NBD Squier Debut Series…

[timendous]

Mine came today! This thing... sounds like a P bass. I am very happy. I was surprised at how good it sounded with the stock strings but I love the sound and feel of tapewounds and I have a bunch of unopened sets floating around so I put some on.

My only gripe is that I was so excited to hear it with the tapewounds that I forgot to condition the fretboard while changing strings. Oh well. If it starts to bother me that's an easy process.

But, it lives up to all the hype contained within this thread. The satin finish with the sunburst looks fantastic. My guess is that it won't hold up to much punishment but I don't have an issue with it picking up some honest mojo sooner rather than later. No sharp frets. The neck feels real nice, something about that jazz width neck on a P bass. It just makes me happy. I did have to tighten the truss rod just a bit when I got it, but didn't have to crank it too much at all. Our good friend @covermego is hooking me up with a single ply aged white pickguard and I think it'll look real simple and classy on it.

I have a Wilkinson alnico V pickup already and so while changing the pickguard and pots I'm gonna put it in but honestly the stock pickup sounds really nice to me. I run through a simple preamp pedal and it sounds great.

I am thrilled with it.

 

[joeLowB]

Mine came today! This thing... sounds like a P bass. I am very happy. I was surprised at how good it sounded with the stock strings but I love the sound and feel of tapewounds and I have a bunch of unopened sets floating around so I put some on.

My only gripe is that I was so excited to hear it with the tapewounds that I forgot to condition the fretboard while changing strings. Oh well. If it starts to bother me that's an easy process.

But, it lives up to all the hype contained within this thread. The satin finish with the sunburst looks fantastic. My guess is that it won't hold up to much punishment but I don't have an issue with it picking up some honest mojo sooner rather than later. No sharp frets. The neck feels real nice, something about that jazz width neck on a P bass. It just makes me happy. I did have to tighten the truss rod just a bit when I got it, but didn't have to crank it too much at all. Our good friend @covermego is hooking me up with a single ply aged white pickguard and I think it'll look real simple and classy on it.

I have a Wilkinson alnico V pickup already and so while changing the pickguard and pots I'm gonna put it in but honestly the stock pickup sounds really nice to me. I run through a simple preamp pedal and it sounds great.

I am thrilled with it.

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Nice! Those black tapewounds do look good!

Glad your truss rod was easily adjusted. Mine took a full 1 1/2 turns to loosen and get relief.

I did oil my fretboard while I had the strings off. I've sure seen worse. The oil helped but it wasn't a massive difference. I oil my other fretboard every six months and it felt about like those.

Now we each have to get playing these finds to see how they actually perform!

.

 

[joeLowB]

Thanks to you degenerates I just ordered a Black model because my curiosity got the best of me.

Thank you. I think

Look forward to getting your reaction when it arrives!

 

[covermego]

I'm curious, for anyone who has tried both, do you prefer the Debut or Sonic P bass?

Lol, I'll let you know. I have 2 sonics due in tomorrow.

Thanks to you degenerates I just ordered a Black model because my curiosity got the best of me.

HA! Funny, because my stage name is "Lenny DeGenerative". Not only that, but I, too, like to blame everyone else for my rash and/or bad decisions!!! JK, ya know.

 

[timendous]

Thanks to you degenerates I just ordered a Black model because my curiosity got the best of me.

I bet that matte black finish would look very slick with a black pickguard

 

[Nixlix26]

I bet that matte black finish would look very slick with a black pickguard

Yes Sir, I can't decide which color Vinyl I'm going to wrap around it. I'm leaning towards Gold. I like the look on the Black and Gold Fender Kingman, unfortunately I did not like playing it. I'm not moving pickups and that mess...

 

[timendous]

Yes Sir, I can't decide which color Vinyl I'm going to wrap around it. I'm leaning towards Gold. I like the look on the Black and Gold Fender Kingman, unfortunately I did not like playing it. I'm not moving pickups and that mess...

Oh heck yeah. Gold on that finish would be sweet

 

[MadJack]

Yes Sir, I can't decide which color Vinyl I'm going to wrap around it. I'm leaning towards Gold. I like the look on the Black and Gold Fender Kingman, unfortunately I did not like playing it. I'm not moving pickups and that mess...

I like gold on black:

Not a Squier, nor is it flat finished. My Donner DPB-510BK.
(Yes, that is a Jazz bridge cover, a Precision cover wouldn't fit over the stock ridge. It looks good to me anyways.)

 

[joeLowB]

I like gold on black:
View attachment 6972588
Not a Squier, nor is it flat finished. My Donner DPB-510BK.
(Yes, that is a Jazz bridge cover, a Precision cover wouldn't fit over the stock ridge. It looks good to me anyways.)

Nice color. I'm a Purdue grad, too, our gold and black...nice

.

 

[Nixlix26]

@MadJack
Thanks for the image. Looks tasty my guy.
I usually buy from local dealer and ask them to help me with any work done to the guitars. This time I may try doing all the mods myself. First let’s see when it arrives if it’s in playable condition. Should arrive Tuesday -Thursday

 

[UNICORN BASS]

To timendous with the tapewounds, did you have to file the nut to accommodate the tapes? Just curious. Oh, and congrats, now i have gas!

 

[timendous]

I did not have to widen the nut. Actually, they fit in there very nicely. That being said, tapewounds vary in size significantly by brand. I used Fender tapewounds, so if you go Labella or D'Addario, I can't guarantee that they will fit.

 

[covermego]

Allrighty, I just returned from a road trip to Idaho. Received the yellow and green Sonics while I was gone.
I haven't dissected these like I did the original Dakota Red model I had earlier, but got a few numbers: Neck heel width is almost identical at 2.481 - 2.485". The Pocket thickness and neck thickness are almost identical. One thing I noticed: the Debut series bridge is scooted towards the neck approx .130" . I guess I'll have to measure the overall length of the neck pocket on both. And, if you have a close look, you can see the pickup placement on both series, just confirming the Sonics as being more to Fender spec than the Debut series....although, as stated numerous times here, nothing that can't be remedied easily when you change out the pickguard.
I'm sure glad a lot of folks here had no fret sprout...... The Graffiti Yellow Sonic and the Matte Black Debut have a pretty good amount. The Lime Green Sonic has it just barely. I'll just get the ols files out and go at it.
Weights: Lime Green Sonic: 8lb 7oz
Graffiti Yellow Sonic: 8lb 1oz
Matte Black Debut: 8lb 5oz

I had plans for the black one.... and may still. As for the yellow and green precisions........ not sure. Don't be surprised if you find some parts on TB classified, Ebay and Reverb, lol.

 

[joeLowB]

Allrighty, I just returned from a road trip to Idaho. Received the yellow and green Sonics while I was gone.
I haven't dissected these like I did the original Dakota Red model I had earlier, but got a few numbers: Neck heel width is almost identical at 2.481 - 2.485" Pocket thickness and neck thickness are almost identical. One thing I noticed: the Debut series bridge is scooted towards the neck approx .130" . I guess I'll have to measure the overall length of the neck pocket on both. And, if you have a close look, you can see the pickup placement on both series, just confirming the Sonics as being more to Fender spec than the Debut series....although, as stated numerous times here, nothing that can't be remedied easily when you change out the pickguard.
I'm sure glad a lot of folks here had no fret sprout...... The Graffiti Yellow Sonic and the Matte Black Debut have a pretty good amount. The Lime Green Sonic has it just barely. I'll just get the ols files out and go at it.
Weights: Lime Green Sonic: 8lb 7oz
Graffiti Yellow Sonic: 8lb 1oz
Matte Black Debut: 8lb 5oz

I had plans for the black one.... and may still. As for the yellow and green precisions........ not sure. Don't be surprised if you find some parts on TB classified, Ebay and Reverb, lol.


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Now, that's a haul! You are now the world expert at breaking down Fender's new Chinese P Basses! Great stuff, enjoy getting to know these new friends!!

.

 

[covermego]

Now, that's a haul! You are now the world expert at breaking down Fender's new Chinese P Basses! Great stuff, enjoy getting to know these new friends!!

Wow, I'm honored, lol! However, the 2 Sonics are from Indonesia. I've kind of gotten used to Indonesian-crafted basses having fret sprout, but now I am experiencing this issue with the China manufactured basses; both the Debut series and the new Affinity Jaguar basses. Of course, it's very hot here in Redding, CA (set an all-time high last Saturday - 119 deg f) with single-digit humidity, so I'm sure that may be contributing to sprout. No worries - I can knock 'em down pretty quick.....

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Wow, I'm honored, lol! However, the 2 Sonics are from Indonesia. I've kind of gotten used to Indonesian-crafted basses having fret sprout, but now I am experiencing this issue with the China manufactured basses; both the Debut series and the new Affinity Jaguar basses. Of course, it's very hot here in Redding, CA (set an all-time high last Saturday - 119 deg f) with single-digit humidity, so I'm sure that may be contributing to sprout. No worries - I can knock 'em down pretty quick.....

Well, all other things aside, I sure like the color on that yellow one!

 

[joeLowB]

Wow, I'm honored, lol! However, the 2 Sonics are from Indonesia. I've kind of gotten used to Indonesian-crafted basses having fret sprout, but now I am experiencing this issue with the China manufactured basses; both the Debut series and the new Affinity Jaguar basses. Of course, it's very hot here in Redding, CA (set an all-time high last Saturday - 119 deg f) with single-digit humidity, so I'm sure that may be contributing to sprout. No worries - I can knock 'em down pretty quick.....

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.

Brutal heat indeed...likely didn't help the wood. A little TLC plus A/C and they should calm down
.

 

[timendous]

Allrighty, I just returned from a road trip to Idaho. Received the yellow and green Sonics while I was gone.
I haven't dissected these like I did the original Dakota Red model I had earlier, but got a few numbers: Neck heel width is almost identical at 2.481 - 2.485". The Pocket thickness and neck thickness are almost identical. One thing I noticed: the Debut series bridge is scooted towards the neck approx .130" . I guess I'll have to measure the overall length of the neck pocket on both. And, if you have a close look, you can see the pickup placement on both series, just confirming the Sonics as being more to Fender spec than the Debut series....although, as stated numerous times here, nothing that can't be remedied easily when you change out the pickguard.
I'm sure glad a lot of folks here had no fret sprout...... The Graffiti Yellow Sonic and the Matte Black Debut have a pretty good amount. The Lime Green Sonic has it just barely. I'll just get the ols files out and go at it.
Weights: Lime Green Sonic: 8lb 7oz
Graffiti Yellow Sonic: 8lb 1oz
Matte Black Debut: 8lb 5oz

I had plans for the black one.... and may still. As for the yellow and green precisions........ not sure. Don't be surprised if you find some parts on TB classified, Ebay and Reverb, lol.


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Interested to hear thoughts and comparison between the two series. Where do you notice the differences, positive or negative?

 

[covermego]

Interested to hear thoughts and comparison between the two series. Where do you notice the differences, positive or negative?

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!

 

[covermego]

Well, all other things aside, I sure like the color on that yellow one!

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!