Squier Classic Vibe or Vintage Modified?

[schietschijfje]

Fellow TBers,

I've thinking about adding a fretted jazz bass to my collection.
I've narrowed it down to a G&L JB2 tribute, a Squier CV or Squier VM.

What's the difference between the Squier CV and Squier VM (sound, feel, build quality)?

 

[ScarfFace]

Usually not much. It seems the classic vibe are a little more consistent, but I wouldn't buy either without playing them first. If the G&L tribute is on the table, I'd take that.

 

[bassbully]

For me I prefer the classic vibe. They just feel great and play great. It might be me but I feel they are a step up over VM and the rest of the Squier lines.

 

[schietschijfje]

For me I prefer the classic vibe. They just feel great and play great. It might be me but I feel they are a step up over VM and the rest of the Squier lines.

The CV series is priced a little bit higher than the VM series, so you might be correct.

 

[bassbully]

The CV series is priced a little bit higher than the VM series, so you might be correct.

Even so that might not be the reason one is better than the other. I owned both and just felt the CV felt and played better but there was not allot of difference in the two. There were more cool models of the CV Squiers than VM. Best thing is to try them out

 

[squish]

I too believe the CVs are a cut above the VMs.

It appears the CV line has been discontinued.

 

[schietschijfje]

Thanks for your replies.
After some more research, it seems that the CV series is based on the the 60s jazz bass and the VM series is based on the 70s jazz bass.
Will try them both and let the hands and ears decide which i prefer.

 

[bassbully]

I too believe the CVs are a cut above the VMs.

It appears the CV line has been discontinued.

It's a known fact that any Squier line that interferes with the sales of Fender MIA instruments die a quick death. It started in the early 80's with JV and SQ's thru the 90's with the Vista Series and now the CV series.

A friend of mine who is a guitar tech told me when the CV lines came out he had reworked and rewired several for players in the area. They were relicing them to look played and putting Fender stickers on the headstocks.
He said they were that good of a platform to mod. He is also a good blues player, drank the cool aid and did one himself. He said it was his #1 player when he reached for a Strat.

 

[Kukulkan61]

CV or VM they are both great budget basses, I have owned and gigged both..

 

[MrRobert]

I think the CV basses are fantastic instruments for the money, if you want a vintage themed instrument with modern specs. I've had two 60s P's but ended up selling both of them because I can't hang with the modern neck radius and nut width. That said, they both played extremely well and after replacing the pickups and wiring, sounded fantastic. I didn't like the original pickups, but you just might.
As for the CV guitars, every one I've played feels like a toy to me. The basses are great though. IMHO, YMMV etc

 

[TC.65]

I also felt the Classic Vibe was much better than the Vintage Modified. I could not figure out why they discontinued them. Now I know.

 

[blmeier7]

I've owned/played them all. My main players right now are a G&L Tribute JB2 and the CV P bass. To me, the CV Squier and the G&L Tributes are similar in quality and construction. I think they are both a step up when compared to the VM line. The VMs don't feel quite as refined, especially the necks and fretwork. There are a lot of players that love the VM basses, so I'd play everything you can get your hands on.

 

[Lee Kirkham]

I concur with the CV being a little better feel than the VM. The G&L is certainly a contender though, so as always, try before you buy. It's as simple as that.

 

[nonohmic]

I recently picked up the CV Jazz (Inca Silver) and it plays great, super low action, smooth as anything.

 

[jd56hawk]

Thanks for your replies.
After some more research, it seems that the CV series is based on the the 60s jazz bass and the VM series is based on the 70s jazz bass.
Will try them both and let the hands and ears decide which i prefer.

With all the bases I've owned, I still brag about this one every chance I get.

 

[Malak the Mad]

If it were my decision to make, and "aesthetics" weren't a major criteria, I'd go for a CV every time. I've had consistently better experiences with them. However, if we're talking about a brand-new instrument, I'd say your chances of getting something on par with a CV are that much better. (My encounters with earlier VM's were very hit-or-miss. )

After some more research, it seems that the CV series is based on the the 60s jazz bass and the VM series is based on the 70s jazz bass.

Cosmetically speaking, yes. Many VM models are a tip o' the hat to the Seventies-look. Funtionally speaking, they're both built along the more-common Sixties-groove, especially when it comes to pickup spacing.

 

[jd56hawk]

If it were my decision to make, and "aesthetics" weren't a major criteria, I'd go for a CV every time. I've had consistently better experiences with them. However, if we're talking about a brand-new instrument, I'd say your chances of getting something on par with a CV are that much better. (My encounters with earlier VM's were very hit-or-miss. )



Cosmetically speaking, yes. Many VM models are a tip o' the hat to the Seventies-look. Funtionally speaking, they're both built along the more-common Sixties-groove, especially when it comes to pickup spacing.

There was a nice Inca Silver CV body on ebay a few months ago routed for a Precision pickup...with a pickguard.
I should've bought it!

 

[awilkie84]

The CV series is priced a little bit higher than the VM series, so you might be correct.

That's because the CVs are Chinese and the VMs are South Asian. FWIW, I regret selling ALL of my CVs in the past.

 

[mellowgerman]

If you can try them out before buying, pick the one that feels the best. But if it was just between ordering one of those three online... G&L, no contest.

 

[JJR58]

I've had my CV since last year, got it at GC here in NY.
Played great in the store, couldn't say no for 299.