Squier Classic Vibe

[ProfGumby]

stupid question...would the basswood bodies compromise the durability and tone quality over the years?

i've heard horror stories of hardware and electronics collapsing or shifting over time since basswood is such a soft tone wood.

guess this goes right back into my "cheap bass durability/longevity" thread. but i think it's worth asking.

That is a good question.....and honestly, one of the biggest reasons I have not bought CV so far....

 

[koobie]

I listened with a set of Sennheiser HD280 Pro cans to try to hear as much of the lousy YouTube sound as possible.

I'm surprised by this comment. I think the audio is plenty good for the purpose of comparing stock Fender & Squier basses. I watched it in the "high quality video" mode, not sure if this also bumps up the fidelity.

 

[Barfly]

I got the CV 50s. Best $299 Canadian I've ever spent. I upgraded the pickup although the stock one was perfectly acceptable, did a minimal setup with new Thomastic flatwounds and I now have a bass that I can play even on gigs. No need to change the bridge or tuners-they're just fine.

Mine weighs about 8 1/2 lbs and balances perfectly. The Lake Placid blue isn't my favourite colour, but everyone else seems to think it's gorgeous. It really is flawless and the fretwork is excellent.

Where else can you get such a nice 50s style P bass for such a price? With the taxes and pickup upgrade I've got less than $450 Canadian invested.

Edit to add--One nice touch is the vintage width narrow frets.

Where did you find one? None around here (GTA).

 

[Justice]

I'm surprised by this comment. I think the audio is plenty good for the purpose of comparing stock Fender & Squier basses. I watched it in the "high quality video" mode, not sure if this also bumps up the fidelity.

I was listening through my KRK studio monitors...in regualr mode. The sound on the video is quite good.

except for those really cheesy voice overs...

 

[62bass]

Where did you find one? None around here (GTA).

L&M in Burlington. It was the only one in the store. I think they're selling well. I bought mine just as the Canadian dollar sunk like a stone and got it for $299. The L&M price has gone up since.

You could ask L&M if they have one in one of their other Canadian stores. I got an Artcore bass that way after they were discontinued. Their Ottawa store had one so the shipped it to the Burlington store. No extra charge.

 

[62bass]

I was listening through my KRK studio monitors...in regualr mode. The sound on the video is quite good.

except for those really cheesy voice overs...

The sound on my home monitors was okay.

I always laugh at Friedland's "funk" playing though. He always comes up with these happy little ditties that sound like they'd be perfect background music for a children's show. But he seems to enjoy himself.

Those are only accurate representations of the Squiers with roundwound strings by the way. In other words, as they come from the store. With period correct flatwounds they sound much better to my ears.

 

[eots]

stupid question...would the basswood bodies compromise the durability and tone quality over the years?

i've heard horror stories of hardware and electronics collapsing or shifting over time since basswood is such a soft tone wood.

guess this goes right back into my "cheap bass durability/longevity" thread. but i think it's worth asking.

I guess that's one test they don't do on reviews. Put an instrument through a complete gig vs just the tone. Take both compared basses and drop them off the stage. Do some strap locked spins around the body. Bang some cymbals a few times. Leave them in a frozen car overnite. Then come back and play them.
I thought the Fenders sounded slightly better but you wouldn't be able to tell in a band context.

 

[James_E]

Where did you find one? None around here (GTA).

The Arts Music Store in Newmarket had 2 CV Ps (the blue ones, on of each type) last week. I tried them, they were nice. They ARE open on Sundays if you wanted to call and try to get up there today during this storm lol.

 

[overdrivethree]

I guess that's one test they don't do on reviews. Put an instrument through a complete gig vs just the tone. Take both compared basses and drop them off the stage. Do some strap locked spins around the body. Bang some cymbals a few times. Leave them in a frozen car overnite. Then come back and play them.
I thought the Fenders sounded slightly better but you wouldn't be able to tell in a band context.

that's why i'm going with an SX, since the body woods are ash (on mine) or alder...actual tone woods. at the very least, the body you buy is solid. we'll see how it does over time. i won't feel screwed over if it gives out, at that price. i'll just frankenstein it.

growing up in the mid 90's grunge era, i came up thinking that cheap can be just as good as expensive stuff. and i've had instruments and gear fall apart on me with just minimal wear. about 8 years ago, i had a Yamaha Pacifica i got out of MF that didn't last a year without the pickup switch completely crapping out, among other things. and i never even gigged the damn thing.

and this is why, i still see a MIJ Fender '51 or 50's P on the horizon...or even a '57 reissue. either way, something that will definitely hold up under the rigors of fairly regular gigging and recording.

 

[Mark Wilson]

I have both an American Jazz and a classic vibe jazz.

The squier is a great bass for it's price, plays great and sounds good for a practice bass but I would never use it live though.. It lacks a lot of "balls" through my VR..

They may sound alike (wich is normal i guess, both are jazz basses..) , but then again, there's a huge difference between them when i'm rocking out loud

Could that be solved by swapping the pickups in the Squier for some higher output pickups?