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

[static0verdrive]

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.

This sounds 100% correct to me. CV all the way for a budget bass that rocks.

EDIT: I have a VM fretless jazz (made in Indonesia) and a James Johnston jazz (which is a CV, made in China). The CV is higher quality. I'm modding just about everything on the VM for fun, but the CV doesn't need it (maybe just a new nut, so I'm going real bone for a whopping $6.50).

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

This is the page you want.

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[BassFishingInAmerica]

There is a Standard VM, which is best, IMO. It has a Basswood body instead of soft maple, so it is lighter. The dot neck is easier to play. The older ones have better Duncan Designed pickups. And comes in sunburst and white.

 

[Dogbertday]

The cv line is reportedly better than the vm line, but they are both very nice and the vm line offer a lot of options that you can't find at similar price points.

 

[deste]

After my experience with Squier, I highly suggest the CV 60 P.

I'm a great fan of Cv, IMO they're much better than VM.
I own three Squiers:
a CV 60 J, pretty good in itself, after some modding (new pups and new wiring/shielding) it's absolutely great and now is my backup fretted;
plus a CV 60 P, very good, stock pups deliver a classic P tone; BUT I found one with a serious dead spot on 4-5th fret before buying mine;
plus I have now a '97 Korean J (I think I'll never give it back to its legit owner, a good friend who doesn't play anymore), surprisingly good under every aspect except for a chunky neck (who cares? a simple and good rock bass).

Check them before buying, of course.

 

[petrus61]

I'd recommend the Matt Freeman sig, which is part of the CV line and is basically a 60's CV with maple board. I just picked one up because I also needed a cheaper P for a backup and am very happy with it. I changed the electronics on mine but was overall very pleased with it:

FWIW, the first CV I owned was a James Johnston Jazz, and while it setup fine, it was a total dog even after a pickup swap and weighed a ton. I wouldn't say the CV's are hands down better than any post '08 MIM (particularly the Classic series, but that's a whole other level) but the Matt Freeman I bought new just happened to have that certain magic where everything came together, which could or could not happen in any price range.

 

[Muddslide]

Yeah, those Freemans are niiiice.

Wouldn't you say the Freeman sig necks are thicker than the 60s CV necks? I thought that was the case when I played one, but I didn't have both models to compare side by side.

I remember playing several 60s CVs I thought were excellent. The only reason I don't own one is I found the neck too thin for my liking.

The Matt Freemans I've played, I remember thinking the neck felt more chunky. Could be wrong though...

 

[AaronVonRock]

For the price of a new Squier CV, you could get a used MIM Fender. I'd go that route.

 

[bordinco90]

IMHO This is the order that I would rank the Squier line basses?

1. Classic Vibe Series- Look and play great. I have not played a bad one. You can change out the hardware (tuners, knobs, pickups, ect...) and have a bass that is nicer than most MIMs.
2. Vintage Modified- Looks and plays nice, but not as good as the Classic Vibe series. I have played a few bad ones, but most are good.
3. Affinity Series- Not my cup of tea at all. They play ok, but feel cheap IMO.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Batmensch]

For the price of a new Squier CV, you could get a used MIM Fender. I'd go that route.

Meh. If it were a choice between a new Squier CV or VM, or a used MIM, I'd generally prefer the new Squier, unless the MIM is demonstrably better (not a given.)

 

[Jughead6]

For the price of a new Squier CV, you could get a used MIM Fender. I'd go that route.

Agreed. A used MIM from 2008 or thereafter would be a good alternative.

 

[AaronVonRock]

Meh. If it were a choice between a new Squier CV or VM, or a used MIM, I'd generally prefer the new Squier, unless the MIM is demonstrably better (not a given.)

The Squier CVs are pretty solid. The MIMs usually have better hardware and electronics. It's not a given that the MIM will be better than the CV, but it's a pretty high probability.

 

[Gorn]

Meh. If it were a choice between a new Squier CV or VM, or a used MIM, I'd generally prefer the new Squier, unless the MIM is demonstrably better (not a given.)

Absolutely. I've played more excellent CV's than I have excellent MIM's.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Theres a Classic Vibe P bass in Fiesta Red with an affinity neck for 185.00 in these classifieds,check it out before its too late...

 

[My name is Mudd]

I picked up a VM Tele bass a couple of weeks ago in a trade...after rewiring the pickup to parallel, it sounds like a P on steroids.

 

[Muddslide]

Absolutely. I've played more excellent CV's than I have excellent MIM's.

Have to agree. Although I have owned two MIM Telecasters (1998 & 2003) and they were both great.

Plus my #1 bass us a '94 MIM P, so take what you will from that.

All the Squire CVs I've played have been really fine instruments.

I've played a lot of MIMs and IMO they are not as consistent in quality. They have, however, been around much longer than CVs and have been through many more changes.

Also, when Mexican Fenders are done right, regardless of year, they can be killers.

 

[Austin L]

I'm looking to purchase a squire 60s classic vibe fiesta red p body if anyone is selling

 

[bunker]

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.

This still holds true from my experience. In 6 string world I've got Standards, Anniversaries, Korean etc but my Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster is superb quality. I've seen the CV basses and I've no doubt they're of the same quality.