NBD - Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass V

[Telebass]

I'm thinking my next foray into 5s might be buying one of these and a P5, and swapping the necks, then offloading the J with the P neck. Then I'll have a complete set of blocks/binding Precisions!

[discreet]

[quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1400742321' post='2456488']
I'm thinking my next foray into 5s might be buying one of these and a P5, and swapping the necks, then offloading the J with the P neck. Then I'll have a complete set of blocks/binding Precisions!
[/quote]

Good wheeze! The VMJ V is definitely worth a try, Den.
IMHO, of course... can't comment on the P5 but I can't see it being wildly inferior to the VMJ V for any reason.

[CamdenRob]

How heavy are these chaps?

I might get one for gigs in some of the 'less salubrious' venues I play at.... (this is the closest I can get to a justification for buying one)

Edited May 22, 2014 by CamdenRob

[discreet]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1400745377' post='2456514']
How heavy are these chaps? I might get one of for gigs in some of the 'less salubrious' venues I play at.... (this is the closest I can get to a justification for buying one)
[/quote]

At this price you don't need to do much justification! Great idea, though - it's good to have something that sounds and plays well but that you don't have to worry about ever - there must be thousands of them and they are affordable enough to replace easily if everything goes boobs-aloft.

Using the traditional 'with-and-without-the-bass-on-the-bathroom-scales-method', I calculate a weight of 10.2lbs.
Is this heavy for a five-string? It has a certain physical presence, but doesn't feel like a boat anchor to me... YMMV of course.

Edited May 22, 2014 by discreet

[CamdenRob]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1400745672' post='2456519']
At this price you don't need to do much justification!
Using the traditional 'with-and-without-the-bass-on-the-bathroom-scales-method', I calculate a weight of 10.2lbs.
Is this heavy for a five-string? It has a certain physical presence, but doesn't feel like a boat anchor... YMMV of course.
[/quote]

Thanks for that... that's not too bad really for a fiver.

I'll have a look around at the weekend and see if anyone has one in stock I think.

[discreet]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1400745824' post='2456521']
Thanks for that... that's not too bad really for a fiver.
I'll have a look around at the weekend and see if anyone has one in stock I think.
[/quote]

I think Thomann have them in atm. I hope you like it after all my ranting! *Worry*

[CamdenRob]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1400746457' post='2456527']
I think Thomann have them in atm. I hope you like it after all my ranting! *Worry*
[/quote]

I've had one on the radar for a while... your review just pushed me closer!

It really does look like a lot of bass for the money.

[discreet]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1400746903' post='2456532']
It really does look like a lot of bass for the money.
[/quote]

It is. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[dave_bass5]

How the neck dive (if there is any)?
One of the very few complaints ive read by a few owners have mentioned this.

[discreet]

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1400773130' post='2456868']
How the neck dive (if there is any)?
[/quote]

I hadn't noticed, but now you mention it I suppose it could be an issue. I use a wide padded Minotaur strap to minimise it in any case. Left to its own devices the bass has a tendency toward the horizontal - I play it a little above this so it's perfectly acceptable for me. But if you like to have your bass at a very acute angle (like Bill Wyman, for instance) I could see it being a problem.

[0175westwood29]

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1400773130' post='2456868']
How the neck dive (if there is any)?
One of the very few complaints ive read by a few owners have mentioned this.
[/quote]

i use a dunlop strap and dnt really notice any neck dive, i do have my bass very low, but dnt notice that im holding the neck up, unlike when i had a gibby thunderbird which hurt.

andy

[dan670844]

I bought A VM J V Maple / maple for £220 off Ebay. Not a mark on it. It had a bit of a wonky set up and some high frets. But after a set up it plays great and the quality fit and finish is really very good. The body is supposed to be a two piece, down the middle, but I cant see a join at all. Mine is the lastest version with Fender designed pickups. I think the duncan designed ones were better. They have a brittle top end. So they will go. Only problem with the maple/maple V is it heavy. But its as tough as old boots, would be great in a bar brawl....

[discreet]

[quote name='dan670844' timestamp='1400959085' post='2458648']
Mine is the latest version with Fender designed pickups. I think the duncan designed ones were better. They have a brittle top end.
[/quote]

Not sure which mine are... afaik it's a 2013 model. You're right, there's certainly a lot of top end available.
I'm using full treble cut on the tone while my new strings lose their zing...

Would be interested to know what you replace the pups with. Don't seem to be a lot of alternatives available, unless I'm just looking in the wrong place, of course. But I'm not unhappy with the stock pups... at the moment.

Edited May 24, 2014 by discreet

[HowieBass]

I could be wrong but I think the DD are alnico and the Fender pups are ceramic magnet which I've read is what contributes to the brittleness...

Edited May 24, 2014 by HowieBass

[dan670844]

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1400962967' post='2458701']
I could be wrong but I think the DD are alnico and the Fender pups are ceramic magnet which I've read is what contributes to the brittleness...
[/quote]

sd's are defo alinco, they are great and wouldnt swap em out, my fender designed have a harsh top end and have an attentuated low end, they sound like a mexi jazz pup. Which i hate. i am just going to get the guts ripped changed to alinco v and the bobbins rewound with formar.

[theyellowcar]

You've definitely turned to the dark (Jazz!) side then! I'm sorry that I contributed to this act of horror, even in the smallest of ways

In all seriousness though I'm glad it's turned out well - sounds like you have a cracking bass there!

[discreet]

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1401560753' post='2464801']
You've definitely turned to the dark (Jazz!) side then! I'm sorry that I contributed to this act of horror, even in the smallest of ways
In all seriousness though I'm glad it's turned out well - sounds like you have a cracking bass there!
[/quote]

Can't go back to just one pickup now.... I've also fitted a JZ3 Pre and Status Hotwires = superb!
I won't rattle on about it as I've mentioned it elsewhere... but thank you.

[dave_bass5]

This thread is really not doing my GAS any favours :-(