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Squier VM Jazz fretless
- Thread starter jbossolo
- Start date
I really, really liked it. Even played it against a MIM standard Jazz fretless. If you like Jazz necks, then this is a great buy for a brand new fretless, sort of a Jaco-lite. With a nut adjustment, you can get low action and much Mwah, especially with the roundwounds provided. If you are going to pull the trigger, be aware that since there is no pickguard, you might want to try a few and take a good look at the wood grain on the top. I did see one that was sort of unsightly.
Right now, I prefer my Squier VM fretless J to my GL. I get a great sound out of it. When I originally bought the VM I found there was a buzzing on the A string around the 5th or 6th fret. I finally took it to a luthier and he found that there was a flaw in the neck and Fender replaced it. I have seen other folks mention various flaws, so you may want to have it checked out if you buy it from a big chain. The luthier put some Curt Mangan flats on for me and they are excellent. I like them better than Chromes.
What are your thoughts, opinions, reviews regarding these?
I've been getting the urge to try fretless, and these are cheap enough ($275 on the web) that I might give it a try.
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Man, you said it all:
"I've been getting the urge to try fretless, and these are cheap enough ($275 on the web)"
But don't expect more than that.
Pickups are, well, "lazy", and it's an agathis bodied bass, so can match the ebonol fingerboard adding some brilliancy, but can disappoint you in a mix with all instruments playin' on 10.
So, if you're in a urge to record tracks in a studio and you'll be able to postproduct it, go ahead. Otherwise, a different body could suggest a few electronic compartment upgrades.
Have you thought about a second hand Fender MIM fretless?
Cheers,
Wallace
I have one of these. I just finished my third year of a jazz bass performance degree. I usually play upright, but this is my go to bass when I play electric. I have many other basses that are supposed to be "nicer" just by virtue of what I paid for them.
That being said, mine needed some work to make it playable. The nut was cut wayyyy too high. Actually, I guess that was all it needed. Haha.
In the 4 or 5 years I've had mine, I only find issues with the neck. The tuners are a little shabby, but functional; I also have a strange buzz that I can only assume comes from either the tuners or the truss rod. You can't hear it amplified. The neck is also pencil thin and very flexible. I've never noticed that it was more or less unstable than many of my other basses though.
The ebonol coating on the fingerboard is pretty resilient too. I've got some marks in mine, but you can barely feel them when you touch them. I've never noticed them while playing. Ive also only ever used roundwounds.
I'd get another one. There's a lot of variation between each bass though. Some of my friends have had them in the past, and necks felt completely different, bodies were more (or less) well matched, etc.
I like mine.
That being said, mine needed some work to make it playable. The nut was cut wayyyy too high. Actually, I guess that was all it needed. Haha.
In the 4 or 5 years I've had mine, I only find issues with the neck. The tuners are a little shabby, but functional; I also have a strange buzz that I can only assume comes from either the tuners or the truss rod. You can't hear it amplified. The neck is also pencil thin and very flexible. I've never noticed that it was more or less unstable than many of my other basses though.
The ebonol coating on the fingerboard is pretty resilient too. I've got some marks in mine, but you can barely feel them when you touch them. I've never noticed them while playing. Ive also only ever used roundwounds.
I'd get another one. There's a lot of variation between each bass though. Some of my friends have had them in the past, and necks felt completely different, bodies were more (or less) well matched, etc.
I like mine.
Got a good one, but it wasn't easy. I played at least half a dozen in different shops before landing one with a good neck. Once I restrung with flats and set it up to my liking it performed very well, great tone, and easy to play.
I used it primarily in a jazz ensemble (but now play the upright bass in that group). I had none of the issues with the pickups mentioned by a previous poster, and saw no need to change anything in the electronics.
I used it primarily in a jazz ensemble (but now play the upright bass in that group). I had none of the issues with the pickups mentioned by a previous poster, and saw no need to change anything in the electronics.
I was in the same position you are and got one myself. I was not disappointed. They are great instruments and I love mine. I use Rotosound 77s and I really like the sound.
I suggest you follow the advice previously given of trying a few at stores and examining for flaws. I got mine on eBay and lucked out on setup and intonation, I was not so lucky on the look, the body has some fairly glaring weird knots in it. I put a cream pickguard on it, however, which hides some of the knots and distinguishes it from everyone else's.
Also, mine had a worse-than-usual single coil hum so I shielded it and replaced the pots and wiring, ( fun DIY project) which greatly reduced the hum and made the sound much more full.
I suggest you follow the advice previously given of trying a few at stores and examining for flaws. I got mine on eBay and lucked out on setup and intonation, I was not so lucky on the look, the body has some fairly glaring weird knots in it. I put a cream pickguard on it, however, which hides some of the knots and distinguishes it from everyone else's.
Also, mine had a worse-than-usual single coil hum so I shielded it and replaced the pots and wiring, ( fun DIY project) which greatly reduced the hum and made the sound much more full.
Love mine. Id say go for it. Learned to favor fretless with this one. I changed the bridge to an American Fender and added nylon coated strings. The Wah is very clean with the coated strings. Mines for sale but only locally. Ive been leaning towards short scale more and more and liking it.
Very solid bass for the price. The ebonol fingerboard is pretty resilient, so don't be afraid to string it with rounds. I had DR Sunbeams on mine, and was rather satisfied with the sound. The neck has a satin finish, which helps playability. The pickups aren't shabby, either.
If you're willing to go a little higher in price, I suggest looking for a used Carvin fretless. I found one loaded with every available option for $425 a couple years ago.
If you're willing to go a little higher in price, I suggest looking for a used Carvin fretless. I found one loaded with every available option for $425 a couple years ago.
These pop up now and then in the classifieds on here (it's where I got mine). Find a used one if you're not sure and it's an even better value. Mine required some setup and some tweaking of the truss rod after switching strings, but now it plays great. I agree with the pickup statement, though; while they do sound good, they don't sound great. I may replace them eventually.
Andy Brown
Commercial User
- Jul 23, 2004
- 5,675
- 312
- Disclosures
- Founder/Owner: Wing Instruments
Just bought one of these to get back into the fretless game after several very expensive regrets. This is the perfect bass for experimenting with fretless, as I'm primarily a fretted player. If I were full-time fretless I'd probably opt for an F Bass AC.
The neck was fine with the one I received, and after slapping TI Flats on it, it sounds good! Like others have said, an electronics upgrade can only make it better. Can't beat the value.
The neck was fine with the one I received, and after slapping TI Flats on it, it sounds good! Like others have said, an electronics upgrade can only make it better. Can't beat the value.
go on your local craigslist. find a mim fretless j for 250$ with a hard case... spend the extra 25$ on a new set of flats... then you are set.
I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on one of these. Just want something inexpensive to try the fretless vibe, see if it's for me or not. Worst case scenario, I'm light by $275.
I could always sell it for $200-225, and not take that much of a hit. If I think fretless is for me, I'll either upgrade it or buy something better.
I was thinking about converting my cheap Squier Affinity P to fretless, but went on the Warmoth site and by the time I configured my neck, it was almost $300! For the neck alone. For $275 I can get this, take it for a spin, and see what happens.
I could always sell it for $200-225, and not take that much of a hit. If I think fretless is for me, I'll either upgrade it or buy something better.
I was thinking about converting my cheap Squier Affinity P to fretless, but went on the Warmoth site and by the time I configured my neck, it was almost $300! For the neck alone. For $275 I can get this, take it for a spin, and see what happens.
I agree with a few other people here: check the bass out well before buying it. I found a few with pretty bad quality control (neck out of align, really unsightly body blemishes, etc.). I got lucky one day, had a brand new one come out of the box, spent 1/2 hour checking it out and playing it and really loved it. Put some flatwounds on it, intonated and really love playing it. Can't go wrong for around $250 as long as you check it out well first.
Try before you buy. Mine had slightly raised fretlines, which caused some buzzing on a couple of notes.
I got a radiused block from stewmac and took care of it, but I just thought I'd share. I have read posts by others with the same issue. When you see one, run the pad of your finger along the whole length of the fingerboard and see if you can feel anything.
I have the lightest gauge set of GHS pressurewounds on mine, and it's a great balance of rounds and flats. With the tone knob open, it sounds like nickel rounds, and with the tone open rolled back, it can sound like flats. Really good versatile string. Lasts a while and very soft on the board.
Another thing about the board, it is hard, but when the surface gets scratched, though it's nothing you can feel, it leaves white scrapes, which doesn't look great IMO. So for that alone, I use something a bit smoother than rounds.
I got a radiused block from stewmac and took care of it, but I just thought I'd share. I have read posts by others with the same issue. When you see one, run the pad of your finger along the whole length of the fingerboard and see if you can feel anything.
I have the lightest gauge set of GHS pressurewounds on mine, and it's a great balance of rounds and flats. With the tone knob open, it sounds like nickel rounds, and with the tone open rolled back, it can sound like flats. Really good versatile string. Lasts a while and very soft on the board.
Another thing about the board, it is hard, but when the surface gets scratched, though it's nothing you can feel, it leaves white scrapes, which doesn't look great IMO. So for that alone, I use something a bit smoother than rounds.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Total raging P.O.S.
I bought one for my first fretless, as many people have mentioned it is supposed to be a decent fretless for $300. Boy were they wrong.
The necks are NEVER flat and level, they all need to get sanded down to a proper radius from the get go. So it is not playable right out of the box, unless you want a fretless with fret buzz... The pickups are not total trash, they are as good as one would expect from a $300 bass, but they need to be shielded so they are far from stage ready in my opinion. The nut is also slotted too high so a low action isn't possible, not that one would want it since it has so much fret buzz.
I should have watched more videos before I purchased, I based my opinion off written reviews, all the video reviews I have seen after have horrible fretbuzz and tone in their vids and then the person proceeds to tell you how great of a bass it is...
I regret purchasing mine, I should have made the leap and bought a decent fretless from the get go.
I would not recommend this product.
I bought one for my first fretless, as many people have mentioned it is supposed to be a decent fretless for $300. Boy were they wrong.
The necks are NEVER flat and level, they all need to get sanded down to a proper radius from the get go. So it is not playable right out of the box, unless you want a fretless with fret buzz... The pickups are not total trash, they are as good as one would expect from a $300 bass, but they need to be shielded so they are far from stage ready in my opinion. The nut is also slotted too high so a low action isn't possible, not that one would want it since it has so much fret buzz.
I should have watched more videos before I purchased, I based my opinion off written reviews, all the video reviews I have seen after have horrible fretbuzz and tone in their vids and then the person proceeds to tell you how great of a bass it is...
I regret purchasing mine, I should have made the leap and bought a decent fretless from the get go.
I would not recommend this product.
