Always the first thing I check, not much of an issue for Rock, but I use fretted G notes quite a bit for Country.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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?
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
The frustrating thing is that it was pretty even, until the moment I touched the truss rod...
Obviously we never know what can cause a bad change. I had to lower my action and reduced relief by a 1/2 turn or so of the truss rod. I'm still using the original strings although I'd rather have Sunbeams or Ti's on it but will wait until more temperate weather.
Had the Labella white nylon tapewounds on my P5 most of the week. Took a little getting used to but really like them they sound great and feel amazing.
As you can see they aren't white, they're transparent.
Well my 3TS has moved out. Nice bass, but as has happened before with project basses, I found myself looking at more and more mods.
Throw a couple of hundred bucks at one of these, and what you end up with is a great-sounding bass, that's still worth a lot less than you've put into it.
Came to my senses, and realized that the end of the day I already have an embarrassment of great basses.
As enjoyable as this one was, it just wasn't pushing as many buttons for me as my Dingwall.
No great loss, as a student friend had been obsessing about the P5 ever since I got it. He's one happy camper now, and I've freed up some funds for other projects.
Throw a couple of hundred bucks at one of these, and what you end up with is a great-sounding bass, that's still worth a lot less than you've put into it.
Came to my senses, and realized that the end of the day I already have an embarrassment of great basses.
As enjoyable as this one was, it just wasn't pushing as many buttons for me as my Dingwall.
No great loss, as a student friend had been obsessing about the P5 ever since I got it. He's one happy camper now, and I've freed up some funds for other projects.
hi guys, I'm new here, and from Italy.
I can't find out a thing about this bass: is the neck a "one piece" or the fretboard is glued?
from the topic's 12 pages I assume that it has a good Low B string.
correct me if I'm wrong
I'm a Precision-player, and I'm looking for a good fiver, after having a Yamaha BB415, nice, but a bit heavy, and with dark sounding pickups.
I was looking for a P-sound, but the Yamaha is a bit darker, and with a satin finish neck (I prefer the glossy finish).
so, is this a good bass for the buck? a good B string and pickups?
I can't find out a thing about this bass: is the neck a "one piece" or the fretboard is glued?
from the topic's 12 pages I assume that it has a good Low B string.
correct me if I'm wrong
I'm a Precision-player, and I'm looking for a good fiver, after having a Yamaha BB415, nice, but a bit heavy, and with dark sounding pickups.
I was looking for a P-sound, but the Yamaha is a bit darker, and with a satin finish neck (I prefer the glossy finish).
so, is this a good bass for the buck? a good B string and pickups?
hi guys, I'm new here, and from Italy.
I can't find out a thing about this bass: is the neck a "one piece" or the fretboard is glued?
from the topic's 12 pages I assume that it has a good Low B string.
correct me if I'm wrong
I'm a Precision-player, and I'm looking for a good fiver, after having a Yamaha BB415, nice, but a bit heavy, and with dark sounding pickups.
I was looking for a P-sound, but the Yamaha is a bit darker, and with a satin finish neck (I prefer the glossy finish).
so, is this a good bass for the buck? a good B string and pickups?
It's a one piece neck. B string is just fine. Better than many basses I've owned but certainly not the best. I never find myself wishing it were any better. I don't play 5 string a lot, just like to have one around and I really like my P5. Indonesia has really stepped up their game.
I really like everything about mine. It needed a setup and I install jumbo strap locks on all my basses but don't see a need to do anything else to this bass. Great bang for the buck.
Appreciated your input on this bass Steve. Glad you found a good home for it too. I would hope your Dingwall would do more for you.
thanks!
any dead spots noticed over the awful C on the G-string?
The Yamaha used to have a little dead-spot on the 3rd and 4th fret of the B string, and one on the 4th fret of the G string.
those kind of deadspots you only notice playing alone, and being a fussy player
the rest of the fretboard was perfect.
so for 300€ it can be a good bang?
any dead spots noticed over the awful C on the G-string?
The Yamaha used to have a little dead-spot on the 3rd and 4th fret of the B string, and one on the 4th fret of the G string.
those kind of deadspots you only notice playing alone, and being a fussy player
the rest of the fretboard was perfect.
so for 300€ it can be a good bang?
thanks!
any dead spots noticed over the awful C on the G-string?
The Yamaha used to have a little dead-spot on the 3rd and 4th fret of the B string, and one on the 4th fret of the G string.
those kind of deadspots you only notice playing alone, and being a fussy player
the rest of the fretboard was perfect.
so for 300€ it can be a good bang?
Mine has it a little bit but not bad. It's still totally usable, just doesn't sustain quite as much. My VM TB has it pretty bad, almost unusable. Good thing I'm a terrible player som no one would notice anyway. I know Steve had a problem with the dead spot.
I think for $300 it's an amazing bass. As I said before I think Fender could put their name on the headstock and sell these basses for $700.
I guess too! I had a Classic Vibe 60's Precision (fiesta red), traded for a G&L L1500... worst thing ever done! the G&L sounded too harsh even with flats on it!
right now I have a Classic Vibe 60's Stratocaster, wich is the best Strat ever (I spent something like 10 years to find "my" Strat, and it's a 250€ used Squier...).
I'll probably buy this P5 after this holidays
I have a set of Thomastik JF345 ready to be re-used (60€... kept them when I sold the Yamaha!).
Olympic White or Candy Apple... now that's the real question!
right now I have a Classic Vibe 60's Stratocaster, wich is the best Strat ever (I spent something like 10 years to find "my" Strat, and it's a 250€ used Squier...).
I'll probably buy this P5 after this holidays
I have a set of Thomastik JF345 ready to be re-used (60€... kept them when I sold the Yamaha!). Olympic White or Candy Apple... now that's the real question!
"I guess too! I had a Classic Vibe 60's Precision (fiesta red), traded for a G&L L1500... worst thing ever done! the G&L sounded too harsh even with flats on it!"
I thought: that sounds totally like someone i already know…
I thought: that sounds totally like someone i already know…
So I found one selling on here with all the upgrades I could think of with two exceptions:
Have any of you tried to convert this to an active bass by installing a preamp? I have a Noll that I'd like to drop in there.
Have any of you switched out the pickguard? I love the white/tort but Burst should only ever be paired with black. Do these guards match up with standard Precision V guards off american mades?
Have any of you tried to convert this to an active bass by installing a preamp? I have a Noll that I'd like to drop in there.
Have any of you switched out the pickguard? I love the white/tort but Burst should only ever be paired with black. Do these guards match up with standard Precision V guards off american mades?
I am a pathetic, sad case.
A local store has an Oly P5. You can't see the paint-grade lumber under the shiny white finish. The grain structure on the neck looks quite nice. It's even lighter than the first one I had. The dead spot is relatively minor, and on the C#, where it doesn't bother me as much. Plus, I have a set of Hipshot Ultralites and some threaded saddles sitting on my desk, waiting to be put to good use.
I put down $100 to hold it, and right now I'm at home, desperately trying to talk myself out of buying it.
The truth is, I don't need it, I just want it. I have a huge nostalgic spot for Precision basses, won't play a 4-string, and can't possibly justify the entry cost for a Dingwall Super P5, or even a Fender Am Std V. This seems like a small, innocent way to have a bit of Precision in my life, without a significant investment...
A local store has an Oly P5. You can't see the paint-grade lumber under the shiny white finish. The grain structure on the neck looks quite nice. It's even lighter than the first one I had. The dead spot is relatively minor, and on the C#, where it doesn't bother me as much. Plus, I have a set of Hipshot Ultralites and some threaded saddles sitting on my desk, waiting to be put to good use.
I put down $100 to hold it, and right now I'm at home, desperately trying to talk myself out of buying it.
The truth is, I don't need it, I just want it. I have a huge nostalgic spot for Precision basses, won't play a 4-string, and can't possibly justify the entry cost for a Dingwall Super P5, or even a Fender Am Std V. This seems like a small, innocent way to have a bit of Precision in my life, without a significant investment...
come on and buy it
I'm waiting after the holidays to order it, in white. hoping to recieve a light and good one.
reading here, about the weight, actually I think that with 4kg it's not an heavy bass. usually Fenders weight around 4kg, and for a 5-strings is not much.
I'm waiting after the holidays to order it, in white. hoping to recieve a light and good one.
reading here, about the weight, actually I think that with 4kg it's not an heavy bass. usually Fenders weight around 4kg, and for a 5-strings is not much.
Well, I'm not one to talk (although I love my VMP5), since I impulsively bought an Antiqua P4 yesterday. Didn't need it, just wanted it. Isn't that enough?
Besides, you have upgrade parts......
Done. 8lb 12oz, couldn't find a flaw on it other than minor setup issues.
That thick white poly finish kinda reminds me of the old Burns Bison basses, only better looking. My first white instrument in 47 years...
That thick white poly finish kinda reminds me of the old Burns Bison basses, only better looking. My first white instrument in 47 years...
Four is the charm. I think this one is a keeper. The faux tort looks pretty decent against the white poly.
The neck pocket isn't as tight as the other three P5's I've sampled. There's a whoopsie on the treble side right at the mouth of the pocket, probably due to clumsy sanding before paint. There's also a slight line in the pickguard near the tone control, more of a dull spot than a scrape. Otherwise, the finish is nearly flawless.
I set the action and pickup heights to spec, installed a set of satin-body/chrome-key Hipshot Ultralites, and checked all screws for tightness.
I swapped the tuners one at a time, and each string got a little brighter-sounding as i swapped in the new tuner. NOTE: There was debate elsewhere about the fit. These are the Licensed Hipshots, and sure enough, I had to use aluminum cut from a coke can to shim the holes until each bushing was a gentle friction fit.
Tuning is faster and more accurate, as you would expect. The dead spot on the G string is shallower, but it now covers two frets- C# and D. Because I adjusted the action, intonation and pickup heights during the same session, I can't be sure how much of this was caused by the tuner swap, and how much by the adjustments.
The bass now sounds a little more like a vintage P-bass- the lower strings have more of that hollow bite I expect from a good P, and it's less boomy overall. Although I will probably try an AM Std pickup at some point just out of curiosity, I don't feel the need for a pickup swap at the moment.
The overall weight dropped 6 ounces, to 8lb 6oz, which is within half a pound of my Dingwall. It's pretty hard to find a full-sized 5-string in this weight class at any price, and there's noticeably less neck dive as well.
I'm pleased with my purchase and with my night's work. Next to do: fill the screwholes on the back of the headstock, and that will probably be it for a while.
The neck pocket isn't as tight as the other three P5's I've sampled. There's a whoopsie on the treble side right at the mouth of the pocket, probably due to clumsy sanding before paint. There's also a slight line in the pickguard near the tone control, more of a dull spot than a scrape. Otherwise, the finish is nearly flawless.
I set the action and pickup heights to spec, installed a set of satin-body/chrome-key Hipshot Ultralites, and checked all screws for tightness.
I swapped the tuners one at a time, and each string got a little brighter-sounding as i swapped in the new tuner. NOTE: There was debate elsewhere about the fit. These are the Licensed Hipshots, and sure enough, I had to use aluminum cut from a coke can to shim the holes until each bushing was a gentle friction fit.
Tuning is faster and more accurate, as you would expect. The dead spot on the G string is shallower, but it now covers two frets- C# and D. Because I adjusted the action, intonation and pickup heights during the same session, I can't be sure how much of this was caused by the tuner swap, and how much by the adjustments.
The bass now sounds a little more like a vintage P-bass- the lower strings have more of that hollow bite I expect from a good P, and it's less boomy overall. Although I will probably try an AM Std pickup at some point just out of curiosity, I don't feel the need for a pickup swap at the moment.
The overall weight dropped 6 ounces, to 8lb 6oz, which is within half a pound of my Dingwall. It's pretty hard to find a full-sized 5-string in this weight class at any price, and there's noticeably less neck dive as well.
I'm pleased with my purchase and with my night's work. Next to do: fill the screwholes on the back of the headstock, and that will probably be it for a while.
