Members Noise... Posted August 8, 2007 Members Posted August 8, 2007 Well, yesterday i had the chance to sit down with one of the new Squier Vintage Modified Telecasters. It was horrible. The neck was fine, probably finish-wise as good as any Fender, but flimsy feeling. And, the body sounded absolutely dead. No resonance, no sustain, just thin, shrill notes. I've played plenty of MIM Fender Teles, and every single one has been a much better guitar than this Squier that's only $100 cheaper. Is this the same quality that I'd see on the VM basses? I'm debating between the natural maple Jazz bass and a Fender Standard. The Squier I could get soon, but I'd have to save a bit longer for the Fender. I've heard that the Vintage modified basses can be about as good as MIM Fenders, but I heard the same about the guitars and I was really let down when I tried the VM Tele. Are the VM basses better quality, or are they going to be about the same as the VM Guitars? Or, even better, is there someone here that owns a Vintage Modified Maple Jazz Bass as well as a Fender Standard MIM Jazz bass? If so, how do they compare?
Members Captain Fathead Posted August 8, 2007 Members Posted August 8, 2007 I like 'em. The fretless is on my to buy list, followed closely by the telebass. I was at a sam ash, and the few they had were mixed. The fretted 70s style was amazing... comparable to couple of the MIAs they had (the MIAs could have been dogs, it was weird). The fretless they had in the store was badly set up, so I couldn't get into it. Still, I really want one for a fretless.
Members Noise... Posted August 8, 2007 Author Members Posted August 8, 2007 Really? up to MIA standards? Even if the MIA's were pretty bad...that's still a big thing. Did the Fretted '70s seem to need anything upgrade-wise? Pots, pickups...anything like that? Also, what was the neck like?
Members illidian Posted August 8, 2007 Members Posted August 8, 2007 I've got one of the 70's fretted models. I didn't buy it because of the price. I bought it because of its features: an all-maple jazz bass. After a good set-up, it plays real well. As good, if not better, than MIA Fenders. Not as good as a Lakland or Sadowsky jazz, but definitely one of the best jazz basses I've ever had the pleasure to play.
Members Captain Fathead Posted August 8, 2007 Members Posted August 8, 2007 Really? up to MIA standards? Even if the MIA's were pretty bad...that's still a big thing. Did the Fretted '70s seem to need anything upgrade-wise? Pots, pickups...anything like that?Also, what was the neck like? When I go and demo basses I'm interested in, I usually line 'em up randomly, close my eyes, and play. I look at the brand, price, etc. after. The VM was the bass that felt best to me. It was surprising... I opened my eyes and was like "whoaaa squier." Would I switch anything out? If I picked it up, I think I'd swap out the pots, but it wouldn't be urgent... It sounded gigable stock. Neck: To be honest, I prefer p necks to j's. That said, the neck was nice. No gloss finish (hate those), and typical profile. Seriously, if I had the extra cash, I'd be picking up two.
Members Noise... Posted August 8, 2007 Author Members Posted August 8, 2007 Damn. You guys are making me want this bass more than the Fender! Now, about it being all maple - how does that affect the sound? I don't play funk stuff or do the slapping or popping. I'm going to be playing experimental, prog, and indie rock. Will it sound good for those? Can it still get a really thick tone being made of such a bright wood? As for the neck, as long as it's a standard J bass neck, I'd be happy. I was just making sure it wasn't some weird profile or something. Also, is the wood grain on the body really prominent? I'd really prefer it to stand out in the wood at least a little bit. Are the pickguards well cut? And are the inlays well done?
Members georgestrings Posted August 8, 2007 Members Posted August 8, 2007 I bought one of the Squier VM Jazz's not too long ago - I ended up replacing the pots, pups(DiMarzio Ultra Jazz's), jack, applied a clear gloss laquer finish to the fretboard, and swapped pickguards with my Active Jazz Deluxe - and ended up with a fantastic bass for very little money... I also installed a series/parallel switch - which is a mod I highly recommend... It was plenty giggable when I bought it, but now rivals my Active Jazz Deluxe and P Bass Special... Picture a Geddy Jazz with a maple body, tort pickguard, and the above mods - and that's what I ended up with, for about $250 and some work(I bought the VM Jazz used - BARELY - for $150)... The guys in my band tell me that "Blondie" is now my best sounding, and looking bass... - georgestrings
Members georgestrings Posted August 8, 2007 Members Posted August 8, 2007 Damn. You guys are making me want this bass more than the Fender!Now, about it being all maple - how does that affect the sound? I don't play funk stuff or do the slapping or popping. I'm going to be playing experimental, prog, and indie rock. Will it sound good for those? Can it still get a really thick tone being made of such a bright wood?As for the neck, as long as it's a standard J bass neck, I'd be happy. I was just making sure it wasn't some weird profile or something.Also, is the wood grain on the body really prominent? I'd really prefer it to stand out in the wood at least a little bit. Are the pickguards well cut? And are the inlays well done? I don't see being all maple as affecting the tone in a negative manner - with the above mods, mine's got a great "midrangy" tone, but not too midrangy - fairly clear, and nice lows - and really stands out in the mix, and in a very good way... I play mostly current rock, with a bit of classic and metal in there, too - and it works well for those, so I'd imagine it'd suit your porposes as well... The neck is a typical Jazz neck, and the fretwork on 4 or 5 I've played has all been very good... Woodgrain will vary of course - but most I've seen were attractive, including the one I ended up with... IMO, fit and finish is unbelievable at this price point - the neck to pocket fit on mine is as good as I've ever seen... I've had no problem attaining a nice action with mine, and it's been pretty stable thus far... Hope this helps, - georgestrings
Members illidian Posted August 8, 2007 Members Posted August 8, 2007 Damn. You guys are making me want this bass more than the Fender!Now, about it being all maple - how does that affect the sound? I don't play funk stuff or do the slapping or popping. I'm going to be playing experimental, prog, and indie rock. Will it sound good for those? Can it still get a really thick tone being made of such a bright wood?As for the neck, as long as it's a standard J bass neck, I'd be happy. I was just making sure it wasn't some weird profile or something.Also, is the wood grain on the body really prominent? I'd really prefer it to stand out in the wood at least a little bit. Are the pickguards well cut? And are the inlays well done? Maple is a pretty bright wood, much moreso than the standard for jazz bass, Alder. It's different. The low mids, compared to Alder, lack some oomph to them. But the highs on a maple snarl. You've probably heard the analogy, "P basses thump, jazzes growl, and Rics snarl." Well, the body and neck of Rics is maple. It feels like a standard-ish jazz neck to me. The "ish" is there because there are a million slight variations to where I don't want to say it is "standard." It feels good in my hand. And, as Captain Fathead mentioned, it doesn't have a gloss finish on the neck (OR the fretboard). It feels different than many basses in that regard, but I prefer it. YMMV Wood grain depends on the specific piece. And at this price point, it's very much hit-or-miss, with a strong tip to the miss side. But mine is a gorgeous two-piece body that I feel bad putting a pickguard on sometimes. My pickguard's only flaw is that it doesn't line up perfectly with the control plate - the pickguard is a smidge smaller, but not noticeable unless you know it AND are less than five feet away. Offhand, I believe it's a 3-ply B/W/B. The inlays (which are real btw, not just painted on ala the Geddy) on mine are fantastic. Not perfect, but still excellent.
Members GRANKOR Posted August 8, 2007 Members Posted August 8, 2007 the guitars use 'red cedar' for the body, whatever the hell that is, and are made in a completely different factory in India. The basses use either maple, agathis or basswood for the bodies and are made in Indonesia. I own 2 and love them both
Members Noise... Posted August 8, 2007 Author Members Posted August 8, 2007 Ok, so, being all maple, does it still sound like a Jazz Bass? I understand the P/J/Ric thing, but still, I'd like it to still sound like a Jazz Bass at least a little bit. Does it still get the Jazz bass tone, but with a bit more growl?
Members georgestrings Posted August 8, 2007 Members Posted August 8, 2007 it still sounds like a Jazz Bass Yup - although in series, mine gets a sound somewhere between a Jazz and a P... - georgestrings
Members Noise... Posted August 8, 2007 Author Members Posted August 8, 2007 Thanks for the info! I'm going to go order it now!
Members illidian Posted August 8, 2007 Members Posted August 8, 2007 Ok' date=' so, being all maple, does it still sound like a Jazz Bass?.../QUOTE'] Of course! It is, unmistakably, a jazz bass tone.
Members tylytle Posted August 8, 2007 Members Posted August 8, 2007 I have the natural jazz. came to me set up very well. Had to intonate the G and the A just a tad. I will not change a thing. I love it. it's my main bass now.
Members Noise... Posted August 9, 2007 Author Members Posted August 9, 2007 I ordered it a bit earlier. It should be in sometime next week. Thanks for the info guys!
Members someotherguy Posted August 13, 2007 Members Posted August 13, 2007 I wish they made a Squier VM P/J.
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