Squier Deluxe Dimension Bass (IV & V string)

[Evil Undead]

Anyone have a four string dimension and able to weigh it for me? And do they have any neck dive?

I played one in a store about four months ago and I was very taken with it, so much that I'm really tempted to buy one. But I can't remember enough about the above two points

 

[tubatodd]

Anyone have a four string dimension and able to weigh it for me? And do they have any neck dive?

I played one in a store about four months ago and I was very taken with it, so much that I'm really tempted to buy one. But I can't remember enough about the above two points

I haven't weighed mine, but I have the red 4 string and there is no neck dive for me.

 

[tubatodd]

Had a gig tonight with my big band. It was a wedding reception outdoors in a tent. I brought my Cavin BX250 and Hartke 210XL plus my Squier Dimension and 1 of my Squier VM Jazz basses. I hooked up the jazz bass and started playing. It sounded sooooooo hollow. There was NO thump. I tried messing with the EQ a bit, but didn't find the sound I wanted/needed. So I switched out to my Dimension. I had it EQed (cut the high mids) so it sounds like a precision bass. OH BABY! Plenty of thump. It produced a the ideal sound for this gig. I played just about the whole gig on the Dimension bass. It sounded fantastic!

 

[tubatodd]

Well.....I ordered another one. It is also a 4 string but in sunburst. Looking forward to it.

 

[tubatodd]

My second one has arrived. It too is fantastic. The build quality of these basses is top notch. I'm planning on getting an exotic custom pickguard. I'm thinking something like this.....

I love the colors and the texture.

 

[tubatodd]

Just played my second/new one through the amp. Wow!!! Love love love it! My only oddity is the pickup height. The treble side is MUCH closer to the strings and it looks like can't get the bass side to go up. I may have to remove the screws entirely and make sure they seat correctly.

As far as the Squier Dimensions are concerned, they are the best value I've seen at this price point.

 

[tubatodd]

Ok so the pickup height is an issue. It appears that something is blocking the pickup from going past a certain point on the treble side. But what is odd, when I start tightening the screws on the treble side, the bass side sinks at an angle. I took the pickup out and saw some wiring under there, but nothing that looked like it should be blocking it. Apparently the tech in Indonesia had the same frustration and said "meh.....close enough." I'm not really sure how to resolve this. It's a great bass. I just need to fix this stubborn issue.

 

[tubatodd]

SUCCESS!!!!

I'm thoroughly documenting this in case some other poor soul runs into the same issue. If the pictures do NOT show up, let me know.

Step 1: Cover your pup

Not like that. Like THIS...

2. Lift pup out of the way.
Note the wires on the treble side that are part of the issue.
Not much you can do about them

3. Cut 2 pieces of "Sponge Rubber Weatherstripping" and stack them on the bass side.

4. Put the pickup back in and tighten the screws. Now the bass side stays parallel to the top of the body.

 

[bassman74]

What is the real nut width on the five string version? Squier's web site says 1.5????

 

[Joybass]

What is the real nut width on the five string version? Squier's web site says 1.5????

1.75 in (44,5 mm)

 

[Joybass]

@tubatodd What a sweet little doggy you have there!

Nice that they put in a ground wire under the pup, but what is the use of that when the cavity is not shielded? Perhaps the guy at the factory thought "meh, f**k it, it's weekend"?

 

[tubatodd]

@tubatodd What a sweet little doggy you have there!

Nice that they put in a ground wire under the pup, but what is the use of that when the cavity is not shielded? Perhaps the guy at the factory thought "meh, f**k it, it's weekend"?

Not actually my pup. That was from Google when I typed "dog in blanket."

Yeah the whole pickup thing was a bit janky but at least the solution was reasonable.

 

[tubatodd]

Here's my second one. I was going to swap the pickguard but it looks too good.

 

[Joybass]

Hah, where would we be without the internet.

O well, as long as you can position the pup the way you want to, and the whole deal is electronically silent, all is perfect.

 

[Joybass]

Looks nice, your second one. I am GASsing for the CAR 5-string, but I first have to unload at least one of my current basses (the wife, you know).

 

[tubatodd]

When I got my second one it was between that and a SBMM SUB ray 4 in blue. I got the Dimension cause it is a better value (IMHO) and I feared Fender/Squier might discontinue the Dimension. They seem to rotate in designs, which isn't bad, but I didn't know how much time they would have it available. If they make a double pickup Squier Dimension, I will be all over it.

 

[arctur]

Hey guys,
first post here
Thank you all for this thread, convinced me to check the bass out (and to buy one).
I went to my local music store yesterday and was happy to see that they stock nearly all the versions of the Dimension bass, so naturally, I played most of them.
I had the Squier 4 Maple, Squier 5 Maple, Squier 5 Rosewood, Am DLX 4 H Maple, Am DLX 5 H Maple. The also had the passive American one and the Mexican one but I didn't really play those. Those ugly tuners on the MIM... why would anyone do such a terrible, terrible thing?
Anyway, here are my impressions:
The main difference between the American basses and the Squiers is, hands down, the neck. It is much better on the American model. That is not to say that the neck on the Squier is bad, I just think the oil finish/asymmetric profile makes for one killer neck. It's definitely not just the truss rod and graphite rods, it also feels noticeably better.
Soundwise, I was a bit surprised. You can tell a difference but it's not easy to pick a winner. The American model did sound a bit clearer, bit more refined, a tad less boomy. I played alternating octaves on the B and A string (the intro to Everlong, to be exact...) and the string separation was better on the American model. Overtones and flageolets also sound clearer.
However, the Squiers did have much more "growl" to them. Though the B string was great on the American model, it did sound even "mightier" on the Squier.
One thing that both have in common is that the electronics cavity doesn't seem to be particularly well shielded. I had my phone in my pocket and did get some of those annoying beeps with both the Squiers and the American models.
I also a:b'ed the rosewood v the maple on the Squiers. Maple was a clear winner for me. Playing the Everlong intro again, I could tell that the string separation was much better with the maple board. The growl from the serial wiring just is a bit better controller overall (and also the red bit of the sunburst finish looks quite ugly in the flesh).
I will definitely get the black maple 5er once I have some stuff sold off, it really is a no-brainer.
However, my local store is selling the Am DLX 5H for 1150€. That is just a bargain... For anyone who has got a bit more cash to spend, i'd recommend keeping your eyes open for those kinds of deals. That neck...

 

[bassman74]

I am actually selling all my bass stuff except for this baby and my Fender rumble 40

I love this little bass, she's light and she growls like crazy!!!

The preamp is surprising for such an affordable bass.

I'd like to modify her into a MLP V-bass one day but for now, it's more than enough.

 

[bassman74]

Anyone thought about replacing the pickup with a real MM pickup?
Or
You are all happy with the stock pickup?

 

[bassman74]

Anyone knows if the pickup is wired in parallel or series?