quality difference in Squier Necks

[Mr Ralph]

I know the differences in hardware and electronics have been hashed out numerous times. I am mainly concerned with the wood used in the neck and or fret board. I am wanting to do another fretless conversion and was trying to determine if there is a huge difference between the Neck build quality on an affinity vs a CV or VM. Most of the posts I have seen say the frets are not finished as nicely on an Affinity which in this case would be a mute point as I would be taking them out. Anybody know for sure if the necks themselves other than finish are that much different. Does the Affinity use the same quality Truss rod? Thanks

 

[JimmyThunder]

"moot point".

I have owned many, many squiers, and I have found the affinity series to be inferior in pretty much every way, straight across the board.

 

[jallenbass]

"moot point".

I have owned many, many squiers, and I have found the affinity series to be inferior in pretty much every way, straight across the board.

I'm curious as to what exactly you found inferior. I've found that a well-maintained Affinity neck is a good neck. I think the issue is that Affinitys are sold to beginners who don't know anything about truss rod adjustment so they end up way out of spec with too much relief and stay that way for years until they are taken to the local pawn shop that doesn't bother to fix it.

 

[JimmyThunder]

that certainly could be a major factor, all of the affinity's i have bought have been used, mostly yard sales and craigslist.

My experience with the Affinity series has been very weak electronics, tuners that do not hold tune, hardware that looks cheap and deteriorates quickly, and bodies that have been thinner than "standard" and often unexpectedly heavy. My memory does not remember a specific fault with the necks, but that the basses as a whole are about as low-grade as possible to still be functional for beginners, so I am assuming the necks carry that build philosophy, tho I don't remember specifically (it's been awhile).

If the OP could start with a VM or CV neck - which in my experience have been GREAT - I feel a responsibility to steer them away from putting time/effort into an Affinity.

 

[Mr Ralph]

Thanks, so to go a step further. Do the CV or VM necks differ in quality between the ones made in Indonesia vs China. I have not seen many Korean made. Just to be clear because it has been beat to death I am only curious about the Wood in the necks and fingerboard. Is the wood the same in an Affinity neck as in a CV or VM neck and they just put more time and $ into the finish or does the CV and VM just start with a better grade of wood and Truss Rod?

 

[DWBass]

I personally would not trust Squier necks. Had a custom bass with a VM neck and that thing moved constantly. I ended up buying a Mighty Mite that has been rock solid.

Just my experience and opinion.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I have experience with Affinity Jazz V necks, I have had about 3-4 of these basses over the last 10 years. The truss rods Work fine and very little adjustment makes a difference.
I have found that the neck wood can be “soft”, or not very stiff. You can do neck bends quite easily with them. But they usually spring back to where they were. Sounds funny, but I’m not kidding.
The last one I bought used. When I got the bass, The D string was cut too short and was only wrapped around the tuning post one half turn and was riding at a pretty high Angle to the headstock. This over time actually caused a slight twist in the neck. I replaced the string and wound it properly, within 24 hours the neck was straight again.

I actually defetted that neck and it came out real smooth as played very well. I wound up selling the neck and heard no complaints about it for the last 4 years.

I pulled the 11th and 12th frets with the fretboard dry. All the other frets I pulled with the board slightly wet (let water soak in for about 5 min before pulling), major difference in amount of “teeth” come off with the fret. Filled the slots with epoxy.

The VM Jazz V necks are much stiffer. I have two and they barely move. I need to tweak them maybe once in Spring and Fall, 1/4 turn will do it.
I keep one in my work truck 24/7/365 for the last 4 years, so it sees good amounts of hot and cold (Down to the teen’s in winter and 102° in summer with everything in between). It’s been great.

 

[Stewie]

Only Squier I have ever owned is a made in China 50s CV. The neck has been perfect. I've adjusted the truss rod maybe twice in a year, and it wasn't that bad before I did.

 

[wraub]

Your experience and mine were very similar until I found a 2017 Affinity at a pawn shop, less than a year old and still wearing pickguard plastic.
I would agree that the chrome lacks the quality sheen of higher-end stuff, but, it polishes okay and looks suitably shiny; the electronics on mine are fine, pickups are loud and sound good; the tuners are fine, I actually had the bass on a stand, unplayed, for a couple weeks and it was in tune when I picked it up. The body is thinner, but not structurally significant in any way, and is more comfortable for it imo. The bass weighs 8lbs 6ozs.

I would suggest a newer Squier for modding over an older one, and definitely try to buy new. Squier has definitely upped their quality game, imo.

that certainly could be a major factor, all of the affinity's i have bought have been used, mostly yard sales and craigslist.

My experience with the Affinity series has been very weak electronics, tuners that do not hold tune, hardware that looks cheap and deteriorates quickly, and bodies that have been thinner than "standard" and often unexpectedly heavy. My memory does not remember a specific fault with the necks, but that the basses as a whole are about as low-grade as possible to still be functional for beginners, so I am assuming the necks carry that build philosophy, tho I don't remember specifically (it's been awhile).

If the OP could start with a VM or CV neck - which in my experience have been GREAT - I feel a responsibility to steer them away from putting time/effort into an Affinity.

 

[jd56hawk]

I know the differences in hardware and electronics have been hashed out numerous times. I am mainly concerned with the wood used in the neck and or fret board. I am wanting to do another fretless conversion and was trying to determine if there is a huge difference between the Neck build quality on an affinity vs a CV or VM. Most of the posts I have seen say the frets are not finished as nicely on an Affinity which in this case would be a mute point as I would be taking them out. Anybody know for sure if the necks themselves other than finish are that much different. Does the Affinity use the same quality Truss rod? Thanks

The worst thing about the Affinity line is the QC for the necks. I've read the wood they use isn't properly dried. True or not, I've come across several warped necks and have read about others.

 

[Gorn]

In my experience, Squier necks across the board can be great, but the likelihood of getting a dud is higher than with a Fender. You can get ten Affinities and seven of them will probably be great, whereas you can get ten Fenders and nine of them will probably be great.

 

[juancaminos]

I have purchased two used Indonesian Jazz Bass necks. One is a lined fret less the other is a fretted maple neck. Both are seem fine. Granted, with the virus thing in full swing, I haven't gigged with them but I have rehearsed with the fret less and it played just fine. They feel lighter and cheaper to me but I think it's in my mind sometimes.

 

[FishDub]

My Squier CV Fiesta Red 60s P has the best neck of any P I have ever played, MIA, MIJ or MIM..Mine is Crafted in China btw..

 

[LoTone]

I have CVs and VMs but I never had an Affinity. Each time I grab an Affinity off the wall at a store, the neck feels really cheap. I never bothered buying one because of that.

 

["Q"]

If you think affinity necks are "great", what exactly would you describe as a bad neck?

 

[bassliner50]

CV's and VM's are very good. Others have said the same.

 

["Q"]

Well I guess others don't have very good taste in necks lol. I've played lots of squiers and I wouldn't describe any of them as being great.

American deluxes are always nice but even american standards can be spotty.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I know the differences in hardware and electronics have been hashed out numerous times. I am mainly concerned with the wood used in the neck and or fret board. I am wanting to do another fretless conversion and was trying to determine if there is a huge difference between the Neck build quality on an affinity vs a CV or VM. Most of the posts I have seen say the frets are not finished as nicely on an Affinity which in this case would be a mute point as I would be taking them out. Anybody know for sure if the necks themselves other than finish are that much different. Does the Affinity use the same quality Truss rod? Thanks

Necks are fine. Squier are actually pretty good instruments. They just get less attention, and cheaper parts. Bodies and necks are still Fenders. Besides needing a little fretwork, they play great. So...fretless? I wouldn't hesitate.

 

[Maxdusty]

I know the differences in hardware and electronics have been hashed out numerous times. I am mainly concerned with the wood used in the neck and or fret board. I am wanting to do another fretless conversion and was trying to determine if there is a huge difference between the Neck build quality on an affinity vs a CV or VM. Most of the posts I have seen say the frets are not finished as nicely on an Affinity which in this case would be a mute point as I would be taking them out. Anybody know for sure if the necks themselves other than finish are that much different. Does the Affinity use the same quality Truss rod? Thanks

the main difference to me between the CV and Affinity (i had samples of both up until recently) is the amount of labor and finish work on the neck, and the hardware ie. tuners. I personally do think they're essentially from the same pile of raw wood and use the same truss rods.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

I'm with Maxdusty on this debate. I will say that i find the later Affinities slightly more consistent quality wise compared to the early 2000 ones. Every one i have played lately has been outstanding for the money.