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New SQUIER VM series! (Part 2)

#61
dave_bass5 said:
...the bridge pup seems a bit short. You can see in my pic that the G doesn't sit evenly over the two pole pices, but also that you couldn't really move the pup as then the E would be wrong.

...Very strange. It doesn't bother me much, I'm going to put a model J in there as soon as I can find one for sale.
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It wouldn't be a new thing for a Squier V to have pickups that are on the short side. A weak B was the issue that caused me to sell my Active Jazz V.

That said, these don't look bad at all in pictures. Does the G sound weak when you solo the J? Or are you just concerned about the cosmetics?

If it sounds good, I wouldn't stress. Minor misalignment like yours isn't uncommon, and the fix is easy. Just loosen the neck screws a little, and push the neck to one side. Hold it there while you tighten the screws.

Walla!
 
#62
dave_bass5 said:
One other thing I've noticed is the bridge pup seems a bit short. You can see in my pic that the G doesn't sit evenly over the two pole pices, but also that you couldn't really move the pup as then the E would be wrong. Even the stock pic on fenders website shows this (although it's the E that's not right). Very strange. It doesn't bother me much, I'm going to put a model J in there as soon as I can find one for sale.
Click to expand...

20131023_Squier_VM_PJ06.jpg


It seems like I have the same thing on mine. I am not quite sure why it is like this. It may be that the bridge is actually has a bit a bit narrower string spacing than standard Fender basses.

My take on this is that as long as it sounds good, I do not care much about such visual issues. As you can see, the grain does not match either. ;)
 
#64
Yes, either that or the bridge is narrow. I quoted dave_bass5, and if you look at his beautiful pictures, they have the same issue, even if he describes the pickup as short. I suspect the pickup is a normal jazz bridge pickup (that should be easy to measure), but that the bridge saddle spacings are a bit narrow.

Could it be that there are differences between standard P and J bridges, and that this bridge is made for that P pickup, making the J pickup too wide?
 
#67
Shardik said:
20131023_Squier_VM_PJ06.jpg




It seems like I have the same thing on mine. I am not quite sure why it is like this. It may be that the bridge is actually has a bit a bit narrower string spacing than standard...
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I had the same thing with my VM Jazz Fretless. String spacing at the 20th fret was a little narrower than it needed to be, and the string-to string alignment was less than perfect over the pickups.

Shims between the saddles helped a bit, but I found a better, permanent t solution in the form of a set of 60's style "threaded" saddles from Allparts.

Pro: less than $20. They were slightly wider, and adjustable for exact spacing. Friends agreed that the tone was a little better with machined-from-billet saddles, instead of cast pot metal.

Con: Had to use a small drill bit to open the bridge holes slightly for the beefier intonation screws.

Cheap and effective.
 
#68
Shardik said:
Yes, either that or the bridge is narrow. I quoted dave_bass5, and if you look at his beautiful pictures, they have the same issue, even if he describes the pickup as short. I suspect the pickup is a normal jazz bridge pickup (that should be easy to measure), but that the bridge saddle spacings are a bit narrow.

Could it be that there are differences between standard P and J bridges, and that this bridge is made for that P pickup, making the J pickup too wide?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the photo compliment.

As for too long or too short. I agree that the spacing is too long, not too short as i originally said.

I did measure the pup and its the correct size, as in its the longer/bridge version of a Jazz pair. I had to measure up to see what replacement will go in. Only reason im replacing this pup is i will also be changing the other pup, and i feel the bridge pup might get over powered.
At the moment i dont noticed any downside to the pole pieces being out, im sure its just cosmetic.

I also measured the saddle spacing and it seems to be 19mm, although on first play i was convinced it was wider. The strings fall perfectly over the P pup (for me thats the main thing) so im guessing the jazz poles are just in a non standard position.

I too may well put a Vintage bridge on it, i already have one, and this would also let me raise the saddles a bit and get rid of the sharp ends.

Still less issues than the MIA's and HW-One i had a few years ago.
 
#69
steve_rolfeca said:
If it sounds good, I wouldn't stress. Minor misalignment like yours isn't uncommon, and the fix is easy. Just loosen the neck screws a little, and push the neck to one side. Hold it there while you tighten the screws.

Walla!
Click to expand...

Yes, im not going to fret (lol) over it. Ill probably put my Jazz neck on it sooner rather than later anyway so ill see what can be done then.
Im very happy with how tight the neck pocket is, and other than the slightly buckled PG about the neck heel i really cant find anything else to complain about.

Thanks.
 
#70
Alistair R said:
Here's my CAR P5!

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Lovely looking bass. My original choice for the PJ was going to be CAR, partly for the lack of grain issue, but right at the last min i felt i owed it to myself to have at least one 3TSB in my life at some point. No regrets there. I think it will look even nicer if i put my Lakland JO maple neck on it at some point.
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#71
You're probably right. So it is the pole positions that are probably a bit off on the J pickups. I have mostly used the P pickup on max on this bass, sometimes blending in a bit of that J for definition. If someone upgrades that J pickup, I'd like to hear about the experience. The P pickup sounds very nice to my ears.
 
#72
Got my VM Jazz 5 yesterday, my first bass! Just wanted something simple to record with and got an Affinity J-bass 5, but returned it when I saw this baby and ordered it off Thomann.de

It seems to play fine despite the main outer box looking like it came out of a dog's mouth, the actual squier box was fine except for a hole in it (but no damage to the bass) ...but I was a bit annoyed at some of the finish. Is this normal for a Squier?

Scratches or average finishing on the binding:

IMG_00000365_hdr_zps5b89e21d.gif


IMG_00000366_hdr_zpsae9634db.gif


Nut looks a bit beat up, seen this before on a new Squier Affinity. Guess I can just file it away carefully

IMG_00000362_hdr_zpse4b8d26f.gif


Couple of small paint chips around pickup cavities:

IMG_00000363_hdr_zps1d42e7eb.gif


But apart from that a pretty sexy bass! I'll take better photos after dropping in the Quarter Pounders and putting the MM neck pickup cover on it :)

IMG_00000370_zps0c58c5b2.gif



Crappy unboxing video, lol:

 
#73
Part two:
ImageUploadedByTalkBass1382535792.359349.jpg

I do really like the pickup, but I may grab a Nordstrand or Fender just to see what they're like. I didn't think I could ever improve on my old Classic 50's P until I installed a Fralin in it. Perhaps the same can be done with this bass.

What types of strings are folks using on their P5's? I was thinking of grabbing some nickel DR Lo-Riders. The previous owner replaced the low B with a crappy unknown string (yellow ball end) and its got little life left to it. I would like to have a 120, but will settle for the .125 the Lo's come with. I think the one on there is a .130 and a lower gauge might tighten up the tone a little bit. The one on there now is flop city, but I can manage.
 
#77
petrus61 said:
Part two:
View attachment 369970

I do really like the pickup, but I may grab a Nordstrand or Fender just to see what they're like. I didn't think I could ever improve on my old Classic 50's P until I installed a Fralin in it. Perhaps the same can be done with this bass.
Click to expand...

Ive yet to gig my PJ, that will be next weekend, until that time im leaving the stock pups on, but i am very tempted to rip the Fralin out of my CVP for this bass. It makes sense to put all the good bits on my gigging bass.

String wise i love XL's. I really didnt like the Fender strings at all, although i do like their 7150's nickels.

petrus61 said:
What is the model that comes stock on this bass?
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The strings are listed on the Squier website i i believe.
 
#80
Marko5657 said:
I’ve been complaining for years that Fender wouldn’t put out a MIM or Squier Precision V, but in the meantime I got other basses I like, which makes this purchase more difficult to justify-- but for the price, it’s hard to resist.

I want the sunburst one, but I’m wondering, if I buy it on-line, what would be the odds that I’d get poorly matched grain.

If I were wise I’d probably go to GC so I can see/play one; the slightly-extra cost might be worth it.

I’m still considering the white one, though.

In any case, it’s wonderful to read the positive reviews.

:)
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I have been check GC, and as of today they are not stocking any of the P5 models in any of the stores in my area. They have just started getting the Jag V in at some of the stores.
 

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