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Anyone else loving the latest Squier basses?

M

mellowbassist

Nov 7, 2009
8
0
Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
#1
I know it's not considered up there with the big names and all, and has had a reputation to be cheap, but I'm loving the latest basses Squier has been putting out.

The latest one I bought was the "Classic Vibe 60s P bass". I love it. I upgraded the Pups to Nordstrand Pups and it sounds great.

I also love the "Vintage Modified 70s Jazz bass" with Duncan Pups on it.

I know people have knocked on Squier for a long time... but they have stepped up their game.

Anyone else is brave enough to admit that Squier is putting out good stuff lately? :smug:
 
#5
Nah, you are not alone.

I have not found a dog yet with any VM or CV bass, aside for not really caring for the neck profile on the CV Precision bass. But then that is a preference, not a QC issue or the like.

I also really like the Duncan Designed pups in my VM Jazz. So much so, that another set of Duncan's are going in my current project instead of the Fender pups I was going to use.

For the money or otherwise, the Vintage Modified and the Classic Vibe series are great basses, period. And I would consider them alongside or over a Fender MIM!
 
#7
Not really news anymore, seems the Squiers have been generally praised the last year or so (perhaps longer?).

They're great bang for buck basses considering the price of Fender's Standard & American versions. They also definitely sound great, only issue I have is the tuners and bridge feel cheap to me.

Aside from that, I wonder why every one I've played has significant fret buzz and sounded "clanky" unamplified... I thought it was just at one of my local Guitar Centers but then I went to 2 others and same thing... went to J and R music store here in NYC and, same thing.

Is Fender skimping out on proper initial set ups? I wonder.

I had my heart set on one earlier this year and played a few but was won over by the great "out-of-the-box" feel/playability of a similarly priced Ibanez SR.

And I also promised myself that when I was ready to pay a bit more, I'd just get a Geddy or probably an American Standard :)

Still, the Squiers have come a hell of a long way, I remember when the name was completely synonymous with beginner! Even their guitars seem pretty nice these days.
 
#8
I played an Affinity Jazz and VM 70's Jazz this morning. I was impressed by the quality of both of them. The Affinity had just been set up and was pretty sweet.

The VM needed a neck adjustment, but once that was done it was great. Still needs to have the A string raised a hair, but that's just a nitpick.

Anyway, I liked the Duncan pups on the VM better (probably some influence from the maple neck as well), though both basses were pretty equal from a playability standpoint.

I'd buy one. Now I just have to get the Chief of Staff to agree to it.
 
#11
I've got (well, had...it's being modded) a Squier VM Precision Bass TB...it's awesome. I'm adding a second pup and basically turning it into a '72 Telecaster Bass Deluxe (the $6,000 bass at GC, MF, etc). I love the neck on it, and the body and sound of it are great...2nd favorite neck only slightly behind my EBMM Sterling.
 
#12
I have the VM jazz fretless (ebay used) and the VM 70's Jazz (GC used). Really enjoy both, especially for the money. The fretless was pretty easy to set up, the 70's Jazz took me a lot longer, but I finally got it to where i want it. I have a Gotoh 201 on the Fretless and will do the same for the 70's. Now I am considering Model J's for both....:) The stock pups sound great, but I am looking for a bit more low end....
 
#18
OutToPlayJazz said:
The new Classic Vibe Squiers coming out of China are so good that Fender may as well close the Ehchilada plant in Mexico. The next step is the American Standard for me!
Click to expand...
LOL. That's "Ensenada."

I adore the CV Squiers, esp. the 60s P. That Sonic Blue finish is outta sight! I can't believe a bass that is basically a real Fender AFAIC and in one of the all-time greatest finishes is available for around 300 bucks.

Oh, and it sounds really, really good!
 
#19
After buying my Vintage Mod Jazz with the too cool for school black block maple fretboard I decided to ditch one of my 2008 American Standard Basses.

Then I bought my VM Jazz Frettless.....and, I like it so much, I am selling my other 2008 American Standard Jazz. (Black / Maple) as well. Just gotta get some flats on em.

I am old enough that I can say that I really dont care about Brand image any more....just want to have my gear work for me............plus,.....having owned two American Standards, I can now say.........."been there,....done that"

Brian in Austin.
 

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