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Squier Basses better build quality than Guitars?

tb4sbp

tb4sbp

May 9, 2017
778
1,106
North East
#1
Greetings Fellow TB'ers
Lately I have read a few post on Squier basses and their quality. I have played a fair amount of Squier basses from their entry to higher levels and for their value all were fair to very good.
Do you think the Squier guitar series are just entry only? Every video or post I have read was stating the real 'cheapness' of their hardware and electronics. Great instruments to mod and upgrade but on their own a very basic beginners instrument.

With this said my question to the TB Universe is: If the Squier guitars are really just entry level would that affect the way musicians view the basses?
 
#2
just like nobody can put your hat on for you without you adjusting it, most players are going to tweak their instrument to taste no matter what the price, and with the cheaper examples the chances are greater that you'll need to do some adjustments or even mods to be at a pro level. my VM PJ needed a few points addressed at minor costs and now it's fine. Squier has a range of quality models so it's a crap shoot as to whether you can go directly from the store to the stage but there are a million success stories for all the sad ones, same with Fender.
 
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#3
That is true. Even the highest end instruments need a setup. Even string changes to the players preference. I was just wondering it the opinion of guitars affected the way the basses were being perceived or if in fact the Squier basses are just built better to begin with? I have heard many stories of a Squier bass replacing the preferred bass of choice to gig with and not too many of the Squire guitars.
 
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#5
ics1794 that is exactly my point. The Squire basses are great. I have not heard the same about the guitars. The guitars are alright from what I have seen. But do not match the basses. Is this on purpose by Fender?

It is subjective but I was just curious to see what others thought.
 
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#8
ics1974 said:
I have a Squier Affinity P/J that has one of the best necks I have ever played on. Maybe I got lucky but if I ever upgrade the tuners and electronics it would be a seriously great bass.
Click to expand...

Just like you, my Affinity P has one of the sweetest necks I've ever seen on a cheap bass.
But my VM SS Jaguar fret ends were sharp enough to trim your nails when I first got it.

Go figure.

The tuners on my Indonesian P are high quality, and I'm surprised yours are not.
Since this was the bass that turned me into a Mod-Aholic, the only stock parts are 3 tuners (hipshot drop D),
the neck (but custom nut), the body, and strap buttons.

057912
 
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#9
tb4sbp said:
Greetings Fellow TB'ers
Lately I have read a few post on Squier basses and their quality. I have played a fair amount of Squier basses from their entry to higher levels and for their value all were fair to very good.
Do you think the Squier guitar series are just entry only? Every video or post I have read was stating the real 'cheapness' of their hardware and electronics. Great instruments to mod and upgrade but on their own a very basic beginners instrument.

With this said my question to the TB Universe is: If the Squier guitars are really just entry level would that affect the way musicians view the basses?
Click to expand...
My theory is that modern manufacturing techniques are so good, that entry-level gear made by a major company is going to be really, really good.

It's possible that cheaper gear has more variability in quality control, but it still seems unlikely you will get a total lemon. The odds improve if you buy from a higher quality retailer.

I guess there are a handful of situations where musicians will give you attitude about the brand of instrument you choose. However, unless you are a session musician, who will eventually run into producers and/or engineers that are P-bass snobs, I don't see why you need to worry about it.
 
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#10
tb4sbp said:
Ya know I thought that as well but I don't think so.
Click to expand...
Well...

The difficulty of making a decent body and neck is the same. My guess is that the hardware on a cheap guitar can be potentially more problematic than on a cheap P-bass. The tuning machines will be a little more fragile; tremolo bridges are harder to keep in tune; using 3 pickups or Jaguar-style is harder to wire.
 
#17
tb4sbp said:
Greetings Fellow TB'ers
Lately I have read a few post on Squier basses and their quality. I have played a fair amount of Squier basses from their entry to higher levels and for their value all were fair to very good.
Do you think the Squier guitar series are just entry only? Every video or post I have read was stating the real 'cheapness' of their hardware and electronics. Great instruments to mod and upgrade but on their own a very basic beginners instrument.

With this said my question to the TB Universe is: If the Squier guitars are really just entry level would that affect the way musicians view the basses?
Click to expand...
The Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster, Classic Vibe '70s Jaguar and Classic Vibe '70s Telecaster Deluxe are what they are.
You can gig with them, just like you can with the CV basses.
If I needed a guitar, I wouldn't mind the right one in the right color.
Would I mod it?
Not necessary, just some nice strings.
 
#18
tb4sbp said:
Greetings Fellow TB'ers
Lately I have read a few post on Squier basses and their quality. I have played a fair amount of Squier basses from their entry to higher levels and for their value all were fair to very good.
Do you think the Squier guitar series are just entry only? Every video or post I have read was stating the real 'cheapness' of their hardware and electronics. Great instruments to mod and upgrade but on their own a very basic beginners instrument.

With this said my question to the TB Universe is: If the Squier guitars are really just entry level would that affect the way musicians view the basses?
Click to expand...

i think you should play some new squier guitars yourself rather than believing what you hear online the thing is, when squier guitars first came out years ago, they were - i thought at the time - a little crappy. a lot of time and planning by fender has changed that except maybe for the very entry level guitars, although i haven't played one. they could be fine.

is the hardware on the lowest of the low guitars and basses as good as with american fenders? of course not, but you're saving a lot of money, so if you like the bass, you can upgrade what you want to over time. this morning i just ordered a bronco bass - i've owned one before, and enjoyed it. it is the single cheapest bass from an instrument company, and i got it with a coupon from sam ash for $124. i expect after a little white to replace the pickup, but my previous bronco had no hardware issues and had a great neck.
 
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#20
Among the basses I own, I have a Squire fretless J-bass. Think, a poor man's Jaco. As is, from the factory, the Squire is a beautiful (Fender) sunburst with a ultra-thin, fast, feel good neck. The fretless neck (with lines) was like ice skating on a bass neck. The neck, alone, will set you free. As mentioned in this thread, the electronics and hardware can be improved. I replaced the PUs with DiMarzzio J-bass. Improved sound 100%. Squire product, is a great starting point. All models are easy to upgrade. Upgrades make Squire more desireable to play. IMO..when spending $$$ on a intro-level instrument (Squire), what is your expectation on the resale value of same instrument, after initial instrument cost plus upgrade costs?

Squire guitars? Never played one. I have played with several players who play Squire Teles. If I didn't see the headstock Squire logo, I would've assumed it was a Fender tele. Again, like the basses, a great intro, value guitar that can be improved with $$ upgrades.
 

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