Squier VM Jaguar Bass

[johnk_10]

I played a black/maple/"pearl" block/bound Squire VM Jazz today. Again, a really nice bass - as is the Jaguar that was hanging next to it. For $600 one could have a couple really nice basses.

I wish I could get over the big "Squire" on the headstock. I know that makes me shallow, but I can't help it.

my 77 VM jazz bass is due to be here any minute now. hopefully it'll be lightweight. the squier logo bugs me too, so i'll probably re-decal it after i shape the neck to my liking and shoot it with gloss nitro. i don't have a problem doing it on my own bass, and after all Fender does own the company and it already says Squier 'by Fender' anyway.

 

[Batmensch]

Saw one on Saturday. They look brilliant. Makes me wish I was righthanded.

Wait a while. They have a lefty version of the VM Jazz, which, AFAIK, is Squier's best selling bass, If the sales on the Jag turn out well, they may at some point decide to do a lefty version.

 

[Tommygunn]

Each to its own. I'd just gloss it the way it is. Then again I'm one of those who would rather a squier over a fender. But with a gloss neck.

 

[Batmensch]

my 77 VM jazz bass is due to be here any minute now. hopefully it'll be lightweight. the squier logo bugs me too, so i'll probably re-decal it after i shape the neck to my liking and shoot it with gloss nitro. i don't have a problem doing it on my own bass, and after all Fender does own the company and it already says Squier 'by Fender' anyway.

I don't get it, why all this insecurity about the name? That makes no sense to me whatsoever.

 

[johnk_10]

it's not 'insecurity' for me. it's just that i've been playing fender jazz basses so long, anything else on the headstock just looks wrong to me.

 

[BassDudeSA]

I am not a techie like some of you guys and I have not checked the wiring, or even every fret of every string to search for dead spots. I've been playing over 30 years, play several gigs a week and own seven other Fenders and Squiers, Mexican, US, and etc. So that's where I'm coming from. I like a variety of quality because it is fun for me to notice differences.

I received my Squier Jag a week ago from Music Farm on Ebay. $255 with their 15% discount at the time, no tax, free shipping, couldn't resist. I have used it now for a rehearsal and a gig last night. No problems whatsover. Granted I did not give it a thorough examination, other than checking for blemishes once out of the box, just wanted to make sure it wasn't a 2nd. It was perfect. Everything is just as is should be on this bass and no problems. Of course I set it up to my preference. Sounds and plays great. I would say that overall my Mexican Fenders play and sound slightly better, just like my USA basses sound and play slightly better than those. So it is all about price. Without a doubt these Squiers are the best value, and when comparing quality to value, these Squiers win hands down. If I was starting from scratch and had about $300 to spend? I'd say that overall this (and similar) Squiers are great but I'd probably prefer a slightly used Mexican P or J for the same price.

 

[PhiDeck]

The Squier VM Jaguar at the Sarasota Sam Ash came out of its shipping box with pretty horrible string to pick-ups alignment. That was prior to in-store set-up (if any), and I haven't been back since.

Is what I saw typical of the Jag, or an exception?

 

[SurferJoe46]

An exception.

Mine was very well set up and even the height was pretty much A-OK. I only just raised them a scosch and they are fine - but I feel any bass needs a little personalization for each player.

Too bad you blew that one off - since after a nice setup, you'd be telling everybody how great it is and that's the general consensus about them.

The qualifier 'for what they cost' is a diss at the whole bass - they really are good and it's not just a money thing or off centered loyalty to a pig-bass.

People who pay 'way too much for a bass and then brag about it's charms are the off centered loyal ones. Perhaps they can save the price tag for their toe tag when they die - I dunnow!

Design-wise, they are a P/J and that's new to me and I LIKE IT. Seriously so! Novelty or not - they are a hot bass with great persona and timbre.

Now ----> if Squier deigns to bring out a VM-Hot Rod - just don't get in front of my Amigo when I go to get it. You've been warned.

 

[Batmensch]

An exception.

Mine was very well set up and even the height was pretty much A-OK. I only just raised them a scosch and they are fine - but I feel any bass needs a little personalization for each player.

Too bad you blew that one off - since after a nice setup, you'd be telling everybody how great it is and that's the general consensus about them.

The qualifier 'for what they cost' is a diss at the whole bass - they really are good and it's not just a money thing or off centered loyalty to a pig-bass.

People who pay 'way too much for a bass and then brag about it's charms are the off centered loyal ones. Perhaps they can save the price tag for their toe tag when they die - I dunnow!

Design-wise, they are a P/J and that's new to me and I LIKE IT. Seriously so! Novelty or not - they are a hot bass with great persona and timbre.

Now ----> if Squier deigns to bring out a VM-Hot Rod - just don't get in front of my Amigo when I go to get it. You've been warned.

This is my exact feeling, Joe. I see that all the time, Squiers are great basses for the money", and I think that's way wrong. Squiers are great basses, period. The fact they cost about 1/4 as much as a MIA Fender is a bonus.

 

[SurferJoe46]

This is my exact feeling, Joe. I see that all the time, Squiers are great basses for the money", and I think that's way wrong. Squiers are great basses, period. The fact they cost about 1/4 as much as a MIA Fender is a bonus.

Thanks

- and now let's form a prayer circle for the next VM - the VM-Hot Rod!

If we get enough good vibes going out - who knows if Squier won't hear us?!?

Let's at least start a rumor and maybe it'll really happen. So far, they've pretty well amazed me and brought out some righteously cool New-Old stuff.

 

[PhiDeck]

An exception.

Mine was very well set up and even the height was pretty much A-OK. I only just raised them a scosch and they are fine - but I feel any bass needs a little personalization for each player.

Too bad you blew that one off - since after a nice setup, you'd be telling everybody how great it is and that's the general consensus about them.

Actually, the Squier VM Jaguar remains on the top of my list. My only qualm was the pick-ups alignment. Glad what I saw is not endemic. Thanks.

 

[selowitch]

Played one at GC the other day.

1. I forgot to check the pickup alignment, so no comment there;
2. Liked the lightness of the body;
3. Thought the electronics sounded excellent generally. Tremendous punch, thump, and warmth. Super-nice tone;
4. The function of the stacked knobs was a bit mysterious to me. Why do some settings on the bottom half of the concentric bridge pot seem to cause the bass to go mute?
5. Loved the block inlays but wished for a bound fingerboard and a heavier, glossier neck finish;
6. I guess I assumed that the back of the neck was going to be black like the face of the headstock; the fact that it wasn't was a bit of a letdown.

Overall, a nice bass but I think I'll save up for a used Stu Hamm Urge Standard instead.

 

[Batmensch]

Seriously, is pickup alignment such a big deal other than aesthetically?

 

[selowitch]

Seriously, is pickup alignment such a big deal other than aesthetically?

It's not. But it does speak to overall build quality.

 

[FletcherML]

I played one of these the other day on a break from the studio in Salt Lake City. I liked it a lot. I think I'm gonna pick one up. I'm all about fender p basses so i doubt this bass will see a lot of shows, but it will be fun to play at home

 

[BulbousMoses]

My Jag has arrived. I will be posting pics as soon as I figure out how to set up a Photobucket account, etc. But I will give you my first impressions of the bass. First off, it looks fantastic. I was never really a fan of the black/tort combination before this but I quite like it after seeing it in person. The fit and finish is excellent. Neck pocket is very tight, no finish flaws on the body. Frets are well dressed with no edges poking out at all. The back of the neck is a beautiful smooth satin finish and almost has a birdseye pattern to it. The fingerboard is unbound and the rosewood has a nice tight grain with well executed block inlays. The neck is very definately a J neck and very fast and comfortable to play.

The pickups sound quite hot/aggresive for passives. I like the tone and variation of the P/J setup alot. Slight hum with just the J but that's nothing new or unexpected.

Now the negatives: The bass was not well set up at the factory (I didn't expect it to be and I always have an instrument set up to my liking anyway)

The string alignment is off somewhat but not horribly so and it's really an asthetic thing, IMHO. It could probably be rectified but unless it causes a problem tonally, I'll leave it as it is for now.

The stacked volume/tone controls....ahhh yes...well, I'm not sure that I can say this is a negative but I find the detents a little weird. They work as designed and I don't have the issue that a few people have had where the volume control moves with the tone control on the P pickup. That said, I think I will need to get used to this as I've never used stacked controls before this bass.

My verdict: Well worth the money. The positives far outweigh the negatives for me and those negative issues are all "fixable" if I choose to go that route. If Squier can tighten up their QC on the string alignment issue and the stacked controls (which I believe they will) then this will be an even better buy.

FWIW, I also love the matching headstock..just a "looks" thing but it really makes the bass look mean and ready to rock.

 

[SurferJoe46]

That's it!

The black head makes me think of a black-out grill on the SS versions of some Chevy street-racers.

 

[fasto]

which strings do other Squier VM Jaguar owner use? The factory strings sound bad in my ears. Any suggestions?

 

[selowitch]

which strings do other Squier VM Jaguar owner use? The factory strings sound bad in my ears. Any suggestions?

There's a whole 'nuther forum devoted to strings. Check there. I personally think D'addario Chromes would sound great on the Jag.

 

[selowitch]

I don't get it, why all this insecurity about the name? That makes no sense to me whatsoever.

I know lots of folks who just don't feel right if the headstock doesn't say "Fender." It's an almost mystical thing. Maybe it's shallow of us, but I totally get it. Perfect example is the Squier CV 60s P-Bass. As a piece of musical equipment, it rivals most MIM Fenders and even some MIAs, but one feels weird showing up to a gig or session with what is often regarded as an inferior, budget brand.

Be honest. Would you want to drive up to a biker bar in something other than a Harley?