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Post subject: I'm a guitar guy, Got my 1st bass... couple questions..
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 6:09 am
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First off, I'm new to this forum as I am a guitar player... Never played bass at all... That said, my son is being classically trained on the double bass and has been bugging me for an electric - specifically a Fender Bass. Well, I was in GC this week and found what appeared to be a barely-used 2007 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz bass. Looked very cool, just a couple of very small dings in it, but essentially mint.

Again, I know nothing about bass, but this thing looked cool as hell and I'm a Fender guy and it was marked at only $79 so I figured I'd buy it. I have to say, I am quite impressed with this instrument. It's certainly as nice as any of my Standard MIM Strats and WAY nicer than a Chinese-made Squier Strat that I have. Seems to be well made and very funky sounding to my ears and in my untrained "six-stringer hands."

What's the verdict on this bass? Good buy? Good bass for my son to get started on electric? If nothing else, I feel like I could have a lot of fun with this thing at home. One other question... I have a few different combo guitar amps, tube and solid state, but no bass amp for the boy. At bedroom levels, any problems using a guitar, rather than bass amp?

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.


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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 7:30 am
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A Squier VM Jazz for $79.00? Man, you got a steal, why can't I ever fall into one like that. I own one and am very happy with it. It isn't as good as a Fender American Standard Jazz but even at regular prices, it's $1000.00 less., sound, playability is all there. I think you'll be very happy with it. As a first bass for someone new it's great.

I would say it may be a better idea to get a bass amp. GC has some nice Accoustic amps pretty reasonable, they'll have headphone outs and cd ins so he can play anytime he wants to and, it will sound decent through the phones.

Look out for Fender Rumbles too, I have a 60 which is great, they've been discontinued so there have been some showing up used at GC and on Craigslist. A 12' speaker will be adequate.

Double bass huh?, might be the next Bob Babbit, or do I dare say, James Jamerson?

Good luck!


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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 7:57 am
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Thanks for the response. I'm used to seeing used Squier Strats and Teles real cheap, so when I saw this bass, the low price didn't jump out at me, but again, I've never really looked at basses at all. Based on what you are saying, I wonder if it may be a lower end Squier? It didn't say Affinity on the headstock and it has the nat finish, maple fretboard w/ black binding and block inlays. Are there any other Squiers that look like the VM Jazz?

I can't pick it up until Sunday. The GC salesman said it was taken in on trade on Monday and that they have to retain it in the store for 5 days before they can let it go. He let me pay for it in full and put it in the back.

I'll post pics on Sunday.


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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:32 am
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It sure sounds like the right one, no matter, it will be a good bass for him to learn on. You'll see that a lot of us own Squiers as well as Fender basses.

Squier has come a long way and there are a lot of decent ones out there. Hold onto the receipt, I haven't seen any under $299.00 new and I've seen very few used, people don't get rid of them.

What part of the country do you live? Our GC's want an arm and a leg for gear.


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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:41 am
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<<<<It looks like the Fender Jazz in my avatar over here<<<<< right?
That's the Vintage Modified Jazz bass, and it's the only Squier that looks like that (minus the ashtrays)
The Vintage Squier Vintage Modified line is the second from the top line of Squier basses, just under the Classic vibe line, and a VM Jazz bass with the natural finish is about as good a bass as you can get. I have one and I love it. It's probably Squier's best selling bass. I love mine, and every person I've ever read comments from who either own or have played one have nothing but good things to say about it
$300 new is a great price for this great bass, but $79 is an amazing price for it, if it is indeed in as good a condition as you say. I would snap it up were I you.
PS. You can get a small practice amp for a bout a hundred bucks, I have a Fender Rumble 15, it's not much, but it's good for what it is, a practice amp. You could use a guitar amp, but you would have to be careful you don't blow the speakers. I wouldn't risk it.

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'10 Squier VM Jazz bass, maple fretboard, natural finish
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'09 MIM standard Strat, maple fretboard, sunburst finish
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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:54 am
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Cool, I'm really looking forward to picking it up. Yeah, I have no beefs with Squier lines at all. My son and I both have Affinity Strats - his an Indonesian and mine Chinese. Mine more of a project, his stone stock. The CV series are absolutely beautiful IMHO, though I do not own one.

Anyway, I live in the Northeastern US. I visit a couple local pawn shops from time to time looking for gear, but sometimes can find real good deals at local GC and Daddy's (a chain up here) depending on their inventory.

Thanks again for the feedback.


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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:00 am
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Bathead, thanks for the response re: amps - I've literally never plugged in a bass until now so I'll be sure to pick up a low dollar bass amp for the house. The pic in your avatar is the one minus ashtrays. I will get pics up on this forum on Sunday after I pick it up. I'm totally stoked based on the feedback I'm getting! Thanks!


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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:01 am
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You're welcome, and good luck and congrats on (IMO) a great find.

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'08 Fender Am. Std. Jazz bass, maple fretboard, charcoal frost metallic finish
'10 Squier VM Jazz bass, maple fretboard, natural finish
Ampeg BA115
'09 MIM standard Strat, maple fretboard, sunburst finish
Fender Super Champ XD


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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:05 am
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Bathead wrote:
You're welcome, and good luck and congrats on (IMO) a great find.


+1


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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:21 am
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Lucky, lucky!! I traded my BTB for the VM, no tax, flat even trade...I would've sprung the $$$ for only $79.00. Congrats!!

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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 6:52 pm
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$79 is awesome :!:


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