Squier Classic Vibe 2019

[mbell75]

I am trying to deciding whether to get a CV70s jazz or save up my money for a mexican geddy sig. I understand the Geddy might be a bit better quality, but is it worth it, or should I just jump in and get this if I try it out and I'm happy with it instead. Big price difference is it really worth it? Both 70s style. Same colours. So the Geddy has the bonus of a (apparently) better build, american pickups and a high mass bridge. The squier has the bonus of price, narrow tall frets, bone nut, both have 70s spacing. Squier has pickups designed in house by Fender (according to squier the whole bass is designed by Fender, but it's built in indonesia) So I'm not sure. I guess it is down to what I think and is it worth it when trying and comparing both in the shop. Shouldn't be long now, they expect about mid april.

The build, pickups and bridge is pretty much the whole bass lol. The Geddy is better in every way, it’s not even close. Designed by Fender is just a marketing gimmick. Fender allows Squier to use the shape of the body, headstock, pickup design and the names like Precison and Jazz bass. That’s really the end of their involvement. Get the Geddy.

 

[RumbleMan3]

Get the Squier unless you can find a used GLJ for comparable cost. Judging from my experience with Squiers over the past 20 years or so, you'll be surprised how nice they are and how much you like them. If you can compare them in a store or try a friends do it. You might end up liking the Squier as much or even more.

Wisdom! This is what I was thinking! Yeah, I'll just wait and try both basses out and see!

 

[RumbleMan3]

The build, pickups and bridge is pretty much the whole bass lol. The Geddy is better in every way, it’s not even close. Designed by Fender is just a marketing gimmick. Fender allows Squier to use the shape of the body, headstock, pickup design and the names like Precison and Jazz bass. That’s really the end of their involvement. Get the Geddy.

yeah as I said I guess time will tell which what I feel is the best to get when I compare them. Thansk for your input

 

[Hevy T]

Which ones do you have?

These guys and I’m thinking about getting a white one

 

[davesultra]

Judging from my experience with Squiers over the past 20 years or so, you'll be surprised how nice they are and how much you like them. If you can compare them in a store or try a friends do it. You might end up liking the Squier as much or even more.

I agree with the above statement. I picked up a CV '70s P-Bass, and thought that I'd like an upgrade to a Fender Player P-Bass. I didn't like it any better than the Squier. I sent the Player back to Sweetwater, as I couldn't find where it was worth $300 more.

 

[mbell75]

I sent the Player back to Sweetwater, as I couldn't find where it was worth $300 more.

Quality of woods used in the body, neck and fingerboard that make the Fenders more resonant with better overall tone. Electronics including the pots and pickups. The bridge and tuners....everything is better and higher quality on the Player Series. If the price difference was $1k or so, then it may not be worth it unless you are a gigging pro. Easily worth the extra $300 for the Fender though IMO.

 

[Hevy T]

Quality of woods used in the body, neck and fingerboard that make the Fenders more resonant with better overall tone. Electronics including the pots and pickups. The bridge and tuners....everything is better and higher quality on the Player Series. If the price difference was $1k or so, then it may not be worth it unless you are a gigging pro. Easily worth the extra $300 for the Fender though IMO.

I actually prefer the necks on the VM to the Player Series. I just like binding instead of fret sprout. BTW I also own 2 Player Jazzes as well also a MIM std and Deluxe in Ash. Yes the electronics in the players are better than the VM, I won't lie. But I really prefer basses made of either Maple or Ash over Alder or Agathis. It's just a personal preference that I have.

Yes the maple is "Soft Maple" However, it is still a damned good quality wood in it's own right. AS for the necks, yes the Geddy Lee Jazz is a bit nicer if a feel but not by much. I have had 3 Geddys, 2 MIM and a CIJ and I guess it's the climate I live in but I just got sick and tired of having to take off the necks and adjust them every few months as the seasons changed. At least now I get close to the same neck and can do the setups without having to remove the neck or PG

 

[staurosjohn]

FWIW- Just wanted to offer that (athough my GL neck is on a P body- with a notch in the pg) there is no need to remove neck, or pg, to do neck adjustment. CruzTOOLS makes a ‘driver’ to help!
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/cruztools-groovetech-standard-truss-rod-driver

 

[mbell75]

I actually prefer the necks on the VM to the Player Series. I just like binding instead of fret sprout. BTW I also own 2 Player Jazzes as well also a MIM std and Deluxe in Ash. Yes the electronics in the players are better than the VM, I won't lie. But I really prefer basses made of either Maple or Ash over Alder or Agathis. It's just a personal preference that I have.

Yes the maple is "Soft Maple" However, it is still a damned good quality wood in it's own right. AS for the necks, yes the Geddy Lee Jazz is a bit nicer if a feel but not by much. I have had 3 Geddys, 2 MIM and a CIJ and I guess it's the climate I live in but I just got sick and tired of having to take off the necks and adjust them every few months as the seasons changed. At least now I get close to the same neck and can do the setups without having to remove the neck or PG

I agree, personal preference is key to liking an instrument. I was just responding to the poster who didn’t see any differences and pointing out all the ways the Player Series are superior to the CV basses. They easily add up to and justify the $300 price increase. Personal preferences aside.

 

[RumbleMan3]

View attachment 3368204 These guys and I’m thinking about getting a white one

Pickgaurd swaps... were they normal Fender gaurds or did you have to get custom made to fit? Thanks

 

[RumbleMan3]

I agree with the above statement. I picked up a CV '70s P-Bass, and thought that I'd like an upgrade to a Fender Player P-Bass. I didn't like it any better than the Squier. I sent the Player back to Sweetwater, as I couldn't find where it was worth $300 more.

wow nice experience! Thanks for sharing. Yeah, you really can't pick it sometimes, it's all about what feels and sounds good for you. I wouldn't pay extra if I didn't have to either!

 

[Hevy T]

Pickgaurd swaps... were they normal Fender gaurds or did you have to get custom made to fit? Thanks

The natural one had that PG when I bought it used. The red one has a Fender PG on it

 

[RumbleMan3]

I agree, personal preference is key to liking an instrument. I was just responding to the poster who didn’t see any differences and pointing out all the ways the Player Series are superior to the CV basses. They easily add up to and justify the $300 price increase. Personal preferences aside.

This is true. No doubt, you get what you pay for! But if a $600 bass is good enough for me, and I don't feel that I need to waste my money on nicer woods and other stuff. That's just what I think. It may turn out that when I play the Squier CV and the Geddy, I will feel that yes, I do want the Geddy instead. Only time will tell.

See my point? Not disagreeing with you, this is just what I think! Just trying to think smart and practical with my money, without sacrificing an awesome sounding, quality instrument, you know?

 

[InstantEctobass]

Some photos of the Sunburst model of the 60s 2019 Jazz Bass: DEMO Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazz Bass - 3-Color Sunburst (217)

Oh and the black model : DEMO Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazz Bass - Black (737)

And I repeat the link to the Daphne Blue model : Invalid Link Removed

The last one is my favourite. Sweet 60s vibe !!

Still no visual of the 70s model in natural lacquered finish!

 

[InstantEctobass]

BEWARE: BAD SELLERS ARE ADVERTISING AS CLASSIC VIBE INSTEAD OF VINTAGE MODIFIED!! PLUS THAT WAS A FIRST GEN ONE

Squier Classic Vibe 70's Jazz Bass Natural | Robin's Shop

 

[mbell75]

This is true. No doubt, you get what you pay for! But if a $600 bass is good enough for me, and I don't feel that I need to waste my money on nicer woods and other stuff. That's just what I think. It may turn out that when I play the Squier CV and the Geddy, I will feel that yes, I do want the Geddy instead. Only time will tell.

See my point? Not disagreeing with you, this is just what I think! Just trying to think smart and practical with my money, without sacrificing an awesome sounding, quality instrument, you know?

I get it, and Ive been down this road many times over the years with both guitars and basses. Trying to convince myself that the Squier or Epiphone sounded and played just as good as the Fender or Gibson counterpart because I wanted to be practical with my money. Then after about a month or so, I would start to regret the decision and know I should've have just put up the extra money for the real deal. IMO, the differences between the MIM and MIA Fenders are very minimal. To me, the MIA versions don't justify the $900+ difference because the woods are the same, and the pickups are usually about the same. Pickups are only $125 or so if you want the upgrade.

The difference between the Squiers and the MIM Fenders are more considerable though. Most of the time, Squiers use very cheap woods like poplar, basswood and agathis for their bodies. Not only do these not resonate very well, they are prone to dent easier. Not to mention the hardware and the electronics inside the Squiers are of lesser quality and not made to last for long periods of time like even the MIM Fenders are. Price differences between the Squiers and MIM Fenders are much less than between the MIM and MIA Fenders too, usually only a few hundred dollars. IMO, thats a no brainer to pay the extra for the MIM Fender because a swap of the electronics, pickups, bridge, tuners etc...would be well over a few hundred dollars and you are still left with the lesser quality woods. When that price difference starts to near $1k though, thats when being practical comes into play.

Just my opinions and observations from all the guitars and basses Ive bought and sold over the years. I do think Squier makes good guitars and basses and I have even gigged a few, the J. Mascis Jazzmaster being one. Its an excellent guitar, especially for the price. I actually preferred that to even the MIA Jazzmaster, so it does happen once in awhile and that price gap between the Mascis and the MIA JM was huge. But when the price difference is only a few hundred or so, Ive learned to go for the better made instrument with the high quality parts.

 

[Hevy T]

I get it, and Ive been down this road many times over the years with both guitars and basses. Trying to convince myself that the Squier or Epiphone sounded and played just as good as the Fender or Gibson counterpart because I wanted to be practical with my money. Then after about a month or so, I would start to regret the decision and know I should've have just put up the extra money for the real deal. IMO, the differences between the MIM and MIA Fenders are very minimal. To me, the MIA versions don't justify the $900+ difference because the woods are the same, and the pickups are usually about the same. Pickups are only $125 or so if you want the upgrade.

The difference between the Squiers and the MIM Fenders are more considerable though. Most of the time, Squiers use very cheap woods like poplar, basswood and agathis for their bodies. Not only do these not resonate very well, they are prone to dent easier. Not to mention the hardware and the electronics inside the Squiers are of lesser quality and not made to last for long periods of time like even the MIM Fenders are. Price differences between the Squiers and MIM Fenders are much less than between the MIM and MIA Fenders too, usually only a few hundred dollars. IMO, thats a no brainer to pay the extra for the MIM Fender because a swap of the electronics, pickups, bridge, tuners etc...would be well over a few hundred dollars and you are still left with the lesser quality woods. When that price difference starts to near $1k though, thats when being practical comes into play.

Just my opinions and observations from all the guitars and basses Ive bought and sold over the years. I do think Squier makes good guitars and basses and I have even gigged a few, the J. Mascis Jazzmaster being one. Its an excellent guitar, especially for the price. I actually preferred that to even the MIA Jazzmaster, so it does happen once in awhile and that price gap between the Mascis and the MIA JM was huge. But when the price difference is only a few hundred or so, Ive learned to go for the better made instrument with the high quality parts.

The prices here in Canada kinda promotes the Squiers! A VM or CV Squier are from 450 to 550 while a plAyer series is 880 and a deluxe is around 1200

 

[InstantEctobass]

An old Squier CV Precision 70s (as an exemple) was priced between 450 to 500
An old Fender Precision Standard (MIM) was priced at about 650

(talking in Euros for both cases)

Do you really think there was a difference in the quality of woods? I don't think so, but I might be wrong! i'm not knowing everything
We're talking about manufacturing costs
Don't believe Fender American Standard solder 2 years ago at 1100 was very different in wood quality, you were just paying a different manufacturing cost, and maybe yes, the "better" bridge and heel trussrod access.

 

[dylanjohnson]

There certainly is a difference between the wood quality. The MIMs are alder, which is more expensive than basswood. That being said, the basswood in the CV's seems to tend toward the heavier side, which seems to sound better to me. I've had a few super light basswood basses, and they have all had a pretty midrangy sound to my ears.... lacking in lows and hi's compared to true alder or northern ash, the classic Fender woods.

 

[InstantEctobass]

There certainly is a difference between the wood quality. The MIMs are alder, which is more expensive than basswood. That being said, the basswood in the CV's seems to tend toward the heavier side, which seems to sound better to me. I've had a few super light basswood basses, and they have all had a pretty midrangy sound to my ears.... lacking in lows and hi's compared to true alder or northern ash, the classic Fender woods.

Both my CV 60 Jazz Bass and my Haryley Benton MB-4 (StingRay passive copy) are heavy basswood and both sound as I ever wished!