Hi everybody! I play bass since almost 8 months. I own an Ibanez soundgear gio PJ bass, unfortunately it has some little problems 'cause I bought it secondhand, but it allows me to learn to play decently anyway, and since I am a beginner I cannot complain too much about this bass! But, when I bought that bass I was completely blind about the world of bass guitars, in fact I choose this Ibanez almost randomly, just because it is a mix between two tipe of basses, since it is a PJ. Now I know I little more, I really would love to own the most classic bass guitar, the fender precision bass, but I cannot afford it right now, maybe I will within 2 or 3 years at the least. So I thought that in the meanwhile I could buy a Squier P bass, but I wonder if it worth that a beginner like me, that play bass since just 8 months, already begins to buy a new bass, or if instead I should wait that couple of years to have the actual Fender P. What do you suggest me to do?
IMO, it would be well worth your while to get a Squier now and save up as best you can to get a Fender later down the line. This way, you'll have been playing quite awhile, and be more than ready to upgrade should you want to, and a Squier P-bass is a good bass to get you there. No need to wait to get a good bass, Squiers are good basses at a good price.
If a Squier P bass is something you want and you can afford it, then go play as many as you can. If it feels right to you buy it! They are great instruments for beginners, an d the Squier line has stepped up in quality over the past few years.
If the question is should I buy a bass and start learning now or wait until I have more money..the answer is buy the cheaper bass and start. 2 things may happen... you may get bored and quit and now you have a cheap bass you only lose a little money on or you decide you love playing and when you get a better bass, it will be easier to play and you will find learning on an inferior instrument was an advantage.. BTW, you should have seen the $100 basses we played on in the 70's.... complete garbage compared today's Squiers or SX basses
I have a closet full of basses including some older precious ones. I tend to play my Squier Classic Vibe Precision and Vintage Modified Jazz fretless more than any others. No joke. Get a good Squier P. You might never need another bass.
I have played many high end basses, but I just recently bought a VM 5 string, and I gotta tell ya, it's a very nice bass. So much so I have been gigging with it more than my EBMM SR5 that costs 5x as much.
If you really want a P-bass, and it'd take years to save up for an MIA, I'd absolutely buy a Squier. A VM or CV model will sound great, look great and satisfy you for the time being, if not permanently. It may even show you that a Precision isn't for you. Buying 2nd hand will mean you wouldn't lose much, if anything, flipping it if you didn't like it. Just play as many as you can and find one that speaks to you.
It's already been said, but if you want a P and don't have a lot of money, get a Classic Vibe P. Mine is the best Precision I've owned. I paid what they cost new for my used bass and it was worth it. I'd have paid more.
Get yourself a Squier Japan Bullet from the '80's. It will carry you well into the future. It is fulls 34" scale. It's a simple mod to add your choice of P-Bass pickup if you want to in the future. The neck on the Squier Japan Bullet is a thing of beauty.
I say get the Squier, too. You will love having it and I'll bet you keep it even after you buy the Fender in a few years. The Squiers are good instruments. I've got quite a few and a couple of Fender P basses. Let the collecting begin! Keep playing! It sounds like you have a great attitude!
There's new affinity squiers that look like worth getting, under $200... None of the big box retailers have them in store, look for them in their website. They come in a few nice colors to boot. Squiers r ok for starters, I like them they're fine. Go play some, see what u like really and have fun
I don't own and haven't tried a Squier p-bass, but I did purchase a Squier VM Jazz V last December to use as a back up. I have played it on a few gigs and it does a good job. It's an easy playing bass and the sound is pretty good (I did do some mods though). It's well worth the money. I have no problem recommending the bass. Like you, I do like the p-bass thump and I play a USA p-bass as my main gigging bass. My advice would be to try as many as you can and pick out the one that you can afford and feels right for you. The Squiers would be a great place to start.
Well, I'm kind of an oddity in this regard. I've paid more for my Squier VM Jazz than I paid for my two Fender jazz basses. I bought the Squier for 220, and I paid 200 for my '97 Fender Standard Jazz and $175 for my '04 Fender Standard Jazz Bass V. Granted the 4-string had some pickup issues and was pretty beat up, but the V was nearly flawless. Just unplayed and no one ever set it up. Good deals on Fender basses can be had. Just keep your eyes open. That being said, don't hesitate to buy the Squier. It'll need a good set up by a good luthier to sound truly great, but they are very affordable and really are a bass you'll likely own and gig for a long time.
Mine played great right out of the gate. Only tweak I did was to tighten the truss to lower the strings to my liking, and raise the saddle on the B. Other than that this baby plays like a champ