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NBD Vintage V-4 "The Rocker" Thin Lizzy on a budget


Fullmoon1971
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Okay so over the weekend I decided to pass on my Harley Benton MM-84a to my son, This left me with a vacancy in my bass rack so I decided to check out some p basses. I used to have a 1982 JV Squier that I stupidly let go while my mind was in a fog after my wife passed away. While surfing the web I came across the Vintage V-4BLK with mirror guard (Phil Lynott & Steve Harris are amongst my bass idols)
VintageV4ReissuedBKL.thumb.jpg.97b33849b9d61855fb38411ab7c0bb0a.jpg


Out of the box she virtually perfect.
Just a slight truss rod tweak and the action lowering to how I like it
Paintwork & hardware fit and finish are perfect
Intonation was spot on
The pickup sound fantastic through my Ashdown ABM EVO III 500
Both controls are super responsive.

Minor niggles
Fretboard a little dry - sorted this out along with frets
The frets needed a re-polish (a couple of rough spots)
The bass weighs 9Lb 14ozs but is slightly neck heavy (thats what wide straps are for)
Factory fitted strings are rubbish to say the least - restrung with Rotosound 77's Flatwound. I'd never tried flatwounds till now - really enjoying the change

The only mods I've done are (only because I already them in my parts draw)
Pure Tone 4 point jack socket
3 string tree to stop any A string buzz (though she doesn't have any at the moment)

 

The biggest problem I now have is, I am gonna have to  get the Vintage V4 in white with maple fretboard  and make a Steve Harris version.

Edited by Fullmoon1971
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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted (edited)
Following on from getting my V-4BLK "the rocker" I decided to get the V-4MVW and see if I could turn into a passable Steve Harris homage. Again I found a fantastic deal on ebay £200 brand new and she arrived today.
[IMG]

Like the black one she's virtually perfect out of the box.
Just a slight truss rod tweak and the action lowering to how I like it
Paintwork & hardware fit and finish are virtually perfect
Intonation was spot on
again the pickup sounds fantastic through my Ashdown ABM EVO III 500 s
Slightly lower output (probably due to the lighter weight body)
Both controls are super responsive.

Minor niggles
The frets could do with a re-polish (a couple of rough spots)
The bass weighs 8Lb 6.5ozs but is slightly neck heavy
Factory fitted strings are rubbish to say the least
She will be restrung with flatwound Rotosound 77's (not sure which set yet, I ve got a standard set and a Steve Harris set) I've completely fallen for flatwounds

The only mods I'm thinking off (again because I already them in my parts draw)
Pure Tone 4 point jack socket
3 string tree to stop any A string buzz (though she doesn't have any at the moment)
Mirror vinyl over the pickguard
Either fit a no load tone pot or wire volume directly to output ala Steve's own bass
I may fit a Gotoh 201b or Fender Hi-mass (may have to shim the neck to keep my prefered string height)

I dont follow West Ham football club (manchester City thru and thru) so she'll possibly get this
[IMG]
 
 
 
Edited by Fullmoon1971
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Posted (edited)

Okay so I've virtually finished the mods to the vintage white V-4 "Steve Harris" homage, just waiting on a custom made mirror guard but everything else is done.
[IMG]

Mods included =
Added 3 string tree to headstock
Steve Harris signature strings
Revival RPPB 11.5k replacement pickup (£35 off Amazon)
Upgraded wiring
Changed pots to CTS ones with a no load tone control (still want use of tone knob if needed)
(temporary) mirror vinyl overlay
New control knobs
Iron Maiden vinyl sticker (a little smaller than the West Ham one but I think it looks okay)
Set up with super low action

I decided to change the pickup for one with more output and found this on amazon.
[IMG]

I have Revival pickups in two of my strats (the Hendrix set and the 1954 set) so I know they make a good pickup for very little money

So how does she sound after all these changes? In a word fantastic,the pickup swap has increased the output over the stock model and retained the tonal signature of a standard P-Bass. It improved output and clarity through the range but really didn't become over-powering and loud for the sake of being loud.

Edited by Fullmoon1971
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  • 4 weeks later...

Okay so this weekend I decided to add another V-4 to my collection. I found a really good deal online from a shop that I actually visit quite often for a V-4 Tony Butler, he'd over ordered and is blowing them at various prices, with lowest being less than half price with free postage (if you find the right advert). I was already in manchester but he honored the online price, mine cost me £210. search Chase Direct either online or Evilbay

[IMG]

Out of the box she need a little care and attention.
truss rod tweak and the action lowering to how I like it
Paintwork & hardware fit and finish are perfect
Fretwork needed sorting
Intonation was spot on
The pickup sound fantastic through my Ashdown ABM EVO III 500
Both controls are super responsive.

Minor niggles
The frets needed work (a couple of rough spots)
The bass weighs 9Lb 4ozs but is slightly neck heavy
Factory fitted strings are rubbish to say the least

The only mods I'm thinking off (only because I already them in my parts draw)
Pure Tone 4 point jack socket
3 string tree to stop any A string buzz (though she doesn't have any at the moment)
I may fit a Gotoh 201b (may have to shim the neck to keep my prefered string height)

The interesting thing comparing the models I have are the differences.

V-4 MVW features a Poplar Body & Wilkinson WJBL200 machine heads
V-4 BLK features a Alder Body & Wilkinson WJBL175 machine heads
V-4 MTB features a Alder Body & Wilkinson WJBL200 machine heads, maybe has a different pickup (Sounds beefier than the one in the V-4 BLK

The thing that really suprised me though are the neck dimensions
V-4 MVW = 22.5mm 1st fret & 23.5mm 12th Fret (Almost D shape profile)
V-4 BLK = 21.5mm 1st fret & 22.5mm 12th fret (C shape profile)
V-4 MTB = 19mm 1st fret & 20.5mm 12th Fret (Soft V flattening to C shape profile)
[IMG]
Left to right = V-4 MVW, V-4 BLK, V-4 MTB

The V-4 MVW almost goes from neck to headstock without any real slopping
[IMG]

The V-4 BLK has a gentle slope from neck to headstock
[IMG]

The V-4 MTB has more of a slope towards the headstock and almost feels like its missing it's fingerboard compared to the other depth wise
[IMG]

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