New Squier? Or used Fender?

[Adam Bomb]

Say you were in the market for another P-bass. You had it narrowed down to a brand-new Squier and a used Fender. You could get the Squier for $200 and the Fender for $500. You’re not fussy about tone, and they both sound good to you (i.e., they sound like P-basses).

In that situation, what would be the reason(s) for getting the Fender? I am not fussy about tone (within limits), don’t care about brand names, love warranties, and worry about electronic failures. All of that says to me to pick the Squier. But what am I missing?

Again, in this situation, my ears have no preference.

--Bomb

 

[jazznfusion]

MIM fenders arent all that great. i would spend it on a squire, i like the VM jazz, i dont know about the style P.

 

[DeivoxCarnal]

as long as you don't care about the opinions of the gear snobs go for the newer squiers.
The CV and VM are really nice, and I think they could fool a lot of people in a blind "taste test"

 

[ModuMan]

I compared the Squier Classic Vibe and the Fender MIM at GC and I walked out with the Squier.

I preferred the Squier's Fiesta Red color and I liked its bridge better. I thought they felt comparable and even tone-wise I didn't think they were far apart. But I couldn't see how the Fender was $150 better in any way. And, like I said, I preferred the Fiesta Red color.

 

[jazznfusion]

Invalid Link Removed
This is the VM p bass.

 

[Batmensch]

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This is the VM p bass.

Yeah, that's the one I have, I love it. I would say, if you like the safety of the warranty ,get the new Squier. Even if you don't car about warranties, I would say get the new Squier. I've heard many more complaints about MIM basses than I have Squiers.

 

[notverygood]

I just bought the Squier Jaguar after trying every bass GC had. IMO there's no way a MIM Fender is worth the extra money. The MIA and the Fender Jaguar are worth the price I think, if your budget goes that high.

 

[Peepaleep]

I've played about 10 Squires and none have impressed me. Take your time - you can find used MIA P basses for $600 - $700. For twice the money you get 10 times the bass.

 

[Duke21]

I've the CV p-bass. Went for it after trying a MIM one which felt cheaper then the CV.

Sent from my iPod touch using TalkBass

 

[Batmensch]

I've played about 10 Squires and none have impressed me. Take your time - you can find used MIA P basses for $600 - $700. For twice the money you get 10 times the bass.

10 times?
Not even close.
I'll take the many hundreds of tesimonials of satisfied Squier owners I've read (including my own) over your measly 10 tries.

 

[Duke21]

I've played about 10 Squires and none have impressed me. Take your time - you can find used MIA P basses for $600 - $700. For twice the money you get 10 times the bass.

The OP is talking about a bass for 200$ not 600$. And there is no way the MIA p bass is 10 times better then the CV p bass.

Sent from my iPod touch using TalkBass

 

[RBX4]

10 times?
Not even close.
I'll take the many hundreds of tesimonials of satisfied Squier owners I've read (including my own) over your measly 10 tries.

Wow relax on this guy, every1's different, I own a squier vm jazz with emgs and a Badass bridge, it rocks socks!!!

 

[jefwho]

I was out bass shopping last week and i will tell you that CV P bass is the bees knees!! I must have played half a dozen of them in various shops and they all felt great. Better than SOME of the mim P's.

 

[JSK5String]

Close your eyes, have somebody hand you one, play it. Do the same thing with the other one. Buy the one that makes your ears and hands smile the most. Who cares what it says on the headstock. That's how I ended up with my '02 MIM 5-string Jazz. It sounded and felt better than all of the MIA Fenders and Squires in the shop at the time. I bought a '10 MIA P last year.

Don't let any gear snobs or any of us TB'ers tell you what to buy, stick to your guns, buy what you want. You'll be happier in the long run.

 

[Peepaleep]

The OP was talking about a Fender for $500, so my thoughts are to spend another $100 or so and get something that is a far better instrument. Of the Squires I've played (and one of them I had borrowed from a buddy for a week and played it a lot), about the only thing I've been impressed with was the finish. The hardware was that of a $300 bass (a couple of them couldn't stay in tune), the electronics were "OK" for what you're paying for, the fretwork was, again, on par with what you would expect for $300 new. And for that you get no case.

Is a Squire the best thing you can get for $300 new? Perhaps. But seriously folks, you cannot compare them to MIA Fenders. Everything about the MIA's is better - better finish on the fretboard, better fretwork, *much* better hardware, you'll likely get a HSC with it, better wood, and you have a bass that will hold its value over time. Try getting your $300 back for the Squier in 10 years. If you want a Squier, get on Craigs list - you can find them for $100.

 

[ulynch]

For twice the money you get 10 times the bass.

LOL. How exactly do you figure that?

Good luck finding a MIA Fender for $600, but 30 year old Squiers routinely go for over $300 on the 'bay and here in the classifieds.

Seriously, I've got two Squiers that are every bit as good in every detail you list as any MIA Fender. ("Better wood"? What exactly is that anyway?!) But you're right, no case

 

[Peepaleep]

Geez - people who like Squires can't seem to control themselves! I think it's great that you all love them. I don't think they are any better than a decent $300 bass. Why do you care what I think?

 

[SurferJoe46]

Owning both an MiM Deluxe and a few Squiers, I can't say any of them is a dud or I wouldn't have bought them in the first place.

Aurally, they are all different and I can't say I love/like/admire one more than any other in the bunch.

Physically they are all with their own charm and beauty, although I seem to gravitate toward Black/Tort nowadays.

For you? Play them all and be tickled with the one that has the best sound.

At this point in my ownership, I have no desire to sell, trade of ignore one bass in all of them. I may even be cremated with them since I am not going to give them to people who might not appreciate them as I do.

Me??? I buy new as I want to actually be the only owner, and not a step-owner.

 

[notverygood]

I've played about 10 Squires and none have impressed me. Take your time - you can find used MIA P basses for $600 - $700. For twice the money you get 10 times the bass.

The only MIA Fender selling for 600 bucks is a broken one.

 

[Billy3000]

If you like the cheaper one as much as the more expensive one then why would you even ask? Get the cheap one!