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Squier....Wow

Just picked up the Squier Modified Vintage 70's Jazz. I must say I am really impressed. I played it once before but didn't think too much of it, the store kinda lacks in variety. I had been planning on getting the Modified Fretless but decided against it because I already have an Agathis body bass. I want to check out different woods and pups so I picked up the all maple 70's. I love it. I have never liked the fender shape, and I hate pickgaurds, but all things aside this is one awesome bass for the money. I kinda want to take the pickgaurd off and fill the holes, already took it off for a little bit, the finish as a whole looks great for a peice of maple. So does the fretboard. The maple fretboard which is another first for me is really appealing, it seems like it plays completely different from rosewood. Although I don't think it sounds far off. It's all natural wood, black, and chrome. I picked up some Fender nylon filament rouds and put em on and it looks absolutely killer. Will post pics soon. But the sound is stellar. Can't believe that tone is coming from a Squier, no offense guys. My hat goes off to those guys, this is probably one of the best bang for the buck basses out there. Bravo, now to make it fretless....but that's another day, I'll play it for a couple years as is, maybe a j-retro pre, which it could use, cause let's face it, having no center detented knobs sucks.
 
I too tried one of them the other night, and was surprised ... I had tried several Squires in the past and on a whole found them decent, even owned one once as it had the flats and Dimarzio's that I wanted to try already on it ... the only thing I didnt care for about the new Squire was the weight, felt like an anchor ... all in all a good buy, and certainly right there with the MIM Standard FSR nat J and P that is out there, except again for the weight, where the MIM is probably a good 3-4 lbs lighter ... congratulations, glad you like it ...
 
Yeah, the squier is rather anchor-like, especially after playing on my Ibanez EDA, which is luthite bodied, BIG WEIGHT DIFFERENCE. But the tone in the squier is amazing, great highs, good lows, and tons of mids. The pups are a little too quiet, but they still produce just about the tone I was looking for, except it could use a little more low end growl. I just hope other people can pick it up and feel as happy with it as I do.
 
I keep hearing great things about the Squire Modified Vintage range and I'm trying to figure out where they are being targeted. I've not yet had a chance to try one, though I'm thinking of adding a fretted jazz to my line up and this looks like it could be a good one, but the impression that I'm getting is that they are MIM quality basses at second hand MIM prices.

Have Fender and Fender Mexico had a fight that I've not heard of?

Anyway, I'm glad you like the bass. Have fun playing it. Just a thought but, rather than defretting it, grab a warmoth fretless neck (which I think should just be a drop in) and then you can switch back and forth depending on what you need.

Cheers
 
Brand new Squier 70's Modified Jazz Bass in natural maple finish, maple fretboard with black block inlays (okay they're painted on) and hot Seymour Duncan (designed) P/ups -
$291 with tax

Taking it to a jam session and watching the house band bass player with his vintage Fender Jazz Bass soil his pants - Priceless

I recently joined a Judas Priest tribute band. I owned a 1994 MIM jazz (black w/white PG, rosewood neck) that I upgraded w/ SJII's (Seymour Duncan). I was hoping to get the Geddy Lee sig jazz bass as this bass had a hotter sound (than my MIM) which I attributed to the maple neck.
On a random trip to GC last October, I was stopped dead in my tracks by a Jazz Bass (the subject Squier) on the sales counter with a tag on it marked $269 SOLD! I was stunned. I knew nothing of this bass. Was it new? Was it some rare 80's out of production thing? I had to check this thing out! Fortunatley the salesman allowed me to plug it in as, although is was sold, the guy "hasn't paid for it yet" (the owner, a newbie was glad to get a demonstration and approval of his purchase). It was freshly set up by the house bass tech and I A/B'ed it to the Geddy Lee. There was no real difference (certainly not $400 worth).
It is unbelievable! I ordered one right away, got it within a week (set up by same tech), and am loving it! I am suprised that there isn't more of a buzz about these things! Is it heavy? Not an issue for me. Is it perfect? No, it still has a fret issue or two. Is it a bargain? Beyond a doubt!
Do yourself a favor and get it at a dealer so they can set it up for you. Out of the box, they are unplayable (a slam on Squier QC).

For pic go to:
http://www.squierguitars.com/products/popup.php?root_dir=&web_root=&img=prod_images/basses/0326702521_xl.jpg&name=Vintage+Modified+Jazz+Bass%26reg%3B&node0=1#bottom[/url]
 
I tried out a Squire Modified Vintage P bass the other day at the local G.C. Build quality looked pretty good with respectable fret work. Seemed to play pretty decent, but I can't comment on the sound as it had hardly any output when plugged into an amp. Some kind of wiring or ground problem. Barely audible.

Funny thing was that I was trying out some small practice amps with every P bass they had in the store, and the best one by far was a new MIM Precision in Olympic White. Followed closely by a used Highway one. The new MIA's and highway one's all needed set ups in the worst way.
The next day I was at a different store, also trying out practice amps. Four new MIA P basses, all unplayable due to excessive fret sprout. Used an Affinity Squire to demo the amps, and it wasn't too shabby.
I think if the Vintage Modified sounds decent, that it would be a good value, as it did play well. Wish that particular one didn't have the wiring issue. I would have loved to hear how it sounded. Definitly a step up from the Affinity series in quality of hardware as well.
 
Okay here's the deal. I haven't played this bass, nor have I played a jazz bass. I'm a fan of the Fender tone, though.

So I have this beginner Crate Electrica bass...horrid thing. My playing isn't great on this thing; I definitely need a new bass.

That one is a precision bass which responds poorly, has horrid sustain, and a very thick neck, but it has served its purpose .

I'm looking for a Jazz bass for its fast-action neck and its sound! I can find this puppy online for 280 everywhere; is this a great deal?

I hear so many good things about it, so I'm gonna get it.

I'm also purchasing a Badass II Bridge with it. Recommended? It can't hurt.

How much better do you think I'd sound from a beginner bass so bad that it's been discontinued to this bass with a badass bridge?
 
Okay here's the deal. I haven't played this bass, nor have I played a jazz bass. I'm a fan of the Fender tone, though.

So I have this beginner Crate Electrica bass...horrid thing. My playing isn't great on this thing; I definitely need a new bass.

That one is a precision bass which responds poorly, has horrid sustain, and a very thick neck, but it has served its purpose .

I'm looking for a Jazz bass for its fast-action neck and its sound! I can find this puppy online for 280 everywhere; is this a great deal?

I hear so many good things about it, so I'm gonna get it.

I'm also purchasing a Badass II Bridge with it. Recommended? It can't hurt.

How much better do you think I'd sound from a beginner bass so bad that it's been discontinued to this bass with a badass bridge?

??
 
Okay here's the deal. I haven't played this bass, nor have I played a jazz bass. I'm a fan of the Fender tone, though.

So I have this beginner Crate Electrica bass...horrid thing. My playing isn't great on this thing; I definitely need a new bass.

That one is a precision bass which responds poorly, has horrid sustain, and a very thick neck, but it has served its purpose .

I'm looking for a Jazz bass for its fast-action neck and its sound! I can find this puppy online for 280 everywhere; is this a great deal?

I hear so many good things about it, so I'm gonna get it.

I'm also purchasing a Badass II Bridge with it. Recommended? It can't hurt.

How much better do you think I'd sound from a beginner bass so bad that it's been discontinued to this bass with a badass bridge?


Honestly, for the price I don't think you can get a better Jazz bass. The maple sounds and looks great, the pickups are powerful, and the overall sound is extremely impressive. You'd be a fool not to get one. Badass bridge, scrap that, I am going titanium, along with J-retro preamp.
 
Neck was too chunky and felt like the finish overall was pretty shoddy on the few i've sampled. I guess i'm just addicted to my Geddy's neck profile and finish. I like the lacquer finish on the back of the neck. The squire didn't sound as peachy as my personal Geddy, of course, i've played a couple of in-store Geddy's at GC and they seemed a bit off as well. Reguardless of all that, the vintage series Squire J I played sounded better than a regular squire and a MIM Jazz. It's the better deal in that lot. But give me a Japanese made fender any day of the week.
 
[/QUOTE]
I'm also purchasing a Badass II Bridge with it. Recommended? It can't hurt.

How much better do you think I'd sound from a beginner bass so bad that it's been discontinued to this bass with a badass bridge?[/QUOTE]

Hold off on the BA II and see if you are not satisfied with it stock. Besides, you'll need the money for a pro set up. Dont judge it until it is set up and is playable. Depending on your amp, you will sound much better, trust me. Everyone who hears or plays my bass cant believe it.
 
Neck was too chunky and felt like the finish overall was pretty shoddy on the few i've sampled. I guess i'm just addicted to my Geddy's neck profile and finish. I like the lacquer finish on the back of the neck. The squire didn't sound as peachy as my personal Geddy, of course, i've played a couple of in-store Geddy's at GC and they seemed a bit off as well. Reguardless of all that, the vintage series Squire J I played sounded better than a regular squire and a MIM Jazz. It's the better deal in that lot. But give me a Japanese made fender any day of the week.

My other basses are Ibanez and ESP, so I know what you mean when you say chunky but it really isn't as bad as I thought it would be to get used to. This jazz is Taiwan made, about as good as Japanese really. But the fit and finish on mine is really quite good, all edges are flush, finish is emmaculate, everthing is well connected and really the only thing I can see wrong is a slight paint run on the truss rod hole. The sound though, IMO is comparable to basses at least twice the cost. Never played the Geddy, but I had my choice of this, or a Ric. I had my reasons for my choice.:smug: Its a good bass.
 
I also had to try out the Squire Vintage Modified Jazz Fretless-and I'm Extremely :hyper: happy with it:D ! I set it up my self-neck was straight,no buzzing/dead areas,pups a little quiet but have great tone..."Jaco-tone" :) not hard to come by. Put on you're favorite strings and you're ready to Rock and Slide...Peace...DAcat...:cool: