Squier VM Jaguar Bass

[benjammin420]

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

I agree, I dont care what the name is as long as its a decent instrument. I had alot of double take reactions when I used to play an Epiphone korina Flying V, people would see it with a look of wonder on their faces, then look at the name and scoff. No one complained about the tone or the look, but "ooh its an Epiphone " Eventually I put a peice of electical tape over the logo and everyone loved it after that.

Particularly in the case of these VM and CV guitars and basses, I think the Squier name is pretty respectable, having fun and saving money is always a plus in my book.

One thing that bothers me though is when copies had lame headstocks, ie, SX Ursa basses, I wouldnt be caught dead with an instrument that looked like that, swap the headstock to the older design (or a Fender style) and I'd be more than happy to rock it

 

[Batmensch]

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.

Seriously, if you feel weird for showing up with a Squier, then you have serious self-confidence issues. Again, why should you care what others think. Anybody who would have the chutspah to judge you based on your equipment choice is someone who's opinion has no value.

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

No, but I doubt very much I'm gonna get a beat down for playing a Squier.

 

[mccartneyman]

When Fender basses came out, "real" bass players laughed at them as well.

 

[Batmensch]

I agree, I dont care what the name is as long as its a decent instrument. I had alot of double take reactions when I used to play an Epiphone korina Flying V, people would see it with a look of wonder on their faces, then look at the name and scoff. No one complained about the tone or the look, but "ooh its an Epiphone " Eventually I put a peice of electical tape over the logo and everyone loved it after that.

Particularly in the case of these VM and CV guitars and basses, I think the Squier name is pretty respectable, having fun and saving money is always a plus in my book.

One thing that bothers me though is when copies had lame headstocks, ie, SX Ursa basses, I wouldnt be caught dead with an instrument that looked like that, swap the headstock to the older design (or a Fender style) and I'd be more than happy to rock it

No disrespect meant, but that's just as bad to me as the headstock decal thing.

 

[mccartneyman]

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

I put Rotosound flats on it and it sounds very much better -- very Motown with the P PUP Only.

 

[selowitch]

When Fender basses came out, "real" bass players laughed at them as well.

That's true.

 

[benjammin420]

No disrespect meant, but that's just as bad to me as the headstock decal thing.

No offense taken, we all have our certain hang ups though, I just happen to like intruments that I qualify as good looking, as well as playing and sounding. Fortunately in this day and age there are so many varieties to choose from, one can make visual appeal a factor and still end up with a good playing and sounding bass (I'm not saying I would refuse an ugly bass in a pinch, but as far as something I would spend my money to own, not likely) So no, I'm not any different than a person who's hung up and names, I guess I was drawn to music as a kid as much by the image as the music, in my mind, the "icon" is the look, not the name.

 

[SurferJoe46]

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

Right now I am still running the stock Fender's so-called 7250NPS strings - and they sound really good.

When they get tiring or tired, I'm going to use the ROTOSOUND RS45s on it and hopefully they will be more stable than the Fender 7250s.

Besides my one P with 77s, all the rest of my basses run Elixir Nanos with the kitty fur.

If you work at playing with the stock 7250s, I bet you'll like them better in a short while.

 

[RBrownBass]

Exactly my position. I've seen too many people on forums saying stuff like,
" I have Brand X bass on order, and as soon as it gets here I'm gonna swap out the pickups, electronics, bridge, tuners, and neck."
Seems silly not to wait and make sure it actually needs those changes. Don't just do it because it seems to be "the thing to do".

That's just it- you're ignoring the fact that modding IS "the thing to do" for some people.

I've bought basses and used them stock (well, they were shielded, set up and given my choice of strings, but that is all), but I'm a tinkerer at heart, and if I can kill two birds with one stone (building*/modding my basses and then playing them) I will do it most of the time. I look at basses on eBay all the time thinking about what I'd do if I owned it. I've planned and built entire instruments around a pickup or bridge because I liked how it looked at the time. Some of these projects turned out like crap, and others went well both aeshetically and sonically. Plus, Fenders, with their Volkswagen-esque assembly methods and readily available aftermarket parts, pretty much beg to be customized as one wishes. If you're over 40, just think of the sheer number of Beetles you've seen that were something other than stock.

*"building" in this case refers not to true lutherie but my assembly of Fender-style parts. I'm not trying to claim great levels of skill or knowledge

 

[Hans Gruber]

Seriously, if you feel weird for showing up with a Squier, then you have serious self-confidence issues. Again, why should you care what others think. Anybody who would have the chutspah to judge you based on your equipment choice is someone who's opinion has no value.



No, but I doubt very much I'm gonna get a beat down for playing a Squier.

Depends on the situation. If you're doing some cold call professional gig, people expect decent equipment (not saying this isn't "decent", but you know what I mean). Of course, you can prove them wrong easily, but sometimes I'd like to avoid raising eyebrows if I can and be taken seriously. It's like a first impression. I recently took on a pro project and I dressed a certain look for the first rehearsal, etc. But now I'm the regular guy and show up in my jammies just because I can.

Then again, this bass is so damn cool, I think people may forget the name even!

 

[SurferJoe46]

I had a lot of trouble showing up at a studio for some bass trax with my Ibanez. I also had my Fender with me, but the sound engineer loudly declared that he would not allow me to play the Ibanez in his studio.

So - brand recognition happens to people who play basses when they open the case and something 'wrong' is inside.

I love all my basses or I would not have bought them - but seriously I have no problems with someone playing a Squier - of which I own three - or an Ibanez - of which I have two.

That was the first and last time that engineer was that way as I did the gig and the next time I just brought the Ibanez and played it and he had to tough it out.

If someone is prissy enough to insult my choice in bass, then I pack up my toys and go home. I don't need people with attitudes.

Love me - love my bass.

 

[bassist4dalord]

I played one of these at GC and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it! Still new to a useful P/J setup; this one sounds awesome. Also new to the 4-string Jazz neck; felt great! I ended up buying a 5-string single coil-equipped Squier P, but I really liked that Jag!

 

[Batmensch]

I had a lot of trouble showing up at a studio for some bass trax with my Ibanez. I also had my Fender with me, but the sound engineer loudly declared that he would not allow me to play the Ibanez in his studio.

So - brand recognition happens to people who play basses when they open the case and something 'wrong' is inside.

I love all my basses or I would not have bought them - but seriously I have no problems with someone playing a Squier - of which I own three - or an Ibanez - of which I have two.

That was the first and last time that engineer was that way as I did the gig and the next time I just brought the Ibanez and played it and he had to tough it out.

If someone is prissy enough to insult my choice in bass, then I pack up my toys and go home. I don't need people with attitudes.

Love me - love my bass.

Amen. Any supposed "professional" (and I use the term loosely in this context) who is more concerned about the name on my gear than how well I play is not somebody I want to work with. If I am someone who's talented enough to get the work in the first place, then I should have no trouble finding work elsewhere with someone who is a real pro. It's a matter of common courtesy and respect.

 

[Hans Gruber]

Amen. Any supposed "professional" (and I use the term loosely in this context) who is more concerned about the name on my gear than how well I play is not somebody I want to work with. If I am someone who's talented enough to get the work in the first place, then I should have no trouble finding work elsewhere with someone who is a real pro. It's a matter of common courtesy and respect.

For me, it's just a simple matter of paying my bills. So if the person is being prissy about it but they're paying me good money for a gig, then I'll do my best to accommodate. Am I selling out? Maybe to a younger person I am, but I think things change a little as I get older and try to work in LA.

Again, I'm not saying anything about the VM Jaguar because I love it.

On the other hand, is it superficial for someone to go gaga over a pre-CBS Fender you bring to the session? Same thing, don't judge the bass, judge the player? But people do notice.

Yes they need to get over it, but would you use cheap pickups into a $700,000 board? Granted, it's all context and not all of us do that. I suppose it's one thing in a home studio and another if Steve Lilywhite were producing.

I remember in "It Might Get Loud" when Lilywhite asked the Edge to use a different guitar. And he goes "I don't have another! You'll just have to deal with it"

 

[BulbousMoses]

For me, it's just a simple matter of paying my bills. So if the person is being prissy about it but they're paying me good money for a gig, then I'll do my best to accommodate. Am I selling out? Maybe to a younger person I am, but I think things change a little as I get older and try to work in LA.

Again, I'm not saying anything about the VM Jaguar because I love it.

On the other hand, is it superficial for someone to go gaga over a pre-CBS Fender you bring to the session? Same thing, don't judge the bass, judge the player? But people do notice.

Yes they need to get over it, but would you use cheap pickups into a $700,000 board? Granted, it's all context and not all of us do that. I suppose it's one thing in a home studio and another if Steve Lilywhite were producing.

I remember in "It Might Get Loud" when Lilywhite asked the Edge to use a different guitar. And he goes "I don't have another! You'll just have to deal with it"

Good points but I don't think any producer in the world is going to turn up his nose when McCartney pulls out his Hofner and says he want s to use it on such and such a track..

 

[Hans Gruber]

Good points but I don't think any producer in the world is going to turn up his nose when McCartney pulls out his Hofner and says he want s to use it on such and such a track..

Sure, but the Hofner has a certain historical reputation and Squier doesn't, even if the Hofner isn't that great of a bass in itself.

And Paul is in a whole other category as artist. I'm a session sideman, not the artist who can call all the shots.

But again, context.

 

[BulbousMoses]

Sure, but the Hofner has a certain historical reputation and Squier doesn't, even if the Hofner isn't that great of a bass in itself.

And Paul is in a whole other category as artist. I'm a session sideman, not the artist who can call all the shots.

But again, context.

True...when you're a world famous bassist and former member of the Beatles, you can do whatever you want. That said, McCartney was not nearly as famous in 1962 and the Hofner was a cheap symmetrical bass without any cachet (at that time). I guess we're also taking about live versus recording and such (context).

 

[Batmensch]

Well, I suppose if I were a session man and that was my sole income, I might be more cautious. In all honesty, I would have absolutely no problem using a "real" Fender at a session whether or not it was required anyway.

 

[BulbousMoses]

Well, I suppose if I were a session man and that was my sole income, I might be more cautious. But I have to ask, does this situation actually happen all that much with pros?

Probably not but I'm sure there's a famous pro or 2 that's used a "budget" bass on a recording and just never let it be widely known.

 

[skwee]

I'm getting the impression that Squires are in way better shape these days than they were a few years ago, and that's great. However, when I was shopping for my bass (I ended up with a "real" Jaguar at the end of my journey), even when I had picked up a decent feeling, looking, and sounding Squire, the voice in the back of my head was saying: "you own a Squire strat, and it is a horrible instrument, with lots of issues--this bass will be just as cheap, and something will go wrong after you bring it home".

In the end I probably could have saved hundreds of dollars, but I decided to look at the purchase as an investment, and that led me to the Jaguar, even though the price point was higher.