Inexpensive bass...Squier Affinnity?

[jd56hawk]

I expect it would be similar tonally, hopefully better fretwork.

Maybe, but not necessarily, in regards to tone.

 

[dralionux]

In 2015 I bought an used 2005 (made in China) for $70. It's quality is better than my 2014 G&L Tribute JB-2. Since I had the Affinity, I never had to adjust the truss rod.
If it weighted 1 lb less, it would certainly be my #1 bass

 

[buldog5151bass]

I would keep my eyes open here for a used Squier. They often go for about that price, and are going to be better instruments in better condition.

 

[DwaynieAD]

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

Squier affinities are amazing. A lot of old heads in here stuck in the 70s are gonna tell you otherwise but these basses are all made on the same cnc machines nowadays. Affinity p bass is great. Sterling by musicman sub bass is also awesome but they might clock in just over 300 currently. Go for it.

 

[roccobladr]

I bought a squier bronco short scale online on a whim without ever playing one and I must say I was impressed by the quality for the money. If I was a beginner I would certainly consider one.

 

[drumvsbass]

Yamaha Trbx 174

 

[TJH3113]

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

I second this statement.

 

[Barmy]

GC selling the black Sterling Ray4 for $230 for another week or two during their so-called Guitarathon.

 

[TimB1226]

Thank you very much for all posts so far, and any that follow. I read them all, and it was all very helpful.

I picked up a Yamaha 170 a few years ago, recommended as a good inexpensive backup while my main bass needed repair. The recommender is a full-time bass player and teacher. Very happy with it; < $200.

 

[steimlem]

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

the jag h is made in china and is higher quality than the other affinities imo .. the jazz and p/j are indonesia.. still decent value but more money and slightly worse quality .

 

[unity bass]

I have played many different basses over the last 30 years and I have nice production basses and super nice custom builds in my collection. I finally decided to experiment with five string so I pulled the trigger on a $300 Affinity Jazz V. My criteria was cost, design (passive jazz), string spacing (wider is better for me), reviews (thanks TB), upgradability,...the awesome color mine came in (let's be honest you want it to look good) The Ibanez Talman too though, right?
Anyway, it arrived today. I'm pretty stoked. My initial impression is that I could definitely take this to my next gig and play it all night. No fret sprout, no fret buzz, straight neck, decent pickups, good balance, looks cool... Props to Sweetwater for a nice setup before they sent it to me. Not sure I'm convinced that I'll be a five-string player but the quality of the bass will not be the problem. The ability of the player... that is a different story... and oh yeah, NBD!!!
So, my advice...I have a friend who's a guitar player and wants to get his first bass. He said his budget is 700 bucks but I said I think he should spend $300 and get a Squier Affinity. Play it for a year find out what you really want out of a bass and then flip it if you need to; but you probably won't.
Good luck!

 

[J-Mags]

Revisiting the Ibanez Talman…
I have a TMB-100 that I got for $169 brand new during GC's April sale (don't remember what it's called).

View attachment 4439576

I keep it in my work truck 24/7/365. It's actually really, really good for the money. It has a lot of Punch and has a very hot signal, I only use the treble cut on the preamp and keep the Bass flat.
My only complaint about the bass is with the fretwork, at around the 14th fret and up. Seems like I get a lot of buzz around those points, and it's hard to maintain a low string action and be buzz free. I wind up tightening the truss rod to [almost] no relief. I don't want to take it for a fret job that'll cost as much as the bass did.
But when you look at basses at that price point, it will happen more often than not.

My Squier VM (2014, purchased at $348 out the door new) has a superb neck and the frets are almost perfect at any point on the neck. I would hope that with the new Affinity's coming out of the same Factory as the VM's and new CV's, perhaps the fretwork will be comparable?
The frets on the old Chinese Affinity's would wear out very quickly. After 6 months of regular playing my 2014 Affinity's frets looked worse than those on my 25 year old G&L.

You can learn to do a fret job, and using $30 worth of tools from Amazon you could give that Talman a fret level. It takes about an hour. I'm not the handiest of men, and I did OK the first time. I wouldn't mess with a fancy bass, but I made my parts P play a million times better. I ignored most of his advice on tools and got a cheapo kit from Amazon, like they

Fret leveling yer tele.......101

 

[J-Mags]

Revisiting the Ibanez Talman…
I have a TMB-100 that I got for $169 brand new during GC's April sale (don't remember what it's called).

View attachment 4439576

I keep it in my work truck 24/7/365. It's actually really, really good for the money. It has a lot of Punch and has a very hot signal, I only use the treble cut on the preamp and keep the Bass flat.
My only complaint about the bass is with the fretwork, at around the 14th fret and up. Seems like I get a lot of buzz around those points, and it's hard to maintain a low string action and be buzz free. I wind up tightening the truss rod to [almost] no relief. I don't want to take it for a fret job that'll cost as much as the bass did.
But when you look at basses at that price point, it will happen more often than not.

My Squier VM (2014, purchased at $348 out the door new) has a superb neck and the frets are almost perfect at any point on the neck. I would hope that with the new Affinity's coming out of the same Factory as the VM's and new CV's, perhaps the fretwork will be comparable?
The frets on the old Chinese Affinity's would wear out very quickly. After 6 months of regular playing my 2014 Affinity's frets looked worse than those on my 25 year old G&L.

You could learn to do a fret level and fix that Talman right up. I got a kit from Amazon for $30
and it took me an hour. I wouldn't do it to an expensive bass, but it really helped an Affinity P neck I have. I'm not at all handy and it literally made the bass play like a more expensive bass.

Here's the instructional thread:
Fret leveling yer tele.......101

 

[gricko]

affinity jazz i had came w/ useless tuners. small and flimsy, w/ useless gear ratio.
rest was quite ok

 

[jimmydean]

Take a good look at Harley Benton , they make really good basses .

 

[Matty Koff]

I'm going to recommend a Ibanez Talman TMB105 or a Yamaha TRBX174. Maybe check the used market for some of the old Peavey Milestone basses. I've seen them used for like $125-150.. but there was this piano teacher I knew who had a Peavey Milestone with jazz pickups that was in very good shape. Thing felt as good in my hands as an MIM Fender. Sounded good too. Or a new Milestone 4 @ peavey.com is $279.

I always threatened to take my friend's Milestone home with me.. I really liked it and would have no shame sitting it on a rack next to basses that range 2x-6x it's cost.

 

[Oldbasslover]

As a self-taught bassist I struggled with the "standard" basses for a long time. Knowledge that there are different size necks - short scale, long scale; different nut widths, different curvatures, etc. is not a common thing (not to mention different body styles as well), and not generally discussed by sales people.
I think one of the things you can do for your friend is help him find a bass that "fits" him, because he'll quickly stop playing if the bass is uncomfortable (that definitely includes weight).
Once you find an instrument that he really likes (regardless of cost) that should help tremendously to find that inexpensive bass, regardless of brand.

 

[GreyBeard]

When I started playing bass back in 69, there were good basses like Fender etc. and there was junk. The good basses were rather expensive and the junk basses were cheap. Today, the difference in quality between cheap and expensive basses is much closer. Squire, Ibanez, Harley Benton, Yamaha, and many others all make good cheap stuff. They play in tune, stay in tune, and the necks are straight and fully adjustable. Are they as nice as the expensive models? No, but they are not junk either.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

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.

This one is one of faves to play. Neck feels great and for the price $199, the build quality is above par. Dropped in some SD Quarter Pounds and dressed her with EB Cobalt Flats. Sounds as good (perhaps even better) then my Stingray. Good luck with your search.

 

[Greywoulf]

Ibanez GSR100ex. A full scale, lightweight, simple bass with one volume and one tone ctrl and one MM style PUP in the sweet spot. A well put together bass with good enough tones and a classic feel to it, IMO it's perfect for a new bass player to learn some basics on. Last I saw, Sweetwater or GC had them for $179 new...