Interesting. I have the 70s CV Jazz and my binding is definitely a separate plastic.
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Squier Classic Vibe 2019
- Thread starter LkS
- Start date
Interesting. I have the 70s CV Jazz and my binding is definitely a separate plastic.
A bit slimmer than Pre china 50P.
Will decide to let it go soon, pickup sound ,tuning machine and uneven poly paint on neck.
Sorry to hear that, I may have simply received a particularly good one. In my opinion, tuners and pickups can be fixed if you're happy with the rest of the instrument, but a poor finish on top of that is an understandable reason to let it go. In my case, swapping in tuners that I already had was all I needed, so I'm happy.
So.. I couldn't resist. Installed the Geezer Butler set, custom wired the controls and replaced the backplate and screws. 
This one's not going back. 
This one's not going back. 
Oobly, I'm very happy to read your review, I have the exact same instrument on order, and am looking forward to receiving it (likely at least another 30 days or so.)
Do you think the tuners might become a little better to use with a little silicone lubricant? I'd rather avoid changing them out if I can, I see from yours and another thread that these might be non-standard sizes requiring drilling new holes as you did (which is something I really don't want to do.)
Anyway, grats on the NBD, and thank you for the excellent review!
Were the original pickups not very good?
Regarding the custom wiring, I've considered the future possibility of rewiring the knobs so that the volume is controlled by the sleeve and the tone is controlled by the knob... Is that what you did?
You're very welcome and grats on your order, it's a nice bass.
They are already oiled, they're just badly designed / made, so there is a lot of excess friction. They're worse than the ones I got on my 2011 VM Jag. Could just be the ones on my bass, but all 4 are the same.
After investigating a little it seems the main problem is a plate that's under the gear that holds the spindle in place. That plate is under too much tension so it presses really hard against both the gear and spindle.
You can improve them by bending the plate a little so it's under less tension. Really improves the feel of them and that may be enough. Requires removing them from the bass and undoing the main screw that holds the gear in place.
They don't appear to be a standard size (different from VM, older CV, all Hipshot and Gotoh sizes), whereas the older CV ones did match the Hipshot HB1 dimensions, so drilling holes for the top screws at least is needed if you replace them. The old holes are close in and will be covered by any replacement tuner, so they won't be visible, but it's up to you to decide if you need to. You may get better ones on yours. Here's hoping.
I had already planned to install Geezer Butler pickups when I pre-ordered mine, so I had them waiting. The stock pickups are pretty good, but the GB set is a noticable improvement.
I rewired it like the second diagram in this post: Vintage Jazz Bass: Stack Knob Vs. VVT
Mainly to prevent interaction between the controls. Works well with the GB pickups
Planning on using D'Addario Chrome flatwounds on it. Medium scale does limit string choice a little, but it feels great to play.
If it can't be avoided, why not get a set of Hipshot Ultralites? If you've never used them before, they're held in place by the threaded ferrule and one, single screw. Just measure the mid-point between the two right-most holes, tighten the ferrule to hold the tuner in place, drill a teensy pilot hole, screw it down…and violá! Great tuners and a few ounces shaved off your bass' total weight!
I haven't read all 71 pages of this thread, so I apologise if this has been talked about. But kinda wanting to upgrade my bass and I'm really lusting after that 70s walnut P bass! Ive had a Squier affinity PJ for the couple years. I just needed something cheap to get back into playing and it's not been a bad bass.
My question is, is there a huge difference between the new classic vibe series and the newer affinity line? I would think it's an obvious yes, but I was surprised my PJ was a decent instrument once it had a proper setup. Just wondering if it'd be worth it to splurge on what's essentially a toy for me at this point haha (not playing with a band atm)
Thanks for any comparisons or advice
My question is, is there a huge difference between the new classic vibe series and the newer affinity line? I would think it's an obvious yes, but I was surprised my PJ was a decent instrument once it had a proper setup. Just wondering if it'd be worth it to splurge on what's essentially a toy for me at this point haha (not playing with a band atm)
Thanks for any comparisons or advice
I replaced this:
With this:
In this:
Also added a Kluson high mass bridge and Hipshot 3 string retainer.
With this:
In this:
Also added a Kluson high mass bridge and Hipshot 3 string retainer.
The A string tuner on my CV 70s P was a little rough when I got the bass (The other tuners worked fine) I lubed them all when I restrung it and they all work fine now.
Nothing wrong with the Affinity basses, but the new Classic vibe basses are really great. They just overall feel better in the hands I find. Really dig them!
The obvious differences will probably come down to the pickups and the finish on the neck.
- Affinity = Standard Split-Coil (which probably means "ceramic"…not bad, just different)
- Classic Vibe = Alnico Split-Coil
If nothing else, it might be prudent to wait until you can see how one feels and sounds to you, especially in these strange days we find ourselves in. And for now, if you're good with what you have, why not "love the one you're with".
Just to add to what has already been said, I believe the body is thinner on the Affinity also, it certainly used to be on the older ones.
I would say the Samick-made Classic Vibes (ISS serial numbers) are a good deal "better" than the Affinity in terms of build quality, fit, finish, wood choice and most of the hardware. Up to you to decide if it's worth the price jump. The Cort-made ones (ICS serial numbers) are not quite as good as the Samicks, particularly in terms of attention-to-detail, fit and finish, etc, but still better in some aspects than the Affinity (wood choice, some of the hardware).
The Affinity is a good instrument for the money, but with a few mods you'd be hard pressed to tell a difference between one of the good CV's and the higher end Fenders in a blind test, IMHO. I would put my 70's P up against anything in the Fender catalog (admittedly I replaced the tuners, pickup and electronics, but the materials and quality of build are top notch). Likewise my Jaguar once I've finished tweaking it (again: tuners, pickups and electronics).
The models made by Samick (the ones I consider to be the best) are the 50's P, 70's P (including the walnut you're interested in), Jaguar and Mustang. The 60's P and Jazz models are Cort-made (I initially bought a 60's P, but returned it due to poor build quality and finish).
Having spent a bit more time with my walnut CV 70s:
- it definitely sounds a lot more like a 70s P than a 60s. It's pretty bright and not super low end focussed. I don't know if that's the pickup, the nato body, or both. It's great for funk anyway, probably less so for blues etc? Although the tone control has a good range.
- the only thing that reminded me it's a £350 bass is the truss rod nut isn't aligned perfectly straight, so it took some wiggling to get the allen key in. Works fine though.
- it will get used more than I expected it would just on account of how light it is
So, so far so good.
- it definitely sounds a lot more like a 70s P than a 60s. It's pretty bright and not super low end focussed. I don't know if that's the pickup, the nato body, or both. It's great for funk anyway, probably less so for blues etc? Although the tone control has a good range.
- the only thing that reminded me it's a £350 bass is the truss rod nut isn't aligned perfectly straight, so it took some wiggling to get the allen key in. Works fine though.
- it will get used more than I expected it would just on account of how light it is
So, so far so good.
Both my sunburst VMP5 and black and maple CVJ5 are fine instruments, even with the ICS serial numbers. I am very happy with both. The only change I might make is to go to noiseless J pickups, otherwise they have great tone and playability, and everything works as it should.
Just picked up this one used ... was looking for a Peavey Fury, but this popped up on the radar screen first. It replaced my old 68, sold a few years back. I got it for rough and tumble live use in blues juke joints. It’s about on par with any of the 70s P basses I’ve owned over the years I’ve yet to contemplate any changes to it, seems fine as is.
Every time I look at indo CV 60P or CV60J bass, include my previous VM J, those Lauren board wood definitely look like dead wood nearby the beach.
I don't know why FMIC decide use the grey tint Lauren board instead thier early nice looking Brown tint Lauren board use on VM PJ.
This also occurs on jotoba board between Cort/Sterling Sub and Ibanez.
Jotoba board on Ibanez look like raw wood with dry yellowish tone; meanwhile the Cort and Sterling has much brownish wood tone on jotoba wood they use.
