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

[petrus61]

My only problem intonating the P5 - with Chromes - is that the B-string saddle sits so far back that the extra windings at the end of the string sit on top of the saddle. It still sounds good, but I don't think it's optimal and I'm thinking of getting a Fender Hi Mass bridge just for that. Looks like with those the ball ends get anchored further back.

E: I'm thinking about the Fender bridge specifically because I'm hoping they are a drop-in replacement and appear to be priced rather attractively.

You could try adding a ferrule or a few washers where the ball end meets the bridge hole. It would take the thicker wraps out of the equation. Apparently Duck Dunn used to do the same thing on the low E to accomodate whatever thick strings he was using.

 

[Doug Parent]

I put a Fender bridge that came off an American Deluxe V on my Squier and it was a simple task which yielded an improvement in tone that was noticeable.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

There haven't been any reports of neck instability with the VMP5 yet, at least on this thread. The ones I've set up are all going through typical crazy Canadian conditions (warm, humid summers, lots of air conditioning, very dry indoor air in the winter), and have held their setup very well.

Keep in mind that I've also thinned the finish on the back of the neck on all of them, for a better feel.

However, it's a 5-string, with a fairly beefy soft V neck profile. There's more lumber in this neck than in the Freeman...

 

[Fangry]

You could try adding a ferrule or a few washers where the ball end meets the bridge hole. It would take the thicker wraps out of the equation. Apparently Duck Dunn used to do the same thing on the low E to accomodate whatever thick strings he was using.

Good idea, thanks! I might try that.

Then again, any excuse for new gear or parts is welcome.

 

[NicJimBass]

Keep in mind that I've also thinned the finish on the back of the neck on all of them, for a better feel.

I'm interested in thinning the finish on the back of my necks... do you have the details on your process written up somewhere? Thanks!

 

[Doug Parent]

Good idea, thanks! I might try that.

Then again, any excuse for new gear or parts is welcome.

Just as a FYI, the bolt pattern on the stock bridge is such that when you replace it with a Fender bridge, one of the mounting holes peeks out slightly from under. It's not really obvious but it's there nonetheless. I have not installed a Hipshot A Style bridge on that bass so unsure if this would apply in that case. I would recommend brass/steel bridges over aluminum on this particular instrument.

 

[Joedog]

The hipshot A 5 is apparently made in several different widths. Which one is the correct one for the VM P5? I know it's probably in here somewhere, but this is a LONG thread! Also where is the best price to be found? Thanks!

 

[NicJimBass]

The hipshot A 5 is apparently made in several different widths. Which one is the correct one for the VM P5? I know it's probably in here somewhere, but this is a LONG thread! Also where is the best price to be found? Thanks!

These use 18mm, which I believe is .708 spacing according to Hipshot. I've found several on either eBay or bestbassgear.com. BBG sometimes get scratch and dent or returns that they mark down considerably.

 

[Doug Parent]

The hipshot A 5 is apparently made in several different widths. Which one is the correct one for the VM P5? I know it's probably in here somewhere, but this is a LONG thread! Also where is the best price to be found? Thanks!

FWIW I've switched from installing the .708 to using the .728 bridge on "Fender" type 5 string instruments. Seems to work better string spacing wise for my purposes.

 

[Fangry]

Just as a FYI, the bolt pattern on the stock bridge is such that when you replace it with a Fender bridge, one of the mounting holes peeks out slightly from under. It's not really obvious but it's there nonetheless. I have not installed a Hipshot A Style bridge on that bass so unsure if this would apply in that case. I would recommend brass/steel bridges over aluminum on this particular instrument.

Oh, that's no problem - though I guess the Hi Mass bridge I've been eyeballing has a larger footprint than the Deluxe one anyway. And has brass saddles, which I do like.

 

[Joedog]

Thanks guys. So far I have a .708 and a .728 vote. Any tie breakers?

 

[Doug Parent]

Thanks guys. So far I have a .708 and a .728 vote. Any tie breakers?

Reason I moved to the .728 is the bridge saddles are slightly further apart which works better for 18.3 mm Fender spec than the .708 . The 708 means you might need to spread the bridge saddles further apart than they are designed to do, and you will also possibly lose the adjustment you can get from the 728 to align the strings exactly over the pickup pole pieces. YMMV etc etc. Hope that helps.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I put an American deluxe v bridge on.
Threaded saddles. The holes "almost" line up. I was drilling the body for string through so I dowelled orig holes and redrilled.
They do line up just puts the bridge a bit off center.
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Allows for string through or topload.

 

[Fangry]

It won't take much for the end wraps to clear the saddle, so I probably will try some washers or such when I get around to it. I do still love the feel of the bass so I'm kinda cautious of making unnecessary changes, however fun that always is.

 

[bassnyc1]

I've got a .708 Hipshot A bridge (aluminum) on mine. Fit right on with no adjustments needed and there was a noticeable tone improvement besides the obvious improvements in adjustment.
Hipshot FTW!

 

[petrus61]

There haven't been any reports of neck instability with the VMP5 yet, at least on this thread. The ones I've set up are all going through typical crazy Canadian conditions (warm, humid summers, lots of air conditioning, very dry indoor air in the winter), and have held their setup very well.

Keep in mind that I've also thinned the finish on the back of the neck on all of them, for a better feel.

However, it's a 5-string, with a fairly beefy soft V neck profile. There's more lumber in this neck than in the Freeman...

Mines perfectly stable and the VM77 Jazz I had prior also had a neck that was to die for, with the caveat that I needed to have the frets dressed right out of the box. My P5 on the other hand, I have to try really hard to get those frets a' buzzin, and I play with a relief that many people would probably consider way too low. I have to hit the strings really, really hard to get anything really bad sounding but even then, it's a choked out compression of the note on the intitial attack as opposed to annoying fret rattle or dead spots. To me, that indicates fretwork and an overall build quality that can be considered pretty damn good for this or most price ranges. My last VMP5 was also decent, but considering the neckdive and boomy low E and B (that I think was more an issue of total neck resonance than pickup quality, as it didn't matter where I set the height...almost like a reverse deadspot, if that makes sense), this more recent one is by far a much better example.

 

[iceboxbass]

Crazy story, but true, I dumped my Matt Freeman for the same reason. It refused to intonate and had a bad time staying in tune. The tuners seemed to be fine mechanically and adjustments didn't seem to help. I think, and it's just a theory, that they churn out so many of these things, that some very green wood makes its way into certain production runs and the necks never really settle. The wood is still doing what it wants to do and is in a state of flux that leaves it more prone to movement. I also don't think it's limited to certain price points or brands, but is just an unfortunate side effect of mass production. Luck of the draw. Somewhat unrelated, but if I set the relief on a new bass and I find it slowly starting to creep up while simultaneously being in a relatively neutral environment climate wise, it goes back. In my experience, well made necks tend to stay put once the truss is set and rarely need adjusting, save for very minor seasonal tweaks, if that. Necks that move tend to keep moving, and I don't need that sadness in my life. All IMO, IME, YMMV, etc.

I believe you could be onto something with this. As mentioned, when you have a huge production line going, not every instrument is going to be the same. In manufacturing there's a thing called tolerances. So that translates into "fudge room". I'm speaking from years of manufacturing experience. Believe me...when I first received my 2013 Squier V Pbass I was gushing all over the place about it. Like you said, sometimes it's the luck of the draw or in this case unluck of the draw. I was bound to run into one sooner or later out of dozens and dozens of basses I've bought. BTW, it was all the strings that wouldn't intonate(Brand New GHS SS Flats). After doing the initial setup, truss rod adjustment, bridge saddle heights, pickup height and open string tuning, I start from fret 3,5,7,12,13. I'll give Squier huge kudos though for stepping up the quality of their instruments. LOVE my MF Pbass! Never letting this one go like my first one!

 

[petrus61]

Just ordered a set of the AmStd '08 pups to slap in this bad boy. While there certainly is nothing lacking, curiosity got the best of me. Also the GHS P flats with the low B I raved about with my VMJV...basically a minor but significant overhaul. My past experience told me there wasn't a whole lot of difference between the pickups on my old VMPV but on the other hand, that specimens less desireable attributes with regards to overall feel had it quickly sold not long after (and with no real world live usage to back it up), I installed those pickups. The one I have is a relative gem in the feel/playability dept, so I'm hoping I can give the AmStd pups an honest appraisal at this time.

Edit: Reading back on some questions earlier in the thread regarding whether the VMP5 and VMJ5 specs were or weren't same, they're defineitly not, if quantifiable by no other means than that the J has a maple cap fingerboard on the neck, whereas the P does not. In my mind, that has to count for something when getting down to brass tacks.

 

[bassnyc1]

As I've stated a few times in this thread, my VMP5 is heavily modified. The only original parts are the neck, body and string retainer. The Fender pickup didn't change much sound wise but it's a good bit of piece of mind knowing that it's a reliable part. The Hipshot A bridge did more to improve the sound. As always, YMMV....

 

[steve_rolfeca]

...Reading back on some questions earlier in the thread regarding whether the VMP5 and VMJ5 specs were or weren't same, they're defineitly not, if quantifiable by no other means than that the J has a maple cap fingerboard on the neck, whereas the P does not.

Well, I'll be!

Feeling like a dummy this morning. I've never been a maple neck guy until recently, and didn't realize that the skunk-stripe necks were literally one piece (ie; not even a veneer fingerboard cap).

Up until now, I had simply assumed that mine had a glued-on FB. Had to get a jeweller's loupe out to confirm it, but what I took to be the glue line at various points, was just a trick of the grain.

I guess that an old dog can still learn new tricks, after all.