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Squire Vintage Modified Jazz Bass

B-Mac

B-Mac

Happiness is a Warm Puppy and a Great Bass!!
Supporting Member
Jan 7, 2017
21,285
33,261
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South Central Susquehanna Valley, Pennsylvania
#1
Came across this for $349 brand new
fen-0307702506.jpg

Love the black and maple look and the pearloid inlays rather than black blocks.

A tort pickguard would look great.

Problem is I am not really a fan of Squier basses. I own 3 USA Fender basses.

Finding a USA Fender Jazz at no more than a grand is turning out to be quite difficult. A grand is my own psychologically imposed price barrier for any bass.

So I'm asking how are these? Any issues? Fit and finish? I don't want to jump into the modding thing since I'm looking for a new purchase rather than used.
 
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#2
That’s the VM 77 Jazz. It’s better than any MIM Fender Jazz and just as good as any US Fender Jazz I’ve played. You can get them cheaper used though. Here is an open box for $279 with plenty of reviews on the bass, including a few who had an actual Fender 77 Jazz commenting on it.

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#3
mbell75 said:
That’s the VM 77 Jazz. It’s better than any MIM Fender Jazz and just as good as any US Fender Jazz I’ve played. You can get them cheaper used though. Here is an open box for $279 with plenty of reviews on the bass, including a few who had an actual Fender 77 Jazz commenting on it.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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Thanks!:thumbsup:
 
#5
B-Mac said:
Came across this for $349 brand new
fen-0307702506.jpg

Love the black and maple look and the pearloid inlays rather than black blocks.

A tort pickguard would look great.

Problem is I am not really a fan of Squier basses. I own 3 USA Fender basses.

Finding a USA Fender Jazz at no more than a grand is turning out to be quite difficult. A grand is my own psychologically imposed price barrier for any bass.

So I'm asking how are these? Any issues? Fit and finish? I don't want to jump into the modding thing since I'm looking for a new purchase rather than used.
Click to expand...
I'm a big squier fan, but one VM 77 in particular was probably the best I've ever played. Neck was amazing and sounded bombastic. If I wasn't shopping for a P bass at the time I would have bought it on the spot!
 
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#8
Gorn said:
Where are you looking for American Fenders? There are a ton of them used for under a grand.

But the Squier is great and you shouldn't hesitate to get one.
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I have yet to see a Fender MIA Jazz that is string through for less than a grand.
No stinkin' 'Player' or 'Special' crap. They're just Squiers with Fender name tags.

If you have a link for a MIA Standard Jazz at $1,000 or less with string through please send it my way. Most appreciated.
 
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#13
B-Mac said:
Thanks!

Now I have G.A.S. and gotta buy the black and maple one!
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You should. I've bought a ton of basses from GC used. You can call the store and get someone to take a look at it. If he's not a complete moron and isn't yessing you to get off the phone he might be able to tell you if the frets are okay and the truss functions and all that. Easy returns and if it's not as described you can get your shipping money back too. I don't buy basses any more but this was always my favorite way.

But the Squier really is a great bass. There are a ton of them used too.
 
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#14
Gorn said:
You should. I've bought a ton of basses from GC used. You can call the store and get someone to take a look at it. If he's not a complete moron and isn't yessing you to get off the phone he might be able to tell you if the frets are okay and the truss functions and all that. Easy returns and if it's not as described you can get your shipping money back too. I don't buy basses any more but this was always my favorite way.

But the Squier really is a great bass. There are a ton of them used too.
Click to expand...
I’ve bought at least 6 basses through GC used myself as it’s extremely convenient for me to pick them up during my lunch hour since an actual store is close to the office

Just hit or miss with a OHSC included
 
#17
I needed a Jazz-format 5-string bass as a platform for a GK-3B MIDI pickup a few years ago, and did the rounds of shops in the area looking for something functional and cheap. Stumbled across a Squire VM Jazz V display unit at a local music store that was <$300 out-the-door. Played and sounded better than the Fender made-in-Mexico Jazz 5 on the same wall. Amazing value. The "Duncan Designed" pickups have really nice tone if one digs in a bit on the fingerstyle. Fit and finish quite good (which is *not* true of the Squire "Affinity" instruments I've tried). But it *is* heavy, up around 18lbs. At least there's no neck dive.;)
 
#18
Another plus for a great looking and very good playing bass.
some guys just replace tuners and pu's and some others of course don't.
Either way a great setup and away you go!
 
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#19
Sid Fang said:
I needed a Jazz-format 5-string bass as a platform for a GK-3B MIDI pickup a few years ago, and did the rounds of shops in the area looking for something functional and cheap. Stumbled across a Squire VM Jazz V display unit at a local music store that was <$300 out-the-door. Played and sounded better than the Fender made-in-Mexico Jazz 5 on the same wall. Amazing value. The "Duncan Designed" pickups have really nice tone if one digs in a bit on the fingerstyle. Fit and finish quite good (which is *not* true of the Squire "Affinity" instruments I've tried). But it *is* heavy, up around 18lbs. At least there's no neck dive.;)
Click to expand...
18 lbs.??????
 
#20
Just piling on the good reviews here, I just picked up a squire modified 70s Jazz bass and it’s straight up one of the best basses I’ve ever played. I’ve played basses that are twice as expensive that don’t sound or feel half as good. If the 77 is anything like it this is a steal.
 
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