A used MIM will probably cost 2x or 3x the cost of your Squire. Used MIA probably 4x or 5x. No guarantees that they will be that much better. It’s a sliding scale. But if you want one, by all means, go for it. But I’d keep the Squier until you’re sure you’ve made an upgrade.
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Squier to Fender Upgrade - Worth It?
- Thread starter neutron619
- Start date
Absolutely! Squier is the Fender budget line. Everything will be better on a real Fender bass.
Based on your original post you probably don’t need a new bass. But it is also a gift and it’s nice to have special things. I would suggest looking at the Yamaha bbp 35 or bb 735 if you want active. They are a classic bass at a good price and extremely well made.
I had purchased a bunch of Squier Jazz V’s over the years, and honestly, I’m about done buying Squier. Half of of them had contracted neck issues over the years. I also really hate cheap hardware.
Of the Squier stuff I kept (what was worth keeping), I have two Bodies and one full Frankenstein parts bass (which is the “beater” of the group. They each have Hipshot KickAss5 bridges and Hipshot hardware.
I have played a few of the new Player Plus Jazz basses, and they were all excellent. However, I haven’t played any of the 5’s. I honestly believe that the Fender 5 design is the most comfortable bass (at least for me), so I’m willing to bet the Player Plus 5 is no different.
Of the Squier stuff I kept (what was worth keeping), I have two Bodies and one full Frankenstein parts bass (which is the “beater” of the group. They each have Hipshot KickAss5 bridges and Hipshot hardware.
I have played a few of the new Player Plus Jazz basses, and they were all excellent. However, I haven’t played any of the 5’s. I honestly believe that the Fender 5 design is the most comfortable bass (at least for me), so I’m willing to bet the Player Plus 5 is no different.
Hello Chaps,
Please forgive me if I start with some context:
I have a "big" birthday coming up next year and it's been suggested by family members that if there was a "big" present I wanted to ask for, so that everyone could gang together and get me something special, that that would be "advisable"D). But - they need some notice, hence it being mentioned now.
This coincides with a couple of other things going on in life currently.
One is, I've been having a bit of "brand-envy" since the start of the year. Last Christmas was apparently very kind to my church band bandmates and everyone now seems to turn up with superb, expensive instruments from Fender, Gibson, Taylor etc. My current collection includes nothing that cost more than about £400 new.
The other is that, presumably because I've been working hard at (re-)learning bass for the last 4 years or so (see here if interested: Picked up a bass again after 22 years...), I feel I've actually reached a place where I'm confident in my ability to play, perform, hold down a groove and so on. People are starting to comment on how good my playing is (without prompting!) and I'm starting to take more of a lead in the band simply because bandmates are asking my opinion more, using my suggestions etc. Although I was already a capable musician in other areas (singing, organ, piano, music theory) I think they've "noticed my progress", if I can put it that way. I'm now refining, rather than learning technique.
So, although I haven't decided whether I should cross my fingers for a new bass or ask for something completely different (other interests, etc.) I am starting to do a little preliminary research to see what's possible.
What I have:
95% of the time, I'm playing one or other of two basses. One is an Ibanez SR405-EMQM. It's like my "do everything, versatile" bass. It's beautiful, the neck is amazing and it's really comfortable to play. I'm very happy with it and it's not the subject of this post, but I mention it so you can see that I've got "modern bass" covered.
The other bass that I'm playing is my Squier Vintage Modified 5-string J-Bass. This was my first instrument; I always wanted a 5-string J, even back when I was 11 or 12 years old. (I just thought they were soooo cool!) I'm quite fond of it now, although, looking back, it did take me a long while to get it to produce the sound I was after. It's the one with the natural, all maple body / neck. It now wears D'Addario Pro Steels (EPS-165-5) and has had a cap switch and a series-parallel switch added to give it a little extra tonal versatility. The best bit is that my youngest daughter always turns up and dances when I slap on it - she likes the sound at least as much as I do!
What I (might) want(?):
I think I might want to upgrade from the aforementioned to an equivalent Fender J-bass. I like the look of the Player Plus Jazz Bass V (see: Fender Ultra Jazz Bass : How I purchased a LEMON) as it's available with a maple neck and seems to be sensibly priced. It would have to wear steel roundwounds of some kind to give that slappy, spanky tone. But as you can tell - I'm very unsure.
I've doing quite a lot of reading here to try and sort out some of the disparate thoughts I've had on that subject. Some of these include:
And so on.
- "Now I'm playing at a decent standard, I can justify having an expensive guitar..."
- "A Fender should be even more comfortable and easy to play than a Squier..."
- "A Fender is just a Squier with a different badge on the headstock. I've just got brand-envy..."
- [Response to the above] "But I play my basses almost every day - it's OK to have nice things, even if I am just paying for the name..."
- "Steel strings may ruin that Squier yet - do I really want to ruin an instrument 3x more expensive...?"
- "Am I really good enough to justify buying a "professional" instrument?
- "Would I have to get rid of the Squier if I owned a Fender?"
- "If I'm happy with the tone of the current bass, why do I want [need] another?"
I've also been searching the forums for information about these basses. Some of it has shown a worrying lack of QA on various Fenders recently, e.g.:
Fender Am. Prof. II Precision vs Player Precision
Should I modify my Squier or upgrade to another bass?
Other posts have reminded me that the upgrades I did to the Squier did get me the tonal colours I wanted and that the VM series basses were unusually good (and said by some to be as good as the cheaper "Fender" branded basses), e.g.:
Is MIM Fender p bass just a “better” Squier
Picked up a bass again after 22 years...
Mostly, I don't want to ask my family to contribute to a bass that doesn't give me something over and above the bass I have already. I think that a label on a headstock by itself isn't enough. Maybe ease of playing would be enough, but the Squier has been professionaly set up and plays well. Maybe having an active J-bass would be fun in the way that the Ibanez is fun. I don't know.
Can anyone help me tease out some good sense from all of the thoughts above? It'll be much appreciated if so.
Thanks in advance,
Adam.
Um… you have already thought about this quite a lot! Admire your dedication to making good choices.
One thing, may just be me:
Getting gifted something can work for you or against you.
If you haven’t spent your own earned money on something, its value is not really going to be so appreciable until you find “the essence of the thing” that is significant to you.
It may be your only feasible gateway to being able to get that axe though, has it been exactly what you have played and researched previously?
The only bass I’ve ever had a difficult bond with was one an unaffordable one i was gifted. (A difficult 21 years until it became my “keeper”)
There may be a difference you can feel. Or maybe not. I like Fenders but the bottom line is you should play a variety to make sure. It’s not better because it costs more. It’s better if you enjoy playing it more. Good luck and happy birthday.
I bought new Squiers Vibe, classic... not good.
I tried a some Fenders... not good.
But then I bought an online passive USA 2018 Fender Limited Edition Lightweight Ash American Professional Jazz Bass Sienna Sunburst.
OMG!!! Fit, finish and tone is spectacular;
I tried a some Fenders... not good.
But then I bought an online passive USA 2018 Fender Limited Edition Lightweight Ash American Professional Jazz Bass Sienna Sunburst.
OMG!!! Fit, finish and tone is spectacular;
I have one just like that except for mine is a '19 w/rosewood fingerboard and I agree 100% with your assessment of it.
I have both the player + V and the Ultra Jazz V. What the Ultra has over the Player. 1. Much better tuners, 2 a passive tone control. 3 much nicer neck with slightly closer string spacing 4 different pickups and preamp. 5 a bit lighter and 6 an overall more refined feel.
I have Fenders US and MIJ, but what I am playing mostly now is a 300$ used Squier VM Jazz 5. The PO did something smart. Spent some dough leveling the frets. And I dropped EMG JAX5 (Alnico) and finally what I got in trade 2 years ago, hipshot bridge and ultralite tuners, made this a decent bass. Many are liking how it sounds and can't believe it is a Squier. Even I can't believe it. Only thing I wished I had is an extra fret.
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An important aspect indeed IMHO. Will your family want to give you an object as a surprise?
As basses differ, even within one type, “the one” or even an “exceptional one” is generally found through trying a lot and happening on it. Would your family be ok with giving you a virtual one that you can purchase yourself, or mind if you return/swap it?
In other words, do you think they understand/mind this kind of thing? So you can accept this free from any felt obligation?
Upgrade your Squier to the American Pro II Jazz! It's worth it, but you still need to try it before you buy it.
Firstly, to everyone who has replied, thank you for sharing the ideas, analysis and wisdom - all of it is much appreciated.
Second, if this reply seems a little rushed, forgive me - I've got a long drive ahead of me today and I only have a short time to write, but I'll reiterate the appreciation. You get my point, I'm sure.
So, in response:
Possibly - I have considered it, but I dunno. I do have a DIY P(enguin)-Bass that I built with my boy over lockdown (see here: The official "Show your basses" thread part 19!) It's had the pickups, electronics and scratchplate upgraded since, and is wearing LaBellas - it thumps pretty well, but I don't love the tone or the feel of it the same way I love the J (or the Ibanez). It all goes back to about 1995 when I caught sight of the Fender catalogue on the band leader's desk at school and there was just "something" about that dark green, 5-string Jazz - I can still see it in my mind's eye today...
Thanks for the pointer - I have also gone round that loop too, albeit in the past, particularly as they seem be examples of using all of the "traditional" materials / hardware. I will do another round of research this week.
In order, the others are the P-bass I mentioned above, plus an Ibanez Talman TM-30 (??? - the short scale one) also wearing flats, that I have for my daughter to play and a CheapChinese™ acoustic bass wearing tapes. This would be "minor gig and bedroom" - it's a small church with a small band, but it's hugely enjoyable - but I practice at home regularly too.
Advice noted here and from the other examples of "go try some". I will. Thank you also, in advance.
A bigger price tag, but I'll look again, and at the Ultras. Perhaps spending a little more makes a bigger difference...
Thank you all again for the insights. I'll ckec back again later and add any extra responses I can.
Second, if this reply seems a little rushed, forgive me - I've got a long drive ahead of me today and I only have a short time to write, but I'll reiterate the appreciation. You get my point, I'm sure.
So, in response:
Looks to me like you need a big fat Precision.
Possibly - I have considered it, but I dunno. I do have a DIY P(enguin)-Bass that I built with my boy over lockdown (see here: The official "Show your basses" thread part 19!) It's had the pickups, electronics and scratchplate upgraded since, and is wearing LaBellas - it thumps pretty well, but I don't love the tone or the feel of it the same way I love the J (or the Ibanez). It all goes back to about 1995 when I caught sight of the Fender catalogue on the band leader's desk at school and there was just "something" about that dark green, 5-string Jazz - I can still see it in my mind's eye today...
Thanks for the pointer - I have also gone round that loop too, albeit in the past, particularly as they seem be examples of using all of the "traditional" materials / hardware. I will do another round of research this week.
In order, the others are the P-bass I mentioned above, plus an Ibanez Talman TM-30 (??? - the short scale one) also wearing flats, that I have for my daughter to play and a CheapChinese™ acoustic bass wearing tapes. This would be "minor gig and bedroom" - it's a small church with a small band, but it's hugely enjoyable - but I practice at home regularly too.
Advice noted here and from the other examples of "go try some". I will. Thank you also, in advance.
A bigger price tag, but I'll look again, and at the Ultras. Perhaps spending a little more makes a bigger difference...
Thank you all again for the insights. I'll ckec back again later and add any extra responses I can.
I've been borrowing my buddies CIJ fender 60's jazz and absolutely love it. He won't sell it to me sadly, so I picked up a Squier classic vibe 60s jazz with the same finish/pickguard (aged white/tort). The Squier has had Fender custom shop 60s pickups installed in it which sound amazing.
Tonally they have their different quirks, either one could 'sound better'. But the FEEL of the Fender is steps above.
I would highly recommend looking into the Sire basses. V5 if you want all passive or V7 if you want the option of a preamp. I used to own a V7 and while I can't directly compare it, the sound and even moreso the feel of the Sire was far better than both the Squier and Fender. Beautiful basses. And if you're buying new the value for money is unbeatable.
If you're concerned about what your band members might think of the Sire basses, they will probably just see a beautiful high end Jazz bass. And if they know about Sire basses, then they will know how exceptional they are.
Tonally they have their different quirks, either one could 'sound better'. But the FEEL of the Fender is steps above.
I would highly recommend looking into the Sire basses. V5 if you want all passive or V7 if you want the option of a preamp. I used to own a V7 and while I can't directly compare it, the sound and even moreso the feel of the Sire was far better than both the Squier and Fender. Beautiful basses. And if you're buying new the value for money is unbeatable.
If you're concerned about what your band members might think of the Sire basses, they will probably just see a beautiful high end Jazz bass. And if they know about Sire basses, then they will know how exceptional they are.
I have a Fender, high end “boutique” basses, and a Squier Vintage Modified Precision (Indonesia). Bought the Squier based on rave reviews from those on TB that it’s fit and finish are equal to or sometimes exceed MIA Fenders, and the people ain’t wrong (some speculate they discontinued the VM Precision because it was taking away from US sales). The neck and fit/finish are fantastic. That said, I did upgrade the hardware, but otherwise a steal of a bass. It’s no wonder Vintage Modified Precisions are rare.
That said, I also love my Am Pro Precision as well. Didn’t really have to modify anything (although I did eventually change out the pickup).
You really can’t lose.
That said, I also love my Am Pro Precision as well. Didn’t really have to modify anything (although I did eventually change out the pickup).
You really can’t lose.
Find the neck specs you like, get a good used Fender. American is better followed by Japanese and Mexican. Differences in hardware and electronics which are easy to replace.
Get the best you can afford. You can never go wrong with a good Fender P bass.
If Squier is all you are ready to buy it's also good. You can make any bass play terribly or great. Just make sure the bones are solid. A good straight neck, a body wood that is not soft, no misaligned parts.
Any 2006-2018 MIA or MIM should be a safe bet.
Get the best you can afford. You can never go wrong with a good Fender P bass.
If Squier is all you are ready to buy it's also good. You can make any bass play terribly or great. Just make sure the bones are solid. A good straight neck, a body wood that is not soft, no misaligned parts.
Any 2006-2018 MIA or MIM should be a safe bet.
If you feel enough of a difference and suspect an upgrade will inspire you’re playing further then I think the chances of regretting buying a Fender are very slim. And, for all the complaints, they deserve credit for being the company everybody else is trying to emulate, financially if not by way of design and status.
I started in music in with a 98 Fender Stratocaster MiM and after that i started on the bass in a 2000 Squier Precision. I have to say i notice the difference. The guitar was way better crafted. So much that the bass didn't last long, just three years with me. Then i changed to a japanese Bass Collection, this one on my profile pic.
That said, i've also had notice that Squier quality had improved a lot since. This series, Vintage Modified was top of the line, so as the actual Classc Vibe Series. But the MiM instruments are absolutely great. My guitar was fantastic and i had a 2010 Jazz Bass also very very good. I would change for a Player Series in a blink of a eye, since this series has a lot of good reviews too.
That said, i've also had notice that Squier quality had improved a lot since. This series, Vintage Modified was top of the line, so as the actual Classc Vibe Series. But the MiM instruments are absolutely great. My guitar was fantastic and i had a 2010 Jazz Bass also very very good. I would change for a Player Series in a blink of a eye, since this series has a lot of good reviews too.
