Can I go pro with a Squier Affinity P Bass?

[Jhclark]

Thanks for at least that much credit, okcrum!

As a cellist it's been different because there aren't "brands" that people recognize. Right now I'm playing a Luis & Clark cello that some might recognize, but only because it looks like this

CF Cello and Bow

• Jhclark
• Jul 16, 2014

Luis & Clark Cello #789 and Coda Bow Classic

I know better than to go to a proper audition with any Squier, never mind an affinity (I would be ashamed of myself for even walking through the door like that) but I meant that if I'm starting a project that plans on studio time and touring, that's really the crux of the situation. The guitarist is playing an Ibanez Artcore semi-hollow, so it's not like I'm with vets playing $4,000 guitars, but he's not playing an $89 Guitar Center special either...

If I'm pulling my weight they probably won't say anything, but this will not be garage band doing grunge or punk. I didn't know if it would be a big faux pas when I'm expecting to be paid.

 

[okcrum]

It really depends on how well you and the other players know and trust each other. If they are fine with you starting the project on an Affinity, that would ease your finances in the near term. It sounds like you're not that well known to each other yet. Borrowing or renting a bass for gigs and studio sessions would ease your worries in that respect, and give you some breathing room to decide what you really want to play. You could still practice and rehearse with the bass you have.

There is that possible time window on the missus' agreement with you to buy a bass, though.

 

[10cc]

You can do whatever you put your mind to.

 

[signboy]

it's all about the sound. Period. If a bass is so cheap that the neck warps, it'll sound bad. As far as woods/pickups/preamps go, there is no good or bad, IMHO, there is only different. I used to play with a skanky old vantage 5 that could have been upgraded by replacing the pups with Lego blocks (2x8 of course). People constantly complimented and asked about my tone at gigs.When I play a show with my MM fretless, same amount of people noticing the sound. No more, no less.

If you like it, don't bother wasting money.

 

[Feral Feline]

Hah! I imagined earlier in the thread about throwing in a Luis & Clark reference!
I was right on the money.
I dig their bass, but not the L&C price.


So, about that pic of the sticker...

 

[Bass master Burt man]

I personally hate squires. I would never tell anybody to buy a squire. that being said if said squire is your instrument and you have been rocking it since you were young then hell yea keep rocking if that's what you're comfortable with. if you dig the sound then that's your sound. I have a cheap peavey milestone I got for my 13th birthday and it still gets more play time than any of my other basses(yes even my vintage Gibson and fender). in my opinion the thing plays way better than any mim fender. even sold a mim fender cuz it didn't tickle my fancy like my peavey. a few years ago I upgraded electronics. now it has Seymour Duncan and a Dimarzio pick ups that sound awesome.

 

[meatwad]

Someone mentioned the SQ Squiers of the early-mid 80's.. I have an '83 SQ Strat that I would tour the world with, and would likely do the same with a bass of the same series.

It really all depends on the individual instrument. The above-mentioned Strat has been with me since I was 13, while other USA Strats have came and gone.

I can see how some folks have a sour taste for Squiers, especially players who have been around longer than the Squier name. Personally, I started playing about the time I started seeing magazine ads about them, so I came up fairly unbiased. But, I heard plenty of old-timers fuss about them "MIJ Strats" not being "worth a damn", Squier and Fender Japan both included. I say they were wrong about that. Still, I admire their patriotism. We need more of it, IMO.

 

[Stealth Fighter]

Someone mentioned the SQ Squiers of the early-mid 80's.. I have an '83 SQ Strat that I would tour the world with, and would likely do the same with a bass of the same series.

It really all depends on the individual instrument. The above-mentioned Strat has been with me since I was 13, while other USA Strats have came and gone.

I can see how some folks have a sour taste for Squires, especially players who have been around longer than the Squier name. Personally, I started playing about the time I started seeing magazine ads about them, so I came up fairly unbiased. But, I heard plenty of old-timers fuss about them "MIJ Strats" not being "worth a damn", Squier and Fender Japan both included. I say they were wrong about that. Still, I admire their patriotism. We need more of it, IMO.

There is a local band in eastern North Carolina that I have seen at least a half dozen times. Until I saw a picture of the guitar player on their website and noticed the Squier logo on his Strat headstock, it never occurred to me that he was using anything other than a Fender Stratocaster.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

As much as we'd all like to think that people in the industry will be amazed by the sound of a good Squier, lets be honest and recognize that many people listen with their eyes. If you do roll into a studio or perhaps an audition with the Squier, there is a good chance that you might get looked over. However, Marcus Miller pointed out in his demo video for the SWR preamp that many times people coming into the studio with really fancy, boutique instruments get shunned or receive the eyerolls from producers/engineers as well. "Could somebody get this guy a Fender? We gotta finish this record..." Part of it could be image or just what people are used to.

Playing bars and local gigs might not get a stake driven into them if you're playing a Squier, but if you plan on going into a "professional" environment, you might want to think about getting a better instrument. PLENTY of P-copies out there to nab, my friend. I just snagged a Peavey Fury P-bass copy for about $200 used. Won't be too hard to find a used Mexican Fender though, and they are pretty good instruments as well.

 

[Jhclark]

Someone mentioned the SQ Squiers of the early-mid 80's.. I have an '83 SQ Strat that I would tour the world with, and would likely do the same with a bass of the same series.

[...]

Personally, I started playing about the time I started seeing magazine ads about them, so I came up fairly unbiased. But, I heard plenty of old-timers fuss about them "MIJ Strats" not being "worth a damn", Squier and Fender Japan both included. I say they were wrong about that. Still, I admire their patriotism. We need more of it, IMO.

I'm no Federale, but I'd take Mexican over Chinese any day - heck, any of out allies (japan, Korea, England (amps), and I'm almost to the point historically that I could get something german, but that's just because I'm jewish...(Hofner is german, right?)

Where is your strat from, Japan?

I've been messaging people on cList lately (since this thread started) and even contacting people with squires to ask where they're from or what year. If I find a Japanese squier from the 80s I'll probably jump on it for $200 or less... (Seems to be the going rate around here)

 

[Sal Z.]

The most important part of a bass is the neck. I would be very careful not to damage or twist it. The fact the Squire cost much less is because the bridge, pickups, electronics, tuning keys, and the wood all cost less. If it has a good feel, use it to make money, then purchase what you like.

 

[Sal Z.]

If you are a Musician and want to purchase a bass guitar, why dislike the instrument because of who made it ? I also have news for you, the German made products are almost always superior to the competitors. By not purchasing a bass because of who and where it was made sounds like a very deep issue. This must be similar to the black and white thing. It will never go away until people drop it. Fortunately for me, I do not hate and can purchase from which ever Country I please. This reminds me of two things:

"Cutting off the nose to spite the face" is an expression used to describe a needlessly self destructive over-reaction to a problem: "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face" is a warning against acting out of pique, or against pursuing revenge in a way that would damage oneself more than the object of one's anger.

"When embarking on a journey of revenge, dig two graves"

 

[mpdd]

our squier affinity p needs set up, but through the vintage acoustic rig it sounds pretty darn good even with 10 year old dead nickel rounds, so if i was younger and my finger joints weren't so temperamental i'd play the affinity, if it was my bass and not the drummer's i'd verify the truss rod's status and maybe add an AC pickup and a vintage threaded style bridege and make it a sleeper like my 84 mij squier jazz

 

[meatwad]

I'm no Federale, but I'd take Mexican over Chinese any day - heck, any of out allies (japan, Korea, England (amps), and I'm almost to the point historically that I could get something german, but that's just because I'm jewish...(Hofner is german, right?)

Where is your strat from, Japan?

I've been messaging people on cList lately (since this thread started) and even contacting people with squires to ask where they're from or what year. If I find a Japanese squier from the 80s I'll probably jump on it for $200 or less... (Seems to be the going rate around here)

Back then, the only Fender imports were Japanese. If you find an SQ anything for $200 or less, you made out like a bandit. Look for ones with the serial number beginning in SQ, JV, or E. They aren't viewed like they used to be, since people have realized they are par (or even better ) than their US counterparts of the day.

 

[Sal Z.]

I received a Fender 1955 reissue, made in Japan as a gift. When comparing the quality to my my Fender American Jazz and American Deluxe
Precision, it rates with these guitars made in Corona California. The Mexican versions and others are very cheaply made. My biggest concern with the less expensive versions, is the neck warping. I have seen several issues with low care.

 

[bluesdogblues]

I'm sorry I can't stand it not to post this

GoPro

 

[Sal Z.]

Bluesdogblues, I do believe the above is a camera and accessories, however, if I'm incorrect, for those of us who are old school can you please elaborate on your photo. If I understand correctly, yes, it is funny. Some of these questions are way out in left field.

 

[bluesdogblues]

Bluesdogblues, I do believe the above is a camera and accessories, however, if I'm incorrect, for those of us who are old school can you please elaborate on your photo. If I understand correctly, yes, it is funny. Some of these questions are way out in left field.

LOL, no, I am sorry I just can't stand it myself when I read the words "go pro' in the title... I really don't want to hi-jack the thread BTW,..
Actually I already posted my opinion in this thread before, so I'd repeat it now to the OP:..Yes, You can 'Go Pro' with any bass you like, including Squier Affinity P-Bass, as long as you play it good enough to be able to be categorized as 'pro bass playing'..

 

[Jhclark]

If you are a Musician and want to purchase a bass guitar, why dislike the instrument because of who made it ? I also have news for you, the German made products are almost always superior to the competitors. By not purchasing a bass because of who and where it was made sounds like a very deep issue. This must be similar to the black and white thing. It will never go away until people drop it. Fortunately for me, I do not hate and can purchase from which ever Country I please.

I was not quite serious about German made things (though not everything made there is superior, and I hope you're not implying it is). I played a German cello for the last 10 years. It finally cracked in a spot that the repairs were so expensive that the insurance company "totaled" it.

I used the insurance check to buy my (US made) L&C.

Of course I have a Mexican strat, and 2 Chinese telecasters -a squier classic vibe delux, that's amazing and I would put it against any Mexican or even American most days - and a Modern Player (says Fender on the headstock, China on the back.) A Marshall head made in England and an Ashdown (English) amp made in PRC (says the back sticker)

As far as neck warping, do they warp against the truss rod? I haven't ever seen warping sideways, but maybe you mean that the rod won't get it to the right curve anymore? Like it goes too far bowed?

 

[carl h.]

As far as neck warping, do they warp against the truss rod? I haven't ever seen warping sideways, but maybe you mean that the rod won't get it to the right curve anymore? Like it goes too far bowed?

They can twist and bend/bulge in ways to make an instrument unplayable without extensive repair work, not justifiable on a $200 instrument. Not all of them bend, some are killer players, but inconsistent so you have to try before you buy, and then wait to see if it warps.