Squier vintage modified club

[ProfGumby]

Lots of talk of mods here. So I am going to pose a question.
I am not a modder, have no experience doing that.
I bought my VM Jazz a year ago and have been playing it nearly daily since then as I am learning the bass. I love everything about my VM Jazz, except the neck.
I bought it before I knew any better, and its bowed badly, even with the truss rod fully cranked, I need way too high an action to avoid fret buzz in the upper registers. It's actually probably made me a better bassist to have to deal with a high action, but I am getting to the point where I want an upgrade, either the neck or a better guitar.

So, here's the questions, has anyone replaced the neck on the VM Jazz? Can you replace it with any Fender Jazz neck?, will the neck pocket and screw holes line up?

The reason I ask is I have found many more Fender Jazz necks available as parts than Squier necks. And I would not put just any old Squier neck on my VM, either I have the block inlays, or I give it up for a better Fender neck. I am thinking a MIM or Geddy Lee neck would be the cats meow, if it will work.

Any advice is appreciated.

Have you had the bass looked at by a tech or Luthier? Squiers have a double action truss rod that can easily confound you if you are not used to them. I figured out mine after putting an obvious back bow in the neck while trying to increase the relief on a dead flat neck.

You may even want to keep the neck if this is the case. Should you want to sell it, if it is defect free you will sell it fast!

As to your other post I just bought a Fender 70's Classic neck to put on my CV. I paid more than I paid for the bass, but do not care as it is the neck I wanted.

 

[stshipley]

I moved the fretless neck over to my PJ bass and got a CV Jazz neck and put that on the VM fretless body. Only one of the 4 mounting holes didn't line up right (easily solved a variety of ways) but the neck was a nice snug fit in the pocket. So replacing the neck with a Fender family or Fender Licensed neck is definitely doable.

-STS

 

[Holdsg]

my, this threads been quiet lately.
I decided to keep the stock VM Jazz neck as it is, as most new or replacement necks cost what I paid for the whole bass. its really not that bad, and I am used to the higher action by now.
What I am planning is the black-out look, with black Gotoh bridge, black knobs, and control plate, like some others have done. Will post a pic when I am done with the mods.

 

[Holdsg]

Birthday party gig last night.
The name of the band is "Fetish", power trio.

 

[thebassguy63]

I'm getting the squier vintage modified 70's jazz bass in a month, it is really a great bass for the money!!!

 

[blendermassacre]

I love my new VM P. Super amazing player and the neck is to die for. If I ever sell that bass, I'm keeping the neck. Best Fender 4 neck I've ever laid my hands on, bar none.

 

[Laurie Bass]

I love my new VM P. Super amazing player and the neck is to die for. If I ever sell that bass, I'm keeping the neck. Best Fender 4 neck I've ever laid my hands on, bar none.

I get the general feeling around this forum that people really like the Vibe 60's P Bass. Have you played one to compare? Thanks L.P.

 

[Tommygunn]

I get the general feeling around this forum that people really like the Vibe 60's P Bass. Have you played one to compare? Thanks L.P.

IMO The CV p is a bit thinner and it has a high gloss finish on it.

 

[Laurie Bass]

IMO The CV p is a bit thinner and it has a high gloss finish on it.

You mean neck or body? Thanks

 

[JustRicks]

I got a Squier VM bass two weeks ago and so far I like it a lot. I have already thrown on a Fender-made bridge (it's better than the Squier) and I threw on some Rotosound RS66 strings.

Mods I plan on doing soon:

Replace Squier decal with a Fender one (waiting for it in the mail)
Replace bridge with something heavier (either Badass II or Gotoh 201B)
Straplocks by Schaller
A completely new wiring kit with with CTS, Orange Drop parts with copper shielding and vintage knobs
And if I have the funds I'll replace the pickups with some USA Fender noiseless, Custom Shop 60's, or 75 Reissue; I haven't quite decided yet.

The Squier VM sitting by my Roger Waters project bass from two years ago.

A cool shot I got of the Squier

Will post more when I get my modding done!

 

[knigel]

My 07 Squier Vintage Modified P bass, made fretless by Ryan at Becker guitars in MA. Best playing neck I have ever experienced (well, until Sunday, when I played my "new" 1987 G&L L2000--that's the winner now). Love it--plan on putting in a DiMarzio. Best 100 bucks I have ever spent (100 total for the bass!)

 

[marcwcarroll]

"Love it--plan on putting in a DiMarzio. Best 100 bucks I have ever spent (100 total for the bass!)"

wow $100 total? how much was it to defret?

 

[knigel]

"Love it--plan on putting in a DiMarzio. Best 100 bucks I have ever spent (100 total for the bass!)"

wow $100 total? how much was it to defret?

Nothing! I bought the defretted VM for 100 bucks, plus I can take it to him for a set up when I change the strings (if it needs it), plus I (and my ex and her dog) got a tour of the Becker shop. Sweet!

 

[The Birdman]

Mods I plan on doing soon:

Replace Squier decal with a Fender one (waiting for it in the mail)
Replace bridge with something heavier (either Badass II or Gotoh 201B)
Straplocks by Schaller
A completely new wiring kit with with CTS, Orange Drop parts with copper shielding and vintage knobs
And if I have the funds I'll replace the pickups with some USA Fender noiseless, Custom Shop 60's, or 75 Reissue; I haven't quite decided yet.

I replaced my pups with 75 RI and haven't regretted it a second. The pups are a direct replacement; if you upgrade the pots to regular CTS, you'll have to open up the holes in the control plate a bit for the pot shafts, and use a Dremel to make a bit more room in the control cavity. Been there, done that.

Roger

 

[Holdsg]

Cosmetic mods thus far:
Replaced stock chrome bridge with Gotoh bridge. (love the new sustain)
Replaced chrome control plate and knobs with black.
I think she's more lovely than ever now. Hope you all agree.

 

[Supertanker]

$199.00 at GC.

Only real negative: crazy high action, easily fixed.

Pickups don't sound to good alone, but they sound good in the mix.

Sick grain for a $199.00 bass

I have pickups from the Fender 70's series on order,
stumbled across the VM Classic Vibe 60's bridge (looks to be a lot thicker),
and I have the jazz plate and electronics from a Lakland JO5 I'll put in it for now.
I may put an Audere 2 band in it at some point.

A good setup, new strings and I should have a smoking jazz bass that sounds as good as it looks...

 

[Doragon]

Mod's are finally done !!!!

I thought this pic was kinda cool with the car reflection on the pg...

Mods as follows
Hipshot tuners
BA III
DiMarzio Model J DP123
Warmoth PG Black Pearl (little work on that one)
Black Pearl knobs

I really dig this baby now !!!

 

[Supertanker]

N-ICE!

I love that bridge.

The BAII always seemed too long to me...

 

[Kipaste]

Damn. I sold mine today. Missing it already. Oh well, atleast I can buy more gear.. Mine even had 1/8th flame maple body and birdseye fingerboard

 

[9mmMike]

Sick grain for a $199.00 bass

...

No kidding. Nice score!