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Surprising Squier VMJ

Z

Zapp

Sep 4, 2005
594
20
Gruene Texas
#1
Just finished proper setup of my new-to-me Squier Vintage Modified bass and I must say I am quite impressed :bassist:
This thing has really got some character to it. I had played one of these and its sister the Classic Vibe at GC - but scoring this on Ebay then playing it in my own old go-to amp really surprised me... i was expecting a "pretty good" tone, but it delivers way more. I had sniped earlier on Ebay for a CVJ, missed, then later saw this one, scored.

Today I had time to intonate, set string height, pups, all that and then giving it a good workout on my own 20 year old WM12 that I have played many previous basses through - man I am impressed... and it came with awful strings.... they seem new, but crappy. Despite that.... wow - sweetness

Can one of you other owners tell me where to get a plug & play tortoise pickguard? I don't care for the blackout much.
 
#2
Great bass traded my tune for it. But leave the black guard and dress it up that's what I did thumbrest pup cover and bridge cover looks real nice now. If only squire did that out the factory. Oh almost forgot put some strat style knobs on too.
 
#4
Zapp said:
thumbrest would be in the way for me.
speaking of covers, though, not that chromy thing but are there some individual pup covers that fit those DD's ??
Click to expand...

Oh well preference I guess. Um basspartresource.com have pup covers but I have idea if they'll fit they have cream and white check it out.
 
#5
bassfunk329 said:
Great bass traded my tune for it. But leave the black guard and dress it up that's what I did thumbrest pup cover and bridge cover looks real nice now. If only squire did that out the factory. Oh almost forgot put some strat style knobs on too.
Click to expand...

Same here, except I put on proper Jazz bass type knobs:
Jcovers.jpg

I think it looks awesome with the maple, black, and chrome.. Strictly my opinion, of course, but I really think a tort pg would not look as nice.
 
#6
C.Linton said:
Same here, except I put on proper Jazz bass type knobs:

I think it looks awesome with the maple, black, and chrome.. Strictly my opinion, of course, but I really think a tort pg would not look as nice.
Click to expand...

Its like you stole my bass I actually have those knobs too. But I switched em with my mim cause the mim had the strat style ones. Could have sworn the strat style knobs came with 70's jazzes but I guess I'm wrong.
 
#12
I'm thinking [seriously] about the pointer knobs. Seen the fender TV 12 [15, 210] amp??? Those kinda knobs. anyone know where to find such?
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C.Linton said:
Same here, except I put on proper Jazz bass type knobs:
Jcovers.jpg

I think it looks awesome with the maple, black, and chrome.. Strictly my opinion, of course, but I really think a tort pg would not look as nice.
Click to expand...
 
#15
Big_Daddy said:
If I were to get another fretless, I'd probably buy a VM and defret it.
Click to expand...
A lot of work for no good reason. I just picked up a Squier VM fretless this week, barely used for $199 w/gig bag. It has an ebonol fingerboard which sounds just fine, has very consistent tone up & down the board, and stands up to roundwounds better than the standard rosewood board.

The pickups are sort of low output, but if your bass amp has a gain control you can easily compensate. Once dialed in, the pickups are capable of a surprising amount of both thump and expression with the classic Jazz sound(s) and a sweet overall tone. The VM fretless is definitely aimed at the Jaco look and vibe--vintage sunburst, no pickguard, and fretlines.

My main basses are USA G&Ls, and while the Squier is not in that league for quality of materials nor dynamic range, it works and plays very well and makes good music. I played it at my most recent band rehearsal and my bandmates liked it a lot.

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Also, it's easy to dial in a Jaco sound or change the balance to favor the neck pickup and get a nice full swelling sound that blends in the mix like an upright. I like it a lot.
 
#17
Joe scores again :bassist:
that's what I'll get

I dunno about G&L basses, but my recent points of comparison are my Sterling 4 H, and the Hamer Cruise - top of line model they made. Both are, of course, more elegant in their finish and appointments, but the VM has a bottom tone that holds up fabulously when pushed to the edge. The Hamer with active EMG's could make a big boom if you ran the bass EQ up, but it was washy ... whooshy, and it was years before I figured out that it was basically a brightish bass with a compensatory eq/preamp that could artificially enhance both low and high [which it did NOT need... no more highs].
The sterling of course is noted for being a bright bass. bright and middy - can funk-groove but without a hard hitting booty.
As simple/plain/pedestrian as it is, this little thing has good tone.

What flats should I use? Chromes?? that's my bias...

SurferJoe46 said:
Chicken Heads?

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I just found some that glow and a lot more styles too::

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Click to expand...
 
#18
I really like the Elixir Nanos - deep, dark and yet they can honk in the Mids and Uppers too.

What I find with both the mute and the Nanos, I am deep into the thump-bump arena very easily - but not so muted as my P with the Roto 77s is.

If I want bright (I typically don't) I always have my Deluxe J and with the MID knob dime'd I have that covered too.
 
#19
to Zapp-
One of the places I think that can help you is:Invalid Link Removed
first-get to the Squier site and get the parts list for your bass (by model number).
second-reference the pickguard number to website listed above. Mine (for a P bass Special) is $11.00 versus everyone else is $45.00 or more + tracing.
 

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