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Bass Question. OMG, I feel like a newbie!!

Fleece3

Fleece3

Supporting Member
Apr 8, 2019
116
109
#1
I feel like such a newbie asking this question. I feel like I should know this already, but I don't.

What is the difference between a Squier Jazz Bass, and a Squier Vintage Modified jazz bass. I mean the actually difference. Not just a "this sounds better live" type answer. What is different, can you do it (make the mods) yourself?

Thanks,
Fleece
 
#4
Fleece3 said:
I mean what is the difference hardware wise. Or the tangible difference?
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I don't know what pickups they use now, but the Squier Vintage Modified basses used to have Duncan Designed pickups now it's a "Fender" pickup, the Squier Affinity basses have the least expensive and lesser quality pickups and hardware.
I think CV basses these days have Alnico instead of ceramic pickups and even better hardware - closer to or on par with the Fender MIM in quality.

In terms of Fender basses, a simplified hierarchy goes like this:- (there's series, special models but generally)

US Fender Custom shop >US Fender >MIM/MIJ Fender > Squier Classic Vibe> Squier Vintage Modified > Squier Affinity>Squier Bullet (for guitars anyway)
 
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#5
Fleece3 said:
I mean what is the difference hardware wise. Or the tangible difference?
Click to expand...

Squier doesn’t just put out a Jazz Bass, there are different models. It usually goes Affinity Series, VM than Classic Vibe with progressively better hardware. Affinity Series is the basic line with standard guitars. VM does what it says, takes vintage spec models but adds mods, like humbuckers instead of single coils etc...Classic Vibe are 50s-70s models that stay true to the original designs.
 
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#6
Fleece3 said:
I feel like such a newbie asking this question. I feel like I should know this already, but I don't.

What is the difference between a Squier Jazz Bass, and a Squier Vintage Modified jazz bass. I mean the actually difference. Not just a "this sounds better live" type answer. What is different, can you do it (make the mods) yourself?

Thanks,
Fleece
Click to expand...
Are you planning on buying one?
If so, do yourself a favor, forget about all the variations...just buy one of the discontinued Classic Vibes.
You can mod it, obviously, but you simply will not have to.
 
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#8
Fleece3 said:
No, not planning to buy one. I just want to know what the "MODS" are.
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«Vintage Modified» is just a name for a series of basses Squier produces. As there are several different models in this series, your question is difficult to answer - especially as you’re comparing it to something as unspecific as a «Squier Jazz Bass» which covers every single model of Jazz bass that Squier makes. You need to be specific as to the actual model.

A better way to phrase the question would be (for instance): «What is the difference between a Squier Vintage Modified 70’s Jazz Bass and a Squier Classic Vibe 70’s Jazz Bass?»
 
#9
JakobT said:
«Vintage Modified» is just a name for a series of basses Squier produces. As there are several different models in this series, your question is difficult to answer - especially as you’re comparing it to something as unspecific as a «Squier Jazz Bass» which covers every single model of Jazz bass that Squier makes. You need to be specific as to the actual model.

A better way to phrase the question would be (for instance): «What is the difference between a Squier Vintage Modified 70’s Jazz Bass and a Squier Classic Vibe 70’s Jazz Bass?»
Click to expand...

OK, Let's phase it that way. I still have the question.

"What is the difference between a Squier Vintage Modified 70’s Jazz Bass and a Squier Classic Vibe 70’s Jazz Bass?!!!"
 
#10
Personally I think the Classic Vibes have the edge on the V Ms, I own a Squier V M short scale Jaguar Bass and it's okay for the money, I tried a Classic Vibe 70s Precision Bass out and the finish was a lot better than the V M, it had a maple neck with block inlays though so I don't think either range are exact copies of the originals but have some subtle variations. If you want a Squier save up for a JV series from 82-84, well worth the dosh. I own one other Squier, a 1990 MIJ pre logo Silver Series 62 Stratocaster and I love it, swapped the Gotoh's for some vintage Nickel Klusons
 
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#11
Biffa said:
Personally I think the Classic Vibes have the edge on the V Ms, I own a Squier V M short scale Jaguar Bass and it's okay for the money, I tried a Classic Vibe 70s Precision Bass out and the finish was a lot better than the V M, it had a maple neck with block inlays though so I don't think either range are exact copies of the originals but have some subtle variations. If you want a Squier save up for a JV series from 82-84, well worth the dosh. I own one other Squier, a 1990 MIJ pre logo Silver Series 62 Stratocaster and I love it, swapped the Gotoh's for some vintage Nickel Klusons
Click to expand...

This thread has gone EXACTLY where I did not want it to go. A "this one is better than one" discussion. I was just asking the technical differences. This one uses these pickups, that one is passive, this one use a <whatever> pre-amp (if any). That sort of thing.
 
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#12
Fleece3 said:
This thread has gone EXACTLY where I did not want it to go. A "this one is better than one" discussion. I was just asking the technical differences. This one uses these pickups, that one is passive, this one use a <whatever> pre-amp (if any). That sort of thing.
Click to expand...

2 minutes on the Squier site will tell you most if not all of that.
 
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#13
Griev said:
2 minutes on the Squier site will tell you most if not all of that.
Click to expand...

I will check that out. I am trying to learn, or take a deeper dive into, the bass as an instrument. WHY do basses sound the way they sound. Why certain pickups looks the same but sound VERY different, if a certain pre-amp is better suited for thumping, why? ETC. Any and all resources are appreciated.
 
#14
Fleece3 said:
I will check that out. I am trying to learn, or take a deeper dive into, the bass as an instrument. WHY do basses sound the way they sound. Why certain pickups looks the same but sound VERY different, if a certain pre-amp is better suited for thumping, why? ETC. Any and all resources are appreciated.
Click to expand...

You’re prolly not gonna get what you’re looking for from a single post on TB. Even limited to the Squire series as originally asked, your Q’s in this post make for a long and broad learning curve - one that will need research beyond just asking the collective for a straight answer.

Not trying to harsh your vibe (no pun intended), just expect a lot of noise between useful data in your quest for knowledge. Patience, tolerance and research will get you what you seek but probably not as quickly as you might hope. You’re not wrong to want to know. Good luck.
 
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#15
I will be getting a new Squier CV 70's Jazz Bass soon.....
Sure, I'm going to do a few mods.... won't be until this summer (if winter ever ends!)
I want a certain color that isn't offered by Squier........and I'll be doing a few other things to it as well...
It's going to be fun.

I'd never be able to get what I'm going to do with that bass, from Fender's Custom Shop, unless I forked over a tall stack of bills... no thanks.
 
#16
Fleece3 said:
This thread has gone EXACTLY where I did not want it to go. A "this one is better than one" discussion. I was just asking the technical differences. This one uses these pickups, that one is passive, this one use a <whatever> pre-amp (if any). That sort of thing.
Click to expand...

The search function is your friend. So is politeness.

Welcome to talkbass!
 
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#17
Fleece3 said:
This thread has gone EXACTLY where I did not want it to go. A "this one is better than one" discussion. I was just asking the technical differences. This one uses these pickups, that one is passive, this one use a <whatever> pre-amp (if any). That sort of thing.
Click to expand...

Don't feel bad...

... I'm still waiting on the answer to, "What is the meaning of life?"



I do know one thing... the knowledge we pass along to each other now, is way better than the gifts we get for our twelfth birthday...
 
#19
Squier Contemporary Jazz Bass Features:

  • 4-string electric bass guitar
  • Ceramic single-coil pickups for punchy lows, clear highs, and high-output tone
  • Modern bridge enhances resonance and makes restringing easier
  • Fast-playing Slim "C" neck profile and 12"-radius fretboard
  • Classic J Bass control set with individual volume knob and master tone knob

Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass Features:

  • Poplar body, gloss polyurethane finish
  • Maple neck, C profile, 34" scale length
  • Maple fingerboard, 9.5" radius, 20 Narrow Tall frets, Block inlays
  • 2 Fender Designed Alnico single-coil pickups
  • Bridge and Neck Volume controls
  • Master Tone control
  • 4-saddle Vintage-style bridge
  • 1.5" synthetic bone nut
  • Vintage-style tuners
Note: As copied from Sweetwater's site. I'm sure more detailed info could be obtained from Fender's marketing department.
 
#20
Fleece3 said:
"What is the difference between a Squier Vintage Modified 70’s Jazz Bass and a Squier Classic Vibe 70’s Jazz Bass?!!!"
Click to expand...
You have to also understand, that for example Affinity models from late 90s to mid 2000s are different from what they are now. For example, previous Affinities had smaller tuning pegs, only 1-ply pickguard, while modern day Affinity basses have the same size tuning pegs and 3-ply pickguard as VM or CV models.

I'd say it's the same with the whole Classic Vibe thing, it also depends on a year. Just recently they started a NEW Classic Vibe models, for example, and already it's a little bit different than the previous run of Classic Vibe, in fact most people (on here) said that it's more of a rebranded Vintage Modified.

From the looks of it, I don't think CV or VM models were any different in the hardware area (tuners, bridge, saddles). Sorry I don't have an answer about "VM vs CV", because I couldn't find one myself. Usually search results (google, not here) were "CV is slightly better than VM" in regards to any guitar or bass Squier makes. I don't know why, maybe people think that extra $ of CV price actually matter in regards to quality, but I have a sneaky suspicion that both CV and VM models are/were made in the same factory from same materials and parts anyway.

(I own 3 Squier basses, VM PJ, VM 70s J, and P Special)
 

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