Squier VM Jaguar Bass

[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.

My rants were about the self-confidence issues. I'm just it's not the only thing that is effected in terms of name and brand recognition. I think those things can matter deeply.

Regardless, I'm gonna buy one as a backup to my Nordy. I saw the Jag at GC and fell in love!

 

[SteveC]

The Jag at our store is NOTICEABLY lighter than the jazz. That thing is heavy. I like the tone of the jazz better, but the Jag is cool. That's just me.

 

[SurferJoe46]

My rants were about the self-confidence issues. I'm just it's not the only thing that is effected in terms of name and brand recognition. I think those things can matter deeply.

Regardless, I'm gonna buy one as a backup to my Nordy. I saw the Jag at GC and fell in love!

I'd be more inclined to fear that my clothes could fall off or the drummer might accidentally poke me in the eye with one of his sticks - than any quality-of-manufacturer issues on a piece of gear (if I had not just taken out of a box and plugged it in for the first time).

I know we all are affected by different things. My wife f'rinstance, is scared of spiders.

I personally don't like rats and mice. MY phobia is perfectly rational and well-placed, where my wife's is NOT.

However, I guess we all float our boats in different waters.

Just trying to find some acreage in the logic that the higher priced name on the head could impart special prowess or mental imagery. I mean - the strings aren't gonna fall off or the neck crack on you - so where does self-confidence come in?

Once I've played a piece of equipment, I can rest assured that it sounds good and will do the job. That's really all I worry about.

Quite frankly, after my trip today to visit the pawn shops, I don't think there's any REALLY bad gear out there --- just perceptions of peer-players, tone whores and bass fashionistas. Gotta admit up front here that I used to be a tone whore with the best of them.

Note that I NEVER worried about the right bass/string/amp/tuners for METAL - but I find that decent technique and style are more important.

If I was playing bass for a living ---

I wouldn't --- at least, not under that sort of brand name criteria.​

If fear of failure and peer acceptability was what I though playing a Squier was all about - I'd put a Squier decal on my Fenders and my Ibanezes too. Yeah - I'm a rebel.

Me? If the shrink says I'm OK - I can have matches and sharp objects again - but under adult supervision. I will NEVER get over the discontent I feel when I see a rat or mouse though.

 

[Hans Gruber]

Quite frankly, after my trip today to visit the pawn shops, I don't think there's any REALLY bad gear out there --- just perceptions of peer-players, tone whores and bass fashionistas. Gotta admit up front here that I used to be a tone whore with the best of them.

Fashionista is right.

This is going to lead to the age old debate about the importance of tone which I won't go into.

 

[selowitch]

I think we can all agree that the distinctions among various makes of basses are fairly small. It's fun to talk about gear and it's of course a pleasure to buy a new bass that looks cool and plays well, but when it gets right down to it, most of one's energy should go into practicing, gigging/recording, and having a good time!

Don't get me wrong -- I enjoy obsessing about equipment as much as the next guy. But it's certainly not something that should eclipse actually playing the gosh-darned thing!

 

[Hans Gruber]

I think we can all agree that the distinctions among various makes of basses are fairly small. It's fun to talk about gear and it's of course a pleasure to buy a new bass that looks cool and plays well, but when it gets right down to it, most of one's energy should go into practicing, gigging/recording, and having a good time!

Don't get me wrong -- I enjoy obsessing about equipment as much as the next guy. But it's certainly not something that should eclipse actually playing the gosh-darned thing!

Absolutely, though all the great musicians have great tone, or at least "their sound". Sure 9-% comes from the hands. Classical players in particular are known for their flawless technique and discipline, but they care about their tone. Keith Jarrett doesn't play any old piano, even if he can play the heck out of them.

But I agree, the ENERGY should go more into the practicing and playing part. I like what Marcus Miller had to say about it: spend the time you need to get the right gear, then move on.

 

[jmfresh]

Question about the skunk stripe on the back of the neck. I picked up a Jag at the local Sam Ash. It's an impressive instrument for $300. I did notice on the back of the neck that the skunk stripe looked like it was just a different color stain, rather than a different piece of wood. At the headstock end of the skunk stripe, it looked like a preschooler had used a marker and had drawn outside of the lines. For those lucky enough to have a Jag, what's your skunk stripe like? A differenct piece of wood, or just different stain in a line?

 

[SurferJoe46]

If it's done with a marking pen - it's pretty good!

I only see totally different and definitely distinct grain differences. Anybody who could draw that good should be hand counterfeiting twenty dollar bills.

Hopefully, this doesn't resurface another debate over the 'painted-on-verses-inlaid' fretboard patterns again too.

 

[BulbousMoses]

I just took a look at mine and it's definitely a different piece of wood. Authentic skunk stripe..

 

[Swerve]

I played one of these at GC and wasn't very impressed. The look and feel of it overall seemed very cheap. Though I'm sure most of the issues I had with it could be remedied with a decent set up and some better strings. I ended up purchasing a used MIM P for 250$ so I'm happy with my purchase either way.

 

[SurferJoe46]

I played one of these at GC and wasn't very impressed. The look and feel of it overall seemed very cheap. Though I'm sure most of the issues I had with it could be remedied with a decent set up and some better strings. I ended up purchasing a used MIM P for 250$ so I'm happy with my purchase either way.

Hruuuumph! Just for saying that - you are [DEL]NOT[/DEL] NEVER gonna be eligible for a very highly vaulted and desired VM-Jaguar Club membership!

I'm happy you got that MiM P though - I am thinking about the same move for me at the mo. The MiMs are seriously slammed here on TB and I don't see why!

BUT - and just to make you happy - I went over and played my VM-Jag with the OE STOCK 7250 NPS strings.

I gotta be fair here --- but I still like them.

FYI: This is the ONLY bass I have with stocker strings on it from Fender or Squier and this is the ONLY one that will have them (or an extremely close facsimile on them) for the foreseeable future.

I'll buy the 'setup' part as everyone likes that a little different. I cannot however, fathom any cheapness in mine at all - nor any of the other VM-Jags I have found hanging in any store.

 

[jacostilllives]

Just bought one of these bad boys at GC a few weeks ago.

I love the P/J combo. Sounds super dope. Only thing that you have to do with it is replace the bridge (hipshot vintage ftw). The bridge is serious crap, but besides that everything else was almost perfect. Oh and I had to resolder one of the neck pickup wires. Took 40 seconds with a soldering iron.

The neck plays just as good as my MIA Deluxe 5 string Jazz bass. No weird dips or twists. Also the access to the higher frets is much easier on the Jag. Light as hell and honestly the tone kicks some serious ass. Very very impressed with it.

 

[Batmensch]

Question about the skunk stripe on the back of the neck. I picked up a Jag at the local Sam Ash. It's an impressive instrument for $300. I did notice on the back of the neck that the skunk stripe looked like it was just a different color stain, rather than a different piece of wood. At the headstock end of the skunk stripe, it looked like a preschooler had used a marker and had drawn outside of the lines. For those lucky enough to have a Jag, what's your skunk stripe like? A differenct piece of wood, or just different stain in a line?

Don't know about the Jag, but on my VM Jazz, under close inspection with an Optivisor, on a couple of the block markers, the routngs for said markers was a little sloppy and it appears that they had to use filler in the gaps. Perhaps this is what happened with your skunk stripe.What looks like a marker could be filler.
(for the record, the stripe on my VM Jazz looks real)

 

[Batmensch]

Just bought one of these bad boys at GC a few weeks ago.

I love the P/J combo. Sounds super dope. Only thing that you have to do with it is replace the bridge (hipshot vintage ftw). The bridge is serious crap, but besides that everything else was almost perfect. Oh and I had to resolder one of the neck pickup wires. Took 40 seconds with a soldering iron.

The neck plays just as good as my MIA Deluxe 5 string Jazz bass. No weird dips or twists. Also the access to the higher frets is much easier on the Jag. Light as hell and honestly the tone kicks some serious ass. Very very impressed with it.

Really? I have two Squiers (Bought within the last 3 months) and they have that same bridge, and I see nothing wrong with it. I definitely wouldn't call it crap.

 

[jacostilllives]

Really? I have two Squiers (Bought within the last 3 months) and they have that same bridge, and I see nothing wrong with it. I definitely wouldn't call it crap.

Go back and look at the individual string saddles. You can almost slide the saddle right off the bridge. Too much movement for me. Needed something with grooves to ensure string stability.

It's by far the weakest link in the hardware.

 

[Batmensch]

Go back and look at the individual string saddles. You can almost slide the saddle right off the bridge. Too much movement for me. Needed something with grooves to ensure string stability.

It's by far the weakest link in the hardware.

Again, that's not my experience on these two. Once the strings are up to pitch, there is no lateral movement whatsoever. Definitely NOT crap.

 

[jacostilllives]

Again, that's not my experience on these two. Once the strings are up to pitch, there is no lateral movement whatsoever. Definitely NOT crap.

That's not my experience, but whatever.

Once again.. I'm not knocking the instrument.. Far from it i've been more than impressed. I currently play in a Prince cover band that involves a lot of slap parts and I really noticed the movement.

Could be I had a faulty bridge, but it was enough for me to get a replacement. After I replaced it it's been rock solid. Oh and the neck pickup wiring was faulty, but that was simple.

Once again I LOVE the instrument. It replaced my fender Jazz 5 because the slap tone is incredible. The bridge on the other hand.. wasn't so much.

 

[SurferJoe46]

That's not my experience, but whatever.

Once again.. I'm not knocking the instrument.. Far from it i've been more than impressed. I currently play in a Prince cover band that involves a lot of slap parts and I really noticed the movement.

Could be I had a faulty bridge, but it was enough for me to get a replacement. After I replaced it it's been rock solid. Oh and the neck pickup wiring was faulty, but that was simple.

Once again I LOVE the instrument. It replaced my fender Jazz 5 because the slap tone is incredible. The bridge on the other hand.. wasn't so much.

While I agree that there might be a need for some retainer grooves to keep the height adjuster screws in line, I've not had any troubles with them moving at all.

I looked at quite a few Fenders and Squiers at GC the other day - (perhaps there is ONE more bass I actually need) - and I noticed that most did not have those grooves, although a couple did. The mix was MiA, MiM, MiC and MiIs, so they were all over the board in price/quality.

Might just be a personal preference too - but I don't really pull the strings all that hard - or hard enough to move the saddles.

If I HAD to make a change for that reason, I'd surely look for the same design - 'ell-shaped' thin metal - as I think the tone and responsiveness/articulation would suffer other wise. As it is I don't have that problem - but I can see it as a happenstance for someone else.

 

[peledog]

I tried one today at a music shop.

I must say the neck and the weight impressed me. Very playable, great action and feels good in the lap with no strap.

I think the PUPs are a bit lifeless though. The blended sound and the 'P' sound was pretty puny. The bridge PUP was ok - got a nice Jazz growl. I think if you threw in some EMGs this bass would sound a lot better.

Not a huge fan on the stacked knobs - the tone changes were very subtle. Went from warm to not-so-bright. I played through a Fender Rumble 100 with the EQ and knobs set 'flat' and still didn't get a bright sound. Could have been the strings. Stock Fender .50 to .105

Not bad for the $$ though. It feels like a short scale - maybe because it's only 20-fret.

 

[SurferJoe46]

I tried one today at a music shop.

I must say the neck and the weight impressed me. Very playable, great action and feels good in the lap with no strap.

I think the PUPs are a bit lifeless though. The blended sound and the 'P' sound was pretty puny. The bridge PUP was ok - got a nice Jazz growl. I think if you threw in some EMGs this bass would sound a lot better.

Not a huge fan on the stacked knobs - the tone changes were very subtle. Went from warm to not-so-bright. I played through a Fender Rumble 100 with the EQ and knobs set 'flat' and still didn't get a bright sound. Could have been the strings. Stock Fender .50 to .105

Not bad for the $$ though. It feels like a short scale - maybe because it's only 20-fret.

There was something wrong - those pups are about the hottest I've heard on a passive bass in a long time.

The fact that you found it dull and that the tone didn't do a lot more than it did - makes me think there was an electrical problem somewhere. I can go from deep all the way to too bright by just twisting the tone knobs and the P growls and the J just honks clean clear through the P when they are both 12 o'clock.

Sounds to me that one or both of the tone knobs was slipping on the shaft and you didn't get anywhere with turning them. Loose set screws I bet.

............and the Jag is 1/2" longer than my Deluxe Jazz. Uh --- all my Fenders and Squiers have 20 frets.