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Squier Classic Vibe 2019
- Thread starter LkS
- Start date
thanks
I keep seeing the words “cheap” & “cheaper” thrown around quite a bit when describing the Squier line. I don’t believe that the term “cheap” necessarily means poor quality. The CV ‘70s P-Bass I picked up from Sweetwater last month is of tremendous quality. Like I said in an earlier post, the Player P-Bass that I sent back just wasn’t “better” than the Squier. Price was not a consideration regarding which one I was going to keep. Mine is a CIC model so I don’t know if that had anything to do with it. I’ve not tried any of the Indonesian made models yet. Not bashing the Player series, perhaps the example I received was a dud?!
D
I'm not surprised to hear this. The Player you returned was probably fine. The thing is, the Chinese CVs were OUTSTANDING. And not just for the price. Maybe I got extremely lucky with my CV70 but I actually find it superior to some of my MIA Fenders and more comparable to my AVRIs than to any other Squier bass I've tried. Every other Squier bass I've tried have been in the "ok for the money" category. Not bad but not mindblowingly great either.
But the Chinese CVs were an anomaly. I honestly don't think Fender intended them to be THAT great.
I personally think the era of the last AVRIs and the Chinese CVs will be remembered as some of the greatest Fender years EVER. Everything seems to have gone a bit downhill at Fender since then. American Pro not quite as good as the last version of the American Standard. American Original not ANYWHERE near as good as the last AVRIs. Poorer QC (at least in my experience), higher prices. The only exception seems to be the Player Series which is definitely an upgrade on the MIM Standards. The Players seem to be the definite winner for quality/price in the Fender product range these days.
But even if the new Indonesian CVs turns out to be not quite as good as the Chinese CVs they can still be perfectly fine instruments. It's just that the CIC CVs were such an amazing quality that they will be a VERY hard act to follow at this price point.
I’d agree with that.
At the moment I have an American, a Japanese and a Mexican Fender.
My Chinese Matt Freeman P bass’s build quality far exceeds the MIM, is a little better than the MIJ and is probably almost equal to to my American Standard, although the MIA has better hardware.
2008-2016 were great quality years for Fender. All across the line, from Squier to the top of the Fender range. The ‘57 and ‘62 AVRI and the American Standard lines are the “standard” to which I set my basses against. I even have a 2010 MIM Standard Jazz that I will play until the frets fall out. I had a 2010 CV ‘60s P I shouldn’t have sold, and an ‘09 American Standard I regret selling, as well as a ‘16 American Deluxe that was great. I especially feel like 2008-2012 were the best of those years
I have seen some used japanese Fender jazz basses floating about that are being sold at VERY cheap prices! I'm still trying to look into them, see what the catch is. A few nicks and scratches won't bother me, adds to the character. To me, it's like owning a cool worn, vintage bass.
I know that japanese Fenders are super high quality right? Whether they rival US, which I'm sure they do, I don't care, but they will definatley be better than the new CV's I think. And to find some preowned at the same price as the new CV's is a STEAL!
I still have to check out these deals if they are legit, or if they are a waste of time, but I think, if they are as good as people say, this is an opportunity I can't miss!
What should I do? Is it trustworthy, should I still check out the Squier, or should I just pull the trigger on a sweet japanese jazz in fairly good condition?
If there happen to be issues with it, with hardare, pups, anything, (which there shouldn't be from japan right?) then swapping out a bridge or tuners is not a real hassle is it? Beesides, I will still have some spare change cos it's such a good deal! Plus, Fenders will hold their value more I think, especially a japanese, even if it's slightly modded or scratched.
So... what should I do guys?! There are a few I've found, a couple late 90s, most I think like 2003 and a little later like that.
Thanks.
I know that japanese Fenders are super high quality right? Whether they rival US, which I'm sure they do, I don't care, but they will definatley be better than the new CV's I think. And to find some preowned at the same price as the new CV's is a STEAL!
I still have to check out these deals if they are legit, or if they are a waste of time, but I think, if they are as good as people say, this is an opportunity I can't miss!
What should I do? Is it trustworthy, should I still check out the Squier, or should I just pull the trigger on a sweet japanese jazz in fairly good condition?
If there happen to be issues with it, with hardare, pups, anything, (which there shouldn't be from japan right?) then swapping out a bridge or tuners is not a real hassle is it? Beesides, I will still have some spare change cos it's such a good deal! Plus, Fenders will hold their value more I think, especially a japanese, even if it's slightly modded or scratched.
So... what should I do guys?! There are a few I've found, a couple late 90s, most I think like 2003 and a little later like that.
Thanks.
Better music here in Oz has the new Players series Jazz basses for $919, or you can rent/buy for about $10 per week.
is japanese not better though? Plus I've seen some for cheaper than that. Around $750 $800 mark.
What should I do?
I’ve never tried the new Player series basses, so I’m not sure about their quality, but generally the Mij basses are more highly regarded.
I owned a 2008 MIJ Jaguar bass that was PERFECT. Foolishly I sold it to fund another bass...few years later I found an Aerodyne (MIJ, non-export) that immediately convinced me to sell off what I had at the time to acquire it. My limited experience with Japanese Fenders says you should strongly consider the Japanese option.
Edit: So as to not throw this thread off-topic entirely, I had been eyeing that 70’s sunburst CV as a potential next purchase, but have so far come back to being satisfied with my Aero. GAS is rough, people! All I can say is try it out before you’ve mentally brought it home.
Edit: So as to not throw this thread off-topic entirely, I had been eyeing that 70’s sunburst CV as a potential next purchase, but have so far come back to being satisfied with my Aero. GAS is rough, people! All I can say is try it out before you’ve mentally brought it home.
My CV 50s Telecaster and 60 Jazz Bass are both spectacular instruments, and not just "for the price." They may not have the same level of craftsmanship and components as the AVRIs or even the American Standards but their playability and tone are great. I haven't tried the new ones, but if they are—as it appears—rebranded Vintage Modifieds—then they will be a step down in quality. At the same time, I find Fender's current non-signature/non-custom shop Jazz Basses lacking in terms of tone, and I hate their necks.
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I bought one of these (2014 CV 60s Inca Silver Jazz Bass) a month ago. It is a spectacular bass. The tuners are rock solid. I put on new Rotosounds yesterday, tuned them to pitch, and they haven't moved. The pickup output is a little low, I find myself boosting the highs on the amp to add life to the sound. Neck is fast and the high mass bridge/brass saddles are definitely higher quality than the VM/current CV bridge.
To my hands and ears, it plays and sounds better than current regular production Fender Js (MIM player, and American Performer and Professionals). However, this is a personal preference. I find current Fender necks too fat, and the pickups to be uninspiring.
I'm thinking of adding an SB-1 pre-amp to my setup to get the most out of this bass, but it is a keeper.
D
In my (admittedly somewhat limited) experience Fender Japan = absolutely outstanding and better than MIA in every way except the pickups which may be rather dull/muddy/uninspiring ceramics. But some Japanese Fender models come with USA pickups stock.
You might want to try an Audere JZ-3 preamp. One of the best out there...no soldering required...and it sounded great with my old Fender FSR Jazz bass.
Unless you already have the SB-1 preamp, of course.
My only experience is with the MIJ Geddy Lee Signature. The pickups are American and absolutely fabulous.
