My modified VIntage Modified Squier Jazz

[Mornats]

I bought myself a nice Squier VM Jazz last month and decided to have a go at upgrading it. I liked the sound (and the playability) of it when I bought it but I wanted to play around anyway.

So, when I bought it I compared it to a Fender USA standard jazz. The Fender was a bit lighter, had a nicer finish (not that the Squire was finished badly by the way) and sounded a little sweeter and more refined.

So, first thing I did was to pop a new set of strings on it. I liked the sound of the Fender 7250ML strings that came with it but that nice snap they had died within a week. So I popped a set of Elixir steel strings on it.

[b]Sound samples with week-old Fender 7250ML vs brand new Elixir steel coated strings:[/b]

[url="https://soundcloud.com/mornats/elixir-strings-comparison"]https://soundcloud.c...ings-comparison[/url]

Next up I fancied putting a pair of Entwistle JBXN pickups in it but didn't want to solder anything so I was recommended a wiring loom by our very own KiOgon and after chatting to John decided to go for the full Fender control plate with knobs on it. John said t would improve the sound so I was curious...

[b]Sound samples of the stock wiring and pickups with a KiOgon wiring loom and stock pickups:[/b]

[url="https://soundcloud.com/mornats/jazz-bass-electronics-comparison"]https://soundcloud.c...nics-comparison[/url]

Next up, after a Post Office induced delay, my pickups arrived! Let's get straight to the beef:

[b]Sound sample of the stock pickups vs. Entwistle JBXN pickups:[/b]

[url="https://soundcloud.com/mornats/pickups-comparison"]https://soundcloud.c...kups-comparison[/url]

All of the samples were recorded straight into a Focusrite Forte interface and have no EQ, compression or anything else on them. Input gain on the Focusrite was set to 11 for all except the Entwistle test where I had to reduce it down to 8 otherwise the higher output from the neodymium pickups would cause it to clip!

[b]So, my impressions?[/b]

[b]Strings:[/b] I like the Elixirs. I'm hoping they'll keep the same tone for a long time. I expected them to be a bit brighter and zingier with more snap than the dying Fenders seeing as their steel. The coating takes away some of the zing from most coated strings but I didn't expect it to dull them this much. They're much closer to the older Fender strings than the fresh Fenders. I'm glad I didn't go for the nickel Elixirs. But if they keep this tone for a long time, I'll stick with them. They feel nice too.

They're a little quieter than the old strings and lose a little on the bottom end.

[b]Electronics:[/b] I really like the new wiring loom. The sound is clearer and much more defined, especially in the midrange with has extra clarity and cuts through a bit more. I think it sings a bit more. I tried it through my MarkBass and it sounds sweet. In comparison, the old set of electronics sound a bit muddy and ill-defined now.

[b]Pickups: [/b]These have added a nice bottom-end punch and have sweetened the sound up really nicely. I'm thinking back to that USA Fender and thinking that I have that and more now sound-wise. Through my MarkBass they sound awesome. For some reason they sound a bit duller than the old ones in the sound samples but this doesn't reflect how they sound through the amp. Actually after a further listen I can still hear the nigh end coming through. The mids seem to have shifted down the frequency range.

There's a bit of commentary on my other threads that I've posted about this:

New bass day: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/246113-nbd-squire-vm-jazz-content-plus-which-colour-pickguard-now-with-pics/"]http://basschat.co.u...-now-with-pics/[/url]
New string day: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/247688-new-string-day-elixir-steel-coated-strings-with-sound-test-against-fender-7250ml-nickels-on-my-squire-vm-jazz/"]http://basschat.co.u...squire-vm-jazz/[/url]
New electronics day: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/248196-help-a-newbie-change-pickups/"]http://basschat.co.u...change-pickups/[/url]

Anyway, I'm sick of hearing that riff (great riff that it is despite my butchering of it) so over to you guys...

Edited November 11, 2014 by Mornats

[dave_bass5]

well all i can add is that you either have a fake or you haven't looked at the headstock properly ;-)............its Squier :-)

I do agree though, Squier are putting out some very nice basses these days. Although ive just sold my VM PJ as it just wasn't needed, my two Classic Vibes will be with me for life (or at least while i need a 4 string Fender).

Ive had issues with MIA's in the past but both my CV's turned up perfect.

For me the necks on these basses are very, very good. To my fingers even better than the Fenders that have the med-jumbo frets.

[Mornats]

Yeah I thought that too about the neck. It's my favourite neck of any bass I've played.

I know it's a Squire Never mistook it for anything different lol. I'm almost tempted to pop into PMT and see if they'll let me A/B test it against a USA Fender for sound.

[dave_bass5]

I think you are mistaking your Squire of a Squier ;-).

Not so sure about the tone of the Squiers, good enough certainly, but the pups are the one thing i always upgrade. Not just because they are Squiers, but more because other pups give me the tone i want.

Edited November 11, 2014 by dave_bass5

[Mornats]

Oh lol, that'll be spell checker! I'll see if I can correct it!

And yeah, I upgraded the pups on mine and love them so far.