Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Im trying to install an Audere preamp in my vm5. There are 4 wires coming from each pup (stock duncan designed). Red, white, black, bare aluminum braided wire. What is what? The audere only has spots for neck common, neck hot and bridge common, bridge hot. Any help??
I was tryn to install my j east retro on my vmj5 and it got me thinking too. But i managed it somehow. Ok, here's is my 2cents analysis. The black wire as u realize, is cming out from the bridge as well. So there's like 3 of it. These black wires, is nt from any PUs, but the cavities. Havta connect them to ground. The white ones, r the PUs respective, 'hot' wire and the red ones, is the 'cold's. As for the bare wire, im nt really sure but it works w/o connecting it to any terminals or together with the red wire. Correct me if im wrong.
That's exactly what I ended up doing. I took a guess and it's working great. I'm not sure I like these pups though.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Recently purchased a damaged Oly White VM P... repaired body and- just finished mods:
- Fender American Special P-neck (thanks SiesmicAssault-TB)
- Seymour Duncan Basslines pickup
- vintage tort p/g
- bridge cover
- Fender 'flat-top' knobs
- Rotosound RW's
The Basslines p/u makes an INCREDIBLE difference in sound. I just put TI flats on my MIA-P... have Rotos on my GL jazz... but 'needed' an P with rounds- and PUNCH... got it!!
- Fender American Special P-neck (thanks SiesmicAssault-TB)
- Seymour Duncan Basslines pickup
- vintage tort p/g
- bridge cover
- Fender 'flat-top' knobs
- Rotosound RW's
The Basslines p/u makes an INCREDIBLE difference in sound. I just put TI flats on my MIA-P... have Rotos on my GL jazz... but 'needed' an P with rounds- and PUNCH... got it!!
i just opened this today, and was shocked at the appearance, quality, feel, and sound - for a ridiculously-low price. wow.
(first post!)
Invalid Link Removed
(first post!)
Invalid Link Removed
Here is my Squier VM 77 that I just finished. Bought it a few months ago from a fellow TB'er that blacked it out and set it up to play incredible. I added the black pearloid pick guard, GFS Pro Jazz PUPs and Audere JZ3. You can't beat the way this looks, sounds and plays for the money I have in it. I'll post pics of my 70's VM Jazz that I pieced together, ripped out the frets and added Geddy PUPs in the near future. 
Attachments
Here is my pieced together VM 70's that I converted to fretless. Bought the body and neck from a fellow TB'er that didn't have a good time stripping the finish and leveling the frets. So I ripped out the frets, filled the lines and epoxied the fret board. My daughter free-handed the Fender waterslide for that vintage custom look. I added some Geddy Pups and the original VM 77 hardware from the previous purchase. Looks and sounds great, just have to file the nut a bit more to lower the action. Also have the VM Fretless but haven't done anything to that one yet!
Attachments
Here is my Squier VM 77 that I just finished. Bought it a few months ago from a fellow TB'er that blacked it out and set it up to play incredible. I added the black pearloid pick guard, GFS Pro Jazz PUPs and Audere JZ3. You can't beat the way this looks, sounds and plays for the money I have in it. I'll post pics of my 70's VM Jazz that I pieced together, ripped out the frets and added Geddy PUPs in the near future.
do you prefer the 77 or the 70? i'm thinking of getting a VM but cant decide!
Hey Ben, Actually didn't get to play the 70's while it still had frets, but according to the fender site the neck specs are identical to the 77. The body woods are different and in my case the 77 is noticably heavier. All that being said, there is something about that 77 that I really like. Plays great, sounds great (now) and looks killer. I still have some tweaks to do to the 70's but IMHO they are both really good for the price point and a lot of fun to mod. Hope that helps!
Firesalt,
When you were researching the bridge replacement for your VMJ5, I was wondering if you looked at any other bridges?..... I was contemplating either the Hipshot Vintage or the BadassV...but I m not sure about the mounting holes and how they would line up. I'd prefer not to redrill.
tommyr01 said:
I didn't look at any other brands or models, my heart was set on the A style bridge. The Hipshot folks were very helpful though so shoot them an email. They can probably tell you about the bridge.
The bridge is the standard Fender 5 mounting so if it will fit that then it will fit this mounting. The VMJ 5 is 6 holes but the 4 will fit.
My new 70 vm jazz bass. It was to cheap couldn't pass it up. I like the neck better then my geddy. Very nice wood as well.
Any reccomend ation on a Pre? Or pups
Any reccomend ation on a Pre? Or pups
Passive sounds nice on them - if you wanted an active, you maybe should consider getting another instrument like a Deluxe Jazz. There's not a lot of room under the pg as it is for much more.
Looks like it already has p'ups.
Haha it does, doesn't it? I was considering putting a jz3 in there. I have always been a fan of them the only problem is lock in with the jazz control plate. Hmm. I will think on it
can someone please explain the logic of buying a $300 squire bass and then putting $500-$1000 worth of upgraded parts and labor into it.
I like the squire basses just fine (with maybe a little tweaking re: frets / strings). They're inexpensive basses and for my way of thinking you get a hell of a lot of bass for not that much money.
If you want to spend $800 - $1000 on a bass why not just buy one as opposed to buying a squire and spending all that money, time and effort upgrading it.
I have three squires (as well as a bunch of more expensive basses) and I like em just fine the way they are. I bought them cause they were inexpensive, played well, sounded good, and looked cool especially for a low price.
What am I missing?
I like the squire basses just fine (with maybe a little tweaking re: frets / strings). They're inexpensive basses and for my way of thinking you get a hell of a lot of bass for not that much money.
If you want to spend $800 - $1000 on a bass why not just buy one as opposed to buying a squire and spending all that money, time and effort upgrading it.
I have three squires (as well as a bunch of more expensive basses) and I like em just fine the way they are. I bought them cause they were inexpensive, played well, sounded good, and looked cool especially for a low price.
What am I missing?
I'm with you, I don't get it either, although I suspect alot of it has to do with a certain attitude I see soem people advocating that modding is what you are supposed to do with inexpensive basses like Squiers. Then again, there are those that like to do mods simply because they enjoy doing it. Nothing wrong with that.
The problem I find is with those who say things like "I ordered a Squier bass from X-Online Store, and I'll be getting it in a day or two. What pickups, tuners, bridges, wires, caps and pots do you recommend to mod it with?" Then there's the guy who says "I like the pickups on this bass, but what pickups can I get that I will like even more?" And my respionse is always wait until you get the damn thing and play it a bunch before you even THINK of modding it. As much as a cliche as this is, all I can think of is, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." IMO, some people are way too quick to change out stuff, and as often as not, according to many stories I've read here, they've regretted making the change, go back to their stock equipment, and end up selling the hardware they bought. A waste of time and money, it seems to me.
The problem I find is with those who say things like "I ordered a Squier bass from X-Online Store, and I'll be getting it in a day or two. What pickups, tuners, bridges, wires, caps and pots do you recommend to mod it with?" Then there's the guy who says "I like the pickups on this bass, but what pickups can I get that I will like even more?" And my respionse is always wait until you get the damn thing and play it a bunch before you even THINK of modding it. As much as a cliche as this is, all I can think of is, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." IMO, some people are way too quick to change out stuff, and as often as not, according to many stories I've read here, they've regretted making the change, go back to their stock equipment, and end up selling the hardware they bought. A waste of time and money, it seems to me.
some people enjoy learning/experimenting with the tech side as much or more than playing music.
some people like them fine, except for one thing...and they change it..so they will like them better..
some people want to get everything they can possibly get out of them...a "be all you can be" thing...
some people upgrade slowly over time...say a jack goes bad...so they just up grade the pots, etc while they are in there..maybe found a really nice bridge for cheap or free, and install it...the pups may sound good, but a little something may not be there to their ears so the pup gets upgraded (which isn't much money really especially on a p bass)...
finally most of "these" people I mention are aware that if they did spend 1000 on a bass, it would probably still need a little something...
and finally, who's to say it's "either, or"....I had expensive nice basses, and SX's and Squires at the same time. Just because you spend a 1000 on a bass doesn't mean you don't enjoy hotrodding cheaper basses...
i agree...some times people don't give stock a chance, and don't improve anything.
