Two new basses, but which one to keep?

[TheFantod]

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Two Squire VM Jazz Basses. The one on the left is the "new" 2011 VM Jazz Bass. The one on the right is the "older" version.

I can't decide which one to keep! I've been A/B-ing them back & forth all night. My fingers hurt 'cause they both have brand new strings. They both sound pretty much identical.

The "older" version had a bow in the neck and fret buzz, (it was used) but I've taken care of it.

I swear the newer one feels "smoother" in fretting hand. Could that be possible?

The electronics are (supposedly) identical. The only other main difference (besides the fretboard) is the body material. The older version is Soft Maple, and the newer version is Basswood.

Any help here guys? Just looking for opinions/hints/tests that will really help me decide which one to keep.

I think I'm going to try the "blind" test. I'm going to close my eyes and have someone hand me one of them, than the other one. That way I'm judging just with my hands & ears. Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance...

 

[azfryguy]

I find it odd my choose in no way shape or form affects me personally. Yet I still don't know which one to choose. You are offically in a pickle. -_-

 

[mmbongo]

Sell both and get a G&L Tribute L2000

 

[waleross]

The older one (right side) appeals to me more. Then again if it were me, I would sell both and get a P Bass Deluxe ,just one and you'd never look back.

 

[Tommorichards]

Id put the tort PG on the older one, and keep that one. I thinks its cos i love the neck

 

[WoodyG3]

Why not keep 'em both?

 

[HarlequinsRugby]

Id put the tort PG on the older one, and keep that one. I thinks its cos i love the neck

+1

 

[jazzyitalian]

Sell both and get a G&L Tribute L2000

I agree with this in principal. If you can't decide and absolutely can only keep one, then sell both and get something even better. But if I were in your shoes, I would keep both and have the rosewood bass turned into a fretless. Have a guitar repair and restoration shop pull the frets, fill it with some maple fret lines, and seal the board with a nice lacquer or poly finish.

That way you'll have two distinctly different basses and can use them both without feeling guilty.

 

[TheSuzie]

Send them both to me and I will send back the one I think you should keep.

 

[Hevy T]

I would keep the all maple one. I find tey have a bit better of a growl if that is your thing. I know it's mine. I was going to say keep em both, but I hate basswood, just hate it. I would rather agathis or poplar over that basswood stuff IMO

 

[jzbass6]

Is there a particular issue thats preventing you from keeping them both? if not they look pretty good together.

 

[arsie]

Looks like the choice between Maple and Rosewood, Block and Dot and Tort and Black.

I like the Maple and Block, the Tort and the more visibile grain on the Basswood. Hahaha. Time to break out that screw driver.

 

[Selta]

I'd swap necks, then keep the one on the left, if I were "forced" to decide in such a fashion. Otherwise, I'd sell both and get something else.

 

[JimmyM]

i'd keep the sunburst.

 

[JasonKain]

Keep the maple neck. I'm a sucker for blocks.

 

[carlos840]

They are both cheap basses, unless you need a bit of money for something else keep both!

 

[markorbit]

I'd keep the one on the left. I just don't like maple with black blocks.

 

[odie]

Id put the tort PG on the older one, and keep that one. I thinks its cos i love the neck

Agree! Exactly what I was going to say.

 

[Magic Sam]

Block inlays vs. No Block Inlays?
The winner has to be the "old" one with the maple fretboard! Just exchange the knobs (and the pickguard, maybe) and you´ll have a beautiful JB.
Or you sell both and buy a G&L.

 

[Yodhan]

Seeing that I have a bass that looks just like the old one with the maple neck, I am going to side with that bass. I am not a huge fan or tort on them, as I prefer the black, but that one is up to you.