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$300 P-Bass - Squier vs. Dean

P

PTOEguy

Feb 24, 2019
10
3
#1
Which one - Squier Vintage Modified PJ or a Dean Paramount?

I'm interested in buying a P-bass and had decided on a Squier Vintage Modified PJ Bass purchased through my local store (they usually make it easy to buy local), but they weren't able to get what I wanted from Fender. While looking online to see if I could get what I wanted elsewhere I ran across a Dean Paramount bass - which I can get for the same price as the Squier Vintage Modified PJ.

Is there any experience out there on which would be a better deal? The Squier is available for basically list price while the Dean is $200 below list price.
 
#2
I've got the Squier, it wasn't stage-ready as I bought it (virtually new) but after a few fixes it's pretty sweet. I also have a Dean fretless, judging from it's quality and my research the Dean P should be quite nice, but it's just a P and the Squier gives you more options. $300 sounds a bit high for both, and there are other choices to be had if you have the chance at them.
 
#3
If you're talking about the Squier VM with this output jack, just a word of warning: it will break more often than not, especially if you use a Monster cable.
Sure, someone's bound to say "I own one and never had a problem with the jack!" but they're the exception.
If these are your only two choices, sure, go with the Squier, and if you're planning on modding it, as many do, just start with replacing the barrel jack.
View attachment 3345880
 
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#4
PTOEguy said:
Which one - Squier Vintage Modified PJ or a Dean Paramount?

I'm interested in buying a P-bass and had decided on a Squier Vintage Modified PJ Bass purchased through my local store (they usually make it easy to buy local), but they weren't able to get what I wanted from Fender. While looking online to see if I could get what I wanted elsewhere I ran across a Dean Paramount bass - which I can get for the same price as the Squier Vintage Modified PJ.

Is there any experience out there on which would be a better deal? The Squier is available for basically list price while the Dean is $200 below list price.
Click to expand...
@Sub-Frequency has a Paramount and gigs with it. His biggest gripe was the pups which he replaced. I like Dean thin necks a lot, but I’ve never played the Paramount to know if the neck is like an Edge or a Hillsboro.
 
#7
I would probably pick the Squier VM PJ over the Dean, it's a tad more versatile with the pickup configuration. Also along those lines, an Ibanez Talman TMB100 is $199 - it's an active PJ. Pretty powerful bass. It has a chunkier neck than the Squier though.
 
#10
They are both decent instruments. The Dean sounds like a good deal, but the Squire will sell faster if you decide to unload it down the road.

I think I paid $239 for my Paramount new (at a blow-out on an obscure website). It was a risky purchase, but the instrument arrived in perfect condition. I've never seen it close to that price again (would buy another one if I did).

There's a LOT of guys up here who love the newer Squires. I've never owned one, quite frankly because I have a hard time getting past the "cheap" image they had in the 80's and early 90's. Nevertheless quite a few guys on TB own and gig them.

I don't think you can make a bad choice between the two.

Edit: The Dean has a nice thin, fast neck. If you like thin necks, the Dean is the obvious choice.
 
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#11
I personally don't like new basses when there are used ones that can run laps around the new ones for the same $$$.
That Ibanez Blazer mentioned above, an RB630 or used 80s/early 90s era Peavey Fury would be my choice for a $300 P style or get an 80s Foundation S, early 90s Forum or RB650 for a P/J style.
 
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#13
bigtone23 said:
I personally don't like new basses when there are used ones that can run laps around the new ones for the same $$$.
That Ibanez Blazer mentioned above, an RB630 or used 80s/early 90s era Peavey Fury would be my choice for a $300 P style or get an 80s Foundation S, early 90s Forum or RB650 for a P/J style.
Click to expand...

I bought 3 used basses with a P bass pickup recently, a Peavey Fury, a MIM Fender P bass and a G&L Tribute SB-2. All very nice basses, but out of those three (and they're all set up equally well) - the best playing one and my favorite -just my personal opinion, is the one I bought the cheapest for $100, the Peavey Fury. That being said, I didn't spend $300 or more on any of these particular basses. The MIM was a trade, the G&L I bought for $250. Look at used basses, you might find a gem.
 
#16
jd56hawk said:
If you're talking about the Squier VM with this output jack, just a word of warning: it will break more often than not, especially if you use a Monster cable.
Sure, someone's bound to say "I own one and never had a problem with the jack!" but they're the exception.
If these are your only two choices, sure, go with the Squier, and if you're planning on modding it, as many do, just start with replacing the barrel jack.
View attachment 3345880
Click to expand...

Who pays for Monster cables in 2019?!
 
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#20
I recently got a Squier Affinity PJ, less than a year old with plastic still on the pickguard, for $49.99 otd at a pawn shop.
The same shop has 2 different Dean basses for well under $200.


It pays to look in the nooks... ;)
 

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