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Squier Owners Club

#2,021
offmyrocker said:
OK, I am 41 and searching for a first bass. Obviously I don't want to spend a crazy amount of money as someone first learning bass and needing other equipment. Any recommendations or opinions between the J or P Affinity Series, Vintage Modified 70's or the Classic Vibe? Any suggestions on amps as well??
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You haven't given us a budget as far as what you'd be willing to spend but I'll make these suggestions based on a set up that will give you great value at a very reasonable cost.

I would be leery of the Affinity Series. They make decent beginners basses when they're setup well but there's no comparison when it comes to how much nicer the VM's or CV's are.

Either a VM70's or the CV60's would be a nice place to start and they'll take you a long way down the road as well. I have a CV that I use as my gig bass right now and I'll add a PBass later this year.

As far as an amp goes. My first suggestion is to get one with at least a 10" speaker. A single 8" won't move much air. I won't even use an 8" for guitar let alone bass. If you can stretch the budget up to $150 these are two 20w 1x12" you may want to look at.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/acoustic-b20-1x12-bass-combo-amplifier

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/kustom-kb20-20w-1x12-bass-combo-amp
 
#2,023
offmyrocker said:
OK, I am 41 and searching for a first bass. Obviously I don't want to spend a crazy amount of money as someone first learning bass and needing other equipment. Any recommendations or opinions between the J or P Affinity Series, Vintage Modified 70's or the Classic Vibe? Any suggestions on amps as well??
Click to expand...

In a thread that offmyrocker started we are given some more info...

offmyrocker said:
I am 41 and looking to learn bass guitar. I like Rock / Metal (favorite artist is Geddy Lee - Rush) but would like to learn Bass in general. Not really considering a band and all that at this point. I don't want to spend a fortune either. What are some of the better beginner basses under $400 usd? And if anyone can suggest a practice amp? (25, 30, 60, 75 watt? what do you recommend?) Should I spend more on Bass or more on Amp? Out of 4 stores and MANY salesman, MANY MANY different opinions. In fact, a couple of them didn't remember me the first time I went in and had changed their opinions.... HELP!
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Later in that thread, we learn that you live in NJ and have a number of stores available.

I agree with the recommendations of a Classic Vibe (aka CV) Jazz Bass. The CV Precision is incredible too, but if you're after a Geddy like tone, a Jazz is where you'll probably want to go.

If you're buying a bass (or an amp for that matter) from a store that allows you to return it (like Guitar Center, Sam Ash, etc.), you might want to consider buying several basses that you think you like (and possibly amps), taking them home, trying them out for tone and feel, etc.

When my daughter was looking for a new Viola some years ago, we had instruments at home from two or three different stores and it became an easy decision on which one to buy since she could jump from instrument to instrument to gauge feel and tone, etc.

Stores like Guitar Center and Sam Ash take a lot of heat around here sometimes, but I've found their selections to be pretty good, their prices fair and their return policies very generous.
 
#2,025
My Squier VM Jaguar Special SS

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#2,026
Well, my "I'll only play a Fender" days came crashing down BIG time.

I own two MIA Fender P-Basses that are just 100% awesome in everyway and worth every penny I paid for them.

My Squier CV '50s Precision is honestly JUST AS GOOD. I actually went to the store prepared to invest $1,300 on a Fender Jazz since I was in a bass buying mood and looking for an alternative to my standard Ps.

My eye was really drawn to the Squier 50's P though, and the store actually had two of them. The one I didn't buy was awesome for the money and if it was the only on available, I would have bought it and would be extremely happy. With that said, the one I did buy has that "something special".

I knew it right off the bat, but the true test was at band practice. I'm blown away by the amount of cut that little pickup has. Sliced through the mix much better than my single pickup P bass and is more similar in tone to my P-bass that has an added a J pickup - the Squier has great bottom end, but also a nice trebly bite. Very weird given it's position on the body.

Easily the best $349+tax I've ever spent :)

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#2,035
This is my VMS P-Bass. It started off a little rough out of the box, the action was high, there was a lot of hiss, fret edges were like a steak knife. There was also a lot of overspray on the neck and most of the screws were loose.

I sorted out all of the build problems and did a bit of modding. I installed a BAII bridge, Dunlop Strap Locks, Fender Original '62 p'ups and DR Hi Beams. This is now a great feeling, sounding and playing bass.

Can I Get a number?

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#2,040
Mid 80's today but will be in the nineties this week. Nice and comfortable now at 68. It does get nasty here in the summer especially Aug, Sept and Oct.....

On a side note I can not believe the amount of flame on the neck of the MF. It blows my mind the quality of this bass. I usually hot rod all my Squiers but this one I'm not gonna touch...except for the GHS flats I put on it.

Also on the Fender sight it says this about the pickup....

Bridge Pickup: Custom Precision Bass® Split Single-Coil Pickup

I wonder what they mean by custom. The Dirnt P says Standard. If anyone knows I sure would like to find out. It may have already been discussed but I missed it.
 

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