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

[Dana R Gregory]

I would be cautious when buying any bass that is 10+ years old. My main concern would be the condition of the truss rod adjustment. You may be looking at some expensive repairs down the road. I had a VM Jazz in 2014 and it was a boat anchor. I don't miss it at all. You can do much better for the same amount of money. And yes the newer CV Squiers are better and lighter.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Fender has been steadily upping the game on its Squier line of instruments. And I think Squire’s later models - especially those that came out between 2014-15 - are of better quality than their early releases. So I wouldn’t feel any need to pay a premium just because it’s a first generation.

Agreed, it's not comparable to the Squier CVs, where the 1st generation CVs were significantly higher quality than later generations.

 

[40Hz]

Agreed, it's not comparable to the Squier CVs, where the 1st generation CVs were significantly higher quality than later generations.

Agree. The early MIC CVs were making the same year Fender MIMs look pretty shabby by comparison. For a little while it had a lot of players asking what paying the extra money for an MIM got you other than a Fender decal on the headstock.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

You can still buy some used USA Peaveys for $400 or less. I’d go that route before giving $400 for a used Squier.

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[Shindig73]

I’m definitely not a Squier aficionado or expert, but I absolutely love my two VMs. Play as well as my USA Fender. They are boat anchors, but I use wide straps and the weight doesn’t affect me … yet.

I agree with others and would haggle.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

No, this year i bought a near mint Fender P bass for $499 from GC. just gotta keep watching the GC listings,

 

[buteo]

I've had both basses: the Amber VM and the 1 first generation MIC CV. Actually I sold the Indonesian one to buy the Chinese one, and that turned out to be a big mistake. The Amber was more Fenderish, with great neck and sound, the CV neck was something between precision and jazz, nothing to do with the classic vibe. Let's say, I have got the only Chinese . But the Amber was stunning!

 

[erratick]

If it's a great bass, it's worth 400. But a better deal at 375, 350 or 300.

But buy a bass, not a deal. It doesn't really matter at any price. Getting a deal on a bad bass means you still have a bad bass. Paying for a great bass, you still have a great bass.

 

[bassliner50]

I have that exact same Vintage Modified Precision and play it frequently. Hard maple body, maple FB, Duncan designed PU's. It is a wonderful workhorse. It sets up perfectly, and remains stable and stays in tune. I strung mine with Dean Markley Stainless Steel RW's .050-.105. I replaced the pickups (which were decent) with Fender Original '62's. Yes you will not be disappointed in that bass and $400 is possibly on the high side (condition matters to me). However I suggest you buy it. I have not seen many Squier VM's from those dates. At the time you got a hint of the quality if the headstock spelled out Precision Bass instead of "P-Bass" which was indicative of Affinity quality. As I remember it at that time Squier offered Affinitys, Standards and Vintage Modified as their high end offering.

 

[bassliner50]

I would offer $250 and pay no more than $300.

I would not part with my VM for $300. Even at $400, unless I were pressed for money, I'd hold on to it. It delivers the goods.

 

[bassliner50]

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.

I have bought ebay replacement pickguards for my maple VM. I don't remember fussing much to fit it. Possibly needed to drill an extra hole or something to scew it on properly. Above that, I installed Fender Original '62's to make it completely appealing to me. That bass performs admirably.

 

[C Stone]

My VM J is a great bass and feels really good. I would not sell it for less than $400 but would not pay more than $300.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

I have always loved the look of that model p bass, but $400 is wayyyyy too steep. I say haggle, get it down to $300 or less, then buy it.

Another option, buy a Sonic series p bass neck, and then find a natural/honey blonde finished body to pair with it. If you’re any good at doing woodfinish work you could get a raw wood body and then do it yourself with some danish oil and a clear top coat.

 

[Bassmike62]

Those 1st gen Squier VMs are great basses for the price point, I used to own a Jazz VM70s and a Jazz VM77, the 77 I would gladly own again. Get it, but I've seen those go in my area for 350-380$ CDN.

 

[HowieD72]

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

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If you llove it and can haggle the price a bit, just buy it. Who cares what others think

 

[Obese Chess]

Should you buy it? Yes. Should you buy it for $400? No.

 

[Heiwa]

Thank guys for your help. I’ll offer 340 and I’ll see what the owner thinks

 

[MattZilla]

Thank guys for your help. I’ll offer 340 and I’ll see what the owner thinks

don’t do the negotiating before touching it bs. That’s just bad karma.

First go try a few of the new issues that’re mentioned above, then try this old one while being ready to walk away from it at $280. Most of them are only $200 good.

If it’s one of the 1/100 that sounds & feels $500 good (in other words, better than the new ones), try to drag them down to $350, but take it home anyways.

 

[Greenlion]

Check for high frets before buying if you can. That is the only thing I have seen some of the VM Series have trouble with. They were better made than the more recent Classic Vibes. The Duncan Designed pickups they came with were not the basic generic ones in the current models. I see them go for around 350-400, so it is not a crazy high price.