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mod a squier or just buy a fender??

#21
I have always been a BIG fan of buying a cheap bass and then modding it bit-by-bit to your exact desires.

Not the most cost-effective way to go, and there's almost no resale value...but you end up
(a) continually working on a fun project
(b) learning a lot about how an instrument is constructed
(c) learning a lot about what you actually WANT in an instrument
(d) spreading out what you spend over time
(e) having an instrument nobody else has
and most importantly
(f) getting exactly what you really want
(unless what you really want is an off-the-shelf instrument with a brand name decal on it, which I ain't knockin' if that's your bag)

Both of my main basses started their lives as Squier Vintage Modifieds.
One, (fretless), only the body wood remains.
Other (fretted), only the body wood, neck, and pickguard remain.

For the money I put into them, yeah, I could have bought a higher-end fender product...but we wouldn't have the same bond.
 
#23
Basically, you're just shopping for a Fender P bass. Your job is to play every one you see thats within your budget ( the longer you look, the higher the budget should go) until you find the one that speaks to you. You will know what it is after you get your hands on lots of different P basses with lots of different set-ups.
Modding is gambling. No guarantee that what you do will be a noticable difference and by the time you're done, you might have more in parts invested than the basses value. Wait until you get to play a bass that you really like and then you buy. Theres loads of both good and bad values out there, so try before you buy must also be included in your mantra.
 
#25


take a look at this review. It shows a "side-by-side" comparison between 3 squier CV basses and their fender counterparts. Interesting video.

edit: I thought I might add the fact that there's this reaaallllly corny segment in the beginning of the video. The part where he actually starts comparing begins at approximately 2:30. cheers.
 
#27
I may be a bit biased, but I vote for modded. . . whatever you do, spend the money to get the frets leveled and dressed by a competent tech or PLEK it. Your world will change.

I've built a few basses to save beginning players a lot of grief. . .

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=627147

My primary focus is right inside of your budget range. . . something you won't NEED to change or upgrade for the duration of your bass playing career.

SX p-bass
Nordstrand NP4 pickup
Bourns pots with Sprague .047 cap
Full copper foil shielding done right
Dunlop SS medium strings
threaded inserts and machine screws installed on neck pocket
frets hand leveled and dressed
good setup to start out on (adjust to taste and style)

Tested and verified by professionals in studio and in the field:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=627147


At this point in time, my personal opinion is do something similar to this or save some money and buy a lakland skyline and be done. The fretwork is key though. It's not done well on most production basses under $500 . . . ok, $800. . . ok $1000.
 
#28
and why do you want the duncan quarter pounder? that isnt a very great pickup. its one of those pickups that eather you love or hate. I bought one thinking id love it and its horrable in my p bass. its sitting in a box somewhere and will probably never be in one of my basses again... It just doesnt have those grindy mids that p basses are known for. I own 2 squiers and a mim fender j btw. and I would say the squires keep up with the fender jazz. I own the vm p bass and am very happy with it. I swapped out the pickup for the quarter pounder, absolutely hated it put the stock pickup back in till i could afford a nordstrand np4. that pickup is still in the bass today. I would say it plays better then my mim fender. My other squire is a 89 squier 2 pbass. it sounds great it could look better but the tone is why i bought it, Paid 80$ at guitar center a few months back. The mim fender is solid now but when i first got it. It had problems. the bridge saddles slipped and it wouldnt stay in tune. swapped out the bridge for a ba2 and hipshot tuners and its good now. but it has a glossy Finnished neck which is semi sticky. the vm p bass the neck had a satin finnish which felt way faster.
 
#29
I've been on a quest, if you will - to find the one bass that does it for me.

One in particular I didn't like was the Classic Vibe. The frets are too short and it made it very uncomfortable to play.

Those frets are tiny! If they're gonna be that short, why not just go all the way and get a fretless?

I am a big fan of my Affinity P Squier and I hated it for years ---- until I did a few simple 'things' to it and it takes a front row position in the choir.

The stocker p'ups will surprise you in how really good they can be and I don't think you'll get quantum results with yards of money to replace them. I left my original p'ups there and they are just great.

There have been some gigging pros who are impressed with it - especially when they see the headstock and then play it.

I really cannot say that I made it into a $1000.00 bass, but what I did it I'm proud of - so proud that I left the OE Squire decals and even the 1-ply cheap-o pick guard in place with the waves in it and all.

Sometimes you eat the bear - sometimes the bear eats you. You can't buy class. And just trying to get a poser bass isn't where it's at. You need soul and authority in your instrument - YOU will have to work out how to play it yourself.

I don't ever see a need or desire to sell or change much - no, make that 'anything else' on that 1997/8 Affinity. It sings and it sings with heart and makes me look and sound good.

I don't think you can ask for anything more.

<I think I have something in my eye now brb>
 

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