Wait what? That's a Fender Squire??

[bobpond]

Thanks man. Yeah, he's a nice older guy and he was mortified by his mistake. I think it nearly ruined his day. He's def a guy I'll do business with.

Good ending to the story. Anyone else local (where is it?) go over there and buy something so this place stays in business.

 

[Bigbri]

I have the exact same bass - I've upgraded the pickups to Dimarzio Ultra jazz and upgraded the wiring to something more robust . Plays great/ sounds better. I bought it with the intention of being a backup to my vintage Lado but now it seems to be the one I turn to more and more when playing live.

I'd like to see a pic of that Lado. Havn't heard that name in decades. I had a friend who liked to spin his over his shoulder until one day his strap wasn't on tight.

 

[Bigbri]

I have the exact same bass - I've upgraded the pickups to Dimarzio Ultra jazz and upgraded the wiring to something more robust . Plays great/ sounds better. I bought it with the intention of being a backup to my vintage Lado but now it seems to be the one I turn to more and more when playing live.

I used to buy vintage stuff from "Ed's music workshop" in Peterborough. Do you remember that place? I wonder if it's still there. It was run by a guy named Dan lol.

 

[Crazy_Jake]

I used to buy vintage stuff from "Ed's music workshop" in Peterborough. Do you remember that place? I winder if it's still there. It was run by a guy named Dan lol.

I know the place bought some stuff there in the day - it closed down a few years ago. Too hard for him to compete with the bigger music stores coming into town i.e Guitar Boutique and Long & Mcquade's

 

[infraviolet]

It is interesting which woods they use for each model. Some are basswood, some are alder or agathis, and some are soft maple. My lightest bass has a VM PJ body and a VM 77 neck, and my heaviest by far is a VM Jazz V.

I've got a pre-redesign VM 70's (Duncan Designed pickups, satin neck) and I'm sure it is solid maple. There's a nice flame on it and it weighs almost 12 lbs.

 

[Bigbri]

I know the place bought some stuff there in the day - it closed down a few years ago. Too hard for him to compete with the bigger music stores coming into town i.e Guitar Boutique and Long & Mcquade's

It was a great little store. I got my first vintage guitar there a refin red 1959 strat.

 

[dmas81]

Good ending to the story. Anyone else local (where is it?) go over there and buy something so this place stays in business.

Columbus Indiana. Tom Pickett's

 

[Haynes'ey]

Sounds like you have a great local shop - and a couple of great basses winging their way to you! I very nearly went for the candy apple red, but the Olympic white was just too stunning to resist! I bought my new Vintage Modified on Sunday and weep with joy whenever I see it on the stand. I've wanted a Jazz since I was 16 - and it's worth the wait!

View attachment 726208

You could have read my mind, was going in to the shop to buy the Candy Red but came out with the very same as you.

 

[Haynes'ey]

If the amber actually looks like this in person....

... it is one beautiful guitar.

It does look,good had one in my hands today but went for the white one.

 

[dmas81]

Coolness.

I will say this: the stock pots in the VM leave a bit to be desired. Mini Alpha pots. They do work, but the tapers are pretty non-existent. I swapped mine out for full-size ones, all audio taper, and not only are the tapers smoother (still not perfect), but I get a bit more discernable top-end out of the neck pup. Also, wanted to have the more standard-looking plastic turn knobs (kept the brass ones for my project P-bass).

Aside from that, not going to change anything on the bass. I was contemplating taking out the 'Jazz Bass' lettering and replacing it with the late 60s Jazz Bass lettering (because it looks so cool), but nah. Why mess with it now? I was thinking of getting some pre-CBS style tuners, but the stock ones are perfectly fine. They're pretty much the same as on the standard MiMs and from what I can see the American Special, and even the Sire basses.

Can you you send me to the link of the pots you ended up using or what you recommend. I see what you mean now about the taper. All three of my knobs don't move much in the way of tone until about 75% and then the tone jets out.

 

[FerruleCat]

I took the day off and spent some time auditioning my basses on my rig, which is a Tone Hammer 500 into two DIY 112s. None of my gear is especially prime, though I have a couple of parts basses with good components.

The clear winner was the Squier VM 70s Jazz, with a stock (natural soft maple) body mated to a Warmoth neck. The sound was strong, clear, punchy and had good cut and that nice burpy growl. I had bought a set of DiMarzio Model Js to swap in, but now I'm going to keep the stock pickups and even the electronics. I will put a Babicz Full Contact bridge on, which I have on hand, even though the stock bridge leaves nothing to be desired.

Second place: Rogue VB100 violin with LaBella flats. Rich and full, with a nice woodiness and a hint of nasal mids, but not unpleasant. A distinctive bass.

Third: MIM P with the jazz neck from the Squier and a DiMarzio PJ set. What you'd expect - a more straightforward tone.

Fourth: Squier Bronco with Mustang pups and Chromes. Thumpy and P-like, but notably lower output with a slight sproinginess to the tone.

All of which is to say that the VM Jazz really does sound good. The Warmoth neck (with Hipshot Ultralite tuners) just takes it to the next level.