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Are Squire P basses decent? (Bass noob)

M

mystical69

Apr 13, 2013
1
0
KC
#1
A little background info, I was a typical shred guitarist for the past five years. I would try to fill every second of a song with a complex lead. Spent countless hours on mindless arpeggios, exotic scales, and advance techniques. Until I sliced open my hand and couldn't play for a month and when I was able to play, I was "stuck playing rhythm" until I feel in love with the rhythm section and a friend gave me an old 150w T&R kustom bass combo.

I got a friend willing to sell a Squire P bass for $80 bucks. I'm planing on upgrading when I sell my B.C. Rich for around $500-$600 bucks, but idk when it will sell and I want a bass lol. Are they decent to play for a while and a possible gig?

Sorry if wrong forum.
 
#3
As long as it works, it's definitely decent to learn on. And for $80? That ain't too bad at all. Gigging though? That's debatable.

Is there anything on the headstock other than "Squier by Fender"? A lot of peeps here absolutely love the Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified lines. They're a little pricier, but from what I hear, one that is in good shape and has been properly set up is quite solid.

If you're looking for a sound that has a little more variety and mid-range bite, you might want to look at a Precision/Jazz pickup combination. To be honest though, I am a bit biased, what with having two and possibly getting a third.
 
#6
mellowinman said:
Never in the history of Squier has there been one that wasn't worth eighty bucks.
Click to expand...

Yup! This is the truth a noob can take to the bank. So long as the neck isn't bent into a pretzel any fixes will be minor if needed at all. And even if the neck IS a pretzel you can pick up a replacement neck and be good to go for not much scratch.

I love my Squier PJ 5er. Took some mods but now it takes on any Fender headstock bass. Since you already know something about instruments, choose wisely grasshopper and you'll be good to go!
 
#8
bassbully said:
Depends a Squier affinity is bottom barrel but some love them. Me? I like older Squiers, MIJ ,MIK and the newer models like CV. See what its like and decide.
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+1

As a matter of fact, some MIJ/MIK models sell for not-so-cheap nowadays:)

VM (amber only) Precision is full maple (body/neck/fingerboard) and, tho' hard to find, especially at said price, is a true Precision bass.

CV (lake placid blue '50s and sonic blue '60s) are basswood body and vintage frets combos but they sound much more and much better than you would expect.

Affinity stays in your price as seconhand: hardware and electronics are somewhat poor, but you're takin' a true alder body to upgrade

Standard is agathis: forget it no matter its price;)

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#9
I went to GC a while back and played almost every P bass on their wall(and many others, including Warwicks and the like).

I thought the Squier Vintage Modified P bass hung with the best basses I played, and I liked its' tone better than all the Fender P basses I tried. I thought it also played very nicely.:cool:
 
#10
I learned to play on a Squier II MIK p bass. Now, I had some neck problems (probably just a lemon), and at the time I lusted after better. Dumped it as soon as I could and was glad at the time (came to find out later I don't care for the Fender p/j bodies or the p neck profile). But really, it was a solid instrument. One with a decent neck worth 80 bucks? Absolutely no question: yes. If you decide it's not for you, you can recoup your money, easily.
 
#13
Without turning this into a 'What-makes-a Squier-more-or-less-desirable' thread, I think the main thing you have to get used to about Squiers is the fit and finish generally aren't quite as good as more prestigious instruments. They just are what they are—quickly produced to be inexpensive. They can be made to sound and play exceptionally. In my hands they feel just a little rough but totally tolerable.
 
#14
og61pbass said:
They are great basses Squire has really vamped up their quality control best bang for your buck,I have a VM p bass and a VM Jaguar and that's what I gig with even tho I have a 61 p bass so yes they are gig able..been playing over 35 yrs. ;)
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+2!

Agreed, the VM P bass I have is my #1 now. It is a great example of what a p bass should sound like. If you slap a Fender 70's logo on the headstock any snob would fall over themselves to give the tone a compliment. The thin finish on the neck is my only complaint, albeit a small one. My first was a Fender MIM and it was ok,but got totally ripped off on the price because I didn’t know what I was buying, it was a good lesson. Some Squires I’ve played have been junk, but none of them weren’t worth 80 bucks. I’d say go for it.
 
#15
Wallace320 said:
+1

As a matter of fact, some MIJ/MIK models sell for not-so-cheap nowadays:)

VM (amber only) Precision is full maple (body/neck/fingerboard) and, tho' hard to find, especially at said price, is a true Precision bass.

CV (lake placid blue '50s and sonic blue '60s) are basswood body and vintage frets combos but they sound much more and much better than you would expect.

Affinity stays in your price as seconhand: hardware and electronics are somewhat poor, but you're takin' a true alder body to upgrade

Standard is agathis: forget it no matter its price;)

Cheers,
Wallace
Click to expand...

Ignore the agathis dig. I have a P Special which is probably agathis and it sounds awesome. I've been complimented on the tone of it from other more experienced bassists. One wanted to buy it from me and put a fretless Fender neck on it.

A good bass is a good bass.
 

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