New Fender Modern Player Series Jaguar Bass v.s. Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass!

N I C lK · #1 10-02-2011, 01:52 PM

Hey talkbass,

Have you seen the new "Fender Modern Player Series" of guitars? Fender finally made a name brand, affordable, Jaguar Bass that isn't Squier!

Anyways, the new Fender Jag Bass looks mighty sexy but, the Squier is already known to be quite a good bass and has Duncan Designed P/J pickups in it.

I had my mind set on the Squier for about 2 weeks now and, I have 500 dollars on my debit card to get the bass and all of a sudden, I see the Fender.

So, what do you think will be the better bass? The Squier? Or the Fender?

Squier = $299.99
Fender = $399.99

JavierFarias · #2 10-02-2011, 02:11 PM

WOW! A Fender Jaguar for just 399! I'll go with the fender, the maple neck is quite nice!

N I C lK · #3 10-02-2011, 02:27 PM

True, but, I think the quality of the Squier will be just as good or not BETTER than the Fender. The Squier has "Duncan Designed" Pickups and the Fender has generic P/J pickups. And we already know how the Squier sounds (GREAT) and we have no clue about the Fender.

It might just be me but, when a "Top-Of-The Line" company such as Fender makes a a really low priced product, it's mediocre to bad. And when a "Second-Tier" company such as Squier makes a more expensive product, it seems like you're getting a GREAT deal with your purchase.

Maybe they are the same quality. Who knows. Although, I agree the Fender looks nicer. Besides the lack of stacked knobs.

JavierFarias · #4 10-02-2011, 02:37 PM

Yes I get you logic, I think I spoke too soon, I did a little research and found out that these Modern Player Fernders are made in China, also the wood of the body is Koto (which I really don't know any about it) so I think if you want to go sure, go with the squier, because there's a lot of good feedback about it. I would wait for some feedback of the Fender before I buy one.

SwagAttack · #5 10-02-2011, 02:40 PM

I am not sure, but you might be able to snag a used MIJ Fender Jag with $500. They are super good quality, and I love their neck profile. Super fast to play. And all the knobs and switches give it extra character.

If you can't get one of those, I would get the Modern Player. It has the cool maple neck, and it seems like a brand new line, so the quality might be pretty nice.

pudgychef · #6 10-02-2011, 02:43 PM

I thought the Modern Player series was intended as non-North American market only? But there they are on the MF website....huh. I had assumed they were re-branded Squiers......shows what I know....lol

A-Step-Towards · #7 10-02-2011, 02:43 PM

So now there is fenders made in china for 400$ and classic vibe squiers made there for 350$ , the marketing they have going on is rather confusing.

Its basically a 400$ squier

SwagAttack · #8 10-02-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-Step-Towards

So now there is fenders made in china for 400$ and classic vibe squiers made there for 350$ , the marketing they have going on is rather confusing.

Its basically a 400$ squier

O wow they are made in China? I would definitely be skeptical about it then. The Squier probably sounds better and has better quality.

I don't think they are supposed to be exactly Squier's. They have the Tele Modern Player Bass, which is indeed very sexy.

atomicdog · #9 10-02-2011, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwagAttack

O wow they are made in China? I would definitely be skeptical about it then. The Squier probably sounds better and has better quality.

I don't think they are supposed to be exactly Squier's. They have the Tele Modern Player Bass, which is indeed very sexy.

Y'all need to get over that prejudice about Made in China. The Chinese are kicking ass (compare the wood and construction on the Blueridge acoustic guitars with a similar Martin model). These are high-quality affordable instruments, made with lots of care. For instance, Fender MIM basses and guitars often have sloppy fret filings, but the MIC models are aced out. Besides, Squiers are made in China. I buy a Chinese-made Squier over the MIM Fender's any day. Also, have you noticed that Fender ditched the Squier website and ow presents Squiers as part of the regular Fender product line? My guess is that all Fenders will be Made in China in the near future. I'd welcome that..

pudgychef · #10 10-02-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomicdog

Y'all need to get over that prejudice about Made in China. The Chinese are kicking ass (compare the wood and construction on the Blueridge acoustic guitars with a similar Martin model). These are high-quality affordable instruments, made with lots of care. For instance, Fender MIM basses and guitars often have sloppy fret filings, but the MIC models are aced out. Besides, Squiers are made in China. I buy a Chinese-made Squier over the MIM Fender's any day. Also, have you noticed that Fender ditched the Squier website and ow presents Squiers as part of the regular Fender product line? My guess is that all Fenders will be Made in China in the near future. I'd welcome that..

never going to happen....I could see the mexican factory transitioned to special runs and classic series and perhaps the standards moved to China...but there will always be a demand and market for USA Fenders....always...

I would think the increase in MIC quality more as a threat to MIJ as there is no real sentimental attachment to MIJs and I doubt they prove as profitable as models sourced from other countries....

pudgychef · #11 10-02-2011, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pudgychef

never going to happen....I could see the mexican factory transitioned to special runs and classic series and perhaps the standards moved to China...but there will always be a demand and market for USA Fenders....always...

I would think the increase in MIC quality more as a threat to MIJ as there is no real sentimental attachment to MIJs and I doubt they prove as profitable as models sourced from other countries....

and I am saying this as an unapologetic MIJ Fender lover...

grrg63 · #12 10-02-2011, 04:34 PM

Some Squiers are made in Indonesia.

SwagAttack · #13 10-02-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomicdog

Y'all need to get over that prejudice about Made in China. The Chinese are kicking ass (compare the wood and construction on the Blueridge acoustic guitars with a similar Martin model). These are high-quality affordable instruments, made with lots of care. For instance, Fender MIM basses and guitars often have sloppy fret filings, but the MIC models are aced out. Besides, Squiers are made in China. I buy a Chinese-made Squier over the MIM Fender's any day. Also, have you noticed that Fender ditched the Squier website and ow presents Squiers as part of the regular Fender product line? My guess is that all Fenders will be Made in China in the near future. I'd welcome that..

Indeed, some Chinese instruments are good. But the QC and materials still aren't as great as other manufacturers. I have 3 Squiers (2 Indo, 1 Chinese) and the Indo's are imo better. Chinese will not make all the Fenders. If they did, Fender's name would soon become crap and no one would want to play them. American Fenders are legendary, there is no way they would be replaced.

Edit: The only reason I can see the Chinese one being more expensive is because the maple neck. It will probably be the same quality as the Squier. So if you like maple necks (I do), get it.

KillerPenguin · #14 10-02-2011, 04:46 PM

And i havent still seen any evidence that the modern player series is chinese.

rockscott · #15 10-02-2011, 05:17 PM

The squire jag is one smoking hot bass, i picked one up 5 weeks ago! A STEAL for $300.!!!!!!! Picked up a nice gator case for it yesterday!

zackthompson · #16 10-02-2011, 05:40 PM

I just picked up a squier jag last week and that thing is amazing! It is the most versatile basses under $500 i've ever played. You can get soooo many different sounds. Its strong point is the growly tone you get when you boost the bridge pickup. Its weak point on mine is the playability. But, I don't have the VM one. The VM is much improved from the $199 version. I highly highly recommend that bass

dexfx69 · #17 10-02-2011, 10:12 PM

One important difference tonally, is that the Fender version has only one tone control for both pups. This alone greatly lessens the toneage capabilities. The Squier version is a well revered tone monster crafted in Indonesia, looks fantastic, plays smooth and is a great value. I'd recommend it over the Fender, even without hearing the Fender. Unless you *need* to have the Fender logo stencil on the headstock.

ghostdog93 · #18 10-02-2011, 10:42 PM

Ok, I'll just say it...

That Fender Jaguar is not a Fender Jaguar. Sure it's got the name on the headstock, but that's about it.

New Fender series: MODERN PLAYER

C.Linton · #19 10-03-2011, 05:33 AM

If Fender chooses to call it a Jaguar, then it's a Jaguar. Just because it doesn't have the typical Jaguar electronics, doesn't make it NOT a Jaguar. Like the many different types of Precision Bass, this is just a variation on a theme. It's still a Jaguar.

ghostdog93 · #20 10-03-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Linton

If Fender chooses to call it a Jaguar, then it's a Jaguar. Just because it doesn't have the typical Jaguar electronics, doesn't make it NOT a Jaguar. Like the many different types of Precision Bass, this is just a variation on a theme. It's still a Jaguar.

I was trying to be sarcastic. And I failed. Maybe I should have used one of those emoticons?

Anyway, the thread that I linked to had a few posts about Fender copying Squier, how folks were going to whine about the Jag not being a real Jag, how the pickup configuration was wrong for a Jag, yadda yadda, etc., etc..

As far as I'm concerned, Fender can call it whatever they want. Hey, it's their bass.