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Is Squier under new management? They are kicking @$&!!!!!

#21
I played this guy at the local GC, picked it up purely on the sexiness of a stealth bass...

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Didn't feel right - the string spacing is just too wide for me - but the sound was impressive. They keep this up, I might just have to pick up another Precision.
 
#23
The general opinion for many years (for good reason) is that quality-wise the progression is Squier to MIM to MIA, agreed?

Would it make sense for Squier to regain confidence & reputation by putting out a better product, then producing all of the Fender line for say, under $600 so that Fender can raise the price on MIMs and MIAs, knowing that the mindset of the quality progression would not completely change?

If all you could get was a (decent) Squier for under $600, then (quality-improved) MIMs could range from, say $601 - $900, and no limit on the MIAs.

I just can't believe Squier will continue to sell those great VM series for under $300 which really compete quality-wise with the MIM's as we speak. Why pay $449 and up for a MIM?

Just my stupid thought.
 
#24
I've been GASing for a Squier VM Telebass for a couple of weeks now. I want to mod it some by adding a second pickup closer to the bridge.

So, I went to my local shop today determined to pull the trigger (I've played this particular one several times over the past month.)

But--dig this-- they had just gotten in a Squier VM Jazz bass (the natural wood (ash?) body with the bound and blocked neck.)

Oh man...I couldn't decide. I really like the looks of that Telebass and I've always wanted a more slabby, old-school Fender style body, plus the pup on it is just as deep and boomy and fat as the day is long.

But I picked up the Jazz and was blown away. It was set up much better than the Telebass for one thing (though that can be changed.)

Incidentally, I was playing both through an SWR head and a 1X15 cabinet (which was also really nice.)

Well, I had to walk away without anything. I just couldn't decide. Can't afford them both. The Telebass is really supernice, but the Jazz just killed.

I think I'm gonna have to get one or the other, but the Tele might need some modding to give it any versatility, wheras the Jazz was just amazing right off the wall. Jazzes aren't usually my style (though I've owned a few) but the proof is in the pudding. They are both really great at what they do.
 
#25
Bluesbreaker5 said:
The general opinion for many years (for good reason) is that quality-wise the progression is Squier to MIM to MIA, agreed?

Would it make sense for Squier to regain confidence & reputation by putting out a better product, then producing all of the Fender line for say, under $600 so that Fender can raise the price on MIMs and MIAs, knowing that the mindset of the quality progression would not completely change?

If all you could get was a (decent) Squier for under $600, then (quality-improved) MIMs could range from, say $601 - $900, and no limit on the MIAs.

I just can't believe Squier will continue to sell those great VM series for under $300 which really compete quality-wise with the MIM's as we speak. Why pay $449 and up for a MIM?

Just my stupid thought.
Click to expand...

If the quality of the MIM's and the MIA's also continue to improve and the market would bare the price increase then why not....it is still a win for the consumer...
 
#26
de la mocha said:
I played this bass today and I cannot fathom how they are asking this price for this bass! It's insane!!! It's impossible!!! This bass plays beautifully! The tone controls shape the tone superbly and the B string is not flappy and the action is nice and low.

I don't get it. I guess Squier has something to prove! I think Squier is now the new MIM line!
Click to expand...

I have the affinity 5 string. If you think the B string is good with the stock strings, try DR stainless low riders on that puppy.
 
#28
When I was first thinking of giving Fender a shot I looked at some used Squiers on the Bay. I had no funds for a Fender but I could swing a Squier. I thought perhaps they were similar enough to get an idea you know. I got varying opinions as to the quality of Squier here and basically came away with the conclusion that with Squier it was a roll of the dice if you got a good one or not. So needless to say I dropped the Squiers I was watching on the Bay and forgot about it. If I couldn't play it first there was no way I was going to take a shot in the dark on one if their quality was that inconsistent.

Well I kept seeing the Squier VMJ on line and the more I looked at it the prettier it got to me but that was as far as it went. My local music shop had one and I grabbed it on a whim the day I was in there test driving some Fenders they had.... yea...2 days later I cant get that Squier off my mind and I called and put it on layaway... it totally blew me away!!

If I was still looking for basses (seriously I am so done GASing for basses) I still wouldn't pick up a Squier unplayed for anything back before 07-08 but for the new ones I'd go for them cold.
 
#29
narcopolo said:
yeah, what up with that telebass? i've not heard much about that one, but it looks gorgeous.
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I love my telebass! I bought it from my local "ma and pa" music store. They have great tech there who checked and setup the bass for me. It plays great and I love it.

The tone is dark, boomy and deep with the humbucker pickup right at the neck, but, you can tame it with a little eq for a very pleasing sound, if like this type of sound.

I also just put DR flats on the bass which helps cleanup the mids and add more definition to the bottom.

Right now, it's my favorite bass.

IMGP65001.jpg
 
#30
christle said:
If the quality of the MIM's and the MIA's also continue to improve and the market would bare the price increase then why not....it is still a win for the consumer...
Click to expand...

True, but then you're going to pay much more for that same Squier VM that you can buy today for $279 because they would have artificially inflated the market prices. If you can't get an MIM for less than $600, then there is no reason not to increase the Squier to $450.

Does that make any sense?
 
#31
nickn said:
Now that's interesting. What's the idea behind having a P body and pickguard with J pickups? :confused:
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This bass was introduced in the late 90s, but Fender didn't make proper P-Bass split pickups until just this year, so using Jazz pickups was a cheap way to cheat. And they don't sound half bad either, but I'm thinking about putting some quarter pounders in there instead for some real power! :bassist:
 
#32
Bluesbreaker5 said:
True, but then you're going to pay much more for that same Squier VM that you can buy today for $279 because they would have artificially inflated the market prices. If you can't get an MIM for less than $600, then there is no reason not to increase the Squier to $450.

Does that make any sense?
Click to expand...

No :) But only because I don't think people will pay more than they are now for a Squier (barring inflation). And while prices of the MIM and the MIA would increase I doubt they would increase Squier too much for the additional reason that they want to be in that entry-to-mid level market. They are still the largest seller in that segment and they won't want to give that position away. It is an envious position to be in but one that will require increasing maintenance on their part (everyone else is increasing in quality too). That is probably a large part of the reason there is an increase in their quality, they don't want to loose that market and other brands, such as Peavey and Ibanez, were more than likely making inroads and they had to respond. So in this case the free-market seems to be working.

Just my $0.02 worth. Feel free to dispute it :D
 
#34
ya, i'm digging my Affinity 5er,, have had it for awhile now, & dropped a set of Fender SCN's in it, & i'm really satisfied with the tone & playability. So much so, that after picking up the Affinity, i dumped my '99 Dlx Am Jazz 5er. The Affinity actually feels better & the neck & action is much better, IMO of course, while YMMV.

DSCF0003-2.jpg

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#35
How heavy are those VM Jazz basses? I have a MIM Fender now, but it's kind of a boat anchor...and it's Midnight Blue, which I like but the rest of the family harasses me about being purple (a color I dislike for reasons those in the Pacific NW will understand when viewing my avatar). I really like the VM look with maple neck and black blocks, with the natural body. I'll bet mine would make a decent trade....
 
#38
Muddslide said:
Didn't really seem that heavy to me. At least, not in comparison to any other Jazz basses I've owned or played over the years.

The VM Telebass, on the other hand, was very light I thought.
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I actually felt the opposite. The Squire VM Jazz is solid maple and was heavier than both the Fenders as well as the Squire VM Jazz fretless, which is agathis. But I wouldn't let that keep you from buying one if you want it. Sitting down in your lap, the weight doesn't matter, and you can always put it down if it gets too heavy while standing and play another bass.
 
#39
Gotta say Cort is apparently doing a bang up job as a builder. Seems everyone is turning to them. I guess what amazes me most is that Cort's own line seems to get considerably less press than the instruments they build for other manufacturers. Would love to know more about the Cort production facilities and exactly which companies they're building for right now. Must be a heck of a non-disclosure clause in the contract they have with these big name companies.
 
#40
CraigG said:
Gotta say Cort is apparently doing a bang up job as a builder. Seems everyone is turning to them. I guess what amazes me most is that Cort's own line seems to get considerably less press than the instruments they build for other manufacturers. Would love to know more about the Cort production facilities and exactly which companies they're building for right now. Must be a heck of a non-disclosure clause in the contract they have with these big name companies.
Click to expand...

They are pretty open with the details really.

Fender(MIK's),
Squier(VM's/Delux),
G&L(Tribute),
Curbow(CortCurbow),
Conklin(GrooveTools),
Elrick(CortElrick),
Lakland(Skyline,I believe),
Avalon(Budget Line),
Ibanez(Dunno),
Schecter(Dunno),

Parkwood Guitars is a company thats owned by Cort.

I know there's more too.

Also all of the companys they buitld for, the series they make are generally very popular.
I believe Cort's own instruments are easily as good as their contracts, I would have to say that though, I own three Corts and two of their contracted Squiers! :)
 

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