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squier vs. a true fender

perk45

perk45

Feb 2, 2008
138
1
austin, tx
samperkins.blogspot.com
#1
hey guys, i've been reading the forums for awhile but this is my first post. I've been playing for almost a year now and have been using a squier p/j bass. i don't really like it much at all. i still love to play it, but the neck is a precision neck i believe, so it's rather bulky and uncomfortable. i've been saving up for a second bass, and for awhile had decided that i wouldn't be getting a fender because of my experience with the squier. however, i've recently reconsidered and have had my eye on a MIM fender jazz deluxe V bass, mainly because of the slimmer jazz neck. i assume that the squiers are of lesser quality than a real fender, but am i going to be disappointed in this bass? more specifically, is the neck that much more comfortable and is the sound more full and warm?

for what its worth, i'm mainly going to be playing different types of rock (along the lines of tool and red hot chili peppers). i had been considering looking for a similarly priced ibanez before. thanks for the help.
 
#2
Have you considered any other basses in the same price range ? I really don't like the MIM deluxe V: all the ones I have tried had crappy frets, bad/cheap electronics and their appearance is so-so (finish-wise at least). Last time I saw one was in 2004, so they might have changed though.

On the other hand, the Squier VM is killer and if you want to change the pups+bridge, you'll still be below the price you would have paid for the MIM Deluxe V.
 
#3
You sound like you're in exactly the same position I was in a couple years ago, man. Same starter bass, same musical tastes (Tool and RHCP were my main influences to play bass) But I'm gonna give you some advice I think will help.

Don't settle, especially when you're at the crucial stage of starting to get more serious. Save up a bit more, buy a used American or MIJ, as they can be had for a comparable price, and are of much better quality. The sound depends on what pickups you have, but generally the P is fatter and thumpier while the Jazz is more defined/middy. But a close sound can be had from the neck pickup of the Jazz. So, with that said, go with a Made in Japan (MIJ) or MIA Jazz. It has a thinner, more comfortable neck (For some, like me).

Although, don't be afraid to stray outside the box because A TON of good basses can be had for the sub 1000 dollar range if you look used, or new. Make sure you want to go to five string, I took a leap and I don't regret it, but a lot of people do. For Tool's punchy, mid filled crispness that only a Wal can deliver, look at the G&L L2000 Tribute series, or a Schecter. Ibanez has some of the thinnest necks out there for the price, if that's what you're after. RHCP is obviously EBMM Stingrays/Modulus basses. Which, if you can find a Stingray used in your budget, will sound close enough to Tool for arguments sake..
 
#4
I would try out the Squire VM Jazz and then try the MIM Jazz. I think you will be really surprised as to how good the Squire VM sounds in comparision to the MIM. Of course I am somewhat biased as I just recieved my VM for my birthday last month.(the wife got it for me yes I have the coolest wife) I have been trying them out though for the past year since they came out and am convienced that they are every bit as good if not better the the MIM Fenders and even some MIA Fenders. When you compare price well not a whole lot to argue about. Hope that helps a little.
 
#5
perk45 said:
hey guys, i've been reading the forums for awhile but this is my first post. I've been playing for almost a year now and have been using a squier p/j bass. i don't really like it much at all. i still love to play it, but the neck is a precision neck i believe, so it's rather bulky and uncomfortable. i've been saving up for a second bass, and for awhile had decided that i wouldn't be getting a fender because of my experience with the squier. however, i've recently reconsidered and have had my eye on a MIM fender jazz deluxe V bass, mainly because of the slimmer jazz neck. i assume that the squiers are of lesser quality than a real fender, but am i going to be disappointed in this bass? more specifically, is the neck that much more comfortable and is the sound more full and warm?

for what its worth, i'm mainly going to be playing different types of rock (along the lines of tool and red hot chili peppers). i had been considering looking for a similarly priced ibanez before. thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

Give us a price range and we can suggest a mess o' basses. As far as Squier and Fender. I don't think i'll ever own a true Fender because If i decide to go with a classic look i'd get a Sadowsky, more options and i like the tone. But, I've heard that the Squier Vintage Modified series is even better than MIM fenders and they cost $275ish new. There are a couple for sale in the classifieds for nice prices. But, If you dig RHCP and Tool, troll Ebay for a EBMM Stingray or maybe an Ibanez ATK400 (or 300, but i think the 400 has more versatility).
 
#6
Thanks for all the help so far. As far as a price range, I'd be willing to spend as much as $1500. No minimum, the cheaper the better :smug: But I'd be expecting to spend at least $600. Also, I didn't realize I had put MIM in the original post. I meant to put MIA, as I've read that the American-mades are much better. One last question, about how much do used Stingrays go for?
 
#7
MIA is a good way to go, if you're after a Fender, that is. I'd check out:

1) EBMM Stingrays, used and new (If you're lucky). $5-800 bucks used is probably not unreasonable.
2) G&L Tribute L2000, or used American L2000. 500-600 for the tribute, American ones are generally pretty close to EBMM's used.
3) Schecter Stiletto, about 6-800 bucks depending on the model (I'd go with the studio edition) brand new.

Of course, keep an open mind. All those are good choices, but I'm sure you'll enjoy a Stingray (American, RHCP, Tool) if you can find the right one.
 
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#8
With 1500 as your budget, don't settle on any model, just go to the music store(s) and try every bass you find attractive that is in the 800-1500 price range. Used, old, beat up, new, etc. You might like Tool and RHCP, but find a bass that has a voice of its own that doesn't sound anything like these two guys do, but that you dig a lot more (I have owned a lot of stuff, but not Geddy Sig even though he is my biggest influence, I just found other guitars that suited me better). I do support the Stingray suggestion though.

Also, don't trade in your Squier unless you get 150+ for it since money is not much of an object: you'll thank me when you start gigging and need a backup.
 
#9
BillyRay said:
With 1500 as your budget, don't settle on any model, just go to the music store(s) and try every bass you find attractive that is in the 800-1500 price range. Used, old, beat up, new, etc. You might like Tool and RHCP, but find a bass that has a voice of its own that doesn't sound anything like these two guys do, but that you dig a lot more (I have owned a lot of stuff, but not Geddy Sig even though he is my biggest influence, I just found other guitars that suited me better). I do support the Stingray suggestion though.

Also, don't trade in your Squier unless you get 150+ for it since money is not much of an object: you'll thank me when you start gigging and need a backup.
Click to expand...

+1 Good advice

As always, my suggestions are just that, suggestions based on your musical taste. There is NO rule that says you need to buy something someone tells you to on TB. But Stingrays rock. And so does TB. And Tool.



:hiding: Good luck.
 
#10
I can't believe I'm the first one on this forum to tell you this, but the Geddy Lee signature Jazz is just great. The neck is very slim, more so than even regular Jazz basses, and they sound awesome. They're MIJ, so they're pretty much just as good as American basses, and are only $800. The only flaw about them is the stock tuners are pretty crappy, but you can replace those very easily, and still have enough money left over to buy yourself some awesome new equipment. Plus you get Geddy's signature on the headstock :)
 
#12
Kwesi said:
EBMM Stingray... there is no choice!!! but seriously, you get no closer to tool and RHCP unless you get a Modulus Flea bass. And you got the cash i say go for the HH or SH (singlecoil+Humbucker) version for more versatility.
Click to expand...

Actually, there is a choice. I'm a huge EBMM fanboy, but he's already said that the P/bass he has feels bulky and uncomfortable. Therefore, staying in the EBMM family, a Sterling would be perfect. And don't overlook the Bongo. Killer instruments. But, if the Stingray neck feels good to you, go for it. You won't be sorry.
 
#13
Personally - I say try all the basses out you can find and just pick the best one...I love my MIM jazz, its a good one though - but I'd just try them all.

A couple weeks ago I got a fender jaguar bass - and honestly, its the dogs bollox! Gives you all the classic jazz sounds, but flip the s1 switch to paralell and the jazz pickup sounds more like a P pickup - then switch on the preamp and you can get it to sound like a Stingray if you twiddle the eq on the pre...

Cost me about £650 (er...about $1200 - but they probably sell for adout $700 in reality, I live in ripoff Britain!) Honestly, try one out if you can - you'll be sold, its like having 3 basses in one...(some people say that about the jazz alone...but I don't reckon so, I've been playing for 8 years now, have one bass for each year, and I wouldn't say one bass is like 3 different ones if I didn't mean it!)

check it out - Invalid Link Removed ;)
 
#14
am i weird in the fact that i started on a cort P/J, then got an ibanez, and then got a squier P and havent been able to get the same feeling of "home" as the others? my squier, nothing stock but the wood and decal on the headstock, just plays good. i havent ever had an issue with it.


but yeah... uber advice like 2 or 3 people have said. get into a shop and play everything they have. sometimes you (like me) will like your 200 dollar squier more than your 500 dollar schecter.
 
#15
Just as a bit of pointless trivia but most 80s squires far surpass the quality of alot of modern Fenders in alot of ways.

Anyway if your after something justin/flea sounding mebbe try out an ATK, I know I'm in the owners club n all but I don't ALWAYS whore them, to be honest I'm quite weary of the quality of most of the new ones. Anyway it has a pretty modern humbucking sound and the neck is somewhere between that of a Jazz and a P, some people still find them uncomfortably thick but given how cheap they are it's worth checking them out, just play a few to make sure you get a decent one if your interested cos of the ****** quality control.
 
#18
perk45 said:
hey guys, i've been reading the forums for awhile but this is my first post. I've been playing for almost a year now and have been using a squier p/j bass. i don't really like it much at all. i still love to play it, but the neck is a precision neck i believe, so it's rather bulky and uncomfortable. i've been saving up for a second bass, and for awhile had decided that i wouldn't be getting a fender because of my experience with the squier. however, i've recently reconsidered and have had my eye on a MIM fender jazz deluxe V bass, mainly because of the slimmer jazz neck. i assume that the squiers are of lesser quality than a real fender, but am i going to be disappointed in this bass? more specifically, is the neck that much more comfortable and is the sound more full and warm?

for what its worth, i'm mainly going to be playing different types of rock (along the lines of tool and red hot chili peppers). i had been considering looking for a similarly priced ibanez before. thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

This post is 1 1/2 years old.

I hope you have decided by now.
 
#19
Just wanted to say that it's amazing what you can get used to. My first bass was a crappy $75 Johnson Jazz Bass. It was a total Fender copy, but got me used to the feel of a "real" Jazz Bass neck. I upgraded to a MIM Jazz, and upgraded all of the hardware. At the time, I thought that I had everything that I needed in a bass. Then we started playing songs in weird keys and drop tunings which would force me to drop my E-string down to a D or even a C, making it annoying for me to say the least between sets. I decided to get a 5-string bass and went to the guitar shop to try everything out. I didn't like the thickness of P Bass necks, but tried an EBMM SR5 anyways. It felt like a baseball bat. Later, after leaving the store empty handed, I was browsing the bass forums and came across another SR5 that someone was selling for a great price. Decided to buy it and even if I didn't like it, I could just flip it and get my money back. It's now my main bass, and my Jazz feels all weird and thin like an electric guitar neck when I pick it up now. ;)

Also, tee hee zombie post. :D
 

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