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Squier Deluxe Dimension Bass (IV & V string)
- Thread starter Hank Scorpio
- Start date
I feel a little silly still gushing about this bass after a month, but this is a situation where playing the bass for a month has only made me like it more instead of getting tired of it. This evening, I heard Smooth Operator over the radio, and since I happen to have my bass with me, I went by a store where I am a regular, and played that song on a nice black Stingay, and later on my Dimension. Set flat, the Dimension is just a bit brighter than a Stingray, but it is a pretty small differnce. Once I learn that little solo from Smooth Operator, I may post another clip. I love my Squier Dimension so much, I am tempted by the idea of a MIA Deluxe single H Dimension, but that is just GAS talking, my Squier does an excellent job filling a Stingray style role in my bass arsenal.
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Your killing me
I'm still torn between the Dimension and MTD CRB.
Shaun
They are not super expensive basses. Buy a Dimension first, save up, and buy a CRB later.
I'm not sure which of you guys are to blame - tubatodd, Dr. Cheese, Hank Scorpio - but after following this thread for awhile, I decided to jump in, too.
Thanks for all of the detailed reviews, guys. I hate buying gear without trying it first, but you guys made it pretty easy. I ordered from Amazon - got the black and maple 4.
This thing is a monster. I couldn't be more impressed. The band was impressed at rehersal last night, too. Even with my clumsy and chimp-like approach to the instrument, I sounded really good.
Pics and review to follow.
Oh, this is my first post at Talkbass. Lots of nice, knowledgeable and conscientious folks here - many thanks again!
Thanks for all of the detailed reviews, guys. I hate buying gear without trying it first, but you guys made it pretty easy. I ordered from Amazon - got the black and maple 4.
This thing is a monster. I couldn't be more impressed. The band was impressed at rehersal last night, too. Even with my clumsy and chimp-like approach to the instrument, I sounded really good.
Pics and review to follow.
Oh, this is my first post at Talkbass. Lots of nice, knowledgeable and conscientious folks here - many thanks again!
I'm glad I could be an enabler. All though with GAS, there is no one to blame.
I'm in the same boat as Dr Cheese - I'm only finding that I'm liking it more as time goes on, and I'm getting more comfortable with easily setting the tone I want.
Sorry for fuelling your GAS! If you prefer satin necks, I can't recommend the green scotch-brite method enough. Makes the whole thing feel smoother, faster and more comfortable to me. I love the neck profile, and this just pushed it over the edge.
Based on your recommendation a few pages back, I had my guy down at the music store do this when he did the setup. Good advice! Neck is super fast.
For a $1, 5 minute mod, it may be the most worthwhile I've made on a bass before!
As far as it goes, I find this bass plays really well with drive pedals. Almost as well as my passive basses, with a little tweaking.
Anybody tried this bass passive? Considering putting in a push/pull to switch, mainly in case of battery issues at a gig.
Forgive the poor photography. My garage needs to be cleaned, too.
I can't offer much in the way of a review that can even come close to the reviews posted here previously. Simply put, the Dimension is a fantastic bass, independent of the price point.
Ordered from Amazon, arrived in really good shape, and a cursory run-through found no issues at all. Having personally ruined a few basses attempting to save money and do my own setups, I decided to take it in for a setup and string change. I tune BEAD (Yeah. I'm one of those guys.) Had the tech install Daddario XL Nickel Rounds (.130 - .65). I had the tech do a few quick passes on the back of the neck as well (Thanks, Hank Scorpio).
Dr Cheese is right. The B is insanely good. Seriously. I've been tuning down on 4 strings for about 8 years now, and this is the cleanest I've heard. Its pretty amazing.
The neck is really great. Very comfortable, and has a really nice grain on both the neck and fingerboard. I was concerned it may arrive with a yellowed neck, and was pleased to see it was, in fact, more of a "toasted" maple - as someone postulated at the start of this thread, which is great.
I only played it briefly before taking it to the shop, but the Nickel Rounds sound (to me) much snappier, and so much easier on the fingers.
The preamp is simple to use - I was dialing in some great tones pretty quickly - and the pickup is massive. The bridge is no joke, either.
Im using it for my only paying gig, playing with a Praise and Worship band (2 guitars, steel drums, drums and piano), and it sounds huge. We practiced last night, and the bandleader gave me a rare smile. I like that its light (8.3 lbs), but not too light.
I'm hooked. Its a great bass. Comfortable, affordable for me, and maybe most importantly it's a lot of fun to play!
(As an aside, it worked out to be a great holiday weekend for gear - I paid full retail minus my gift card amount from Amazon (my girlfriend thought I was going to spend it on her - yeah.), then hit craigslist and picked up a super-nice Ampeg BA 115 for $100 and a clean G&G hardcase for another $30.)
I'm hoping that Im enjoying this bass as much 30 days from now, like previous reviewers. I don't see why not - its just a really good bass. Squier got it right again!
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While I know that it's likely in poor form to post consecutively, just wanted to update after getting a chance to gig with my new Dimension.
Running direct to the board, I played both worship services last Sunday, and my Dad's memorial service Sunday afternoon.
Bottom line - the sound was great- several congregation members (who aren't musicians, to my knowledge) commented that they could hear and feel the bass, and that the band sounded great.
And man - is this thing easy on the back!
Running direct to the board, I played both worship services last Sunday, and my Dad's memorial service Sunday afternoon.
Bottom line - the sound was great- several congregation members (who aren't musicians, to my knowledge) commented that they could hear and feel the bass, and that the band sounded great.
And man - is this thing easy on the back!
Non-musicians noticing you is always a good sign. I'm glad you are happy with it. Did your father pass away? If so, you have my condolences.
He did. I got to be with him when he passed. I miss him - he was a fantastic Dad, and my best friend.
Thanks for the kind words - and sorry for the thread hijack.
There is nothing to apologize for, losing your father is as important as it gets. I'm just glad you were able to use your bass to honor him.
My condolences! Not for nothing....I bet your dad liked the bass as well.
Y'all are killing me... my GAS today is awful, too.
I'm really interested in the Squier Deluxe Dimension V. I normally play a 4 string, but I find myself soloing more and playing through a higher range as we continue to write more songs.
I'm not a super knowledgable guy on certain aspects of this instrument and have a couple of concerns...
1. I can re-string and tune this bad boy to EADGC, yeah? I mean... the way the poles are set up on the pickup won't be an issue?
2. The way the pickup is routed into the body compared to the Fender is driving me nuts. Can the Squier's pickup be replaced/upgraded with a more premium pickup or is it 100% proprietary in shape?
Thanks!
I'm really interested in the Squier Deluxe Dimension V. I normally play a 4 string, but I find myself soloing more and playing through a higher range as we continue to write more songs.
I'm not a super knowledgable guy on certain aspects of this instrument and have a couple of concerns...
1. I can re-string and tune this bad boy to EADGC, yeah? I mean... the way the poles are set up on the pickup won't be an issue?
2. The way the pickup is routed into the body compared to the Fender is driving me nuts. Can the Squier's pickup be replaced/upgraded with a more premium pickup or is it 100% proprietary in shape?
Thanks!
EADGC will be no problem. Listen to it before you assume the electronics need to be changed. The quality of the preamp is the best I have ever seen in a sub-$500 bass.
A friend of mine pointed out that I would likely have to change out the nut, but reading up on here, it seems like that may not be the case and should work fine with the smaller gauge strings.
And it does sound like I won't ever want to change out the electronics, but IF it came down to that, is there another pickup that would fit that routing hole in the body?
That's probably just fine with a bass in this price range. Was only curious.
Sam Ash has a black one (or three) in stock and I'm going to go check it out today. I will be trading in my Ibanez SR300 if I decide to buy it. I'll probably get real close to as much as I paid for it on trade in ($150).
