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Bass Conundrum

Musicschild17

Musicschild17

Feb 25, 2007
47
0
Florida
#1
Ok, here's the deal...I'm looking at getting an OLP and getting the seymour duncan stingray preamp to drop in it, my guy at the local GC has one coming for me and it should be here really soon. I also just bought a Squier VM P that I'm in love with, I love it so much that I've been neglecting my Fender Highway 1 Jazz, the pre-upgrade model, and today when I went in to see if the OLP had come yet I picked up the Squier VM 70's Jazz... As crazy as it is I think I like the Squier more...

So what I need help with is as follows, do I?:

1) Sell the Highway 1 and use the money from that to buy both the OLP and the Squier?...and maybe the Fretless VM too?
2) Buy just the OLP so I have 1 P, 1 J, and 1 MM style bass and then start modding the J so I can try and get a tone close to the VM?
or 3) Forget doing any of it and tell myself that I really don't need to buy anything right now anyway as I'm in between bands?

The rational answer is 3...but who needs to be rational? I guess I should also summarize a bit on what I want each for.

I have the P strung up with flats for the classic thump and I have the J strung up with rounds for everything else right now. What I like about the VM over my H1 is the neck is a bit thicker, I'm more of a P-neck guy, and the sound is different because of the 70's pickup placement and I absolutely love the sound of the VM. The fretted VM would be my replacement for the H1 as the multi-function bass and the OLP would be for that Stingray tone that I crave (I used to own a Ray', I'm sorry I parted with it) and the fretless VM would be for all my fretless needs. So basically I would have a bass for every situation.

The things I would miss about my highway 1 would be the fit and finish of the neck, while I think it's a little on the small side it is one hell of a nicely crafted piece of wood, and the classic look of the sunburst with the white pickguard, and the satin finish which I think looks stunning. The things I wouldn't miss are the reserved sound of the pups, they just don't growl like the VM, and the really thin neck...I've entertained thoughts of putting a P-neck on it...just not sure.

This is hard...and I don't really think there is a right answer, hence my need for help!
 
#2
I always have to read a post that has conundrum in the title! You should probably off the Highway One.

But I also wanted to tell you I was in a store a few months ago, and they had two OLPs and a JB Player Stingray knockoff. Neither one of the OLPs were close to the JB, although they were copies of the same bass. I thought it was a much better bass for the same money. Of course, it's not a licensed copy.......
 
#5
Thanks Charly, the only thing I see a problem with there is in order to put the Seymour Duncan pre in I'll have to drill the body and possibly make the cavity bigger. If I don't like the OLP though this is a great second option to try out, thanks!
 
#8
lonote said:
My advice is that you wait until the honeymoon period is over before you sell anything.
Click to expand...

With the Jazz or the P? I've owned the Jazz for over a year now, and I've considered tinkering with it since I've gotten it, so I know that it's not the ideal jazz bass in my head. Even if I don't buy any of the basses listed I would still want to mod out the highway 1, I just think it's a lot better to have a wide variety of tonal possibilities than be stuck with a bass I have to constantly play with. Not that I wouldn't mind modding it, and therein lies the conundrum...I could do either, but I don't really know which way I'm leaning yet.
 
#9
Musicschild17 said:
With the Jazz or the P? I've owned the Jazz for over a year now, and I've considered tinkering with it since I've gotten it, so I know that it's not the ideal jazz bass in my head. Even if I don't buy any of the basses listed I would still want to mod out the highway 1, I just think it's a lot better to have a wide variety of tonal possibilities than be stuck with a bass I have to constantly play with. Not that I wouldn't mind modding it, and therein lies the conundrum...I could do either, but I don't really know which way I'm leaning yet.
Click to expand...

I misread your post. When you said you "picked up" a VM Squier, I was thinking you bought it. Anyway, if you're between bands don't buy anything now, especially if it means selling off a nice USA bass.
 

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