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Two new basses, but which one to keep?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by TheFantod, Mar 22, 2011.


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  1. Mar 22, 2011 #1
    TheFantod

    TheFantod #5 of the Pentaverate. Took Col. Sanders' spot.

    Aug 7, 2009
    Eastern N.C.
    [​IMG]

    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...
     
  5. Mar 22, 2011 #2
    azfryguy

    azfryguy

    Feb 2, 2010
    Queen Creek AZ
    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. -_-
     
  10. Mar 22, 2011 #3
    mmbongo

    mmbongo Regular Human Bartender Supporting Member

    Aug 5, 2009
    Carolinas
    Sell both and get a G&L Tribute L2000 :)
     
  14. Mar 22, 2011 #4
    waleross

    waleross

    Nov 27, 2009
    South Florida
    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. :cool:
     
  18. Mar 22, 2011 #5
    Tommorichards

    Tommorichards

    Mar 22, 2011
    Id put the tort PG on the older one, and keep that one. I thinks its cos i love the neck
     
  22. Mar 22, 2011 #6
    WoodyG3

    WoodyG3

    May 6, 2003
    Colorado, USA
    Why not keep 'em both?
     
  26. Mar 22, 2011 #7
    HarlequinsRugby

    HarlequinsRugby

    Jan 26, 2011
    Brantford,Ontario,Canada,Earth
    +1
     
  31. Mar 22, 2011 #8
    jazzyitalian

    jazzyitalian Supporting Member

    Mar 3, 2005
    Minneapolis, MN
    Lawyer and Hobbist Bass Maker
    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.
     
  35. Mar 22, 2011 #9
    TheSuzie

    TheSuzie

    Jan 27, 2006
    Boston & Arizona, USA
    Send them both to me and I will send back the one I think you should keep.
     
  39. Mar 22, 2011 #10
    Hevy T

    Hevy T Supporting Member

    Jan 11, 2011
    Lethbridge, AB Canada
    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
     
  43. Mar 22, 2011 #11
    jzbass6

    jzbass6 One Nation Under A Groove

    Mar 22, 2006
    Calumet City, IL Chicago Area
    Is there a particular issue thats preventing you from keeping them both? if not they look pretty good together.
     
  47. Mar 22, 2011 #12
    arsie

    arsie

    Jan 19, 2011
    Singapore
    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.
     
  51. Mar 23, 2011 #13
    Selta

    Selta

    Feb 6, 2002
    Pacific Northwet
    Total fanboi of: Fractal Audio, AudiKinesis Cabs, Dingwall basses
    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.
     
  55. Mar 23, 2011 #14
    JimmyM

    JimmyM

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    i'd keep the sunburst.
     
  59. Mar 23, 2011 #15
    JasonKain

    JasonKain

    Nov 24, 2008
    Keep the maple neck. I'm a sucker for blocks.
     
  64. Mar 23, 2011 #16
    carlos840

    carlos840

    May 27, 2008
    Down in the middle somewhere.
    They are both cheap basses, unless you need a bit of money for something else keep both!
     
  68. Mar 23, 2011 #17
    markorbit

    markorbit

    Apr 16, 2004
    I'd keep the one on the left. I just don't like maple with black blocks.
    :ninja:
     
  72. Mar 23, 2011 #18
    odie

    odie

    Mar 12, 2000
    Minnesota, Earth, Milky Way
    Agree! Exactly what I was going to say.
     
  76. Mar 23, 2011 #19
    Magic Sam

    Magic Sam

    Nov 1, 2008
    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. :D:D
     
  80. Mar 23, 2011 #20
    Yodhan

    Yodhan

    Dec 10, 2007
    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.
     
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