Inexpensive bass...Squier Affinnity?

[CaptainWally]

Dear Hive,

A friend of mine is looking to pick up the bass, and has asked me to recommend an instrument. Looking to do new. I would be way betrer prepared to recommend a boutique, not having dabbled in the entry field for a while. I have picked up Squiers at GC in the past, and they seem pretty nice. Was going to recommend an Affinity. Any other suggestions? $300 at the most new.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

At $300 it may be difficult to find a new Squier, check the used market on Reverb for maybe a Mustang or something.

If he's new and not wanting to commit alot of $$ the Squier Bronco is a good choice. Nice neck and if he really likes it changing them is easy too.

Another one to consider that would fit that budget is SX basses from Rondo Music Home Page

I had an SX Short Scale Jazz that was nice, wish I hadn't sold it.

Just some thoughts.

 

[CaptainWally]

Seems like a Squier Affinity is well under $300. Is that a "real" Squier or a lesser entry?

 

[CaptainWally]

Good call in SX! Forgot about those! Does that compare favorably to a Squier Affinity?

 

[weird_hermiston]

Get the squier affinity Jaguar H! That's the best of the affinity series imo.

 

[CaptainWally]

Thanks for that comment. I saw someone mentioned neck dive being an issue with those?

 

[arbiterusa]

I have picked up Squiers at GC in the past, and they seem pretty nice. Was going to recommend an Affinity. Any other suggestions? $300 at the most new.

I have one of the NEW Affinity Jazz basses, not the last generation made in China version, but the $279 made in Indonesia version. Mine came with a slew of minor annoyances but the fundamentals were sound, and these are a vast improvement over the last version of the Affinity. So long as you're up for some minor setup and lightly oiling the fretboard (if you get the Indian Laurel and not the maple), it's a good bass.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

The New 2021 Squier Affinity models are no longer made in China, they are made in the Indonesia plant, same as the Classic Vibe and others.
They share the same hardware, but obviously in different finishes, as the CV's are made to look "Classic" while the Affinity is a basic instrument with Dot inlays and no neck binding.
Compared to the old Chinese Affinity's, the Indonesian models cost [around] $50-80 more depending on the model, and are probably worth it.

Squier Affinity Series Jazz Bass 3-color Sunburst with Maple Fingerboard

Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass Black Burst with Maple Fingerboard

Jaguar is 32" scale - 2" shorter than the above basses:
Squier Affinity Series Jaguar Charcoal Frost Metallic with Indian Laurel Fingerboard

 

[themickster]

Ibanez SR300E or Yamaha TRBX174 might be what he needs. The Ibanez is for more than beginners.

 

[jd56hawk]

The Affinity basses are better than they used to be, supposedly, but if your friend's talking about a P bass, he might want to go with this instead...$115!

(Don't think the price means it's cheap. Harley Benton makes some good stuff.)

 

[weird_hermiston]

Thanks for that comment. I saw someone mentioned neck dive being an issue with those?

There is a bit of neck dive on them but not as bad as some I've encountered! I also like shorter scale so it's nice to find a medium like the Jaguar. In the end, your friend should go try them out before buying.

 

[B-Mac]

The Affinity basses are better than they used to be, supposedly, but if your friend's talking about a P bass, he might want to go with this instead...$115!
View attachment 4439271
(Don't think the price means it's cheap. Harley Benton makes some good stuff.)

Those HB's are just dope for the price! Plus Tort!!!!

Been looking at the MM Version finished like the P you posted.

 

[PaulTreff]

Don't forget to mention Ibanez Talman series. They are awesome basses.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Ibanez SR300E or Yamaha TRBX174 might be what he needs. The Ibanez is for more than beginners.

this !! or a Sterling Ray4,

 

[jd56hawk]

Those HB's are just dope for the price! Plus Tort!!!!

Been looking at the MM Version finished like the P you posted.

All three would be nice.

 

[brianrost]

The Affinity basses are better than they used to be, supposedly, but if your friend's talking about a P bass, he might want to go with this instead...$115!
Harley Benton makes some good stuff.

I've played a drummer friend's HB P-bass at band rehearsals and it is what I would call "worth the money". Fret ends badly needed dressing. Neck felt OK otherwise. The tone was lacking in the lows, but plenty of upper mid twang and snap on hand. The pickups were serviceable but not a lot of detail in the notes. Pretty typical for such a low price. With a decent amp to provide bass and low mid boost, it sounds OK (I was playing through an Ashdown Little Basstard tube head into a GK 1-12" cab).

An OK starter bass after a setup and fret dressing (if you have to pay for that instead of DIY that might come close to doubling the low price!!!)

Notice I wrote "OK" a lot and "great" is absent...

I second the recommendations to check out the Ibanez and Yamaha sub-$300 offerings, preferably side by side with the Affinity.

 

[jd56hawk]

I've played a drummer friend's HB P-bass at band rehearsals and it is what I would call "worth the money". Fret ends badly needed dressing. Neck felt OK otherwise. The tone was lacking in the lows, but plenty of upper mid twang and snap on hand. The pickups were serviceable but not a lot of detail in the notes. Pretty typical for such a low price. With a decent amp to provide bass and low mid boost, it sounds OK (I was playing through an Ashdown Little Basstard tube head into a GK 1-12" cab).

An OK starter bass after a setup and fret dressing (if you have to pay for that instead of DIY that might come close to doubling the low price!!!)

Notice I wrote "OK" a lot and "great" is absent...

I second the recommendations to check out the Ibanez and Yamaha sub-$300 offerings, preferably side by side with the Affinity.

I wonder what would happen if you played another one because the same thing happened when I tried out an Ibanez Talman.

 

[kodiakblair]

@jd56hawk

If folks discounted brands after 1 bad experience , Fender/Gibson and Ric should have folded decades back

 

[esoxhntr]

Nothing wrong with a Squier Affinity at all. But like everything that Fender makes, some are okay, some are good, and some are great. Since you are the bass player, go with your friend and try some out. Don't get married to a color - find the one that plays and sounds best. I bought one a few years back, for those "sketchy" gigs. There were several models available, but the one that played and sounded the best was Burgundy Mist. Yuck. But it plays and sounds really good, and since I'm playing it I never really have to look at it.

 

[bassdog]

I have an Affinity and three other bases that are way better. I keep the Affinity a my friend's house for when I may not have a main player with me at the time I go there from somewhere other than home. The Affinity is fine. Sound like a P and is set up well. Wearing Roto Swing 66 strings.