Fullmoon1971 Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 (edited) 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) 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 March 28 by Fullmoon1971 Spelling 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 Very underrated basses, the Vintage V4s 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckman67 Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 That looks really nice enjoy it. 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 I had one of the V4s. Loved it. Did plenty of gigs with it. Never had an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 great score. I have 3 vintage 6 strings and they are all super instruments. One day I'll pick up a V4 I'm sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullmoon1971 Posted March 22 Author Share Posted March 22 (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. 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 Edited March 28 by Fullmoon1971 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckman67 Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 Can't go wrong with either decal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 I’d go with Eddie as the joke might not be that amusing after a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullmoon1971 Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 (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. 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. 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 March 28 by Fullmoon1971 Spelling 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullmoon1971 Posted April 23 Author Share Posted April 23 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 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) 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 The V-4 BLK has a gentle slope from neck to headstock 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 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 23 Share Posted April 23 Congrats, I had one of the Tony Butler Sigs and it was a really good bass, forget for the money just a really good bass. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Forrer Posted April 23 Share Posted April 23 Yeah, I bought a surf green jazz a few months ago, but two gigs convinced me it was too heavy, even with an SBL strap. Sold it and replaced it with an Aria Pro II Jazz which is 2 pounds lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 How many Vintage V4s does a person need? All of them. Enjoy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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