Help me choose a bass(es)

[Funkfingers]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

In my opinion, the Squier VM Jazz Bass plays exceedingly well. It is a great platform for upgrading as and when the need arises.

The Squier VM Precision Bass model features PJ pickups and a wider but shallower neck profile. (Kinda '63/64-ish.) The example that I tried today had a chunky, machined steel bridge whereas the Jazz had the traditional bent steel plate affair.

If you want the P sound, you need a split coils P pickup. The only J style pickup that gets anywhere close to that tone is the Bartolini 9J-S#4.

A PJ pickup pair will suffer from output level imbalance. One way to work around this is to rig the P pickup up for series/parallel mode switching. Parallel mode makes a better output and tonal match for the bridge position J pickup.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

I bought a Yamaha Attitude Standard off Craigslist and it is one of the best basses I have played. If you can get one cheap they are worth upgrading the pickups on.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

+1 on the non-signature model Yamaha Attitude models.

I used to habitually recommended the bottom-of-the-range ATT Plus model and a set of modifications. I stopped doing that because the supply of pre-owned Attitude basses seemed to have dried up.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

I've really been missing the tone of a P/J bass lately and that's my reason for wanting the Squier.

Have you considered stretching your budget to get the Vintage Modified PJ Bass model? The build quality is that bit better. This specific model comes with a chunky, high-mass bridge as standard. The pickups, pots and jack will need upgrading. For some reason, the pickguard is black. Parchment, white MoTo or brown torty would look nicer.

Spector Legend Classic with EMG HZ Soapbars (wanting to replace with Blackouts).

I am still farting about with my modified 1997 Warwick Streamer that you heard a recording of last week. My verdict to date is that it records nicely but can sound annoyingly brittle when amplified - almost as if it had brand spanking new strings. (This is before I apply any active Treble band EQ.)

I understand your joy at the bargain-priced Spector. (I remain similarly pleased with my Seymourised MIG Warwick Corvette Standard.) I also understand the appeal of a passive, two pickup bass guitar. You have mentioned a hypothetical budget of $300 for a Squier and a few mods. This figure should land you a pair of SSB-4 NYC Soapbar pickups and a couple of DP3T on-on-on switches.

Just my two penn'orth. :cool2:

 

[marcboomer]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

I keep going back to flatwounds on my P, then I end up missing the highs and harmonics sometimes and go back to rounds. All I really need to do is utilize my tone control to emulate the flats. Has anybody ever harmed their fingers by over sliding around the fretboard with flats? I have. At least I feel the slide more with rounds and keep better aware of the potential harm with them. So I'm back to rounds. Guess which I like: BOOMERS!

 

[Demanic]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

When I play bass, I like the strings to feel like little round files. Needless to say, this has taken it's toll on my frets.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

I sense that your favourite Rolling Stones cover song is Fingerprint File.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

In my opinion, the Squier VM Jazz Bass plays exceedingly well. It is a great platform for upgrading as and when the need arises.

+1. Nice bass. Put a pair of Geddy Lee PU's in mine.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

+2 on the Squier VM Jazz Basses. They're really fantastic instruments. I've been using mine for more than five years now, and only complaint is that it's kinda heavy so needs a wider strap.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

+1. Nice bass. Put a pair of Geddy Lee PU's in mine.

From the Fender signature model or something else?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

From the Fender signature model or something else?

Used, from the signature Geddy Lee JB, 'vintage single coils.'

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

The Duncan Designed pickups that used to come in these basses were fine - especially on the fretless model.

The "Fender-designed" single coils supplied in recent years do not seem to have so much edge when you dig in on the strings.

IMO, this is even more noticeable with the "Fender-designed" PJ pickups on the Squier VM Precision Bass model. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the VM Precision Bass doesn't have "it" in the way that the Jazz seems to.



(I write this as the owner of two Fender AVRI Jazz Bass guitars.)

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

+1.

I'm even putting my money where my mouth is.

Just offloaded my Ibanez SRX. Squandered the proceeds on a Squier VM Jazz Bass. Sunburst finish, rosewood fingerboard, dot position markers, cheap 'n' nasty 3-ply brown torty pickguard, cheap 'n' nasty Fender Designed pickups, cheap 'n' nasty control electronics.

I have a Gotoh 201B waiting. Still mulling over my pickup options. Will probably tumble the fingerboard edges slightly and apply lemon oil when I fit decent strings.

A gig-worthy instrument for well under the price of a Fender MIM Standard model.


For what it is worth, I also tried Squier VM PJ, Dimension and Telecaster Bass Special (the discontinued model with J and Mudbucker pickups) before settling on the Jazz.

What size are the pickups on the VM? Are they both "neck" sized or traditionally sized?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

Pickups and cavities are traditional LJ/SJ. The semi-circular screw guides on the pickup covers are spaced accordingly. If the routing is cut cleanly, SD/Basslines pickups drop straight in.

The control plate has small metric holes for the pots and jack socket.

On a recent example, Squier had used larger diameter screws to fasten their bridge than Gotoh supplies with its 201B high mass bridge. Filing the bridge holes is less hassle than filling and redrilling the holes.

 

[Scatabrain]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

Are they long scale? I thought they were shorter...



All I have is the Jazz V, and the pickups are leaving something to be desired. I was considering replacing them with Apollos or QPs and a preamp, but you can get a Squier for that price. I'll check out the Spector.


Huh... I didn't realize that. I'll check the vid when I get a chance.

They have both. I bought the 34". Cheers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Help me choose a bass(es)

Incoming.