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Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass V Special 5 String

studio848

studio848

Supporting Member
Mar 20, 2004
882
1,138
SoCal, SoFlo, CO
#1
Fender just released these around Sep-2013, and I bought one from Musicians Friend. $240 delivered, including a 10% coupon and CA sales tax. Great deal.

Fender also just released the VM Precision V - here's a TB thread about that one - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/squier-vintage-modified-precision-v-whos-got-one-1011452/

My interest is in a 5 string PJ, with standard Fender sized pickups and room for a preamp - I want to mod upgrade/modify it. This bass fits the bill.

Attached is a pic of the front open control panel, and the j pickup, fyi. I also attached a pic of the back - showing the open battery and jack compartments (the jack compartment is pretty cool, leaves more space in the main control cavity for other stuff).

The stock j pickup is like the Fender MIM pickup - steel slug poles with ceramic bar magnets on the bottom. The stock p pickup does not have the ceramic bar magnets like MIM, but I don't think it's alnico.

I've finished the mods, replacing the j pickup with a Nordstrand split coil jazz, and the p with an Am Std P V. I also replaced the stock preamp with a Guitar Fuel SBK-AD 3 band pre, and I added an active passive push/pull switch on the vol pot. It all fits into the main control cavity.

First gig - Wed 25-Sep-2013: went great, live sound is killer, sounded just like it should. The stock strings are not good, have to change them right now, but otherwise - I think I've satisfied my GAS for a cheap, giggable 5 string PJ...!

After several more gigs - 14-Oct-2013: I like the bass, it's in the rotation! Neck/action/low b/balance all good; no neck dive at all for me. As one poster said, the SBK-AD preamp works fine, but may be the weakest link; I've had best success using the mid sweep set at lower frequencies for slap, and in general. It is MUCH more flexible than a passive only setup; I play lots of gigs w/a DI straight into the PA. But, the preamp is a topic for another thread.

One TBer asked to compare the stock p pickup w/the Am Std p pickup - I really can't, because I never gigged the stock pickup...

Great example last Sat night - outdoor gig, huge party, people dancing/crawling all over the stage, set up right next to a pool. This thing killed it, and I never worried about any of several things that could have destroyed the bass - it's a great cheap p/j 5er!

So - who's got one?
 

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#9
Just got mine in sunburst, $199 to my door with the $50 off $249 MF exclusive for calls deal. A killer deal indeed! I was also looking for a p/j 5 banger so I figured what the heck. I couldn't be happier with my purchase!

This bass was really set up well, only had to adjust the pickups a touch and raise the B string a turn.

The body is finished quite well, and the frets are done nicely. I can't tell if there is any finish on the neck at all, my gut feeling is no. Stained it on the first gig, I guess it'll get "roadworn" fast. Fretboard is really thin, about 3/32"!!! I guess the Rosewood is the expensive part, huh? Mine weighs 9.4 lbs.

Although it sounds and plays quite good, I did notice the P pickup seems to be a little weak. Studio848, did replacing the P pickup rectify that? I'm not looking to pump a bunch of cash into it, but I'm considering dropping in a American Fender P5 pickup if it would help.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!
 
#10
Just ran across this thread, and man--the OP read my mind. I picked up a Squier VM Jaguar 5 in sunburst for the exact same reasons he did, and have a Guitar Fuel SBK-3AD preamp, an American Fender P, and a Nordstrand NJ5SF on the way. The coincidences are just weird!

My impressions of the bass are similar to the OP. Like his, the body is 5-piece, grain matching is pretty good but not great, and there is a knot on the back. Fit is tight, and the sunburst finish is gorgeous. Weight is good (just shy of 10 lbs. on my bathroom scale). B is good--definitely usable and tight enough to get a little "burp".

The neck is surprising at this price point. Fast profile and silky-smooth feel (almost seems raw, but I think there's a thin matte coating?), handsome rosewood strip that runs up the back, good looking dark rosewood on the fingerboard, good fretwork, low action with no buzz straight out of the box, and set-up easily. Really impressed!

On the other hand, the electronics don't suit me. The preamp sounds generally OK and there are some good sounds in there, but the tone shaping isn't down my alley. For the pickups, the J sounds a little thin and also has adjustable pole pieces with sharp ends that I found annoying against my fingertips. The P sounded pretty good. (I bought this bass with the intention of modding it, so will be changing this stuff out anyway).

Unfortunately, mine also has a small amount of neck dive. It isn't a huge issue like its trying to hit the floor, but it definitely wants to "settle" to horizontal. I have hipshot ultralite tuners on the way, so hopefully that helps.

All-in-all, I was blown away at how much quality bass I got for the low price. I got this mainly as a fun project bass, but I can see it potentially taking a spot in my regular rotation (which includes competition from a Fender RBV and a Zon Sonus V). So far it's been a blast to play!
 
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#12
Hi,
two weeks ago I bought the VM Precision V as a backup, but I've just realized that I need (and desire) a different pickup configuration and a narrower neck like my Stingray 5, so I'm looking with interest to the Jaguar V. Truthfully, during the decision procedure I was torn between the Precision and the Jaguar, then opting for a "mainstream choice".
That's my question: does the Jaguar split coil sound like a good Precision, and the single coil like a Jazz, even if active? In other words I would like to know if the electronics alter and modify substantially the tone, like for instance, happens for the Fender active Deluxe series.
Thanks for your answers.

Ciao

Marco
 
#15
studio848 said:
added more gig info to the OP. and, attached is a pic of the latest mod...;)
Click to expand...

Oh, you're one of those people. -_- There was a guy locally trying to pass off a Squier P5 as a Fender Mexican P5 (which they don't even make) by doing what you did. No respect for people like that.

Webtroll said:
what are the spacings at the neck and nut width on this one? i'm in the market for a narrow 5er as well, not diggin my 6er.
Click to expand...

It's not narrow, at all. It's wide. Check out a Spector or Ibanez, if you want a narrower spacing at the nut.


As a sidenote, I returned mine. There was nothing wrong with its tone or playability, but it had cosmetic issues (pickguard didn't line up with the control plate & the P alignment was WAY out). I had a second one brought in to see if I had just received a lemon. Nope. This one had proper alignment, but the finish was dinged & worn through in 3-4 spots RIGHT FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR.
 
#16
awilkie84 said:
It's not narrow, at all. It's wide. Check out a Spector or Ibanez, if you want a narrower spacing at the nut.
Click to expand...

Disappointing, but I do thank you for the reply as now I know. Ibanez SR styling is more miss than hit with me, and the cheaper Spectors don't do much for me. After the Warwick I don't know if I can buy another high end Spector, but who knows what the future will bring?
 
#17
Webtroll,

The new Squier Jazz, P and Jag Vs are all 1.875" at the nut, w/18mm spacing.

I've got one of the older Jazz VM 5 basses and it has what seems to me like a "modern flat oval" shape. I'd guess these are similar.

Here's a link to a chart w/that shape: Invalid Link Removed

All the best,

Bob
 
#19
Webtroll said:
Disappointing, but I do thank you for the reply as now I know. Ibanez SR styling is more miss than hit with me, and the cheaper Spectors don't do much for me. After the Warwick I don't know if I can buy another high end Spector, but who knows what the future will bring?
Click to expand...

Find a used Spector ReBop 5DLX. They can be had for 5-700. :) And they're killer! my R5 is my main bass.
 
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