Buyers advice/squire jazz

[Chris76]

There are two ads right now in my local CL for squire j basses. The price on these seems too good to be true. Average pricing in my area seems to be about a hundred or 2 more than this. Any tips on what to look for on these?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[nonohmic]

Prices seem legit. If either one plays well then go for it.

 

[knumbskull]

hmm, I thought they didn't do VM jazzes in Candy Apple Red (like the first one) but a Google search shows otherwise.

they both look to be legit from the pictures. maybe someone with sharper eyes than me can spot something wrong?

if the price is too good to be true, the issue might not be "what they are" so much as "where they came from"...

EDIT those prices don't look too far off what you might expect.

 

[Chris76]

I'm gonna test drive both tonight. I'm not sure what to expect. I've browsed the squire pages and everyone there seems to love them. The draw for me is the neck. Those inlays are .

 

[garp]

I'm gonna test drive both tonight.

That's the smartest approach, IMHO: "Play before you pay." Best of luck.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Buy both of them.

 

[Chris76]

Buy both of them.

Wish I could but momma says I can only have one.

 

[gln1955]

Those prices seem what I would expect on CL around here.

$200 more gets you into a whole 'nother level of bass.

 

[Chris76]

Those prices seem what I would expect on CL around here.

$200 more gets you into a whole 'nother level of bass.

That 200 more would have to come from the sale of my current bass. I'm looking to purchase basically for one reason. City made me sell my vehicle so I'm stuck on my motorcycle till I have saved enough to get another. In light of that, I am currently playing in 2 bands. I have gear at both rehearsal spaces and my home. I have a bass at home and ONE of my rehearsal spaces. Traveling with a bass strapped to your back while riding a Harley may seem bad-arsed but it acts like a sail while going down the road. Hence the need for a third.

 

[The Chuck]

Those 70s Jazz basses sound pretty darn good.

 

[jd56hawk]

I'm gonna test drive both tonight. I'm not sure what to expect. I've browsed the squire pages and everyone there seems to love them. The draw for me is the neck. Those inlays are .

I own a beautiful USA-made G&L L2000 but it didn’t stop me from buying this.

Try first, of course. I tried out a few dozen VMs before finding a perfect one, but when I plugged this in and started playing I forgot all about the other ones, I even forgot about all the Fender Jazz basses I’d played/owned.

One thing, though...pretty sure the fret blocks are painted on.

 

[Chris76]

One thing, though...pretty sure the fret blocks are painted on.

BOOOOO That seriously is the draw for me.

 

[onamission]

Hampton Roads is a buyers market. The pawn shops usually have good deals due to the military folks moving in and out. I wouldn't give them the asking price for either. You can get them for less. In any case they are nice instruments and well worth owning.

 

[Chris76]

Hampton Roads is a buyers market. The pawn shops usually have good deals due to the military folks moving in and out. I wouldn't give them the asking price for either. You can get them for less. In any case they are nice instruments and well worth owning.

It definitely IS a buyers market. Selling on the other hand, is quite the pain. Which is why I have ALL this gear.

 

[jd56hawk]

BOOOOO That seriously is the draw for me.

I’m a guy who added $10 fretboard decals to my L2000 so it didn’t matter to me, but I thought it might matter to some.
I must say that I’ve seen old ones and the fret blocks still look as good as new.

 

[tedious1]

I'm gonna test drive both tonight. I'm not sure what to expect. I've browsed the squire pages and everyone there seems to love them. The draw for me is the neck. Those inlays are .

I have the four string version of the 'blonde' and she's a treat alright, I can't imagine the V being any different.

Blocked and bound always turns my head too...

 

[pbass74]

I have a VM Jazz in natural which I bought used with the protective plastic still on the pickguard for $140 about 3 years back. The bass is great and that price was just right for me at the time. If the neck is straight, you will likely use the bass a lot. These prices seem in the ballpark for what I've seen lately.

 

[DonaldR]

Bought the same natural VM Jazz 5 as this one new last year for $350 after trying many MIA/MIM Fenders and also many VM Jazz 5 (try some at guitar stores before buying used as not all Squier are created equal). Wanted to get it as a modding platform but turns out I like it as it is. Fender pickups sound good and neck plays very well. Will change nut, bridge, tuners and pots when they'll wearing out, maybe will add an Audere preamp in the future, but now it's a really nice passive JB that stopped my Gas for a JB.

 

[nerkoids]

BOOOOO That seriously is the draw for me.

I've had one. The blocks and binding are real.

 

[DonaldR]

I've had one. The blocks and binding are real.

Not sure 100% for the blocks because it's under the clear finish but doesn't look like paint on mine, would say real blocks. Definitely plastic binding. Real nice neck and even better if you sand the rear 2-3 times with 1000 grid sanding paper, just to remove the gloss.