Squire VM Jazz > MIA Jazz

[Wayne8]

I'm sure quality will vary. I spent over an hour in the store and played every bass they had. Didn't look at prices or even especially pay attention to head stocks because I was just killing time with no intention to buy. I kept coming back to this one. I don't know which model but my VM beat out a $1400 Fender. Most resonant piece of wood I've ever played.

 

[ssbass]

I have been thinking about buying a VM. Stopped in guitar center last week. They finally had one in. I played it for awhile and walked away thinking my MIM was way better. I don't know what it was, something about the neck it just felt cheap. Needless to say i didn't buy it.

 

[afireinside]

To answer some questions yes it had a red tag on it attached to the strings with some fender info, im too lazy to go look. I had full intent to take in the VM and trade her in on the MIA but figured that I should compare at home instead of the shop so its not that I want the VM to be better I wanted to get rid of it (GAS ya know) The VM isent too much heaver then the MIA, a bit more neck dive though. I guess I attribute the sound to a good hunk of wood on the VM. We all know every hunk o wood is diffrent maybe I got a good one. When I bought my used VM I played a new VM and it sounded like crap in comparison dead, lifeless no thump, no growl, neck felt unfinished. And played a silver 08 MIA jazz that sounded incredible. All through the same amp that I own, same settings. So who knows maybe the previous owner had a luther clean up the neck/frets and put new pups under the duncan designed pup covers and then traded it back in?!?!?

 

[bassbully]

To answer some questions yes it had a red tag on it attached to the strings with some fender info, im too lazy to go look. I had full intent to take in the VM and trade her in on the MIA but figured that I should compare at home instead of the shop so its not that I want the VM to be better I wanted to get rid of it (GAS ya know) The VM isent too much heaver then the MIA, a bit more neck dive though. I guess I attribute the sound to a good hunk of wood on the VM. We all know every hunk o wood is diffrent maybe I got a good one. When I bought my used VM I played a new VM and it sounded like crap in comparison dead, lifeless no thump, no growl, neck felt unfinished. And played a silver 08 MIA jazz that sounded incredible. All through the same amp that I own, same settings. So who knows maybe the previous owner had a luther clean up the neck/frets and put new pups under the duncan designed pup covers and then traded it back in?!?!?

I doubt anything was diffrent in your VM really. Thats whats kinda cool and fun about trying out diffrent production "off the wall basses" You find diffrent tones in the same models from the same builder sometimes. I have bought some amazing MIMs. One a used slightly abused MIM in agave blue was wicked after i put a set of 62 reissue pups in her.
I have a highly abused and used early 90's squier p/j thats also great 100% stock. I have never found another stock squier like it anywhere. I love trying basses out listening and feeling for diffrences in them. Looks like you found a real gem!

 

[QuebecBlues]

I also have a VM Jazz and I am still impressed by the quality of this thing.

You say :

I lowered the action (very high from factory) raise the pups (very low) set it up to fender specs per website

You mean that on the Fender Website, there is a section on how to set up your bass?
Do you have a link to that page?

 

[Wayne8]

Invalid Link Removed

 

[9mmMike]

The vm's have a maple body.

I agree that it comes down to the chunk of wood, but the chuncks of wood for the 08 MIA's are IME of waaaay better quality than the Japanese, Mexican en especially squiers.

Allthough you can get lucky with the MIJ MIM and Squiers, in general the wood of the new MIA's is way more hard, resonant and light. The high quality wood gets used for the expensive guitars, which is pure logic to me.

My VM is basswood with an ash veneer but it is a VM Precision TB so maybe they are different. It is a very light bass.

Cool story from the OP though.

Mike

 

[vinxbass]

OK, Squier makes some decent basses, but I own a Squier FVM Fretless and a '08' MIA Jazz V and the Squier doesn't even come close to the quality, feel and sound of the MIA Jazz. My MIA Jazz when I play live in my bands sounds super thick when compared to the Squier.