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Fender Squier VM Jazz neck pocket quandaries...

Insederec

Insederec

Dec 10, 2012
152
146
29
San Antonio, TX
#1
I've got a fretless VM Squier and I've been hungering for that jazz sound but with frets. Most of my basses are fretless, and as much as I'd never thought I'd say it, I want frets. So I'm thinking of grabbing a jazz neck off Warmoth sometime to slap on the bass because it's cheaper than a new one and I like the sound of the one I have, plus it'll save space. On the website they say the neck heel size is 2 1/2" but I measured mine and it's 2 3/16". I imagine I could sand it down, but I really don't want to. I'd like someone to confirm that the Squier neck pocket will work with all other jazz bass specs. Evidence points to yes yet my bass seems to be too small, so I'm not sure.
 
#2
Interesting that this question should pop up today. I was just busy searching the same thing. I just picked up a Fretless Jazz VM -- spur of the moment decision, I like the tone, and the guy was practically giving it away. This bass needed a 'forever' home.
Anyhow, I finished up my fretless phase a couple of years ago, so I think I might swap out the neck for a fretted one.
I have the same questions as Insederec -- what necks will fit on this bass? I'm not looking to make a 'fake' MIA or something like that, and in reality if I could find a Jazz VM fretted neck, I would pop that on in a heartbeat... but what else will fit?

Thanks!

darrell
 
#3
If i were you, i'd give Mighty Mite necks a try, as for the price, i don't think you can go wrong...and I am pretty sure some folks have fit them to Squier VM's without issue.

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I'd go for the maple/maple jazz one...;)

Good Luck!
 
#4
gidbass said:
If i were you, i'd give Mighty Mite necks a try, as for the price, i don't think you can go wrong...and I am pretty sure some folks have fit them to Squier VM's without issue.

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I'd go for the maple/maple jazz one...;)

Good Luck!
Click to expand...
That'd be great if I was looking for a cheap fix, but I'm thinking I might take that Warmoth neck sometime and get a body for it and make a separate fretted jazz for when I am out on my own and have the space for my collection.
 
#8
I bought the same bass a few years ago and after a few months it sat in the corner, sadly, unplayed. After breaking the wrist on my fretting hand on 5 seperate occasions in my youth, it turns out that fretless bass isn't for me.
The body on my VM is really nice and I wanted to keep it. I ordered a MIM Jazz neck from Fender. It was $199 on their website. When it came I thought I would bolt it up and switch the tuners and I'd have a sweet Jazz. Wrong. The neck bolt holes didn't line up and there was a lot of play on both sides of the neck. Also, the Squier tuners were too small for the holes on the MIM neck. I took it to a local Luthier and he plugged the predrilled holes on the neck, drilled new ones, and shimmed each side with some wood vaneer. It fit tight! I ordered some Fender reverse tuners and they fit great. He didn't plug the predrilled holes for the tuners as the new ones just covered them up. He set it up and this thing is nice! It's now a very playable, very nice looking, Mexinesion Jazz Bass.
 

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