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Squier vintage modified club, part 2

#161
That's funny because I'd probably do the opposite with the necks and then put a P-bass pickup in the jazz body (if that's even possible!? Never thought about it, might be a dumb question...!). So we would have like, inside out opposite basses! I was also considering a badass for my fretless, but I just won an EBMM Sterling on Ebay so I have to scale back a bit financially for a few months. :D

I'm kinda not wild about the tone of the pickups though. How weird/feasible would it be to change them over?
 
#163
Got mine (VM 70s Jazz) a year or two ago. The nut needed refiled, a general set up and DR Med Hi-Beams. Personally feel that even with just that, it was better than my real early 70s jazz that I had years ago. Decided after about 6 months to do a couple upgrades. Balance pot, better pots, Gotoh direct replacement bridge and lacquered the neck. Was a pretty nice improvement.

After about a month, decided that I needed a quicker more reproducible tone switching (play in a classic rock cover band). Got rid of the balance pot - did 2 mini-toggles for pickup switching and just one volume and tone. Made a 1 piece black pickguard and its great.

Still wont replace my Explorer P/J that I built close to 30 years ago, but its a close second.
 
#165
VMJ-5 here. Duncan Quarter Pounders, BassMods active preamp, Babicz bridge, Blue Steel Strings.

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#169
GoneFission said:
Can anyone help me out with the size and what type of tool is needed to adjust the VMJ70. Need to do a slight tweak and i can't seem to find this information anywhere. Thanks!
Click to expand...

SurferJoe46 said:
It's only an Allen wrench - but get a long shank one - and NOT from Harbor Freight

I buy long Tee-types as they are the best for ultimate controls.
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I don't know about Harbor Freight's hex keys (Allen is a brand name! Mine are all American-made Bondhus!), but my VM precision is a 4mm.

Ball-end is worthwhile.
 
#172
I had gotten this bass as a back up to my Fender FSR Jazz. As it turns out this is an amazing bass. I love it so much that I use both basses. I did a blind sound test with a friend of mine and he could not tell the Squier from the Fender. IMO Squier quality has gotten much better then earlier models. People use to make jokes about Squiers, I don't hear them making jokes now.
 

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#174
I'm on my 3rd VM 70's 4 string. I've tried every pickup, bridge, and electronics upgrade under the sun. The VM I have now I picked up about a month ago on craigslist for $175 in mint condition. 1st year production. I tried several pickup and bridge swaps in this one, but finally landed on keeping it stock except for a Babicz bridge and strung with DR HiBeams. Run it through a Demeter BEQ pedal and it sounds great. A pleasure to play.
 
#175
Low Class said:
I'm on my 3rd VM 70's 4 string. I've tried every pickup, bridge, and electronics upgrade under the sun. The VM I have now I picked up about a month ago on craigslist for $175 in mint condition. 1st year production. I tried several pickup and bridge swaps in this one, but finally landed on keeping it stock except for a Babicz bridge and strung with DR HiBeams. Run it through a Demeter BEQ pedal and it sounds great. A pleasure to play.
Click to expand...

I like the Babicz Bridge very much with thomastik flats the vintage modified precision has lots of girth and soul grind
 
#178
LowClass ....you said you have the first years production of the VM70. What was the first year that they were made? I have two of them and purchased a 2012 a few months ago a loved it so much that i purchased another one used as a backup. The backup is a 2008 model and it feels totally different then the 2012 model. Slightly thicker neck and very noticeably a larger binding. Larger headstock. Overall a better balance in weight IMHO. The 2012's body is much heavier. Both basses sound terrific however but the 2008 is THE ONE for me.
 
#179
Also i wanted to add that not only is the neck thicker on the 2008 it is slightly wider too. I measured it awhile ago and believe it was like 1/8" wider. Love the feel of the neck on the 2008 VMJ70!!! :) Now i wonder though if all of the 2008's feel like mine or if there are variants in production of these basses even within the same year??
 
#180
GoneFission said:
LowClass ....you said you have the first years production of the VM70. What was the first year that they were made? I have two of them and purchased a 2012 a few months ago a loved it so much that i purchased another one used as a backup. The backup is a 2008 model and it feels totally different then the 2012 model. Slightly thicker neck and very noticeably a larger binding. Larger headstock. Overall a better balance in weight IMHO. The 2012's body is much heavier. Both basses sound terrific however but the 2008 is THE ONE for me.
Click to expand...

Mine is a 2007. The neck feels a little chunkier, but not much. The neck definitely feels like a better quality.

btw, for all of you doing bridge and pickup mods. Spend your money on a Sadowsky outboard instead. Best this bass has ever sounded.
 

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