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Squier VM '70s Jazz vs G&L Tribute JB

#21
Sephiroth 420 said:
Yeah, I was planning on trying the '70s next to some P basses that I liked. Squier is coming out with the 2019 '70s P in Walnut and the '51 in 2-Tone next month, but I've heard mixed opinions on the Indo Classic Vibes. Also, I don't want to risk that bass being sold in the next few weeks, even if it is statistically unlikely. ;)

I'm mostly a P Bass guy judging by my favorite live shows, studio recordings, musicians and such, but I tend to favor the sound (not feel necessarily) of Jazz basses up close and personal. Weird.
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IMO the new CVs are being compared to the old Chinese CVs. Sure, they are not as good, but still “good for the price.” Basically a rebrand of the VM line. If budget is a concern, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over getting a squier. If budget is not a concern, why not MIM fender? Get a used fender for the price of a new G&L, easy.

FWIW, I used to prefer jazz basses. I liked the warm sound I got from favoring the neck pickup, what I thought a bass should sound like. But once I started gigging regularly, in a band mix “warm” became dull and mushy. I switched to a P bass and it’s all I play now. (Granted you can get a J bass to cut thru like that, it just takes some more tweaking. P bass is plug n play goodness.)
 
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#22
I think the G&L might be a bit nicer.
Which one makes you happy counts for more.

FYI, since you are still exploring your options,
I want to point out that while most people seem to like Js
better at home or in the store, most of us prefer Ps in a live band setting.

If you want to follow up on that, there must be about 4 million P vs J threads on here.
 
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#23
CallMeAl said:
IMO the new CVs are being compared to the old Chinese CVs. Sure, they are not as good, but still “good for the price.” Basically a rebrand of the VM line. If budget is a concern, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over getting a squier. If budget is not a concern, why not MIM fender? Get a used fender for the price of a new G&L, easy.

FWIW, I used to prefer jazz basses. I liked the warm sound I got from favoring the neck pickup, what I thought a bass should sound like. But once I started gigging regularly, in a band mix “warm” became dull and mushy. I switched to a P bass and it’s all I play now. (Granted you can get a J bass to cut thru like that, it just takes some more tweaking. P bass is plug n play goodness.)
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....and Stingray.
 
#25
How much are you paying for the Squier? The cheapest G&L JB is going for $399 without any discounts (and quite good looking in blue). MF usually allows you to apply their 15% discount to them whenever they run one as well. I haven't seen a new VM Squier for $250, although I'm sure you can get a used one for that.

The G&L is a better bass, imo. Worth noting that G&L uses U.S. pickups and the U.S. bridge on their Tribute basses.
 
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#27
Either will serve the purpose. I think the bridge on the G&Ls is a cut above and even the Asian G&Ls have excellent fit and finish.

How weight sensitive are you? G&Ls in my experience tend to be on the heavy side, but other than that...
 
#32
AcridSaint said:
How much are you paying for the Squier? The cheapest G&L JB is going for $399 without any discounts (and quite good looking in blue). MF usually allows you to apply their 15% discount to them whenever they run one as well. I haven't seen a new VM Squier for $250, although I'm sure you can get a used one for that.

The G&L is a better bass, imo. Worth noting that G&L uses U.S. pickups and the U.S. bridge on their Tribute basses.
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The Squier MSRP is $350. I can't imagine playing much less, my local GC gets stubborn about discounting anything beyond a strap or package of picks. I could see the G&L's going on sale at some point, though.
 
#33
Sephiroth 420 said:
The Squier MSRP is $350. I can't imagine playing much less, my local GC gets stubborn about discounting anything beyond a strap or package of picks. I could see the G&L's going on sale at some point, though.
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You should be able to get the JB2 for less than a $150 difference then, even without a sale. Musician's Friend has the same return policy as GC and you can even try to call them up and get a discount, although I don't know how much they will haggle when they aren't running a promo.
 
#36
Sephiroth 420 said:
The Squier MSRP is $350. I can't imagine playing much less, my local GC gets stubborn about discounting anything beyond a strap or package of picks. I could see the G&L's going on sale at some point, though.
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My Squier VM Jazz V (which has a higher MSP than the 4-strings) was $300 out-the-door (though it was a display unit).
 
#37
I've owned both basses in question...sort of. My G&L JB is a USA model, but I also have the LB-100 Tribby and a considerable history with both Tribby and USA JB-2s. I've had Squiers as designated beaters, and been impressed with the quality of post-2008 offerings.

It boils down to your level of commitment to the bass. IF you find yourself not into it, early on, the Squier will liquidate easier, as well as involve a lesser initial investment. Somehow, I think that, if you are here, you are not going to give up early. The G&L has better component parts, and, more importantly, the new Tribute JB as pictured shows a 21st fret; a definite plus.

Sound-wise, my USA JB has 1964 "holy grail" tone, and I suspect that the latest Tribute offerings will be in a similar ballpark. My JB-2s all got aftermarket pickups, and were workhorses for several years, but that's for another discussion. The JB-2 is no-longer made in the USA, but all models have 21 frets.

What I'm getting at is the idea that the G&L Tribute JB is more likely to take you farther, in your musical journey. It will also make you a member of a more exclusive fraternity, not a large herd. No disrespect to the Squiers. I still have my spare Gotoh 201 bridge and Quarter Pounder pickups, if I ever stumble into one again, or one of the grandkids wants to get a bass of their own, in a few more years.
 
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#39
AcridSaint said:
How much are you paying for the Squier? The cheapest G&L JB is going for $399 without any discounts (and quite good looking in blue). MF usually allows you to apply their 15% discount to them whenever they run one as well. I haven't seen a new VM Squier for $250, although I'm sure you can get a used one for that.

The G&L is a better bass, imo. Worth noting that G&L uses U.S. pickups and the U.S. bridge on their Tribute basses.
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Where is the G&L JB Tribute going for $399? Not being a wise guy, I am really debating getting one.
 

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