Squier VM or Fender MIM Standard P?

[coastward_kid]

Please note that I am not interested in making this a generalized squier vs. fender discussion

I need a backup bass, and am trying to decide between a Squier Vintage Modified P and a Fender MIM Standard P.

This bass will probably see a lot of show time with a guitar pop band, and play backup to my mia jazz for my celtic band. Here are my thoughts

1) I have had problems with MIM Fenders, specifically with my precision deluxe (one of my first threads has all of the information) where I have heard nothing but good things about the Squier.

2) I seem to have picked up some "buzz" as to the notion that squier is on the up, especially with this VM series.

3) Neck. I am under the understanding that the VM neck is slightly thinner than a standard P, which is definitely good for me.

4) Aesthetics: I like the white body black pg on the Squier, but admittedly would probably want to change the logo to a spaghetti of perhaps my name, or something (note: not fender). On the other hand, I'll admit I dig having fender on the headstock, but the colour options in the standard are pretty vanilla to me. I would probably buy the arctic white and then spend the $40 to get an anodized pg, and take the time to install it.

5) Tone. I am not experiencing a real difference between the two in terms of tone.

6) Price. Saving $200 would be nice

7) Care. I am pretty anal about my basses and cough*guitars*, and adding another to the family would be another beast to setup consistently, keep fresh strings on, monitor humidity, etc. It's been a long time since I've owned a total beater, and while the Fender is still an intermediate axe, I think I would have far less concern for the safety and well being of the squier, which might make owning it a little less stressful.

Your thoughts?

 

[coastward_kid]

Thanks for the votes. Any comments that might help?

 

[Albatross]

i have a mim jazz, and i like it....but i would be careful, what i have found out is that one of the mim's is not the same as the other..so all i say is try before you buy

 

[Nighttrain1127]

The Squire VM is made as well if not better than the MIM and The pickup is a Duncan Design and sounds much more vintage than the stock MIM p Bass that usually ends up sounding thin . The tuners,Bridge and electronics aer good on both basses No buzzes or anything on mine. One thing to remember is that either if these basses will play better after they are properly set up.

 

[coastward_kid]

I have heard a lot of stuff concerning the notion that these vm squiers have better construction than the mim fenders. Does anyone have any specifics to either confirm or refute this?

 

[Troutdog]

I love my Squier VM P. I use it as my upstairs bedroom bass (always plugged into a practice amp never in a case, ready for a quick riffing session). It also serves as a backup to my 73 P which I use on gigs. It sounds great to my ears - perfect for classic and modern rock, which is what my band plays. The pickups are surprisingly good. Only mod I have made is to a badass bridge. I might change to a tort pickguard some day.

Anyway, I recommend the Squier and use the $200 you save for other stuff, or beer.

 

[pingone]

sounds like you've already made the decision and you just want someone to tell you it's ok to own a squire. so here ya go. buy the squire. i personally own a standard squire jazz and i love it. i'm sure i could find better or worse mim jazzes, but who cares. mine does what i need it to do and thats all that really matters.

 

[coastward_kid]

Ah I haven't made up my mind, no. I am jus tlooking for feedback like the post above concerning it's reliability.

The price difference isn't the biggest issue though. The biggest is by far its ability to withstand weekend after weekend of gigging (as stated, it will certainly be backup for my celtic band, but probably the main geet for a pop punk band)

I have no idea how the squier would hold up (and am a little skeptical), but, as previously mentioned, I have had problems (big ones) with mim fenders.

Does anyone play one of these vm's live on a regular basis?

 

[*smb]

It depends. If you're buying from a shop (i.e. you can play it first) and the Squier feels good then by all means buy it. Fenders are more consistently built though so I'd rather order a Fender than a Squier.

 

[coastward_kid]

Well I have been able to play both. I did like the neck of the squier better (could have been placebo effect from what I have read), but the problem is I haven't been able to ab them since they are each only available at one of my two local fender dealers.

I have to make this purchase before the weekend coming up so I have a backup for my shows, so I couldn't wait for one of the two shops to bring the one they don't have in.

So in response *smb, the squier does feel good, but I am more than mildly concerned that three set nights, the cold canada winter, and my generally energetic (read: abusive) playing style will see the bass playing about as well as an affinity within a few months.

 

[Valerus]

I'd chose the MIM Fender.

 

[coastward_kid]

well valerus, you're obviously not the only one. Did you have any specific reasons?

On a side note, I must admit I am mildly surprised by the deadlock we are witnessing here.

 

[gustmouse]

Well I don't have a MIM P bass, but had the Squier VM P bass for 3 weeks. In that time haven't played my other basses. I also look forward to playing it next month with the band. It sounds great and plays well.
It also cost $200 less than a MIM P. So I guess for the money...

 

[Bugarhooks]

I had a MIM jazz bass that sounded good by itself, but couldn't cut through the band. I currently own a vintage mod fretless. Buy the Squire

 

[coastward_kid]

I'm not certain that I know what you mean by "cut through the band". Could this not have been much more of a headroom issue with the amplification of the bass?

 

[jumbosilverette]

I own an older MIM and have played a few of the new Squiers. From my observation there isn't a whit of difference. If you can live with the opprobrium of some out there who think the Squier logo makes it a lesser bass, save yourself 2 bills and buy the Squier.

 

[coastward_kid]

anything to be said for reliability? I suppose it may be hard with the new VM series, as they haven't been around long enough to have a track record.

 

[VinceS]

well, i had a choice a while back b/t a MIM p or a Squier p (not VM). I chose the MIM mostly because it had great playability while that of the Squier just didn't do it for me. (either that, or i found a really well built MIM)

Anyway, in your case/today, i'd probably take the VM Squier due to price and positive responses to it. Just be sure to try it out before you buy it.

 

[coastward_kid]

Good advice.

But as I said price isn't the biggest factor for me. If I put out an extra 200 to have a bass that is still rocking longer than the squier, I'd say it's worth it. Problem is I don't know much about the longevity of either.

 

[jumbosilverette]

Ain't much to go wrong with a bass, Squier or Fender. I mean the pots can get noisy on any bass. tuning machines might need oil sometime in the distant future. The only significant thing that could happen is the neck going 'south.' If that happens your bass becomes a paperweight. Since Fender and Squier are so closely intermingled, I'll bet a lot of parts come from the same suppliers, so I wouldn't worry about it. There is a warranty on the thing after all. And if it serves you well for two years, your yearly cost to own it would be something like 30 cents a day. Seems pretty cheap to me.