Can I go pro with a Squier Affinity P Bass?

[LAST_C]

I have a Gibson Thunderbird and always end up going back to my Epiphone Thunderbird. If it works for you, then play it!

I once went to a private jam with a friend, and he had this very expensive guitar (Can't remember the brand) and he couldn't play at all. Brands at times, can be just for show.

 

[BrotherMister]

"What would you do without much cash or valuables?"

Focus on playing the thing. The same way I would if I had cash and valuables. You are hired on your ability to play the instrument not the name or the price tag on it. I know working musicians who use all sorts of "low end" instruments and sound amazing. I know a lot of guys who have the best equipment and can't play to save themselves.

 

[HolmeBass]

I voted the Squier was ok, but I was thinking you'd be in a real rock n' roll outfit. If this is more of a project, with lots of studio experienced guys working together, you might get some questions about the Squier that you wouldn't about a Fender, which is actually crazy, but there it is.

You could just ask the BL or producer straight up about the bass.

 

[bass71]

Don't bring a knife to a gunfight and don't bring a cheap ass beginner bass to a pro gig. Would you drive a VW bug in a Nascar race?

Man you need to go try a VM Squire.....cheap used to be cheap and very nasty but guitar production has come a hell of a long way. I would bring this puppy to any gig anywhere and dare any so called "pro" to tell me it ain't no good.

 

[JimmyM]

Didn't read the whole thread but here's my take:

In my world (backing up oldies acts on major shows), I see all manner of cheap guitars and basses except for Affinitys. Them I never see. But for example, our guitarist uses Squiers and Epiphones almost exclusively, and I use an American Precision most of the time now but I've been known to show up with many different cheapo basses for very large gigs, including SX, Danelectro, Jay Turser, etc. The Platters' former singer Sonny Turner's musical director uses an 80's Squier Strat, Felix Cavaliere from the Rascals' bassist uses a Mexican Jazz, and one of Herman's Hermits' guitarist shows up with a Japanese Teisco Del Ray hollowbody guitar from the 60's, and they all sound great. Some of that is because they really like their axes, some of that is because they don't want to fly with a nice guitar or bass.

BUT...

We already got the gig, know what I mean? Now if your playing is really good, you will find a gig no matter what bass you use, but there is psychology involved in landing gigs. And many folks who would hire you do listen with their eyes. I know...it's unfortunate and wrong...but it is what it is and no amount of righteous indignation will change it. So while I won't say it's necessary to upgrade, you will almost certainly have an uphill battle landing gigs unless you are really good, and/or you can do reverse psychology on them..."Yeah, I could use a more expensive bass, but I can't find one I like better than this one so I stick with it." So you can either play the game and upgrade or you can try to beat the game and stick with it.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I know it's been said already, but a player needs pro skills above all else. Can you play in time? Can you read? Can you change keys or learn new songs on the fly? Are you reliable? Is your attitude good?

All of these things will get you more work than a shiny, new bass guitar.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Didn't read the whole thread but here's my take:

In my world (backing up oldies acts on major shows), I see all manner of cheap guitars and basses except for Affinitys. Them I never see. But for example, our guitarist uses Squiers and Epiphones almost exclusively, and I use an American Precision most of the time now but I've been known to show up with many different cheapo basses for very large gigs, including SX, Danelectro, Jay Turser, etc. The Platters' former singer Sonny Turner's musical director uses an 80's Squier Strat, Felix Cavaliere from the Rascals' bassist uses a Mexican Jazz, and one of Herman's Hermits' guitarist shows up with a Japanese Teisco Del Ray hollowbody guitar from the 60's, and they all sound great. Some of that is because they really like their axes, some of that is because they don't want to fly with a nice guitar or bass.

BUT...

We already got the gig, know what I mean? Now if your playing is really good, you will find a gig no matter what bass you use, but there is psychology involved in landing gigs. And many folks who would hire you do listen with their eyes. I know...it's unfortunate and wrong...but it is what it is and no amount of righteous indignation will change it. So while I won't say it's necessary to upgrade, you will almost certainly have an uphill battle landing gigs unless you are really good, and/or you can do reverse psychology on them..."Yeah, I could use a more expensive bass, but I can't find one I like better than this one so I stick with it." So you can either play the game and upgrade or you can try to beat the game and stick with it.

I cannot argue with a man earning his bread playing!

 

[RedHotFuzz]

Didn't read the whole thread but here's my take:

In my world (backing up oldies acts on major shows), I see all manner of cheap guitars and basses except for Affinitys. Them I never see.

I think that's something some people are missing on this thread. It's not just a Squier. It's the Squier of Squiers - the Affinity. The bottom of the ladder. The cheapest of the cheap. Seriously, I see these things in WalMart. Gear snob or not, I would never try to become a pro bassist with a WalMart-grade instrument.

 

[Hopkins]

Yeah, both of those guys got on fine with just one bass, but they played motown and country and those kind of genres where a p-bass with flats is exactly the thing you need, but what if OP ends up playing something completely different like hip hop of even something crazy like djent, good luck playing djent on a p-bass with flatwounds.

It all depends on what genre the OP is playing, a precision bass will manage most genres, and that's cool if that's all he's playing, but good luck playing something like this on it.

You can play hip hop with a P bass, and rounds can be installed on the bass that currently has flats.

Very few if any bands that play djent will ever need a secession bass player. The bass player in their band will be doing the recording for them

 

[Fat Steve]

I think that's something some people are missing on this thread. It's not just a Squier. It's the Squier of Squiers - the Affinity. The bottom of the ladder. The cheapest of the cheap. Seriously, I see these things in WalMart. Gear snob or not, I would never try to become a pro bassist with a WalMart-grade instrument.

Cheap or not, I've played some great gigs with my Squier Affinity P, and got paid some great money doing them. That may be offensive to some sensibilities, but truth be told it makes me smile when people hate on my bass.

OP: This is the attitude of a lot of folks out there. If it's a Squier people will think it's junk because they're ignorant or snobs. Just spend $20 plus shipping and get a waterslide decal for the headstock. While it may absolutely enrage some folks, they're probably not the ones hiring you anyways. Everyone else will just say "Hey man, nice Fender." Just don't sell it with that sticker on there.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I think that's something some people are missing on this thread. It's not just a Squier. It's the Squier of Squiers - the Affinity. The bottom of the ladder. The cheapest of the cheap. Seriously, I see these things in WalMart. Gear snob or not, I would never try to become a pro bassist with a WalMart-grade instrument.

Somebody had to say it. I'm tired of getting flamed, so I'm glad it was you!

Man you need to go try a VM Squire.....cheap used to be cheap and very nasty but guitar production has come a hell of a long way. I would bring this puppy to any gig anywhere and dare any so called "pro" to tell me it ain't no good.

A Squier "Affinity" is NOT a "VM Squier".

 

[Hopkins]

I think that's something some people are missing on this thread. It's not just a Squier. It's the Squier of Squiers - the Affinity. The bottom of the ladder. The cheapest of the cheap. Seriously, I see these things in WalMart. Gear snob or not, I would never try to become a pro bassist with a WalMart-grade instrument.

Unless there is a serious structural defect in the neck, I can make Walmart Affinity play as good as a MIA Fender, sure this might take some fretwork, but to be honest, I have never played a new MIA Fender that couldn't use a fret dressing. I have never met a bass that didn't need adjustments from show to show when weather changes were involved between those shows, other than maybe a graphite neck. Are there better basses out there, of course, but there is absolutely no reason a cheapo Affinity couldn't be a solid work horse on the road, and if you throw about $60 in it for a new pickup there is no reason it cant sound good either. The major problem with them are that the tuners are absolute junk, but that can also be corrected for not much cash. If the OP were asking about buying a new bass I would never recommend an Affinity, but he already owns the bass, and likes it. So I see no reason to rush out and upgrade it right away, especially when an extension cab for that combo would be a much better investment.

 

[TheCrimsonKing]

You should probably just stop now. A bassist can sound great on any bass, in any genre.

They can sound have all of the skills and a great tone, but any good bass player, if they were playing music that called for a six string bass with roundwound strings, would play a six string bass with roundwound strings, they'd use the right tool for the job, I have no idea what the OP is playing, but if he's doing auditions for various groups and bands then it's entirely likely he's going to end up playing music written for a six string bass with roundwound strings, and any four string bass, no matter if it's a Squier or a Fender or a Wal, would just not be the appropriate tool for the job.

 

[TheCrimsonKing]

I am going to play exactly those kinds of music: Motown, country, roots, reggae, etc. and if it doesn't cut it for any Brit invasion I try, then I'll have found my limitation.

Well now that I know what genre you'll be playing, then I'm sure that the bass you play now will be fine, maybe find a backup in case something happens to your number one.

 

[bolophonic]

Question: do stock Affinities come with 250k pots or 500k. The last Affinity I had was a great mod platform, but it sounded overly hot and clanky, even with the tone rolled down.

 

[Hopkins]

They can sound have all of the skills and a great tone, but any good bass player, if they were playing music that called for a six string bass with roundwound strings, would play a six string bass with roundwound strings, they'd use the right tool for the job, I have no idea what the OP is playing, but if he's doing auditions for various groups and bands then it's entirely likely he's going to end up playing music written for a six string bass with roundwound strings, and any four string bass, no matter if it's a Squier or a Fender or a Wal, would just not be the appropriate tool for the job.

Actually, bands that write music around a 6 string bass will be highly specialized, and it is highly likely that the vast majority of bassist can gig their entire life with a 4 string bass.

 

[Hopkins]

Question: do stock Affinities come with 250k pots or 500k. The last Affinity I had was a great mod platform, but it sounded overly hot and clanky, even with the tone rolled down.

I have only seen 500K pots in any Squire.

 

[TheCrimsonKing]

Actually, bands that write music around a 6 string bass will be highly specialized, and it is highly likely that the vast majority of bassist can gig their entire life with a 4 string bass.

Sure he can, and probably will by the looks of things, just doesn't hurt to be prepared.

 

[Hopkins]

Sure he can, and probably will by the looks of things, just doesn't hurt to be prepared.

Its not really all that highly likely that anyone will ever need a 6 string Wal, Warwick or Dingwall. The very vast majority of players use 4 string Fenders

 

[TheCrimsonKing]

Its not really all that highly likely that anyone will ever need a 6 string Wal, Warwick or Dingwall. The very vast majority of players use 4 string Fenders

Well that's debatable, there are people who use every one of those six strings, most are happy with four though (I play a run of the mill Jazz Bass), but have you ever played one? I played a seven string once and it was SUPER fun.