Anyone gig out with a Squier Affinity?

[ONYX]

I don't play one, but I'll relate this to you:

Some years ago, the band I was in was asked to co-host an open blues jam with another blues band. When the other band went on, I noticed that the bass player was getting the most beautiful jazz bass tones out of his instrument. When their set was done, I went over to check out his bass--expecting to see a vintage Jazz. I was a bit taken back to see that it was a Squier Affinity--- that he had just purchased at GC on his way over to the jam.

If it sounds good, and you like what you hear, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

 

[GK Growl]

Anyone gig out with a Squier Affinity?

Gigged with an Affinity Jazz V for almost 2 years until I sold it and converted my Squier Jaguar over to BEAD (for my old tired hands). Currently gig with the Squier Jaguar and a Classic Vibe Jazz bass. All the Squiers are stock and have played in all the places in my local scene with ZERO problems except for gear snobs who when they finally see the Squier name on the headstock have to take away some of the compliments they gave the bass tone because I guess it creates a cognitive dissonance in their pea brains that anything with Squier automatically equals sucky tone and non serious musicians. Oh, by the way, the Fender goes out sometimes but I much prefer the sound and feel of all the Squiers. The Affinity Jazz V was quite simply awesome, just my hands do not like the wider necks on 5 strings hence the BEAD Jaguar bass with it's skinny little Jazz neck which I love. For me, Squiers have worked excellent. I'm not saying there aren't some real junky ones out there but that can be said for just about any brand.

 

[Big Hoss]

No pics of me gigging it, but I do use my Affinity Jazz (modded) for gigging fairly regularly, along with my SX P bass.

The mods are Squier Classic Vibe 60s high mass bridge (brass saddles etc...) Vintage Modified "Duncan Designed" pickups, CTS pots / caps, Ebay tort pickguard, and full shielding job.

The SX is much simpler, just swapped out the plain white pickguard for one I liked.

 

[b_carville]

I can rock the house with a HONDO can Brand snobs do that.

I have!
I found one in the trash some years ago.Was missing a tuning gear. Damn thing sounded great.P bass copy.Korean made from probably plywood.
I like Squiers! When I was flying to gigs a bit I had situations where the airline lost or delayed my bass. I would go to whatever music shop\pawnshop & get the cheapest used Squier ,tweak the neck & add new strings & was good to go!

 

[okcrum]

It's not an Affinity, but here's Marillion's Steve Rothery with the Squier Strat he's used for countless arena and festival shows:

View attachment 2751599

That looks like it might be an early (1980s) Squier; those things are collector items among players in the know. It's probably more fair to compare them to the Fenders of the day.

 

[Gorn]

I only gig with Ritters covered in gold leaf with tuners made out of white truffles, lest the crowd at McGooby's think less of me.

 

[okcrum]

A guitarist I've subbed with has a modified Affinity P he likes to play when he gets sub gigs on bass. He likes the thinner body. The bass plays well; he does repairs and knows how to do a proper setup. With MIM pickups it sits OK in the mix too. It's nothing to write home about, but it doesn't suck.

That said, I wouldn't take one on tour, unless I could take 4 or so to deal with the attrition. Tour life is harder on gear than local gig or garage life.

 

[leonard]

I had an Affinity P that I liked. I often practiced and sometimes even gigged with it. It sounded good but the hardware wasn't very durable. In the end the frets were worn and the truss rod was unadjustable. I still have the body on a parts bass and it's as good as any bass body.

 

[GBBSbassist]

I have one in my closet that a friend gave me ages ago. I've been meaning to clean it up and restring it and actually use it.

From what I hear, it was a great series of instruments.

 

[Gyver]

Dixie Dave Collins of Weedeater does:

View attachment 2751306

Looks like he has a Badass bridge on there, but beyond that and the pickguard it looks like it could probably be a stock Affinity P bass. Listen to Weedeater and you will hear just how well that bass delivers through that Sunn rig! No need for him to upgrade any time soon.

Freakin' brilliant!

 

[Grahams Groove]

The SX is much simpler, just swapped out the plain white pickguard for one I liked.
View attachment 2751950

The wood grain under the burst on that SX looks great! It's honestly leaps and bounds beyond the figuring in the $1300 Ash Sandberg I just sold. Nice work...

 

[Diamond_Dave]

Anyone gig out with a Squier Affinity?

I think it's a phenomenal sounding bass and very comfortable to play. I can't stand it when people who are "label whores" turn their nose up to the lesser brands and say "Oh, you can't play out with that!"

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is!

Yes. The look or tone of my Squier Affinity bass is hardly the worst thing about a typical performance

 

[beaglesandbass]

If it sounds good I'll gig with it. Sometimes I gig with my Squier VM P5 over my Stingray 5. Full disclosure though, it's a Squier on steroids. No stock electronics or bridge.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I would get a tetanus shot after touching that Bass..

(With all due respect and affection…) That's not a bass, that's termites holding hands!

 

[Big Hoss]

The wood grain under the burst on that SX looks great! It's honestly leaps and bounds beyond the figuring in the $1300 Ash Sandberg I just sold. Nice work...

And I believe that is Basswood. It's nice and light, and even with nickel rounds has the P bass thump you expect... I know basswood doesn't seem to get a lot of love here, but it really is a far nicer bass than the price tag would make you think... It's actually my #1, followed by the PJ version of this bass, followed by the Squier Jazz...

I somewhat feel like I should mention this. There are precious few pics of me playing, and for good reason... I'm a big guy (fat) and somewhat self conscious. I have literally tend to try to keep as much of me hidden on stage as possible... I'm sure somebody somewhere has pics, but I haven't seen them yet...

I've been losing weight, which is making me, my doc, and my wife happy.... But I have a long way to go.

 

[PunkNerve]

I once played a MIM P Bass and a Classic Vibe(?) P Bass. They were hanging right next to each other on a wall in a music shop. Although I didn't get a chance to plug them in, the necks felt exactly the same (albeit the Squier had more gloss) and they both had a good weight. I'd imagine they sound much the same plugged in.

I once played my Squier Telecaster for my school's graduation mass one year. My amp also chose that night in particular to die. Embarrassing. But the guitar held up perfectly fine and I've played it almost every day since 2015.

 

[kodiakblair]

How about gig with Harley Benton ?

My PB-50 is my go-to,another fella I know gigged his PB-50 on a Rock 'n' Roll Revival tour lasting 2 year. Bass player with Cloudbursting plays a JB-75. Older fella next town over gigs his fretless JB-40 regularly. Friend of mine only plays the BZ-4000.

I'm betting there's awhole slew of folks gigging HB's, same as folks are gigging Affinity's. If it's what you got you gig it.

 

[Wesley R]

I have ever played a Squier Affinity, yet I feel safe in stating that my semi-Hollow body from JC Penney, and my Decca could be equal to or lesser machines. Both saw many gigs.

 

[PunkNerve]

My PB-50 is my go-to,another fella I know gigged his PB-50 on a Rock 'n' Roll Revival tour lasting 2 year. Bass player with Cloudbursting plays a JB-75. Older fella next town over gigs his fretless JB-40 regularly. Friend of mine only plays the BZ-4000.

I'm betting there's awhole slew of folks gigging HB's, same as folks are gigging Affinity's. If it's what you got you gig it.

Also played my JB-75 in April and again in May (would have used it in July but I went for a Fender instead) and it held up great, sounded great, played great. I get loads of compliments on it too. And the amp hasn't died.

 

[GCPENG]

My Affinity has Quarter Pounders in it and is very light and comfortable. I have brought it as a backup, but have never actually gigged it. I can't see it being my primary bass at a gig - partly because it's a Squier Affinity, honestly. When I'm gigging and need a P-bass, I would default to my MIM with GZRs and Bass Xtender.