Serious discussion: buying Squier instead of Fender MIM or made in USA

[Diogenes]

I don't care where it was made or what make/model it is... if it feels and sounds good, that's all that matters to me.

[jfh2424]

I'm fairly sure that if Jaco (or any other bass "hero") was reading this, he would drop this thread and go practice on whatever bass he had. And I'm sure he wouldn't worry too much about if it was a Squier, Fender or whatever.

John

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by pacojas

hey George,..

do you know why there are so many "Squier Worship" threads?

because Squier owners need to support one another... it's as if, if you buy one the need arises to validate your purchase by saying the MIA's are over-priced versions of a Squier!

Sure seems like it sometimes...


- georgestrings

[joebar]

i play what feels good in my hands-playability is number 1
tone/sound -number two

even though i am at the point in my life where i enjoy fine things, i am also the kind of guy that would play a squier if i liked it enough. i am a good enough player for it not to matter much.

up until a couple of years ago i played (almost exclusively), my very first bass guitar-only cost 315 bux back in the day. never occured to me that i shouldn`t play it. no one ever came up to me at a show and ridiculed me for it; in fact, if anything, i did remember getting a lot of respect as a player.
i have expensive basses now as well and they are not ten times better than my original bass.

the thing about instruments, cars etc- logic doesn`t always come into play; we usually buy what moves us emotionally, heart and logic don`t mix.
play what you like and learn how to play it.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by jfh2424

I'm fairly sure that if Jaco (or any other bass "hero") was reading this, he would drop this thread and go practice on whatever bass he had. And I'm sure he wouldn't worry too much about if it was a Squier, Fender or whatever.

John

Actually, Jaco would usually get the best bass he could afford, and really didn't give a crap about what others played - more people here should try such an approach...


- georgestrings

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by 2meterbassman

Well, you're right, but:

I am not talking about name hyype, not about " I pay 1000 Dollars more, because it is made in US".

I only talk about the pure quality.

If you make all those mods you listed, plus a professional setup (with leveling the frets, preparing the nut, the bridge, everything), you can add about 100 Dollars.

So let's say 800 Dollars.
Compare it to a MIA Fender.
The playability (frets and so on) of the Squier will be better, because the Fender US factory setup is woorse than the setup of a pro. It's a fact, and it's my experience, plus experience of friends of mine who are even players with contract for Fender!

800 Dollars.

And now compare it with the quality, playability and sound of the MIA (a new one) which is much more expensive.
Forget the name, forget what you get if you sell it - watch only the pure quality.
because of a bit better lacqueer job and the other decal on the headstock, it's worth the difference in price?

My opinion and experience: no.

But it's ok, if you don't agree.
You're happy with your Originals - I am happy with my copy.

Greetz

I again completely disagree.

A new MIA Fender is $1200. The mods required to make a Squier close would take you over $800. I would personally pay $400-ish extra for better wood, finish, truss rod, wiring, etc. Also, the $1200 MIA is worth $700-900 if you ever want to sell it.... The Squier won't be worth close to $800.

There is no right answer, but a Squier is not necessarily as good as a MIA with a few new parts and a good setup.

I own a Squier and don't own an American Standard Fender (or at least an American Fender that was built in the last 38+ years). I am not trying to argue, but I don't agree with your logic on this one.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

I again completely disagree.

A new MIA Fender is $1200. The mods required to make a Squier close would take you over $800. I would personally pay $400-ish extra for better wood, finish, truss rod, wiring, etc. Also, the $1200 MIA is worth $700-900 if you ever want to sell it.... The Squier won't be worth close to $800.

There is no right answer, but a Squier is not necessarily as good as a MIA with a few new parts and a good setup.

I own a Squier and don't own an American Standard Fender (or at least an American Fender that was built in the last 38+ years). I am not trying to argue, but I don't agree with your logic on this one.

The only thing I'd necessarily worry about with Squier is the neck.

The hardware as well...it pits faster with time. In general hardware pits faster than it did decades ago. But Squier hardware is particularly cheap.

[2meterbassman]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

I again completely disagree.

A new MIA Fender is $1200. The mods required to make a Squier close would take you over $800. I would personally pay $400-ish extra for better wood, finish, truss rod, wiring, etc. Also, the $1200 MIA is worth $700-900 if you ever want to sell it.... The Squier won't be worth close to $800.

There is no right answer, but a Squier is not necessarily as good as a MIA with a few new parts and a good setup.

I own a Squier and don't own an American Standard Fender (or at least an American Fender that was built in the last 38+ years). I am not trying to argue, but I don't agree with your logic on this one.

Sorry, I think, you compare the wrong things.

The mod on the Squier would be to use BETTER PUps and electronics than in the MIA basses - and the package would be 800 dollars.

And the playability would be better, because the included pro setup (leveling frets, fretwork, neck adjust, bridge, nut etc.) is much better than the Fender factory setup.

The Fender factory setup is really bad.

So you have 2 instruments, here are the facts:
Squier with better PUps, better electronics and better setup than the MIA for 800 dollars.
The Fender MIA has better wood (which is only 30 percent of the sound), and maybe better lacquer. Maybe. Really only maybe, if I look at the paintjob on my Squier.

Which one will play better? The Squier, because of the setup.
Which one will sound better, via amplifier? The Squier, because of better electronics and PUps.
Which one will sound better without amplifier? The Fender MIA, but it's not important vor an electric (!!!) bass.

And for playing the worse bass, I should pay 400 dollars more?

No, thanks, not 4 me.

That's what I think about it.

If you want to have the name Fender on it: ok, buy it.
If you want to buy american: ok, buy it.
If the reseller price is important: ok, buy it.
And many other arguments for buying a MIA Fender.

And now you maybe wanna know why I tell you my opinion again and again?

Very simple: because I am so happy about my Squier, how it feels, plays, sounds - and I am so happy to be back on the bass again, it is like coming home.
I am practicing 1 to 2 hours per day, because I have to refresh my technical skills after 20 years only playing guitar - and I always end my lessons with a big smile!

:-)

Greetz

[pacojas]

the OP is cracking me up!

[2meterbassman]

Hehehehehehe....

[diegobxr]

Once you cross certain price range, you enter the land of diminishing returns. The higher the price, the more you pay for less difference. It's the way it works, with everything.

Now stop whining people.
If I had money to blow, hell yeah I'd get myself a good deal of 60's and 70's Fenders.. so I don't have anything against those who do, actually I hope I can do it myself too someday.

However, when I do, I'd be a man and admit that yeah.. the only ones who care about what the hell you're playing are you and other bassists, and even them, couldn't tell the difference in sound with a $500 bass in a mix, and that the real reasons for getting ultra expensive stuff are luxury, elitism and self indulgence. No shame in that.

[chef wong]

The best deals from Fender/Squier are imo:

Squier Classic Vibe Series/modified with better MIM style tuners

Any MIJ Fender with alder or ash for body wood. Same quality as the U.S., but with a change of electronics.

Fender Special Run made in Mexico...2 or 3 piece alder or ash bodies(not common for MIM)..no mods needed.

[rockinrayduke]

Originally Posted by chef wong

The best deals from Fender/Squier are imo:

Squier Classic Vibe Series/modified with better MIM style tuners

Any MIJ Fender with alder or ash for body wood. Same quality as the U.S., but with a change of electronics.

Fender Special Run made in Mexico...2 or 3 piece alder or ash bodies(not common for MIM)..no mods needed.

Good ideas here! Especially in that price range.

[drummer5359]

I read this whole thread, then I read it again.

A serious discussion generally makes allowances for the opinion of others. This really isn't a serious discussion in my view. We are all happy that you really like your Squier, and that is what is important. YOU like your Squier.

I owned a Vintage Modified Precision TB for a while. It was a nice bass. But, I had an opportunity to purchase a real 1972 Telecaster bass. (The VM P-bass TB is a Tele bass copy.) As nice as the VM is, it isn't an American Fender. I own two modern American made Fenders (a 2011 and a 2010) and the quality of the current American Fenders is very high from what I've seen and heard.

Play what you can afford and enjoy it.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by rockinrayduke

Good ideas here! Especially in that price range.

Just picked up a '62 RI MIJ P-bass, quilt top (foto-flame, whatever the **** they call it) for $425 with a hard Fender case. Unbeatable - which is why I don't waste time putzing tricked-out Squiers.

[rockinrayduke]

Originally Posted by drummer5359

I read this whole thread, then I read it again.

A serious discussion generally makes allowances for the opinion of others. This really isn't a serious discussion in my view. We are all happy that you really like your Squier, and that is what is important. YOU like your Squier.

I owned a Vintage Modified Precision TB for a while. It was a nice bass. But, I had an opportunity to purchase a real 1972 Telecaster bass. (The VM P-bass TB is a Tele bass copy.) As nice as the VM is, it isn't an American Fender. I own two modern American made Fenders (a 2011 and a 2010) and the quality of the current American Fenders is very high from what I've seen and heard.

Play what you can afford and enjoy it.

Thanks, Mike. I wrote a long post about this then deleted it. I just bought a 2011 P-Bass new that had killer action from the get go. Just changed to flats and tweaked for about 30 mins till it was perfect. The point of the post I deleted is your post. Spot on.

[MrUsefulAlien]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Hey, you asked for opinions - it's not like this subject doesn't come up several times a week...

Here ya go - this was yesterday:

"Made in _____" ???

- georgestrings

Although I humbly disagree with the OP, I do agree with the sentiment that if one doesn't have something constrictive to say, one should not chime in at all.

Granted, the OP could've used the search button...but the sarcastic, unkind tone in the responses is not really warranted IMHO.

[Figjam]

I care just as much if not more about how a bass feels as how it sounds. Generally, I rank Fenders as follows

Vintage USA
Japanese
MIM first 2 years of production
USA
Chinese
MIM
Korean
Indonesian

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by MrUsefulAlien

Although I humbly disagree with the OP, I do agree with the sentiment that if one doesn't have something constrictive to say, one should not chime in at all.

Granted, the OP could've used the search button...but the sarcastic, unkind tone in the responses is not really warranted IMHO.

Given the total content of the OP's posts on this thread, I'd say my responses weren't out of line... Having seen this played out many times, I figured what the OP was up to(and was right) - if you still haven't gotten that yet, read several of the posts just before yours...


- georgestrings

[MrUsefulAlien]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Given the total content of the OP's posts on this thread, I'd say my responses weren't out of line... Having seen this played out many times, I figured what the OP was up to(and was right) - if you still haven't gotten that yet, read several of the posts just before yours...

- georgestrings

It's not that what you say is not correct, it in fact mostly is. Your choice of words make you come off as not very friendly, which in turn makes it harder to accept the truths that you put forth. That's all I was illustrating.