Squire Vintage Modified P/J or Deluxe Active 5 Jazz

Well, before these basses came out I would probably never have looked at a Squier again. Some of the early ones were amazing, but I saw the quality slip away, played far too many nasty ones, and then gave up on them. Since the VM and the Deluxe 5 came out, my interest was revived because the reviews I've seen all pretty much say they are amazing. Great build, playability, price, and sound. I decided to buy the 5-string Deluxe in white, which I think is a stunning looking bass, but at the last minute I ordered the Vintage Modified (fretted) based on the reviews and, to be honest, I think it looks killer.

It should be here tomorrow, so I'll tell you exactly how it is when I get it. According to some, these are the best basses Squier has ever built. I've had lots of play time on a couple of outstanding Squiers (a J and a P) because those were owned by a bassplayer in my old band and by my cousin, so I have a good point of reference and something to compare to. I'll post back ASAP and let you know first hand how the VM is.

 

I just ordered a White Deluxe Active 5 as well. I'll post my thoughts shortly.

I also looked at one of the VM fretlesses in person. It's a solidly built bass and sounds great, but I had some qualms about the cosmetics - namely, the seams between the body pieces, which were very apparent because the wood was streaky. That was a shame, because the burst finish itself was really nice.

 

That was one reason I didn't buy the fretless -- seen too many examples where the pieces of the agathis body varied in colour quite drastically and the seams were very visible. I'm taking the same risk with the maple bodied fretted model too, but I have seen far less variation in colour so far with this model. Fingers crossed I get a good one.

 

Funk and rock? The fretted Squier VM is what I'd choose for those kinda styles, but I dunno man, it'd be hard to choose between the 5 and the VM fretted. I changed my mind at the last minute and ordered the VM.

 

I will report back in the morning and let you know, I'm itching to get my hands on it!

If I was to take the sensible route I would have bought the 5, but I wanted a 4-string that I could just play the hell out of right from the start. I'm not used to a 5-string, they really confuse me, but I think the deluxe 5 will be my next bass purchase. I don't think you can go far wrong with either of them, to be honest. Reviews have been 99% positive for both, with only a couple of people showing slight disappointment. Keep us updated, though, I'd love to hear how it goes.

 

The VM Jazz is killer. I don't know about the Precision, but the Jazz will SURELY please you. The bass sounds great, plays wonderfully, and looks sexier in person than in the pictures.

Try one out and you'll love it.

 

That's good to know. Cheers!

I got the natural one: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=bass/product/reviews/base_pid=519639/rpp=10/

 

Yeah, this bass has the funk!

 

Well I did a review on the Vintage Modified P Bass. I like it alot. In fact, for $249 I loved it ! The one I bought had better tone and construction than the MIM Fender P that I compared it to at GC. For a couple hundred less. So, at that level it was an easy choice.

 

VM fretted jazzes are pretty good, but sometimes the body looks pink instead of like maple. IMO, it's kindof pointless to have a clear lacquer if the wood doesn't look that great. It's still a good bass though.

 

I like pink.

 

I love my VM P/J!