• 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.

How much are MIJ Squier Basses really worth?

#21
The list price for a JV ‘57 Precision was $369 without a case from 1982 - 1984. A Fender Standard Precision listed for $699 with a case.

This is one of the oldest JV Squiers. It is dated July 8, 1982. It has a four digit serial number, JV085XX. It is one of the very first Squier branded basses.

It is totally bone stock except for the strings, which are DR Black Beauties.

92A11933-EF96-406F-B656-04A1C5CA5598.jpeg
image%203.jpg


I bought it brand new in Aschaffenburg, Germany from Herr Otto Dressler at Musik Dressler down on the Rossmarkt. It was the first Squier bass that he ever had in his shop.

I’ll never have to worry about the value of this one. It’ll never be for sale as long as I am alive. This is a damned good bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jff067, reddog, neo 7 and 9 others
#22
Wisebass said:
That' s okay as long as you don 't play a P with flats! (ooops! of course you have one) :roflmao:

just kidding!!! :)



That' s a 10 kg '73 Jazz. Bought in '85 when men were still men and old basses just cheap old basses.:D


I think you won 't get much lighter than you have with your 4.5 kg. (not heavy for a Jazz)

Maybe get some lightweight tuners, the bass is better balanced with them.


greetings

Wise(b)ass
Click to expand...
Greetings Wisebass and all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EatS1stBassist
#23
Wisebass said:
That' s okay as long as you don 't play a P with flats! (ooops! of course you have one) :roflmao:

just kidding!!! :)



That' s a 10 kg '73 Jazz. Bought in '85 when men were still men and old basses just cheap old basses.:D


I think you won 't get much lighter than you have with your 4.5 kg. (not heavy for a Jazz)

Maybe get some lightweight tuners, the bass is better balanced with them.


greetings

Wise(b)ass
Click to expand...
10kg?? Bloody Hell
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wisebass
#24
JohnDL said:
I've noticed over recent years that the price being asked for on MIJ Squier Basses seems pretty high. I have seen JV series jazz basses for £1500. Do people really pay that much when you can easily find an American Fender for much less. I have seen E series for £850 as well. Tell us what you guys think and what you think is the right sort of price on these basses.
Click to expand...
Are the sellers from Japan? Because Japanese sellers are asking crazy prices for “vintage” guitars right now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gunga Din
#28
Kukulkan61 said:
View attachment 3490999 For what they are asking for the MIJ Squiers you can get MIJ Fenders which are better IMO...
Click to expand...
Yeah I reckon you're right there. But having said that, last week I bought a really nice looking 2014 Squier Classic Vibe Jazz in Inca Silver with matching headstock made in China. 5 minutes after I bought it a 1984 Squire Jazz made in Japan was listed. It has truss rod adjustment at the heel. Well I had to have it and got it for a tiny bit less than my Chinese one. And then right now there is a black 1990 Squier Jazz MIJ for £199 starting bid and no one seems to want it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kukulkan61
#30
I got my SQ basses through similar economical avenues, and count them among my finest bargain scores of all time. :D

I would say that they were as good or better than what Fender US was producing at that time, and they are comparable to recent US manufacture simply through craftsmanship and materials.

Mine are similarly parked with me. :)



scuzzy said:
View attachment 3490883 View attachment 3490885

Scored this one for $80. That was an absolute steal. I'd pay much more, but not over $800, for sure.
Click to expand...

dan1952 said:
I have an SQ Squier Precision. I've owned at least a dozen USA Pbasses, and the only one better than the Squier was a 59 that I got in 1978. The Squier is as good as any current Fender.
I wouldn't take $1000.00 for it.
Click to expand...

Tad said:
The list price for a JV ‘57 Precision was $369 without a case from 1982 - 1984. A Fender Standard Precision listed for $699 with a case.

This is one of the oldest JV Squiers. It is dated July 8, 1982. It has a four digit serial number, JV085XX. It is one of the very first Squier branded basses.

It is totally bone stock except for the strings, which are DR Black Beauties.

View attachment 3490871 View attachment 3490898

I bought it brand new in Aschaffenburg, Germany from Herr Otto Dressler at Musik Dressler down on the Rossmarkt. It was the first Squier bass that he ever had in his shop.

I’ll never have to worry about the value of this one. It’ll never be for sale as long as I am alive. This is a damned good bass.
Click to expand...
 
#33
Asking price and selling price are completely different. I have never played a Squier or an MIM that I liked. I've owned a couple of MIJ Fender basses which were decent players and had a good sound but none that compare to MIA.
 
#34
dan1952 said:
I have an SQ Squier Precision. I've owned at least a dozen USA Pbasses, and the only one better than the Squier was a 59 that I got in 1978. The Squier is as good as any current Fender.
I wouldn't take $1000.00 for it.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I’ve tried out hundreds of P basses over 30yrs... even worked in a music store & was guitar/bass tech too.

My Squier JV P (great vintage tone) holds its own against my ‘69 P and other boutique basses.

My Squier JV Jazz (nicest neck ever) with TI’s has such a sweet tone too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wraub, dan1952 and Tad
#37
Those early 80's Squiers were the mile-marker that showed where the newly purchased Fender (by the Shulz-led group from CBS) had to resort to Japanese production in the short term as they got their new version of the company on its' feet. In a small way, these are cornerstones that what Fender has become since then was built upon.

Some background for the interested:

From 21frets.com, the Squier JV Pages (a terrific resource for 80's/90's Squiers)

21frets.com - guitar information and forum about JV - Japanese Vintage fender squier stratocaster guitars, squier telecaster and basses

And from reverb.com, an interview with the late Dan Smith about the CBS sale, Japanese production, and more:

Interview: Fender Visionary Dan Smith on How to Turn Around a Faltering Guitar Brand | Bacon's Archive

I owned a PBass Squier from that original MIJ series ($279USD MSRP), and it was fabulous. These have become somewhat expensive as collectables for Squier cognoscenti, but can be exceptional deals if bought from the unsuspecting who think it's just another 'rice-burner Fender' . . . . . .
 
#38
JohnDL said:
I've noticed over recent years that the price being asked for on MIJ Squier Basses seems pretty high. I have seen JV series jazz basses for £1500. Do people really pay that much when you can easily find an American Fender for much less. I have seen E series for £850 as well. Tell us what you guys think and what you think is the right sort of price on these basses.
Click to expand...

£1500? I had one on loan from a friend for much of the 90s and back then you would have done well to get £150 for it (maybe £300 today). It was a great bass. The 1984 MIJ Fender I got when he took it back was nearly but not quite as good.
 
#39
that whole "from the original blueprints" is bs. i had an 82 jv fender jazz. neck was thinner and the taper was wider overall than any old fender. the neck felt completely different than my 62 jazz or any of the other 60's jazzes ive had. a good bass, but no better than any other mij fender. the sq p's were great values when they were selling between 250-450. at 5 or 600 bucks, theres other options. id get a used mim fender over an sq.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wraub and Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back