i've been saving up to buy a fender jazz,went to gc to buy one played three different bass ranging 475-1200,piced up a modified maple squier and liked it better and only $279, so are these decent basses or will i regret buying one?
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fender or squier?
- Thread starter rptrsn2
- Start date
Buy the one you like best, the one that fits you best. Not only is the Squier cheaper, but if you can play it better, then you should buy that. Just my opinion, I have an Ibanez SR 505, which isn't exactly a high-end model, but I wouldn't trade it for anything, not even the most expensive of basses, just because I can play it so comfortably.
Just my opinion.
Just my opinion.
If the bass feels and plays better for you, you won't regret it unless you're hung up on brand names
If you like it, no worries but keep in mind that you get what you pay for. You clearly went with the lower quality bass.
It's good sound advice, always buy the bass that feels good, to you. Never let price influence your decision, unless you're talking major bucks.
- Jul 30, 2006
- 2,315
- 453
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
I just bought a Squier Jazz 5 & am totally satisfied. In fact I plan on taking it to Europe in lieu of my custom Elrick. After seeing them toss the Elrick around on the carts out on the tarmack, I'm taking one I can afford to replace. No matter what, buy the one that feels & sounds best to you.
I bought an old (1998) Standard Squier Jazz in a pawn shop that had a perfect body and neck but didn't work. I changed out the hardware and electronics, and now I like playing it just as much as my MIA Jazz that cost many times the price.
My point is that some of the older Squiers have outstanding bodies and necks. I understand that some of the newer models, like the new Vintage, have really good hardware and electronics too. When I gig, I pull out the Squier for certain songs just as proudly as my MIA Jazz and my Geddy Lee. You make it sound good and they won't care what it says on the headstock. If they do, forget 'em.
Some of the best guys I have ever heard played inexpensive basses. Some of the worst played basses I could never afford.
Play what you like and be proud.
My point is that some of the older Squiers have outstanding bodies and necks. I understand that some of the newer models, like the new Vintage, have really good hardware and electronics too. When I gig, I pull out the Squier for certain songs just as proudly as my MIA Jazz and my Geddy Lee. You make it sound good and they won't care what it says on the headstock. If they do, forget 'em.
Some of the best guys I have ever heard played inexpensive basses. Some of the worst played basses I could never afford.
Play what you like and be proud.
Why does it matter? If you like the Squier over the Fender, then buy the Squier. Don't worry about what it says on the headstock. Unless you're going to be gigging with it every night, I wouldn't worry about it "holding up" better than a Fender. If you like the way it sounds and feels, go for the Squier.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
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- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I hit the local GC several months back to add a Jazz bass to my collection. Money wasn't an object. I played all the Fenders, then came across the Squier active Jazz. Only reasons I tried it were because I liked the way it looked, and the sales person told me the switch was a passive/active switch (it's not). I couldn't put it down. Stayed in the store about an hour ABing the Fenders and Squier, thinking, "Am I really going to buy a Squier??!!!" I did. And I have 0 regrets. I still check out the Fenders whenever I see them, and I'm still liking the Squier more.
Got to add also that I recently bought a brand new Fender bassman amp. 3 of the wheels fell off after the 3rd gig - and I was really pampering the amp cuz I wasn't sure if I was going to keep it. I am really really really pissed at Fender quality control. I had an American P deluxe a while back and that one bass had more issues than all the basses I've ever owned, put together.
Got to add also that I recently bought a brand new Fender bassman amp. 3 of the wheels fell off after the 3rd gig - and I was really pampering the amp cuz I wasn't sure if I was going to keep it. I am really really really pissed at Fender quality control. I had an American P deluxe a while back and that one bass had more issues than all the basses I've ever owned, put together.
Try out your basses blindfoldedly and judge them by sound, feel and playability, then take the one you like best (don't go to a shop which carry Alembics and other boutique goodies tho, you might never leave...) Just bought a VM jazz and after changing the bridge for a Gotoh and shielding the cavities it's getting more playing time than my (ten times more expensive) other basses. OK, they might not play A++ straight out of the box, but after a slight mod they're real good value for money (and a great modding/learning platform) and mine's got that old-skool jazz sound spot-on!
why even go to the trouble of buying as Squier and shipping it to Europe... just buy one when you get there and decide what you want to do with it when you return...
I have a '95 Fender P Special and an '08 Squier VMJ (only new bass Ive ever owned for that matter) and that Squier is every bit what the Fender is (well Jazz version 
). The 'get what you pay for' is NOT the rule with these new Squiers, its way MORE then what you pay for. They rock!!! Go for the Squier I say.
How are the necks on those? I tried a Fender Jazz 5 and it felt like a telephone pole to me to be honest. I couldn't put it back on the wall fast enough!! I am curious how the Squier 5s feel though.
). The 'get what you pay for' is NOT the rule with these new Squiers, its way MORE then what you pay for. They rock!!! Go for the Squier I say. How are the necks on those? I tried a Fender Jazz 5 and it felt like a telephone pole to me to be honest. I couldn't put it back on the wall fast enough!! I am curious how the Squier 5s feel though.
the vintage modified series are squiers best basses IMHO
i have wanted a fretless for a whil and im thinking of getting a squier vm fretless jazz
i have wanted a fretless for a whil and im thinking of getting a squier vm fretless jazz
If you like the Squier, then buy it.I bought a Squier jazz several weeks ago and did a complete gig with it this week. I had multiple basses to choose from. But, the Squier worked. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Squier's 70's VMJ & Deluxe Jazz V are quite possibly the two best basses they've ever made. Absolutely incredible for the money! (Even if you Americans do get them for half price 
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I have the vm p bass and love it. I pick it up more then my mim jazz bass. The quality is better then the quality of the mim series. Jazzes hum which bugs me so that could be one reason I pickup the p bass more. And then the fat growly tone you get with a p bass is great. For that price you can get both the vm p bass and vm jazz.
