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Squier jazzes?

IvanHardy

IvanHardy

Oct 24, 2009
179
39
35
New York, NY
www.facebook.com
Disclosures
Spector, EMG, Dirtbag Clothing, WB Gear, LK Straps,
#1
Hey guys I've just been wondering about the new squier jazz basses. I've been playing music man basses exclusive almost 2 years so that's what I'm accustomed to but I've always had the urge for a jazz bass but at the moment I can only buy a squier. Do you guys feel squiers are worth paying for?
 
#2
If we're talking Classic Vibe/Vintage Modified, absolutely.

The CV/Artist series and VM Squiers are really fantastic instruments, and not just for the price, overall.

If we're talking, standard/affinity IMO, no not really, although there certainly are good ones out there
 
#4
Love my VM Jazz (the natural finished one) Looks,sounds and plays sweet. People say Squiers are good for the money, I disagree, I think they would be good for MORE than what they cost. IMO, they could charge $100-$200 more and they would still be worth it, and no mods needed.
 
#7
Hi IvanHardy, hello all;

Don't know about the new Squiers beyond the current Affinity line which I cannot recommend when for another $100 you can get a significantly better Squier. I can add my voice to those recommending laying hands on the 'Vintage Modified' models, new or used.

And probably you are looking for a fretted bass. My 2 cents, nonetheless:

I bought my first bass in 2009 - a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass® Fretless - $299 new, as I recollect, at GC in NYC. Made in Indonesia in 2008. I didn't go in planning on a fretless; I was planning on some beginners package. But this guitar Just. Felt. So. Good. :-) [I've seen these used advertised for less than $200 this year.]

And it sounds so good - not only to me; teachers and bandmates have commented. Dead ringer for a 'Jaco' bass, too - just a very classic, slick look. :-) Fit and finish on mine was excellent. A few years later I've done one minor truss adjustment since I initially had it set up; so minor I didn't even need to adjust the intonation hardly. It isn't fussy - set it and forget it.

If you get one, DO THIS ONE THING before playing it much... **replace the round-wounds it comes with for flatwound strings!** [string gauges below]

Seriously - the stock steel round strings will mar, sort of scuff up, that beautiful shiny Ebonol fingerboard very quickly. I think this is only cosmetic, that the fingerboard is not damaged or grooved by rounds, but they will make it sort of hazy looking. It is too pretty to allow this to happen.

It is a slinky feeling bass. Passive VVT. It wants flats. Mine tolerates a nicely low action, probably about the average height of a 'jumbo' fret. :-) So it feels fast, sort of 'touch and go' - compared to it's Affinity fretted cousin; but I play the latter far less so I tend to land on the fret as often as just behind it <ouch!> unless I slow down.

Maybe I just got lucky; but I've found a few reports of similar experience with the model, and don't recall any negative reviews. However, being relatively inexperienced, I don't have much to compare it to.

Picture and details (no color or pattern options 'cause it is already perfect -smile-) - Invalid Link Removed

"" Specifications (from link)
* Model Name : Vintage Modified Jazz Bass® Fretless
* Model Number: 032-6608-(500)
* Series: Vintage Modified Series
* Body: Agathis
* Neck: Maple, C-Shape, (Polyurethane Finish)
* Fingerboard: Fretless Ebonol with Inlaid White Celluloid Fretlines, 9.5" Radius (241 mm)
* No. of Fret(line)s: 20 [Medium Jumbo ??]
* Pickups : 2 Duncan Designed&#8482; JB101 Single-Coil Pickups with AlNiCo 5 Magnets
* Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Master Tone
* Pickup Switching: None
* Bridge: Standard 4-Saddle
* Machine Heads: Standard Open-Gear Tuners
* Hardware: Chrome
* Pickguard: None
* Scale Length: 34" (864 mm)
* Width at Nut: 1.50" (38 mm)
* Unique Features: Black Bound Fingerboard with Black Block Position Inlays, Knurled Chrome Dome Control Knobs
* Strings: Fender Super 7250ML (nickelplated steel), p/n 073-7250-005, (.045, .065, .080, .100)
* Introduced: 7/2006 ""

Addendum - a link to the 14 models in the Vintage Modified series.
Invalid Link Removed
Wow, seems like they stuck with a good thing. :-) You ought to be able to find a very nice one for an excellent price. Good Luck!
 
#8
IvanHardy said:
I'm not a fan of the Cv because of their finishes. I was thinking more of the standard one that came out. The sunburst one with the tortoise guard. Or the vintage modified '77 one
Click to expand...

the Squier Standards were discontinued as '07-08 the last model year, and the introduction the following year of the VM line ... the one that came with the 'tort' guard is actually a red/antique burst .. the sunburst came with a white guard, both 3 layer ... you will have to find a used one, or there are some NOS still around being sold, but for prices often approaching the $250-300 range ... these are decent usable basses, but for that kind of money it starts to get questionable in comparison (personal tastes) to the VM and CV's ... JMHO
 
#9
Like tjh said, the standard line is discontinued. The only Squier Jazz with a sunburst finish and a tort guard is a Vintage Modified model.
This one:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Perhaps this is the one you were thinking of?

BTW, here's the one I have (loving it):
Link Removed


(and they're both on sale,too!)
 
#10
IvanHardy said:
I'm not a fan of the Cv because of their finishes. I was thinking more of the standard one that came out. The sunburst one with the tortoise guard. Or the vintage modified '77 one
Click to expand...


The heck with the color Ivan the CV 60's Jazz Bass is one of the best instruments in the Squier line. It's easily the equal of any MIA Standard Jazz Bass I've ever owned and covers about six or seven.

You can always strip the Oly White and change the look if that bothers you. It already comes with a tort pickguard so strip it and have a good refinisher turn it into a sunburst for you. You'd incur some added cost but you'd have a rare bird if you had a CV 60's Jazz in sunburst or in a natural finish.

If that doesn't suit you get the VM Jazz but don't drop down any farther than that unless you plan on some modifications. JMO.
 
#12
I see that you've already made up your mind, just want to note that modern Affinity Jazzes are very good. My Affinity Jazz V has excellent fit and finish, very comfortable neck with flawless fretwork (better than on most basses I have tried), quite usable B string and nice growly sound. Its tuners and neck pickup could be better, but those are minor complaints. Also, it has alder body, not basswood or agathis, if that is important for you.
 
#16
C.Linton said:
Do me a favor. Don't do that until you've had the bass for a while and you determine that you don't actually like the pickup and bridge on the Squier. You may find you like it the way it is.
Click to expand...

+1 I would do this on any Squier, from Affinity on up. I've recently been going all about my area playing Affinity P's & Jag VM Specials(looking to add a HB to either). Both new & used; each one has differences and quirks. I'm sure this applies to the J's as well. :)
 
#18
Just recently I have been wishing that the Squier CV/VM lines came in sea foam green. I have been really into that color, largely due to Ed Friedland's video comparison of the CVs to his Fender models (one of which was a SF green fender Jazz, I believe).

@IvanHardy: that CL listing could very well be a standard. The color appears a bit more reddish than the sunburst VM Jazz. More notable, are the pups lacking the "Duncan-designed", leading me to believe it's not a VM. Still nice, I nearly bought one (exact model) from a Seattle-based dealer, since they were discontinued. Price: $180.
 
#20
IvanHardy said:
Do you think I should buy that one instead? If its as good as the VM model I can settle for it.
Click to expand...

Although some owners of Affinities and Standards say they got good basses, there are also some who say they got dogs. The general popular consensus is that you are less likely to get a good Affinity or Standard than you are a CV or VM. Unless I could try the Standard out or get one new (which you can't anymore, anyway) from a reputable online dealer with a good return policy, I would rather take my chances with the VM. And $200 for a used Standard is not a good deal, IMO.
 

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