In my experience, the tuning machines on cheaper FMIC basses don't feel as nice when you turn them.
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Fender or Squier?
- Thread starter brainiac
- Start date
This.
Neither are inherently bad. Both can produce great cars, both can produce lemons. In general though, the Lexus is going to be better and have better resale value.
However, both will drive you from point A to point B.
I would honestly love to know where you guys are getting this info. I owned Squiers, used Squier parts and have never seen or heard of any of these issues. Never seen any complaint about Squier necks or neck screws here either although I may have missed the posts.
Me either, but apparently at least one person here has had an issue. Seems like a very dubious and risky way to try and save a few cents per screw. The bridge on my VM 70’s is the standard bent plate and the tuners on my two Squiers work just fine. I’m even rolling with the stock pups on both.
Yeah, I know a guy whose wife was given a corporate Lexus to drive for her job. My friend, periodically had to drive it and absolutely hated it. He would bad mouth it from one end to the other complaining about everything from seat spacing to colors. So yeah it is like Lexus and Toyota because there is just no telling what people (you) will really like. You just have to try them and pick the one that speaks to you.
When I was in the market for a Fender-shaped headstock I tried every bass within road trip distance including Squiers. I found no Squiers I really liked and eventually picked out a nice used USA Fender (NOT cheap!) But then right before I pulled the trigger I was at GC (of all places) and found absolutely pristine MIM Fender that looked and felt superb and only $300 at that. Over time the pro was the neck is probably the most stable of all my basses (except the Modulus) But the con was I hated the pickups and eventually replaced them. Ever since it's been a wonderful bass that I'd never sell. That's just the way it works. It might have been the USA Fender or maybe I'd have found a Squier, but in reality it all depends on luck, what you find, and what your opinion of what you find turns out to be.
First hand. We have 3 Fenders at my work (Tele, strat, and a Jazz) - all MIM’s. Bought at the same time. 2 years in, the tele and the Jazz necks were noticeably twisted - kind of playable, provided you run the action a bit high - definitely not ideal. I bought a Squier P neck a few years ago. Lasted less than a year before it was unplayable. Horrible twist.
Now I buy roasted necks from Warmoth. 8 necks between a few of mine and some for clients. 4 years at this, not a hint of twist or warp in any of them.
If you have the money, get the Fender. Squier puts out a great bass for the buck. The new classic series Jazz bass with matching headstock is really an incredible deal at $350. It's my only Jazz bass, dropped $30 for new pots, authentic Jazz knobs and a new pickguard, and it's near on par with the Player Series Jazz.
it's a cult, but we're growing lol
you haven't heard about it cos it fortunately hasn't become an international issue, but I like being aware and proactive, when I tightened the screws on my 'new' VM P/J I became aware that they are as I stated having had a screw head come off with no effort. popped the neck off to inspect the matter to find they were skinny rubbish, barely enuf to maintain the connection at a most stressful point. I suggest re-drilling and refitting with fatter sturdy stainless steel screws.
in promoting my psa I've encountered others who've had similar problems. it's a thing, not a huge thing.
I've had a Squier 5 string P-Bas for a few years now. Honestly, the build quality and hardware are very close to the 70's Fenders I used to play...in the 70's. The basswood body may not be as resonant but...my back appreciates the weight reduction. Add a Quarterpounder and Stew Mac's retro pots/wiring kit and it's a damned fine bass!
So, you had 3 necks that came up twisted?
Where do you live? I am thinking climate.
Chicago. All in climate controlled rooms. I’ve owned and made a few dozen guitars and basses over the years. Those recent Fenders/Squiers are the only twisted necks I’ve ever had problems with over 4 plus decades. It’s not the climate. The wood in the necks isn’t properly cured/dried before manufacture.
I don't doubt that at all. The pitch is probably squeezed out as they go through the CNC machines.
Saying something is as good as a 70’s Fender? You are aware that 70’s Fenders have a reputation as the worst time frame in Fender’s history for quality and consistency. I hope.
Any bass made today should, with cnc machining, be head and shoulders above what Fender was making on worn out crude tooling in the 70’s, at least in terms of mechanical things.
If they treated whatever wood that is used, basswood, soft maple, agathis properly cured/dried before manufacture, would that help? It's not a crappy wood thing?
It’s maple, and the wood is fine, but not treated well enough. If PRS started with the same wood, and did their heat treatment, they’d be stable necks.
No, its the cost of labor. The hardware on my Mexican Fenders and my Squier VMs is nearly identical. If I took off the bridges, tuning keys, etc. and put them all in a bowl, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart based on quality. USA Fenders are a step up though.
I was talking about all woods, body, and neck in general but, I take it in your answer that if another manufacturer in your example PRS took Squier's wood and kiln dried it, it would be fine.
My beef is with the necks. The wood used in making bodies may make subtle differeces in tone, but assuming the body balances the instrument, are of little consequence as to whether or not the instrument is playable. A twisted neck is a much more serious issue.
If someone wants to investigate body wood issues, have at it, and let us know what you find. I make my own basses at this point, partly because I can get very stable necks that way, so I’m not going to put much effort into investigating Fender or Squier body woods.
