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Just Bought Me A Squier VM PJ!

#21
J Wilson said:
I love these VM Squiers. For me, Warmoth, etc., has gotten just as expensive as an 'off the rack' bass, so Squiers are just right as starters to hot-rod. Obviously not the most primo woods, but when were Fenders ever exotic? To me they're just a good action job and new pickups away from 'just right' for not much money, and some of them have terrific bridges already. And interestingly, some of them have better keys than others.
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I bought mine as a modding platform and planned on a muddy at the neck but it's able to get what I want stock so other than uping the wiring why bother? I'm shocked I like it so much. now if I can only resist glamming it up like Dennis Dunaway's Dennis Dunaway: News, Photos and Musings: Limited Edition Fender Billion Dollar Bass Replica... ;)
 
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#22
J Wilson said:
I love these VM Squiers. For me, Warmoth, etc., has gotten just as expensive as an 'off the rack' bass, so Squiers are just right as starters to hot-rod. Obviously not the most primo woods, but when were Fenders ever exotic? To me they're just a good action job and new pickups away from 'just right' for not much money, and some of them have terrific bridges already. And interestingly, some of them have better keys than others.

Spend smart, keep the overall tab low, and it's easier to me to get decent money back out of Squiers than trying to sell 1500 bucks worth of parts bass with no name on the headstock for anywhere near what I sank in it.
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This bass is going to be pretty much left as-is, if at all possible. What I hear online is very impressive, but I've yet to get one in my hands. I'd love to see your bass, J. Warmoth instruments are always a thing of beauty!!
 
#24
I've had a CAR p/j myself for almost a year, and it's a very nice bass all over. It plays smoothly, and sounds incredibly well with d'Addario Chromes on it (think Motown with a little bit of treble). The J pickup is a nice addition if I want to add some bite to the P pickup which is my "main" PU but sounds quite nice on its own.
Neck is as smooth as it can be: I love it.
I really enjoy playing that bass and plan to get another one in lake placid blue and throw roundwounds on it.
 
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#25
meatwad said:
View attachment 2976426

I finally caught a CAR in stock (very limited supply) at Sweetwater, and pounced on it. Now the website says they are sold out, so I guess (hope) I got lucky.

Didn't think I'd ever buy a Squier, but I couldn't resist this thing. I'll post more stuff when it arrives, and make it a NBD thread. Until then... :)
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I go one in LPB about a year ago. I strung with GHS precision flats, adjusted the relief, [it was quite high] and dropped a bridge cover onto it. Other than that it's right out of the box and I really like it. I also play Lakland, Peavey T20, Vintage L2000, and Squier CV Precision [51] and believe it or not get most of my compliments about tone when I play the Squier VM PJ. Second most compliments go to the Squier CV. I hope you enjoy your CAR.
 
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#26
PoppaJoe said:
I've had a CAR p/j myself for almost a year, and it's a very nice bass all over. It plays smoothly, and sounds incredibly well with d'Addario Chromes on it (think Motown with a little bit of treble). The J pickup is a nice addition if I want to add some bite to the P pickup which is my "main" PU but sounds quite nice on its own.
Neck is as smooth as it can be: I love it.
I really enjoy playing that bass and plan to get another one in lake placid blue and throw roundwounds on it.
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The first thing I thought about was putting Chromes on it (got a new set in the wings), since my Jazz and 'Ray both sport rounds now. Seems like a shame to not have a P with flats, right? LOL!

And that color.. I'm looking at the Sweetwater glamour shots I just received, and I can't wait to get this candy apple beast in my hands. I'll be honest, CAR sold this bass to me. Especially with the b/w/b pickguard. That's why I was so bummed when they literally pulled them off the market 12 hours after I decided to buy one. I must have scored a return or something, but that's cool. As long as it is in new condish, I'll take it.
 
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#27
briandavismurph said:
I go one in LPB about a year ago. I strung with GHS precision flats, adjusted the relief, [it was quite high] and dropped a bridge cover onto it. Other than that it's right out of the box and I really like it. I also play Lakland, Peavey T20, Vintage L2000, and Squier CV Precision [51] and believe it or not get most of my compliments about tone when I play the Squier VM PJ. Second most compliments go to the Squier CV. I hope you enjoy your CAR.
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Thanks for posting! I had wondered if a bridge cover would fit over that seemingly Badass/HMV-type piece of hardware. I'm very unfamiliar with today's Squiers, and how aftermarket friendly they are, when it comes to replacing/upgrading stuff. Of course, I plan on doing very little than playing it as-is, but who knows.

Glad to hear you are getting great live results with yours!
 
#28
meatwad said:
Thanks for posting! I had wondered if a bridge cover would fit over that seemingly Badass/HMV-type piece of hardware. I'm very unfamiliar with today's Squiers, and how aftermarket friendly they are, when it comes to replacing/upgrading stuff. Of course, I plan on doing very little than playing it as-is, but who knows.

Glad to hear you are getting great live results with yours!
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my bridge cover
Screen Shot 2018-04-09 at 4.20.35 PM.png
fit like a dream over stock bridge
 
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#31
meatwad said:
View attachment 2976426

I finally caught a CAR in stock (very limited supply) at Sweetwater, and pounced on it. Now the website says they are sold out, so I guess (hope) I got lucky.

Didn't think I'd ever buy a Squier, but I couldn't resist this thing. I'll post more stuff when it arrives, and make it a NBD thread. Until then... :)
Click to expand...
I own two USA-made G&L basses that cost more than my car, but that didn't stop me from buying this two weeks ago...and it hasn't stopped me from talking about it every chance I get.
Tried out a dozen VM Jazz basses and more than a dozen MIM Fenders. Not one of them made me reach into my pocket and spend my money, but this one put all the others to shame.

By the way, recently put "new" 35-year-old strings on it!
iqivww.jpg
 
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#33
jd56hawk said:
I own two USA-made G&L basses that cost more than my car, but that didn't stop me from buying this two weeks ago...and it hasn't stopped me from talking about it every chance I get.
Tried out a dozen VM Jazz basses and more than a dozen MIM Fenders. Not one of them made me reach into my pocket and spend my money, but this one put all the others to shame.

By the way, recently put "new" 35-year-old strings on it!
View attachment 2978911
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Nice Bass and nice Babicz! I intend to put a Fender High Mass on my VM Jazz. To me, the standard bridge is the only "weak" spot of that instrument.
Like you I've tried many (and I mean many) MiM and VM Squiers, I was lucky enough to find my Jazz and my P/J that I absolutely love. And yes, they put the others to shame as well...
 
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#34
PoppaJoe said:
Nice Bass and nice Babicz! I intend to put a Fender High Mass on my VM Jazz. To me, the standard bridge is the only "weak" spot of that instrument.
Like you I've tried many (and I mean many) MiM and VM Squiers, I was lucky enough to find my Jazz and my P/J that I absolutely love. And yes, they put the others to shame as well...
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Thanks!
I pretty much learned to play on a Classic Vibe Jazz. Always heard, and later said, that they were the best Squier had to offer, but my VM is a notch or two above my old CV.
The Babicz makes setup a breeze.
Hoping to find black tuners, too.
 
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#37
Alrighty, it arrived a few days ago. Here's the quick review -

As soon as I reached inside the box and felt the neck in my hand, I couldn't help but smile. Seriously, I am truly amazed at how nice this bass is. I really can't fault a thing about it. A few small adjustments at the truss and saddles made it play like a champ.

The tuners are surprisingly sufficient IMO, since that seems to be what most folks complain about, with Squiers.

And the color... much nicer than the CAR '96 Strat I owned several years ago. I can't wait to see it under stage lights. :bassist:

The neck pocket is as tight as any other instrument I own.

As for the pickups, the J definitely has adjustable poles, and I don't see myself changing them out any time soon.

I'm not digging the dome knobs. Such a petty complaint, I know, and very easily remedied. A Precision needs flat top knobs, IMO.

And so far, that's all I got. If all VM Squiers are like this one, don't hesitate to grab one. They are soooo worth the money!!
 
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#38
Resurrecting the 3 month old thread...just bought one from Reverb...could not pass up the deal. Wanted a P/J because I have a set of GZR's just waiting to be installed in there. Of course, I'll see how the stock pups sound first. Will post an NBD when it arrives...:hyper::bassist:
 
#39
BEADG63 said:
Resurrecting the 3 month old thread...just bought one from Reverb...could not pass up the deal. Wanted a P/J because I have a set of GZR's just waiting to be installed in there. Of course, I'll see how the stock pups sound first. Will post an NBD when it arrives...:hyper::bassist:
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good move! I'm hoping you'll cave to the idea of swapping in the Geezers just to satiate my curiosity if there's a significant change. while they're ok I'm betting the entire electronics pax are the one thing (besides those darn screws...lol) that can be improved on, typical of any bass really. looking forward to your NBD report, I think you'll be quite happy.
 
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#40
Resurrecting an almost year-old thread... I just ordered a brand new VM P/J (3TSB) unseen, driven by all the good reviews here and there, and the price. Let's hope the quality remains the same - or better! Will do a NBD as soon as it gets tested.
 

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