NBD: Vintage V4 P Bass

[4sight]

So, while I'm locked down at home "working", I spotted this bass on eBay. It had been sitting there for a while, and had a "Best Offer" on it, so I offered £80 less than they were asking and expected a rejection. Instead, I got a bass

It's "Vintage White", which is a pale custard colour in person, I really like it.

All Wilkinson hardware, Alnico PUs. No time to plug it in yet, but feels great and sounds good acoustically, despite the crappy stock roundwounds.

Reasonably chunky gloss neck, 8lbs 11oz.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Me like, always liked the Wilkinson Pups and hardware better, congrats.

 

[seedokebass]

I didn't know they put Wilkinson hardware on those! Sweet looking bass, the neck finish looks nice too.

 

[bassdude51]

Nice bass! Nice price! Congratulations! Make music!

 

[4sight]

I didn't know they put Wilkinson hardware on those! Sweet looking bass, the neck finish looks nice too.

Yes, the parent company JHS worked with Trev Wilkinson to produce the Vintage brand basses, and they all use his hardware. I'm pretty sure they used to use the full size tuners on these basses, but the smaller ones save some weight I guess.

The Graphtech nut was a nice surprise. The truss opening is different to the others I've seen too, it's lined with wood like the new CV basses.

Great fit and finish, frets are nicely dressed, and brand new it cost the same as a second hand pre-Player MIM Fender. Bargain.

 

[Joybass]

I have one like that (feb. 2019), except for the tuners. Mine has the large back plate Wilkinson tuners. And a black 'nubone' nut. I love it. Great neck, great frets, not too heavy. The Wilkinson split coil sounds just fine. I replaced it with a Squier CV 60's pickup. Doesn't sound much better really. The stock strings are rubbish, but that's an easy upgrade.
Congrats with yours. Enjoy it.

 

[Bassdirty]

Nice.
I've never heard of these until now. (not that it means anything).

What is the actual brand name? (Is it Vantage?)

are they made in UK?

Are the parts interchangeable with Fender parts?


Thanks
T$

 

[4sight]

Nice.
I've never heard of these until now. (not that it means anything).

What is the actual brand name? (Is it Vantage?)

are they made in UK?


Thanks
T$

The brand name is "Vintage", as it says on the headstock. UK designed, made overseas, although I don't know where exactly...

 

[4sight]

I have one like that (feb. 2019), except for the tuners. Mine has the large back plate Wilkinson tuners. And a black 'nubone' nut. I love it. Great neck, great frets, not too heavy. The Wilkinson split coil sounds just fine. I replaced it with a Squier CV 60's pickup. Doesn't sound much better really. The stock strings are rubbish, but that's an easy upgrade.
Congrats with yours. Enjoy it.

I'm not sure how the serial numbers work, perhaps mine is a later model? The tuners are still Wilkinson branded and silky smooth, although I'm a big fan of the larger plate ones. Weirdly, the specs still list the larger plate tuners...

Yes, the pickups are very good. I was considering SPB-1s or maybe Toneriders, but I'm not going to bother now. Sounds great with flats.

I just wish replacement pickguards were more readily available. Apparently they've differed quite a lot over the years, so I might have to fork out for a custom one.

 

[Joybass]

Mine has a serial number starting with 2018. Looks like they changed the hardware on the 2019 version?
Btw, the tuning keys on yours look a lot like the ones on Squier basses. Those are ok too, and probably a touch lighter in weight.

 

[4sight]

View attachment 3775460

Mine has a serial number starting with 2018. Looks like they changed the hardware on the 2019 version?
Btw, the tuning keys on yours look a lot like the ones on Squier basses. Those are ok too, and probably a touch lighter in weight.

Yes, they do. Still stamped with the Wilkinson logo though. The bridge and pickups appear the same, with a white "Nubone" nut instead of black. What does the truss rod access hole look like on your bass, out of curiosity?

 

[Joybass]

The truss rod hole looks the same. Another thing: I decided to shim the neck because the E and G saddles almost touched the bridge plate. Judging from the pictures your bass seems to have the same issue.

 

[4sight]

The truss rod hole looks the same. Another thing: I decided to shim the neck because the E and G saddles almost touched the bridge plate. Judging from the pictures your bass seems to have the same issue.

Nearly, there's just enough adjustment that the action is where I want it without having the saddles bottomed out. Having the grub screws stick out isn't an issue for me, I play towards the bridge, but don't rest my hand on it. No shame in shimming if you need to though, a lot of the Fenders I've owned over the years came with one from the factory.

 

[Bentfield]

I'm glad for you. A great bass especially for that money. I regret selling mine a couple of years ago.

 

[Spacer]

Is the bass better than a Squier bass?

 

[Yahboy]

View attachment 3775460

Mine has a serial number starting with 2018. Looks like they changed the hardware on the 2019 version?
Btw, the tuning keys on yours look a lot like the ones on Squier basses. Those are ok too, and probably a touch lighter in weight.

Been install this Wilkinson vintage bass tuner on my previous CV60J, this set heavier than Fender Vintage turning machine, but it solve the dead spot problem very well ！！！

 

[Shawn Luckman]

Are the bodies full Fender thickness or thinner like the Squier versions? I keep on looking at the Tony Butler signature Vintage bass, looks like a good 70's era replica.