Checking out a Squier VM Jazz Bass

[DoFuzz]

Hi,

Mostly lurking guitar player here - again taking advantage of the knowledge of the TB crew. I'll check out a used (as new) sunburst fretless Squier VM Jazz Bass in a day or two and read some threads on "fret sprout" and other "troublems" with this model and/or similar CV fretless models.

Any thoughts on the 2013 fretless Squier VM Jazz Bass will be appreciated and what I should checking for beside the obvious (tuners, neck/straightness, pups, neck pocket etc). Rarely played a fretless and would prefer it without "fret/position makers" but cheaper fretless basses are rare here.

Cheers, Michael

 

[One Way]

The first bass I owned was a 2014 Squier VM 70’s Jazz. It payed and sounded excellent, no need to change any components.
One characteristic of this bass, the Jazz neck is thin by design and needed truss rod adjustment when I installed flat wound strings with higher tension than the rounds that it came with. Things to watch? Like any resale guitar or bass, check the strap buttons to verify they are secure.
Enjoy yours!

 

[DoFuzz]

Hi

thx for the info and suggestions One Way. Appreciated! Anyway, I hope that it won't be a "lemon" and winter is always tough on some guitar & bass necks. Now if only TB would let me edit my own post I'd be a appier. I'm not a native speaker so apologies for all and any mistakes, misspelling, grammar and other....

Cheers!

 

[Maxdusty]

Hi

thx for the info and suggestions One Way. Appreciated! Anyway, I hope that it won't be a "lemon" and winter is always tough on some guitar & bass necks. Now if only TB would let me edit my own post I'd be a appier. I'm not a native speaker so apologies for all and any mistakes, misspelling, grammar and other....

Cheers!

I'm assuming this is the model you're referring to? I had one and had no problem with the fret bumps. Played pretty well actually. A few things to mention, the neck on mine was fine and when I first bought it used, it was bowed pretty badly, thank goodness the truss rod was able to adjust it and hold that position the whole time I owned it. Other thing is there are two versions available of this bass, the preferred one has the Seymour Duncan designed pickups written on the pickups, the later version uses unmarked Squier pickups- the SD designed sounds a little better imo, but pickups can always be replaced.

 

[Clark Westfield]

Had one and regret selling it.

It was my first new bass.

Wish I still had it.

 

[DoFuzz]

Hi,

Yes that's the model so thx for the input guys. I did some research and most seem to prefer the Duncan pups - the one I'll be trying out tomorrow will be the Squier ones. I'll start off with the bass as is if I buy it and if it just feels and sounds ok (like my Squier 60's CV Jazz that sounds/feels really nice - thanks to some setup help from you here).

So I think I'll be able to get some really good recorded sounds from both - even if my chops on fretless will be limited I guess...

Cheers

 

[Maxdusty]

The bass has an ebanol fretboard which seems to work well for the bass, there's a certain slickness to it that makes it easier for a beginner to slide on. I was on a fretless bass kick for a while, I had this Squier VM and also a MIM Fender fretless jazz bass at the same time. Believe it or not, between the two, the Squier felt and played a little better in the hands and fingers although not surprising, the Fender sounded a little better with the stock pickups. I ended up selling the MIM Fender and keeping the Squier for a while.

 

[Steadfast]

I took the vm neck and put it on my music man sub bass. GLORIOUS!

 

[JimmyThunder]

I've owned a few and never saw a lemon, necks were always great

You can buy an unlined MightyMite neck for a cheap and easy swap, make those fretlines disappear

 

[pbass74]

I have a VM fretted jazz which is a really nice bass. Then I bought a VM fretless Precision in like new condition. For fun, I switched the necks on them, however the fretless neck needed some work, mainly the nut slots were not cut deep enough for a fretless bass. I spent some time carefully filing down the slots and now it plays much better.

 

[Spects01]

For anyone checking this out because they are considering a VM I compared the VM to the CV 60s. The CV 60s is a mark above the VM in my opinion. Penny for pound the CV offers more in balance, feel, and build quality. The sound/tone is also a bit better although I would upgrade the electronics. They are not stellar. It is a bit challenging to get the sound you want compared to say an American Professional and not nearly as bright and fully ranged but it sounds nice and you can absolutely get useful tones. On the used market the price difference between a VM and CV 60s narrows so worth checking out.

 

[nonohmic]

I bought one and love it. Replaced the neck with a MIM fretless player neck. Check the neck.

 

[tpaul]

Hi,

Mostly lurking guitar player here - again taking advantage of the knowledge of the TB crew. I'll check out a used (as new) sunburst fretless Squier VM Jazz Bass in a day or two and read some threads on "fret sprout" and other "troublems" with this model and/or similar CV fretless models.

Any thoughts on the 2013 fretless Squier VM Jazz Bass will be appreciated and what I should checking for beside the obvious (tuners, neck/straightness, pups, neck pocket etc). Rarely played a fretless and would prefer it without "fret/position makers" but cheaper fretless basses are rare here.

Cheers, Michael

How can a fretless bass suffer from fret sprout?

 

[Killing Floor]

It's no different than Strats and Teles and all the others in that any bass can be great, average, or sub at any price. If it's in great shape when you get it there's no reason to worry. Fretless won't give you any problems. The setup should be the same but it may be a little harder to hear buzz, that's a good problem. Have fun and embrace the mwah.

 

[DoFuzz]

Thx guys,

all useful input for a newcomer to the world of "intonation wants to be free" .

I just need a fretless for recording some demo tunes to get the right feel/sound as the songs are meant to played with others - and that's not happening much with the pandemic going on all over the world at the moment. So stay safe and again thanks for the info.

Cheers

 

[minimalist freedom]

Bought a new fretted 70,s VM Jazz. Traded it a few weeks later. That was me.

 

[DoFuzz]

Got it. Pristine, almost unplayed, good weight - very "pianolike" clarity and attack ok pups - so now for some setup; string height, intonation and such stuff. Promising. Unfortunately I don't know the brand of strings on it - defo not Daddario's - seem quite hard/stiff.

I'm having some difficulty with vibrato - remember I'm used to playing D'addario .0095 to .044 gauge ... anyone using lighter strings on fretless? Onwards and upwards....

Cheers

 

[Spects01]

Vibrato as in moving your hand side to side nut to heel? Not bending strings.

These are my preferred for fretless. Flatwound, never round. That's how you get the magical "mwah"!

 

[Sid Fang]

Bought a VM Jazz V as a platform for a Roland MIDI pickup. I just wanted cheap and functional. Got a demo unit from a local store for less than $300 out-the-door. Not the prettiest wood. Weighs 12 lbs. But it plays very very nicely, and has a really excellent (non-MIDI) tone with the Duncan Designed p’ups. I have paid 10 times more for only twice as good, which sounds back-handed but is actually high praise.

 

[Sid Fang]

...I'm having some difficulty with vibrato - remember I'm used to playing D'addario .0095 to .044 gauge

Vibrato on fretless and upright is best done with a motion along the axis of the string, rather than back-and-forth across it like a guitar.