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Different Squier models- CV, VM, Standard, etc.

beggar98

beggar98

Gold Supporting Member
Jan 23, 2007
1,849
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Los Angeles, CA
#1
I'm sure this thread already exists, but I couldn't find it...

I'm in the market for a cheap P bass. I really like the Squire Classic Vibe P in fiesta red, but those are getting tricky to find. I've seen listing for Classic Vibe, Vintage Modified, Standard and Affinity models, but I'm wondering if there's a place that lays out the differences in these lines. Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
#4
If I'm searching for an inexpensive Squier, or a model that's hard-to-find/discontinued, I make three stops;
  1. Guitar Center's Used Database: They'll ship them anywhere for +/- $20 and they'll take them back at any store for a refund within 30 days of purchase. (I just took a peek and there are more than a few Squier Standards up for sale)
  2. eBay: Looking for "squier" and "bass" in the Guitar section will yield a ton of results.
  3. Search Tempest: It's a website that allows you to scan all of Craigslist. I prefer the "Direct Results Mode" to search city by city. The "Combined Results Mode" takes for-flippin'-ever to compile. (This, by the way, is how I found a couple of lovely Squier Standard Jazzes over the past few years.)
 
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#6
The Affinity line is the cheapest. $179 for P or J or PJ. They're okay. Some are crap. Lots are good.

Vintage Modified are the second cheapest. $299 for P or J or PJ. They're good. Some are crap. Lots are great. There's also VM Tele, and fretless P and J.

Classic Vibe are the most expensive Squiers being made today. $379 for P or J or single coil P. They're very good. Few are crap. Lots are excellent.

Then there's the deluxe. $299/$329 for four and five string active jazz. They're pretty good. The active controls are okay. Not great.

There are a few signature models. I think they're pretty much equivalent to VM's and CV's as far as quality.

There were apparently Mexican Squiers at some point and there were older 80's Japanese Squiers. I don't know much about those.
 
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#9
Gorn said:
The Affinity line is the cheapest. $179 for P or J or PJ. They're okay. Some are crap. Lots are good.

Vintage Modified are the second cheapest. $299 for P or J or PJ. They're good. Some are crap. Lots are great. There's also VM Tele, and fretless P and J.

Classic Vibe are the most expensive Squiers being made today. $379 for P or J or single coil P. They're very good. Few are crap. Lots are excellent.

Then there's the deluxe. $299/$329 for four and five string active jazz. They're pretty good. The active controls are okay. Not great.

There are a few signature models. I think they're pretty much equivalent to VM's and CV's as far as quality.

There were apparently Mexican Squiers at some point and there were older 80's Japanese Squiers. I don't know much about those.
Click to expand...
IYO, where do the Standards fit into the consistency rankings among Squiers?
 
#11
LT131 said:
IYO, where do the Standards fit into the consistency rankings among Squiers?
Click to expand...

They came from the same factory as the VM's, up until they were discontinued. Consider them to be of a comparable quality. Some are fine…some are great…some are crap. One thing about them is there is little compatibility with a lot of Fender/Squier parts and pieces.
 
#12
Gorn said:
There were apparently Mexican Squiers at some point and there were older 80's Japanese Squiers. I don't know much about those.
Click to expand...

Yes, there are MIMs which are branded Squier. I believe that only happened in 1998. The early Japanese Squiers ca. early 1980s are wonderful instruments. IMO, far superior to what Fender US was churning out in the same time period.
 
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#14
Gorn said:
To confuse things further, there were Korean Squiers, which were apparently really good.
Click to expand...

True. And in my experience the CVs are pretty much right up there in quality with the early 80s MIJ Squiers. Those MIJs are now somewhat sought after. I've seen 'em being sold for $500 and 600.

IMO, the CV Squiers will be collectory itemish in the future. Certainly not ever worth what a vintage Fender will be, but I believe they will hold their value and likely increase in value over time. One of the great things about them is they are inexpensive enough you don't need to worry about resale value or even theft/damage, etc. as much as you would with an instrument costing more.

Standard Squiers before that line went out were kind of a crapshoot. I never owned a Squier Standard bass, but I owned several Squier Standard Strats & Teles and some were great and some were meh. I had an Indonesian-made Squier Standard Tele that I think was made in 2001. It was a great player.
 
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#17
Wow, lots of great info here. Comparing the current models with the discontinued models has been the trickiest. All things considered, unless I stumble over one of the 80's MIJ at a great price, I'm going to keep hunting for that CV.
 
#20
Gorn said:
The Affinity line is the cheapest. $179 for P or J or PJ. They're okay. Some are crap. Lots are good.

Vintage Modified are the second cheapest. $299 for P or J or PJ. They're good. Some are crap. Lots are great. There's also VM Tele, and fretless P and J.

Classic Vibe are the most expensive Squiers being made today. $379 for P or J or single coil P. They're very good. Few are crap. Lots are excellent.

Then there's the deluxe. $299/$329 for four and five string active jazz. They're pretty good. The active controls are okay. Not great.

There are a few signature models. I think they're pretty much equivalent to VM's and CV's as far as quality.

There were apparently Mexican Squiers at some point and there were older 80's Japanese Squiers. I don't know much about those.
Click to expand...
The straightforwardness is awesome! I wish more comments were like this ^ haha
 

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