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I was wondering about this. Here in Philly, we have a wide range of temperature and humidity, and all my basses have done fine. I've had a little fret sprout in a couple of winters (including this year), but that's about it. But it's even more humid on Florida's Gulf coast, and of course there's the salt air. Our place is right at the beach and we often have the windows open, so I'm sure some salt air will work its way through the defense provided by the cheapest gig bag from GC.
I love the colour! My one is California Blue. I did change the bridge on mine and the pickguard (only because I had them in my parts bin), but I found the biggest improvement with the standard pickups & harness was throwing on a set of Chrome flats. IMO that made a BIG difference & I could have quite comfortably left it like that. (But as things go, I swapped out the pickups, sold the stock set & now I don't like the sound & I'm selling it)My wife and I will be spending lots of time in Florida in the coming years, so I wanted a bass for practicing down there. (And maybe some open mic jams...who knows?) Before we flew down last week, I checked the inventory at the Naples GC, and saw this GC/MF exclusive Squier Sonic P-bass listed for about $250. It took awhile for the GC crew to find it, because someone had labeled it with the wrong tag, but once that was sorted, I gave it a spin and decided to snag it.
It has a lightweight poplar body and J neck with no sharp edges whatsoever, which gives it a nice overall feel IMO. Took it home, and became even more impressed, because the resonance and sustain are great. It's acoustically lively, which is something I look for in basses. (I suspect this could vary sample-to-sample, as it does generally.) Without running it through a good rig at gig/rehearsal volume I can't say much about the tone, but through my headphones it sounded like a classic P-bass. Works for me. I'd like lower action, and I think it could set up a little lower without buzz, but it's decently playable as is. For my purposes, it's absolutely perfect.
So yes, another post about a Squier that's a great value.
It's now on sale at MF for $220, which is a steal IMO.
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You're very close indeed! Yes, I play mostly at Bluebond Guitars in Center City, which has a performance space in the back. I'm in a GD cover band with the owner, so we play every few months, and I'm in another band there in the adult band camp. The latter band also plays West Philly Porchfest in the spring/summer. Both are planning to play other venues, and I think the GD band will do it. How about you? I'd like to see some TB folks out in the wild.
I have a Gotoh bridge in my parts bin, so I immediately thought about installing it. But I'd do it for better feel when palm muting with a pick, not for sustain, because this bass has plenty of that. I've had a similar experience with Chromes and a Fender pickup. I used to have a 2004 MIA P, and the stock pickup left much to be desired, with weak output and muddy lows. That pickup wound up in a project fretless P, on which I used Chromes--and it came to life. It sounded fantastic.I love the colour! My one is California Blue. I did change the bridge on mine and the pickguard (only because I had them in my parts bin), but I found the biggest improvement with the standard pickups & harness was throwing on a set of Chrome flats. IMO that made a BIG difference & I could have quite comfortably left it like that. (But as things go, I swapped out the pickups, sold the stock set & now I don't like the sound & I'm selling it)
And for the price, you can't beat it.
If I bought another. I'd keep it stock and just put on a set of chromes. (Stock strings in picture)
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With stringing the bass BEAD, yes, the heftier bridge seems to improve the B string. It has a bit more "oomph" and sustain than with the original bent-plate bridge.
Yes sir, I got mine around the same time for that price. Put an Arcaneinc 65 P and a set of NYXLs on it and it's amazing. Especially for the price.I've been spreading the word about my Sea Foam Green Sonic Precision, which I got in November 2024, when they were on sale. I think mine was $169, new.
It sounds too good to be true, but the kind folks at Guitar Center brought it out from the back in its box, opened the box and handed it to me, and the frets, action and fit 'n' finish were perfect. It was "alive" and resonant, unplugged.
When I got it home, I did lower the pickup a bit, because it was a bit boomy.
I've kept it 100% stock and used it for high class gigs.
Exceptional basses!
Totally agree. I know plenty would argue, but there really isn't a massive difference between a decent Squier and a P that's 10x the cost. At least for me, not enough to justify the 10x price difference.
I found that also. Chromes brought all my Squier or Cheap Fender pickups (that a lot remove straight away and upgrade) to life. And i was a string junkie trying a lot of different brand strings, stainless rounds, nickels, tapes, flats etc but it was always the chromes that brought them to life.
