Aight, im going with the SX i posted with some new dimarzio jazz pickups. Hopefully it will be alot better than the squier, but yall have anymore thoughts?
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ESSEX vs. SQUIER!
- Thread starter kpride_519
- Start date
You name it. Everything is more solid on the Squiers I've tried compared to the SXes I have tried.
What's the rush on the pickups? The stockers should be sufficient to give you a fairly good jazz bass style tone.
The hardware is adequate, but it has a much less substnatial feel compared to that on the Squiers I've had my hands on. Particularly the nuts on the SX basses tend to be poorly executed cheap plastic pieces.
- Jul 8, 2007
- 1,272
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- Lead Designer, Zeibek Boutique Pedals
+1 for all people mentioned Squier vintage modified.
This bass line is absolutely the best bang for the buck from electronics to the finish. I was so amazed by the build quality and the sound, I actually couldn't leave the store without purchasing one.
This bass line is absolutely the best bang for the buck from electronics to the finish. I was so amazed by the build quality and the sound, I actually couldn't leave the store without purchasing one.
don't the SX's have like flat fretboards,,,, i mean no radius at all ??? 
that just screams cheap..
that just screams cheap..I have two SX's a Scorpian 4 string Jazz style and a 5 string Jazz style. I primarly use them for practice at home and they never leave the house. I thought they were the hands down best deal for the money and liked them better than the squires. My scorpian bass has a lot of flex in the neck but my five is stable as a rock and there isnt alot variences in tone in either one of them. They work well for at home but I wouldnt gig with them unless I changed the tuners and electronics. But the same would be said for the squires.
Really its preferance and either one would be a great starter bass.
Really its preferance and either one would be a great starter bass.
I had a sx and now I am gigging nearly all the time a modded squier. I personally like the squiers neck more than any other fender, although I had a custom shop 5 that had about the same comfort. It's light and I like the wide spacing, and huge thing for me. Now, its as comfy as any bass I have.
But I did a lot to it. And the SX that I had, a 5 string ash body maple board jazz, just didn't feel right in my hands. But if it did, I am pretty sure I could have many of the same things I did for that bass. and neither one of them were blazing on the fit and finish dept, minor things here and there.
But man, this jazz is killing now (fralin single coils and an audere).
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But I did a lot to it. And the SX that I had, a 5 string ash body maple board jazz, just didn't feel right in my hands. But if it did, I am pretty sure I could have many of the same things I did for that bass. and neither one of them were blazing on the fit and finish dept, minor things here and there.
But man, this jazz is killing now (fralin single coils and an audere).
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No they have regular radiused necks. Heavy laquer on them for a glossy vintage feel. Personally I love that.don't the SX's have like flat fretboards,,,, i mean no radius at all ???
- Oct 7, 2000
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- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I've owned 2 SX jazzes, and recently bought a Squier active 5 Jazz. There is absolutely NO COMPARISON with the new Squier. It destroys both SXs I had, and I hand picked them both at rondo.
Not sure what exactly is up with Squier, don't know if they upped their quality control or what - but I'm totally loving this Jazz and It's getting complimented by lots of the guys in the bands I play in. It's got great action, fretwork, feel, sound, growl. I originally went to GC to pick up a Fender Jazz and was prepared to drop over $1000 on a deluxe, but I honestly liked the way this felt and sounded more. I couldn't imagine myself buying a Squier, but I am completely happy with my purchase.
As for the SXes I owned - one was a fretless which I could never really get good action on without buzzes. The sound was kinda weird too, had some kind of strange chorus like thing going on. It just wasn't fun to play, no mwah, and wasn't very musical at all. I gave it away.
The other was the naked 5 string I recently sold. It felt pretty good, nice action (although I had to file the frets to not get cut up). When I took it to my first gig however it was a horror show. Can't even explain what it was putting out. Just a midrangy, cardboad like sound that seemed to have no sustain, no character, no depth. With new pickups I think that bass would be smoking, but I'm not into modding basses. I buy them because I like them as is - I shy away from modifications cuz I always feel it's a gamble not knowing exactly what's going to come out of the investment.
That's my experience, for whatever it's worth.
Not sure what exactly is up with Squier, don't know if they upped their quality control or what - but I'm totally loving this Jazz and It's getting complimented by lots of the guys in the bands I play in. It's got great action, fretwork, feel, sound, growl. I originally went to GC to pick up a Fender Jazz and was prepared to drop over $1000 on a deluxe, but I honestly liked the way this felt and sounded more. I couldn't imagine myself buying a Squier, but I am completely happy with my purchase.
As for the SXes I owned - one was a fretless which I could never really get good action on without buzzes. The sound was kinda weird too, had some kind of strange chorus like thing going on. It just wasn't fun to play, no mwah, and wasn't very musical at all. I gave it away.
The other was the naked 5 string I recently sold. It felt pretty good, nice action (although I had to file the frets to not get cut up). When I took it to my first gig however it was a horror show. Can't even explain what it was putting out. Just a midrangy, cardboad like sound that seemed to have no sustain, no character, no depth. With new pickups I think that bass would be smoking, but I'm not into modding basses. I buy them because I like them as is - I shy away from modifications cuz I always feel it's a gamble not knowing exactly what's going to come out of the investment.
That's my experience, for whatever it's worth.
All of us who have been following these squier threads know the latest rounds and models are just great basses. The squier deluxe active jazz realy doesn't need anything to go ut an gig, sounds like a super jazz on its own. I havent liked squiers this much except for a couple of the protone series, except that gold hw.
It would suck if they lost this touch cause they compete too hard.
The laquer on the neck is glossy, which gives it a vintage vibe, but it is not thick.
On the hundred plus shows that I've used my SX on, it's been bumped and banged enough to chip the finish on the headstock, and I've worn through it on the edges of the neck in a few places. The finish is actually fairly thin.
Glossy doesn't always = thick.
The clearcoat on the body is actaully pretty thin as well. Much thinner than any of my modern (70's or newer) Fenders that I've owned or currently own.
Have to chime in again.
In reading along since my last post, I have to say....lot's of valid comparisons here.....again, IMHO...
Again I stick to my original assesment on the OP's question.
That being said, I was at the Music shop I frequent (have since I was a kid) and played a snot mess of basses today. One of them being a Squier VM Jazz and one of them being a Fender Aerodyne Precision with the P/J pup configuration.
Now, I loved the Aerodyne, loved the looks (Red quilt top) the body binding and all. But the Squier VM was better to my hands, no question. The pups are killer too! One glaring thing that stood out to me. The bridge pickup route was noticably bigger than the pickup, by about 1/32 of an inch all the way round.I have no problem still recomending the VM over SX though. But then that was not the OP's question.
The Affinity's I played today were nice but I still like my SX's more than the affinity line. Why? Fret ends were not better than my SX, the tuners feel cheap and look cheap to me. If I bought an affinity I would most assuredly have a fret job done and change the tuners. That would make the Squier way above even the MIM Jazz I played today as well.
But, consider the affinity price + The new Tuners + Fretjob. That puts the price over the MIM Fender, but superior in terms of playability.
Now consider the 109 dollar SX Jazz in question here. All I would even consider is a fret job, and that is only if one was needed. Price comparison, SX wins, hands down. IMHO.
BTW, if we were comparing the SX to the VM Jazz....well, I would not surrender the SX I have now...but lets just say the VM almost left the shop with me today....
Also, since Peavey has been brought up here, I played a Milestone today as well. It was priced at 169 out the door....if that neck felt better, it might have left with me today, and if I hadn't played the Squier VM!
I was shocked, the fret ends on that Milestone and the Grind 4 string I also played were no better than the Squier Affinity! I was stunned! I have never handled a Peavey that felt like either of these two....
In reading along since my last post, I have to say....lot's of valid comparisons here.....again, IMHO...
Again I stick to my original assesment on the OP's question.
That being said, I was at the Music shop I frequent (have since I was a kid) and played a snot mess of basses today. One of them being a Squier VM Jazz and one of them being a Fender Aerodyne Precision with the P/J pup configuration.
Now, I loved the Aerodyne, loved the looks (Red quilt top) the body binding and all. But the Squier VM was better to my hands, no question. The pups are killer too! One glaring thing that stood out to me. The bridge pickup route was noticably bigger than the pickup, by about 1/32 of an inch all the way round.I have no problem still recomending the VM over SX though. But then that was not the OP's question.
The Affinity's I played today were nice but I still like my SX's more than the affinity line. Why? Fret ends were not better than my SX, the tuners feel cheap and look cheap to me. If I bought an affinity I would most assuredly have a fret job done and change the tuners. That would make the Squier way above even the MIM Jazz I played today as well.
But, consider the affinity price + The new Tuners + Fretjob. That puts the price over the MIM Fender, but superior in terms of playability.
Now consider the 109 dollar SX Jazz in question here. All I would even consider is a fret job, and that is only if one was needed. Price comparison, SX wins, hands down. IMHO.
BTW, if we were comparing the SX to the VM Jazz....well, I would not surrender the SX I have now...but lets just say the VM almost left the shop with me today....
Also, since Peavey has been brought up here, I played a Milestone today as well. It was priced at 169 out the door....if that neck felt better, it might have left with me today, and if I hadn't played the Squier VM!
I was shocked, the fret ends on that Milestone and the Grind 4 string I also played were no better than the Squier Affinity! I was stunned! I have never handled a Peavey that felt like either of these two....
- Jul 8, 2007
- 1,272
- 9
- Disclosures
- Lead Designer, Zeibek Boutique Pedals
Well, a VM left the store with me. I just couldn't leave it there and IMHO it was way better than standard Jazz MIM (which is why I went to GC anyway). VM's construction was way more detail oriented and sounded more alive than MIM. At first, I couldn't pass the Fender name and almost got MIM Jazz, but I turned around just before paying for it and bought VM instead. Still sometimes hurts though, coz the headstock says it is a Squier instead of Fender
But I know I did the right thing.As far as SX goes, I just can't believe it can be that good for that price, given I didn't touch one yet.
Believe it. IMHO it is a wee bit better than the Squier Affinity line. On par with the standard series Squiers I have played. The necks are different is the big difference. Not a huge difference, but noticable. A little thicker and a little flatter for the SX, but way to comfy just the same.
Congrats o takng the VM home with you.
I went back to the Music shop again yesterday and played it some more. I would have taken it home if they moved on the price. They didn't, so I didn't. I can get one shipped here for about 40 bucks less than they wanted. I was somewhat taken aback by that as they usually have awesome pricing and are willing to deal....can't win em all I guess....maybe next trip....
I am waitin to see what flavor of Jazz basses Rondo is getting in this January. If he gets what I am looking for I have the cash waitin....
Anyway, hope the Squier serves you well!
