- Jul 30, 2006
- 2,315
- 453
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
I use my moddedCAR one a lot live and in the studio. I'm thinking of grabbing a sunburst one.
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
- Jan 12, 2011
- 4,578
- 2,460
- Disclosures
- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
- Jul 30, 2006
- 2,315
- 453
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
I get more satisfaction out of playing my megabuck Dingwall.
But my lightly-modded Squier is just as trustworthy, and (it hurts to admit this) it gets just as much praise from sound guys. It plays in tune, doesn't buzz or rattle, and growls and barks the way I want it to, when I want it to. It's a perfectly acceptable gigging instrument. The jack and pots will probably wear out a little sooner, but even the expensive stuff needs maintenance eventually.
Because of the softer basswood body, it would be easier to break the Squier in a fall. But anything that's going to hurt the VMP5 is going to do nasty things to the ABZ as well...
In the end, it's the craftsman, not the tools.
But my lightly-modded Squier is just as trustworthy, and (it hurts to admit this) it gets just as much praise from sound guys. It plays in tune, doesn't buzz or rattle, and growls and barks the way I want it to, when I want it to. It's a perfectly acceptable gigging instrument. The jack and pots will probably wear out a little sooner, but even the expensive stuff needs maintenance eventually.
Because of the softer basswood body, it would be easier to break the Squier in a fall. But anything that's going to hurt the VMP5 is going to do nasty things to the ABZ as well...
In the end, it's the craftsman, not the tools.
PS: I owned and gigged a '64 P-bass, and have owned various American Fenders over the years, including Deluxes.
The only Fenders I liked better than this Squier, were an AVRI '62 and the '64 I had in college.
I actually like the Squier BETTER than the rest of them, but that's just me.
The only Fenders I liked better than this Squier, were an AVRI '62 and the '64 I had in college.
I actually like the Squier BETTER than the rest of them, but that's just me.
The only design flaw I can come up with is the string retainer oh so close to the G-string tuner.
I got home from vacation to find the CAR VMP5 I bought from a fellow TB'r waiting for me. Love the paint job and I've never had a red bass before. The seller installed an American p5 pup in it which is nice but it needs a setup. I'm assuming a couple lift spots with the pickguad are somewhat common at this price point but I have my eye on a different pick guard. With the vintage tinted neck, it screams aged pearled or blackout , imo. It has half rounds on it which is a first for me and the neck is feels darn good.
Oh boy, I played my P last Sunday at church and got a lot of complements, I want and need a P5, how the B string is in these basses?
NicJimBass
Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!
I've been happy with it. Not floppy or mushy. Strings make a world of difference. Mine seems to like DR Pure Blues quite a bit, although I also had good luck with a light gauge (.118 B) of Kalium strings when I first got it, although, that set seemed to die pretty quickly for some reason.
I'm really considering a VM J or a Dimension. I saved up for a dingwall but I think I should practice a little more on something like a squier.
Debating on strings, elixir nanowebs lights or DR sunbeams... Hmm.
Debating on strings, elixir nanowebs lights or DR sunbeams... Hmm.
I played a VM J5 in my local shop today. It was a little on the Heavy side, but I can't help but think this would be common for the Soft Maple bodies the J5 Natural comes in. Also thought the heavier body helped contribute to the tone like the heavier Ash body does on my EBMM SR5H. Even volume across strings. First thing I do is compare the E, F, F#, G etc on the B string to the open E and other notes, and this bass was great. Similar tone, volume, wasn't mushy. Really punchy.
Since getting my Super Bassman, my love for my Passive Basses has been completely revitalized. Other than my VMP5, my 5 string basses are active. Don't get me wrong, the active basses sound great thru the SB300, but I am loving how a passive P & J sound thru this amp - esp into my NV412.
The VMP5 has disappeared from the Squier Australia website also. Feeling like I should get one of these before they disappear also. I was considering a Warmoth Passive J5 build but it is likely to cost me 2.5 times what the VM J5 will, and I find myself asking why bother?
Since getting my Super Bassman, my love for my Passive Basses has been completely revitalized. Other than my VMP5, my 5 string basses are active. Don't get me wrong, the active basses sound great thru the SB300, but I am loving how a passive P & J sound thru this amp - esp into my NV412.
The VMP5 has disappeared from the Squier Australia website also. Feeling like I should get one of these before they disappear also. I was considering a Warmoth Passive J5 build but it is likely to cost me 2.5 times what the VM J5 will, and I find myself asking why bother?
Last edited:
Hey everyone,
I was just on the Squier (U.S.) website and the VMP5 is still there. Under the P basses it is the last one shown. Looks like it is still with us after all.
I was just on the Squier (U.S.) website and the VMP5 is still there. Under the P basses it is the last one shown. Looks like it is still with us after all.
Ah yes, but if you go to the product page, the highlighted specs include a PJ configuration. Mistake? Probably, but wouldn't that be cool?
My VMP5 is now my "church" bass. Our guy responsible for sound is quite a good bass player himself and was very complimentary regarding the sound and feel. Several people have even shared how much they like the slap sound too. Mine has D'Addario Chromes on it that with eq tweaks can get about any sound except a more modern, hi if type of sound. The B string is surprisingly quite good on it. Mine is not the piano low like a Dingwall, but still a solid, well defined note.
This is my first P bass, but now I understand about how Ps just lay in the mix. It's great for a lot of contemporary worship music. And definitely different from my active basses.
Well, I pulled the trigger, I found one for sale in the classified section and now is all mine 
