New SQUIER VM series! (Part 2)

[aproud1]

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.

I use Dean Markley Nickel Plated Blue Steel strings. Pretty much the only round wound I use anymore. I will use nickel DR strings in a pinch. If you order the Markleys from Bassstringsonline, you can specify the B string size.

I will admit I've been thinking about going with Flats on this bass.

 

[tink9975]

I use Dean Markley Nickel Plated Blue Steel strings. Pretty much the only round wound I use anymore. I will use nickel DR strings in a pinch. If you order the Markleys from Bassstringsonline, you can specify the B string size.

I will admit I've been thinking about going with Flats on this bass.

I've got a set of Chromes on my VM P5, i'm suprised at how bright they are, they are a little muted compared to the rounds I am used to playing, but so far for Classic and modern rock covers, they sound great.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

To anyone with a PJ- how do you find the bridge? Intonation sets okay? I like the look of the hi mass style and it's an aesthetic choice I usually make, just want to know if replacing it is likely to be on the cards.

 

[dave_bass5]

To anyone with a PJ- how do you find the bridge? Intonation sets okay? I like the look of the hi mass style and it's an aesthetic choice I usually make, just want to know if replacing it is likely to be on the cards.

I really like it. Its much nicer than the ones on the Classic Vibe range IMO. Not quite as chunky as some HM bridges, more subtle and close to a Gotoh 201.
The only issue im having is my action is a bit low, so the saddle legs on the G string are sticking out and catching the side of my hand. I might switch to the Vintage bridge, although purely for this reason and no other.

 

[petrus61]

I use Dean Markley Nickel Plated Blue Steel strings. Pretty much the only round wound I use anymore. I will use nickel DR strings in a pinch. If you order the Markleys from Bassstringsonline, you can specify the B string size.

I will admit I've been thinking about going with Flats on this bass.

I didn't know Blue Steels came in nickel. I'll check that out. I used to use the SS versions religiously years ago.

 

[Silver Blues]

Dropped in on my local L&M last weekend and (poorly) played one of the new fretless Ps. That thing has a really awesome neck on it.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

I really like it. Its much nicer than the ones on the Classic Vibe range IMO. Not quite as chunky as some HM bridges, more subtle and close to a Gotoh 201.
The only issue im having is my action is a bit low, so the saddle legs on the G string are sticking out and catching the side of my hand. I might switch to the Vintage bridge, although purely for this reason and no other.

Cool, thanks. I tend to have my action slightly up from really low cause I dig in with a pick quite often, so hopefully won't be an issue.

May put a BAII on at some point if I get the same issue, but it's good to know the stock one is good! The CV bridges get a lot of praise, so if this is as good/better that's a definite plus.

 

[dave_bass5]

Cool, thanks. I tend to have my action slightly up from really low cause I dig in with a pick quite often, so hopefully won't be an issue.

May put a BAII on at some point if I get the same issue, but it's good to know the stock one is good! The CV bridges get a lot of praise, so if this is as good/better that's a definite plus.

What i didnt like with the CV bridges was the 20mm string spacing, and the two tone look. I just thought it looked cheap. Both my CV's have Gotoh 201 bridges on them now.
My action is always just over 2mm at the E, so i dont think its that low.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

What i didnt like with the CV bridges was the 20mm string spacing, and the two tone look. I just thought it looked cheap. Both my CV's have Gotoh 201 bridges on them now.
My action is always just over 2mm at the E, so i dont think its that low.

Yeah, I was never a fan of the brass. Much prefer these the appearance of these, the whole design of the bass looks great for such a reasonably priced instrument.

Just wish they came with a stock maple neck option

 

[dave_bass5]

Yeah, I was never a fan of the brass. Much prefer these the appearance of these, the whole design of the bass looks great for such a reasonably priced instrument.

Just wish they came with a stock maple neck option

Oh yes, a maple neck would have been the iceing on the cake. Thats why i have the Lakland neck at home. One day ill try it on the PJ and take some shots. For now im quite impresed with my playing on the stock neck, considering i prefer Jazz necks.
This is also my first bass that hasnt had vintage frets for a good few years, so still getting used to those.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

All my current basses are Jazz width; haven't played a P-size in a long time. I'm sure it'll be a small transition period, but with the rosewood-only choice, I'll probably switch for a MIM or maybe an MIA maple Jazz neck, depending on how much I like the bass.

Saying that, I'm going to give the bass a chance completely stock before I change anything.

 

[dave_bass5]

Saying that, I'm going to give the bass a chance completely stock before I change anything.

Same. I can tell im not going to keep the stock pups long but im in no big rush to change them.

 

[aproud1]

I didn't know Blue Steels came in nickel. I'll check that out. I used to use the SS versions religiously years ago.

I just set up a friends bass with the stainless strings. Nice strings but I prefer nickel. The NP Blue Steels have been my string of choice for probably a year or more. I order the custom light set from Bass Strings Online and they are pretty inexpensive, last awhile and sound and feel great. Before that I used Lakland NP strings which are pretty nice and before that DR Nickel Lo Riders. I have pretty much used every string I could get my hands on with the exception of R Coccos. The Markleys are still my preference regardless of price.

It's a pretty great time to be a bass player, lots of quality and reasonably priced choices, lightweight amplification. I haven't even been playing that long but the difference in the availability of lower priced gear quality is pretty stunning.

 

[petrus61]

I just set up a friends bass with the stainless strings. Nice strings but I prefer nickel. The NP Blue Steels have been my string of choice for probably a year or more. I order the custom light set from Bass Strings Online and they are pretty inexpensive, last awhile and sound and feel great. Before that I used Lakland NP strings which are pretty nice and before that DR Nickel Lo Riders. I have pretty much used every string I could get my hands on with the exception of R Coccos. The Markleys are still my preference regardless of price.

It's a pretty great time to be a bass player, lots of quality and reasonably priced choices, lightweight amplification. I haven't even been playing that long but the difference in the availability of lower priced gear quality is pretty stunning.

Yep, I'm very much a nickel guy as well these days. I see the Lo-Riders come in the gauge I'm looking for so I think I'll go with them, or maybe Sunbeams with a lo-rider B.

 

[Alistair R]

I really dig GHS boomers with my P basses.

 

[Shardik]

Oh yes, a maple neck would have been the iceing on the cake. Thats why i have the Lakland neck at home. One day ill try it on the PJ and take some shots. For now im quite impresed with my playing on the stock neck, considering i prefer Jazz necks.
This is also my first bass that hasnt had vintage frets for a good few years, so still getting used to those.

The same for me (expect the Lakland and the vintage frets). I am also used to jazz type necks. The neck transition proved to be more of a mental obstacle than a playing problem. After all, a P-bass neck is no wider than a standard electric guitar neck. I am playing the Squier VM Precision PJ all the time at home now (which I have tended to do with my backup basses), and there is nothing about the P form in particular that is holding me back. My mediocrity is still very much me, not my instruments. I really like the PJ so far.

 

[Shardik]

Cool, thanks. I tend to have my action slightly up from really low cause I dig in with a pick quite often, so hopefully won't be an issue.

I don't think it will be. I have tuned in a fairly low action, but I also have a rather straight neck, which means the saddles doesn't have to be as low as when you have some bow to it. I also use a balanced string set (flats, 045-060-080-105) tuned o DGCF, and using a balanced set means that no strings are floppy, which IMO lets me use a rather straight neck.

BTW: If you need to dig in deep to get enough punch, turn the volume knob on your amp up and learn to control the intensity of your picking. This allows more dynamic playing too. A compressor is also handy if you (like me) aren't always consistent in your picking intensity and need to tame the peaks somewhat.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

I don't think it will be. I have tuned in a fairly low action, but I also have a rather straight neck, which means the saddles doesn't have to be as low as when you have some bow to it. I also use a balanced string set (flats, 045-060-080-105) tuned o DGCF, and using a balanced set means that no strings are floppy, which IMO lets me use a rather straight neck.

BTW: If you need to dig in deep to get enough punch, turn the volume knob on your amp up and learn to control the intensity of your picking. This allows more dynamic playing too. A compressor is also handy if you (like me) aren't always consistent in your picking intensity and need to tame the peaks somewhat.

Thanks for the advice, but I'm already doing the opposition- pretty soft touch most of the time, but digging in for moments of intensity or extra distortion in the song. I've never had an issue with it being audible through an amp, I just don't like the feel of a string buzzing under my finger.

 

[Shardik]

Same. I can tell im not going to keep the stock pups long but im in no big rush to change them.

I am pretty happy with the P pickup. The J pickup is also nice enough, but I may actually try to find one with a bit more "bite". When blending it with the P I find the P to be dominant even when both pickups are on full.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Just took the plunge on a PJ in CAR for delivery tomorrow... Don't like buying unseen, but nobody locally is intending on stocking them in the near future, and I got impatient. At the very least I'll be swapping out the jack and neck in future, and maybe even the pups, bridge and tuners - the VMs are great stock but I want to use this to build my ideal bass (assuming I like it enough!)

The working days between ordering and unboxing a new instrument are always the longest..