Is a "Made in Korea" Squier P-Bass Worth $250?

[JessRobinson]

A local seller has a 1992 MIK Squier P-Bass up for sale. He's willing to part with it for $250, which I think is too high.

It's eggshell yellow with a white p/g and appears to be in great condition. The serial # (CN2*****) does indicate its Korean origin and dates its manufacture to 1992. It's one of the few with the large "Fender" logo and a smaller "Squier Series" decal in the middle of the round part of the headstock.

I haven't gone to check it out yet because I first want to get some opinions from my fellow bassists on whether I'd be crazy to spend $250 for this baby.

I've heard some positive things about MIK Fenders from the late '80s and early '90s. I would like to have a P-Bass to round out my collection and this one certainly wouldn't break the bank.

Thanks for helping me out with this reality check.

[CaptainGrog]

I'd say thats definitely high.

For $250 you can probably find a Fender MIM bass.

[FourBanger]

I see them locally for $200, and I usually get a laugh because the poster/seller makes the boast that they are far superior to the Squier 'crap' being made today. Not all Squiers are Affinity-quality anymore and the MIK models are given a run for their money from the Vintage Modified series and especially the Classic Vibes.

[Makatak]

I had a `96 Korean Squier [ Gold Logo ] 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass and it was killer , used it for my main gig bass for 8 years . Your CN serial number identifies the Cort factory in the nineties and the first number is the year, as you have stated . In comparison I bought picked up a VN serial number one, which had the extra 2 bridge screws on the front end of the plate , and it didnt come within a mile of the CN one . People who say " you can get a MIM for that money " arent particularly steering you in the right direction , a lot of MIM Basses ive played are horrible and came nowhere near the mighty Korean ! .
Who cares , its only $250 and if it plays well youll have a Bass that will last for years ,some musicians are such tight a##@!, come on, some people blow 250 in one night at a casino .......If you gig regularly that $250 Bass will earn you thousands , and youll still probably get 200 for it when you sell it .

BTW a picked up a Classic Vibe and A/B`d it to my Korean , the CV was back on the net for sale again the next day

[bassbully]

IMO that is high but the headstock decal on your's is different from the 3 I just bought. I got two late 90's Squier II one was $65 the other $100. The best was an 87' MIK bullet also $100. To me that is high but until I see it and play it I can't say but to me $150 sounds fair.

[lastyear]

i recently picked up a 1993 mik squier pbass. it also has the big fender logo and smaller squier logo. its a great bass. the quality is definitely there.

[zachoff]

Nope. That's MIM Fender territory.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by zachoff

Nope. That's MIM Fender territory.

Agreed - $150 sounds more like it, especially given the current market...


- georgestrings

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by Makatak

Who cares , its only $250 and if it plays well youll have a Bass that will last for years ,some musicians are such tight a##@!, come on, some people blow 250 in one night at a casino .......If you gig regularly that $250 Bass will earn you thousands , and youll still probably get 200 for it when you sell it .

Maybe so, but it's not very bright to pay considerably more than what something's worth - the last MIK Squier P Bass Special I bought only cost me $100...


- georgestrings

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Maybe so, but it's not very bright to pay considerably more than what something's worth - the last MIK Squier P Bass Special I bought only cost me $100...


- georgestrings

Agree..good bass that can be had cheap like I said $150 tops for me.

[JessRobinson]

Well thanks for weighing in folks, I appreciate your input.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by bassbully

Agree..good bass that can be had cheap like I said $150 tops for me.

Yeah, I gigged one of those MIK Squiers for around 10 years - never let me down, and made me a pile of money... The original electronics were pretty cheap, but it had a great neck on it...


- georgestrings

[Andyman001]

I say go and play it anyway. My 2000 ibby was made in the Cort Korea factory, and it plays like buttah If it plays nice and you can talk him down a bit it might be worth it

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Yeah, I gigged one of those MIK Squiers for around 10 years - never let me down, and made me a pile of money... The original electronics were pretty cheap, but it had a great neck on it...


- georgestrings

Yes the electronics are pure crap with little mini pots and thin wiring. I rip it all out and put in good wire ,CTS pots, switchcraft jack. orange drop cap and they are good to go. Its about a $15.00 investment and good under the hood then.

The necks are the issue for me. Like I said the two maples I bought back to back had bow/reflief issues. One I fixed right away the other still has a bit more relief than I like but plenty playable. The 87' E series bullet I just grabbed has a great flat neck and seams to be built way better overall than the 90's Squier II's. Of all the Squiers I have owned from MIJ ,MIC, MII whatever I never had neck issues like I have seen in the 90's Squier II's

[landau roof]

Originally Posted by Makatak

Who cares , its only $250 and if it plays well youll have a Bass that will last for years ,some musicians are such tight a##@!, come on, some people blow 250 in one night at a casino .......If you gig regularly that $250 Bass will earn you thousands , and youll still probably get 200 for it when you sell it .

Give me $250 and I'll sell you something you could potentially make thousands with. And you'll probably get $200 for it when you're done with it, so no worries.