• 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?

#841
bass_case said:
I haven't read every post in the thread, but what is the consensus on the pickup? I don't have the P, but I recently bought the VM Jag V (PJ with a bass boost) and like everything about it except the pickup. I assume it uses the same P pickup. The D-G pup has a much different tone from the B-A. Anyone else notice this?

I bought an Am Std pickup to replace it, so its days are numbered, but am curious if I have a bad one, or it's just the nature of the pickup.
Click to expand...

I've been really happy with the stock pickup so far. I sat down one afternoon at Elderly Instruments, and played a number of P-basses, from vintage to recent MIA to MIM to Squire. While there were differences, they all sounded, at least to my ear, very similar. This thing sounds like a P-bass. Sure, it may be a little brighter or thinner than other pickups, but I have no issue with the stock one, so for now, unless it breaks or my tone taste changes dramatically, I'm keeping it.
 
#842
Installed the Hipshot bridge last week, and just placed an order for a set of HB7's with Lollipop tuners! Going to take 4-5 weeks, but they're the same price as the normal elephant ears style. I think I already posted that I tried using the Hipshot 4-string retainer, but it was too big. Patiently waiting on two 2-string retainers to take it's place. Once they and the tuners come in and are installed, this thing will be an absolutely killer bass that will be solid as a rock, will look good and will sound great!
 
#843
Ha ha... I guess I'll keep posting updates as they come in! Just ordered a Stellartone Tonestyler, Bass-11, as well as a new Noble volume pot and Switchcraft stereo jack. Installed the two 2-string retainers last week, and while they don't do much on a day to day basis, they make changing strings much faster, especially when combined with the Hipshot bridge. Once the tuners come in and I swap them, I'll be left with the stock neck, body, pickup and pickguard, and will be at about $500-600 in the entire bass itself, which may seem high for a Squier, but the more I play this, the more I feel this is a bass I've been waiting for for years.
 
#844
About nine days ago, I was checking out octave pedal on my Cirrus at a store when I ran into a bassist I had not seen for a few years. Since I had my P5 in my double gigbag, I took it out and let him play it. He was blown away by how low the action was, and how good it sounded. For perspective, he used to have a Fender P5, and his current bass is a Warwick Katana five. I know the young drummer at my church that I gave a Peavey Foundation to loves my P5 to death. He loves the feel of the neck and that deep, P-bass tone. It is funny that although I love my P5, at heart I am a lover of more trebley sound because I am from the slappity pop generation. These young guys are utterly retro in their love of that fat bottom that melts into the bass drum.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lowdownthump
#845
Dr. Cheese said:
About nine days ago, I was checking out octave pedal on my Cirrus at a store when I ran into a bassist I had not seen for a few years. Since I had my P5 in my double gigbag, I took it out and let him play it. He was blown away by how low the action was, and how good it sounded. For perspective, he used to have a Fender P5, and his current bass is a Warwick Katana five. I know the young drummer at my church that I gave a Peavey Foundation to loves my P5 to death. He loves the feel of the neck and that deep, P-bass tone. It is funny that although I love my P5, at heart I am a lover of more trebley sound because I am from the slappity pop generation. These young guys are utterly retro in their love of that fat bottom that melts into the bass drum.
Click to expand...

I was in love with my Cirrus, for the most part, but it acted kinda funky with most of my pedals, and it wasn't quite as trebly as I needed at times, unless I really cranked the treble on the EQ. Once I gigged the P, my pedals acted so much better, reacting to my playing way more, and I could get a ton of treble when I needed it. This Tonestyler I got has a complete bypass option, so it'll be like there is no tone knob at all. Really excited to use that and slice people's heads off!
 
#846
Just got one! Bought on the MF holidays sale (a hair under $250!). Looks fantastic (oly white). Needed a bit of set up, but not bad, EXCEPT the bridge needs to be a tad farther from the nut (B-string saddle backed virtually all the way back for proper intonation). I'll probably get a new bridge at some point any way. Not wild about the strings, but that's no surprise. Overall, VERY happy with the purchase. Maybe not the "best" bass around, but super for the short $$$. Looks great, plays, sounds, and feels really good, and didn't cost my left nut. Color me a happy camper. I have a custom one of a kind bass, but it rarely leaves the house. This thing I can take anywhere (dives, etc.) with little worry, and know it will do the job nicely!
 
#847
Joedog said:
Just got one! Bought on the MF holidays sale (a hair under $250!). Looks fantastic (oly white). Needed a bit of set up, but not bad, EXCEPT the bridge needs to be a tad farther from the nut (B-string saddle backed virtually all the way back for proper intonation). I'll probably get a new bridge at some point any way. Not wild about the strings, but that's no surprise. Overall, VERY happy with the purchase. Maybe not the "best" bass around, but super for the short $$$. Looks great, plays, sounds, and feels really good, and didn't cost my left nut. Color me a happy camper. I have a custom one of a kind bass, but it rarely leaves the house. This thing I can take anywhere (dives, etc.) with little worry, and know it will do the job nicely!
Click to expand...
Replacing The strings will change the intonation.
My Warwick Dolphin stays home most shows now...
The Squier VMPV does 99% of the shows.
String sets I liked so far:
GHS BIG core (newish nice but not sure)

SMITH compressors (really nice strong fundamental bright-ish like broken in rounds nearing a flat feel very "snappy" feeling string)

LaBella low tension flats **** hands down my favorite

DR nickel Lowriders ....always good :)
 
Last edited:
#848
/\/\3phist0 said:
Replacing The strings will change the intonation.
My Warwick Dolphin stays home most shows now...
The Squier VMPV does 99% of the shows.
String sets I liked so far:
GHS BIG core (newish nice but not sure)

SMITH compressors (really nice strong fundamental bright-ish like broken in rounds nearing a flat feel very "snappy" feeling string)

LaBella low tension flats **** hands down my favorite

DR nickel Lowriders ....always good :)
Click to expand...

Thanks...right now my favorite all purpose string is GHS Pressurewounds. Might try the LaBella's or Smiths just for giggles.
 
#850
VMP5 Body White PUPs.jpeg VMP5 Full White PUPs.jpg

As per a recommendation here, white PUP covers on my VM P5. I'm having my first minor issue with it, a scratchy volume pot. Admittedly, this is my home practice bass and back-up gig bass, so the volume pot has hardly been moved since I bought it. It is going to practice this week so I can bring my P5 home for a string change, so maybe using the volume pot more will correct the problem, if not, DEIT time. So far, VERY happy with this bass. The only possible change is a white tug bar, otherwise, no upgrades planned :D
 

Attachments

  • VMP5 Full White PUPs.jpg
    VMP5 Full White PUPs.jpg
    219.8 KB · Views: 74
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: /\/\3phist0
#851
Thumper said:
View attachment 556480 View attachment 556481

As per a recommendation here, white PUP covers on my VM P5. I'm having my first minor issue with it, a scratchy volume pot. Admittedly, this is my home practice bass and back-up gig bass, so the volume pot has hardly been moved since I bought it. It is going to practice this week so I can bring my P5 home for a string change, so maybe using the volume pot more will correct the problem, if not, DEIT time. So far, VERY happy with this bass. The only possible change is a white tug bar, otherwise, no upgrades planned :D
Click to expand...
just added a white thumbrest to my beast... i looooooove this thing.
 
#856
and YES being as the ashtrays are JAZZ bass models (there aren't any precision v's) the pickups peek out a bit...
the shortened Jazz v bridge cover isn't correct either BUT i dig the overall effect.

Mods list:
Reed James Pv pickups (first ones ever) @Reed James Eng
American deluxe bridge (not high mass)
Drilled string through body added ferrules (increases the down pressure on the saddles of g/d/a strings which were really slack as i have the neck set-in with no shim and the saddles were bottomed out on either the stock or the replacement bridge when strung trough bridge)
CTS/Orangedrop/Switchcraft/Cloth covered wire harness
Genuine Fender Chrome Pbass/Tele knobs.
Jokomo black pearl inlay stickers.
Ashtrays
White thumbrest.
Dunlop Dual design straplocks
Currently wearing GHS Big Cores
still coming in under $500.00
Weight right at 9lbs sweet.

I put gaffer's tape on the underside of the ashtrays to mute the bell tone when I accidentally tap the pup cover when playing works great.

looks like a million bucks to me :)

crappy in-action pic... from this past Saturday
download_20150209_193459.jpg
 
Last edited:
#857
king_biscuit said:
I didn't read through all 43 pages, I apologies if already discussed, and it's not listed on the Fender site, is the pickup Alnico?
Click to expand...
not 100% certain but looking at the ones i have (replaced) they do not seem to be ceramic, and the low-ish output and mellower voice (and the supporting fact that the US PV pickups are AlNiCo ... and people have switched them out and hear little to no difference... i'd conclude they are AlNiCO....

Mine has NEO pickups from Reed James :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: king_biscuit
#858
/\/\3phist0 said:
not 100% certain but looking at the ones i have (replaced) they do not seem to be ceramic, and the low-ish output and mellower voice (and the supporting fact that the US PV pickups are AlNiCo ... and people have switched them out and hear little to no difference... i'd conclude they are AlNiCO....

Mine has NEO pickups from Reed James :)
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info!
 
#859
I found 2 for $8 shipped, not $3.99. In any case she looks great, a real classic beauty. I may order some, but thinking maybe ordering a couple of the single hole wood ones as well, one I can paint white and use the existing VM P5 pickguard screw hole and also cut the height down 1/4" or so. The other I can use on my J/P/J in the same manner. Neither bass are collectables, but don't like drilling extra holes if I don't need to (ironic since the JPJ started life as a P).
 
  • Like
Reactions: /\/\3phist0
#860
I had already drilled holes so one more did not matter 5x string through, 5x for the bridge, 4x for the ashtrays 1x for the thumbrest seemed no big deal (to me) after all the other mods, it's not like it going to hurt the resale :D
yeah i got my thumbrests during Xmas rush... price drop apparently... mine came post from China.

Next on the agenda is to go back to see James Reed and route and drop in a a bridge J pickup (split coil internally EXACTLY what the neck pickup is in a different form factor) a little hotter with a midrange bump....


hmm 60 or 70's position? decisions decisions..

AFTER i finish the Billy Bo i'm building :D...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Funky Ghost and Thumper

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back