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Squier Classic Vibe Series QC

douglasbass

douglasbass

Jan 29, 2022
166
102
Pacific Northwest, USA
#1
I spoke today with my local bass tech who did a setup on my Squier Classic Vibe Series '60s Jazz. He said the volume knob had been wired backwards at the factory. No wonder it wasn't working ...

Good price point for these, but not as cheap as they used to be. And still, not the best quality control. So, 'buyer beware' applies.
 
#4
Did you buy the bass new, from an authorized dealer? Should be under warranty..
my local store has a free included 1 year warranty on all new purchases.
I assume the bass was bought online so you weren’t able to try it before you bought it.
 
#6
ruju said:
Did you buy the bass new, from an authorized dealer? Should be under warranty..
my local store has a free included 1 year warranty on all new purchases.
I assume the bass was bought online so you weren’t able to try it before you bought it.
Click to expand...

I did buy it online through a reputable dealer and could have returned it. Rather than pack and ship it, having it fixed locally was okay by me. I actually learned more about the bass that way, since my local bass tech is really knowledgeable and we also discussed the action, etc. In any case, I would consider another Squier, perhaps the CV50P, with the caveat that I might need to return it.
 
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#8
Basslice said:
My Ibanez PJ has a tone stack wired backwards. I left it alone and it was not biggie. It happens.

I replaced all the gut of my '21 CV 70's P-bass. It was mostly crap. I liked how the bass plays, and now I don't have to worry about the electronics (Fender pup, CTS pots, switchcraft jack). Great bass, no complaints for the price.
Click to expand...

I've thought about replacing the pickups and control plate / knobs / internals also, but the narrow-tall frets are another matter. But, same, no complaints on the price.
 
#10
tindrum said:
I think the first run that were made in China were better quality than after production moved to Indonesia.
Click to expand...

It's strange - I'm starting to see 2021/2022 Squier basses show up online with "Crafted in China" and Chinese serial numbers on the headstock. Did Squier move production of some lines back to China?

Example:
Link Removed

The text/font on the front of the headstock looks different as well - the "Jazz Bass" font looks smaller to me.
 
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#11
douglasbass said:
I spoke today with my local bass tech who did a setup on my Squier Classic Vibe Series '60s Jazz. He said the volume knob had been wired backwards at the factory. No wonder it wasn't working ...

Good price point for these, but not as cheap as they used to be. And still, not the best quality control. So, 'buyer beware' applies.
Click to expand...
Based on one CV?
Seriously?
I'm guessing the three I've owned were exceptions.
 
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#13
douglasbass said:
Yes ... could just be a "lemon" ... but I'm not into the whatever category
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I've had a thing against Sire ever since I picked up one and saw a fretboard with the worse case of fret sprout ever.
Did it leave the factory like that, probably not, but...
Picsart-22-02-06-17-00-58-439.jpg

I've heard nothing but rave reviews about Sire before and since, but that neck was a big turnoff. Yes, I've tried several others since, not one that moved me, but I believe my dislike is personal and I don't remember warning others to beware of them.
 
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#14
PrestoZoom said:
It's strange - I'm starting to see 2021/2022 Squier basses show up online with "Crafted in China" and Chinese serial numbers on the headstock. Did Squier move production of some lines back to China?

Example:
Link Removed

The text/font on the front of the headstock looks different as well - the "Jazz Bass" font looks smaller to me.
Click to expand...

I just bought that exact bass off Reverb. Should be here in a few days. While I was shopping I noticed what looked like the same spec new CV 60's Jazz basses from both China and Indonesia. I agree it's strange. I chose that particular bass because it was on the lighter side and the fretboard looked nicer than a lot of the laurel ones I was seeing.

If I get time I'll try to do a complete tear down and take pics of the internals and post them.
 
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#15
SPlavick said:
I just bought that exact bass off Reverb. Should be here in a few days. While I was shopping I noticed what looked like the same spec new CV 60's Jazz basses from both China and Indonesia. I agree it's strange. I chose that particular bass because it was on the lighter side and the fretboard looked nicer than a lot of the laurel ones I was seeing.

If I get time I'll try to do a complete tear down and take pics of the internals and post them.
Click to expand...
Which ones are being made in China?
 
#16
douglasbass said:
I spoke today with my local bass tech ….He said the volume knob had been wired backwards at the factory. No wonder it wasn't working ...
Click to expand...

I’m confused: the volume didn’t work ( no output or maybe full volume? ) or the volume worked when you turned it counter clockwise? The reason I’m asking is because a pot wired backwards definitely works, although counter-clockwise, however if you are getting full output and the pot does nothing.

I guess the answer is interesting to me, because I’m pretty sure there’s a couple of automated electrical tests during the manufacturing process - there should be one for the actual harness and one for harness with pickups (or mounted to the bAss). Your answer would help clarify how the bass passed the electrical tests.
 
#17
SPlavick said:
I just bought that exact bass off Reverb. Should be here in a few days. While I was shopping I noticed what looked like the same spec new CV 60's Jazz basses from both China and Indonesia. I agree it's strange. I chose that particular bass because it was on the lighter side and the fretboard looked nicer than a lot of the laurel ones I was seeing.

If I get time I'll try to do a complete tear down and take pics of the internals and post them.
Click to expand...

Bass in question has arrived. All indications are that it is a 2021 Squier Classic Vibe Jazz Bass made in China.


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#19
Yahboy said:
Great to see the current CV60J move back to china production line. But, the laurel fretboard still look dry and grey-tint. I can sure she look nicer with brown-tint .
Click to expand...
Agreed it doesn't look as good as a nice rosewood board. But to my eye it looks much better than many of the CV laurel boards I've seen. Of course all that truly matters is how it plays and sounds. But I will be giving it a nice rubdown with Taylor fretboard oil soon. We shall see the results.
 
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