Squier Affinity?? Is that you?

[SpankBazz]

I heard the the Affinity line has leveled way up as of late.
Didn't expect this.



MIJ - $802.00
Amerivan Vintage '62 - $1,548.80
'62 body with a '66 neck -$13,676.00

 

[JimmyM]

I didn't dislike the Squier, but I thought it sounded darker than the others, which suits me fine but may not be what someone else may want if they're used to the high end of the others. But it seems to be a perfectly OK bass based on that clip.

 

[Dust2Dust]

The sooner everyone admits that Affinitys are awesome, the better off we'll all be.

 

[tindrum]

I bought one for my son probably 10 years ago that he never really played and it’s just been in a closet. It actually plays great and sounds crazy good. I think I paid $80 for it used. It’s certainly light years better than my first bass was back in 1984.

 

[Supadope]

Agree with Jimmy. Definitely was darker. Still good, but just off from a proper jazz.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I heard the the Affinity line has leveled way up as of late.
Didn't expect this.



MIJ - $802.00
Amerivan Vintage '62 - $1,548.80
'62 body with a '66 neck -$13,676.00

The slap portion bore out that the Squier just doesn't have the top end sheen and tone that a Jazz Bass is supposed to have. It's simply not up to snuff with the other 3 on this important metric. I'm sure aftermarket pickups could fix this for reasonable money. Squiers dialed in and with the right stuff can be killer basses, though.

Also, I'd like to know where there this MIJ Jazz Bass is $802 today as final cost. I'd STRONGLY consider buying one (like ASAP) for this dollar amount.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

It doesn't sound as mid-scoop-y as the others.

 

[pb9717]

Excellent Mod platform for sure. Affinity’s can be made to play sound as good as basses costing hundreds more.

 

[claudel]

What's the deal with Affinity bodies?

Thinner?

Smaller?

I just bought one, so I probably should have asked earlier... :^)

 

[dfp]

What's the deal with Affinity bodies?

Thinner?

Smaller?

I just bought one, so I probably should have asked earlier... :^)

The Affinity bodies used to be a little smaller all around, and a smidge thinner. It was a subtle difference, you might not notice it unless you’re looking for the difference. I don’t know if they still are smaller. I’m thinking I stopped seeing mention of smaller, lighter bodies in Affinity marketing copy in recent years. I have an Affinity P body that must be about 10-15 years old, it’s smaller/thinner for sure. Very light, too!

 

[KenSmithFan]

Wow, a decent bass sounds decent. That’s news for sure!! In other breaking news, water is wet. Who knew?

 

[Deleted member 271037]

They're one of many decent quality entry level instruments. Nothing more, nothing less. The ceramic pickup means they will never nail the classic, vintage P-bass tone, but that doesn't mean they will sound bad (although I'm personally not a fan of that rather characteristic "cheap ceramic pickup" tone).

Of course, how well the neck holds up over time will always be a lottery. Poorly dried wood, with all the potential issues that follow, seems to be a recurring theme with many Indonesian made Squiers.

In this price range I would personally rather get a Deluxe or Vintage series Harley Benton. These offer better hardware, better pickups and in my experience also better overall build quality, at a lower price. Avoid the Standard series Harley Bentons though, they are JUNK.

 

[Aussie Player]

What's the deal with Affinity bodies?

Thinner?

Smaller?

I just bought one, so I probably should have asked earlier... :^)

6 piece body.
Small offcuts are cheaper to buy and glue together. They sound fine. Just add American pickups and buy an older Affinity with the quartersawn neck and rosewood board. China at its best.
Sold a US Fender Jazz 5 and kept the Afinnity 5. Fact!.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Over the last 45 years, I've owned all different Fender/Squier Precisions. My recent purchase of a Squier Affinity (P/J) is one of the best I've owned. Tone/Quality/Pickups/Electronics, etc. is excellent throughout and the playability (I have it set up with extremely low action) is perfect. I'd put it up against every Precision I've ever owned. Yes, it's that good.

$349 at Sweetwater. Nothing "beginner" or "budget" about it other than price. IMO, it's a steal.

Perhaps the quality is better with the newer ones.

Only mods I made to it were purely cosmetic. It came in Lake Placid Blue. My favorite Go-To bass...

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Would be interested to see how the Classic Vibe 60s and 70s ones hold up...the prices for those are ridiculous now, but so is everything

 

[MartinB]

It's been many years since Affinity was the entry-level Squier range. These days it's right in the middle of the pack, with Debut and Sonic below, and Paranormal and Classic Vibe above

 

[SpankBazz]

Over the last 45 years, I've owned all different Fender/Squier Precisions. My recent purchase of a Squier Affinity (P/J) is one of the best I've owned. Tone/Quality/Pickups/Electronics, etc. is excellent throughout and the playability (I have it set up with extremely low action) is perfect. I'd put it up against every Precision I've ever owned. Yes, it's that good.

$349 at Sweetwater. Nothing "beginner" or "budget" about it other than price. IMO, it's a steal.

Perhaps the quality is better with the newer ones.

The new batch of Affinitys are not yesterday's Affinitys
Fender is reacting (as they should) to several paradigm shifts.
Making affordable instruments better is in their best interests businesswise.

 

[ItsmeSantiago]

My first guitar was an Affinity strat and it's the only electric I play. Nice feeling neck and I upgraded the pickups to EMGs a long time ago and it's a fantastic instrument. The cheap tuning pegs keep tune well also.

 

[SpankBazz]

It's been many years since Affinity was the entry-level Squier range. These days it's right in the middle of the pack, with Debut and Sonic below, and Paranormal and Classic Vibe above

Exactly.

 

[SpankBazz]

Over the last 45 years, I've owned all different Fender/Squier Precisions. My recent purchase of a Squier Affinity (P/J) is one of the best I've owned. Tone/Quality/Pickups/Electronics, etc. is excellent throughout and the playability (I have it set up with extremely low action) is perfect. I'd put it up against every Precision I've ever owned. Yes, it's that good.

$349 at Sweetwater. Nothing "beginner" or "budget" about it other than price. IMO, it's a steal.

Perhaps the quality is better with the newer ones.

Only mods I made to it were purely cosmetic. It came in Lake Placid Blue. My favorite Go-To bass...

Looks good!