Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
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My very first bass!!
- Thread starter Forty-Thirty
- Start date
I just bought my first bass!! I had been learning on a P-bass I borrowed from a friend, but it was waaaaaaaaay too big for me and I was struggling to reach notes. I bought a Squier VM Jaguar bass special (the short-scale version), and it is WONDERFUL! It fits me so well--it's so comfortable. It has the Jazz neck and both P and J pickups. His name is Charlie.
I replaced the crappy stock strings with some Chromes (not pictured--this was taken before). This is my first experience with flats, and I'm not sure how I feel about these in particular. The E string is HUGE (I knew 105 was a standard size, but I didn't expect it to be that big when I bought them), and they are pretty hard to play. Additionally, they sound kind of tinny, and I don't care for that. I know flats take some time to break in, but I'm not sure how long I should give them before I decide they're not the strings for me. Weeks? Months?
Anyway, admire Charlie the Bass! Ooooh, aaaaah. I am so excited.
Also, sorry the photo is so giant. I don't know how to resize it!
View attachment 599666
CONGRATS!!!!
my 1st bass was a squier p bass,black with white pickguard rosewood fretboard. I wish I had pictures and wish I still had it.its been about 14 years since.That bass was tough!had chips,dings,dents,scratches you name it incredibley road worn fromme lagging it around jamming everywhere.i remember I was mad when it would get banged up but now its like the cool thing.enjoy your bass
Very nice - my first (and only) bass was the Fender (Modern Player Jazz SS) version of yours that I got a few months ago. It was available for just a short time and now it's hard to find. But, it looks very similar to yours (I have the red as well) except for a few minor things. I put chromes on it and am having a lot of fun with it!
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Congratulations! Welcome to TB, you may be playing some JPJ sooner than you think 
Now get your husband to play drums and you'll have the rhythm section locked down!
Now get your husband to play drums and you'll have the rhythm section locked down!
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Congratz with your new bass. Hope you and Charlie will enjoy some great moments togetherI just bought my first bass!! I had been learning on a P-bass I borrowed from a friend, but it was waaaaaaaaay too big for me and I was struggling to reach notes. I bought a Squier VM Jaguar bass special (the short-scale version), and it is WONDERFUL! It fits me so well--it's so comfortable. It has the Jazz neck and both P and J pickups. His name is Charlie.
I replaced the crappy stock strings with some Chromes (not pictured--this was taken before). This is my first experience with flats, and I'm not sure how I feel about these in particular. The E string is HUGE (I knew 105 was a standard size, but I didn't expect it to be that big when I bought them), and they are pretty hard to play. Additionally, they sound kind of tinny, and I don't care for that. I know flats take some time to break in, but I'm not sure how long I should give them before I decide they're not the strings for me. Weeks? Months?
Anyway, admire Charlie the Bass! Ooooh, aaaaah. I am so excited.
Also, sorry the photo is so giant. I don't know how to resize it!
View attachment 599666
Congrats!
You'll get used to the 105, don't worry.
You might end up going through different sets of flatwounds to find those that work best with this bass. Admittedly, there aren't as many brands who have short scale strings to your liking, but there are a couple of brands off-hand that might work with your bass, depending on the type of flatwound sound you're looking for.
Many fans on this site of these strings, and they're pretty inexpensive. They break in relatively quickly, and they sound great with either P or J pups: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I have these on my violin bass. These do take a long time to break in, but they sound sweet now, especially as a DI and with very little EQ.: Invalid Link Removed
These ones here are the same gauges as your Chromes, but they apparently are less zingy? Never tried them myself, but they might be a good fit for the bass: Invalid Link Removed
Then, there are these ones. They were a bit too dark on my violin bass (and I didn't have an appropriate bridge at the time to keep these on) [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Of course, if you want to spend more money, there are the Labellas, Pyramids and TIs you could spring for, but the examples I provided should be ample.
I will say that GHS Pressurewounds can be a bit of an acquired taste, but they can be quite versatile. They too can be broken in to sounds like some nice bright flats, but if you're looking for a decent deep-sounding string with a nice, crisp top-end click, get these, foam-muted at the bridge. They're probably the least expensive of the lot here, and despite being technically a roundwound string, they're easy on the fingers and their texture is actually kind of pleasant (and easy on your frets, and fairly slinky to boot) Invalid Link Removed
or here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
You'll get used to the 105, don't worry.
You might end up going through different sets of flatwounds to find those that work best with this bass. Admittedly, there aren't as many brands who have short scale strings to your liking, but there are a couple of brands off-hand that might work with your bass, depending on the type of flatwound sound you're looking for.
Many fans on this site of these strings, and they're pretty inexpensive. They break in relatively quickly, and they sound great with either P or J pups: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I have these on my violin bass. These do take a long time to break in, but they sound sweet now, especially as a DI and with very little EQ.: Invalid Link Removed
These ones here are the same gauges as your Chromes, but they apparently are less zingy? Never tried them myself, but they might be a good fit for the bass: Invalid Link Removed
Then, there are these ones. They were a bit too dark on my violin bass (and I didn't have an appropriate bridge at the time to keep these on) [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Of course, if you want to spend more money, there are the Labellas, Pyramids and TIs you could spring for, but the examples I provided should be ample.
I will say that GHS Pressurewounds can be a bit of an acquired taste, but they can be quite versatile. They too can be broken in to sounds like some nice bright flats, but if you're looking for a decent deep-sounding string with a nice, crisp top-end click, get these, foam-muted at the bridge. They're probably the least expensive of the lot here, and despite being technically a roundwound string, they're easy on the fingers and their texture is actually kind of pleasant (and easy on your frets, and fairly slinky to boot) Invalid Link Removed
or here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I should also add that strings and the bass need to have some kind of alchemy going between them and you. All three need to find their groove, so to speak. I've tried a few strings so far in my short career as a fuzty bassist, and either it locks it in for you, or it doesn't. For example, I bought a set of Chromes for my nephew's Ibanez P-bass and immediately, the sound was perfect on it. I had Fender CL flats (the much lamented 45 to 105s) on my VM 70s Jazz when I bought it, and couldn't fall in love with the sound. I gave them to a guy with a 2006 MiM Jazz who originally wanted to get rid of the bass, and he fell in love with them after a week -- and kept his bass.
I've tried like 4 different sets on my violin bass, like Monel 77s (like 'em, after about 6 months of playing), Pressurewounds (like almost immediately), Chromes (hated them) and Rotosound Nylon 88s (too muddy). I alternate now between the Pressurewounds and Monel 77s. Not sure I would have picked up the 77s if I found the pressurewounds first, tho...
I've tried like 4 different sets on my violin bass, like Monel 77s (like 'em, after about 6 months of playing), Pressurewounds (like almost immediately), Chromes (hated them) and Rotosound Nylon 88s (too muddy). I alternate now between the Pressurewounds and Monel 77s. Not sure I would have picked up the 77s if I found the pressurewounds first, tho...
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I hated flats at the start, though now I don't play anything else.I just bought my first bass!! I had been learning on a P-bass I borrowed from a friend, but it was waaaaaaaaay too big for me and I was struggling to reach notes. I bought a Squier VM Jaguar bass special (the short-scale version), and it is WONDERFUL! It fits me so well--it's so comfortable. It has the Jazz neck and both P and J pickups. His name is Charlie.
I replaced the crappy stock strings with some Chromes (not pictured--this was taken before). This is my first experience with flats, and I'm not sure how I feel about these in particular. The E string is HUGE (I knew 105 was a standard size, but I didn't expect it to be that big when I bought them), and they are pretty hard to play. Additionally, they sound kind of tinny, and I don't care for that. I know flats take some time to break in, but I'm not sure how long I should give them before I decide they're not the strings for me. Weeks? Months?
Anyway, admire Charlie the Bass! Ooooh, aaaaah. I am so excited.
Also, sorry the photo is so giant. I don't know how to resize it!
View attachment 599666
The turning point was when I found a use for them - playing blues; they did something rounds couldn't do and I never looked back.
But, money aside, if you don't like them ditch them. If you are learning, there is no real need to go through the break-in phase.
She either likes me or not. Hi Tal.Tasty is the guy who just found a couple thousand dollars worth of perfectly good gear in a dumpster. So, if it's going to happen to anyone, I'd say he's got the best chance.
Great first acquisition. Congratulations!
I agree with others on giving the strings a chance, for awhile. But every once in a while give others a try, and in a matter of time you'll start narrowing down what you like.
I agree with others on giving the strings a chance, for awhile. But every once in a while give others a try, and in a matter of time you'll start narrowing down what you like.
That looks excellent. I've been thinking new Fender Jaguar or used Fender Standard P as a present to myself near Christmas. After seeing yours, perhaps I should check out the Squier Jaguar.
Very nice bass - I tried one a few weeks ago - was surprised at how good it sounded and felt. You done good! 
Don't give up on the Chrome flats if that's the sound you want. Experiment with Charlie - boost the neck pup, cut back the bridge pup, put your tone control at less than 50% and play gently and cleanly, closer to the neck - you might get Charlie to sing. 
Don't give up on the Chrome flats if that's the sound you want. Experiment with Charlie - boost the neck pup, cut back the bridge pup, put your tone control at less than 50% and play gently and cleanly, closer to the neck - you might get Charlie to sing. 
Good on you!!! Enjoy the heck out of that thing, and don't look back!!!!I just bought my first bass!! I had been learning on a P-bass I borrowed from a friend, but it was waaaaaaaaay too big for me and I was struggling to reach notes. I bought a Squier VM Jaguar bass special (the short-scale version), and it is WONDERFUL! It fits me so well--it's so comfortable. It has the Jazz neck and both P and J pickups. His name is Charlie.
I replaced the crappy stock strings with some Chromes (not pictured--this was taken before). This is my first experience with flats, and I'm not sure how I feel about these in particular. The E string is HUGE (I knew 105 was a standard size, but I didn't expect it to be that big when I bought them), and they are pretty hard to play. Additionally, they sound kind of tinny, and I don't care for that. I know flats take some time to break in, but I'm not sure how long I should give them before I decide they're not the strings for me. Weeks? Months?
Anyway, admire Charlie the Bass! Ooooh, aaaaah. I am so excited.
Also, sorry the photo is so giant. I don't know how to resize it!
View attachment 599666
