Fender Squier Precision Bass

[Yahboy]

China version olym white CV60P available on Sweetwater. But no guarantee has similar build quality as pre china CV bass (2008-2018).

Search Squier 40th gold and AV thread, more positive opinion share on overall build quality and playing feel, but USD 549-599.

QC issue on all 3 Indo CV50P I bought in 18months. All story I post on CV club and few rude new indo CV member asking me get out from the club.
Absolutely can't meet the CIC build and QC level.

I got luck to get a NOS CV70P few months ago, but i am not favour with block inlay myself, and I sold it for 760 bucks . Decide to get another Vintera or player plus since the Vintera P meet my previous CIC CV60P build quality and QC. Excellent factory fretwork and steady neck.

 

[Aidenn7]

you really got to play them.. lol or know how to set them up.. most the the setups at the store are to high.. if you want vintage.. put flat wounds or dead rounds on it.. and check the electronics.. make sure it shielded.. hell- go to the classifieds and pick the parts you want.. and make a bass..

 

[ruju]

You can't go wrong with any of the current Squier offerings..
it basically comes down to what you like.

 

[mexicanyella]

Affinities are trash.

Just about anything else they currently make is fairly decent in all aspects.

Hey, I resemble that remark.

I started playing bass on a 1999-ish Affinity P, because I liked how it felt and looked and cost $50 at a pawn shop.

All stock except for the knobs I installed to replace the missing ones and the flatwound strings I eventually put on. It has been a solid, reliable instrument and has needed nothing but an initial setup and maybe two slight truss rod adjustments since I bought it in 2008-9.

It has been anything but trash by my standards. Probably the most grins per $$ I've ever gotten out of an instrument.

But I haven't played enough other ones to have perspective on how hit-or-miss they are in general. I just know mine turned out to be a no-frills functional hit.

 

[sonojono]

I agree with MOST affinity's being trash, but the new ones from 2021 are much better than they were before.

 

[Robert Mossack]

My Squier VM J-Bass was stellar. I was forced to swap it for a lighter bass after my rotator cuff surgery though. It weighed a ton and my shoulder just couldn't take it.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hey, I resemble that remark.

I started playing bass on a 1999-ish Affinity P, because I liked how it felt and looked and cost $50 at a pawn shop.

All stock except for the knobs I installed to replace the missing ones and the flatwound strings I eventually put on. It has been a solid, reliable instrument and has needed nothing but an initial setup and maybe two slight truss rod adjustments since I bought it in 2008-9.

It has been anything but trash by my standards. Probably the most grins per $$ I've ever gotten out of an instrument.

But I haven't played enough other ones to have perspective on how hit-or-miss they are in general. I just know mine turned out to be a no-frills functional hit.

I have one. They neck dive, need fretwork, and the hardware is junk.

That said, after swapping the pots, pickups, tuners, bridge, knobs, and filing the fret ends, it sounds pretty good, and weighs like 6.5lbs.

 

[Flatsnashtrays]

I own 5, all Indonesian made, all Vintage Modified except for the blue P-Bass which is an Affinity. The only thing I've had issues with are the necks. The neck on the natural jazz is basically a banana with strings. The VIs have no neck issues at all. Someone actually took the time to roll the fretboard on the Affinity which was pretty nice. The VIs were purchased new, the 4 strings were all used.

 

[mexicanyella]

I have one. They neck dive, need fretwork, and the hardware is junk.

That said, after swapping the pots, pickups, tuners, bridge, knobs, and filing the fret ends, it sounds pretty good, and weighs like 6.5lbs.

Sounds like you persevered and it worked out for you in the end...eventually.

Maybe I got a good one somehow. A middle of the week 1st shift bass, or something. Mine balances well and the neck and frets feel good to me, and it stays in tune, and the much-maligned-online tuners feel reasonably smooth. And does seem pretty light.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Sounds like you persevered and it worked out for you in the end...eventually.

Maybe I got a good one somehow. A middle of the week 1st shift bass, or something. Mine balances well and the neck and frets feel good to me, and it stays in tune, and the much-maligned-online tuners feel reasonably smooth. And does seem pretty light.

Yeah, I didn't expect much when I bought it. But, the 10 or so affinity basses I've played all have had this strange over clipping problem with them. Like, the pickups can't handle heavy input. So, the first thing I did was electronics. Then ultralite tuners and high mass bridge to clear up the dive. The neck is fairly substantial on the PJ. It's way thicker than a standard precision neck. And, the body is just way too light to counter it.

 

[mexicanyella]

Yeah, I didn't expect much when I bought it. But, the 10 or so affinity basses I've played all have had this strange over clipping problem with them. Like, the pickups can't handle heavy input. So, the first thing I did was electronics. Then ultralite tuners and high mass bridge to clear up the dive. The neck is fairly substantial on the PJ. It's way thicker than a standard precision neck. And, the body is just way too light to counter it.

Huh, interesting. I have my pickup set pretty low; maybe that is why I haven't noticed that clipping thing...? Also I have it strung with chrome flats...maybe less overtones going on or something might affect that.

Mine is split-P-only. It does have a pretty beefy neck profile.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

I've had several affinity, VM, and CV Squiers over the years. They're all great honestly, especially the ones from the last 15ish years. The ones from the 90s/early 00s were kinda hit and miss IMO.

There's a noticeable difference between the levels, in terms of how they feel. You can tell the affinity is cheaper than the classic vibe just by picking them up. That said, all the ones I've had have had level frets and wonderful feeling necks that took and held a set up well. I'd gig any of them without second thought.

I say look at what's available used, and whichever feels best and gets you the most savings.