Low-end Fender, or a high-end Squier?

[Tupac]

New bassist here looking to upgrade. Which would be better, one of the most expensive Squiers or one of the least expensive Fenders?

[AndrewTaran]

Squier Classic Vibe! They RULE man!

[allexcosta]

High-end Squier? That's new...

I'd take the CV or VM over Standard MIM Fenders...

[GrooveWarrior]

Used Hamer Cruisebass 2-Tek, or something similar. What is your price range? You can get a lot more bang for your buck if you go used. Most of the time, you can find it right here on TB.

[Beatle-man16]

Depends on the particular Fender model personally my experience I enjoyed the Squier Classic Vibe more than a MiM standard jazz. However I ain't purchased them but if I would It would be the Classic Vibe. Maybe look out for those new Fender Blacktop basses that recently came out, ain't tried one but looks interesting.

[pacojas]

i vote low-end-Fend.

my MIM 5'er plays like a boutique! the tone, sustain, and low action really please my inner Gear Snob.

my Squier on the other hand will not set-up as well as the Fender. the hardware and build on the MIM is very close to MIA in this example. gl.

[GrooveWarrior]

Here are some great basses on TB that are as good if not better than either the Fender or Squier.

Peavey Dyna Bass

FS: 93 Alvarez Dana Offset Bass prototype signed HS by Dana U.S.

FS: Custom Built Jazz Bass (Fender Clone)

[SCMan88]

Vintage Modified Squier.
I just ordered the Fretless version,but still.
AMAZING.
I thought that if its Squier it'd be not so good...roflmao no!(sorry 'bout that hah)
I played a few cheap Fenders and they are gross.

[Kael]

Go used. Get something better than either of the options you listed.

[tbassist4]

Production line basses are not consistent enough to definitively say that a particular series or tier is better than another. You won't get a clear answer here, just a lot of well intentioned opinions. Go to the store and play them and it should be blazingly clear which one is best, whatever it may be.

[Ironderby]

i have a Squier Matt Freeman Precision bass. It will set you back about £375, and is listed as £450. so a good deal anyway. This is a truly amazing bass, i would like to see some more finishes and different coloured pickguards but the tone is beautiful, great quality, not too heavy, no neckdive and probably better than the low end fenders which are retailed at £650. Ridiculous, if i had the money i would go for a Jazz or Sandberg California, but for less than £400, this is your best bet or the Vintage Modified Precision bass, not as good as the matt freeman, but a great bass for £250

[Rockmusician]

I would go with the lower priced Fender

[Gord_oh]

as probably mentioned here already, play what you like.

i just picked up a squier vintage modified '77 jazz bass and i couldnt be happier. that being said ive played a lot of basses to figure this out: i dont care what the headstock says. the sooner you figure that out the sooner youll be a happy bassist.

[Gear_Junky]

Originally Posted by allexcosta

I'd take the CV or VM over Standard MIM Fenders...

+1 especially CV

[fretlessguy]

Well, I've owned neither, but I have played them both whileout shopping. Not to say how they would hold up during the long haul, but I've been more impressed with the Squire CVs than the MIMs.
In the end, it's upto you regardless what I Go try them out and read some reviews on each. THEN make your decision.

[jabsys]

I'd pick a VM or CV over a MIM, I couldn't see any reason why the MIM P was over £200 more than a VM P.

[ghostdog93]

Originally Posted by Gord_oh

as probably mentioned here already, play what you like.

i just picked up a squier vintage modified '77 jazz bass and i couldnt be happier. that being said ive played a lot of basses to figure this out: i dont care what the headstock says. the sooner you figure that out the sooner youll be a happy bassist.

+1000.

Somebody should sticky this. Maybe it will cut down on all the subjective - and therefore, unanswerable - "which is better" threads about basses and whatnot.

It seems like many folks can't make a decision about anything without running it through the Interwebs first.

[JohnnyB53]

Originally Posted by Tupac

New bassist here looking to upgrade. Which would be better, one of the most expensive Squiers or one of the least expensive Fenders?

Threads like this generate a lot of responses and sometimes some heat, but really, unless you say what kind of bass you're interested in, we're all just making guesses based on our own experiences and prejudices, which may not be the ones you need to know about.

Do you mean a Jazz bass? Precision? P-J? Jaguar? 5-string? Maple fretboard? Fretless? The answers to each of these could be different.

What styles of music do you play? Can you afford either kind right now or would you have to save up for a MIM Fender over a Squier? Are you willing to buy used?

If it were me I'd get a G&L Tribute JB-2 for a jazz bass or a Tribute SB-2 if I needed a P- or P-J bass. That said, I have two USA G&Ls but I also have a Squier VM Jazz Fretless, which is nicely turned out, totally gig-worthy, and a lot of fun.

[nukes_da_bass]

Low end Fender... Isn't that an oxymoron??
(runs...hides...LMAO!)

[tekdiver500ft]

The Classic Vibe series of Squiers are far better instruments than the MIM Fenders, generally (there are exceptions), and you can often find (with careful selection of the samples) CV Squiers that are better than MIA Fenders. If those are your only choices, read no further.

However, as many have said, for less than the $600 a new MIM Fender runs, you can get a far better instrument by purchasing used. For instance, you can find Lakland Skylines, G&L Tributes, Peaveys, Hamers, etc. for under $600, and any one of them will suit your needs well. I am particularly fond of Laklands, as they are pretty true to the Fender design, but improved in the build and component quality.