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First Gen Squier VM for 400usd. Should I buy it

Should I buy it?

  • Yes

    Votes: 16 34.0%

  • No

    Votes: 31 66.0%
  • Total voters
    47
Heiwa

Heiwa

Jun 5, 2022
936
3,008
#1
So.. This bass is up for sale and I keep coming back to see it..

I don’t know how much people asks for the 1st Gen VM’s nowadays. It was cheaper when I bought it new in 2012, but I sold it shortly after..

I still love how it looks, the classic Sting vibe just kills me

IMG_1505.jpeg

IMG_1506.jpeg
 
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#2
hi Heiwa :)

I like Squiers but...

Heiwa said:
It was cheaper when I bought it new in 2012, but I sold it shortly after..

I still love how it looks, the classic Sting vibe just kills me
Click to expand...

400? Four hundred? 4 and two zeros?

4 that?

No way!

Heiwa said:
I still love how it looks, the classic Sting vibe just kills me
Click to expand...

Haggle!

MontyPythonsLifeOfBrian-dIDRgZlY-subtitled.jpg


Wise(b)ass
 
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#7
I don’t think they’re (the VMs) are any better than the current CVs. Or set to become a collectors item or anything like that.

My rule of thumb is 75% of new price is fair market value and 60% is where it starts to look like a good deal. So IMHO that bass should be priced around 335 and I personally wouldn’t pay more than 275, maybe 300. Unless you reeeeally want that color.

as mentioned why not a 40th anniversary? They’re fantastic, and currently on sale
 
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#12
Camaro69 said:
I will be devils advocate


Buy it




The newer Squier basses are dipped in plasticote or some similar and unnecessarily extra thick poly. The pickups are good, not great

the First run of VM basses have a super thin poly, leaving the necks less sticky. The Duncan Design pickups are the best installed in a Squier.

I hunted long for this. Its a keeperView attachment 5298650
Click to expand...

Interesting , I never seem a trans red paint on VM70J myself. But there are Crimson red trans Jaguar bass been exist.

The Fender designed J pup on VM70/77J before iscontinued sound better growl than Duncan design.

The 2018 VM 77J i own seem no thin poly paint, prove when i sand down and trim the neck heel.
 
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#13
Yahboy said:
Interesting , I never seem a trans red paint on VM70J myself. But there are Crimson red trans Jaguar bass been exist.

The Fender designed J pup on VM70/77J before iscontinued sound better growl than Duncan design.

The 2018 VM 77J i own seem no thin poly paint, prove when i sand down and trim the neck heel.
Click to expand...
We’ll have to agree to disagree about the tone

The poly on the fretboard is easy to prove though. Not a fan of that, and I’ve left many a bass in the store because of that
 
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#17
DJ Bebop said:
I've got a first gen VM fretless with Dunkan's.
It light and a sweet player :)

View attachment 5298810

I don't think I would pay $400 for it though.
Click to expand...
I’ve owned two of this exact bass, as well as the P. The first J I’d bought was back in 2007 so was like Gen 1 of the Gen 1’s.

After less than a year, the tuner machine screws would back out, so a couple machines had three screws and the other two each had a screw partially out that wouldn’t stay screwed in. The maple must have been really soft or something, or maybe the screws were just poorly machined. Pickups were ok, no complaints but no rave reviews.

I tried fitting some MIM tuners on it and they didn’t align, so the back of the machine for the G string tuner kinda stuck out beyond the edge of the headstock - I put the originals back on. The control plate also would not line up to a standard MIM or American Jazz pickguard.

Anyway, in 2007 with 2007 money and 2007 choices, they were fantastic basses. It’s not 2007 anymore though. The subsequent J and the P I’d bought were both used and cost a lot less. The P is by far the lightest bass I’ve ever owned. I didn’t weigh it, but it was so light it would catch me off guard everytime I picked it up. Definitely under 8 Lbs.

The Classic Vibe fretless Jazz with Laurel fretboard that I now own completely kicks a$$ over the three Vintage Modifieds I’ve owned in every way. Both are miles beyond the Affinities that were available back in 2007, but Affinities are now also really good for the money.
 
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#18
I remember being less than impressed with the "Duncan Designed" pickups in these early VMs. Apart from that they were good instruments for the price. However, I wouldn't pay quite that much for a used one, unless you've tested it and it feels/sounds/plays GREAT! $400 is acceptable if this is truly your dream bass. But be aware that these basses are NOT compatible with standard Fender-spec replacement parts. For example, if you want a new pickguard you'll have to get it custom made.
 
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