Squier Classic Vibe Jazz or Fender Standard MIM Jazz?

[wild4oldcars]

Hey. Im looking into getting either a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazz bass or a Fender Standard MIM Jazz bass. I've heard the Alnico pickups in the CV are better than the Fender, but i dont know. Any help would be appreciated

[BassBob1]

I don't own and have never owned either but I pick up and play both in any music store that has them. I voted for the CV because I have liked more of them then I have the MIM stardards. IME/IMO they are very close. If you can get out and play a bunch you will probably find that you'll like some CV's better than MIM standards and some MIM standards better than CV's but if you ask me i think the CV's get the edge over the MIM standards.

[Strat Hater]

Me personally would go for the VM Jazz in maple. I have one and it is nicer than my MIM in many aspects and it has a real HARD wood body. I am still not a lover of basswood

[PBnJBassist]

Depends. Before, I favored Squier's Classic Vibe Jazz over the typical MIM Fender Standard. Now, however, Fender has stepped up their quality control - even on their Standard MIM models. I would say their 2011 is the first I've been impressed with them. Not to mention, with the MIM Standards, you'll have more color and maple fretboard options. Color shouldn't matter (much), but it's definitely a nice option to have besides the CV Olympic White Jazz w/rosewood - unless that's your thing. My vote goes to the MIM, but only if it's the 2009+ models. Older MIM standards have never impressed me.

[JamesHommersen]

Neither! Save up for a good bass.

[BassmanM]

Originally Posted by Strat Hater

Me personally would go for the VM Jazz in maple. I have one and it is nicer than my MIM in many aspects and it has a real HARD wood body. I am still not a lover of basswood

Ironically, Squier says the body is made of "soft maple". I doubt that it is harder than maple. Anyway, the hardware on the CV is of better quality than on the VM. I personally also dislike the block inlays, which are no real inlays but painted.

When I bought my CV, I compared it to a MIM Fender - the difference was huge. The Fender neck was similar to a baseball bat, one could be led to believe it had not been completed properly.

Therefore, according to my experience, I'd definitely go for the CV. However, as usual, go out and try and compare and you will surely find the bass that suits you.

[Jack Hof]

I personally enjoy Fender MIM. It's a brand that I really trust (though sometimes not with the hardware & wiring). I'm not a big name-brand guy, but I would prefer the Fender over Squier. It's all about the sound, and I prefer that trademark Fender sound.

[BassmanM]

Originally Posted by Jack Hof

It's all about the sound, and I prefer that trademark Fender sound.

Correct, and that's exactly what you get from many Squier instruments.

[BassPlayer900]

Lots of people say Squiers are better than Fenders. Unfortunately, I'm a gear snob, so I bought a Fender since they are more expensive. IME, Fenders aren't really bad. Mine seems to be buzzing but it wasn't when I tried it at the store, so it is most likely my bad amp. If you want a good bass with a good sound, I'd recommend them. You could probably get a better bass than a Fender or a Squier though, but they are still great little basses.

[ghostdog93]

Originally Posted by BassmanM

Ironically, Squier says the body is made of "soft maple". I doubt that it is harder than maple.

It isn't. The "soft" maple varieties (big leaf, silver and red maple) have about 1/2 the Janka hardness of their "hard" maple cousins (sugar and black maple). Soft maple is about as hard as cedar, douglas fir and some pine.

Originally Posted by BassmanM

Anyway, the hardware on the CV is of better quality than on the VM. I personally also dislike the block inlays, which are no real inlays but painted.

Two issues here - the hardware on the CV is different, but saying it is better is purely subjective. Also, the inlays on the Squier VM Jazz are NOT painted on, they are real inlays.

[treekiller]

Get the Fender, you can always swap out the p-ups if you need to. I'll take my MIM P and modded MIM Jazz over any Squier everytime!

[BassBollocks]

I recently bought a Squier Vintage Modified '70's Jazz (maple body/neck with painted block 'inlays' - yes, they are painted, at least they are on mine - you can see the wood-grain if you look closely!), and the feel and playability are certainly as good as any of the Mexican-made Fenders that I've tried, and even come close to the USA-made models. The build quality is excellent and the finish is flawless. OK, the hardware and electrics are not the best available, but these can be easily upgraded (Badass or Gotoh bridge, CTS pots, Switchcraft jack socket etc.). The pickups (Seymour Duncan made-in-Korea) are actually very good - possibly better than the stock MIM variety, and the tuners, whilst undoubtedly cheap, are holding up very well. All in all, then, I'm very happy with the Squier, thanks...

Greaser (BassBollocks)

[ghostdog93]

Originally Posted by BassBollocks

I recently bought a Squier Vintage Modified '70's Jazz (maple body/neck with painted block 'inlays')...

The inlays are not painted on. See post #10.

[Bassliner]

Originally Posted by JamesHommersen

Neither! Save up for a good bass.

Some cheap basses give you a lot more quality for your cash to be honest. In fact, most of them do these days.
I'd love some blind test P and J tests.. Vintage MIA, new MIM, MIA and Squier CV and VM.
Would be amazed if someone recognized all in such a blind test, but who doesn't like a challenge huh? ;p

In any case, there so much different great basses, to each his own. I fell in love with a Squier CV P bass, which was sadly sold. The one that replaced it in the store doesn't get me hot. Same bass, but completely different feeling.

[Strat Hater]

Originally Posted by ghostdog93

It isn't. The "soft" maple varieties (big leaf, silver and red maple) have about 1/2 the Janka hardness of their "hard" maple cousins (sugar and black maple). Soft maple is about as hard as cedar, douglas fir and some pine.

On the scale, how much harder is Soft Maple than Basswood. I know mine seems to be atleast that of alder, but with nicer grains.

Sure it is no Canadian Hard Maple like is in the neck, but it is still rather hard

[Strat Hater]

The Janka Hardness Test for Hardwoods

Sure Sugar (Soft maple is softer than Rock Maple) 1450 vs 1500. But look at Basswood 367. Come on now!!

I have to admit I would love to get the necks from the CV series. They have a wonderful finish and feel to them. But I am not swayed from my dislike of Basswood, and while being not as hard, Soft Maple is still a damn hard wood in comparison. 3 times as hard as Alder which is what is used in the Fender bodies

[randysmojo]

Everthing I've ever seen about the MIM Jazz says they are Alder bodies not Basswood.

[Strat Hater]

Originally Posted by randysmojo

Everthing I've ever seen about the MIM Jazz says they are Alder bodies not Basswood.

No the Basswood bodies are in the CV series. The MIM and MIA Fenders are Alder and Ash mostly. I never said the MIMs were basswood

[randysmojo]

I miss understood when you where comparing the Maple body to the Basswood, I thought you where still comparing the CV to the MIM since that was the topic of the post.

[Strat Hater]

Originally Posted by randysmojo

I miss understood when you where comparing the Maple body to the Basswood, I thought you where still comparing the CV to the MIM since that was the topic of the post.

Sorry if I misled you. Basically what I am saying is if you took the Soft Maple body and pups, put a CV neck and hardware on it with CTS pots, you could most likley give any MIA a good run for the money for 1/2 the price