Fender Victor Bailey vs. Fender Jazz Deluxe QMT/FMT

I have both. Playability on both are great. I don't know if its the different woods or if the the Victor Bailey has a different version of the preamp. The Victor Bailey sounded alot better. I just got my FMT back today. Had the Fender preamp taken out and a Sadowsky one put in. Sounds alot better now. Still haven't a/bed them.

 

I would also be interested in hearing others opinions especially regarding 5 string models. I wonder if the Bailey would be good for rock...

I played a deluxe QMT several years ago and wasn't thrilled with the way the preamp sounded (noisy if I remember correctly) but otherwise felt it played very well even considering it was probably in need of a setup.

 

I own both basses, The VB in a 4 string and the FMT in a fiver. First off my VB has "noiseless" pups and my FMT V has SCN's in it. The VB bass is funky and articulate as all get out! It's the bass I get the most comments on. It is a very light bass and easy to gig with. It's pre-amp I think is unlike any other Fender and the neck is to die for!!! As for the FMT V, it too is a fantastic bass! I really think this bass was too close to Fender's CS custom classic that's why they discontinued it!!! The FMT V's pre-amp also sounds different from the MIA DLX pre imho it never gets boomy or shrill and remains clear no matter how it's adjusted. Imho the FMT bass get more of a vintage sound between the two but both cut through very well.
I agree that these two basses are the best at least active non CS production run basses Fender makes.

 

A friend of mine picked up a great looking VB5 used a few months ago. Several people tried it in the store including myself and we were all impressed. I almost bought it. Within a week it was back in the store. In his opinion his MIA Jazz Deluxe 5 spanked it. Having heard his JD5, I'd have to agree.

I own an FMT5 and have played several VB's, FMT's and QMT's. I'd take a well set up Jazz Deluxe 5 over any of them. Another friend of mine has a trans white one that is easily one of the best J type basses I've ever played. Effortless to play but sounds like you're working really hard.

 

I had always been interested in the VB5 but never played one. I did, however, play a used FMT5 a couple of years ago. All I can say is if I had the $1200 that day to pick it up I would have. The back of the neck was flat and the neck all around was fast and comfortable. This describes my impression of the Custom Classic 5 I played last year as well. Now the JD5s, I absolutely do not care for those. Not because of how they sound (they sound great) but the necks on those are way too chunky and slow for my tastes.