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Squier PJ: Affinity or VM???

CLMSHQ

CLMSHQ

Apr 17, 2007
704
187
Danielson, CT
#1
I am looking for a cheaper PJ Combo Bass and have had Squiers of the last 8yrs peppered in with some of my more expensive Fenders. Squiers are good instruments.

Is the VM PJ have a better build and sound then the Affinity PJ's???

Been eyeing the LPB VM PJ or the CAR Affinity.

Something I can put in my gig bag to bring to rehearsal or may even gig with.
 
#4
From someone who recently bought the Affinity, I wish I would have got a VM. As said before the build quality,simple stuff like no shielding paint. But, the Affinity is a great $180 bass......that spun off a ton of upgrades to get what I really wanted.
 
#10
It seems the general consensus is for the VM, but I bought a VM and took it back a week later. I bought a new Affinity a couple months ago and couldnt bee happier. They did have the same electronics for the most part, but the VM has that bass boost circuit which was nice, but I much prefer the Affinity over the VM any day. They are both really nice basses for the price, but I think the Affinity is better. Much better balance physically and electronically, the neck played much better on the Affinity and it just a better bass IMO. Maybe I got lucky. Ive heard that some werent pleased with the Affinitys at all, but me, I was and am very pleased. Having both and playing both extensively, Im very happy with the Affinity and Im glad I stuck with it. My $.02
 
#11
I Got 3 Squier PJ'S 2 '2007's 1' 1997 Put different Pup's & Ect ect. Chang a Neck in one 07 change the 97 neck found a Mint 97 Neck You Can Do anything almost with what ever you Can Get , these Badboys Rock!!! and BOOM ...
 

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#12
gregmon79 said:
It seems the general consensus is for the VM, but I bought a VM and took it back a week later. I bought a new Affinity a couple months ago and couldnt bee happier. They did have the same electronics for the most part, but the VM has that bass boost circuit which was nice, but I much prefer the Affinity over the VM any day. They are both really nice basses for the price, but I think the Affinity is better. Much better balance physically and electronically, the neck played much better on the Affinity and it just a better bass IMO. Maybe I got lucky. Ive heard that some werent pleased with the Affinitys at all, but me, I was and am very pleased. Having both and playing both extensively, Im very happy with the Affinity and Im glad I stuck with it. My $.02
Click to expand...

Bass boost? The only models I know of with that are the Jaguar Specials. The PJs, as well as nearly all Vintage Modified basses, just have a regular passive tone control.

FWIW, the Jag Specials are easily my least favourite VMs. I own a PJ, regular Jaguar bass and a Mustang, as well as previously owning a VM Jazzmaster guitar, and all of them blew the Jag Specials out of the water for feel, tone and sound, IMO.
 
#13
I played a Squire Affinity PJ and was impressed by how good the instrument sounded and felt. For $179 I thought it was an amazing bargain. It captured the tone of a PJ really well too. I have not tried the more expensive PJ Squire Vintage Modified.

Note that this is coming from somebody with a small collection of fairly expensive basses.
 
#15
My VM I have "stock Electronics in it just change the Cap in Control Very Cool Sounding Bass,, I did put a different Neck on it ...that I had ... It FOR THE BUCKS has a Super Sound,, you can get the VM on the Bay for a Good price... refurbish model 250 shipped.... the PJ Squier for 170ish has a Large neck at Nut... the VM has a Jazz Nut wide, the VM Stock Is a Good Deal for the Bucks the PJ Same thing... my PJs are 2007's and a 97 the 2007s have a Jazz Neck as so does the 97's , If you want a Fender and do not have the Money to get High Buck you cant beat these Two Basses for the money most people Most do change things when you get more money they are worth every pin-nee ya can spend on a Hop Up ,, you have the money and nohow to put in a set of' SD 1/4lb ers in each and a Cap you do not have to change much li rout carefully in the pups pocket ect .. the stock electronic will be fine till you want to change them I have done both left the stock Pots in them Sound Was 100 % better for the Bang !!!
 

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#19
Carl_D said:
This.

Squier quality goes like like (best to worst)...
1. Classic Vibe series
2. Vintage Modified series
3. Standard series
4. Affinity series
Click to expand...

Carl, I think that this may be more of a personal interpretation, rather than written in stone as you seem to make it here ... It seems to me that it may be based more on component, and finish type preferrences than making a blanket statement ... especially since some of the series were not even offered for any length of time together ... CV was introduced in '09, Standard Series discontinued in 2010 ... there are many that prefer the satin and thinner finishes on the older VM line, to the heavy high gloss finishes on the CV's (and now VM's), and I have never seen a CV Jazz much under 9 lbs, when I have had more than a few VM's under 7 lbs ... and then after having probably 12-15 of the Squier Standard J's, and SOME of the P Spec P/J's from that same series, there are components on them that I prefer (personal preferrence) over either the VM and CV series ... I dont think you will get much of an argument that the Affinity Series is the entry level Squier line, but again, when it comes to components, they will have their supporters among the 'modders' vs. CV and VM's simply based on their alder bodies ...

... again, certainly nothing wrong with listing in order of your preference, but to those less informed on here, it may be more accurate to state that it is a personal preferrence, and not a hard fast rule ... especially between the CV's and the VM's ...

JMHO ...;)
 
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