the mix and is really outstanding in it's singing ability. You can get a serious amount of growl and thump outta the p'ups as the Ps sound like a P and the Bridge J sounds like a Bridge J. Blend the two and you've got a choir of angels singing to you.

100_7797.jpg


The Jazz has some seriously warm-yet-old-school p'ups that have many zones of tones and with abilities to blend and sounds that can keep you in Variety-Happyland for a long time.

100_7541.png


I own both the VM jazz and the VM-Jaguar and the only time I can hear any hum is when I get within a foot of my CPU in my desktop computer. Otherwise it's quiet as a dead mouse.
 
#7
RyanJD said:
I can vouch for the VM series, but I only have experience with the Jazz bass.
I love it and that's about it.

60 cycle hum on my bass is pretty noticeable, but its hard to hear when I'm playing with my band.

And I see you're looking for versatility. Some may say that Precision basses aren't the best for this.
Just an observation...
Click to expand...

Considering that I've seen tons of P-basses in many many bands of just about any genre you can name that fits in just right, I would disagree with that assessment. A P-bass, despite it's simplicity, IMO, is one of the most versatile basses around. The TB version, maybe not so much.
 
#8
VM isn't a bad series at all, but the pickups on the CV series just seem less harsh and have a more well-rounded tone....sounds like a Fender. That having been said, I have a VM 70's jazz that I put two Dimarzio model j's into and a CV 60's p-bass that is just fine the way it is =)
 
#9
Good choice narrowing your search down to either a CV or VM bass. :) You can't go wrong with either.

I'm not surprised to see the TB not getting much love. It's underappreciated for some reason. If it were me, that's the one I would choose because I think that fat mudbucker would give me great tone and I'm already set for standard P split-coils. If, however, you don't have a bass with a standard P split-coil, you should probably go with the CV 60's P, which isn't even on your list. Truly, that's a cornerstone of bass tone now and forever so I recommend either the CV 60's P or possibly a Matt Freeman sig. You wouldn't want to live without a "real" Precision in your life (at least, I wouldn't)
 
#10
If you're not into 60-cycle hum then you don't want the 50's CV P in Butterscotch. The neck is nice though.

I highly recommend the 60's CV P, I love mine. It's fairly light as well, unlike my MF FSR VM J (which you mentioned as well) which weighs a ton!
 
#11
C.Linton said:
Considering that I've seen tons of P-basses in many many bands of just about any genre you can name that fits in just right, I would disagree with that assessment. A P-bass, despite it's simplicity, IMO, is one of the most versatile basses around. The TB version, maybe not so much.
Click to expand...

Agreed - we all know that a P is sweet and is responsible for more miles of grooves on more records than any other bass in the world.

Don't get me wrong - I love the voice of a P and have a couple to prove it - but I even know that since the OP stated requisite variety, that I think a P/J or a J is a better choice, as either of them can come pretty close to a full-on P voice.

But by all means get at least ONE Precision and ONE Jazz and then branch out as variety may require in the future.

This makes a great case for- and argument about- buying the P/J Jaguar I think.
 
#14
soulfool said:
CONS: Haven't found one in the wild and some reviews claim it's heavy and not very versatile... Having only a Hofner as my other bass, I'm look for some versatility. Plus I have a suspicion that Squier will be phasing out or replacing this model soon.
Click to expand...

I've played the VM TB and honestly, I really liked it. It has the look, it has the thunder (although some would call it muddy) and the neck felt really good to me. However, it is pretty much a one-trick pony, and not at all what I would call versatile.

The CV 50's P is another winner in my book, but my vote for versatility goes to the VM Jag, hands down.


nocontrols said:
Another thought on the VM Jag with the P/J pickups: Isn't that going to be released in a short scale edition soon? Not a bad choice for a Hofner guy who is acclimatized to small basses.
Click to expand...

The SS Jag should be shipping by early June, if my insider sources are correct.

Can't. Wait.
 
#15
ghostdog93 said:
I've played the VM TB and honestly, I really liked it. It has the look, it has the thunder (although some would call it muddy) and the neck felt really good to me. However, it is pretty much a one-trick pony, and not at all what I would call versatile.
Click to expand...

That one trick sounds really good to me right about now. :) I think I'm going to have to see which dealers have one in stock locally.
 
#16
ghostdog93 said:
I've played the VM TB and honestly, I really liked it. It has the look, it has the thunder (although some would call it muddy) and the neck felt really good to me. However, it is pretty much a one-trick pony, and not at all what I would call versatile. .
Click to expand...

+1.

I bought one as a backup bass. It became my nr.1 bass and now I'm looking for another one as backup. All my other basses (with the exception of my Harmony H22) sound thin and anemic compared to this. I've owned new and vintage Fenders, Rickenbackers, MusicMan basses and a lot of other expensive stuff so I feel a bit strange having a cheap Squier as my current favourite but I'm not going to let snobbery stand in the way of sounding good.
 
#17
I bought both the CV 50's in Lake Placid Blue, and more recently, the VM Jag. Both amazing instruments. I can't tell much about the CV, because I brought it immediately upon purchase to a luthier to have it defretted :hiding: and stringed BEAD. I would love to buy the blonde, without any mods (except putting flats on it), but then that would be my 5th bass, and it's already hard enough to spread playing time over four.

I love the Jag, and I think it's one of the most beautiful designs out there, this being said by someone who would never buy a black bass :D Plays very well, but I have to get used to the brighter, more "twangy" sound than a Fender Jazz. I'll probably put Chromes on, one of these days. The hum is noticeable, especially when compared with a MIA Jazz. But then again, that would go unnoticed in most live situations. I didn't record with it, so I don't know about its behaviour there. One of the things that sold me on the Jag, it's the absence of the switches as found on other (Fender and Squier) Jag basses. Stacked knobs, one per pup, and that's it. Bingo! Oh, and the tone "ring" around the volume knob has notches (10). Never had that on an instrument before. Well, I mostly play with everything open, so... :D

Since I like and love both CV 50's and VM Jag, and only own them since very recently, I didn't vote... I'll be able to within, say... months?
 
#19
Well, I voted for the 50's CV P. Any of these are great choices. Just something to think about, IMHO, P basses will sound great in a mix, playing with other people. However, if you play it by yourself just jamming, it comes across as an unpleasant sound to me. If I'm jamming alone, generally I'll play my Jazz which sounds better on its own. That being said, I haven't had my P for long, and haven't quite decided what to do with it. I put flats on it, because so many people here on TB recommend it, but I think that I'm finding that it's not the sound for me. I'm giving it a little bit more time, because everyone says flats need time to settle in and the sound changes, but I've had them on there for about a month and still don't know that I care for that sound a lot. I haven't played the Jag, so I really can't offer much on that. On paper, it sounds like it would be your most versatile choice, but I also agree with SurferJoe46 in getting one jazz and one P, then going from there. Hope this helps.
 

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