Squier VM Fretless - old Duncan Designed vs new Fender designed pickup versions

[Gorn]

Anyone know how they compare? The new ones come with Fender-designed pickups rather than duncan designed. Any major differences in the pickups or the bass in general?

I wanna make a back up bass for my jazz with this and a fretted neck and I love pickguardless bodies.

 

[ohskigod]

Truth be told, if you're making it a project bass with a neck swap, you're probably going to change the pick ups too. that said I like the Duncan Designed.

Another factor, i think the neck pocket on the fretless is different than the fretted models, I swapped a fretted neck on and it seems to ride higher than normal (I assumed it was to compensate for lack of frets, if that makes sense?) I made both the fretted and fretless versions into project bases and i reversed course on the fretless version and reverted it back to fretless. Damn it looked good without the pickguard though, so i know where your coming from on that regard.

The fretted version turned into my primary player, of course the only thing left stock is the actual body.

If your just looking for a pickguardless body, maybe just buy a mighty mite or warmoth body and go from there?

 

[Kukulkan61]

The DD pups are pretty damn good for stock budget pups,the new pups they're using now would have to be way better to even compare,from a few comments here on TB it sounds like everyone prefers the DDs...

 

[KevInDaBassment]

If it's the same pickups they are putting in the Squier CV's now, then I'd say the Fender ones are better. Had a VM P-bass and the VM 70's jazz that came with the DD pickups. My Squier CV 60's P was quite superior and the CV J's were much better to my ears as well. YMMV, I felt the tone was less tinny and had better low-end response on the Fenders.

 

[Malak the Mad]

It's hard for me to say which I prefer, but a new VM Jazz (2013 or 2014, I can't remember) I tried recently has me leaning a little towards the Fender Designed pickups. I must say, it was pretty ballsy…strong output with plenty of grit in the sound without sounding brittle or scratchy. It is possible that I found a diamond in the rough, though.

If it's the same pickups they are putting in the Squier CV's now, then I'd say the Fender ones are better. Had a VM P-bass and the VM 70's jazz that came with the DD pickups. My Squier CV 60's P was quite superior and the CV J's were much better to my ears as well. YMMV, I felt the tone was less tinny and had better low-end response on the Fenders.

Come to think of it, it did sound pretty similar to a CV Jazz I had earlier this year. Maybe they switched to one production line of pickups and went in favor with the higher-grade?

 

[tangentmusic]

I've got an older VM jazz (fretted) with the DD's in it.
Love 'em. They aint goin' anywhere.

 

[macmanlou]

Another factor, i think the neck pocket on the fretless is different than the fretted models, I swapped a fretted neck on and it seems to ride higher than normal (I assumed it was to compensate for lack of frets, if that makes sense?)...

I swapped the neck from a VM Jazz fretless onto a VM Precision body. It fit perfectly.

 

[Malak the Mad]

It's hard for me to say which I prefer, but a new VM Jazz (2013 or 2014, I can't remember) I tried recently has me leaning a little towards the Fender Designed pickups. I must say, it was pretty ballsy…strong output with plenty of grit in the sound without sounding brittle or scratchy. It is possible that I found a diamond in the rough, though.

UPDATE: I got to take a peek at that VM Jazz again today. It's a 2013 model, complete with the Fender Designed pickups and glossy-finished neck. Definitely a whole lotta bass for so few bucks, even brand new.