• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

in a rut.......

american special series? not crap at all, not in general anyway. i wouldn't trade mine for any american standard i've ever played. with fender (and most mass-produced stuff) it's all about trying instruments on an individual basis and picking out the good ones. when you find a good one, even if it's from a less expensive series, you'll know it's the right one for you. don't succumb to talkbass groupthink...see for yourself what's good.
 
alright thanks guys, but I'm not getting squier as anything under $400 is a step down from my current bass

To actually make that determination you'd have to play those basses wouldn't you :)? Good Squiers can match up with basses costing more than 5 times their cost. That's not an exaggeration either. If you get the chance, go and try out any of Squier's Jazz basses. You might find something you like.
 
To actually make that determination you'd have to play those basses wouldn't you :)? Good Squiers can match up with basses costing more than 5 times their cost. That's not an exaggeration either. If you get the chance, go and try out any of Squier's Jazz basses. You might find something you like.

Big +1. Can't stress enough how little dollar amount relates to quality or sound of an instrument. A 400 bean bass could easily play and sound as good as a 1000 bean fender. It's just bells and whistles.. I recently picked up a short scale SX Fretless Jag on here, 100 bucks..brand new they're like..160 or something. That thing sounds just as good as any bass i've played. No noisey pickups, quality built instrument. Beautiful 3pc Alder Sunburst body, vintage tint neck.. it looks like a 500 dollar bass, easily sounds like one as well.

My point being the price tag isn't what makes an instrument good.:rollno:
 
A few weeks ago while at my local music store I played a Squire Jazz bass for a while. In terms of sheer playability it killed!! As far as I was concerned it was one of those very few jems that didn't need need a setup. Great action with no string buzz anywhere. Plugged it into an Ampeg PF500 and good Lord, but it sounded good!!

I already have my old Jazz bass so I don't need another. But if I was looking this one would have been under very some heavy consideration.

Another thing: I have a Squire P bass that's about 13 years old that I bought used. So many people have said so many negative things about Squires, like "the pickups are crap" or "the hardwares crap." Hey, this little bass sounds great, the intonation is dead on, it stays in tune and it sounds like a P bass. I really don't see the need to look for another P bass.

Look around. Good ones are out there.
 
To actually make that determination you'd have to play those basses wouldn't you :)? Good Squiers can match up with basses costing more than 5 times their cost. That's not an exaggeration either. If you get the chance, go and try out any of Squier's Jazz basses. You might find something you like.

Indeed. Check out my NBD Squier Vintage Modified Jazz bass thread(look in my profile). I'm extremely happy with it. It came from Thomann.de in perfect condition, NO flaws whatsoever. It was even set up really nice.

I'm more happy with that one, than I was with my American Deluxe Jazz bass. Believe it or not.
 
I know I'm not going hwy 1

What's your reasoning with that? The one that I had was incredible (after doing a setup) and I picked it up for $500 from eBay.

I have to +1 to all of the Squier suggestions, I am AMAZED with the quality from some of these, especially the Vintage Modified series. Squiers mainly suffer in the QC department, so you should really try a couple out and see if you like them.

As far as the "special" is concerned, play one... As for the Geddy Lee, play one... why not get out there and test all of these? Seriously.