Same with me, i have a 5 string fender jazz bass and wanted a 4 string fender jazz to add on, with the low price i tried this out because of the pick ups and the look of it, i played and the first time I loved the tone... I tried again the next day, (on a different amp) and the tone was wack... every fender i play sounds good on different amps and heads, just different, but this one, i decided to pass it up after hours of trying to find a good tone. It's good for beginners
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Not so "jazzed" about the Squire VM anymore
- Thread starter SteveC
- Start date
I could. But I'm not sure it's really worth it. I'v emodded virtually every jazz I've owned.
I like the fact that the strings you have on there cost almost as much as the bass
Yeah, exactly.
Really what I want/need from a fretless is an "upright substitute" for jazz gigs. I know, I know. I really need a Wendler, or Rob Allen. Unfortunately, I just can't afford a bass like that.
That's why I'm not modding. I would rather use that money to but what I really need - at least that's what I think I really need.
Hi there
I own both a VM fretted and a fretless.they are great basses.
I believe the issue with your bass are the strings. TI flats are great on a P Bass (you get that J Jamerson sound) but sucks on a fretless. Get some Rotosounds or GHS Boomers on it,and you'll finally hear the real tone of your bass...;-)
Really? No one has ever suggested that TI Jazz Flats would be a bad choice for a fretless bass. I didn't like rounds on it. I didn't think they were the right tone for standard jazz.
If you're looking for an "upright substitute", I sort of doubt you'll ever get that type of sound out of a squier VM jazz. To that end, I think you'd be better served with a different bass.
They are pretty decent basses, just not for that purpose.
TI Jazz Flats on a different fretless bass might work perfectly for what you want.
I'm going to stake a guess that you might be looking for sort of a deep thumping tone for the described standard jazz. Flatwounds on a different bass than the Squier I think will get you in the right general direction.
I can get a pretty deep tone from my Clement fretless with a Nordstrand P-pickup, but I'm sure others here can also offer suggestions for basses with that sort of deep thump.
I agree, I won't get that with the Squire. A Rob Allen, Wendler, etc. is better suited. Unfortunately, I can't afford that. I was getting a better sound using just the neck pickup and rolling the tone WAY off.
I know I want the impossible - upright sound and "modern" fretless sound from the same bass. I know I will need to compromise on both, but would like to get something passable for each in one bass.
It seems pickups are the first thing to try.
I know I want the impossible - upright sound and "modern" fretless sound from the same bass. I know I will need to compromise on both, but would like to get something passable for each in one bass.
It seems pickups are the first thing to try.
You might look for a Dean Pace bass. It's a 35" scale fretless upright bass, and it can be had for pretty cheap, especially compared to the Rob Allen.
Those are actually pretty cool. A friend of mine had one---it was an absolute blast to play, and didn't sound half bad either.
When I think of uprightish tone in an electric, I think of a fretless precision with med-high tension flats.
I know what your saying Steve. I just find the higher wind of a P pickup in that spot gives that woodier tone than a jazz bass.
However, I have heard some seriously growly uprights that sounded unbelievable. Palle Danielson comes to mind.
However, I have heard some seriously growly uprights that sounded unbelievable. Palle Danielson comes to mind.
I also had a Squier VM Fretless Jazz and I just couldn't bond with it at all. I upgraded the wiring/pots/cap/jack, replaced the tuners and bridge with Gotoh parts, did a full set-up (including adjusting the neck pitch), and put on a set of DR MM Fat-Beams (which I love on fretless Jazzes).
I could never get the tone I was looking for. And the feel was always off. The neck was very rubbery, almost as if the wood hadn't been cured properly. Shifted like crazy! I had to adjust the trussrod each time I picked it up.
I ended up giving the bass to a friend of mine who was looking for a cheap fretless. I guess "free" is as "cheap" as it gets
Funny thing is, I've also got an SX Jazz 5-stringer. It's a 70's style: ash body, bound & blocked maple neck. I defretted it, replaced the wiring/pots/cap/jack, and did a set-up. I left the bridge, tuners, and pickups stock. Strung it with a set of Ken Smith Slap Masters I had lying around. The feel and sound are wonderful! Exactly what I was looking for. The VM Fretless was totally outclassed by the cheaper SX.
I could never get the tone I was looking for. And the feel was always off. The neck was very rubbery, almost as if the wood hadn't been cured properly. Shifted like crazy! I had to adjust the trussrod each time I picked it up.
I ended up giving the bass to a friend of mine who was looking for a cheap fretless. I guess "free" is as "cheap" as it gets
Funny thing is, I've also got an SX Jazz 5-stringer. It's a 70's style: ash body, bound & blocked maple neck. I defretted it, replaced the wiring/pots/cap/jack, and did a set-up. I left the bridge, tuners, and pickups stock. Strung it with a set of Ken Smith Slap Masters I had lying around. The feel and sound are wonderful! Exactly what I was looking for. The VM Fretless was totally outclassed by the cheaper SX.
I have also found that VMJF are way overhyped. It can get decent sounds, but I couldn't get used to the feel. Feels cheap man.
I've put Dimarzio model J's in mine and changed the tuners but I still just cant seem to get into it. I prefer just having the neck pickup on if I put the bridge pickup on I start playing a groove and end up past the twelfth fret going all 'Jaco'.
But then again I never really liked Jazz basses.
Though I would probably trade the fretless for a fretted Jazz or and OLP if anyones interested
But then again I never really liked Jazz basses.
Though I would probably trade the fretless for a fretted Jazz or and OLP if anyones interested
The Squier VM fretless has to be the cheapest feeling/looking bass I've played in recent memory, IMO. That fingerboard was just yuck. As for the tone...because something says Duncan Designed, it does not mean it is going to sound remotely close to any thing made
by Seymore Duncan, which they are not. The sunburst lookes like crap because the where they glued the maple body together is clearly visible, which would be okay if it were even slightly matched. The lack of a pickguard just looks like a pathetic attempt to capture the Jaco vibe, IMO. But, as always, it might just be the couple I tried. If it sounds good to you, more pwer to ya.
by Seymore Duncan, which they are not. The sunburst lookes like crap because the where they glued the maple body together is clearly visible, which would be okay if it were even slightly matched. The lack of a pickguard just looks like a pathetic attempt to capture the Jaco vibe, IMO. But, as always, it might just be the couple I tried. If it sounds good to you, more pwer to ya.
