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Jazz bass: Squier Affinity vs Squier Classic Vibe

bassbourne

bassbourne

Nov 20, 2019
304
167
#1
Hi there,

Apologies in advance for the essay and thanks in advance to those who made it all the way through.

So I'm thinking of buying a back-up bass for travel (practicing with on holiday and perhaps even doing the odd gig with).

The two I've narrowed it down to are the following:

Squier Affinity Jazz Bass:
Invalid Link Removed
Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass (2019):
Invalid Link Removed

Initially I was leaning towards the Classic Vibe (PLEASE NOTE this is the new 2019 Indonesian made series by the way, as the older Chinese made series are harder to come by here) as I've heard good things about them and was worried about going too cheap with the Affinity. However, having done some research, it seems the Affinity has an alder body, which I like, having had issues with poplar in the past (screws stripping etc). But I have read some threads stating that the older models have alder bodies and the newer ones have poplar bodies. Can anyone confirm this? Every site I have checked so far states they have an alder body (including Fender's own). On the other hand, the Classic Vibe is listed as having a poplar body, however I have seen multiple review videos in which they state the natural color is soft maple. I am guessing they are just assuming it's soft maple due to the natural look and the fact the similar older Vintage Modified '70s jazz basses are soft maple (if I remember correctly). Does anyone know what the actual wood is? According to Fender's site it's poplar, but I have noticed a few mistakes on their website recently and figured that perhaps the black and sunburst finishes are poplar and the natural is soft maple and they forgot to correct this. Also would there be a big difference in terms of pick-ups?

Other than that, if anyone has any opinion on which of the two basses to get that would be much appreciated. I'm open to other suggestions too, such as the '60s Classic Vibe or Contemporary Jazz bass etc (as long as it's a jazz bass and preferably Squier). Obviously I'm tempted to spend as little as possible on a beater bass, but I don't want to go for the Affinity if it's going to fall apart after a few months.

Thanks!
Sam
 
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#2
There's really no comparison.
The Vintage Modified is a big step up from the Affinity and the Classic Vibe is a step up from the VM.
Find yourself either one of these and you'll be set.
Squier CV in Inca Silver or CV James Johnston model.
I regret selling mine every day. Best Squier made.
(Older models, that is.)
They're both basswood. You know, like the Musicman Bongo and other expensive basses. As for screws stripping or other supposed problems associated with basswood, well, I changed the pickguard and control panel on my old CV and had no problems...and it's not like anyone has to remove the screws on a regular basis. It's not really an issue.
Photo-Collage-20191025-212646177.jpg
 
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#3
jd56hawk said:
There's really no comparison.
The Vintage Modified is a big step up from the Affinity and the Classic Vibe is a step up from the VM.
Find yourself either one of these and you'll be set.
Squier CV in Inca Silver or CV James Johnston model.
They're both basswood. You know, like the Musicman Bongo and other expensive basses.
View attachment 3626680
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I have heard great things about those models. However, they are hard to come by here, so I'm considering the new Classic Vibe line (2019 Indonesian made). Also, I'm not expecting to spend too much or for the quality to be too high as it's just a beater bass. As long as it won't fall apart.
 
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#7
Kreepaul said:
Did you check the Harley Benton Basses?
I recently bought a Precision PB-20 and I have to say that is an excellent instrument, imho better than Squier Affinity and, in my opinion also than VM
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip! I have heard good things of Harley Benton and was considering one, however I heard they are extremely heavy which put me off slightly as I would be travelling with it.
 
#9
bassbourne said:
Thanks for the tip! I have heard good things of Harley Benton and was considering one, however I heard they are extremely heavy which put me off slightly as I would be travelling with it.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, I am sensitive to weight and I found it not so heavy, this evening I have to play with my band and weigh it so will let you know

Edit: Here's link of my bass, Upgraded it with EMG PAX pickups and it rocks!

https://www.thomann.de/it/harley_benton_pb_20_sbk_standard_series.htm
 
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#10
I highly doubt the Affinity basses are made from the true Alder we are all familiar with. I have a couple of Affinity bodies, one of which I routed a larger pickup cavity into, and the wood looked very much like pine - bright and yellowy, not brownish like Alder. They most likely use a distant cousin of alder from SE Asia.
I wouldn’t hesitate to get a CV as a backup. I have played a bunch in different stores, and all have been great examples.
I believe the black CV basses have poplar bodies, natural finish basses are maple.
 
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#13
bassbourne said:
Hi there,

Apologies in advance for the essay and thanks in advance to those who made it all the way through.

So I'm thinking of buying a back-up bass for travel (practicing with on holiday and perhaps even doing the odd gig with).

The two I've narrowed it down to are the following:

Squier Affinity Jazz Bass:
Invalid Link Removed
Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass (2019):
Invalid Link Removed

Initially I was leaning towards the Classic Vibe (PLEASE NOTE this is the new 2019 Indonesian made series by the way, as the older Chinese made series are harder to come by here) as I've heard good things about them and was worried about going too cheap with the Affinity. However, having done some research, it seems the Affinity has an alder body, which I like, having had issues with poplar in the past (screws stripping etc). But I have read some threads stating that the older models have alder bodies and the newer ones have poplar bodies. Can anyone confirm this? Every site I have checked so far states they have an alder body (including Fender's own). On the other hand, the Classic Vibe is listed as having a poplar body, however I have seen multiple review videos in which they state the natural color is soft maple. I am guessing they are just assuming it's soft maple due to the natural look and the fact the similar older Vintage Modified '70s jazz basses are soft maple (if I remember correctly). Does anyone know what the actual wood is? According to Fender's site it's poplar, but I have noticed a few mistakes on their website recently and figured that perhaps the black and sunburst finishes are poplar and the natural is soft maple and they forgot to correct this. Also would there be a big difference in terms of pick-ups?

Other than that, if anyone has any opinion on which of the two basses to get that would be much appreciated. I'm open to other suggestions too, such as the '60s Classic Vibe or Contemporary Jazz bass etc (as long as it's a jazz bass and preferably Squier). Obviously I'm tempted to spend as little as possible on a beater bass, but I don't want to go for the Affinity if it's going to fall apart after a few months.

Thanks!
Sam
Click to expand...

The CV is a lot better, imo. You can also buy used VM Jazz's all day for near the price of the affinity.

But I gotta say, of all the reasons to be picky about wood type...stripping screws, really? That's not the wood's fault, man,:roflmao:
 
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#14
I have a 2017 Affinity P Bass... It is listed as being alder, and it looked like alder when I had the neck off. It feels good to me, and I would definitely gig it.
I would likely not tour with it, at least not for long, as I am unsure of it's day to day durability in such situations. That said, I could see it holding up with attentive care.
It sounds good to me for recording and for daily play.
I have had it for a little over a year, and it gets played around an hour or so a day, pretty much every day since acquired.

I have played both VM and CV Squiers, and found them, in general, quite nice, and a step above most Affinity models.

Good luck in your search. ;)
 
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#15
Currently I regularly gig with 2 Affinities - although both are pretty heavily modified. Affinities can be hit or miss, more so than a CV. But that does not make all of them junk. Its just a generalization. On both my Affinities the necks, weight and balance are great. Fret work was really good when I got them. I think that pickups and tuners are the weak points, most of the time at least - I replaced pickups (and electronics) on both of mine and it made a huge difference. Probably less likely something you'd need to do on a CV. Both of mine have updated tuners also, although I have played Affinities where that wasn't an issue. I have replaced a lot of MIM Fender tuners also (as well as pickups), so your mileage may vary. I would just grab one that you love the feel and look of and you'll be good to go. These things will never be collectors items so if one get's trashed, replace it! We aren't talking pre-CBS Fenders here...

Good luck!
 
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#16
Dan_reeves said:
Currently I regularly gig with 2 Affinities - although both are pretty heavily modified. Affinities can be hit or miss, more so than a CV. But that does not make all of them junk. Its just a generalization. On both my Affinities the necks, weight and balance are great. Fret work was really good when I got them. I think that pickups and tuners are the weak points, most of the time at least - I replaced pickups (and electronics) on both of mine and it made a huge difference. Probably less likely something you'd need to do on a CV. Both of mine have updated tuners also, although I have played Affinities where that wasn't an issue. I have replaced a lot of MIM Fender tuners also (as well as pickups), so your mileage may vary. I would just grab one that you love the feel and look of and you'll be good to go. These things will never be collectors items so if one get's trashed, replace it! We aren't talking pre-CBS Fenders here...

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Hey Dan... quick questions. Did you find “drop in” replacement tuners for your Affinities or did you have to modify the holes? I have an Affinity PJ; I’m assuming it would have the same specs as an Affinity P. Thanks.
 
#17
Machiavelli said:
The CV is a lot better, imo. You can also buy used VM Jazz's all day for near the price of the affinity.

But I gotta say, of all the reasons to be picky about wood type...stripping screws, really? That's not the wood's fault, man,:roflmao:
Click to expand...

Haha I guess I'm using the wrong terminology... What I mean is that the wood is so soft that, when I replaced the bridge on a poplar bass, I could no longer tighten the new screws because the holes had gotten bigger. I tried the toothpick trick, but I ended using so many toothpicks that it put me off poplar. If I were to buy another poplar bass I'd just leave the original parts on it as long as they still work.
 
#18
Thanks for all the replies so far! A lot of useful info.

Just one more question. Does anyone know if this particular bass (the natural version, not the black or sunburst) is soft maple of poplar? It's the 2019 line of Classic Vibe '70s jazz basses.

Invalid Link Removed

Fender says it's poplar, but as I mentioned in my original post, I've noticed mistakes on the site before where they've listed all colours as the same wood type even though they differ. Eastcoasteddie mentioned the natural is likely soft maple, but I'm wondering if there are any owners who may know for sure?

Ta!
 
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#19
Classic Vibe used to be an easy recomendation but I don't know how these new models compare to the old ones. Since they're made in a different factory with different specs- and cost quite a bit less- they may have cut some corners. I'd like to think they're still good but I don't know for sure.

If the Affinity is still the same as a few years ago then those should be pretty good though. I love my 2015 Affinity Jbass, and it definitely has an alder body. The hardware is a bit on the cheap side but it works. Its actually similar to what you get on a MIM Fender.
 
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#20
Kipp Harrington said:
Hey Dan... quick questions. Did you find “drop in” replacement tuners for your Affinities or did you have to modify the holes? I have an Affinity PJ; I’m assuming it would have the same specs as an Affinity P. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Not drop in, exactly. I used the Gotoh FB30 tuners. Had to redrill screw holes. The ferrules were slightly smaller than stock, so I had to use a bit on ingenuity to get them to stay in place (glue). But they fit fine ultimately.

I think one of the Hipshot models are a drop in but I forget. The Gotohs were a lot cheaper and accomplished the look I wanted.
 
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