What gave you that impression? I just want to know what to expect if I order an actual Classic Vibe bass and if it’s worth it or if I should not even try.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
New Classic Vibe Basses really that bad?
- Thread starter Ralferator
- Start date
What gave you that impression? I just want to know what to expect if I order an actual Classic Vibe bass and if it’s worth it or if I should not even try.
Keep reading, you'll find the same number of people claiming the opposite.
I'd say on balance the CVs are considered great values, regardless of where they're made.
From the answers I get it seems that the actual Classic Vibe basses aren’t that consistently good anymore. But some seem to still be great. So I could have luck or not. I do remember that those Matt Freeman Precision basses sounded good but not awesome. (On the other hand I played a Fender American Original 60s bass that didn’t sound any better) Playability and the necks are great but they just didn’t have the same “mojo” that an old Japanese made P bass has. Maybe it’s the Basswood or the massive bridge. But as far as I know some Japanese ones are also made of Basswood. It might be the bridge then. I will have to listen to more YouTube videos to see how that poplar or Nato with vintage bridge sounds like. I am aware that each bass has it’s own voice though
Last edited:
Sacrificial electrics and the need to route out the cavities for after market OTS upgrades doesn't impress me much. But then that's true if most offshore "licensed" budget gear. Bridge/neck alignment issues are also noted. It's gotten better, but mail order still seems like a roll of the dice to me. I have even fixed issues such as absent star washers on pots and switches... inexcusable. Sharp fret ends etc... shims, amazingly poor attention to detail.
A kit might be a better option, if the buyer has the wherewithal, time, and skills.
It's good business for quality technicians stateside, but thats another 6 to 8 weeks wait time and a couple hundred out of pocket for the FSO.
A kit might be a better option, if the buyer has the wherewithal, time, and skills.
It's good business for quality technicians stateside, but thats another 6 to 8 weeks wait time and a couple hundred out of pocket for the FSO.
Last edited:
D
They're generally not bad. In fact, they can be very nice instruments. But they are a bit inconsistent, I've seen quite a few really, really bad ones. If possible, try before buying (or buy online from a store with a good return policy and no hassle with customs paperwork in case of a return).
The Chinese CVs were a step above, that's true. Those were truly amazing instruments for the price. Better than MIM Fenders and REALLY close to MIA Fenders (in some ways even better IMO). But they weren't always perfect. SOME of the Chinese CVs had wider string spacing than normal. You can easily spot these as they had high mass bridges with brass saddles. This varied a bit over the years, even on the same model. Some had saddles with standard Fender string spacing and some had the high mass bridges with slightly wider string spacing. I don't enjoy playing the ones with wider string spacing nearly as much, even though EVERY Chinese CV I've played has been a superb instrument.
Btw, did you mean you can't afford a Player series bass or that you can't afford MORE than a Player? If you can afford something close to the Player price range you might want to check out the Yamaha BB434. I have no idea what the prices and availability are in your area but normally the BB434 should cost LESS than a Player and only slightly more than a new CV. The BB434 will KILL any similarly priced Fenders/Squiers. It's easily as good as expensive MIA Fenders and the QC is much better than Fender/Squier too. The chances of getting a poor Yamaha BB are practically zero.
The ONLY good reason not to buy a BB instead of a Fender is if you want something closer to the classic, vintage Fender vibe. But the BB434 will still sound and "feel" pretty close to a classic Fender P-bass. In fact, in my opinion it will be closer to a classic, vintage P-bass than any of Fender's current MIA P-basses, where they've made too many "innovations" that takes the tone in a slightly different direction. Not necessarily bad, just a matter of taste.
The Chinese CVs were a step above, that's true. Those were truly amazing instruments for the price. Better than MIM Fenders and REALLY close to MIA Fenders (in some ways even better IMO). But they weren't always perfect. SOME of the Chinese CVs had wider string spacing than normal. You can easily spot these as they had high mass bridges with brass saddles. This varied a bit over the years, even on the same model. Some had saddles with standard Fender string spacing and some had the high mass bridges with slightly wider string spacing. I don't enjoy playing the ones with wider string spacing nearly as much, even though EVERY Chinese CV I've played has been a superb instrument.
Btw, did you mean you can't afford a Player series bass or that you can't afford MORE than a Player? If you can afford something close to the Player price range you might want to check out the Yamaha BB434. I have no idea what the prices and availability are in your area but normally the BB434 should cost LESS than a Player and only slightly more than a new CV. The BB434 will KILL any similarly priced Fenders/Squiers. It's easily as good as expensive MIA Fenders and the QC is much better than Fender/Squier too. The chances of getting a poor Yamaha BB are practically zero.
The ONLY good reason not to buy a BB instead of a Fender is if you want something closer to the classic, vintage Fender vibe. But the BB434 will still sound and "feel" pretty close to a classic Fender P-bass. In fact, in my opinion it will be closer to a classic, vintage P-bass than any of Fender's current MIA P-basses, where they've made too many "innovations" that takes the tone in a slightly different direction. Not necessarily bad, just a matter of taste.
I've had both Chinese and Indonesian CVs, and had pretty good luck with both. The original Chinese CVs had a more substantial feel about them, but I wonder how much of that was in my head. I'm currently using a 70's Sea Foam Green CV that gets more playing time than my American Standard, so I guess that says something.
I also have a Sea Foam Green Chinese Precision and the neck and fret work is as good as my Made In USA model. I have not found that with the Indonesian models I have owned except for one Jazz Bass that was nice and light and had a nice neck.
I'm guessing you've heard bad reviews about the Fender Player series basses, too, and they cost twice as much as a Classic Vibe.
Take a look around the board, even some bad reviews about the new Sterling Ray 34s lately, and we're talking $1,000 basses.
If you have to buy online, why don't you simply try one of the Vintage Precisions before they all disappear? They're aready out of stock at Sweetwater.
Take a look around the board, even some bad reviews about the new Sterling Ray 34s lately, and we're talking $1,000 basses.
If you have to buy online, why don't you simply try one of the Vintage Precisions before they all disappear? They're aready out of stock at Sweetwater.
I can’t really afford a Player Series but I would if I have to. I had quite some Yamaha BBs in all the time, some BB414s and one of them was awesome, two Bb424s but I liked the slimmer neck and the more raw tone of the BB414s better and two BB1024, which I thought sounded a little too polite, also one older BB300 and two BB400s, all great Basses but sounded a bit different than a P. I know the newer BB434 has the P pickup in the right position and they are great quality but I don’t like how it looks like. The Bb414 were pretty in my opinion but with the new ones I just can’t get over the looks. Fenders look sooo much nicer!
D
Yeah, I totally get what you're saying about the looks of the current BBs. It looks like they removed the control plate from the earlier BBs and forgot to re-design the pickguard. It definitely looks a bit off. But they sound and "feel" AMAZING and the tone is much closer to a classic Fender P than earlier BBs IMO.
Still, if you want the classic Fender vibe you'll have to get a Fender or a Squier. If you want a classic, vintage Fender TONE you may actually be better off with a CV than with more expensive, currently manufactured MIA Fenders. They have messed around too much with the voicing of the pickups in the current MIA models in my opinion. At least if you want the classic VINTAGE Fender tone. And with a CV you can justify the cost of a pickup upgrade in the future, if needed.
The Player series P-bass is close to a classic Fender tone though, if perhaps SLIGHTLY muddy sounding (is the pickup slightly overwound)? But personally I don't like the "modern C" necks on the Players NEARLY as much as the CV necks. The CVs have WONDERFUL, rather slim necks (perfect for MY taste). If you can try before you buy, and find a good CV, you've got yourself a really nice bass. But it really is a lottery...
Current Indo CV60P and CV70P has different neck profile, CV70P neck are jazz neck with 42mm nut width. Guitarist favourite neck.
Previous CIC CV60P, 70P and MFP also has different profile too, the CIC CV60P has pretty close neck profile to current Vintera 50P with 42mm nut width, 70P slightly thicker and MFP has rounder 70P neck profile.
Last edited:
My CV Jazz was almost great, but had a warped neck. And seemingly it wasn’t the only one.
I only noticed, though, because I was trying to get really low action - and it wouldn’t stick. The neck was quite stable, as long as you didn’t want it straighter than it wanted to go. If I had wanted low-medium action I think it would have been fine.
Makes me wonder how many other CVs are out there with the same problem, but no-one noticed because they weren’t so fussy about the action.
I only noticed, though, because I was trying to get really low action - and it wouldn’t stick. The neck was quite stable, as long as you didn’t want it straighter than it wanted to go. If I had wanted low-medium action I think it would have been fine.
Makes me wonder how many other CVs are out there with the same problem, but no-one noticed because they weren’t so fussy about the action.
I have a CIC CV (2021 model) enroute to my house now, bought from TB classifieds. I own a VM 5 jazz, and it's a great bass, I have no doubt the CV will be as good, likely better. I think the OP is looking for reasons to think that the CV quality isn't good - I have seen FAR more positive feedback on the basses than negative, in all corners of TB and even in the real world (let's face it, TB is an echo chamber).
If you like it, cool rock it. Cheapo basses can do most gigs just fine just like a Yugo can get you to work.
I have and I play heavily, Chinese Classic Vibe and Indonesian Vintage Modified Precisions. These are excellent insruments from most important perspectives and excellent value. I think if you stay away from Squiers that have printed P-Bass on the headstock, you can quickly filter out the substandard quality. Look for "Precision Bass" printed there as a quick qualifier. Easy Peasy.
Fair enough, but honestly I think the gap is not as wide as that analogy suggests. In this analogy, a Classic Vibe would be closer to a 3 year old Toyota Camry for your work commute. More than up to the task, but not as luxurious as an Escalade or as cool as a Bently.
In fact I was hoping to hear that the quality is still great but it seems there are mixed experiences. I guess I will have to order two or three and keep the best one
I’ve owned both. I have 2 Chinese CV p basses (70s & 50s), and I have owned an Indonesian CV60s. They are all good instruments.
The biggest difference that I noticed between the CiC & CiI is the Indo basses had a harder round over on the body contours (less round, more square edges), and the sides of the fretboard weren’t rolled, so those were a little sharp. It was still a very comfortable bass to play, and sounds amazing. I sold it a friend, and whenever I’m over at his place I pick it up and play it. Every time it floors me how damn good it sounds. I honestly like its sound better than my CV70s, but I think it’s mostly the difference in the strings.
I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a new CV o bass if you’re in the market.
The biggest difference that I noticed between the CiC & CiI is the Indo basses had a harder round over on the body contours (less round, more square edges), and the sides of the fretboard weren’t rolled, so those were a little sharp. It was still a very comfortable bass to play, and sounds amazing. I sold it a friend, and whenever I’m over at his place I pick it up and play it. Every time it floors me how damn good it sounds. I honestly like its sound better than my CV70s, but I think it’s mostly the difference in the strings.
I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a new CV o bass if you’re in the market.
Not been my experience with my 2020 Indonesian CV Fretless Jazz. Body contours match my 2010 60's RW Jazz which are rounded. And maybe it's a fretless thing - The fretboard edges are rounded & super comfortable.
I have a couple CIC CV’s (2008/2012) both top notch instruments, my most played basses by far, the fit/finish/feel with slightly rolled board and vintage frets, solid necks and solid electronics.
I also agree the Indo CV’s feel like rebranded VM’s (which I also own). I have a few Indonesian CV’s, P’s J’s 60’s/70’s great basses (for the money).
It is my experience that the necks on the current Indo’s seem less stable, the truss adjust/neck wood. I have a couple that need constant attention so those wear different necks now, fender replacement neck and a Mark Hoppus neck, they
are awesome now, the Indonesians body finish/paint on the ones I own are great.
I do have one Indo that is still stock, that one is a solid bass “as is”, all that said the Indo CV basses are great “for the money” the 1st. gen Crafted In China are just great instruments period. All stock.
I also agree the Indo CV’s feel like rebranded VM’s (which I also own). I have a few Indonesian CV’s, P’s J’s 60’s/70’s great basses (for the money).
It is my experience that the necks on the current Indo’s seem less stable, the truss adjust/neck wood. I have a couple that need constant attention so those wear different necks now, fender replacement neck and a Mark Hoppus neck, they
are awesome now, the Indonesians body finish/paint on the ones I own are great.
I do have one Indo that is still stock, that one is a solid bass “as is”, all that said the Indo CV basses are great “for the money” the 1st. gen Crafted In China are just great instruments period. All stock.
Unstable necks should not happen at this price range. That’s an absolute no go for me. So I guess it’s true - they are not the same anymore
