Vintage Modified Jazz Bass Review

This handsome natural-finish bass features a soft maple body and one-piece maple neck with sharp-looking black binding and block inlays on the 20-fret maple fingerboard.

Features:	9
Sound:	9.4
Action:	9
Reliability:	9.6
Impression:	9.6
Overall rating:	9.3
Users rating:	8.3
Comments:	56

overall: 9.4

Featured review by: guitarfan93, on december 26, 2006

Purchased from: Musician's Friend

Features: This wonderful bass of mine is a 2006, indonesian made, Vintage Modified '70s Jazz Bass. It has 20 frets on it's maple neck. The body is also made from maple. The finis is a polyurethane transparent finish to show off the wood. The body style is based from the regular Fender Jazz bass. It has duncan designed passive pickups, run into two volumes (for both pickups) and a master tone. // 9

Sound: The sound of this bass is absolutely amazing. I was looking for a versatlie bass I could use in the studio, and I wanted to be able to get a P Bass sound also. This bass can do it. Right now I'm running it into my computer through guitar rig 2 (also great). I also run it through my champ 15 watt guitar amp (not a lot though, don't want to ruin the speaker). With the tone knob turned all the way up you can get a great "real" punk tone (Rise Against, The Clash, Sex Pistols, etc). Turn it halfway you get a more calm tone ('60s Beatles like) Turn it all the way and it's a thumpin slappin beast! // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar was setup fairly well. I had this guitar shipped so I was fairly worried about what kind of state it might be in but it turned out okay. I had to adjust the pickups ever so slightly to get my tonal needs but rather than that there were no flaws whatsoever. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This seems like a very reliable guitar, I would most certainly use it live without a back up. The hardware seems like it will last around 5-10 years if I had to guess, but even then I wouldn't mind replacing it. The finish seems like it will stand my rouh playing (its also a very sexy au-natural look). Don't let the Squier name fool you, THIS a wonderful guitar and will last me many great years! // 10

Impression: I play various styles of rock ranging from metal to punk to classic rock. The versitality of this guitar is a great match, although I wouldn't reccomend this to the metalhead bassist because of its more '70s sound. I bought this bass basedon reviews, and never got the chance to try it at a store, but it definitly worked oout. This is my First bass (I've played guitar for about 5 years now) so I can't really compare it to anything else but it is much better than some of the affinity series basses I tried. Overall this bass I a very good and fits my needs perfectly. // 9

overall: 9

Reviewed by: thewhobn, on november 21, 2008

Price paid: $ 279.99

Purchased from: Sam Ash

Features: The Vintage Modified '70s Jazz Bass from Squier features a one-piece hard maple neck, maple body, and Duncan Designed Jazz Bass pickups. It has black binding and block inlays, black pickguard, and chrome hardware. This bass has a 34" scale and 20 frets. The there are three controls on the bass two which control the volume for each pickup and one tone control. This bass also features 2 single-coil Duncan Designed JB101 Jazz Bass pickups with Alnico V magnets. // 9

Sound: I play mostly classic rock and Jazz. This bass can do all genres. Because of all the all maple body this bass can be very bright sounding. But also this bass can be dialed in too a gut rumbling low. With the two pickups turned up and the tone rolled back a little you can get a great slap sound. With the neck pick up turned up you can get a great heavy sound which is great for rock and punk. With the bridge turned up this bass growls. I use this through a Hartke amp and overall this bass sounds great. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: Right out of the box the bass was ready to play. The action was low and the pickups were at a good height. The neck is thin just like a jazz should be and it's very smooth. The wood grain was lined up and the finish looks great. The finish is great and accents the wood grain very nicely. // 9

Reliability & Durability: Although I have not played any Live shows yet this bass seems rock solid and would be able to withstand anything. The strap buttons were good but I replaced them with strap locks just for the added security. This bass seems very reliable. The chrome hardware looks great and will probally last forever if well taken care of. // 9

Impression: My overall impression of this bass is that it is very versatile and great for all genres. I think it makes a good comparison to the Fender MIM jazz. If this bass got stolen i would defiantly buy it again. This bass would be great for any beginner or intermediate players. I bought this as my second bass and I am very pleased with it. // 9

overall: 9.6

Reviewed by: hak_hap, on august 05, 2009

Price paid: € 298

Purchased from: Just Music (Hamburg, Ger)

Features: As it has been said before: It is a 2006 Vintage Modified '70s Jazz Bass and made in Indonesia. It is made out of solid maple, the body is covered with transparent polyurethane (might even be a bit "tanned") and shows its individual beautiful wood...made by mother nature.

This bass is a Fender jazz bass copy. Thats not only to be said about the style but also about certain aspects of the quality this product has to it. Later more...

This Bass comes with duncan designed pickup with one volume to each and a master volume. My bandmate once bought duncan designed pickups for his Les Paul Guitar. They have an awesome quality and I was quite surprised when I noticed them in the store. This would be a ten if the frets marks had a nicer design to it. Sorry... // 9

Sound: This bass sound amazing to be fair. I wanted to have a new bass that could do it all, basically: Slappy Funk, Growling Grunge (perfect because of the 70's design...) Fast Punk. And this little brother of Fender can do it all. Just depends on your volume settings and of course your effects. I personally suggest not to use effects at all. If you want to I suggest the Boss ME 50B. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: This Bass was setup quite cool, but you cannot seriously expect any instrument to be setup the way you personally like it. Thats always up to you and if you think differently then your probably not a good musician. The pickups where set the way I want it, though... // 9

Reliability & Durability: This Bass is a heavy-weight and it is solid as well as smooth and well-produced. I would say it can easily last longer than 8 years. This Bass is nothing less but a little brother of the real fenders. So it should be treated. Duncan designed pickups are also known to be durable and not nessecarily to be replaced soon. I would certainly play live without a backup bass, although I have one. // 10

Impression: I play in a Blink 182-esque and RHCP-esque band. Therefore I found the perfect Bass and would buy the same on as a real Fender when I got the money. But until then this Bass beats any kind of medium-priced (€200 - €600) Bass guitar when it comes to my expectations.

I can do this one funky, punky and heavy, no matter what. Its solid and so is its sound. It can be very funky and also very massive.

Squier is nothing but a little brotherm of Fender to be annoyingly repeatative...*lol* // 10

overall: 9

Reviewed by: Anjohl, on may 22, 2008

Purchased from: Musicstop

Features: The model I bought is a 2007 Heritage sunburst with no pickguard 5 string with active pickups. the bnody is basswood, the neck is maple with an artificial ebony fretboard that looks stunning. Controls-wise it has a tone, volume, and slap Switch to really put the active pickups into an agressive mode. // 9

Sound: I am a beginner bass player, just switching over after playing electric guitar for 14+ years. It seems versatile, with the "slap" Switch really kicking the active pickups into seriosu funk mode. I compared the bass to a VM Jazz 4 string without active pickups, and to a simialr Fender Jazz, and really found that the active electronics made a difference. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: The action seems reasonable, I did notice a few scratches on the neck, but I believe they were due to demo usage. The biggest flaw was that the pickups seem to have a bit of hiss at high tone settings, but it wasn't drastically higher than similar basses. The bass does have two single coil pickups as well, so the hiss is to be at least partially expected. // 8

Reliability & Durability: The guitar seems sturdy, it is very neck heavy, and the neck is very wide, even for a 5 string. the fretboard is gorgeous though, and I haven't found a single fret buzz. The fretboard looked very smooth, and for sucha wide neck, it helps out a lot with letting you move up and down the neck fast. // 9

Impression: Music-wise, I like rock/metal and funk/hiphop, and this bass has a nice standout tone, along with the slap Switch to realyl let you stand out when playing. I have been shopping for a bass for almost a year now, and never got excited about any other bass like this one. I decided to go with the 5 string in order to give more tonal options. Overall, a great bass. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on february 18, 2008

Purchased from: Music Live music show

Features: Mine was made in indonesia, I think they all are. Not sure when mine was made. The 20 fret maple necks looks and feels good as it's nice and thin at the top. The neck and body are both maple, but the body has a polyurethane finish and looks fantastic in any environment. You get a standard bridge which is nothing special but does the job, and 2 passive duncan designed pickups which sound great. You get 2 volume controls (one for the bridge pickup, one for the neck), and one master tone. // 9

Sound: I play many styles of music from punk to jazz and this has all bases covered. The tonal control allows you to create anything from a fat trebley punch similar to that of the P-Bass to the warm, mellow sound which the jazz is famous for. I play with a 180watt Ashdown combo, I've also used the bass Live through a PA and haven't had any problems with feedback or excess noise. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The bass seemed to have been set up well, the action was good and everything seemed to have been fitted properly, the only reason I can't give this category 10/10 is because there was a bit of fretbuzz on the E string, (which was easily cured), and one or two screws on the machine heads weren't screwed in all the way, but that's nothing serious. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I've played this bass Live a few times and so far it's been fine and I don't feel the need to have a back-up. As for the finish, I've played the bass almost every day for the 3 months I've had it and it looks just as new and shiny as it did on the day I bought it. I don't think the hardware is going to break any time soon but I suppose you can't really tell. // 10

Impression: The look and sound of this bass will suit almost any style of music. There's just one thing I'd like this bass to have and that is real Fender jazz style black control knobs, because in my opinion they look better than the chrome ones Squier put on all their jazzes. It's not a big problem anyway because you can buy the black controls for about $15 / £8. This Squier looks, sounds and feels just like a real Fender (I know this because I have played many fenders). I played a Mexican Fender jazz and I can honestly say this Squier feels just as good to play and to be honest, it looks better! // 10

Comments

[Rock Boy]

What's the different between vintage modified and regular jazz basses?

[Rock Boy]

sorry, i mean difference

[ThE cAnDyMaN]

ones called vintage modified and ones called regular jazz basses

[SSL27]

I'm not sure, but I think Vintege Modifieds are supposed to be better

[cleft11]

the vintage basses have an older and rarer wood, meaning they cost more. i think, im pretty sure though. the regular ones use pretty common woods though.

[SSL27]

Oh I found a couple differances, for one, the vintage modified is made out of soft maple and the standard is made of alder. Their fretboards are differant too, the vintage modified has a maple fretboard and the standard has a rosewood one.

[SSL27]

srry, the standards are made of agathis

[Serjem]

indeed, nice guitar, but once i hear the "SQUIER" name.. i automaticly start to think like; omg this sucx.. the neck's gonna brake, the pickups are gonna get fooked up.. etc =)

i don't know why do i think that way... probably coz i read too much stuff on forums or whatevah =)
SERJEM=)

[hemi-san]

dude thats the way i am too. can't so squier simply because

[guitarfan93]

this one is made of maple, most of the others have cheaper woods like agathis,also this one has a maple neck and duncan designed pickups. Also the look is a much sexier than the standards.

[FamousStars_]

got this bass as a christmas gift
and its just to good to be true like i would consider this an actual fender
and the dude just summed up everything i wanted to say
amazing sound, sexy look, nice feel when u play

[Orange~Love]

the neck is pretty sweet

[RndMndofGitdwn]

Serjem :
indeed, nice guitar, but once i hear the "SQUIER" name.. i automaticly start to think like; omg this sucx.. the neck's gonna brake, the pickups are gonna get fooked up.. etc =)

i don't know why do i think that way... probably coz i read too much stuff on forums or whatevah =)
SERJEM=)
POSTED: 12/26/2006 - 08:51 am / quote |
hemi-san :
dude thats the way i am too. can't so squier simply because
POSTED: 12/26/2006 - 12:37 pm / quote |

HAHAHA your losses guys dont rip it til u try it.

I got me one except mine is FRETLESS, and I love it. I chose this one since my other Bass is a Jazz type and i like the body/sound. And i have never had a fretless bass before and i did not want to make a huge inital investment incase i hated it.

The sound is Great, Action is fast and smooth (I have the vintage sunburst w/o a pickgard and an Ebonol neck. I would highly reccomend this Bass to those who are looking for the MOST Bang for the Buck, and wants somthing a helluva lot better than a $150-$200 "entrylevel" junky wood bass from N00bs R Us. or something.

yeah i got "teh sucky" Agathis wood one but i dont give a hoot, i love the tone and look.

[Seri0usJ0ker]

Vintage Modified is just a remake. If the year is 2006 it's definatly not as good as a 70's jazz bass. I mean, sure...it will work and some people like the newer stuff. But I'm in to the real vintige stuff. I have a real 1978 Presicion Bass almost in mint condition.

[f-e-z]

If you are so wise and brilliant with your clearly superior bass, you could at least do it justice and spell its name right. I mean, precision instruments are so hard to come by these days, and precision is what I look for in a guitar, it's that precise look and feel that gives it what I think is the most important feature. Precision. So you would want to spell it "Precision Bass" instead maybe?

[Ultrabassman]

yeh i have the fretless too. sounds great. put some distortion on and slide those harmonics (overtones for you americans). it's got a great jaco tone too, iot even looks like his bass

[nicklopeke]

I know this gonna sound weird, but I prefer this particular bass, the Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass, over your Standard American Jazz Bass by Fender. I liked its tone (sounds fatter, not as mellow as a standard), the neck and fretboard, and the fact that everything seems to be "tigher" meaning that it was put together nicely, not mass produced. Even though it costs more than your standard Squier Jazz Bass, it's worth it (about $350 CAN).

[kolindarko]

yeah i just ordered one of these... i definatly agree bout the looks... ill trust your judgement on the sound and quality... ill let you know how i get on with it -K

[Deeswift]

hemi-san wrote:

dude thats the way i am too. can't so squier simply because

Then you're an idiot with an ego that's too large. The Squier VM series are the best basses that Squier have produced apart from maybe the 1982-1984 JV series which were as good, and sometimes better, than the originals they were copying. Many people have compared the Squier VM's to Fender's, even USA ones, and the Squier's came out on top. Read the reviews here:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=bass/product/reviews/base_pid=519639/rpp=10/

[Deeswift]

Serjem wrote:

indeed, nice guitar, but once i hear the "SQUIER" name.. i automaticly start to think like; omg this sucx.. the neck's gonna brake, the pickups are gonna get fooked up.. etc =)

i don't know why do i think that way... probably coz i read too much stuff on forums or whatevah =)
SERJEM=)

Moron.

[ersatz]

i have an ibanez which is also agathis and for us budget shoppers that cant squezze $1000 out of our asses its a very decent wood

[Harnum]

I bought one the other day. I'm fairly new to understanding all the lingo aboiut the single coil pickups and all that cool stuff, so which knobs are which? (Master Tone and Pickups)

[vonroden]

I was lucky to try one/play on a vintage Modified Jazz bass in the local "music shool" and i was blown
away, thougth all Squiers was garbage but this one "vintage modified" was very nice EXPECT(teachers fault) The action was at almost max i was like wtf, how can you play bass with a action that low.,

I currently owns a Squier P-bass and hate it, and thougt NOT to go for a another Squier after it
put well i changed my minded abit.

It can sound like a p-bass rigth?
some stuff i play sounds better on P-bass settings
in my opinion, specialy blues and old school rock

[misterstephen]

i bought it 4 days ago i love it it is great some kings of leon songs dont sound perfect because jared's bass is a thunderbird and they sound more like p-basses but it is still class but i cant get it to sound like p-bass Please Tell Me how what knobs do i turn?????i have a good amp 15 but i am not sure how to make it sound great on the amp either please tell me

[BassMiguelito]

what is the defference between the tone of a jazz bass, and the the tone of a p bass?

[restless sloth]

A P-bass has a really distintive sound due to it pick-ups and general body design. The jazz is a much more versitile guitar with alot of really good sounds, but as of yet I have not found one that can sound like a precision. The main difference in simple terms is that the jazz has many good sounds whereas the precision has one great sound (if it's the sound that appeals to you). I'm a great fan of both basses and learned to play on my dads 1970's american fender P-bass. I just recently tried this particular Jazz in a music shop and am seriously considering buying one.

[SupImJimmy]

I'm buying this baby and, unfortunately, sanding the Squier logo off of the top. Doesn't bother me, but I've seriously seen people formulate entire opinions on performers/bands based on what brand name instruments they have...

[ozzy102691]

yea i might just buy a new neck for mine

[chris70dx]

could i get a musey sound out of one of these?

[jubsz]

i got one for christmas and it seems like the low E is really deep in comparision to the other strings,does anyone have a solution to my problem??

[chris70dx]

To anyone wondering about whether this is good for playing Muse, it achieves the tone fine I'd recommend this to anyone, it makes my ibanez jumpstart guitar feel like a piece of crap (especially since the high E-string is ****ed it just makes an almost percussive sound when played open).

[flea_is_my_god]

Is the main difference between this and the fender american jazz bass the s1 swtich on the pickup?

[flea_is_my_god]

to jubsz, try buying a new set of strings. Its likely someone put the wrong gauge of string on ur E string which didnt go with the others

[AndrogynousMind]

Serjem wrote:

indeed, nice guitar, but once i hear the "SQUIER" name.. i automaticly start to think like; omg this sucx.. the neck's gonna brake, the pickups are gonna get fooked up.. etc =)

i don't know why do i think that way... probably coz i read too much stuff on forums or whatevah =)
SERJEM=)

Idiot.My squier strat cost 120euro and it is excellent.Squier will not let you down just because they are copies.

[Vampire 255]

would this bass be any good for playing stuff like blink 182, green day and sum 41?

[Mads B]

AndrogynousMind wrote:

Serjem wrote:

indeed, nice guitar, but once i hear the "SQUIER" name.. i automaticly start to think like; omg this sucx.. the neck's gonna brake, the pickups are gonna get fooked up.. etc =)

i don't know why do i think that way... probably coz i read too much stuff on forums or whatevah =)
SERJEM=)

Idiot.My squier strat cost 120euro and it is excellent.Squier will not let you down just because they are copies.

120 € that's a cheap bass guitar!
Well a Silvertone cost's the same and a silvertone is come kind of cheap shit!

[axis56]

im seriously considering buying this and a roland cube 30 amp

wise idea?

[insurgentsteve]

how can you give a squier a 9.4 and 9 rating?! so like a les paul would have to be a 16 or something? i dont trust the UG rating scale at all.

[Anjohl]

I based the review off what I needed the bass for, mine was a starter bass, and it sounded head and SHOULDERS above every other squier I played. I personally thought the tone was much better than 1/3rd a fender american standard, and the workmanship seems just fine. That in my opinion is a 9.

And to axis56, roland cube 30's are beautiful, just make sure you get the newest one's available. For example, the guitar cube was redesigned for 2008 and has a lot more features.

[LordArbiter]

I own this bass and it rocks. I'ts just as good as the basic model Fenders. I've had it over a year and it sounds awesome. The pickups sound awesome, they've got some great bite to them. It's extremely versatile. I play in a cover band and I have gigged with this bass and I've played everything from classic rock to hard rock/grunge/alternative, even instrumental hip hop. This bass has never let me down.

Squiers of the Vintage Modified line are excellent instruments on the cheap. They need some more TLC than their more expensive Fender brethren, but they are just as capable once they are set up.

The long and short of it...if you get one, set it up immidiately and get a case for it. Don't leave it lying around. At very least get a stand. The people most disappointed by Squier are probably those who needlessly abuse their instruments.

[HighPotency]

insurgentsteve wrote:

how can you give a squier a 9.4 and 9 rating?! so like a les paul would have to be a 16 or something? i dont trust the UG rating scale at all.

I think you just have a mindset that any guitar/bass/amp or whatever is rated is going to have the same comparison scale. If you're getting a squier, it's probably not because you're pro. For what it is, people will rate it. That's why this bass could have the same rating as a fender strat. You just take into consideration all the factors about what it's for.

[Anjohl]

Exactly high potency, it's realtive to your need. in my eyes,a beginner's bass should start at a 6 rating, and anything unacceptable will eb rated lower, anything with cool features, or a good vlaue will rank higher accordingly.

The 5 string jazz VM is a great bass because it has active pickups, 5 strings, and an artificial ebony fretboard for under $300. That has to count for a LOT.

[Pourquoi?]

LordArbiter wrote:

I own this bass and it rocks. I'ts just as good as the basic model Fenders. I've had it over a year and it sounds awesome. The pickups sound awesome, they've got some great bite to them. It's extremely versatile. I play in a cover band and I have gigged with this bass and I've played everything from classic rock to hard rock/grunge/alternative, even instrumental hip hop. This bass has never let me down.

Completly agree. I've had this bass about four months now and gigged with it. It really impressed me how good it was, as I was planning on forking out more for a proper Fender but in the end went with this and saved the cash for a better guitar.

Great bass, especially when the price is taken into account.

[bass_ownage]

yea i love mine. it makes me want to throw my gsr200 out the window.but no matter how much i hate a bass i could never abuse one

[seljer]

insurgentsteve wrote:

how can you give a squier a 9.4 and 9 rating?! so like a les paul would have to be a 16 or something? i dont trust the UG rating scale at all.

for the price....

[Thelonious]

Ive already ordered this bass, my 2nd bass, and all these reviews and comments have given me this warm, smug feeling deep down in my chest for deciding to do so. Thanks guys!

[Mondo Generator]

Ultrabassman wrote:

yeh i have the fretless too. sounds great. put some distortion on and slide those harmonics (overtones for you americans). it's got a great jaco tone too, iot even looks like his bass

We say "harmonics" in America too. I've never EVER heard anyone say "overtone."
Oh, and I look forward to buying the fretless soon! Portrait of Tracy is the #1 song I need to learn on it.

[SupersonicJSX]

just because it has the Squier name on it doesnt mean the bass is conplete shit, it just isnt quite as good as a Fender. I personally love the fretless version of this bass. They are good basses for the price.

[Junior365]

I'm trying to decide between this and an Epiphone Thunderbird IV and I was wondering if this would work for maybe hard rock or a bit of metal?

[Crashman77]

Junior365 wrote:

I'm trying to decide between this and an Epiphone Thunderbird IV and I was wondering if this would work for maybe hard rock or a bit of metal?

I play alot of Rage Against the Machine, Metallica, Tool, etc, and it stands up to my beatings very well, Great Bass, And would take it any day over any Epi.

[roundwoundsound]

Junior365 wrote:

I'm trying to decide between this and an Epiphone Thunderbird IV and I was wondering if this would work for maybe hard rock or a bit of metal?

Junior365 wrote:

I'm trying to decide between this and an Epiphone Thunderbird IV and I was wondering if this would work for maybe hard rock or a bit of metal?

ive owned both.and i think either of them could work for you.this bass is actually more versitile than the t-bird for slapping,but as a rock/metal bass its got nothing on the bird.they are just as good as eachother in that case.just buy which ever one feels better,and looks better to you

[Quinlan]

Rock Boy :
What's the different between vintage modified and regular jazz basses?

My bass playing friend told me that the bridge pickup on the 70s Modified is like a quarter inch closer to the bridge, so it sounds a bit growlier than the standard. I don't know if that's what effect it has on its tone, but the difference is with the placement of the pickup(s).

[lankycharlie]

fantastic bass, i would compare it to some fender jazz basses!

[RockOnZeppelin]

this bass is pretty sweet, my friend has it. Holds right up to my American standard quite nice

[Negociator]

Scribble out "Squier" write "Fender" It's that good!

[zinsane]

What about installing SD Quarter Pound pickups into this bass?