Is the Squier VM Mustang worth the Â£255 you pay for it?

ZombieLloyd · Post by **ZombieLloyd** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:11 pm

Basically, I only have around Â£260 to spend on a guitar at the end of the month and I've never tried a Squier or a Mustang before. I have a Fender Strat (not sure which model because it was given to me by my brother) that I really like. I play grunge (Nirvana or Mudhoney style) and metal. I got a guitar to play metal on for christmas and i'm looking for my next grunge guitar. I've heard some good things and some bad things about this so I thought I'd come here for a definitive yes or no. Thanks in advance for reading and posting.

Also would I be able to make a separate thread asking for someone to swap the bridge pickup when I get it? I would pay if necessary unless there is a rule I didn't read.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:24 pm

If you feel the mustang itself is a good option for you then I wouldn't hesitate.

One thing I was really concerned about these were the quality of the fretwork and sharp edges. Turns out that's probably one of the best parts about it. It has a chunkier neck which you may or may not like. I don't usually, but it feels good.

My biggest hates have been the bridge, and I didn't have enough patience to tinker with the tremolo.... so I swapped these out, flipped the tremolo, along with a pickup swap. Quite unintentionally Kurty.

BUT remember, this'll all add up the expenses.

When I got it there were some grounding issues which I resolved myself... so if there's more that one compare them to find a quiet one.

Ultimately though you should try and play one somewhere... to see if YOU like it. Some reports of bad neck pockets, spots in the paint work, bad fitting. But like any guitar, you get good and bad ones.

Mine plays as well as my Japanese Jag now, which I've spent years tinkering with.

The original pickups are pretty hot. A member here measured the bridge p/up at around 12k which is crazy, so you might find they work for you just fine.

I'm pleased with mine, and don't envisage selling it. Really having lots of fun with it, which I've failed to do with more expensive and custom built guitars.

ZombieLloyd · Post by **ZombieLloyd** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:34 pm

othomas2 wrote:If you feel the mustang itself is a good option for you then I wouldn't hesitate.

One thing I was really concerned about these were the quality of the fretwork and sharp edges. Turns out that's probably one of the best parts about it. It has a chunkier neck which you may or may not like. I don't usually, but it feels good.

My biggest hates have been the bridge, and I didn't have enough patience to tinker with the tremolo.... so I swapped these out, flipped the tremolo, along with a pickup swap. Quite unintentionally Kurty.

BUT remember, this'll all add up the expenses.

When I got it there were some grounding issues which I resolved myself... so if there's more that one compare them to find a quiet one.

Ultimately though you should try and play one somewhere... to see if YOU like it. Some reports of bad neck pockets, spots in the paint work, bad fitting. But like any guitar, you get good and bad ones.

Mine plays as well as my Japanese Jag now, which I've spent years tinkering with.

The pickups are pretty hot. A member here measured the bridge p/up at around 12k which is crazy, so you might find they work for you.

I'm pleased with mine, and don't envisage selling it. Really having lots of fun with it.

Firstly: I'd be too afraid of screwing up the guitar to change even one pickup. Secondly: The bridge is the one complaint I've heard the most so I'm expecting that haha. Finally: I'm in wales, I'm 17 and the nearest guitar shop is an hour away. I'm not even sure they have this so I just have Shortscale's word for it. Thank you for your response

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:44 pm

I work in a guitar shop and travel an 1hr15 each way, 4 times a week.

Well, online... you have a 2 week clause to send it back if it's not suitable, or you just don't want it... and money back without question. I think shipping back would be covered if it wasn't fit for purpose.

A mustang bridge is bit more and shouldn't be too expensive, especially used. Slight radius mismatch though. Really easy to swap over so shouldn't daunt you at all... just drop straight in.

Alternatively, some loctite on the threads where they anchor and on the saddles... would much improve it I suspect.

ZombieLloyd · Post by **ZombieLloyd** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 11:03 pm

othomas2 wrote:I work in a guitar shop and travel an 1hr15 each way, 4 times a week.

Well, online... you have a 2 week clause to send it back if it's not suitable, or you just don't want it... and money back without question. I think shipping back would be covered if it wasn't fit for purpose.

A mustang bridge is bit more and shouldn't be too expensive, especially used. Slight radius mismatch though. Really easy to swap over so shouldn't daunt you at all... just drop straight in.

Alternatively, some loctite on the threads where they anchor and on the saddles... would much improve it I suspect.

I'll have to wait a while for the new bridge but until then I can use the bridge it comes with. Also, that was your job and I can't drive yet.

Silenus · Post by **Silenus** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 8:42 am

Looks good.
Where did you order the bridge ?

ZombieLloyd · Post by **ZombieLloyd** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 9:50 am

Silenus wrote:Looks good.
Where did you order the bridge ?

I can't buy diddly until the end of the month so nowhere for now but andertons should have it in stock soon

honeyiscool · Post by **honeyiscool** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:14 pm

What bridge does it come with? Is it Tune-O-Matic style or did you have to drill for it?

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:07 am

honeyiscool wrote:What bridge does it come with? Is it Tune-O-Matic style or did you have to drill for it?

Pretty sure it's a standard Mustang bridge, isn't it?

Sobriquet · Post by **Sobriquet** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 7:42 am

honeyiscool wrote:What bridge does it come with? Is it Tune-O-Matic style or did you have to drill for it?

It has Jag/Jazz saddles because of the neck radius.

Post by **Mike** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 7:49 am

Actually it doesnt

They have grub screws but aren't like the jag or jazz models, they have one groove rather than many

Sobriquet · Post by **Sobriquet** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 8:09 am

Mike wrote:Actually it doesnt

They have grub screws but aren't like the jag or jazz models, they have one groove rather than many

Oh, really? So they're kind of like the Warmoth modified Mustang bridge? Are all the saddles the same size?

edit: I just looked at a big picture. It seems they've actually made new saddles for this. Fender's all like "we machined new parts for the '65 AVs so the price is $800 more than the AVRIs!" And Squier is all like "whatevs."

Concretebadger · Post by **Concretebadger** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 10:13 am

Sobriquet wrote:
Mike wrote:Actually it doesnt

They have grub screws but aren't like the jag or jazz models, they have one groove rather than many
Oh, really? So they're kind of like the Warmoth modified Mustang bridge? Are all the saddles the same size?

edit: I just looked at a big picture. It seems they've actually made new saddles for this. Fender's all like "we machined new parts for the '65 AVs so the price is $800 more than the AVRIs!" And Squier is all like "whatevs."

In their defence, Squier are probably selling more VMs than Fender are selling '65 RIs so economy of scale is on Squier's side. I reckon the OP wouldn't go wrong getting one of these, as long as he keeps the receipt just in case!

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 4:04 pm

Sobriquet wrote: It seems they've actually made new saddles for this. Fender's all like "we machined new parts for the '65 AVs so the price is $800 more than the AVRIs!" And Squier is all like "whatevs."

They used the Fender MIM Blacktop Jazzmaster bridge, which is probably cheap generic Asian fare. They also used generic Jag/Jazzmaster/Mustang tailpieces that have been around in Japan for like 20+ years, and on the DiPinto Galaxie/Xavier JMs, etc... Squier don't make stuff like that themselves.

ZombieLloyd · Post by **ZombieLloyd** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 11:29 pm

paul_ wrote:
Sobriquet wrote: It seems they've actually made new saddles for this. Fender's all like "we machined new parts for the '65 AVs so the price is $800 more than the AVRIs!" And Squier is all like "whatevs."
They used the Fender MIM Blacktop Jazzmaster bridge, which is probably cheap generic Asian fare. They also used generic Jag/Jazzmaster/Mustang tailpieces that have been around in Japan for like 20+ years, and on the DiPinto Galaxie/Xavier JMs, etc... Squier don't make stuff like that themselves.

What guitar is in the second picture?

Mo Law-ka · Post by **Mo Law-ka** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 11:33 pm

Dipinto Galaxie

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:32 am

The Jaguar was a Jazzmaster redesigned for surf.
The Galaxie is a Jazzmaster redesigned for even more surf.

Wave of the Future.

[youtube][/youtube]

Sobriquet · Post by **Sobriquet** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 5:18 am

paul_ wrote:
Sobriquet wrote: It seems they've actually made new saddles for this. Fender's all like "we machined new parts for the '65 AVs so the price is $800 more than the AVRIs!" And Squier is all like "whatevs."
They used the Fender MIM Blacktop Jazzmaster bridge, which is probably cheap generic Asian fare. They also used generic Jag/Jazzmaster/Mustang tailpieces that have been around in Japan for like 20+ years, and on the DiPinto Galaxie/Xavier JMs, etc... Squier don't make stuff like that themselves.

Ah, OK. That makes a lot more sense.

xrleroyx · Post by **xrleroyx** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 7:48 pm

I didn't like mine. There were a host of problems. I eventually sold it. I couldn't fix what I needed to on it. It all happened quick too. Fretting out, bridge breaking, etc... sold it locally cheap

gusman2x · Post by **gusman2x** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 7:49 pm

Haven't played a VM mustang, but I've got a VM jag. Very very good for the money, but not in the same league as mij in my opinion

If you can hang out (and save more) for a mij mustang, that's what I'd do.