• 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.

Squier Vintage Modified Precision V: who's got one?

#2,261
I just installed this prewired kit from artys-custom guitars, an Austrian brand, on my CAR VM P5 and I must say it's an instant, amazing and obvious improvement tone-wise!

I wasn't happy with the range I was getting with the stock wiring: the difference between a fully open and fully closed to-be knob wasn't satisfyingly to me. It was also disappointing when I compared it my 1st gen Squier CV 60's Precision.

Btw I also did a full shielding job before dropping the new harness. The bass wasn't awfully noisy but it wasn't very quiet either.

Now my bass is dead quiet and has a killer tone!

I was initially looking for an Emerson kit but couldn't get one delivered to where I live so I kept looking and I came across these very talented guys from Austria. Very friendly and very professional.

I'm planning to take it to the store next week and compare it back to back with a Fender Am Pro II Precision V.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20211112-214624_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20211112-214624_Chrome.jpg
    206.8 KB · Views: 86
  • Like
Reactions: Andy V., Rezdog and skyline_01
#2,262
skyline_01 said:
I have one as well and it REALLY hits above its price point - amazing instrument.

I don't know that a string retainer will make a noticeable difference for you - the stock bar retainer has worked just fine for me. Then again, Hipshot makes a fine product and it sure couldn't hurt anything.

I too went with a pot/cap/jack upgrade plus copper shielding, and it made a night and day difference. Most will tell you (and I agree) that the stock pickup is just fine for the most part, although some prefer to upgrade to their favorite brand anyway.

The A buzzing is likely just a setup thing (nut too low, string action too low, etc). I would suggest taking it to a good tech for a thorough setup if you're not really into doing it yourself, or just don't have the time. It can really make the difference between so-so and amazing.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your insight!

I fixed the problem by placing a tiny piece of transparent tape between the A string and the nut slot.

When I got the bass, it came with roundwounds. I immediately strung it with TI flats so I actually don't know whether the A string was already rattling then. My guess is that the A string nut slot was to wide/deep for the TI flats guage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: skyline_01
#2,263
So I went to the shop and tested both basses back to back:

My Squier VM is strung with TI flats and I've just rounded the fingerboard edges using the "screwdriver shaft method" (barbaric method lol) as I was very much disliking the very sharp fingerboard edges. Probably the only negative point I found to this bass.

Result: I prefer by far the feel and sound of my Squier VM P5.
It's most probably mainly due to my personal setup (strings action, flats, etc.). I'm also sure that the artys custom prewired kit has improved the bass a lot. Volume on the Squier is now louder btw.

As for the B string, it sounds significantly better (clearer) to my ears on the Squier. Again, personal setup and strings probably play a great role here.

Conclusion: I'm not sure anymore I will ever buy a Fender American Pro II.



20211116_120814.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: dfp, Moving Pictures, Glazenn and 3 others
#2,264
Syl_Funky_bass said:
So I went to the shop and tested both basses back to back:

My Squier VM is strung with TI flats and I've just rounded the fingerboard edges using the "screwdriver shaft method" (barbaric method lol) as I was very much disliking the very sharp fingerboard edges. Probably the only negative point I found to this bass.

Result: I prefer by far the feel and sound of my Squier VM P5.
It's most probably mainly due to my personal setup (strings action, flats, etc.). I'm also sure that the artys custom prewired kit has improved the bass a lot. Volume on the Squier is now louder btw.

As for the B string, it sounds significantly better (clearer) to my ears on the Squier. Again, personal setup and strings probably play a great role here.

Conclusion: I'm not sure anymore I will ever buy a Fender American Pro II.



View attachment 4475139
Click to expand...

I (mistakenly) sold my white/maple VMP5 to a buddy who had an American Pro P5 that he ended up selling because the Squier was just better in every way. I had added a string retainer to the B-E strings which improved the punchiness of the B string. He thanks me repeatedly for selling it to him and routinely calls out anyone bragging about their Am Pro P5’s that his Squier kills their bass.

Here it is in his stable of great basses.
16305E50-3AD2-427F-A264-636270296729.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glazenn, Andy V., Syl_Funky_bass and 2 others
#2,265
I was thinking about ordering a custom pickguard for mine. My first bass was a white/maple MIM P with a white pearloid pick guard, and I’d like to recreate that with my white/maple VMP5. Does anyone know if any of the models on pickguard.com or other sites are drop-in replacements, or if I would have to order a custom one?
 
#2,267
Persona87 said:
I was thinking about ordering a custom pickguard for mine. My first bass was a white/maple MIM P with a white pearloid pick guard, and I’d like to recreate that with my white/maple VMP5. Does anyone know if any of the models on pickguard.com or other sites are drop-in replacements, or if I would have to order a custom one?
Click to expand...

Rezdog said:
Greetings,

From what I remember it was a no fuss drop in replacement. I got one from Pickguardian

Rezdog
Click to expand...
I ordered one from some random reverb seller and it needed a bit of trimming around the neck heel. I ordered another from Pickguard Planet and that one fit perfectly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rezdog
#2,270
Rapisme said:
Just ordered this and it's on its way! I'm excited. Question any recommendations as to what pickups would supe this girl up?
I have a hipshot vintage bridge which I'll switch. Anyway here are the pics.
Click to expand...

I have the same color -- brilliant bass! The stock pickup is actually quite nice, but I'll put in a nod for Nordstrand. They've got tons of options, including blades.

Either way, I think you'll be floored by how nice these are. They hit WAAAY above their price range.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rapisme
#2,271
Love mine! White w/red tort PG. The only mod is a Hipshot roller bridge. I also have a red mid 70's Squire Protone P5 that is just as good! I picked it up used and near mint for $100 with a nice hard case! I play one or the other every day. Gigged them both many times. To address your question, I am quite satisfied with the stock pup.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Rapisme
#2,272
Rapisme said:
Just ordered this and it's on its way! I'm excited. Question any recommendations as to what pickups would supe this girl up?
I have a hipshot vintage bridge which I'll switch. Anyway here are the pics.
Click to expand...

It's been a number of years since I sold mine but play it for a while before you rip out the stock pickup as it's really quite good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rezdog, Rapisme and skyline_01
#2,278
Alright got her this past Thursday and the guys in Brown had me on pins in needles, but I totally get why as I see they don't want to temp porch theft especially with a big box that has the Fender Brand name and logo. So kudos as the driver made sure he rang my bell at 8:15pm when I was surely back from work.
Ok so the bass came in truly great condition and for a 2014 instrument I'm sensing wasn't used much.
First findings was that the D'Addario nickels were dead. And even though the setup from the store was good it was for the pbass player that likes his action on the high side. I found the G string to be really
Up there. So to my setup bench she laid and onto the procedures, lol! We took off the neck and added a maple wood veneer strip along the G & D side of the neck pocket about an inch an a half the length of the whole pocket cut to fit the bottom contour. Also I had a vintage hipshot bridge laying around and thank goodness cause I forgot to mention that the B string was up there as well. Took off the G & B saddles of the original bridge and replaced with the smaller diameter saddles of the hipshot. So esthetically as the replacements are naked brass but they're on opposing sides it did rendered the result I was looking for! Put on some EBMM slinky cobalt flats light gauge and made all the necessary adjustments and now we're in business.
So far so good digging the pbass vibe with this one and she'll be around for a while as I'm dying to get these flats nice a broken in. Thanks for listening.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blues Bass 2, Thumper, steve_rolfeca and 1 other person

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back