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New Backup: VM 70s J Squier or Classic Vibe J?
- Thread starter BlackFenderBass
- Start date
Just voted for the CV Jazz. I own one, it's my only bass for the time being, and I'm totally happy with how it sounds, feels, and looks. I may end up owning a VM Jazz someday as well, as I love those block fretboards (even if they're painted on).
I've not played either- except breifly in a store. The VM Jazz gets my vote as its got a ASH body as opposed to basswood IIRC.
Actually the VM has a maple body
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well that's currently, idk which year model you played...
i vote for the Classic Vibe. Ive owned both and they're both nice, but the construction of the CV is better quality than the VM. My VMtruss rod always had to be adjusted and the tension was umcomfortably stiff. Also the frets started to poke out after awhile. i totally modified mine with preamp and bart pickups, but passive it sounded fine. Now the CV neck feels great!!! no jagged frets and the neck is SOLID!!! also its not as heavy as the VM and the body is better contoured. the tone of the CV was better, but mine was used with fender SCN noisless pickups installed so im sure that made the difference. i used mine for four straight gig dates last week without backup and was great. it does the old school and modern tones with no problem.
I was in a music store today and tried extensively the Classic Vibe, Vintage Modified and a Fender MIM jazz bass just for comparison. The Classic Vibe 60's jazz bass was 100x better than both the MIM fender and the vintage modified. I went in hoping to like the vintage modified as I love the look of it but once I played VM, then the MIM and then the CV it was no comparison. I own the fretless VM jazz bass and I love it. Those Ducan designed pickups work very well for fretless but just too off for the funky sounds of the fretted VM. I know with any non-US made instrument you'll get different results with every instrument but the CV I played was better than all the MIM jazz basses I've ever played and better than some of the USA ones I've played too. The pickups in the CV were much nicer sounding than the VM pickups too. I find the VM pickups to be a bit harsh and tinny in the high end and are missing a nice even fat low end, too heavy low mids. The CV's pickups had a beautiful round low end, right amount of mid range to cut through the mix and just the right amount of nice high end. Plus, the tone control on the CV was much more usable than the VM and the MIM, not as much of a mid range cut as just a high end cut. I hope this helps, but as others have said, try them both, compare them to some higher end jazz basses too, that might help as well. I hope my post helps a bit at least.
Also, I put the CV I played on lay away until Monday and then I'm off to pick it up. I can't pass up such a deal.
Scott
Also, I put the CV I played on lay away until Monday and then I'm off to pick it up. I can't pass up such a deal.
Scott
I agree about the Classic Vibe. I liked them so much I bought 2. 
Bought both the jazz and the 60's P bass. Awesome instruments, period. I much preferred the neck profile on the CV series compared to the VM.
Bought both the jazz and the 60's P bass. Awesome instruments, period. I much preferred the neck profile on the CV series compared to the VM.Ok so today I had to stop in at guitar center to get a quick repair on my current backup, Squier P-Bass Special Edition Chrome (btw HAWT bass), and while the guy was repairing it I thought I'd stop by to see if they had either the VM or the Classic Vibe, unfortunately 
, they had only the Classic Vibe P-basses, but they did have all the VM's, so I picked up the Jazz Bass, it wasn't in great condition, the guy said people play it all the time and if I wanted it I should probably order, but I played it, and played it, and played it even after my bass was finished, it was utterly amazing, also in there I picked up a geddy lee, and a AM Standard jazz, both we're great sounding, Geddy Lee was more quality compared to the VM, and AM standard was more tone & quality, I actually thought the VM sounded better than both of them, besides the quality obvious, the pups were smokin! I just loved the great tone you get outta that bass. I decided I'd wait until they got a Classic Vibe jazz (guy told me they ran out about 3 days before). But I'm really impressed, I also picked up both P-basses and noticed the glossy, sticky, annoying neck. If that's how it is on the Jazz Bass, I hate to say, I'd rather go with the VM. But I promised myself I wouldn't buy anything until I've played them both.
BTW I totally recommend the Special Edition P-bass, after some minor fixes, its an awesome bass.
cya
, they had only the Classic Vibe P-basses, but they did have all the VM's, so I picked up the Jazz Bass, it wasn't in great condition, the guy said people play it all the time and if I wanted it I should probably order, but I played it, and played it, and played it even after my bass was finished, it was utterly amazing, also in there I picked up a geddy lee, and a AM Standard jazz, both we're great sounding, Geddy Lee was more quality compared to the VM, and AM standard was more tone & quality, I actually thought the VM sounded better than both of them, besides the quality obvious, the pups were smokin! I just loved the great tone you get outta that bass. I decided I'd wait until they got a Classic Vibe jazz (guy told me they ran out about 3 days before). But I'm really impressed, I also picked up both P-basses and noticed the glossy, sticky, annoying neck. If that's how it is on the Jazz Bass, I hate to say, I'd rather go with the VM. But I promised myself I wouldn't buy anything until I've played them both.BTW I totally recommend the Special Edition P-bass, after some minor fixes, its an awesome bass.
cya
