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

[Rocksolid]

Took the VMPV for it's first outing tonight. Eden WT800/610xlt with DBX160A, Tech 21 RPM, Korg DTR1000, X2 XDR95 wireless rig.

Overall I was pretty happy with the tone, but it did run 2nd to my Reggie Hamilton CS PJ5 (as you would hope considering it cost me 5 x as much). But it wasn't a distant 2nd. Sounded a little thinner on the higher strings, but the B and E strings were very impressive in the mix. If I thought this bass was going to fall short I expected it to be in the B and E. I think I want to put a Nordy in it, but once the stock pickup is out I think I want to get it rewound by someone.

Ramblings after a gig. More thinking to be done.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

Dropped the Nordy in and a Hipshot A brdge and took it to the studio. More of a tighter, focused sound. Engineer loved it. Mind you, this is a guy who's recorded all my very expensive basses many times. Went through an Aguilar preamp into an Altec compresser and into the Neve board.Couldn't ask for a lot more.

 

[bassnyc1]

Since Hipshot offers several spacing options for the their A style bridge, which spacing worked for your VMP5?

 

[Bobster]

They are shipped with, and designed for, 18mm spacing. That is standard on Fender 5 - string instruments these days.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

Yeah, 18mm.

 

[takeout]

Reverse P rout complete. Also moved the bridge back 1/4". Contemplating the bridge pickup location...

 

[Bobster]

Takeout,

Let us know how that works for you. I would expect the move to have a negative impact on your ability to intonate the bass.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

I wouldn't expect it to be an issue.

A few people have reported trouble with bottoming out the B-string saddle against the back rail while intonating some string types.

Meanwhile, a quarter inch shouldn't be enough to cause problems with running out of forward travel on the other saddles...

 

[takeout]

This bridge has room either way. It was done as a hedge against B-string winds coming over the saddle.

 

[tink9975]

Im thinking about doing the same thing, I'm having trouble intonating the B string with the current bridge location.

 

[NicJimBass]

Takeout,

Let us know how that works for you. I would expect the move to have a negative impact on your ability to intonate the bass.

I moved the bridge back, probably about 1/4", when I swapped for a Hipshot. Intonation is still good. Only real difference is that the saddles are closer to the front edge of the bridge now. I wouldn't go further back than that though, or you'd run the risk of the saddles not being on the bridge at all. I think I did notice a difference in string tension as well, but not a huge difference.

 

[Rocksolid]

Mine is now setup, intonation done, with a set of standard D'addario's on it. Can't believe how well it playes and sounds! Volume and tone from string to string is very good.

I was intending to put some Sadowsky Blues on but had this near new set of D'addarios sitting there that I took off my Stingray, so I thought I would give them a try. Now I'm not sure if this bass will get modded at all!

 

[exidor]

OK I have had my VM P5 for 4 days, first the bad. the nut was jacked the g string would roll off the fret board with out even trying, it needs a new nut, but in the mean time I did the old super glue with a pinch of baking soda, filled in the g slot let dry,file new slot about 2mm or so from the edge looks even with the other strings, so pretty soon it's gonna get a bone nut. why? cuz I freaken dig this bass!!!! it plays like butter & has a killer tone, also it resonates & has a lively sound when playing unplugged,no intonation issues. this thing has tone from bright & a little dirty & hollow to thump and in between. I'm very happy with it. the weight is 9lbs on the nose, down the road I might swap out the tuners for hipshot ultra lights, but aside from a nut it needs nothing, I put Dunlop 40-120 nickel plated steels, this is a monster bass for the price, it has a great neck & fret ends and they are level, I have been up and down the neck dozens of times listening for dead spots nothing that I can notice I'm sure to find one in time. I have the neck pretty straight & action lowish I'll be messing with it for the next few weeks so some pics!!!I also put strap lox on it and took med fine scotch bright type pad to the back of the neck,so now it is super smooth & fast.

 

[takeout]

Steve, what did you use for filing the nut for that balanced-tension .145? Most nut files don't come that big.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

Steve, what did you use for filing the nut for that balanced-tension .145? Most nut files don't come that big.

I assume you mean me, experimenting with the BT sets.

I actually don't have any nut files at the moment- I loaned my set out, and didn't get them back.

This will offend the OCD types around here, but I widened and reshaped the slot by shaving it with a pocket knife. Been doing it for over 40 years.

I would never try to cut a new blank that way, but I find it more than adequate for adjusting the existing slots on a pre-cut nut...

 

[Fangry]

I finally ordered a black PG for my CAR. I'll get new knobs as well, now I'm only wondering whether to paint the PU covers white or go with all black plastics...

No other mods as of yet, haven't felt the need in the 16 months I've had the bass.

 

[Gougedeye]

I used my VMP5 the other day at a Jam. It was the Belle of the Ball! Everybody there wanted to play it and most wanted to buy it when they finished. It makes me laugh. What a bargain! Don't get me wrong, it has its issues, but they are few...For the scratch, its a great bass! I found a Russian .047 Orange Drop I think I'm going to try out this weekend. So far so good!

 

[NicJimBass]

I still need to gig them this weekend, but so far, the .118 Kalium strings I threw on made a world of difference on the B string. It's probably the closest I've ever heard a B sound to the rest of the strings on any bass I've owned. Don't know if it was the lower gauge or the fact that the B is tapered, or a combination of both. Next time, I may go up to a .124 set and see what the difference is.

 

[mrwink]

I have a white one on order through sweetwater... back ordered! Hopefully this won't take too long!

 

[Doug Parent]

Posting this as an update and to also publicly eat my words as I had written that putting another pickguard with 4 string sized shells could be a PITA. I happened to have a mint 4 string P Bass PG and decided to install a Nordy NP5V today. Aside from drilling new holes for the pickup screws, at went real smooth. And the mint doesn't look to shabby against the white. First gig tonight with this new install, I'll come back and post my impressions of these pickups in this bass.