NBD Squier Debut Series…

[Lackey]

Well I'll be.... my hat is off to Fender.

 

[joeLowB]

Ya know, there isn't a whole lot of difference, at least with the ones I have taken delivery of. Weight-wise, they are between 8lb 1oz and 8lb 8 oz. Both series play very nice. I have noticed some backbow on the MIC Debut series, but a slight truss rod adjustment has cured that. Even the Lime Green Sonic Precision had a hint of backbow. Is that a thing as a result of being in super hot weather? That, plus the fret sprout, make me wonder.
I believe the fit and finish on both are pretty equal. Both bodies are advertised as Poplar. Kinda strange, but the Debut series does not have a "Squier" neck plate; just a blank one. Doesn't matter one way or t'other. One more thing is the strings...... The Sonic series has the D'Addario-manufactured Fender strings with the color coded string balls, while the Debut series has what I labeled "Glarry-ish" strings. Since these basses are brand new, they both sound great and I cannot tell a real difference betwixt the two. The tuners look to be the same. The string trees on the Sonics have the traditional Fender shape, while the Debut has a more rounded-off look, like on cheaper basses (go figure). All that, plus the slightly-odd dimensions on the Debut pickguard really don't add up to anything substantial, IMO.
All-in-all, both of the series look to be solidly built and can be played as-is, or great candidates for a low-cost modding platform.
I am slightly puzzled at the price difference, but I didn't hear anyone complaining before the Debut series was introduced ! The Sonics are still a good price and I got both of these at below the normal $219 price tag (Yellow = $199, Green= $175). Those were from the Fender website.
My final take on this: The Debut Series wins......for me. For $129 and free shipping, you pretty much can't go wrong. I didn't like Matte finishes until I laid my hands on both the Dakota Red and now this Black model. Haven't seen the 'Burst model, but from what others here are saying, they're winners, too. My favorite of the three? Probably Dakota Red.
That's all I got. Hope this helps someone, somewhere!

Outstanding summary from a well-informed perspective, @covermego ! This is a great service. Thanks for taking the time to compare and contrast.

I have only the Debut. Played it for over 4 hours today... loved the feel over that extended practice time. I play it publicly Thursday and Sunday...will report more then.

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[WI Short Scaler]

Lol, I figured you would, Chris. I actually thought of you when I bought this! I was envisioning orange racing stripes, an orange pickguard and an orange headstock!! A bit different from your CV Mustang, but still up your alley!! Hey! It could be a poor man's "Mononeon"!! Now that's right up MY alley!

Love the bright colors, rock it Lenny!

 

[Parzival]

Going to have to check some of these out.

 

[Nixlix26]

quick question, anybody who has the Debut p bass. Is the Neck interchangeable with other fender/ squier necks? squier classic vibe

 

[joeLowB]

quick question, anybody who has the Debut p bass. Is the Neck interchangeable with other fender/ squier necks? squier classic vibe

I have the Debut bass. Necks appear to Fender standard. That said, wood is not the same as machined metals, so not every neck-body combintatin will necessarily be a perfect fit, not requiring some sanding or swimming.

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[Nixlix26]

Step 1. Arrived in one piece. Neck feels good and everything seems to line up on first opening.

 

[joeLowB]

Step 1. Arrived in one piece. Neck feels good and everything seems to line up on first opening.

Nice! Enjoy getting to know your new bass!

 

[danzigdan]

I couldn't decide Sonic vs. Debut (and maple vs. laurel) and then the Fender website sale happened. The lime green sonic will be here Monday.

 

[Nixlix26]

I have made some bad purchases in my 40 years of mediocre guitar playing. This is not one of them. Straight out of the box when I got home and plugged it in…tuned it up…action & intonation squared up…no bad fret edges. I may have lucked out. But I instantly put some basses up for sale because this fills the void I wanted. I liked the feel of my squier bronco but never could dial in the sound I wanted. I own a squier mini P that really does punch above its size. And my other PJ style is an SX (see my avatar) I just always hated the J pickup and the input jack under the body. I own an Epiphone Embassy which is great for two things, it’s light and it brings that vintage low hum tone that fits certain songs.
This super cheap bass guitar and my first time with a full scale and slimmer neck profile… it plays way better than its price point. The volume knob really only does 0-100% but I like giving it full volume anyway. I almost want to lie and say nobody should buy this. Because now I want all the colors. Honestly I will change the pickguard color and add some old school bridge and pickup covers. But for what it costs. It really did play well right out of the box. The Matte finish is actually very nice. And it feels light. Thank you fine people for helping me spend some Amazon points. More pics to come. I’m still waiting on the PG color. Gold, Black or Mint green
Cheers y’all

 

[joeLowB]

I have made some bad purchases in my 40 years of mediocre guitar playing. This is not one of them. Straight out of the box when I got home and plugged it in…tuned it up…action & intonation squared up…no bad fret edges. I may have lucked out. But I instantly put some basses up for sale because this fills the void I wanted. I liked the feel of my squier bronco but never could dial in the sound I wanted. I own a squier mini P that really does punch above its size. And my other PJ style is an SX (see my avatar) I just always hated the J pickup and the input jack under the body. I own an Epiphone Embassy which is great for two things, it’s light and it brings that vintage low hum tone that fits certain songs.
This super cheap bass guitar and my first time with a full scale and slimmer neck profile… it plays way better than its price point. The volume knob really only does 0-100% but I like giving it full volume anyway. I almost want to lie and say nobody should buy this. Because now I want all the colors. Honestly I will change the pickguard color and add some old school bridge and pickup covers. But for what it costs. It really did play well right out of the box. The Matte finish is actually very nice. And it feels light. Thank you fine people for helping me spend some Amazon points. More pics to come. I’m still waiting on the PG color. Gold, Black or Mint green
Cheers y’all

Terrific! Glad that played so well.for you out of the box.

Do you still have the stock strings?


Keep dialing it in!

 

[Nixlix26]

Terrific! Glad that played so well.for you out of the box.

Do you still have the stock strings?


Keep dialing it in!

Yes still stock strings. I have some EB's that will be going on when I start the pickguard operation. Finding time between work and kids is the only hold up.
But like I wrote. I was very pleasantly surprise with how it played out of the box after just a tune up.

 

[covermego]

quick question, anybody who has the Debut p bass. Is the Neck interchangeable with other fender/ squier necks? squier classic vibe

Hi - Post #107 shows where I set a 2005 Affinity P bass neck into the pocket.... and it fit nicely. However, if you look at the pic of the Affinity neck heel, you'll see where you'd have to plug/re-drill holes for correct alignment. That part is pretty easy and with the experience of CV necks, I'm 99.9% sure they'd drop in ..... as long as you're willing to re-drill. Soooooo many possibilities! I'm still tempted to graft an Affinity Jaguar neck (32" scale) onto my Matte Black body. A high mass bridge will cover where I would have to barely scoot the bridge forward, lol. Oooooh! Black body/pickguard and Maple neck!!!

 

[covermego]

Ok...my bad. I somehow thought both the Sonic and Debut series were coming out of China but thru different marketing channels. Wrong on the first, right on the second...batting .500, lol.
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Looking back over these posts, I remembered about the Sonic Bronco Basses being manufactured in both China and Indonesia, depending on what color you order. Not sure if it's still that way, but that could be where the reference to China originated. So.......... let me get my calculator out and re-figure your batting average.....................

 

[joeLowB]

Yes still stock strings. I have some EB's that will be going on when I start the pickguard operation. Finding time between work and kids is the only hold up.
But like I wrote. I was very pleasantly surprise with how it played out of the box after just a tune up.

Ah, yes, kids and work...they both matter

Your comment about the volume control is useful. On mine, works over the full rotation but biggest change is the last quarter turn. The tone knob, interestingly, has full range on mine. If it was important, that would be fixable. Not sure it is to me yet.

Play it for the first time in a band rehearsal this evening. Keen to hear how it fits/ doesn't fit in that mix. Or if anyone notices I have a different bass!

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[Nixlix26]

Ah, yes, kids and work...they both matter

Your comment about the volume control is useful. On mine, works over the full rotation but biggest change is the last quarter turn. The tone knob, interestingly, has full range on mine. If it was important, that would be fixable. Not sure it is to me yet.

Play it for the first time in a band rehearsal this evening. Keen to hear how it fits/ doesn't fit in that mix. Or if anyone notices I have a different bass!

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Same with my vol & tone knobs. The tone has full range. The Volume really only changes the last quarter turn. Then I plugged in a new higher priced cable and used a boost pedal. That seemed to allow me to have more volume control.

 

[timendous]

Ah, yes, kids and work...they both matter

Your comment about the volume control is useful. On mine, works over the full rotation but biggest change is the last quarter turn. The tone knob, interestingly, has full range on mine. If it was important, that would be fixable. Not sure it is to me yet.

Play it for the first time in a band rehearsal this evening. Keen to hear how it fits/ doesn't fit in that mix. Or if anyone notices I have a different bass!

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Looking forward to the report!

 

[2thAche]

If you have to rout the body to move the pickup, I'd just do it

 

[BHaev]

My debut precision is now up to 5 live performances via myself and another bass player at my church. Still stock other than the strings. Playing thru pedal board direct to house. Sounding really good and feels great. Kept my Fender American Jazz on the stand as a backup, but not needed. The Debut is definitely gigable.

 

[joeLowB]

My debut precision is now up to 5 live performances via myself and another bass player at my church. Still stock other than the strings. Playing thru pedal board direct to house. Sounding really good and feels great. Kept my Fender American Jazz on the stand as a backup, but not needed. The Debut is definitely gigable.

Excellent. Significant two of you have played it.

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