• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fender vs Squire playability?

#21
I have a Squier CV Jazz and, yes, there is some fret buzz no matter how much I tweak the truss rod and saddle heights (and still have close to the action I like). It's not unique to Squiers. I've played LOTS of basses that had some fret buzz. I'm spoiled by my G&L US and it's PLEKed neck, as the strings set so low the bass almost plays itself...with no fret buzz, and that's using TI Flats which are very low tension.

I'm sure if I had the bass professionally set up, it would be just fine. I bought it to have a "experimentation" platform. I swapped out the pickups for DiMarzio Ultra Jazz humcanceling pickups. I also have a Warmoth P bass neck on order as I have big hands and the skinny jazz neck cramps me up too much.

Squier makes fine basses. They sound good right out of the box and if you do have a little issue, a good setup typically straightens it right out.
 
#25
Squiers are perfectly fine basses with regard to sound and playability. Unless there are structural anomalies, these basses can easily compete with their higher price-point relatives.

There's a band instrument shop near my home that has a guitar shop in back. In that shop is the most critical component of instrument playability - a crabby older gentleman who wears a denim apron and white gloves as he meticulously sets up and maintains the guitars and basses hanging on the walls.

When you go back there to check them out you will get reprimanded if you go grabbing axes off the walls and start wanking. He will tell you that he will get the instrument down for you, make sure it's tuned up, make sure you are not wearing your favorite rodeo belt buckle, hook you up with an amp - and when you are finished you hand it back to him and he wipes it down and returns it to the wall.

My kids take piano lessons there so when I am waiting for them to finish, I go visit with him and ask him which ones are 'gems'. Now - relatively speaking, all of them are in fine playing condition - well setup, electronics sound, clean and gig ready - but there are always a few shining stars - one of them happens to be a natural finish Squier Jazz with black block inlays and binding.

This bass goes head to head with the MIM Jazz basses - and even (IMO) outshines a few of them. I made a point of doing some one-to-one comparisons and I can tell you for a fact that a Squier can easily stand toe-to-toe with a 'real' Fender if it's properly setup.
 
#27
I have three Squiers, all from the VM and CV series. They all required a setup and some filing of the fret ends (for comfort). Both jobs I did myself.

They "play" just fine, easily as well as my Fenders. I also think the "Duncan Designed" pickups are just as good as any found on MIM Fenders.
 
#30
I don't see the point of buying a $300 bass and then paying another $100 for pu that will add a teeny bit more tone -- maybe.

I have 10 basses and have owned dozens more. Some, are super high end, yet for certain things, the Squier J deluxe, all stock, is one of my favorites. That bass kills.
 
#31
I have a Squire Affinity P bass. It's about 12 years old and I bought it from a friend for $75.00. Got old Fender flatwounds on it and without question it's one of the best playing basses ever. I've had differant strings on it and regardless of what I used I never, ever had any issues with string buzz on the frets...and the action is very low.

The only mod's I did was to change the pots because they were a bit noisey. Other than that it's fine. No need to change anything else, in my opinion.
 
#32
Bongolation said:
No, "playability" is just a stupid, inherently meaningless term used primarily by marketers and people who listen to them.
Click to expand...

I disagree. When I think of "playability" I think of the comfort/ergonomics of the bass itself (body shape, etc.) as well as things like action, neck profile, etc.

The actual term "playability" sounds pretty silly (and it is a more or less made up marketing term) but IMO it can (and usually is) used to describe qualities of an intrument in a legitimate way, even if it's in a very subjective way.

The guitar-related term that is most inherently meaningless is "mojo."
 
#33
ensirider said:
This might be a stupid question, but I might as well ask.
I am thinking of getting a Squier P-Bass and changing the bridge and pickups, so it will probably sound nice. However, someone told me that Squiers buzz alot and are harder to play. Is this true? Is it really worth it to get a fender if you change the pups and bridge?
Thank you for your time and input, i appreciate it
Click to expand...

Stop listening to "Someone" and go out and play as many P basses as you can get your hands on. Be able to tell what is just a crappy set up and a bad bass. I always ask if they or I can intonate, tune and maybe set up a bass so I can try it. But I am always ready to buy if that bass is another one that has to follow me home. It is kind of rude to have the staff set up a few basses and you walk out buying nothing.

You will find a bass that you cannot put down, that is the one to buy.

In the case of buying one to upgrade, first ask yourself why am I upgrading it? You might find the stock Squier (especially the VM and CV stuff) is the bass you want.

I mod stuff because I am a hopeless tinkerer and I am also starting to build custom stuff and needed to learn how these things work.

You might buy a Squier, make your mods and find it sounded better before. So my best advice was stated as be sure you know why you want to go changing perfectly good parts in a perfectly good bass.

As to being harder to play, what the heck is that? I think your "someone" might have meant the quality is not on par with various mid level or upper level Fenders, but trust me when I say you play a Squier P bass the same way you play a Fender.
 
#38
+1 on the USA Peavey. I have a Axcellerator that I love. It is one of the most under valued basses I've ever seen. I agree with ProfGumby about it following me home even though I don't like black basses or perloid PG's. It took awhile for me to get use to the look, but I knew instantly that it was for me when I played it. That being said, I have a Squier AFN P that I got cheap and modded the crap out of, and it's the one I always grab first out of the 5 basses I own. Of all the modd's I did, I left the stock tuners and bridge on because I don't think replacing them will buy me anything.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back