discreet Posted September 24, 2018 Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) NBD: Vintage VJ74 Jazz - Refurbished! I’ve had low-level GAS for a Vintage brand V4 P Bass for some years, but for whatever reason had never considered their Jazz offerings. But when I saw a Vintage VJ74 Reissue Jazz for sale here on BC at a very reasonable price, I took a punt - on a whim. However, the bass had one or two problems: Firstly, it was black - and secondly, it didn’t have its original ‘Vintage VJ74’ decal, which had been replaced with a ‘Moon Bass’ decal (see pics). The pickguard is tort, but considering it’s not what I call ‘proper’ tort, it’s actually not too bad. These are the ‘before’ pics: I refinished the bass in Heritage White, with matching headstock. Then I made a ‘Vintage VJ74’ decal in PhotoShop and printed it onto inkjet waterslide decal paper - my first DIY decal. The rosewood fretboard was a bit chalky and quite dry, so I treated it to a drop of oil, which made it much darker. Result. Other modifications were minimal, as I’m perfectly happy with the electrics, pickups and hardware which are all Wilkinson as standard, Vintage being one of Trevor Wilkinson’s brands. The 'refurbishment' isn't absolutely to stock - as far as I know Vintage don't produce a matching-headstock Jazz in their range, so I allowed myself a little leeway - it's a bit 'custom'... It plays really nicely and sound-wise it’s right up there with the competition. I’ve owned and played Fender Jazzes and various Jazz clones from other makers and the VJ74 absolutely holds its own. The Wilkinson pickups are strong and clear with a big, yet tight and controlled low end, punchy mids and a ringing, almost piano-like tone with a new set of rounds. Very intoxicating and quite addictive. My original intention was to titivate the bass and move it on, but it has immediately become my number one go-to instrument. Obviously 'Vintage' brand basses are way underrated! I’m totally chuffed with it, and it will have its first outing at rehearsal this evening. I’m also chuffed with the cost. As I already had the paint, the amber tint and the waterslide decal paper, and as it wasn’t necessary to upgrade the pickups, tuners or bridge, all it took to get this where I wanted it was a little time and effort. Well worth it - and I’m now a happy bunny. Well... until P-Bass GAS comes around again of course, but as usual I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Note - the tort guard looks red on black; and much darker on white. Juxtaposition! It's the same guard. Anyway in conclusion, it's obviously possible to pick up a bass for little money that's already a decent, solid player and have it become your main squeeze with a bit of cosmetic work. Result. These are the ‘after’ pics: I thank you! And many thanks to Basschatter Aidan63. Edited October 8, 2018 by discreet 9 Quote
LewisK1975 Posted September 24, 2018 Posted September 24, 2018 It's a looker, congrats on a job well done Sir! 1 Quote
Guest MoJo Posted September 24, 2018 Posted September 24, 2018 Nice job. Looks great. I love my Vintage V4 Quote
mikeycrikey Posted September 24, 2018 Posted September 24, 2018 That looks awesome especially the headstock. Well done 1 Quote
Aidan63 Posted September 24, 2018 Posted September 24, 2018 bang tidy, enjoy the fruits of your labour (and a dadge of mine) well polished 😎 1 Quote
discreet Posted September 24, 2018 Author Posted September 24, 2018 14 minutes ago, Aidan63 said: bang tidy, enjoy the fruits of your labour (and a dadge of mine) You DID do quite a bit of work cleaning and oiling before I got it, for which many thanks. Made it a lot easier for me in the long run. Quote
gary mac Posted September 24, 2018 Posted September 24, 2018 Nice one Discreet, looks really handsome. 1 Quote
Lozz196 Posted September 24, 2018 Posted September 24, 2018 Looks great, Mark, if I were any use with anything practical I`d refin my Vintage Tony Butler V4 in white, but I`m utterly pony at anything/everything practical. Don`t suppose you want to earn a few quid doing it, do you? 1 Quote
discreet Posted September 24, 2018 Author Posted September 24, 2018 8 minutes ago, Lozz196 said: Looks great, Mark, if I were any use with anything practical I`d refin my Vintage Tony Butler V4 in white, but I`m utterly pony at anything/everything practical. Don`t suppose you want to earn a few quid doing it, do you? Yes, I do. 1 Quote
Twincam Posted September 24, 2018 Posted September 24, 2018 Very nice colour choice indeed. That Decal looks fantastic! I know you mentioned the finish, it probably wouldn't take too much work to put a nicer final finish on that headstock. Although you've already made what was a fairly pedestrian looking bass, look fantastic! 1 Quote
discreet Posted September 24, 2018 Author Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) On 24/09/2018 at 16:13, Twincam said: I know you mentioned the finish, it probably wouldn't take too much work to put a nicer final finish on that headstock. Absolutely agree, I should have worked it to a glass-like finish. But I really wanted to take it to rehearsal tonight and see how it sounds! Edited October 8, 2018 by discreet Quote
Twincam Posted September 24, 2018 Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) 13 minutes ago, discreet said: Absolutely agree, it's very orange-peely and I should have worked it to a glass-like finish. But I really wanted to take it to rehearsal tonight and see how it sounds! Well I hope it sounds as good as it looks. Fantastic that is! I empathise with your lack if patience haha. Edited September 24, 2018 by Twincam 1 Quote
discreet Posted September 24, 2018 Author Posted September 24, 2018 25 minutes ago, Twincam said: Well I hope it sounds as good as it looks. Fantastic that is! I empathise with your lack of patience. Thanks, sounds great here at home so I'm hopeful. I'll buy more clear and work the headstock. My OCD won't allow it to stand now you've mentioned it. Quote
discreet Posted September 24, 2018 Author Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) Took the bass to rehearsal this evening, it absolutely rocks. The epitome of what a Jazz Bass should sound like and it plays very nicely. Even got comments from the band, who usually wouldn't notice if I turned up with a bright pink ukulele. I'm really surprised at how good this is. On the strength of it I'll definitely be looking at a Vintage brand P Bass at some point (a white one, so I don't have to paint it). You really don't need to spend a lot of money to get a very playable, good-sounding instrument these days. What a great time it is to be a bass player! Edited September 24, 2018 by discreet 5 Quote
Guest MoJo Posted September 25, 2018 Posted September 25, 2018 11 hours ago, discreet said: Took the bass to rehearsal this evening, it absolutely rocks. The epitome of what a Jazz Bass should sound like and it plays very nicely. Even got comments from the band, who usually wouldn't notice if I turned up with a bright pink ukulele. I'm really surprised at how good this is. On the strength of it I'll definitely be looking at a Vintage brand P Bass at some point (a white one, so I don't have to paint it). You really don't need to spend a lot of money to get a very playable, good-sounding instrument these days. What a great time it is to be a bass player! I have these two and am thinking about adding a VJ74 Quote
discreet Posted September 25, 2018 Author Posted September 25, 2018 16 minutes ago, MoJo said: I have these two and am thinking about adding a VJ74 Wow! Very, very nice indeed. I think I'm becoming a Vintage fanboi. I'm sure you wouldn't regret a VJ74. But now I have serious Vintage P GAS... 1 Quote
Lozz196 Posted September 25, 2018 Posted September 25, 2018 Well imo they are seriously good basses, not for the money, just seriously good full stop. I`ve been really impressed with my Tony Butler V4. 1 Quote
discreet Posted September 25, 2018 Author Posted September 25, 2018 45 minutes ago, Lozz196 said: Well imo they are seriously good basses, not for the money, just seriously good full stop. Agreed. Unless you're hung up about having an F-decal on your headstock there's really no need to spend Fender money on a Fender-type bass. 2 Quote
Jonny Boots Posted September 25, 2018 Posted September 25, 2018 (edited) I've said it before V4s are great basses & as stated not just for the money they stand on their own as great basses. I have 3, here's 2 of them, a slightly customised Tony Butler sig model & the new model in Firenza Red. The other being a sunburst model. Can't beat them in my opinion. Edited September 25, 2018 by Jonny Boots 4 Quote
songofthewind Posted September 25, 2018 Posted September 25, 2018 Well, that’s scrubbed up nicely, and no mistake. Good work! 1 Quote
Guest MoJo Posted September 26, 2018 Posted September 26, 2018 13 hours ago, Jonny Boots said: I've said it before V4s are great basses & as stated not just for the money they stand on their own as great basses. I have 3, here's 2 of them, a slightly customised Tony Butler sig model & the new model in Firenza Red. The other being a sunburst model. Can't beat them in my opinion. I like the black hardware on the Tony Butler Quote
Jonny Boots Posted September 26, 2018 Posted September 26, 2018 7 hours ago, MoJo said: I like the black hardware on the Tony Butler Yeah I like it, I think it improved the look a little. I used all Wilkinson parts. 1 Quote
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