Squier VM 70's vs 77

[Gluvhand]

Looking to pick up one of the two. Anybody that's played both feel like chiming in on the differences, if any? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Eilif]

I've only played the 70 and found it to be a good little bass The two are very similar instruments with a few differences

70/77
Body wood: Soft Maple/Agathis
Finish: Polyurethane/Polyester
Neck blocks: Pearloid blocks/Black Blocks
Colors: Red, Natural, White / Sunburst, Natural, black
Knobs: Chrome / Strat Style
Everything else seems to be identical.

I'd have to try them out in person, but I'd probably go with the '77 as despite it's reputation as "cheap" Agathis sounds fine as a tone wood and is usually notably lighter than maple. Black blocks are cool, but so is pearloid and the sunburst looks great. I'd definitely put different knobs on there though.

 

[Gluvhand]

I've only played the 70 and found it to be a good little bass The two are very similar instruments with a few differences

70/77
Body wood: Soft Maple/Agathis
Finish: Polyurethane/Polyester
Neck blocks: Pearloid blocks/Black Blocks
Colors: Red, Natural, White / Sunburst, Natural, black
Knobs: Chrome / Strat Style
Everything else seems to be identical.

I'd have to try them out in person, but I'd probably go with the '77 as despite it's reputation as "cheap" Agathis sounds fine as a tone wood and is usually notably lighter than maple. Black blocks are cool, but so is pearloid and the sunburst looks great. I'd definitely put different knobs on there though.

Thanks for the input. Appreciated.

Regarding the body weight, I also thought that the agathis would consistently be lighter than the soft maple, but while looking through Sweetwater the heaviest example of both models was a red '77 that came in a 10 lbs 8 ounces. The weights on both did vary from 8-9 lbs generally.

I'm still a bit curious regarding body finishes and if one is more durable.

 

[Wallace320]

Ehm: no
If it's candy apple/metallic red it's '70s VM ('77 only comes in natural - soft maple, just like '70s, which is way lighter than hard rock maple - solid black and 3ts: both're agathis)
I'd like natural '77 for it's maple, but with pearloid blocks and ivoroid bindin', 'cause it's a poor man's Marcus Miller
Now both model, '70s and '77, come with Fender designed pickups, glossy necks and three laminate bodies, while before they had Duncan Designed pickup, satin neck and two laminate bodies...
Well: pickups don't vary that much, for Fender's are mellow, but Duncan Designed were the 101 series (so AlNiCo and "retro" wounded); I much prefer glossy necks, but they're still soft one piece maple so still hit or miss; finally, fit n'finish ain't stellar (but get me: excellent for the price) so much better a two piece body, with junction under pickup and bridge, than present three piece bodies, with two usually evident junctions.

Still, if you like classic, natural '77 retains both looks and slap tone of the master him self. Don't get fooled by agathis: it's just light, both in weight and personality thru a band mix.

My €. 0,02

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[Gluvhand]

Ehm: no
If it's candy apple/metallic red it's '70s VM ('77 only comes in natural - soft maple, just like '70s, which is way lighter than hard rock maple - solid black and 3ts: both're agathis)
I'd like natural '77 for it's maple, but with pearloid blocks and ivoroid bindin', 'cause it's a poor man's Marcus Miller
Now both model, '70s and '77, come with Fender designed pickups, glossy necks and three laminate bodies, while before they had Duncan Designed pick up satin neck and two laminate bodies...
Well: pickups don't vary that much, for Fender's are mellow, but Duncan Designed were the 101 series (so AlNiCo and "retro" wounded); I much prefer glossy necks, but they're still soft one piece maple so still hit n'miss; finally, fit n'finish ain't stellar (but get me: excellent for the price) so much better a two piece body, with junction under pickup and bridge, than present three piece bodies, with two usually evident junctions.

Still, if you like classic, natural '77 retains both looks and slap tone of the master him self. Don't get fooled by agathis: it's just light, both in weight and personality thru a band mix.

My €. 0,02

Cheers,
Wallace

Thanks for the correction, Wallace. I've been thinking so hard on my choice I guess I got it backwards. Thanks for all the great info and opinions.

 

[Wallace320]

Thanks for the correction, Wallace. I've been thinking so hard on my choice I guess I got it backwards. Thanks for all the great info and opinions.

You welcome!
I just decided to tribute for I had up to three VM natural '70s
(and up to three CV Jazz '60s... and up to three Fender Classic fiesta '50s Precision... ain't it the perfect number for nuthin?)

Cheers,
Wallace