Jazz Bass Comparisons @ GC Today. Another Squier Convert.

[TonyP-]

I've been convinced for some time now that my next purchase will be a post 2008 American Standard Fender Jazz. I had a chance today to pop into GC today to try one, among others:

1) New Fender American Standard Jazz - very nice neck - I liked the rolled edges. Tone was good, but not overly defined. It seemed a little dark/muffled to me. Weight was average. Finish was excellent (sunburst). $1,399

2) New Fender MIM FSR Jazz (natural) - suprisingly lighter than the American bass and a little clearer at the top end of the tone. It was all downhill from there. The neck had poor fretwork and was sharp at the edges. The hardware was not impressive and the pickups made a horrible "thump" noise if you slapped (lightly) anywhere near them. They were NOT raised higher than normal. $599

3) Squier VM 70's Jazz (natural) - very light with a neck that was far slimmer than the others (like a Geddy Lee model). I was surprised to find a high gloss finish on the neck, as opposed to the satin finish that earlier models had. The frets, blocks and binding were, i dare say, perfect. The pups were very clear and lacked the "thump" issues that the MIM had. The wood selection was mediocre, with two different shades used. The bass was light and comfortable. $299

In summary, had this been a blind test drive i would have chosen the Squier. The slim neck just felt faster and more comfortable. The pickups were perfectly "jazz" sounding to me, and over all it was just a sharp looking instrument that I would not hesitate to gig with. I think that my GAS is now set on a natural Squier VM 77 Jazz, only because I prefer the white blocks and binding. Otherwise it appears to be the same bass that I tried today.

I would choose the same
Throw some Nordstrands in that puppy and a nice bridge and you will be stoked

 

[king_biscuit]

Coming from someone who worked in a music store for about 10 years while in college/grad school, with the exception of weight and sharp fret ends) I would chalk all of this up to setup/string quality. No offense to anyone, but in my rather vast experience, most players -- good players too -- can't tell the difference in setup/string life/quality and real issues.

 

[TonyP-]

I play Lulls and still would rather have your "average" VM Squire over your average MIA jazz basses.
Straight dope

 

[DieterVDW]

I had the opposite experience: I went into my local musicstore fully intending to buy a Squier VM Jazz (mostly based on rave reviews here on TB), but upon playing it I didn't like the tone that much. Sounded very trebly heavy to me. I wouldn't mind that though if the bass thump was there, however nope...
I have a Yamaha BB425X which I have the same complaint about: not a bad tone, but the fundamental bass thump just isn't that strong. When cranked I cannot seem to get the bass attack to cut through the mix and blend with the kickdrum. Strange.
I particularly paid attention to make sure that I tested all basses at the same volume level (on the same Ampeg micro stack), however I just judged this by ear, so I might have deceived myself. But still... Could not find that nice bass attack.

Then I ended up comparing with a MIM Standard, MIA Standard and MIA New Standard:
- MIM: Thump was there! Felt a lot familiar and more pleasing to me
- MIA Standard: Even better, strong fundamental thump + nice pleasing highs that were missing on the MIM
- MIA New Standard: Whoa! I LOVE those CS60 pickups! Invalid Link Removed!

Eventually I didn't buy anything at the shop, but a bit later stumbled on a great 2nd hand but barely used MIA Standard which I got a great deal for and I love dearly! Put CS60 pickups in the MIA and the original MIA pickups in my MIM Jazz fretless. Both very nice upgrades!

What suprised me the most about the MIA was the flawless intonation: when tuned right I can play a chord anywhere without any warble or slight oscillation because of minute intonation issues. Very impressed!
Never before played a guitar/bass with such good intonation!

Some bragpics:

( (c) Jens De Haes )

 

[Twocan]

I went to a diff GC tonight looking for a 77. Again, I A-B'ed a VM jazz and an American Standard jazz. I still pick the VM. This is just my personal taste. Set-up and strings were not a factor between all the diff models i've tried - all have been very consistent. The VM def needs a better bridge though.

 

[zeffbeff]

I've recently been down this road, and for the life of me I simply cannot fathom how Squier can be concluded to be superior to fender MIA.

I honest to God can't comprehend it, in my experience. It's like saying a McRib is better than a finely prepared rack of ribs.

Maybe it's a cost thing, idk.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

We are all the beneficiaries of the CNC revolution in manufacturing that has produced so many really well made instruments in the sub-$500 range, its like a big low budget candy store out there. Big jumps in price can yield (IMHO) some pretty small incremental improvements in tone and playability, but that is , of course, endlessly arguable. I think the Squire VM series is a fantastic deal right now, let's hope Fender doesn't notice how well they are selling and jack up the price!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

zeffbeff
I don't think the Squiers are better made than the MIA, they clearly are not, comparison to MIM gets a little more iffy. I think the real question is if the substantial cost differential produces commensurate improvements in tone and playability, again, endlessly arguable. You have concluded that the price difference is worth it to you, legions of other perfectly rational open-eared players have arrived at a different conclusion, its all good.

 

[Mastermold]

I've never liked Squiers much in person. They look great on the computer monitor or in a magazine photo but in person they always feel cheap. I prefer the Fender AV and CS basses for my taste.

 

[TonyP-]

The 70 VMs for the past couple of years have a fully lacquered neck and prefer the soft maple over alder it has that hard ash vibe to me like a real 70s.
This right there alone does it for me.

Neck wise the fret work appears the same to me.

 

[Twocan]

Just dropped my Xmas doe on a VM 77 Jazz in Amber (natural). I called GC (888-680-1703) and asked for the "bottom line price" - they impressed me!!

 

[placedesjardins]

I went to Guitar Center, but no videotaping. Rather than compare apples to oranges, I just checked out Squier bass guitars. Played all of them through the same amp and same EQ settings.

First was a Jaguar Vintage Modified Special. Frets and neck were okay, action was too high, pickups were okay. The short scale made it feel easier to move around, especially with my medium size fingers. This is worth recommending to beginning children and adult students. Finish was nice, gloss black with black pickguard. I like the volume and tone knobs.
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Second was a Jazz Bass Vintage Modified, 4 -string, rosewood fretboard. Frets and neck were okay, action was too high, pickups were okay. Same tone as the Jaguar. If a technician could adjust the bridge, it would make a difference. The strings were a mile high at the twelfth fret (exaggeration). It wasn't fun to play.
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Third was a Bronco, 4 -string, maple fretboard. Frets were awful and needed the edges to be smoothed out. Action was high too. Is the same dude adjusting these or do they come from China like this? The back of the neck profile was nice, for me. I really liked it. Satin finish. I was caressing it lovingly like a spanish guitar... I've said too much already. The pick-ups were okay. I would recommend it to a beginner. Paint job was flawless. Pickguard was nice and boring. Jack and pots were solidly installed. Chrome bridge, knobs and tuning keys are boring looking but it is what it is. This is not for intermediate or expert players unless you are in a GWAR-type show and will be smashing the bass or coating it with fake slime and fake blood during the show.
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Fourth was a Jazz Bass Vintage Modified V, 5-string, maple fretboard with black block inlays and binding. The action was low. Really nice feel. Pick-ups were okay. Neck was nice. Frets were much better than the others. Binding and fretboard inlays makes it look worth way more. This was the nicest of the four. I've played a 4-string in the past. Same action, feel and tone.
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They didn't have any Classic Vibe Jazz Bass guitars, so that was a bummers.