Fender vs. Squier

[pbobagadion]

Hi. I'm buying a new bass and i currently have 2 basses in mind. A Squier Vibe Jazz Bass 60s or a Fender Standard Precision Bass. I just need some suggestions which one to get because it's so hard to choose between the two. Thanks!

[AmadeusXeno]

I guess it depends on if you want a Jazz tone or a P bass tone.

[Justbleazy]

I don't know what your budget is but I have the Fender Precision Deluxe Special and it's literally 2 basses in one. It has the P/ Pup and a J/Pup which will satisfy your needs for 2 completely different tones.

Fender Deluxe Maple P-Bass Special at zZounds

[jumbosilverette]

buy both, problem solved

[bassist4dalord]

Oh my gosh- the ULTIMATE TalkBass troll: Not only is this a Squier vs. Fender thread, it's ALSO a Jazz vs. Precision thread.



But, if you're gonna make me answer, Jazz. I'm on a Jazz kick right now.

[soulman969]

Well as suggested the first thing you have to do is decide which animal you want. The differences are fairly significant. Justbleazy points out a P/J combination.

I'll just simply say that for the price of the P/J you could buy one each of the CV Jazz and CV Precision and have enough left over for a new set of strings for each of them. That's their biggest fault otherwise the quality of the CV's is at least equal to if not better than the MIM Standards.

If it was my decision to make I'd take the one of each CV's over the MIM P/J. I have a CV Jazz and it's a great sounding and playing instrument once you have it set up with the strings you prefer.

[punkinfantry]

yeah but which one would be better for metal? it's important, man.

[AmadeusXeno]

Originally Posted by punkinfantry

yeah but which one would be better for metal? it's important, man.

Just put 5 distortion pedals between your bass and amp and any bass is great for metal

[bassingeorge]

Hey C'mon guys, some of us noobs sometimes need some teaching

Look...The basses you're describing are two different animals. Different sound, looks and feel.

YES, both can be used for metal

The squier is going to be cheaper than the Fender.

If you ask me what would I buy?
I just bought a Squier P bass...It's a Matt Freeman signature, but it's in the same class as the Classic Vibe Series. They Rock! The quality is soooo much better than MIM (Made in Mexico) fenders. The feel is top notch, the finish and specially the sound!

You should go to your local Guitar Center, and try both. DON'T ask the clerks what they would pick....They are going to try to sell you their latest and greatest. Try it with a small combo amp, flat eq setting at first and play a few notes. Compare the two of them and see what you like best! It's that easy!

Good luck

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by bassingeorge

Hey C'mon guys, some of us noobs sometimes need some teaching

Pain is a good teacher.
Good advice though, by the way.

[funkyebk]

But if it was a real question... Get the Jazz.

1 it's going to be cheaper

2 Although 99.99999% of every awesome song you ever heard was probably recorded on a P-Bass, it takes a bit of finesse to make a P sound like you know what you're doing. P's nearly always sound great, but plug in and go versatility isn't easy to accomplish.

If you're just starting out, then you want something that's simple to figure out and that sounds good from the start... both will give you that, but I personally think that Jazz basses strike the right balance between cost, ease of operation and good sound.

[spiritbass]

Considering the quality of Fender and Squier branded instruments manufactured in China currently, MIM's are overpriced. General newbie advice: Do your research on how to evaluate an instrument. Listen with your ears, not your eyes. If you don't have the time or patience to learn how to set up your instrument, find a good tech and build a rapport. Keep an eye on the used market. You may consider renting toward owning so you can hear if the instrument in question will work with your group. In other words, try it 'in the mix' before you buy...

[spaz21387]

I vote squier because they are great quality and at a fair price. A couple years back an mim p sold for 429 new and now its like 600 new.

[ksandvik]

You need to check the bass guitars at a store and so on. In general -- and I tend to generalize too much - both Squiers and MIM Fenders are hit and miss. Some are great, some are not. The more you pay, the better consistency. P-bass has the rock sound, but as mentioned, with a metal bass rig it does not really make a bigger difference what bass you are playing.

[Peter S]

Hmmmm. I wonder if this is the right place for my question? I have looked about so here goes:-

I love that Fender thump you get with a P bass and flatwound strings and no effects. For looks I would like the P bass to be sunburst with a tortoise shell cover. I use a mesa Walkabout Scout.

I have a fender Jazz which suits well because I have small hands. I do not have big money to play with.

I can't afford a new P bass and a second hand older P bass is even more expensive. You would think these things improved with age like fine wine!! So that leaves me with a mim or squier option. Could a luthier put a Jazz neck on a P bass or is there a P bass already out there with a slightly slimmer neck?

Pete

[bassingeorge]

So, Peter S, you want a Jazz Neck on a P bass body? Totally doable...If the neck and body are fenders, or quality certified copies, I don't see why not...the dimensions are the same.

As long as they are regular p bass and jazz bass...If it's "deluxe" or "special" or something or other...it might not fit...Or some of those with a 3 bolt neck assembly.

[Peter S]

Brilliant response thanks. That is what I will aim for even if it is a long term project.

Pete

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by Peter S

Hmmmm. I wonder if this is the right place for my question? I have looked about so here goes:-

I love that Fender thump you get with a P bass and flatwound strings and no effects. For looks I would like the P bass to be sunburst with a tortoise shell cover. I use a mesa Walkabout Scout.

I have a fender Jazz which suits well because I have small hands. I do not have big money to play with.

I can't afford a new P bass and a second hand older P bass is even more expensive. You would think these things improved with age like fine wine!! So that leaves me with a mim or squier option. Could a luthier put a Jazz neck on a P bass or is there a P bass already out there with a slightly slimmer neck?

Pete

I see the CV Precision 60s as having a 1.5" nut, same as a Jazz neck. Interesting.

[EDIT: Nope, misprint on Musican's Friend. Never mind.]

[JACink]

I´m not quite sure if this thread is serious or not (referring to the OP with no info), if it is, at least let us know if this is your first bass, an upgrade, a downgrade, or just curiosity!

In case you are even more of a newbie than me, these are some valuable tips (learned mostly here on TB) that I used to get to a bass that I like (without being able to try it first!)

My first bass was based on what my favourite bass player used (Vic) which is a Fodera P/J, so I just knocked 2 digits off the price and got a P/J!!

After that I really got to like the J sound, and started loving the fretless sound, so I picked up a Squier VM Fretless.

Only after playing the squier for awhile, I realised how much I really hated the painted neck on my other bass (along with a lot of other things), and I also realised that I like the sound that the P pickup adds to the bass. So after searching for a value4money bass, with a P/J config, and an unpainted Jazz neck (I prefer the neck which is thinner than a P bass), I have decided on a Squier VM Jag.

Where I will go next... who knows!?! However, if I had a GC near me, I am sure that I would have saved a lot of reading comparisons, and played before I purchased!!

Hope this helps!!

[Pickebass]

If you are looking for value, the Squiers can't be beat. IMO, I would either consider a Squier or go up to an american special (basically, the old Highway 1's).

Needless to say, after you decide if you want a P or J