Squier Vintage Modified - Page 2

therevyevot · February 3rd, 2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefro

Colour wise, I'm not really digging the tort shell and defiantly want to get a mint green guard with some aged hardware etc...

First you might try swapping it with the white guard on that white MIM (?) in the family pic above; I've seen the white/tort/maple combo before and for some reason, it looks much cooler than the white/tort/rosewood combo, IMHO.

The spring thing is good to know. I've got a new GFS trem kit coming and it would be good to be able to actually use it (I've got the stock trem blocked off with a cedar shim now); better pick me up some new springs.

Jefro · February 3rd, 2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by therevyevot

First you might try swapping it with the white guard on that white MIM (?) in the family pic above; I've seen the white/tort/maple combo before and for some reason, it looks much cooler than the white/tort/rosewood combo, IMHO.

The spring thing is good to know. I've got a new GFS trem kit coming and it would be good to be able to actually use it (I've got the stock trem blocked off with a cedar shim now); better pick me up some new springs.

I was considering swapping the white guard from my MIM onto the squier but I decided I didn't want 2 strats with the same colour pickguard.

As for the springs, it was weird. The ones that came on the Guitar only had 34 Wraps or Coils where as the new ones (and my other 2 Strats) all have springs with 40 Wraps/Coils making them a stiffer spring so once I swapped them out I was able to release the claw quite a lot and it actually sounds alot better now.

therevyevot · February 3rd, 2009, 12:14 PM

Did you try it at all with just three of the new springs? (I only ask 'cause I find more makes it harder to get a good dive bomb on.)

Jefro · February 3rd, 2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by therevyevot

Did you try it at all with just three of the new springs? (I only ask 'cause I find more makes it harder to get a good dive bomb on.)

No I didn't... I prefer 4 springs so I can back the claw out further but regardless I don't use the tremolo or whammy bar so it doesn't matter in the end.

Strat-Man-Do · February 3rd, 2009, 03:01 PM

I have a lot of Love for my Red VM Strat Squier. It certainly gets played a lot

It has a feel all its own that I really like. The stock neck reminds me of a American Deluxe I have. Both the US and the VM have about the same C-carve also with the US slightly larger. SD did a Great job with the pups crossing a III and V. Little Hot but a nice vintage vibe to them. Hey I'm actually using and likeing the pick-ups NICE STRAT!

Ya I'm playing this tonight.

therevyevot · February 3rd, 2009, 03:29 PM

Hey SMD, seeing your pic again reminded me of something I thought of when I saw the picture of the back of your VM's headstock; we should get a list of serial numbers from all the VM owners going--like those CV freaks

Here's mine:
SH07057780: TheRevYevot, metallic red

Jefro · February 3rd, 2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Man-Do

I have a lot of Love for my Red VM Strat Squier. It certainly gets played a lot

It has a feel all its own that I really like. The stock neck reminds me of a American Deluxe I have. Both the US and the VM have about the same C-carve also with the US slightly larger. SD did a Great job with the pups crossing a III and V. Little Hot but a nice vintage vibe to them. Hey I'm actually using and likeing the pick-ups NICE STRAT!

Ya I'm playing this tonight.

I'd have to agree with the Neck and Pickups. I absolutely love the feel of the Neck and the Fret Job is great. Pickups are indeed a bit hot but more so the Bridge so I think I'll defiantly be wiring a tone pot up to that but I'm still experimenting with pickup heights but the lower I go the less hot and more vintage sounding they become.

Strat-Man-Do · February 4th, 2009, 06:13 AM

Sounds Good to me. Will get back to ya.

therevyevot · February 4th, 2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefro

I'm still experimenting with pickup heights but the lower I go the less hot and more vintage sounding they become.

For sure, drop the pickups. I find that Strat pups in general are always set a little high (based on Fender's recommendation) and on these guitars, it's absolutely nuts. As you can (hopefully) see, I lowered mine a lot; the tone is much sweeter now.

Strat-Man-Do · February 5th, 2009, 06:21 AM

I'll put up a shot of my Red Strat VM like the one directly above. Also will give a simuliar angle so you can see my pick-up heights. They are VERY SIMILIAR to the above. I'll also list my serial. Short on TIME at the moment!!!

Jefro · February 5th, 2009, 09:38 AM

Here is a quick shot of how I have my pickups set for the moment and believe it or not, I've actually lowered them quite a friggin bit compared to how they came.

And lastly... I noticed this early but never mentioned it. It seems my bridge plate is on an angle and not actually sitting completely flat with the body.

I get the initial feeling that the 6 bridge screws might not be snug enough ?

hendrixfan · February 5th, 2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by therevyevot

Sweet! Another metallic red. I'm surprised at how much I like the black hardware... Nice job.

very nice colour if i might add sweet guitar man

therevyevot · February 5th, 2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefro

I get the initial feeling that the 6 bridge screws might not be snug enough ?

That's likely the case. I actually tightened mine down quite a bit when I blocked off the trem. Not sure how that's going to change when I get my new trem, but I doubt I'll leave the screws as loose as they were.

Jefro · February 5th, 2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by therevyevot

That's likely the case. I actually tightened mine down quite a bit when I blocked off the trem. Not sure how that's going to change when I get my new trem, but I doubt I'll leave the screws as loose as they were.

So I tinkered with it a little bit and it either sits slightly angled or slightly raised etc... no matter how I adjust things it will not sit 100% flat giving me the impression that the cheap-o bridge plate isn't perfectly straight perhaps.

Regardless, it doesn't effect the playing at all so it don't matter but I also measured the trem block and its a good 1/8'' shorter than on my other strats also giving me the impression that the block/bridge plate assembly may be from a bullet/affinity etc since they have the thinner body/block sizes...

In the end... I plan on getting a 08 Mex Std Tremolo Assembly from ebay with the full size block.

Strat-Man-Do · February 6th, 2009, 04:43 AM

You know as a General rule, I keep my Strat single-coil pick-ups pretty darn low. Usually with bridge being slightly higher than the other two. But the bass side of my neck pick-up is maybe 1/8th from the pick-guard. With the treble side slightly higher.

I have my VM right here so let me do a shot. Be right back and will add a serial also.

Strat-Man-Do · February 6th, 2009, 05:45 AM

OK let get these up

Strat-Man-Do · February 6th, 2009, 05:51 AM

This gives a great idea of how my pick-ups are in relation to my Strings. I keep them relatively low with the bridge slightly higher.

This Strat use's no String and their is no need for it. Though I use Schaller/Fender Locking Tuners on a few Strats. They all have one String Tree. Be it the neck carve or whatever. This one has a great string breal angle with no string tree.

I know you guys wanted to get the Serial numbers up also of the VMs so I added that photo also. LOVE MY VM

I have had the pleasure of owning both a CV-60 and a VM Strat. Have to be HONEST and tell you I am much more impressed with the electronics and pick-ups on the VM. This a GREAT sounding Strat

Strat-Man-Do · February 6th, 2009, 05:56 AM

SQUIER Vintage Modified RED/Rosewood SH 07094892

therevyevot · February 6th, 2009, 02:10 PM

Okay:
SH07057780: TheRevYevot, metallic red
SH07094892: Strat-Man-Do, metallic red
Anybody else?

Jefro · February 6th, 2009, 02:24 PM

SH07057780: TheRevYevot, metallic red
SH07094892: Strat-Man-Do, metallic red
SH08076099: Jefro - Olympic White

elementlax · February 6th, 2009, 02:56 PM

nice, i love the VM guitars. lookin to get a cherry sunburst one myself

Magner · February 7th, 2009, 11:36 AM

SH07057780: TheRevYevot, metallic red
SH07094892: Strat-Man-Do, metallic red
SH08076099: Jefro - Olympic White
SH07118370: Magner- Olympic White

Jefro · February 9th, 2009, 06:59 PM

Well after more trial and error I've finally found a pickup height that I like which is 3mm from top of the pole to bottom of the string (string pressed down at the 17th fret) on all the pickups but because of the string taper their is obviously a pickup taper/height.

I've found if set to low they lose some of their flavor and start to sound a bit flat and if set to high they are very punchy but easily distort when changing from the clean channel to high gain.

Will try to post some pictures later on.

elementlax · February 9th, 2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefro

Here is a quick shot of how I have my pickups set for the moment and believe it or not, I've actually lowered them quite a friggin bit compared to how they came.

And lastly... I noticed this early but never mentioned it. It seems my bridge plate is on an angle and not actually sitting completely flat with the body.

I get the initial feeling that the 6 bridge screws might not be snug enough ?

Its because it is being pulled down by the springs in the back, because thats where the trem block is. it then pivots off the wood of the body, but rests against the top of the screws

Jefro · February 9th, 2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elementlax

Its because it is being pulled down by the springs in the back, because thats where the trem block is. it then pivots off the wood of the body, but rests against the top of the screws

You may be right but my impression of it after tinkering with it quite a bit is that the actually bridge plate itself is not perfectly straight or level and has a slight bow in the middle making it look as if its sitting on an angle since the bottom part of the plate is not 100% flush/level.

And... When you tighten the screws down it pitches to bridge plate between them and the body, causing it to raise and float.

Regardless... 1st time I re-string the guitar I'm going to inspect things further but I want to buy a MIM Std Tremolo assembly for it since they have the full size block so I may even wait until then since its not a big deal right now.

elementlax · February 9th, 2009, 07:59 PM

i wouldnt go for the tremolo kit, cuz the only real upgrade in there is the trem block, and you can buy that alone

Jefro · February 9th, 2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elementlax

i wouldnt go for the tremolo kit, cuz the only real upgrade in there is the trem block, and you can buy that alone

True but I believe the GFS one is $20? I've seen the MIM Tremolo Assembly on Ebay for around $30 in which case you also get the fender stamped saddles and if indeed the bridge plate on my squier is not perfectly level/flat etc than I will need a new bridge plate in which cause I'd assume the MIM would be of better quality vs the over sea's ping parts.

elementlax · February 9th, 2009, 08:36 PM

Yes, good point. I do think it would be worth the extra ten if you got a correct plate, and the saddles said fender on them

pcorajr · February 9th, 2009, 09:28 PM

Strat-Man-Do Did you have to drill to fit the Schaller Locking Tuners? Im trying to find new Locking tuners for my Lonestar Strat but i dont want to mess withhaving to drill or modify.

therevyevot · February 10th, 2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefro

True but I believe the GFS one is $20? I've seen the MIM Tremolo Assembly on Ebay for around $30 in which case you also get the fender stamped saddles and if indeed the bridge plate on my squier is not perfectly level/flat etc than I will need a new bridge plate in which cause I'd assume the MIM would be of better quality vs the over sea's ping parts.

There's also the issue of the new block fitting your stock trem/bridge plate. I've read in other threads that the MIM replacement block does not always line up properly with the holes on the bridge plates for non-MIM guitars (esp. in the case of the made-in-China models). Not sure how that would work out on the VMs exactly, but going just by the naked eye on mine, it looks like the positioning of the screws that attach the block to the trem plate is slightly different between the original and the GFS replacement I just installed (plus the tremolo I got with the kit was rather sloppy in the original when I tried it).

Jefro · February 10th, 2009, 04:56 PM

Well to further an experiment I'm working on I'm going to remove the 9's that are strung on the Guitar and replace them with some 10's and than tweak the relief a little bit. While I'm doing this thou I'm going to remove the pickguard to inspect things as well as further inspect the bridge setup etc... so I will post back later this evening with some pictures and what I think of the new setup.

elementlax · February 10th, 2009, 05:10 PM

alright, nice
im changing my strings soon as well, mine are kinda old,
so if you find the bridge is bent, wait til i see if mine is, cuz if they both are then they are probly designed that way

AKnight21 · February 10th, 2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Man-Do

I have a lot of Love for my Red VM Strat Squier. It certainly gets played a lot

It has a feel all its own that I really like. The stock neck reminds me of a American Deluxe I have. Both the US and the VM have about the same C-carve also with the US slightly larger. SD did a Great job with the pups crossing a III and V. Little Hot but a nice vintage vibe to them. Hey I'm actually using and likeing the pick-ups NICE STRAT!

Ya I'm playing this tonight.

Cool

I don't know why but the only thing I am not digging is the red pick guard

sorry

Jefro · February 12th, 2009, 11:04 AM

Well after owning the Vintage Modified for about 2 weeks I decided to return it this morning as I just couldn't build a bond with it like I have the rest of my Guitars and didn't feel like dumping a $100-$200 into it in order to bring it up to par with the rest.

All in all... still a wonderful Guitar of fantastic quality but in the end I just couldn't click with like I wanted too.

Strat-Man-Do · February 13th, 2009, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKnight21

Cool

I don't know why but the only thing I am not digging is the red pick guard

sorry

No need to be sorry. We all have our likes and dislikes. Its what makes the world go around.

That Red PG has been SOO000oooo difficult to photo correctly. But it really looks great on the Strat in person.

I have thought about going with a MINT PG but I have one on a couple Strats now. I'm keeping it because its different. And like other Pearloid PGs its great in the sense that it doesn't show pick-rash. What I LOVE about the Strat is that there are NOT a MILLION others just like it. Its the ONLY one I have seen out here like it.

And that was really my goal when building it. To have a Strat that only I have.

Its without a doubt one of my favorite Strats of all times. It feels and plays wonderfull.

Strat-Man-Do · February 13th, 2009, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefro

Well after owning the Vintage Modified for about 2 weeks I decided to return it this morning as I just couldn't build a bond with it like I have the rest of my Guitars and didn't feel like dumping a $100-$200 into it in order to bring it up to par with the rest.

All in all... still a wonderful Guitar of fantastic quality but in the end I just couldn't click with like I wanted too.

I hear what your saying, But what is it specifically you didn't like?

I have found mine to be just the opposite. Out of all my Strats its one of the most comfortable to play and a great sounding Axe.

BTW there are MANY out here. You might want to try a few. When I first got into the VM series it was with the Thinline Teles.

The first Thinline I bought was INSTANT LOVE. So I searched out a Shoreline Gold [first was Black]. I eventually found one and though a good playing Tele. It didn;t have the MOJO my Black thinline had. So I fully understand what your saying.

But out of any Squier I've owned the VM actually cost the least to get up to par. Which I really LOVED about it.

The Total invested? Locking Tuners $50.00, Guitarfetish MIM all Steel Trem $31.00 and Black Plastic Fender parts which were a gift from a friend. All the electronics were usable and a set of Gotoh or Wilkinson TMs certainly would have sufficed. I used the Schaller/Fender locking tuners because I bought a F-Stamped 08 set for my US Lonestar. So that left the Brushed Aluminum set not being used.

OH, and I added a WD Bone Nut for $3.99.

MY CV-60 cost me a great deal more to get up to par

therevyevot · February 13th, 2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Man-Do

That Red PG has been SOO000oooo difficult to photo correctly. But it really looks great on the Strat in person. (snip) Its the ONLY one I have seen out here like it.

I agree, the PG is beautimus--but bloody hard to photograph. However, I wouldn't say yours is the ONLY one like it

Jefro, sorry you didn't click with the VM; how much you want for it?

Jefro · February 13th, 2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Man-Do

I hear what your saying, But what is it specifically you didn't like?

I honestly cant quite put my finger on it but when I would play it in series with the Classic Vibe Strats or even my MIM Strat I just couldn't bond with it.

While I liked the sound of it, at the same time I didn't because I found myself playing with the tone pots to much to dial in the sound/tone etc...

And lastly, when I decided to string it with 10's I also decided to inspect the Bridge Assembly and the bridge plate and tremolo block were from a Bullet/Affinity and did not fit 100% proper.

So in all in... I figure since I wasn't clicking with it and it was going to require a tremolo assembly instantly (Where as I could live the CV how it is) and I also wanted to get a mint green guard and blah blah but didn't feel like spending more money on a guitar that I already wasn't clicking with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by therevyevot

Jefro, sorry you didn't click with the VM; how much you want for it?

Store I buy from gives me 30 days to return anything I buy incase I don't like it so I just took it back and returned it.

Dirty Bill · November 1st, 2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefro

Who has one ?

After the CV Tele let me down and I'm more focus on trying a VM Strat. Unfortunately the only shop in town that has some in stock was not open today so I'm going to go demo one tomorrow.

Does anyone know if the bodies are shielded/grounded just like the Classic Vibes ? And how are they routed, H/S/S or H/S/H ? (those are my 2 guesses).

I hear great things about them with the only weak part being the thin trem block but thats the case on most import/lower end models these days.

I just bought one,it's the vintage modified SSS strat. It sounds good,plays nice,but I have to take it back because of the volume control shuts on and off on it's own..go figger..

It really is a nicely made guitar,and i would buy another one. Hope this helps.

TEMPA · November 15th, 2009, 07:50 PM

Hey guys,

I am looking at picking up a new Squier guitar as a Christmas present to me from my wife.

I am tossing up between the CV 60's and the Vintage Modified.

Any opinions on the VM would be greatly appreciated.

Comparisons from owners of CV's and VM's also really appreciated.

I really like the look of the VM as is and also the CV 60's except for the tortoise shell pick guard. I know it can be changed but I don't really want to buy one only to want to change the pick guard straight away. If however the general consensus is that the CV 60's is a dramatically better guitar then I will end up with that, regardless of the pick guard.

I have touched and felt both of the guitars but haven't plugged into an amp as the skills aren't there to allow me to be making noise in a public shop!

All opinions and advice greatly recieved.