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Squier Classic Vibe or Vintage Modified?

#61
I absolutely LOVE the VM series and the CV series Squier instruments. I own several. Having said that, I believe my G&L JB-2 Tribby is JUST a hair better than either of the Squier series. Of course, I did end up buying TWO Tribbys to get the one I finally wanted! (Long boring story below):

NBD: G&L JB-2 Tribby "Fraternal Twins" (Long and Pic Heavy)

DSCN3274.jpg


To me, the G&L is built with higher quality body wood and bridge. I have upgraded the pickups on the both the VM and the CV series, but at this time have no burning desire to change out the G&L pickups. IMHO, YMMV, etc. etc.
 
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#62
eldoryder said:
I absolutely LOVE the VM series and the CV series Squier instruments. I own several. Having said that, I believe my G&L JB-2 Tribby is JUST a hair better than either of the Squier series. Of course, I did end up buying TWO Tribbys to get the one I finally wanted! (Long boring story below):

NBD: G&L JB-2 Tribby "Fraternal Twins" (Long and Pic Heavy)

DSCN3274.jpg


To me, the G&L is built with higher quality body wood and bridge. I have upgraded the pickups on the both the VM and the CV series, but at this time have no burning desire to change out the G&L pickups. IMHO, YMMV, etc. etc.
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I really like what you did, switching the the necks. That sunburst looks beautiful with a rosewood fretboard.
 
#63
#64
Stevis said:
@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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30ttjjq.jpg

Fairly easy to put on.
I'd recommend taking off your A and D strings, though...I didn't!
 
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#66
I had both, a VM fretless Jazz made in Indonesia and a Chinese made Precision. Both were from their respective first year run.

The VM fretless played well but had flaws. The neck screws were crooked and the finish had runs in it. The one I had was an early example from years ago that I purchased with a gift card, the cosmetics weren't a deal breaker at all. Anyway, the Classic Vibe P that I got (bought a year later with a gift card) was pretty much flawless.
 
#67
CGremlin said:
I suspect that was also the case for the Modern Player Jazzes too. Mine isn't on par with an MIA Jazz, but it was quite a nice instrument for the ridiculously low price, and with a Fender decal to boot.
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I'm sure it is. If any Squier interferes with the sales of MIA or even the upper priced MIMs its coming off the market.

I remember when the Road Worn series came out. A shop I stopped in from time to time in my work travels is a Fender dealer. I walked in and they had three RW fender and I started playing them.
The owner came over and we talked about them and Fender for awhile. He told me if I liked it I better buy it for he was one of the last shops in our State to get RW Fenders.
I thought it was a good bass but overpriced for a MIM and felt he was just trying to get a sale.
He went on to tell me his Fender rep said they wont last long due to them hurting the MIA sales. A few month latter in my travels I stopped back in an sure enough they had one left, for a good sized discount (should of bought it)

The owner said" last one" I told you to buy her since that's the last one they will let me have, suckers dented my reps MIA sales. The shop owner went on to say it surprised him since he had issues selling RW basses for most customers wanted a new bass to look new.
 
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#68
MeLikeBass said:
Loved my CV but sold it when I thought i was moving up by buying a Fender jazz. Was a step up but not by much when it came to feel, it had a great neck.
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yeah, I went to trade in my VM Jaguar special for a natural finish Mex Jazz, there was very little difference between the 2. So I kept the Squier & my $300 difference. Honestly my jag had a better neck.
 
#69
Fabio_MIJ said:
So, electronics apart, what do you pay for when you buy a "real" fender? Consistency and resale value?
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I have one American-made Precision (they now call this the elite series). I bought it for quality and features. It has the PJ pups and you can switch between active and passive. It has great tone. It has quality tuners. It has the maple fretboard, which I like. Plus there is the cool factor: black with black pickguard. It also has a durable quality case. I have an MIM Standard too. It is a solid bass and a lot of bang for the buck. I am much less anal about it than my MIA (e.g., not the same loss if stolen or strap failure). I don't really think about resale because, for myself, I don't envision selling them.
 
#70
image.jpeg
A little late to the game here, but I need to say this: I absolutely LOVE my VM Jazz V. Both pups up,tone at 10% and the Mark Bass Combo 210 plus MB 15. It has the coolest bouncy punchy thumpy sound with enough clarity to shine. Wow.... And I got it used from GC mail order for$240. But what do I know huh?
 
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#72
schietschijfje said:
Unfortunately I can't try G&L before I buy it, but I can send it back if i don't like it.
The CV jazz is available at my local shop or i can pick up a used one for a nice price.

Choices choices choices........
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If you can get your hands on the CV for an "up close and personal" trial and it feels good or better, you know what to do. ;)
 
#76
Picked up my early (satin neck, duncan designed pups) maple boarded VM Jazz in natural 5 years ago and it has been a good unit. Played bone stock weekly with the original rounds for 4 years. Finally put a set of GHS precision flats and a 4 hours a day playing schedule a few months ago while the Stingray is getting some TLC.

I'm not sure if the early natural VM bodies were pine or maple. Anyone know for sure?

Tone is good but not great. Hum/buzz is a little high imo but for what it is I can live with it.

Neck is quick, hardware and nut have lasted well, tuners still hold tune nice. Truss rod works well. Used it in the spring and fall for the first year or so as the climate here is very dry and again recently while setting up for the new flats I put on. The output jack is finally starting to act up in just the last couple of months which TBH is longer than I thought it was going to last after hearing some of the horror stories I've heard about lower end hardware.

The finish is as tough as nails. I bought this for close quarters garage band stuff so I wouldn't beat the crap out of my Stingray. I use the Stingray on stage.

Electronics were still stock until last week when the lead came off the bridge pup while doing a series mod. So for now I put the neck pup in the bridge slot for now and it does actually sound really good. Better actually. Seems to growl better now. Was perhaps a little too hot in the neck anyways. Sounds clearer but quackier on the bridge and I like that.

So yeah now I want to replace the jack and pups with noiseless ones (SD Apollos, Fender Super 55's, suggestions?), or do a PJ conversion and carry on.

My local shop just got a later burst/rosewood/basswood body one and I'm thinking about it. It's seems to be lighter. These ones are later only aren't they? (glossy neck, fender designed pups)

If I were to quibble about anything it would be that as it's supposed to be 70's-inspired then it should have the period bridge pup position closer to the bridge. I've considered modding the route but haven't.

Either way. Well worth the cash!

As for CV models. Never seen a lefty bass one so no idea. Tried a CV strat once and absolutely hated it but that would seem to be the exception. Got an MIM instead.

Anyway here's the pic...
 
#77
Hey guys!

i know this thread has been dead for years, but this popped up on my second hand radar & i have questions: how can U visually differentiate a Classic Vibe from a Vintage Modified?

Let me explain: i live in Spain now, but i'm going back to see my family in Paris in a month. This guy is selling a Classic Vibe in a town that's like 2 hours away from Paris. I have a friend, also a bass player, whose parents live in that city so i know he will go there soon. my point being that i can't go & try the bass. i'm not even sure i need this bass lol, i was GASsing for a P-Bass with a maple board... So no big deal if somebody gets it before me, but the truth is, the second hand bass market in Spain sucks for people on a budget lol

Anyway, i asked the guy to send me pix of his bass, he has changed the pick guard but he is selling the original with the bass too. i have the serial number on the back of the headstock which confirms that it was "Crafted in China", i can tell it dates back to 2011 (although the owner claims he bought it in 2017, which means he's not the first owner or this bass has been in warehouses most of its life), but the Fender serial number detector doesn't give anything then i type in the number.. Can U guys confirm it's really a Classic Vibe and not a camouflaged Vintage Modified, or an Affinity where the little logo that says so would've been erased or something?

Squier CV Jazz number.jpg


e2d2b104-9cf5-11e9-aa94-79f91ec59634.jpg


e681fd67-9cf5-11e9-aa94-79f91ec59634.jpg
 
#78
neil|lien said:
Can U guys confirm it's really a Classic Vibe and not a camouflaged Vintage Modified, or an Affinity where the little logo that says so would've been erased or something?
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The original Classic Vibe range were all made in China and the Vintage Modified range are made in Indonesia, so you'll be getting what you wanted. The new 2019 CV range is also now made in Indonesia which will undoubtedly cause confusion in the future.

I've recently bought the same 60's Jazz bass and they really are a great bass for the money.

IMG_7478.JPG
 
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