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New Squier? Or used Fender?

#23
I needed a practice bass asap, so I grabbed a Squire for $200
which is what we all spend on pedals and other stuff. When I finally had my Fender P Bass Amer ($1100) , I sold it for $100 to a friend that needed a bass. I don't miss it but it did the job as a fill in and recorded ok as well. This topic is always talked to death here but its 5 am and I'm ouit...........:cool:
 
#24
I do wonder if Squier lovers love Squiers because they're licensed Fender designs that are good at the price, or because they're really the best basses for the price, beating out all other competitors.

I'm going to go with the Leo Fender connection here. If they made yet another $300 bass that looked sleek and modern, or if they had a similar design but an ugly headstock, somehow I don't think they'd be remarkable.

Anyway, I'm a Squier lover. I'm a sucker for Fender designs.
 
#25
Peepaleep said:
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.
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Well, yes, but I think that when he said used Fender, then he meant a used MIM bass which will not cost much more than a new Squier.
Anyway, I have a MIJ Geddy Jazz, which is very very well made. The CV Squier is not in the level of the Geddy in terms of finish, but not far behind.
The Squier CV have just as nice p-bass tone as other MIM p-bass's I've tried. One thing is sure, in the mix you will be very pressed to hear if it is a CV p-bass, a MIM p-bass or a MIA p-bass.
 
#26
honeyiscool said:
I do wonder if Squier lovers love Squiers because they're licensed Fender designs that are good at the price, or because they're really the best basses for the price, beating out all other competitors.

I'm going to go with the Leo Fender connection here. If they made yet another $300 bass that looked sleek and modern, or if they had a similar design but an ugly headstock, somehow I don't think they'd be remarkable.

Anyway, I'm a Squier lover. I'm a sucker for Fender designs.
Click to expand...

The same can be said about the MIA p-bass. You can buy an other bass with ugly headstock for 1200$ that will be just as good as the MIA. The Leo Fender connection sell lots of bass's.
 
#27
Peepaleep said:
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.
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AMEN Brother!!!
 
#28
New Squiers are a lot of bass for the buck these days. The CV and VM series are absolutely mad for the price. To recommend them over a used Fender, however, would depend on exactly which used Fender you're talking about, and your budget.

New Squier > MIM Fender, new or used. I wouldn't touch a MIM with a stolen ten foot pole.

New Squier < used MIA or MIJ Fender, depending on variables like model and condition.

Your mileage may vary...
 
#29
ModuMan said:
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.
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+1. I compared the Squier VM P to other Fenders and Squiers in my local GC, and walked out with the VM P. It plays as well or better than the MIM Fenders, and I love its looks.
 
#30
honeyiscool said:
I do wonder if Squier lovers love Squiers because they're licensed Fender designs that are good at the price, or because they're really the best basses for the price, beating out all other competitors.

I'm going to go with the Leo Fender connection here. If they made yet another $300 bass that looked sleek and modern, or if they had a similar design but an ugly headstock, somehow I don't think they'd be remarkable.

Anyway, I'm a Squier lover. I'm a sucker for Fender designs.
Click to expand...

I seriously doubt it has to do with the Fender connection. Especially since the name Squier reaks more of "cheap" bass than any other bass out there. Squiers had a pretty bad rep until the last decade when something seemed to change dramatically.

I've owned my share of American, Mexican, and Japanese Fenders - plus a few Squiers. I'm a Squier fan. As for peepasleeps comment that you can't compare squiers to an american fender, I whole heartedly disagree. I had an American P deluxe that was faulty in a plethora of ways, and didn't come close to feeling or sounding as good as my Squier active jazz, which I've gigged to death and never had a problem with. Just went through a few highway ones also, one who's pickup was busted upon arrival, another with frets that could slice my fingers off, and just the overall feel on all of them that wasn't what I'd expect from an $800 bass. Oh yeah, and one of them even had 3 slotted, and one flat saddle on the badass. What kind of quality control is that??? So easily noticable when putting strings on it. Had a mexican P deluxe also with a neck that was as moody as the weather, and sounded super thin and boingy. Even with a pickup upgrade I couldn't get it to hold up to my other basses, including the squier which kept coming to gigs w me in place of it.

To the OP, I would without a doubt get the squier. Only reason I'd consider the Fender is if the logo meant anything to you, but lots of people change that anyhow. :)
 
#31
Here is my 2 pennies worth: My first bass was a Squier P that I modded with a neck swap, pickguard, p-ups, etc. Since then in addition to 2 MIA Fenders I bought a used MIM P, which I also swapped out the guard and put in 62 RI p-up, etc. Guess which one gets played??? I never even touch the Squier and couldn't get squat for it if I tried to sell it. The new Squiers aren't bad, but for not much more money you can have a really good players instrument for not much more $$$.

The main thing is shop around and play several until you find "the one". You can pick up a good used MIM, change out the p-up and have an instrument that plays and sounds just as good as an MIA. Trust me, I have both and the MIM is the one that gets played at gigs and is sitting in the stand in my living room right now. Yes, the MIA Fenders are worth the extra coin but if you are on a budget go MIM. :cool:
 
#32
The thing is, Squiers don't necessarily "need" upgrading, especially the Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe lines. They're fine as is.
My dead stock Vintage Modified Jazz may not be as well constructed (still well made in it's own right) as my Fender American Standard Jazz, but it definitely sounds and plays just as good.
 
#33
Depends. If you have narrowed it down to a specific one or the other then I would say see if you can actually play one of each if possible (via local music store, etc.) and then making your choice. Having the instrument in your hands and also the sound running through your ears is the only true way to know which IMO. The Squier's being put out these days are just as good if not better than most MIM and perhaps some MIJ and MIA basses.
 
#34
ulynch said:
Good luck finding a MIA Fender for $600
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I got my most recent P bass for $650, shipped in an excellent condition hybrid (soft/hardshell) case. 2004 MIA Precision. Candy Apple Red with maple board. Perfect condition except for one small ding on the bottom.

Got it right here in the TB Classifieds. Take shipping and the case out and I reckon I paid $600 or less for the bass.

In other words, the deals are out there, if you just have a little patience and shop around.

Oh, and I would definitely pay $600 (or $650) for a used MIA Fender before I'd pay $200 for any Squier. Just my personal preference.
 
#37
On topic, why not get the best of both worlds. Get a Fender Squier Series P bass. Cheaper than a Fender with the same woods as USA Fenders and cheap electronics that can easily be replaced.

I want to see a throwdown of the budget designs from Leo.

Take the top of the line Squier, Ray by MM, and G&L Tribute and let em go head to head. Let's see if the other two truely command $200+ more than the Squier. I am also a sucker for Leo's designs. I will be in the market for a new bass and it's coming down to Squier, G&L, USA Peavey (old and used), or old school Ibanez (MIJ/MIA).
 
#38
Adam Bomb said:
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
Click to expand...

If you are not fussy, get a used Squire for a hundred.
 
#39
I owned a MIM Fender Jazz and sold it a few weeks after i bought because i ended up not likeing it. I have played Squiers that sound just as good or better. I definitely wouldnt buy a MIM fender new they arent worth the price, there are other options that are better for the price. But squiers i think are good basses for the money.
 
#40
I own a MIM Jazz bass and a CV Squier P Bass. I think the Mexican Fender rep is unfair in many instances because some of their basses are awesome. I got lucky with mine, it was a mail order one and has the slimmest neck I've ever found on a Fender. I can't find another Fender Jazz, American or otherwise I like more. I also changed the pickups to Wizards and it sounds incredible.

The CV P bass is my practice bass. It's fun to play and was amazing value s/h but I'd be lying if I said the sound quality and feel was as good as my Mexican Fender.
 

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