Can I go pro with a Squier Affinity P Bass?

[Sal Z.]

There are no precise adjustments that require days before making a second adjustment. That is the biggest load of nonsense I have ever heard. You adjust the neck until the relief is set correctly, then you check action and intonation. No magic tools required, just a few different sizes of Allen wrenches maybe a small flat head screwdriver and a capo.

Here are some of the guitars I have built, a few of them are played on some pretty big stages

There, I have put my money where my mouth is. If you want to try to come in and kick the door down on a forum after only being a member for one day and sling insults my way. I suggest you do the same.


But please, tell me, what are these ultra precise adjustments that you do to your ultra premium, boutique, high end, luxury, $700 Schecter that makes it to where you can play out in all weather with out ever needing to adjust it?

There are no precise adjustments that require days before making a second adjustment. That is the biggest load of nonsense I have ever heard. You adjust the neck until the relief is set correctly, then you check action and intonation. No magic tools required, just a few different sizes of Allen wrenches maybe a small flat head screwdriver and a capo.

Here are some of the guitars I have built, a few of them are played on some pretty big stages

There, I have put my money where my mouth is. If you want to try to come in and kick the door down on a forum after only being a member for one day and sling insults my way. I suggest you do the same.

But please, tell me, what are these ultra precise adjustments that you do to your ultra premium, boutique, high end, luxury, $700 Schecter that makes it to where you can play out in all weather with out ever needing to adjust it?

Have I struck a nerve ? I sense a little sarcasm and jealousy. You do appear proud of your work which indicates your not as reckless as I first thought. You became upset when I said "small precise adjustments." I am very particular about most things. Why should how I set up my guitars bother you ? Don't you have patience to make small adjustments ? I was taught to adjust the neck ever so slightly not to damage the truss rod and wait a few days before making another if required. The neck requires time to set. On your guitars, set them as fast as you like. They probably belong to customers, hence my reason for doing my own work. Please feel free to set yours as fast as you prefer.
Knock down the door ? Oh, you mean come in like a gang busters. I did get that one. You must live in the south ? Please tell me about the photo's. What an I looking at here ? A little history and description wold be very professional.

 

[Jhclark]

Whenever I have played fretless in a store I preferred it - something familiar, and the complete lack of buzz. I play be ear, not looking at my left hand, so I'd never have to worry about intonation (unless you're saying you can feel the lines??)

Still, if I can get it for $100, I'm sure I have a guitar I can sell for more than that, and I wouldn't be so embarrassed showing up to a rehearsal w a squier, especially if I can play it off by saying "I really want to use a dub tone, fretless sounds like upright" you know?

I wonder if a j will be comfortable to wear though, I always play them sitting in stores. Could be heavy. Also, I wonder if it's possible to put a P pickup where the front jazz pickup is (or a jazz pickup somewhere on a P?)

Why do I see pickups in middle and/or bridge positions but never neck (think strat layout, bass gets the mid/bridge treatment)

 

[carl h.]

For $100 I'd snap it up. If it doesn't do it for you, its something learned so it's worth it just for experience.

 

[Jhclark]

I could probably sell it for $100 fairly easily if it came to that, and if not I could probably trade it into guitar center for not much less than that... Good point. Seems worth the risk.

Anyone played these and able to feel the fret-lines, though?

 

[carl h.]

Feel, yes. Hear? Not so much with the stock strings, I found them clanky and not to my taste, and with tapes it was hard to detect. The one we stocked sat for over a year until I persuaded the owner to change strings on it. It sold a couple days after the string change.

 

[jetgraphics]

Don't fall for snobbery. Play on what you like what you like to play.

 

[thunderstation]

Title says it all.

I got a p bass starter pack when I was 12/13 back in 1997. Still playing it as my only bass.

It stays in perfect tune, and has good flats (I forget the brand).

I just bought an Ashdown 115 combo, and my wife noted that I should have bought a better bass instead of amp (my only bass amp until today was the one that came in the Squier pack 15 years ago!!)

I'm no fool names shouldn't matter, and I'm a good musician (cellist for 20 years). BUT I'm afraid of being laughed out of a rehearsal or studio. (Common fear?) It's black with a white pick guard that is magically warped somehow, and has a sticker between the bridge and the pg that I put there when I was 14. You all know the bass I'm talking about...

What's a guy to do? Do I need to sell off a couple of guitars and invest in a new bass? It sounds fine to me, and if it didn't I feel like I could upgrade the P/U... (Intonation is great) Do I dress it up with a chrome bridge cover (to cover the foam mute I'll probably use) and pickup cover? Do I sand the Squier decal off and put something silly like my name or a fake brand?

What would you do without much cash or valuables?

Look at old pictures of the Beatles - see what they were playing? at one point Paul had a piano string for his 'g' string. If the bass does the job - it's the right bass

 

[Root 5]

You can absolutely " go Pro" with a Squier P.

If human beings were born blind, we'd be playing very different and much less expensive instruments.

 

[Hopkins]

Have I struck a nerve ? I sense a little sarcasm and jealousy. You do appear proud of your work which indicates your not as reckless as I first thought. You became upset when I said "small precise adjustments." I am very particular about most things. Why should how I set up my guitars bother you ? Don't you have patience to make small adjustments ? I was taught to adjust the neck ever so slightly not to damage the truss rod and wait a few days before making another if required. The neck requires time to set. On your guitars, set them as fast as you like. They probably belong to customers, hence my reason for doing my own work. Please feel free to set yours as fast as you prefer.
Knock down the door ? Oh, you mean come in like a gang busters. I did get that one. You must live in the south ? Please tell me about the photo's. What an I looking at here ? A little history and description wold be very professional.

So you read some nonsense online and bought into the MYTH that a truss rod should only be adjusted 1/8 of a turn a day. There is not an experienced tech on this planet that buys into that nonsense. I have had basses brought to me that have been played for years with out any tension on the rod, and took well over 3 full turns to get into adjustment. If done your way it would take a month to set up that bass. Wood does not need time to settle. You adjust it until it is in spec. Then if it moves a little bit over night you give it a final tweak the next day. Guitars and basses are made of solid wood and metal hardware, they are designed to be used on stage by musicians. The adjustments built into guitars allow them to be set up to the players liking even if you are in a totally different environment from one day to the next.

I do set my guitars/basses up the way I like, on customers guitars I set them up the way THEY like. Everyone is different, some guys know exactly how they like their stuff set up, some people have no idea a guitar can even be set up and have no idea how they like it. I am not going to go into a description of all of the instruments I posted. If you do a search most of them have a build thread on this forum if you are truly interested.

Yeah I snapped at you, because you came on here insulting members of this forum when your membership was only a day old. There is a lot of knowledge on this website, more knowledge than you possess, and more than I possess. Instead of slinging insults and misinformation, (I promise you, that you are spreading misinformation) you should listen, and you might actually learn something.

 

[Sal Z.]

Hopkins, your first few lines contradict your point. You have no idea what I read nor what I know. The fact that I am much more cautious and will not subject my instruments to dangerous changes, seems to irritate you. The TalkBass.com members have no problems with me nor is this discussion directed toward them in any way. You are now attempting to drag others into your delusion in order to make your position stronger. Misery loves company. This is refereed to as grandiose. You have an over-inflated sense of self-worth, power, knowledge, and identity. You snapped at me because I disagree with your practice. For you to say what I know is the most foolish statement here. I am always interested in learning, however, you would not be my best source of knowledge. I disagree with your methods of setup. The subject discussed here is in reference to "Can I go pro with a Squier Affinity P Bass" however, you persisted in making it all about you because I disagreed with you. Childish behavior.

I have read all of what you've posted, and concluded, I would not permit you and your magic tools to performing surgery on any my instruments. I viewed your photo's of guitars laying in the grass and wonder, just how many scratches and dings have your belt buckles, metal snaps, and whatever else you have done to others instruments ?? Even the beginners here know what dirt and moisture due to electronics, metal and wood. Your actions send up many red flags.

In New York City, John D'Angelico was a good friend of my family. When discussing guitars, he stated while teaching John D'Aquisto, small changes were exactly how he taught him to build guitars. These two Luthier's built the best made guitars in the world. I highly doubt they would have put their guitars in the grass, "snapped back" anything nor be foolish enough to expose instruments to humidity and changes in temperature. With each post, you further embarrass yourself. Children and men who never grew up have things to prove. When stating "putting your money where your moth is" clearly supports my conclusion. A very clear indication you have no control, want your way, and are willing to do anything to prove it. Your actions are very childish.

 

[Jhclark]

Sal, if we all want to do an adjustment over the course of 10 minutes (letting the wood rest in between turns for up to a minute, as I learned with fine acoustic instruments) then let us be. I will not take a week to set up any instrument besides my cello (but I won't do that myself!!)

If you want to do it so slow that the humidity and temperature can change back and forth 4 times during a setup so you turn the truss back and forth, go ahead, nobody is stopping you, but this is not a useful conversation.

Nobody is gaining or learning anything from this.

You have your ways that you're married to. That's fine, Mazel Tov. Other people have their ways and say "if it ain't broke..."

 

[Sal Z.]

Jhclark, my point being, I make the adjustments once and correctly. I do not over adjust only to readjust again. Patience is something most do not understand. I'm in no hurry and enjoy moving cautiously and deliberately. This new subject came about from inexpensive guitars, wood and other materials used to make cheep guitars. On the assembly line, each same model guitar is made differently, no two being the same. There is a higher ratio of consistency with the more expensive American versions made in Corona California.

I know the average beginner does not understand these concerns. How many people do you know that have purchased things only to find they are not satisfied ? I would not know how to go about reading such a number. I consider nothing written in stone. I do welcome change and I'm always interested in learning new ideas and discoveries. This life is all about learning. I would not put stock in those who travel recklessly. I do not accept the fact something works, I need to know why and how it works.

 

[David Jayne]

Again, car analogies don't work. The 'elite' won't be able to distinguish the basses. It's not a cello. It's two hunks of wood with a pickup. Electric bass. Real simple.

 

[Sal Z.]

David, are you saying most Bassists will not be able to distinguish the different sound and feel between, lets say a Fender American Jazz Deluxe and a Fender Affinity ?

 

[David Jayne]

I was taught to adjust the neck ever so slightly not to damage the truss rod and wait a few days before making another if required. The neck requires time to set.

No, it doesn't. You were taught wrong. It's a chunk of wood and a metal rod. Not rocket science

 

[Sal Z.]

David, No it doesn't what ? I do not understand your answer. I do not see things as you. The instruments deserve more respect. I'm not a big fan of everything is disposable and should be regarded as whatever. My values and goals are very different than most hence my reason for being careful and preserving my things.

 

[Sal Z.]

Strike my first answer. I did not see what you were commenting on, miscommunication. Once again, you have your way, and I have mine.

 

[Jhclark]

I think we can all agree that Sal taking a week or more to adjust a truss rod does not negatively affect our lives. I think we can leave it at that.

I don't know what real harm can come of turning a truss a whole turn at once on a $2,000 instrument like an American deluxe or Ric, or whatever. Leo Fender famously said that "a quality musical instrument is easily repaired". I would venture to say that being paranoid about catastrophic failure from a truss rod adjustment does NOT qualify as "easily repaired" (I know he was talking about bolt on necks and such, but I'm sure he wouldn't disagree with this.)

I've watched clinics by fender master luthiers on setup, and they turn the damn truss rod half a turn, play it for a few minutes, then sometimes another half turn. Maybe Fender custom shop guitars are disposable so they're not worried about destroying them from truss adjustments?

Good lord, I can't believe I fell for this bait!

Is there a button to block trolls here on TB?

 

[darrenmt]

OP if you can afford the luxury of a more expensive bass go ahead otherwise, there is probably little else to discuss. My main impression is that you really aren't sure what you want and IMO that can only be fulfilled with experience.

Regardless of whether you stick with your affinity or buy something better, it will need a proper setup. Best left to a pro if you are unfamiliar. If you want to upgrade and have that big 'F' on the headstock, go buy a used MIM P or J and be done with it. You get bang for buck with industry standard tone and the brand association is taken care of too.

No point messing about looking at other Squiers if you already feel it is stigmatized. It will always lead back to square one and give an unfulfilling impression.

 

[svtb15]

its not the bass.. its the player.. you can absolutely gig a squire on a pro gig...