I am horrible with following through on "projects" like that, Mr. 34. I am also considering a parts build but the Squier P fretless seems to work out cheaper (I don't need tone woods or any of that at this point).
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New SQUIER VM series! (Part 2)
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
The Precision pup on the PJ sounds really good. Drives my distortion pedals well, and it has a lot of clarity when clean. Very happy with the sounds from it, practise tomorrow so I'll see how it sits in the band.
Tempted by either lightweight tuners or a heavier bridge just to make sure it balances better (the body is SO light yet resonant), give it a set up and probably get the fretboard rolled. Maybe throw some Chromes on there (never used them before). I was considering using this as a mod platform but it's actually a great bass straight out of the box. It does feel a little 'cheap' but I imagine it's the lightweight. Looking forward to playing it when the work's complete.
Tempted by either lightweight tuners or a heavier bridge just to make sure it balances better (the body is SO light yet resonant), give it a set up and probably get the fretboard rolled. Maybe throw some Chromes on there (never used them before). I was considering using this as a mod platform but it's actually a great bass straight out of the box. It does feel a little 'cheap' but I imagine it's the lightweight. Looking forward to playing it when the work's complete.
Used the PJ at practise today, and it sounded great. Ran it through a GK MB500, and used it with a B3K and a Rat Tail, lots of clarity and dirt from it. Used the Precision pup solo'd and it sat perfectly between the guitar and drums, and was always perfectly audible.
This was completely stock, even strings, and it held up brilliantly. You wouldn't pick it up and confuse it with an MIA P, but for the £220 I paid, it's starting to feel like a very good purchase.
This was completely stock, even strings, and it held up brilliantly. You wouldn't pick it up and confuse it with an MIA P, but for the £220 I paid, it's starting to feel like a very good purchase.
How did you find the Chromes, and how were they when distorted? Considering picking some up but I have no experience with them at all
Strung up my P5 with DR Lo-Riders. It's funny...I accidentally ordered a .125 low B instead of a .130 and I'm glad I did. The tension on the .125 is perfect and the floppiness that was there is gone. Glad I could accomplish it with a lower gauge. I also installed some Dunlop strap locks and the added length helped out with the slight neck dive. My US P5 pup should be here in a day or two, so I'm looking forward to that. If you get a good one, these are completely fine stock, but a few little things can sometimes go a long way in improving them. After I install the pup, I'll play around with some more cap values till I hit the sweet spot. Really hard to put this bass down.
They are pretty bright for a flat, not as thuddy as I expected them to be.
I use a Swell-B drive for light OD, used a Dark Driving for some heavier OD, and used a Pickle Pie B for some fuzz. I was also getting a little breakup from my amp at times, sounded good, thick with a good bit of grind to them.
The bright sound is what interests me, are they comparable with rounds? Need a decent attack for my distorted signs
It'll either be chromes or lo riders I think
It'll either be chromes or lo riders I think
IME Chromes sound like a nice worn in pair of rounds. Bright for a flat, but none of the roundwound finger noise. I think they sound nice driven, much better than my other bass with SR2000s which sounds great clean but is mud city driven because of the finger noise.
I don't know if I'd go so far as to compare them to rounds, but they do have a brighter initial top end. This goes away over time. Chromes are fairly tense, so you may have to tweak your truss a little bit. If you are looking for a more old school flat, GHS Precisions are nice and have a bit more "flex" to them. Their tension is closer to a roundwound, IME.
Thanks guys - the old school flat sound definitely isn't what I'm after, and I'm looking for higher tension strings, so it sounds like the Chromes would be ideal! I always put a new bass in for a set up anyway, so I would just get it done at the same time the strings go on.
Does anyone have any idea how the tension of the Chromes compares to, say, DR Lo Riders?
Just to keep this on topic - I'm still shocked by how much I enjoy playing the PJ's neck! I've always used 1.5" nuts and was sure I wanted a maple fretboard, but this has been a revelation. So comfortable, which is something I never find with P-necks. Getting the edges rolled & the frets looked over (I think they're fine though) will probably make this neck play like a dream.
Does anyone have any idea how the tension of the Chromes compares to, say, DR Lo Riders?
Just to keep this on topic - I'm still shocked by how much I enjoy playing the PJ's neck! I've always used 1.5" nuts and was sure I wanted a maple fretboard, but this has been a revelation. So comfortable, which is something I never find with P-necks. Getting the edges rolled & the frets looked over (I think they're fine though) will probably make this neck play like a dream.
My membership in the NEW SQUIER VM SERIES association is pending,but...
My NIB 2012/13 Squier VM Mustang Bass will (had better!!) arrive via FedEx this coming Monday 10/28. I purchased online from a reputable dealer for less than half of MSRP ($260.39,free shipping). I chose the 3-tone Sunburst model w/maple neck and black picguard. I`ll be posting some pics of this lil philly soon!
Best source for an economical hard shell case to fit the ssM? Also,I would like an OEM Fender thumb-rest @ correct vtg spot,but that`s a non-issue.
Ideas,opinions,thoughts on picguard color/composition?(Non-issue #2
) Something old school yet less black than black?lol
Thanks!
HosMan
My NIB 2012/13 Squier VM Mustang Bass will (had better!!) arrive via FedEx this coming Monday 10/28. I purchased online from a reputable dealer for less than half of MSRP ($260.39,free shipping). I chose the 3-tone Sunburst model w/maple neck and black picguard. I`ll be posting some pics of this lil philly soon!
Best source for an economical hard shell case to fit the ssM? Also,I would like an OEM Fender thumb-rest @ correct vtg spot,but that`s a non-issue.
Ideas,opinions,thoughts on picguard color/composition?(Non-issue #2
) Something old school yet less black than black?lolThanks!
HosMan
Chromes are quite tight. I like it because I can't stand floppy strings but YMMV.
I wasn't aware Seymour Duncan also has a custom P5 set as well:
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Yes. By about $75. I went with the US Fenders. In the few soundclip comparisons I did hear, I liked the Fender sound much better over the Nordy, but that could be for a lot of reasons. I was willing to buy the Nordstrand, so price wasn't really a factor but it was pleasing to see the pickup I favored cost considerably less. I was only able to find one place that stocked the '08-'12 P5 pup too, but I'm guessing one could order direct from Fender. Time will tell...I may throw it in and decide it sounds like crap.
Still tossing up whether I'm going to go down the Nordstrand route...
Well after my first weekend with this bass I can report back that it plays as every bit as good as my brand new Sandberg & Sadowsky. Pretty crazy stuff.
Well after my first weekend with this bass I can report back that it plays as every bit as good as my brand new Sandberg & Sadowsky. Pretty crazy stuff.
Awesome indeed. I'm amazed at the difference between this P5 and the one I sold. I can see why some people can be turned off to a brand if they experience a dud. Besides being a little heavy, this is an awesome bass. The Lo riders were a huge improvement, and took away the wobble of whatever garbage low B was on there (the low B was the only string not stock on the used one I bought). I just switched out the cap again, back to the .047 in anticipation of my new US pup. Messing around with my varitone box last night got me curious.
I was very on the fence at first, but I'm liking this bass almost more than my first VMJ5.
I'm pretty happy with the B string to be honest. It's got great definition. Usually with cheap basses the B strings are just crapola and the notes are just mud, but this is great. As for weight, mines not even that heavy, think my Sandberg is about the same weight.
A mate I know recently bought an American P5 and I played a few tunes on that at a gig and it wasn't too bad, but honestly I see absolutely no point in spending the extra money to get one..I just cannot sing enough praise for this squire. It is absolutely brilliant.
What sound clips did you use to decide between the Fender & Nordstrand pickup? Curious to hear the differences.
