Squier MusicMaster Vista Club

[YSTNBABE]

Hi there, looks like a lovely bass you got there, great in white. I've had all the other three colours but not a white one (yet!)

The tuners look OK to me, but maybe my ageing eyes can't see what the string alignment issue is?

The stock bridges on the Vistas are OK (IMHO) & do the job fine. That Albridge version looks good, though a bit pricey. Not sure it I could see it being that much of an improvement over the stock bridge. Can understand upgrading an original US Musicmaster with the Albridge as those bridges don't allow individual string adjustment.

I'd wait until you get it. Put a fresh set of (medium scale) strings, get a good setup on it & try it out.
You might be pleasantly satisfied with it stock & no need for any upgrades

I've had three Vista Musicmasters. All great basses - big tone & lovely to play.
The only issues I've had was dead pickups on two of them which I had to get rewound, and a nut cracking on one which I replaced with a Graph Tech 'Tusq'.
However, I have shielded cavities & replaced the pots on all of them with superior CTS ones, as I don't think the original pots are that good.

Enjoy your new Vista & welcome to the Vista Musicmaster gang!

Thanks man just got it everything work properly this is a snap maybe ill do some video later

and i have order Stringjoy 50-105 for short scale is on the way

 

[nickonbass1]

and i have order Stringjoy 50-105 for short scale is on the way

Not sure short scale strings will be long enough mate, maybe they will....
As the Vistas are string through body like a Mustang, most use medium scale (32") strings on these.
Though I've managed to use cut-down long scale Labella black nylon tapewounds on one of mine.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Not sure short scale strings will be long enough mate, maybe they will....
As the Vistas are string through body like a Mustang, most use medium scale (32") strings on these.
Though I've managed to use cut-down long scale Labella black nylon tapewounds on one of mine.

I'm not an expert but that has been my experience. Both of my Musicmasters and my Mustang have string through bodies and I use medium scale strings on them.

 

[patzilla83]

Selling my AlBridge if anyone is interested. It’s great, but I’m not a fan of how it looks on the bass.

AlBridge for Squier Vista Musicmaster bass

 

[Badabababa]

Hi all,

Assuming the body has a string thru, can I use Squier Vista MM bridge on Fender 70s MM without modification or vice versa?

 

[birdswthvertigo]

Hi all,

Assuming the body has a string thru, can I use Squier Vista MM bridge on Fender 70s MM without modification or vice versa?

The screw holes are different on the string thru Squier MM vista vs a vintage body. And there’s no vintage MM with a string thru body. That would have to be modded after the fact. Or be a mustang bass body. Otherwise the string spacing is the same.

 

[Fenderno]

Greetings! I stumbled upon this site while doing research on a my Squier Vista MM acquired just today [09.07]. What I'm having a problem with is what size &/or shape adjustment tool does one use to dial in the desired relief. I've tried hex keys from 2mm to 4.5mm but nothing seems to work. The 4.5 seemed get the best purchased of the lot but only slightly at best. These things are metric, right? I hope I'm not the victim of an unsavory seller [wouldn't be the first time]. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[andare]

Greetings! I stumbled upon this site while doing research on a my Squier Vista MM acquired just today [09.07]. What I'm having a problem with is what size &/or shape adjustment tool does one use to dial in the desired relief. I've tried hex keys from 2mm to 4.5mm but nothing seems to work. The 4.5 seemed get the best purchased of the lot but only slightly at best. These things are metric, right? I hope I'm not the victim of an unsavory seller [wouldn't be the first time]. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

It's either 4mm or 5mm. Do not use half sizes and avoid ball ends if possible.

 

[Fenderno]

It's either 4mm or 5mm. Do not use half sizes and avoid ball ends if possible.

Holy cow! That was fast. Thanks @andare!

Turns out 5mm is the correct size. I've never encountered a 5mm truss rod nut before as all my current Fender necks are 4mm [I believe]. I did encounter a 4.5 on one of those Black Label MIM Jazz basses made around '91 or so but nothing larger. What a relief [pun intended] as I really started to think I'd been had. Now I can sleep easy.

 

[andare]

Holy cow! That was fast. Thanks @andare!

Turns out 5mm is the correct size. I've never encountered a 5mm truss rod nut before as all my current Fender necks are 4mm [I believe]. I did encounter a 4.5 on one of those Black Label MIM Jazz basses made around '91 or so but nothing larger. What a relief [pun intended] as I really started to think I'd been had. Now I can sleep easy.

MIMs sometimes use imperial parts. It's tricky.

 

[Fenderno]

Got this yesterday [09.07]. The guy I bought it from had LaBella 760-MUS strings on it and it played well with them but my aging hands can't abide all that string tension so I restrung it with some GHS Pressurewounds that are nice balance between flats & round wound strings. I must say - so far I'm not all that impressed. I get all the buzz on this forum for these basses and it's pretty much what I thought it would be but there are some quirks that my tech will have to look at before I decide to keep it or not. The low E-string is just kinda meh and the overall balance of the pickup isn't great either. I realize my ears have grown accustomed to years of playing a P bass with an EMG-GZR pickup in it so there's that. My last SS bass was a Dano Longhorn and it had much more clarity compared to this one. Granted I've only had it for a day but I know what I like & need and this is only about 50% there so far. If my tech assures me that he can make work for my needs then, of course, I'll keep it, but, since it's such a coveted instrument, I'm not going to start changing the pickup as I don't want to devalue it in any way, so we'll see . . .

For anyone who's interested here are some gut shots I took while I was cleaning it up:

As you can see someone shielded it but for some reason they removed the shielding tape from under the pots. One thing that impressed me when trying it out was how quiet it was but, when I got it home it was another story, so I added some shielding tape before putting it back together and now it's quiet so no big deal.

 

[andare]

View attachment 7317502
Got this yesterday [09.07]. The guy I bought it from had LaBella 760-MUS strings on it and it played well with them but my aging hands can't abide all that string tension so I restrung it with some GHS Pressurewounds that are nice balance between flats & round wound strings. I must say - so far I'm not all that impressed. I get all the buzz on this forum for these basses and it's pretty much what I thought it would be but there are some quirks that my tech will have to look at before I decide to keep it or not. The low E-string is just kinda meh and the overall balance of the pickup isn't great either. I realize my ears have grown accustomed to years of playing a P bass with an EMG-GZR pickup in it so there's that. My last SS bass was a Dano Longhorn and it had much more clarity compared to this one. Granted I've only had it for a day but I know what I like & need and this is only about 50% there so far. If my tech assures me that he can make work for my needs then, of course, I'll keep it, but, since it's such a coveted instrument, I'm not going to start changing the pickup as I don't want to devalue it in any way, so we'll see . . .

For anyone who's interested here are some gut shots I took while I was cleaning it up:
View attachment 7317513View attachment 7317514
As you can see someone shielded it but for some reason they removed the shielding tape from under the pots. One thing that impressed me when trying it out was how quiet it was but, when I got it home it was another story, so I added some shielding tape before putting it back together and now it's quiet so no big deal.

I don't see any ground wire for the shielding. It won't work without it

 

[Fenderno]

I don't see any ground wire for the shielding. It won't work without it

Yeah, I fixed that.

 

[Fenderno]

The following day after my earlier post I made the decision to put a shim in the neck pocket so I could raise the action and get rid of the pesky grub screws on the bridge saddles and keep my hands from wear & tear. And, what do you know? Not only did it do what it's supposed to do but I managed to somehow set the lowest action I've ever had on any bass I've ever owned. <2mm across the board. Seriously, how is this even possible? There is some slight string buzz but that's how I've been trained to gauge string height so I ain't complaining.

I got so inspired by the experience I started laying down tracks to send to a friend to see if anything that I've come up with passes muster with him. Who knows? Maybe we'll actually get around to writing some usable stuff - what a concept!

[As you can probably tell, I'm quite happy with my new toy . . . ]

 

[Fenderno]

There's mischief afoot. I'm just waiting for the new pickguard and I'll get this thing put back together.



In the boxes are LaBella Low Tension Flats for short scale. Sentell B-16 pickup; 250K pots & cap; a shim; Albridge bridge and probably stuff I forgot that I ordered . . .

 

[Fenderno]

It's done!

 

[WI Short Scaler]

It's done!

View attachment 7337644

View attachment 7337645

It's a very cool bass you got. I have one and though it doesn't get as much playing time now as it once did I haven't brought myself to part with it.

I can't tell from the photos, did yours have the original Vista Tone pickup? Those are very unique and hard to come by.

 

[Fenderno]

It's a very cool bass you got. I have one and though it doesn't get as much playing time now as it once did I haven't brought myself to part with it.

I can't tell from the photos, did yours have the original Vista Tone pickup? Those are very unique and hard to come by.

Yes, it did come with the Vista Tone pickup. It sounded fine but I'm not a big fan of the single pole pickup sound. The Sentell-16 works great but it's not in the same league as the EMG-GZR I put in my P bass. Those pickups are the sizzle!

 

[StringJazzX]

I have a Squier Musicmaster Vista at my school's studio. I've always loved that bass and have been looking for one for years.

Here is my story about my new Vista. For years I only owned one bass; a few months ago I decided it was time to upgrade, so the research started. I had my mind set on a Mustang but after trying a few, they just didn't feel great to me. Definitely not worth the $1700 they were asking for them. So, I went to look at a Sandberg Lionel (after reading forums here) and absolutely fell in love with it. I ended up getting it for the same price as the American made Mustang, so I walked away very happy. I thought I was done buying basses that day; I was wrong. I was spending the day in Hong Kong, so I was heading to my favorite area in Kowloon district after I bought the Sandberg. I passed this seedy looking bar-cigar shop and decided to have a drink before getting on the subway. I was sipping a whiskey and looking around the shop and low and behold were two Squire Musicmaster Vistas hanging on the wall. I went up and looked at them (still film on the pick guard) and rusty old strings. I asked the barkeeper about them. He happened to be the owner and told me he bought them as displays for the bar about 30 years ago. I asked if I could look at one and he obliged. I checked the neck for warping and looked over a white vista. I asked if he was willing to sell it. I said I know this bass guitar and I want one. He said "it was made on the mainland (meaning mainland China), it's probably not very good." I said "I'll take my chances" and we agreed on a $320 price so he could buy another bass to place on the wall. Well, I went home with two basses that day. I plugged in the Musicmaster right when I got home to see if the pickup was still good and it sounded alright. I replaced the nut with a bone nut, replaced the pots and cap, built a treble bleed circuit, put on a switchcraft jack, and some La Bella -Stang flatwounds. Wow, what a fantastic bass! I finally have one of my own! I'm now thinking of going back and buying the surf green one he has hanging on the wall.

 

[andare]

I have a Squier Musicmaster Vista at my school's studio. I've always loved that bass and have been looking for one for years.

Here is my story about my new Vista. For years I only owned one bass; a few months ago I decided it was time to upgrade, so the research started. I had my mind set on a Mustang but after trying a few, they just didn't feel great to me. Definitely not worth the $1700 they were asking for them. So, I went to look at a Sandberg Lionel (after reading forums here) and absolutely fell in love with it. I ended up getting it for the same price as the American made Mustang, so I walked away very happy. I thought I was done buying basses that day; I was wrong. I was spending the day in Hong Kong, so I was heading to my favorite area in Kowloon district after I bought the Sandberg. I passed this seedy looking bar-cigar shop and decided to have a drink before getting on the subway. I was sipping a whiskey and looking around the shop and low and behold were two Squire Musicmaster Vistas hanging on the wall. I went up and looked at them (still film on the pick guard) and rusty old strings. I asked the barkeeper about them. He happened to be the owner and told me he bought them as displays for the bar about 30 years ago. I asked if I could look at one and he obliged. I checked the neck for warping and looked over a white vista. I asked if he was willing to sell it. I said I know this bass guitar and I want one. He said "it was made on the mainland (meaning mainland China), it's probably not very good." I said "I'll take my chances" and we agreed on a $320 price so he could buy another bass to place on the wall. Well, I went home with two basses that day. I plugged in the Musicmaster right when I got home to see if the pickup was still good and it sounded alright. I replaced the nut with a bone nut, replaced the pots and cap, built a treble bleed circuit, put on a switchcraft jack, and some La Bella -Stang flatwounds. Wow, what a fantastic bass! I finally have one of my own! I'm now thinking of going back and buying the surf green one he has hanging on the wall.

What are the chances? I love a good instrument story.