Any info/opinions on the Squier Classic Vibe 50's P-Bass?

Everyone I know who has one loves it. They get good reviews here in the TB forums. If you haven't played one why do you already want to replace the pickup? I'd take the Squier with a good amp any day over a Ric with a cheap amp, but then I've had bad luck with Rics. I love em, I just can't stand them. After 3 Ric 4001s I've found I'm not comfortable on them and I can't make them sound very good. That said all 3 were owned before I had good amps, so it's possible the cheap bass/expensive amp > expensive bass/cheap amp belief comes into play here. I was using an old Acoustic head when I owned the first 2 and a SWR when I had my 3rd, so perhaps they'd be more mid ranged amps?

What gear do you have now? What kind of music will you be playing? Are you planning on playing with a band or do you just need enough amp to practice alone with?

 

I had one, and succumbed to the peer pressure to buy a Fender. I regret selling it to this day! That was the second best bass I've ever owned, and I've now been through over a dozen. Get it, you won't regret it!

 

Aroo? I'm not familiar with this phenomenon and I've owned several Precisions over the years.

 

Just a reaction: IMHO, buying a Pbass or a Rick is not
primarily a question of budget (even if you can't avoid the matter).
They are quite different basses in terms of tone, style and ergonomics.

 

Not saying it can't, I'd like to know more about it so I can be aware of the possibility. If I damaged the pickup in my '63 P I'd be crying!

 

I can't even imagine how you would get either string caught in the poles.

 

The only problem with the 50's style SCBP I'm aware of was with players who like to rest their thumb on the pickup while playing. After a while, as there was no plastic cover, the pressure eventually would cause the pickup to fall apart, nothing about the strings getting caught in the coils .
I'm not sure if the pickup falling apart like that is a problem with the Squier, as I believe it has a plastic cover that would prevent it from coming apart.

 

Can't happen with a '63 split-coil p'up.

 

lol i was thinking '57 style P bass, not '51. diregard my previous comments, sorry

 

One of, if not the most comfortable bass neck ive ever played, seriously. Then again, I prefer gloss over satin, so the majority may feel otherwise. Tone, however, wasn't what I was looking for, it was like boomy and thin at the same time, hard to explain. Perhaps I just got a lemon, but if the tone is there for you, I see no real faults, pretty sturdy instrument, as are most of the cv's.

 

If I may comment again a little OT, to approach Geddy Lee's sound with Rush you'd need a Jazz Bass. Hard to obtain with a P Bass.
A PBass would be perfect for Geezer Butler's or Steve Harris's kind of tone.
If you're not into Lemmy's vibe, avoid Rickenbacker.

Just my 0.02$

Good luck with finding musicians and forming a great band!

 

I'd go with this over a Squier - http://www.rondomusic.com/pisces2ts.html

I just bought an SX Jazz bass last week and I am *stunned* at the quality of this thing. It needs new strings right off the bat and there is a lot of neck dive, but for the money this bass cannot be beat. After a good setup it plays better than a few of my others which cost a lot more on the used market. If you're going to throw new pickups into it anyway, why get a Squier? The Squier p'ups are more than decent and need not be replaced, unless you're looking for a different tone than what they will give you.

Go with a less expensive bass and a better, more versatile amp. A less expensive bass and better technique going through a better amp (and even more important - better cabs/speakers) will sound much better than a '63 Jazz run through a crappy amp.

Nothing wrong with the Squier, but if it were me I'd get the Douglas and the money I saved from not buying the Squier would be invested in a better amp. I've owned only Peavey, Genz Benz, Carvin and Ampeg amps and Peavey, Guild/Hartke, Ampeg and Schroeder cabs - I would recommend any of them. Have fun experimenting!

Just my $0.02, YMMV, FWIW, blah blah blah.