• 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?

#1,921
liveburning274 said:
Looking forward to your thoughts on this!
Click to expand...
Had a quick play when I got home. it's been a long time since I've played a jazz Squier. The last one I found quite nasal and horrid. This VMJ5 sounds great. Gave it a quick set up at work. It's as comfortable to play as the P5. The single coil hum with a pick up solo'd seems less than my other Jazz basses. Haven't weighed it yet. Doesn't feel super heavy, but might be a little heavy due to the maple body. Great bang for buck and will be gigged soon.
 
#1,922
Scored one on CL
4DCF7A8B-C5C7-418F-A2B9-04EA15E33C1A.jpeg


Feels good. Has a quarter pounder installed. Jack is noisy. Went ahead and ordered pots, cap, wire and ultralites.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassman74, steve_rolfeca, tedsalt and 4 others
#1,924
Changed the jack, still waiting on a pot for the full rewire. Found a loose connection that may have been the source of the noise but the switchcraft has a better look and feel than the original.

Also changed the tuners to ultralights. Took the total weight down to 9.1lbs and they also seem better. For those keeping score, 5 squier tuners and screws on my dusty postal scale:

IMG_0717.jpg


for the metrically inclined
IMG_0718.jpg


5 hipshots:

IMG_0721.jpg
IMG_0720.jpg


Incidentally the hipshots are over $30 each individually or you can get a set of 4 for $75 at MF but nobody sells a 5 string set. I'm changing out two other basses, a 4 and 5, so got 4 sets of 4 with 15% off for about the price of 8 individual tuners. I'll have two left over when it's all done. Hipshot should offer a 5 string set.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DavesnothereCA and Gumby562
#1,925
nutdog said:
Incidentally the hipshots are over $30 each individually or you can get a set of 4 for $75 at MF but nobody sells a 5 string set. I'm changing out two other basses, a 4 and 5, so got 4 sets of 4 with 15% off for about the price of 8 individual tuners. I'll have two left over when it's all done. Hipshot should offer a 5 string set.
Click to expand...

Big box stores likely won't carry a 5-string set of Ultralites, but you can find them on eBay, Reverb, BestBassGear, etc., or order directly from Hipshot. I think the ones that were $30 per tuner might have been US made, whereas the 4 for $75 are likely Licensed, i.e made overseas, if I'm not mistaken. Both are great tuners, but the US ones have a few more options available, and are a bit higher quality overall.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glazenn
#1,926
NicJimBass said:
Big box stores likely won't carry a 5-string set of Ultralites, but you can find them on eBay, Reverb, BestBassGear, etc., or order directly from Hipshot. I think the ones that were $30 per tuner might have been US made, whereas the 4 for $75 are likely Licensed, i.e made overseas, if I'm not mistaken. Both are great tuners, but the US ones have a few more options available, and are a bit higher quality overall.
Click to expand...

They’re US. If there is a 5 string set of US available at under $20/tuner like this https://www.musiciansfriend.com/acc...ing-machine-set/363044000375000#productDetail I haven’t seen it.

These ended up being $16 each.

2D739656-5D84-440E-AEEF-22341A9693FC.jpeg

0FCD134B-43D8-4449-ABC6-6453088187C3.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: NicJimBass and Glazenn
#1,928
Can't believe no one has posted on this thread for 2+ months!!

As per my post above, I went ahead and purchased a 5 string M&V Guitars Atlas pickup for my VMP5. I've been in and around this thread since I purchased my VMP5 a couple of years ago, and most of the posts on here about pickup upgrades have revolved around mainly using Fender Pickups or Nordstrand pickups. Most people have said from memory that there was an improvement, but it wasn't huge.

So I went looking for other options. I was very happy with the 4 string Wilde P-46 pickups I put in 4 string Squier Fretless P and also a Mike Dirnt, so after reading a few threads on here about comparisons between the Atlas and P-46 I decided to give them a go. I got them earlier this week and they are pretty nice! A little bit of a modern edge to them but lots of good bottom end, and highs there if you want them. More output than the standard Squier Pups as you would expect.

I'll be using this bass for one of our sets at a gig tonight thru my Fender Super Bassman and Fender Pro Neo 610 and I'm looking forward to it!

IMAG0707_zpsurbyi7fg.jpg


IMAG0706_zps1kegf1yc.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShadowVampyre, BassmanM, bound'n'blocked and 1 other person
#1,929
Rocksolid said:
Can't believe no one has posted on this thread for 2+ months!!

As per my post above, I went ahead and purchased a 5 string M&V Guitars Atlas pickup for my VMP5. I've been in and around this thread since I purchased my VMP5 a couple of years ago, and most of the posts on here about pickup upgrades have revolved around mainly using Fender Pickups or Nordstrand pickups. Most people have said from memory that there was an improvement, but it wasn't huge.

So I went looking for other options. I was very happy with the 4 string Wilde P-46 pickups I put in 4 string Squier Fretless P and also a Mike Dirnt, so after reading a few threads on here about comparisons between the Atlas and P-46 I decided to give them a go. I got them earlier this week and they are pretty nice! A little bit of a modern edge to them but lots of good bottom end, and highs there if you want them. More output than the standard Squier Pups as you would expect.

I'll be using this bass for one of our sets at a gig tonight thru my Fender Super Bassman and Fender Pro Neo 610 and I'm looking forward to it!]
Click to expand...
The sorts of threads tend do slow down rather quickly, once a product is no longer available in stores.

I'm curious about your comment regarding the modern sound of the Atlas pickups.

IME, original 60's P-basses have a bright, extended top end. The common association with a dull, fat thump comes more from the way people used to set them up back then- leave the ashtray and foam mute on, roll off the treble, fit heavy La Bella flats, and don't change them until you break a string. Some guys even used felt picks as well.

One of my beefs with the Squire, was the fact that it sounded a little dull to my ears. In my case, it was caused by wildly out-of-spec pots.

So when you talk about a more modern sound, are you strictly talking about treble output, or a hotter overall output as well, with a fat bottom because of a midrange scoop?

That would make sense to me, looking at the big slugs on the Atlases. I associated Duncan QP's with that sort of sound as well, and tend to prefer vintage winds (of course that's just my preference).

It's a shame that Bill Lawrence didn't offer 5-string pickups under his brand. I've heard nothing but good things about his stuff, and recently put his Microcoil set into a Thinline Telecaster. I've never been much of a Tele guy, but when I feel like picking up a guitar, that thing is now my number one!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rocksolid
#1,930
steve_rolfeca said:
The sorts of threads tend do slow down rather quickly, once a product is no longer available in stores.

I'm curious about your comment regarding the modern sound of the Atlas pickups.

IME, original 60's P-basses have a bright, extended top end. The common association with a dull, fat thump comes more from the way people used to set them up back then- leave the ashtray and foam mute on, roll off the treble, fit heavy La Bella flats, and don't change them until you break a string. Some guys even used felt picks as well.

One of my beefs with the Squire, was the fact that it sounded a little dull to my ears. In my case, it was caused by wildly out-of-spec pots.

So when you talk about a more modern sound, are you strictly talking about treble output, or a hotter overall output as well, with a fat bottom because of a midrange scoop?

That would make sense to me, looking at the big slugs on the Atlases. I associated Duncan QP's with that sort of sound as well, and tend to prefer vintage winds (of course that's just my preference).

It's a shame that Bill Lawrence didn't offer 5-string pickups under his brand. I've heard nothing but good things about his stuff, and recently put his Microcoil set into a Thinline Telecaster. I've never been much of a Tele guy, but when I feel like picking up a guitar, that thing is now my number one!
Click to expand...

Yes, a little more extended highs, a little less honk, and fuller in the lows. More output, but nothing like the amount of a DiMarzio Model P for instance.
 
#1,936
Has anybody else had issue (other than weight) with the tuning pegs on their VMP5?

I was packing up after a gig on Friday night and saw what I thought may have been part of a necklace on the ground, picked it up to discover it was the head off my G string tuning peg. Looks like what ever was holding it in has corroded and it slipped right out.

Any advice on how to re-fix it? Tried slipping it back in and clamping the peg tight around it with not luck....maybe a stronger clamp or a bit of solder?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back