Upgrading a VM 70's Jazz - VM vs CV? (Pics)

[DonaldR]

Gotoh bridges are like $30. Just sayin...

And I paid $20 for my vintage Wilkinson bridge.

 

[robbyray]

This is an upgrade ( I will lose money if I sell it)

EMG JAX5 Pickups (Almico and the X preamp - the most vintage sounding active pickups there is with large headroom )
EMG BTS preamp stack knob (not in picture)
Hipshot Kick Ass Bridge
Hipshot ultralite Y tuners
Brass Saddles (not pictured - improved the B string lots - with the bridge in Stingray 5 level for 34 scale neck )
Battery compartment routed in the back 18v system - enables you to crank the bass boost all the way and not distort at the preamp even if you pluck hard.




View attachment 7295839

This is sweet! Aready thinking about finding a 5 string version and giving it the same treatment as the 4. Seems as if the VM 5s are a bit harder to find in the wild.

 

[DonaldR]

Try before you buy. Might be just me but I think a 9.5" radius on a 4-string is flatter than a 9.5" radius on a 5-string.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Nice mod-project!

Further proof that Squier can build great platforms for modifying and experimentation!

What is the part number for your tuning keys? They look to hide the old screws holes.

I ordered these. Now I will say, the stock tuner holes are larger than these. I got crafty and wrapped some black electrical tape around the replacement grommets until they fit. You'd never know unless I told ya! And I had to drill new holes for the screws on the back. They're super smooth and secure now, but of course, YMMV – Good luck!

Or, if you don't feel like giving money to "real-life Lex Luthor", you can buy direct from Guyker.

Guyker sells those too - Guyker Adjustable Bell Brass Nut Length 38mm Split Regulation for Bass

See? He gets it!

This is a Vintage Modified Squier, and when I was doing research, it looks like it has been replaced with the Classic Vibe. I played a CV at Guitar Center, and I gotta say, I think I prefer my VM. I get that CVs are 'nicer', but I definitely preferred the neck on the VM. I'm not a fan of the narrow / tall frets on the CV and I can't get over the highly lacquered necks on the newer stuff. Has anyone owned both? What are your experiences with the VM vs CV? I will say, the CV felt a little better in terms of fit and finish, but I dig what I have!

A quick, unscientific history;

1. Squier introduced the Vintage Modified Series somewhere around 2007 or 2008. The Jazzes had chrome knobs, satin necks and Duncan Designed pickups.
2. The first generation, made-in-China Classic Vibes were released around 2008 or 2009. They were meant to be a step up from the VM's.
3. In 2013, Squier made some considerable changes to their Jazzes; glossy necks and Fender-designed pickups.
4. Both ran until 2019-ish. Then, the VM series was replaced by the second generation, made-in-Indonesia CV's. One of the notable changes was to give the Jazzes actual '70s-era pickup placement. Any other differences should be detailed in the specs. (e.g.: I bought one of the first batches of second-gen CV Jazzes and it has a 2019 date stamp.)

 

[DonaldR]

A quick, unscientific history;

1. Squier introduced the Vintage Modified Series somewhere around 2007 or 2008. The Jazzes had chrome knobs, satin necks and Duncan Designed pickups.
2. The first generation, made-in-China Classic Vibes were released around 2008 or 2009. They were meant to be a step up from the VM's.
3. In 2013, Squier made some considerable changes to their Jazzes; glossy necks and Fender-designed pickups.

My VM Jazz 5 is from 2017, bought new as a gift from me to me during a trip to NYC. Nice instrument for the money.