does any high end jazz sound like the vm squier jazz?

[Bassamatic]

I have a VM fretless, and it is really amazing in overall quality. No - it is probably not made of the best woods, but it was only $200 used. How can you beat that? I can easily imagine how it could be with better pups.

For example, replaced my pups in my MIM P with MIA Pups, and it made a world of difference - Barts or others would surely be even better.

 

[Baird6869]

Yeah. Its a shame that something affordable has comparable tone to an overpriced Fender copy.

The VM is affordable but compared to my Sadowskys, it is not even close in sound. Also, it doesn't cut nearly as well.

My Geddy Lee Jazz and MIA 60th Anni Jazz also sounded much better than the VM. The Geddy is $800, the 60th is $1300 and a VM is under $300 though.

Most "Overpriced Fender Copies" tend to be very modern sounding. Alleva Coppola is one exception and the VM is also more traditional.

Your bass is a remarkable value for approx $300. If there is something wrong with the neck.. take it back or get it fixed.

 

[rok51]

Although I no longer have any Fender basses, I was favorably impressed with the Squire Vintage Jazz. The 'soft maple' reminds me of alder. Action and fretwork on the few that I played was just fine. Tonality was on par with many of the Jazzes that I have played over the years. Best? No. Certainly serviceable-excellent, in fact, for someone who can't afford "the real thing".

In my most humble of opinions, I feel that players of all stripes need to assess function versus hype. Because a bass is handmade of exotic wood, and has the most up-to-date electronics (active or passive) doesn't necessarily make it the bass that fills YOUR needs.

Fender basses (and guitars) were the 'Chevy Biscaynes' of the era. Simple, solid, cheap (at least compared to Gibsons and Guilds). The technology was basic...but they worked.

Like many of my peers, I saw great basses and poor basses come out of the same place...often with sequential serial numbers...okay...I made that up-I didn't really check. The truth was, one 19XX Fender might be a totally different animal than the next 19XX Fender. The truly great ones are what we all cherish and upon which the legend was formed. Unfortunately, not all of the run might be up to that standard.

I came to embrace Peavey basses in the late 70's. To me they were the "Fender bass done right". Before the flames start, let me explain.
Fender basses and guitars were decidedly low tech when compared to the competition...and I had what I would describe as a "dream" one. Nothing special...yet they sounded as good, or better than the "accepted" instruments of the day. In the day of set-neck instuments, the Fender bolt-on neck was heresy...but it enabled less skilled workers to make an instrument that was on the same functional level as the higher priced competition...at a lower price point.

Hartley Peavey ushered in CNC machining for guitars and basses...assuring a more consistent approach for construction. While vilified by the competition, history has confirmed his approach...and we all benefit as a result.

A one-off custom, handbuilt instrument may indeed be the cat's meow. A lot of it depends on whose hands it may be...and are they having a good day.

Kim

 

[joebingo]

You can't buy a sense of humor, DOH......

I think you missed his poi... damn.




to the OP: The answer is yes. anything with 2 J pickups and passive electronics will sound like the VMJ.

But it won't sound the same. My MIA sounds similar, but (as far as i can hear, and this is preferential too) it sounds far superior. It's an old saying, but it rings true with basses as much as anything else.

You get what you pay for.