Well, lots of options available for 5-string jazz bass pickups. Sounds like an easily fixed issue.
Thanks for the report!
Bob
Thanks for the report!
Bob
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Squier Vintage Modified Jazz 5er????
- Thread starter natw42
- Start date
justbark said:
I got that feel too, definitely not a ray, but a suggestion thereof.
Dammit, I was really hoping the one I tried WAS a dud, and they do actually have some growl, because that's what I like in a Jazz.
Either way, have fun.justbark and thanks for the pics
Guess Wannaflea's impressions were true for the majority - it wasn't a dud. It's more of a polite sounding bass then.
Thanks for the info justbark!
I would expect the 5 to sound similar to the 4 string version, so if the 4 sounds "polite", it really shouldn't be a surprise if the 5 does. I didn't find the 4 to be a growly bass myself.
That being said, it's easy enough to put some growlier pickups in that bass.
J
For those who asked, here are some measurements of the VM5:
Neck pickup: 9.9cm width // 2cm height // depth ??
Bridge pickup: 10.3cm width // 2cm height // depth ??
Bridge: 9.7cm wide // 4.35cm height
I'm still enjoying the bass. I have it strung with DR high beams now which add just a *touch* of growl.
Neck pickup: 9.9cm width // 2cm height // depth ??
Bridge pickup: 10.3cm width // 2cm height // depth ??
Bridge: 9.7cm wide // 4.35cm height
I'm still enjoying the bass. I have it strung with DR high beams now which add just a *touch* of growl.
maxproud reviews the VM 5.
Part I
Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass (5 string), Part I - maxproud review - YouTube
Part II
Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass (5 string), Part I I - maxproud review - YouTube
Part I
Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass (5 string), Part I - maxproud review - YouTube
Part II
Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass (5 string), Part I I - maxproud review - YouTube
I've had mine about 5 months now & I still get excited to bust it out of the case! It's just a great instrument. Plays wonderfully & sounds outstanding IMO. As Bobster stated earlier on this page, if the stock pickups don't do it for you, that's what aftermarket pickups are for & a very easy fix if the rest of the bass is already 90% to your liking - looks & playability-wise.
Personally, I find these stock Duncan Designed pickups amazing sounding, but perhaps not everyone's cup of tea. I was told by a SD rep that they are the off-shore version of the Seymour Duncan SJ-series pickups, which are voiced around a '62 jazz bass. Luckily, they do it for me completely in the tone department with the gear I am using. I like this video (albeit in German) for an accurate representation of the VM tone. In a nutshell, I am still digging my VM-5 very, very much! It will be a lifetime keeper!
Here's mine with the addition of a MIM Fender Red tort pickguard & a Marcus Miller 5-string neck pickup cover + Schaller strap locks.
I've had mine for a few months now. I bought it after picking up a used 4 string version for an open mic that I host. I liked it so much, that I purchased a new 5 string version. I use it just as much as my American Jazz basses. Here's a short clip I made, with mistakes and all. ;-)
Squier VIntage Modified V string bass clip Bridge Pickup - YouTube
Thanks for the feedback and link. I really like the tort guard on your bass!
I've had mine about 5 months now & I still get excited to bust it out of the case! It's just a great instrument. Plays wonderfully & sounds outstanding IMO. As Bobster stated earlier on this page, if the stock pickups don't do it for you, that's what aftermarket pickups are for & a very easy fix if the rest of the bass is already 90% to your liking - looks & playability-wise.
Personally, I find these stock Duncan Designed pickups amazing sounding, but perhaps not everyone's cup of tea. I was told by a SD rep that they are the off-shore version of the Seymour Duncan SJ-series pickups, which are voiced around a '62 jazz bass. Luckily, they do it for me completely in the tone department with the gear I am using. I like this video (albeit in German) for an accurate representation of the VM tone. In a nutshell, I am still digging my VM-5 very, very much! It will be a lifetime keeper!
Here's mine with the addition of a MIM Fender Red tort pickguard & a Marcus Miller 5-string neck pickup cover + Schaller strap locks.
Thanks, yeah, that was all stock components on that recording. With the bridge pickup on full, the neck pickup all the way down. I recorded it like this... MP3 player and Bass-->Shuttle 9.0-->shuttle 9.0 DI --> MBOX Mini --> to computer via usb --> recorded with logitech c910 webcam software. I used Sony Vegas to edit the video.
I like to record this way because I can still have the Shuttle 9.0 pumping thru the Berg Ae410 with my bass and mp3 going thru it. I don't have to wear headphones.
Hey for anyone changing the bridge on the Squiers what are you replacing them with?
Literally just ordered one of these. Couldn't say no for the price I got. Very excited to give it a go!
Has anyone swapped pickups? If so, with what?
I'm planning on just changing the knobs to J Bass ones. Might add a pickup cover.
Has anyone swapped pickups? If so, with what?
I'm planning on just changing the knobs to J Bass ones. Might add a pickup cover.
Tried one of these out today at a local store. Couldn't really get a good feel for the sound because it was badly in need of a truss rod adjustment to correct string buzz. It did feel pretty nice though. I'm thinking of making another foray into 5 strings and since I like to do my own mods one of these could make a nice canvass.
Long and McQuade music stores here in Canada, literally hundreds of em, have a 30 day return no questions asked policy. And a anyone with clothes on credit policy. All adjustments and evaluations I can make in a few days. It (The VM 5 string jazz we are speaking of here) has to be brought from a store in another BC town as there was only 1 in the system for the whole province (Free interstore shipping) I pick it up Wednesday afternoon (after inspection) and use it that night at a Blues Jam. I will have the afternoon to adjust it. The Last new Squier bass I bought was a 50's classic Vibe P bass and after minor adjustment has played excellently right off the store wall. I expect this will be similar. I am not and never have been a boutique "tone seeker" never getting the right tone. 99% of it is playing the thing properly in a band interacting with other musicians. The "tone" will matter a lot less when you're Jammin believe me. (51 years old first bass gig in 73 and thousands of gigs since) I've had plenty of snobbish gear and still do. But these better priced Squiers are really hitting the mark IMO. 
Good luck with yours.
Good luck with yours.
I just bought one of these from Amazon and I'm quite looking forward to it thanks to this video by Dominic. Depending on how it plays I'll change out the strings for either Sadowsky Blue label steels or EB Cobalts if the B needs more tension. I'm really looking forward to playing it through my Sadowsky outboard preamp.
Nice! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I've been getting compliments on mine for quite some time now. I've been using it more often than not, with my MIA 5 strings Fenders sitting at home. Since the video, I swapped the pickups to Fender SCN and popped in an Aguilar preamp, which was a very nice addition!
