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

[steve_rolfeca]

I know I've read a few posts here of people who have replaced the stock pickup with Fender USA pickups but has anyone replaced their stock pickup with another brand? Curious to hear about the results

There's a YouTube video that compares Am Standards with Nordstrands.

I've made the same comparison on Fender basses (not Squier, and alder instead of basswood). The Nordy's are more even, and rounder in the low end.

I like the Nordy's in the store or at home. They sound more refined than the Fenders, yet they still have an obvious vintage P-bass character.

However, on the gig I prefer the Fender because the dry, tight low end is easier to mix, and the "roughness" gives them more character.

All this is IMO/IME, and we're talking about pretty subtle differences. Depending on your hands and the rest of your signal chain, YMMV.

 

[Dogbertday]

Dogbertday,

That will vary by instrument for all manufacturers. Some need a significant dress, some a little and others, not at all.

I checked my VMP5 when it got it and no level was needed.

Your mileage may vary.

All the best,

Bob

I understand that. I'm just surprised as the basses from this line that I played didn't need it.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

I understand that. I'm just surprised as the basses from this line that I played didn't need it.

That depends a lot on your touch.

People who like to dig in, tend to prefer a medium action. Their frets can have minor high or low spots without it being noticeable.

People who like the strings practically touching the fretboard, are much more sensitive to minor imperfections.

 

[NicJimBass]

Got mine today, and was able to dial it it pretty well with Chromes. Have yet to play it through an amp (only headphones at work :/), but the feel and playability is great. If the tone is as good, I may be unloading several basses I currently own!

I bought this from GC as a blemished model. From what i can see, there are 2 small spots on the back that look like drops of coffee spilled on the finish, but it looks like they are under the finish. For $20 off, I can't complain, at all.

I know the rule- no pics, no bass:

 

[SneakyT]

Thanks SneakyT for the black pick guard, really changed the look, just what I was looking for!! Super fast shipping too!View attachment 519637

You bet man! Glad you like it. Looks great BTW!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I just received an oversized bridge ashtray from a TBr . got a wiring harness with CTS pots orange drop and trebel bleed. Its apart at the moment, to install this and drilling it for string through, the bridge is upgraded to an American deluxe. Block fret markers. Sunday it gets the Reed James Neos woo hoo. Thinking that I may order a black pearl guard from sneaky T.. Sneakey? TB Discount if we just buy it from you here?

 

[LowB-ing]

I just received an oversized bridge ashtray from a TBr

Who? How much? Who made it?

Photos?

The only thing I've ever seen that would fit is the original Fender bass V cover...

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Here's the thread he stated eBay...http://www.talkbass.com/index.php?threads/1113319/
Pics in thread. I have also bought a Marcus miller pickup ashtray. On the hopes that it will be wide enough... I will post detailed pics post surgery. Pics of my bass with the fretmarkers and american deluxe bridge earlier in this thread. As it stands now, bass is in pieces. Drilling to happen tonight after glue on dowels dries. Wiring harness on guard last night. Pickups from Jim Reed will go in Sunday.

 

[LowB-ing]

Here's the thread he stated eBay...http://www.talkbass.com/index.php?threads/1113319/
Pics in thread. I have also bought a Marcus miller pickup ashtray. On the hopes that it will be wide enough... I will post detailed pics post surgery. Pics of my bass with the fretmarkers and american deluxe bridge earlier in this thread. As it stands now, bass is in pieces. Drilling to happen tonight after glue on dowels dries. Wiring harness on guard last night. Pickups from Jim Reed will go in Sunday.

Ah, so it's a Jazz Bass bridge cover that someone modded by sawing it off.

Not quite the look I want, but cool in it's own way.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Jim is pouring the epoxy for my pickups tonight. Will install on Sunday. Pics as promised of current status. String through drilled. Ferrules installed. American deluxe bridge relocated and mounted. Fretmarkers installed. Hot chick sticker, placed not mounted. Ashtrays placed for pics not yet mounted. New harness with CTS and orange drop with treble bleed. New flat top knobs installed for solid shafts. Cavities shielded with copper foil and soldered. Sorry did not snap pics of cavities only had couple hours after work.. I'm pretty happy with the results so far have 6 gigs before the new year.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Family shot. This is what I'm bringing out these days

 

[miles'tone]

Ok, I got my CAR VM P5 back off my Luthier mate.

Originally, it weighed 9.8lbs and now after installing Lic by Hipshot Ultralites, aluminum knobs, Hipshot aluminum A style bridge and having the body routed out under the pickguard, it now weighs in at 8.6lbs. I'm happy with that.
Also, it actually sounds much better acoustically too. Really resonant.

Add to this the CTS/Switch craft/Sprague loaded wiring harness, Am Standard pup and nickel Lowriders on there, this Squier is now the best bass I have ever owned.
Over the years I've owned Musicman basses, a vintage Ric, MIJ Ibby SR 5er ,Fender USA among others and I can't believe that the bass I've ended up with that beats them all is a Squier! (By 'beats them all' I mean by how it feels I'm my hands to play, and how it sounds is the sound in my head I've been after for a long time)) Ok it has cost me just a tad over £400 to get there, which sounds crazy in a way for a Squier, but the actual "tool for the job" that I now have feels like an absolute steal for the money spent.

Edit: I'm by no means saying that my Squier has better build quality than a Music man or MIJ Ibby, I just mean that for

(Glad the routing out experiment has worked out though... I was a bit worried there that I might just ruin a good bass! My old bad back is happy again )

 

[bassnyc1]

Pics?

 

[miles'tone]

Pics?

I've tried, can't upload them from my phone due to low memory sorry (the phone, not me BTW )

 

[bwanabass]

Jim is pouring the epoxy for my pickups tonight. Will install on Sunday. Pics as promised of current status. String through drilled. Ferrules installed. American deluxe bridge relocated and mounted. Fretmarkers installed. Hot chick sticker, placed not mounted. Ashtrays placed for pics not yet mounted. New harness with CTS and orange drop with treble bleed. New flat top knobs installed for solid shafts. Cavities shielded with copper foil and soldered. Sorry did not snap pics of cavities only had couple hours after work.. I'm pretty happy with the results so far have 6 gigs before the new year.

That is a beauty! Even though I just picked up a VM Jag 5er, I am GASsing hard for one of these babies! You guys are NOT helping!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

That is a beauty! Even though I just picked up a VM Jag 5er, I am GASsing hard for one of these babies! You guys are NOT helping!

We're here to help.
Look, my VMPV weighs 9 lbs flat plays like a 1k instrument. Sounds like what I want. Easily replaced and the mods were cheap.
Total $ invested .
The bridge was 45.00
The pickups were under 150
Harness 23.00
Ashtrays 14.00
Sticker 4.00
Bass..215.
Under 500.00

Yep can't get a shelf stock USA 5string p for that used now can I?

This VMPV will be the workhorse. Don't get me wrong, I loves me Dolphin... But this thing is thrilling.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

Mine is 8lb 6oz, plays...

..well, like a really nice $800-900 instrument, and better than some US Fenders I've played that cost over $1K. I consider it a worthy companion to my $2,400 Dingwall.

Canadian prices, so a little steeper than US:
- bass $299
- Hipshot Ultralites (licensed) $80
- Rear-mount Dunlop flush Straplok $18
- Soda can shims to adjust saddle spacing and fit Ultralites $0.00
- Sandpaper for back of neck $5-10
- D'Addario BT lites, nickel round $30
- Used Am Standard Precision V pickup $80

Total about $520 with taxes and shipping.

If I parted it out, I could probably clear about $350. I consider that a pretty reasonable cost/benefit ratio for a great sounding, lightweight backup 5-string.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Mine is 8lb 6oz, plays...

..well, like a really nice $800-900 instrument, and better than some US Fenders I've played that cost over $1K. I consider it a worthy companion to my $2,400 Dingwall.

Canadian prices, so a little steeper than US:
- bass $299
- Hipshot Ultralites (licensed) $80
- Rear-mount Dunlop flush Straplok $18
- Soda can shims to adjust saddle spacing and fit Ultralites $0.00
- Sandpaper for back of neck $5-10
- D'Addario BT lites, nickel round $30
- Used Am Standard Precision V pickup $80

Total about $520 with taxes and shipping.

If I parted it out, I could probably clear about $350. I consider that a pretty reasonable cost/benefit ratio for a great sounding, lightweight backup 5-string.

I haven't replaced the tuners. Added a slightly heavier bridge, and the ashtrays so Steve I think our basic instruments must be about the same core weight.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

I haven't replaced the tuners. Added a slightly heavier bridge, and the ashtrays so Steve I think our basic instruments must be about the same core weight.

The Licensed Ultralites shave off 6 oz, compared to the stock tuners. Aside from more accurate tuning, the big advantage is that the weight reduction is right out at the end of the headstock. As a result, it helps a lot with the way the instrument balances on a strap.

In my case, they also helped to reduce a dead spot on the G-string.

 

[cyclopsbookworm]

Love everything about my VM P 5 except the pickup and one tuner. The tuner is self-explanatory, but the pickup doesn't seem to catch the B string well and on other strings the volume isn't even across the board. Pickup sounds great, actually, but it just chooses when it wants to perform. I have a Nordy pup to drop in, which I'll do....someday. Other than that, it's cash money.