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Low-end Fender, or a high-end Squier?

#41
Joe164 said:
There is a problem if Squiers stand up to MIA guitars in quality. But regardless, they do.
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How so? I hope you're not making that blanket statement based on the video you posted, because that's clearly not what is said.

First, the Fenders that Ed tested were a 1988 Fender Japan P, a CS '64 Jazz and a '51 RI, built in Japan. None of these are current MIA Fender models, so I'm not sure how you make the leap in logic that these basses are somehow representative of the new crop of MIAs...especially since two of them were built in Japan, and one of them is over 20 years old.

Also, I've watched that video a number of times, and I don't see any instance of Ed making a comparison of quality between Squier and Fender. He simply plays the basses back to back. Did the Squiers sound good? They sure did. But were they as nice to play as the Fenders? Was the build quality the same? Was the hardware comparable? Did the CV Jazz neck feel as good as the one on the '64 CS? Well, I don't know, because Ed never addresses that, and IMO there's not enough information given in the video to even begin to make that judgement call.

I understand that you may feel certain Squiers are built just as well as any MIM or MIA that you've played. That's definitely your opinion, and that in itself is fine. I think it is misleading, however, to take that opinion and make broad generalizations about the quality of an entire instrument line, and then post it as fact.
 
#42
The classic vibes get enough praise around here that they could be the best choice for many. If one is planning to upgrade pups and maybe electronics with active Id diff say get upper end squire so long as it has great fretwork. Also if one has a preferred body wood the other doesnt come with, then get the one with the preferred body wood. Again so long as fretwork is excellent. I say this partly because last time I examined a bunch of american and import fenders about equal amounts of each had fretwork issues.
 
#43
Or, you can get a mid-range Squender.

I've played a CV Jazz, dig it more than VM Jazz. A good set up will usually put a Squier and a Fender MIM on the same level. Other than the construction and the parts - the resale value might be a bit better on the CVs. Just my opinion though.

That being said, there is no high end Squier per se.
 
#44
ghostdog93 said:
Depends on your point of view. If "smart shopping" means asking the unanswerable "which is better" comparison question on a forum board, and having completely subjective replies influence your purchasing decision, have at it. In the end, it's your money.

Personally, I would think that your own opinion about what bass to buy - based on your needs and budget, as well as perspectives generated by some hands-on playing - would be the way to go. As they say, YMMV.
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The OP asked for the opinions of others. If he were solid in his decision to follow his own opinion, he wouldn't have posted here. Furthermore, he asked a pretty straightforward question, and has gotten a lot of hot air as a result. Simple opinion question: who prefers high-end Squier, who prefers low-end Fender. Not a silly question to have asked, and even if it has been endlessly debated on TB before, no crime in posting a new thread about it. Last I checked, the OP didn't say "I'm looking for a new Fender-ish bass and I'm really open to all the different makers, price points and the diversity of the used market, so throw your myriad unhelpful suggestions at me!"

Stay on topic, folks, and if you don't have something helpful to contribute, don't post. The best way to discourage a post you don't like is to abstain from replying.

My own subjective experience: I've been impressed with Squier CV, and unimpressed with MIM. Good luck.
 
#45
wideyes said:
The OP asked for the opinions of others. If he were solid in his decision to follow his own opinion, he wouldn't have posted here. Furthermore, he asked a pretty straightforward question, and has gotten a lot of hot air as a result. Simple opinion question: who prefers high-end Squier, who prefers low-end Fender. Not a silly question to have asked, and even if it has been endlessly debated on TB before, no crime in posting a new thread about it. Last I checked, the OP didn't say "I'm looking for a new Fender-ish bass and I'm really open to all the different makers, price points and the diversity of the used market, so throw your myriad unhelpful suggestions at me!"

Stay on topic, folks, and if you don't have something helpful to contribute, don't post. The best way to discourage a post you don't like is to abstain from replying.

My own subjective experience: I've been impressed with Squier CV, and unimpressed with MIM. Good luck.
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Can we start talking about SX basses now? ;) :hiding:
 
#46
wideyes said:
The OP asked for the opinions of others. If he were solid in his decision to follow his own opinion, he wouldn't have posted here. Furthermore, he asked a pretty straightforward question, and has gotten a lot of hot air as a result. Simple opinion question: who prefers high-end Squier, who prefers low-end Fender. Not a silly question to have asked, and even if it has been endlessly debated on TB before, no crime in posting a new thread about it. Last I checked, the OP didn't say "I'm looking for a new Fender-ish bass and I'm really open to all the different makers, price points and the diversity of the used market, so throw your myriad unhelpful suggestions at me!"
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Actually, the original post was: "Which would be better, one of the most expensive Squiers or one of the least expensive Fenders?". Without stating any personal preferences, or giving any other quantifying information about the basses, the question as it stands is rather vague.

Be that as it may, it's already been pointed out by more than a few respondents that playing the instruments in question and making his own decisions on what's best might be a better way to go. I hardly think that's hot air, or dismissive. IMO, it's simply the most correct answer to a rather generic question on a subjective topic. Let's face it, you may like the CVs, I may like the CVs, but that means nothing if the OP hates glossy neck finishes. He won't know until he plays it.

I stand by my previous post - if the OP wants to make a purchasing decision based in part from answers to this sort of post, that's his choice. Yes, he did ask for the opinions of others, but again, the only opinion that matters about what bass to buy is your own. Like it or not, that's valid advice.
 
#47
wideyes said:
My own subjective experience: I've been impressed with Squier CV, and unimpressed with MIM. Good luck.
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Me, too. As I've said many times, I've found great examples of Squiers, and lousy ones (owned one of each, too); I've also found great MIM and MIA Fenders, and lousy ones. Pick carefully, and the CV Squier is the better value, and is, IME, a better built instrument than the MIM. Other people have had other experiences, and I won't negate them, but the Squiers are generally very well built, as long as you stay away from the Affinity series.
 
#48
ghostdog93 said:
I understand that you may feel certain Squiers are built just as well as any MIM or MIA that you've played. That's definitely your opinion, and that in itself is fine. I think it is misleading, however, to take that opinion and make broad generalizations about the quality of an entire instrument line, and then post it as fact.
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In my case, I prefer to play my Squier CV 60s P over my 2008 MIA P. The MIA has the edge in tuners, the CV in playability and feel. That said, the CV has never had a problem staying in tune. Also, the MIA has about a $700 edge in price ;).
 
#49
bassgod76 said:
Can we start talking about SX basses now? ;) :hiding:
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Hah! I've actually been glad to see the SX fever die down a bit on TB, as so many people (myself included) bought them, modded them, got excited for a minute, then came back to the inevitable realization that they're cheap crap. It's funny - even Chunger's SX megathread ended with him pursuing an OEM run for his own line direct from China. Polishing turds and whatnot.
 
#51
To answer the OP, I would go high-end Squier over low-end MIM. They just look all around nicer.

Now, usually when folks with a $200.00 budget start preaching how the Squier/MIM is better than MIA, follow a few of their posts in different threads, and you will discover their questions or comments about replacing most of the hardware and electronics come next payday...

Pride can be a bitch. Just find a good bass that has the look and feel that suits you, have it set up by a professional (frets leveled, ect..), and start searching for the STRINGS that sound the way you like. Yes, strings have more to do with tone than anything else you can change on a bass.

All IMHO, of course.
 
#52
meatwad said:
To answer the OP, I would go high-end Squier over low-end MIM. They just look all around nicer...

...and start searching for the STRINGS that sound the way you like. Yes, strings have more to do with tone than anything else you can change on a bass.
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+1,000,000

I actually had to custom-order the strings I want, but it's worth it...
 

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