Squier Affinity P/J... How are they?

[forrestlaw]

How are the Affinity PJs? I know they are cheap, but I'd like a project bass to tinker around on. I've been doing my own setups for a few years, but haven't yet ventured into the realm of installing pickups, pots, preamp, jacks, etc... I also kind of want a P/J and figured I could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. I'd get my P/J and get a relatively cheap bass to tinker around on.

The plan, at least at the beginning, would be to get some new pickups, pots, and a jack. Not that the ones that come on it are bad, but I want to learn how to do all of that stuff.

Anyone have an Affinity PJ that cares to share their experience? I dont want to spend the money on it if it's total crap, but if I could end up with a decently playable instrument and learn along the way, then that's the goal.

 

[wraub]

Review- Squier Precision Bass PJ *Update, With Pics*

 

[CallMeAl]

Of the handful of recent Affinity offerings I’ve tried, the one thing that was consistent was the necks were slightly raw and unfinished. A little sanding and possibly a refinish would fix that right up- but something to consider . I found the fret work and over all quality to be great otherwise.

I’ve also done a big makeover to a 2005 Affinity. Replaced everything (including neck) all that’s original is the body and pickup (go figure.) totally worthwhile and very fun venture.

On my 2000 Squier standard PJ, 2 nuggets that might help- 1) mini pots preferably, full size pots were a total pain in the butt, and 2) a hi mass bridge was the magic bullet to balance out the light weight body.

good luck, and have fun!

PS Inspiration abounds:
Tricked Out Squier Club Part 3

 

[forrestlaw]

...On my 2000 Squier standard PJ, 2 nuggets that might help- 1) mini pots preferably, full size pots were a total pain in the butt, and 2)...


PS Inspiration abounds:
Tricked Out Squier Club Part 3

Out of curiosity what were the problem with full size pots?
Thanks for the link to the Tricked out Squier Club. Will definitely peruse there and post if I get one.

 

[CallMeAl]

Out of curiosity what were the problem with full size pots?
Thanks for the link to the Tricked out Squier Club. Will definitely peruse there and post if I get one.

I had to widen the cavity, and there just wasn’t enough room under the pickguard.

You can see below where my routing job peeks out from under the pickguard, and even then it was not enough room. I ended up going with minis in the end anyway, and wish I had done so in the first place!

 

[forrestlaw]

I wonder how these would compare to a Yamaha BB series bass. I had totally forgotten those were PJ configured until I saw a picture of one a few minutes ago. I like that there are several price points with the Yamaha where Fender, for passive PJs, seem to have the Affinity and then the $1000 American Performers.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

I wonder how these would compare to a Yamaha BB series bass. I had totally forgotten those were PJ configured until I saw a picture of one a few minutes ago. I like that there are several price points with the Yamaha where Fender, for passive PJs, seem to have the Affinity and then the $1000 American Performers.

Any Yamaha BB I've ever noodled would stomp the Affinity's guts out in every conceivable way. Affinity instruments can almost always be made to play well, but it's usually not cheap or easy. I've never seen one with very good fretwork, though most are at least playable. The electronics are pretty un-good, and the hardware will all need upgraded if you want a player. For a mod project? They're fine, but for the price you can get one of the nicer Squiers used and have a WAY better starting point. Affinities are super-bargain beginner instruments, they gotta make them cheap somehow, and I'm not knocking them, just calling them what they are.

 

[scuzzy]

Any Yamaha BB I've ever noodled would stomp the Affinity's guts out in every conceivable way. Affinity instruments can almost always be made to play well, but it's usually not cheap or easy. I've never seen one with very good fretwork, though most are at least playable. The electronics are pretty un-good, and the hardware will all need upgraded if you want a player. For a mod project? They're fine, but for the price you can get one of the nicer Squiers used and have a WAY better starting point. Affinities are super-bargain beginner instruments, they gotta make them cheap somehow, and I'm not knocking them, just calling them what they are.

Finally someone says it. Serviceable? Sure. Much better to be had though.

 

[forrestlaw]

Any Yamaha BB I've ever noodled would stomp the Affinity's guts out in every conceivable way. Affinity instruments can almost always be made to play well, but it's usually not cheap or easy. I've never seen one with very good fretwork, though most are at least playable. The electronics are pretty un-good, and the hardware will all need upgraded if you want a player. For a mod project? They're fine, but for the price you can get one of the nicer Squiers used and have a WAY better starting point. Affinities are super-bargain beginner instruments, they gotta make them cheap somehow, and I'm not knocking them, just calling them what they are.

Finally someone says it. Serviceable? Sure. Much better to be had though.

That was kind of my concern regarding the Affinity series. The Yamaha BB234 is only slightly more than the Affinity and seems to be much better regarded. Could also step up to the BB434... that seems to be a good sweet spot for features and value. Fender's Player Jag bass would fit the bill, but that a bit more than I'd want to spend on what ultimately would be a project instrument.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Very hit and miss at that price point. I passed on a “good one” a couple of years ago because I thought I couldn’t believe that it was that good for that price. Went back a day or two later and it was gone. I’ve checked out several since then and they weren’t as nice as the first example. I’ll second the VM or classic vibe used is a much better bet.

 

[HardNHeavy]

I had to widen the cavity, and there just wasn’t enough room under the pickguard.
View attachment 3892600
You can see below where my routing job peeks out from under the pickguard, and even then it was not enough room. I ended up going with minis in the end anyway, and wish I had done so in the first place![/QUOTE

Ouch!.....yes mini's all the way!....Well if your eyes are drawn to that mistake as my ocd eyes would be....you could always throw a little wood epoxy there and paint it dark brown

 

[HardNHeavy]

How are the Affinity PJs? I know they are cheap, but I'd like a project bass to tinker around on. I've been doing my own setups for a few years, but haven't yet ventured into the realm of installing pickups, pots, preamp, jacks, etc... I also kind of want a P/J and figured I could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. I'd get my P/J and get a relatively cheap bass to tinker around on.

The plan, at least at the beginning, would be to get some new pickups, pots, and a jack. Not that the ones that come on it are bad, but I want to learn how to do all of that stuff.

Anyone have an Affinity PJ that cares to share their experience? I dont want to spend the money on it if it's total crap, but if I could end up with a decently playable instrument and learn along the way, then that's the goal.

Do it.......once you start it becomes fun and addictive...you'll have basses all over the place ..lol...I had bought a cheap affinity P/J body and loaded it with quality parts and a jazz neck.....it plays and sounds fantastic...better than my MIM Jazz and MIA Precision imo...it is my go-to bass now

 

[EatS1stBassist]

How are the Affinity PJs? I know they are cheap, but I'd like a project bass to tinker around on. I've been doing my own setups for a few years, but haven't yet ventured into the realm of installing pickups, pots, preamp, jacks, etc... I also kind of want a P/J and figured I could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. I'd get my P/J and get a relatively cheap bass to tinker around on.

The plan, at least at the beginning, would be to get some new pickups, pots, and a jack. Not that the ones that come on it are bad, but I want to learn how to do all of that stuff.

Anyone have an Affinity PJ that cares to share their experience? I dont want to spend the money on it if it's total crap, but if I could end up with a decently playable instrument and learn along the way, then that's the goal.

I think it’s a great platform to practice your skills. Go for it. Shop around if you can they can vary in fit and feel. Although I was able to find a good one right away at GC.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

The pickups are the weakest link in the Affinitys IMO so it seems perfect for what you're looking for.

If possible, try before you buy. There are good ones and not so good ones. Just make sure the neck is ok and have fun tinkering with the rest.

Good luck!

 

[wraub]

Yes, the BB basses are very nice, and very nicely made in general. They are also a lot more expensive than an Affinity.

For the price point, new, Affinity basses are hard to beat. But, because of their numbers, they are very commonly found used. For example, I bought a 2017 model, less than a year old, at a pawn shop for $49.99, out the door. It still had the plastic on the pickguard. This is not uncommon, as under $100 seems to be the going rate for a used one.

For under a hundred bucks, the average Affinity offers a hard to beat platform for modding. That said, besides dealing with some fret sprout that was likely weather-related, I have had no issues with any of the parts on mine from a structural standpoint. Everything works right and is solidly built, if at a lower price point. Yes, the chrome looks a little "cheaper" than some, but that doesn't affect the sound. The sound, btw, is excellent with either and/or both PUs. I wouldn't hesitate to gig with it (if that's ever a thing again) and it records well, too.

It is not excellent, it is not mind blowing. It's a cheaper bass, no doubt. But it is so very good, for what it is, and allows for lots of possibilities. To malign them all as merely inferior is misguided, imo.

Any Yamaha BB I've ever noodled would stomp the Affinity's guts out in every conceivable way. Affinity instruments can almost always be made to play well, but it's usually not cheap or easy. I've never seen one with very good fretwork, though most are at least playable. The electronics are pretty un-good, and the hardware will all need upgraded if you want a player. For a mod project? They're fine, but for the price you can get one of the nicer Squiers used and have a WAY better starting point. Affinities are super-bargain beginner instruments, they gotta make them cheap somehow, and I'm not knocking them, just calling them what they are.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

Yes, the BB basses are very nice, and very nicely made in general. They are also a lot more expensive than an Affinity.

For the price point, new, Affinity basses are hard to beat. But, because of their numbers, they are very commonly found used. For example, I bought a 2017 model, less than a year old, at a pawn shop for $49.99, out the door. It still had the plastic on the pickguard. This is not uncommon, as under $100 seems to be the going rate for a used one.

For under a hundred bucks, the average Affinity offers a hard to beat platform for modding. That said, besides dealing with some fret sprout that was likely weather-related, I have had no issues with any of the parts on mine from a structural standpoint. Everything works right and is solidly built, if at a lower price point. Yes, the chrome looks a little "cheaper" than some, but that doesn't affect the sound. The sound, btw, is excellent with either and/or both PUs. I wouldn't hesitate to gig with it (if that's ever a thing again) and it records well, too.

It is not excellent, it is not mind blowing. It's a cheaper bass, no doubt. But it is so very good, for what it is, and allows for lots of possibilities. To malign them all as merely inferior is misguided, imo.

I never maligned them as inferior. I described them, accurately, as super-budget beginner instruments. The necks aren't terribly stable, the fretwork's mediocre, the fit and finish is actually pretty decent, the electronics are cheap and not very good sounding, the hardware's cheap and not very solid (tuning problems don't have anything to do with how pretty the chrome is). They'll get the job done, but only just, which is EXACTLY what they were designed to do. In other words, they're a complete success.

If you like them, great! I don't, but I never said they weren't useable. They usually need quite a bit of work to be a giggable player, as do most bargain beginner instruments, and for not much more money you can buy a MUCH better instrument that WILL (not might) be more reliable and longer-lasting.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Of course, if you like to do any mods they are great as well.

 

[JRA]

IME: it's easy to upgrade metal/electronic parts, but more difficult to upgrade feel (but hardly impossible!). if i was shopping for a cheapie to fiddle with = i'd never have to plug them in --- i'd be 'feeling them up'!

no matter what cheapies you try, OP, go for a good feel --- that might include the feel of the neck, balance, weight, how your arms and hands navigate the shape(s), etc. hearing the ax wouldn't even be relevant given your objectives/quest. good luck with your choices!

 

[EatS1stBassist]

IME: it's easy to upgrade metal/electronic parts, but more difficult to upgrade feel (but hardly impossible!). if i was shopping for a cheapie to fiddle with = i'd never have to plug them in --- i'd be 'feeling them up'!

no matter what cheapies you try, OP, go for a good feel --- that might include the feel of the neck, balance, weight, how your arms and hands navigate the shape(s), etc. hearing the ax wouldn't even be relevant given your objectives/quest. good luck with your choices!

So true JRA!

 

[wraub]

I've left mine sitting on a stand for two weelks and it was in tune when I next played it. It sounds good in a recorded mix or on its own. The frets have needed only the slightest attention. I've had it for a year and a half and I've adjusted the truss rod once. I certainly could "upgrade" the hardware, but I have no need.
Definitely a complete success.

I never maligned them as inferior. I described them, accurately, as super-budget beginner instruments. The necks aren't terribly stable, the fretwork's mediocre, the fit and finish is actually pretty decent, the electronics are cheap and not very good sounding, the hardware's cheap and not very solid (tuning problems don't have anything to do with how pretty the chrome is). They'll get the job done, but only just, which is EXACTLY what they were designed to do. In other words, they're a complete success.

If you like them, great! I don't, but I never said they weren't useable. They usually need quite a bit of work to be a giggable player, as do most bargain beginner instruments, and for not much more money you can buy a MUCH better instrument that WILL (not might) be more reliable and longer-lasting.