Squire Classic Vibe p-bass?

[Batmensch]

I was at my local GC last weekend with the intention of picking up a CV P-bass, but they didnt have a Squier in stock.

I asked the salesman why, and he replied that they cut back on the Squiers because they couldnt sell the pricier Fenders they had in stock.

Sounds about right for GC doesnt it?:scowl:

That makes no sense to me. One would think you want to keep in stock the stuff that actually sells, no matter how much less money you make. What makes him think that getting rid of the Squiers is gonna make the higher prices on the Fenders any more palatable to his customers? All I know is, if I have a budget of around $300 or so and I go into a store and all I see is $500 and up Fenders, I'm likely to go try another store. Better you make less money than no money.

 

[lowsideonacurve]

On the last Police tour, Sting plays his p-bass which about the same as the cv 50 through Ampeg SVT, sound just amazing. Yours through tha BA300 should sound quite close!

I had to return the Ampeg BA300 yesterday, it began crackling and cutting out after it was fully warmed up. (Obviously why I got such a great deal on it.)

Bought an Acoustic B200 1x15 instead, it sounds great with my VM fretless Jazz and my CV 50's P. Six band EQ and Freq. notch let me trim to a nice variety of tones.

Now, if I can just get rid of that horrible 60 cycle hum in the CV 50's P almost unbearable at times.

 

[pbassnut]

Anyone have any experience with squire Classic Vibe's. I ran into a p-bass today that really seemed to sound and feel quite nice and I've been looking for a cheap p-bass.

any opinions? are there better squires to be had?

I have a sonic blue Vintage Vibe Precision that I got offa TalkBass that was tricked out with a Seymour Duncan Antiquity II pickup and a USA tortoise shell pickguard that has been a very good bass for me. I thought about putting high end tuners on it, but the stock ones turn smoothly and hold a tune as well or better than any of my other basses that cost me at least twice as much as the Vintage Vibe P. I have seen some other ones on the racks @ Guitar Center that played really well. They are an excellent value for the money.

 

[olalo]

Just picked one up and brought it home with me...
Excellent bass. It smoked the fenders they had at the store...soundwise. Now, if I could only match a roadworn neck with this, it would be fantastic.

 

[KingRazor]

Now, if I can just get rid of that horrible 60 cycle hum in the CV 50's P almost unbearable at times.

You can reduce it by shielding the pickup cavity, but if you want it completely gone you're going to need a hum-cancelling pickup.

 

[lowsideonacurve]

You can reduce it by shielding the pickup cavity, but if you want it completely gone you're going to need a hum-cancelling pickup.

I've shielded the pickup cavity and the control cavity but that only helps if the bass is turned directly away from the amp. I've also tried to find a hum-cancelling pickup to fit, but no luck. I really don't want to take a router to the body for a double humbucker.
A fellow TB'er has the same bass with the same experience, his has the SCPB Quarter Pound pup.

 

[KingRazor]

I've shielded the pickup cavity and the control cavity but that only helps if the bass is turned directly away from the amp. I've also tried to find a hum-cancelling pickup to fit, but no luck. I really don't want to take a router to the body for a double humbucker.
A fellow TB'er has the same bass with the same experience, his has the SCPB Quarter Pound pup.

Not trying to say you didn't do a thorough job with your shielding, but if it makes more or less noise depending on how you turn it, that points to either a grounding or shielding issue. Not sure which as I'm not an electronics expert. Ask around in the pickups/electronics forum here and I'll bet they can solve that issue for you.

Also, about a hum-cancelling pickup that will fit the single-coil P route, I'd talk to either Dave at SGD Lutherie, or Bill Lawrence at Wilde Pickups. I'm sure one of them can cook up something for you.

 

[lowsideonacurve]

Not trying to say you didn't do a thorough job with your shielding, but if it makes more or less noise depending on how you turn it, that points to either a grounding or shielding issue. Not sure which as I'm not an electronics expert. Ask around in the pickups/electronics forum here and I'll bet they can solve that issue for you.

Also, about a hum-cancelling pickup that will fit the single-coil P route, I'd talk to either Dave at SGD Lutherie, or Bill Lawrence at Wilde Pickups. I'm sure one of them can cook up something for you.

I shielded it quite thoroughly, the same way I shielded my Jazz and the Jazz improved by leaps and bounds, I'll take another look at the grounding though.
I believe the problem with the CV 50's P is the pup sits high in the cavity, most of the windings are above the body and the shielding, even when the pup is screwed down a bit farther below the strings than needed. Setup is pretty low on this bass already.

I may eventually look into a pup from SGD or Wilde.

Thanks,
Allen