New Classic Vibe Basses really that bad?

[Ralferator]

Im likely someone who helped cause some of that confusion for you. The current, Indo CVs are not bad basses. In general, they are actually quite good and punch above their price point. They are a good and safe buy.

The Chinese CVs, however, were real sleepers that punched up into MIJ and MIA territory. Their only weakness, IME, were their electronics. My Chinese CV Telecaster (guitar) is just as nice as my MIA Strat and Les Paul in all regards but its switch. That will eventually need replacing.

I just don’t think that’s true from the experiences I made. The American Standard Basses i got in my hands just felt higher quality to me. Maybe first a little boring but in the band mix they worked better for me. They might not all have been built perfectly but the materials and tones I could get from them seemed just more solid. I agree that the Chinese Classic Vibes were quite nice though, but not close to any Greco or Tokai or Squier JV i played. If the Indonesian ones are not the same quality then I would rather try to find a good Player Series P Bass or an old Japanese Greco or even Ibanez RB. But from what I read here now some people think they are just as good as the Chinese ones. From which production year were the Indonesian ones you tried?
What made them less good than the Chinese ones you tried?

For me I don’t care if the neck pocket is 100% tight or the painting is perfect. I care more for a stable and perfectly fretted neck, good playability and tone

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I just don’t think that’s true from the experiences I made. The American Standard Basses i got in my hands where just better made and felt better to me. I agree that they were quite nice though. But if the Indonesian ones are not the same quality then I would rather try to find a good Player Series P Bass or an old Japanese Greco or even Ibanez RB. But from what I read here now some people think they are just as good as the Chinese ones. From which production year were the Indonesian ones you tried?
What made them less good than the Chinese ones you tried?

Anything from the past 3 years. I almost always grab a Squier when I stop in GC.

To me, the Indos have the same issues I tend to find with MIM Fenders: rougher fret ends, sometimes issues at the nut, tuners not turning smoothly or keeping pitch, etc. Of course, this isn’t reflective of every Indo Squier. I’ve played a few Anniversary models that were basically perfect.

Since you seem very interested in finding a perfect instrument, your best bet is trying a few in person.

 

[Ralferator]

Anything from the past 3 years. I almost always grab a Squier when I stop in GC.

To me, the Indos have the same issues I tend to find with MIM Fenders: rougher fret ends, sometimes issues at the nut, tuners not turning smoothly or keeping pitch, etc. Of course, this isn’t reflective of every Indo Squier. I’ve played a few Anniversary models that were basically perfect.

Since you seem very interested in finding a perfect instrument, your best bet is trying a few in person.

I might have to order 2 or 3 and see if one of them is good. Sadly where I live you can’t try out a few in a shop and they are 2,5 times the price here in Brazil. But I might try out some when I go visit Germany next year. But even there the bigger shops where you can try out a few in person got rare. It’s all about ordering from Thomann and sending back

 

[Ralferator]

I just have to say that this Fender Player P bass sounds super sweet. I wouldn’t even care for some sharp fret ends for that sound and just get them repaired by a local luthier. (At least labor is cheaper here) I don’t think any Classic Vibe or Matt Freeman I tried could compete with that.

 

[Robot.G]

More people will complain about issues than people who will sing praises.

I've bought 5 Squier and 3 Fender MIM instruments over the last few years. All were ordered online so I didn't try any of them before I bought them. 8 instruments total is still a pretty small sample, but I haven't seen a whole lot of difference between Squier and MIM quality myself. Some need setups and fretwork, but that's to be expected from any production instrument. The most expensive MIM guitar was actually the most disappointing of the bunch. And interestingly the Squier guitar with the roasted neck developed fret sprout which I found surprising. I think my Squier Rascal bass is the best of the bunch.

Overall, I believe that the cost of an instrument isn't always a good indicator of a good playing instrument.

 

[Bass Jones]

I played a few Indonesian Squier CV P basses in Guitar Center a few weeks ago and they played fantastic I thought. Setup was great as is. Only issue was one had a fret that had become unseated up around the 13th fret and was buzzing which would need to be repaired. It's a relatively easy fix but not something I would expect to see on a new instrument. Other than that it played just as well as the other two I tried. They seemed to be setup pretty well.

I didn't really look that closely at the hardware but I did notice there was a difference in sound between the 60s and 70s versions and I definitely preferred one over the other but can't remember which one. One just sounded more like a "P bass".

 

[jschulman]

Within the past year I bought two Squier CVs: a strat for work, and a 40th Anniversary P-bass for myself. Both had unsoldered connections - the input jack on the strat and the tone knob on the P. They were very easy fixes, and both instruments play and sound fantastic, so much so that the P has become my go-to for recording.

Two examples out of however many CVs made in a year isn't much of a sample, and I'm happy with them now that they're playable. But I don't have a great impression of their QC.

 

[Yahboy]

Awesome neck and factory fret work on CIC MF Sig neck. This is my favorite P neck. Better than 2 Player P and most Indo CV/VM i been own.

This neck actually put on different body few times, from stock Vintage white MF P body (no picture provide) > Fender Japan Sunburst 70s P body > lake placid blue Squier VM PJ body > Candy Apple Red Vm PJ body.

 

[Iristone]

They're fine. It's just the old Chinese ones have set the bar so high, the new models cannot touch it. I've heard that the new Paranormals are made in China, but not as flawlessly. The OEM factory went through a reboot which may explain.
The new CV's are similer to the old VM's. I used to own a VM Jazz, which was solid if not special.

 

[bolophonic]

Another thread where the OP seems more interested in nailing down imaginary rankings of different countries’ manufacturing capabilities than playing the bass.

 

[Yahboy]

Indo CV bass are not bad actually, they has similar QC like previous Vintage modified line, but still can beat up those discontinued CIC CV line.

I been share lot on Squier Classic Vibe club when i own my first CIC CV60P in 2012,following CV60J and Cv50P. Later with 5 Indo Cv50P personal opinion share right there.

With $279 price list, no body expect how great those CIC CV bass until they own it. I am the one who spoiled by their buid quality, playing feel , great factory fret work, durable stock machine head and price tag.

That's why i share the 2018 Fender Player P (own 2 actually )has close build quality to 2008 CIC Squier CV bass. FMIC need spend 10 years on Mexico factory to catch up those OEM China quality !!! All Player bass neck has sharp fretboard edge too. ( except player plus ).

I also call indo CV line are rebrand Vintage modified line when i side by side compare Indo Squier VM Std J / VM 70J / 77J to current indo CV 60J . Both indo VM std J and Cv60J has same neck and same ugly fretboard wood. Meanwhile , those machine head on VM bass has better quality than current CV bass .

Funny that VM 70/77J has better growl J pup compare to indo VM Std J and CV 60J.

 

[kmon]

I read here in the forum that they are not that good anymore

Keep reading, you'll find the same number of people claiming the opposite.

I'd say on balance the CVs are considered great values, regardless of where they're made.

 

[Yahboy]

off topic.


" I want a Jazz bass, but i looking for better build than current day Indo CV J with lower price tag."

Here you are, China made Bacchus BJB1RSM Jazz bass.

$260 price tag + CIC CV line build quality + slim C shape P neck-like profile + solid Roasted Maple neck.

Believe it or not, this cheapo bass has close build quality to my previous Yamaha TRBX504 and my buddy's Fender AM Perfomer J ! Factory fret work are flawless too .

With both Cort VTB-ST humcancelling J pup and CIC Squier CV bass machine head install , EB cobalt flatwound loaded , this baby just sing !

This bass actually look like this on first day.

My first mod.

Second mod. And l found she turning green.....

And i bought a cheaper version in Candy Apple Red with non roasted maple neck , swap the body, now she reduce weight from 4.2kg to 3.88kg. No tone and playing feel different after swap.

Thank for reading.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

I'd put a push/pull pot to go from parallel to series on the J that you already have. Then I'd play it in series mode for P gigs and start saving money for a better used P bass than a Classic Vibe. No, the J in series doesn't sound like a P but it will be thicker in the mids like P will and it might afford you a little breathing room to get a bass you will actually want. Money spent on a crappy instrument is wasted money.

Great advice. I have a passive fretless j with SCN pickups & the series / parallel push / pull mod gets it almost in p bass territory but definitely passable .

 

[Pocket Dave]

I recently bought an Indonesia-crafted used 2020 CV Fretless Jazz because the price was right and I got to play it first.

Pros

• Good body
• Great neck
• Not terribly heavy at 9 lbs
• Truly decent stock alnico 5 pickups. Kudos Squier - You've come light years since the pickups in my 2010 VM
• Low price new, lower price used

Cons

• Electronics - thin stranded wire, low quality dime sized pots and flimsy jack
• Tuning keys are shyte
• Not terribly light weight at 9 lbs

Personal Stuff

• Love the sunburst - classy
• Hate the light-colored fretboard
• Also not a fan of the fretboard's lack of finish & non-tight grain pattern, especially for a fretless.

SInce I bought it used, I applied leftover funds to some DIY mods, which included:

• Replacing/rewiring all electronics
• Cleaning, sanding, staining and finishing the fretboard with scratch-resistant urethane
• Replacing the pickups - wasn't a need, just a want; Again, the stock pickups are good.
• Still to upgrade: Tuners; Will probably drop in some Schaller 20:1 machine heads.

Would I recommend? Depends.

If you're looking for a bass with "good bones" for a low price, and are comfortable rewiring/soldering, replacing components, maybe applying finishes, these are great bang for the buck basses.

Or if you want a cheap play-at-home bass without modifications, they can be a value buy.

If, OTOH, you want a solid, reliable and great sounding player, and you need to pay someone else to do the mods, you'll never get that back out of it.

 

[pcake]

both my 60s CV jazz and my husband's '70s CV jazz were made in indonesia - does the C on the serial number mean the cort factory?

anyway, they're both super nice with better fit, finish and details than my MiM mustangs had. both sound great, too.

 

[elgranluis]

Some of the newer ones are actually made in china too.

 

[Jack Butler]

Can’t speak to the classic vibes but the 40th anniversary Squiers are really good.

 

[Jack Butler]

People can do what they want but I gigged a classic vibe P as my only bass for years. You can upgrade if you like but it’s more than capable of any gig on earth.

I'd put a push/pull pot to go from parallel to series on the J that you already have. Then I'd play it in series mode for P gigs and start saving money for a better used P bass than a Classic Vibe. No, the J in series doesn't sound like a P but it will be thicker in the mids like P will and it might afford you a little breathing room to get a bass you will actually want. Money spent on a crappy instrument is wasted money.

 

[BassDaddy77]

I have a pair of 2022 CV Precisions. My 60s is made in China, whereas my 70s is made in Indonesia. Both have excellent fit & finish and play well. No mods whatsoever, and still rockin' the factory strings. They sound the way I like a P bass to sound - very stereotypical, IMHO. Zero complaints here. I'd buy them both again in a heartbeat.