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Squier Vintage Modified Precision V: who's got one?
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
So this Hipshot Kickass bridge is exactly what my bass needed. They make these in two styles, and I can verify that the Squier style is a PERFECT fit. It really just drops right in, no modifications whatsoever, the screw holes are perfectly centered with the Squier stock route.
This bridge is simply perfect. I never really had a tonal issue with the old bridge, but it was clearly mechanically flawed. It sounded fine with stock strings, but for some other strings, once the intonation was set, the break angle at the saddle was too steep on account of there being about 3/4" behind the B saddle, and this isn't even long enough to clear the wrapped portion of many strings out there, and unlike on my Fender American V, you can't string through the body to make up for that. So I had to shave off a little bit of the colored portion on the B and E strings on my flatwound strings, and while the E sounded fine, the B always sounded muted. It always felt like the bridge was mounted way too close to the neck.
Well, this Kickass bridge fixes that, and more. You can set string spacing! You get a wonderfully shiny piece of metal. You even get extra intonation screws, springs, and saddles. But the most important thing is that the bridge is no longer mechanically flawed. You have so much range of intonation, and there is so much space behind the saddle that the break angle over the saddle will always be gentle and there will be plenty of space to clear the wrapped portion of the string. Finally, all five strings have the exact same tone, clarity, and volume. I have a feeling that with the better break angle, the strings will last longer, too. And for an upgrade bridge, it's not even expensive.
I simply love my Precision V. With Hipshot tuners and Kickass bridge installed, it's only 8 lb 13 oz. It is so light! The stock pickup is very, very good. I changed the stock electronics to my usual Bourns 250k/500k pots just to have consistency with my expectations, but they weren't bad by any means. It always had potential, just needed a better bridge, and the Kickass with the Squier retrofit was really a godsend.
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Darn.
I'm normally a bent-plate purist, but now I'm GAS'ing for the Kickass.
Curious if it would further improve my B string too.
It would also like to have perfect string alignment without having to cut and glue shims, etc.
Plus it would be pleasing to have symmetry with the Hipshot Ultralites at the other end...
I think you should try it. What's the worst that could happen, you sell it and put the stock back on? You won't make any new holes in your bass.
I'd be OK with the bent plate if it didn't clearly stress the strings, but you can tell from my picture, I think, that this design is superior because it lets the strings relax and doesn't place an impossible kink right at the business end. I mean, on the stock bridge, even taking the B string off or putting a new one on is like solving a Rubik's cube, but in the Hipshot, the string just gently slides in. I have to think this can only improve its performance, to not stress the strings so much. You really notice it when you're installing the strings.
I actually find this bridge easier to string than the Type A because there's so much space behind the saddles. I do like the Type A a lot, though.
It's a nice bridge but I personally like quick release bridges. I have a couple of basses with Ken Smith bridges They look a lot like the Badass but its Quick Release and completely made out of brass.
Yeah, but everyone, come on. This one is less than $65 shipped and requires no alterations to your bass other than just getting the screwdriver out. I understand that some people don't mind re-drilling for another bridge. I personally don't, either, as I have installed many bass bridges in my life time, but I prefer to do it as non-destructively as possible. Some others would rather suffer with a stock bridge in the absence of a ready upgrade but would be interested in one if it were available, and I wanted to confirm that it is a great option. Regardless of what kind of bridge you might prefer in an ideal world, I just wanted to speak of the fact that this relatively affordable upgrade can be had risk-free for Squier V players out there, considering there's very little actual info on it other than a couple of people who said they tried it.
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This is a great upgrade (IMO)
If I hadn't already switched the stock bridge on my VMP5 with a Hipshot A style bridge, I'd definitely go with the Kickass bridge.
If I hadn't already switched the stock bridge on my VMP5 with a Hipshot A style bridge, I'd definitely go with the Kickass bridge.
GAS really is a disease.
Just picked up a chrome Squier-model Kickass 5 off eBay for USD $59.95 plus shipping and duty. It came to $113 in Canadian pesos.
All this, to replace the bridge on a bass that has a solid low B, intonates perfectly, weighs 8lb 6oz, has no funny noises or rattles, and sounds great with D'Addario Balanced Tension Chromes or Nickel XL's...
...That I haven't played in months. Twisted logic at it's best?
Here's how a diseased brain talked me into this:
Just picked up a chrome Squier-model Kickass 5 off eBay for USD $59.95 plus shipping and duty. It came to $113 in Canadian pesos.
All this, to replace the bridge on a bass that has a solid low B, intonates perfectly, weighs 8lb 6oz, has no funny noises or rattles, and sounds great with D'Addario Balanced Tension Chromes or Nickel XL's...
...That I haven't played in months. Twisted logic at it's best?
Here's how a diseased brain talked me into this:
- The Vintage Modified Precision V has been discontinued. The few left at Long & McQuade are priced at CAD $479.99. Remaining Fender Am Std V's, also discontinued, are CAD $1699.99, but no maple fretboards. The new Am Professional V's are CAD $2049.99, and the new colour makes it look like a giant olive.
- Therefore, I'm still ahead of the game if I "invest" some more in the Squier.
- The Kickass is a drop-in fit. I wouldn't have to drill any extra holes (not counting the ones I already drilled for the Hipshot tuners).
- This would preserve the resale value (at least, what's left after sanding half the finish off the back of the neck, and leaving unsightly holes on the back of the headstock).
- It would look better. This would make chicks dig me.
- It would be a better visual match for the import Ultralites I installed at the other end. This would also make chicks dig me.
- For a few more dollars, I can get stainless saddles for it.
- They might brighten up the dull-sounding Chromes, which aren't really my thing.
- I would be able to try other, as yet unspecified strings that don't fit the stock bridge.
- With the strings off, I'd have a head start on routing the body for the DiMarzio Area J I've had sitting around for months.
- While I'm at it, I might as well reshape and refinish the body to knock off a few more ounces.
- Once I've put all that work into it, I'm bound to play the Squier more often.
- ...No, really!
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I wonder if upgrading the neck to use nut inserts would help. I'd like a 5 that was a little closer in tone to my old Warwick Streamer Stage I V, for use at church. I realize that's asking alot for a lowly Squier VMP5 to approach the tone of a Warwick NT broadneck. I might try this if I pick up a VMP5, add a jazz bridge pickup, the Kickass bridge, the Tonestyler ...
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It's official, paid for, just gotta run down the road and pick it up in the morning. (1) used three tone sunburst VMP5 $250+tax. 45 day return optional (to my local GC).
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Finish looks decent (no grain / bookmark matching issues), setup is good, has fresh strings which aren't bad, apparently was owned by someone who gigs regularly and trades occasionally. I do think the Kickass bridge and neck nut inserts will help. The B isn't what it could be (yet). I'm happy with the bass at this point.
On mine, the two biggest improvements to the B string came from:
A.) Setting the action and pickup balance / height to Fender specs, and
B.) Switching to a custom balanced-tension string set from BSO. It was the lighter D'Addario Nickel XL BT set, with a .130 single to match.
The B string in regular 5-string sets is always too low in tension.
A.) Setting the action and pickup balance / height to Fender specs, and
B.) Switching to a custom balanced-tension string set from BSO. It was the lighter D'Addario Nickel XL BT set, with a .130 single to match.
The B string in regular 5-string sets is always too low in tension.
The new to me VMP5. Action is already pretty decent. Not sure what strings are loaded, but they're relatively fresh. I'm normally a DR Lo-Rider guy, that's what I usually used on my Warwick anyhow. Not sure what's on my RWJ, but probably Lo-Riders of some sort.
Thanks @steve_rolfeca
Oh how things change! Your comments regarding the Kickass bridge on mine when I posted pics regarding it's ATK look certainly said you weren't a fan of these!
Welcome to the dark side. Enjoy!
