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Is a Squier Bass Really That Bad?

#43
C.Linton said:
Better than a Fender? Maybe not. But at least as good as? In some cases, yes. In my own experience alone, my current VM P bass is as good as the '78 P-bass I used to have, which was a teriffic bass.
And don't let the price fool you. More expensive does not automatically mean better, just that American workers get paid way more than their foreign counterparts, not that they are any better at the job.
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+1

I've owned MIA, MIM & Squier..... Was the MIA any better than the others? Maybe somewhat? The fit & finish was better, but it should be with a $1200 price tag. Sound & playability? Kind of a toss up for me. I never thought that the MIA played or sounded $900 better than than the VM Jazz. That's why it's gone....

My $.02
YRMV
 
#45
Yeah. My $1200 MIA Jazz is probably the best made bass I've ever personally handled, let alone owned, much superior in overall construction to a Squier (not that Squiers are badly made, they most assuredly are not) but tone and playability-wise, the $300 Squiers are just as good, and that without any mods.
 
#48
I'm so glad I saw this thread. I am getting back into playing and have been hearing good things about the Squier Vintage Modified Jazz bass. I plan on stopping by Guitar Center tomorrow to check one out since I really want a fretless and this will let me get back into playing without having to pay too much money.

-John
 
#49
I just bought a vintage early '80's Squier Bullet Bass made in Japan. I defy someone to show me that this is an inferior bass in terms of build quality, fit and finish. If I decide I want to upgade the electronics, no biggie. Plus, it has a way-kool Tele style neck and a great sunburst that screams "retro". I plan to play it proudly! I paid $150 for it, so there!
 
#51
I use a Squier affinity as a backup bass, but would have no problem gigging it. I wouldn't mind swapping the pickup for a "ballsier" one, but really I have no complaints. It gets the job done.

On another note, I would choose the squier CV basses over the MIM fenders as far as overall quality. My favorites are still the MIJ and MIA fenders, but they are all great instruments. Even the affinities are solid if you take the time to find one that you like.
 
#54
I will admit that I am somewhat of a bass snob. However, I am seriously thinking about buying a Squier VM P. I need a bass to put some flats on and I have been really surprised at the playability and sound. I am concerned though over the stability of the necks. I have basses that I NEVER need to touch the necks, (seriously, I have one Pedulla that has never had the neck adjusted in the 15 years that I have owned it) and I don't really need a bass that needs a daily adjustment because the wood is too soft and was never dried properly.
 
#55
49sfine said:
I just bought a vintage early '80's Squier Bullet Bass made in Japan. I defy someone to show me that this is an inferior bass in terms of build quality, fit and finish. If I decide I want to upgade the electronics, no biggie. Plus, it has a way-kool Tele style neck and a great sunburst that screams "retro". I plan to play it proudly! I paid $150 for it, so there!
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I picked up a beautiful '82 Japanese Squier Jazz Bass. It has quickly become my main instrument. Haven't had to do a thing with it other than change the strings and buy a strap. Awesome bass!
 
#56
pica said:
I'm the owner of an Affinity Series Jazz Bass and I'm d*** proud to be. It plays and sounds great. :bassist:
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+1
I learnt on one of those, and still pick it up after years later, there great ;)
Honestly, you can't really compare them to Fender Basses, because there not made from anywhere of the same materials really. Just remember, a squire affinity costs about a quarter of what an american fender does (well in my country) :D
so don't let others get to you when they tell you about how ****** squires are-.. because you have probably saved yourself a lot of money, and still have a great sounding bass.
 
#57
bh2 said:
The CVs are great, dunno about the VM range but heard great things... they are not bad at all.
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The VM Jazz Fretless is a great deal for the money. I prefer a real wood fingerboard for fretless, but the ebonol board on the VM is good enough, and with the Duncan Designed pickups, it's a nice sounding bass. The one I played had great feel, and the workmanship was good. For $300.00, what more could you ask for?:bassist:
 
#58
pica said:
I don't think it's fair to compare Fender basses to Squier basses. Although both are made by Fender there is nothing about these basses that are the same, from the wood to the electronics.
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I could care less WHAT it's made of, as long as it's not total crap, which the individual components that make up a Squier bass are certainly not (crap, that is). As long as the parts that make up the whole are decent enough, it's more important how well those parts are put together, and, in my estimation, Squiers are as well made as any Fender. Who cares if it's made from agathis and not alder.
 
#59
mdogs said:
I will admit that I am somewhat of a bass snob. However, I am seriously thinking about buying a Squier VM P. I need a bass to put some flats on and I have been really surprised at the playability and sound. I am concerned though over the stability of the necks. I have basses that I NEVER need to touch the necks, (seriously, I have one Pedulla that has never had the neck adjusted in the 15 years that I have owned it) and I don't really need a bass that needs a daily adjustment because the wood is too soft and was never dried properly.
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I have never heard of anyone having that problem on a Squier.
 
#60
John D said:
I found the opposite to be true with my Affinity Pbass. It's about ten years old; I bought it used, and the neck was warped badly. After a proper setup, it played just as well as my '62 Fender Jazz, accounting for the differences in neck profile, of course. Unfortunately, I bought it and did the setup during the summer when the humidity was high. Already, due to the low winter humidity, it badly needs another set up. The action has changed and the strings are hitting the frets when I go past the seventh fret. Additonally, the frets are now so sharp that they feel like razor blades when you slide your hand up and down the neck. All of these issues are fixable with another proper setup. The difference is that I rarely ever need to adjust the setup on the '62 Jazz, even with seasonal weather changes.




Based on the conditions described in the OP, I would keep the Affinity and save money to buy a better bass when and if I started playing paying gigs. Based on TB reports, one of the newer Squier of basses may be better choice.
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:eyebrow:
Not trying to be argumentative, but you state that you found something opposite of my statement then set about giving evidence that supports my statement. The Squier sets up "perfect" except for a warped neck and extreme fluctuations due to weather. Neither are problems that the Fender exhibits.

Nothing wrong with Squiers, not bagging on them. I would concur that OP should keep his instrument if he is happy with it. Worst case scenario, scrape the Squier name off the headstock so you don't need to listen to people gripe about it.
 

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