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Squier Classic Vibe or Vintage Modified?

#41
I think that, generally speaking, CV's tend to be a little better in terms of quality, and both are a steal used, but FWIW, I got this factory second VM 70's jazz, and it is by far my best-playing bass (and that's going against my Fender PJ and my Gibson G3), and it was only $125! I put a set of SD Quarter Pounders in it and now it RIPS!
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So, short answer- get a CV now before they disappear, but pick up a VM if you can find one used/cheap :bassist:
 
#42
As some may know, I got a VM Squier P. It took me some time to get used to it but once I did, I am enjoying it very much.

The very lightly satin finish on the back of the neck and unfinished front is a nice feeling. I don't really like the heavy lacquered neck on most basses.
 
#43
I've got 2 of each. A Vintage Modified Jag SS, and VM Jazz 70s. Also a Classic Vibe 50s Precision and a Matt Freeman Sig (which is a CV Precision by all accounts).

They are all fantastic in fit & finish as well as sound & playability. I've been extremely pleased with all 4 so far.

The major difference for me is in neck feel. My VM basses are satin finished necks, whereas my CV basses are high gloss finished. For what it's worth, I think the VM necks feel like they play faster. I'm not sure if all VM necks are still satin finish or not.
 
#44
I have a CV 60s P. I added a Fender original pickup and LaBella Deep Talkin Flats. Works very nicely for me.

Fit and finish is pretty amazing for the price. Love the neck. Took a green pad to it and knocked it down a bit. Kept the tint.

In demo'd a number of MIAs and I actually liked this better. Not saying it is better. Just saying I liked the feel better.
 
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#45
I have A couple VMs and I did have one CV. (James Johnston) The only reason I sold the CV is that the bridge was non standard width, making modding a little more difficult. As such, the rear pickup was a little wider as well. I like to mod and didn't want to deal with special measurements.
 
#46
MrKang said:
I just got a classic vibe 50's P and it's an awesome bass, especially for the money. By the luck of the draw, mine came with a quartersawn neck.
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I have a 70's CV Precision and a G&L Tribute JB2( rosewood neck/Swamp Ash body). First, the G&L is a step up from the CV and VM Squire's(especially the VM's). I sold a MIM Fender Jazz (plus a $100) to get the JB2(used). I think they are better in every way to MIM Fender Jazz. On the other hand, my CV 70's P bass is AWESOME. I only paid $300 new for it from SweetWater ,but I would have paid $600-700 due to it's quality!
 
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#48
punisher911 said:
I just received my James Johnston jazz which is supposedly a CV jazz... Only played acoustically so far as I got back from a Chicago work trip too late to jam, but fit and feel are great. I'll get it in band practice tomorrow.
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Oh yeah, the JJ Jazz is totally a CV Jazz with Lake Placid Blue finish. ;)
 
#49
Have a VM 70's Jazz. Love it! Maple machine!! Maple body, neck, fretboard!
Put some Roto TruBass 88's on it, it's love. Like it some much I've never even tried a CV as of yet. After getting used to the satin neck, gloss necks are a drag. Literally.
 
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#50
schietschijfje said:
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)?
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Take the JB-2 if it's available. Same great pickups as the US models. Hardware and electronics are of Asian origin, but still very good.

I've rarely seen a bad review of even a Tribute model. You can also check out Ed Friedland, as he had a good word on that model (I think it was an L-2500, not sure).

If nothing else, VM Jazz basses are nice. I own one and it's a total beast!
 
#51
BassDaddy77 said:
The major difference for me is in neck feel. My VM basses are satin finished necks, whereas my CV basses are high gloss finished. For what it's worth, I think the VM necks feel like they play faster. I'm not sure if all VM necks are still satin finish or not.
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I think that VM's used to ALL be satin, but within the past few years they've changed some of the models over to gloss necks. My 70s jazz is a newer model and has a gloss neck (old ones were satin and had Duncan Designed pups), and I think the 77's are the same way now, though I'm pretty sure the SS Jags still have satin necks
 
#52
Both CVj and VMj is great stuff, both neck profile seem same to me.
If you prefer vintage fret and warmer tone, get cvj; otherwise you prefer sexy maple fretboard and brighter tone, get the vmj.
 
#53
The Tribute is a step up in quality from the Squiers: particularly the electronics.
I have a Indonesian VM Bass VI that is as good as any Bass VI from Mexico or Japan that I have played. It's modded to death: added a preamp, bone nut, blacked out all the plastic, rewired the strangle to be Series/parallel... It's nearly 3 years old and has settled in nicely.
I also have a 2011 Chinese 51 CV neck on a 2013 Indonesian Dirnt body as well as a 2010 Indonesian VM 72 Tele bass. Both necks have a similar profile, the VM is satin and big frets, the CV gloss and small frets. Both very stable and good feeling.
 
#54
Classic Vibes tend to be more consistently good and the Vintage Modified are kinda hit and miss. But when the VM hit they are fantastic basses, my first bass was actually a VM Jaguar Bass and it was incredible! for the $199 dollars I spent on its the best bang for the buck.
 
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#55
jd56hawk said:
With all the bases I've owned, I still brag about this one every chance I get.
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@jd56hawk, how did you get those block inlays on there? Very cool. I have this 60s model (CV) Jazz too and would echo the plaudits it has received here. Somebody at Fender must agree, as they've raised the prices on CVs about $50 in the past year or so (now $399 retail). I have the Matt Freeman Precision too but it is not this good IMO. They did discontinue the Freeman Precision. I had not seen/heard that they were ditching the CV line.
 
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