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Squier vs Ibanez (budget bass)

recode

recode

Guest
Sep 10, 2013
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Latvia
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#1
Hi everyone there! Im playing alternative rock/metal in my band and i want to pick a second bass, i cant decide between Ibanez SR370 (maple body, active 3 band EQ), Squier Delux Jazz bass(basswood body, active 3 band EQ) and Squier VM Jazz Bass (maple body, passive electronics). What should i pick? I like them all. :C My band's lightest song can be compared with Paramore or something and the heaviest ones with the band Red, Breaking Benjamin, something like that. Please help!
 
#3
I have never played an Ibanez SR bass that felt good to me. The necks are just to thin. You cant go wrong with either Squier you are considering. I cant really give you an honest comparison between the quality of Ibanez vs Squier because I haven't spent enough time with Ibanez basses.
 
#4
They're both good, but have different features (neck width/size. pickups, etc.) that you may or may not like. You really need to try them both to make a fair comparison. All I can tell you, for what it's worth, that the Squiers I own (VM P and VM J) I am very happy with.
 
#5
I'd pick the Squier Deluxe over the Ibanez, over the VM Jazz. Deluxe because of the active electronics. If you're sticking to a single bass Active electronics tends to be more versatile than passive electronics.

Squier QC tends to be a bit better than Ibanez these days, especially on Ibanez instruments at that price point.

Full disclosure though, I've never found a sub-$399 Ibanez that was remotely worthwhile but I have played decent Squiers, so YMMV.
 
#6
It all comes down to the tone and neck. Squires have a more "vintage" tone while the Ibanezes sound very dark by comparison, without a whole lot of mids. The necks are two completely different worlds and will have a bigger influence on your decision. Personally, I can't stand any Fender/Squier/Music Mans because the necks are so thick, and I'd pick the Ibanez on that alone. But that's what I get for starting with an Ibanez and I'm sure a lot of others feel the exact opposite. Just depends on what you're used to playing now.

I'm not a fan of the lower-end Ibanez tones, though. The SR500 is a HUGE improvement over any of the cheaper models. If I were you, I'd get a used SR500. You can easily find them under $300.
 
#8
Depends on what model of Ibanez you want to compare Squier to. If you are talking about the cheapest Ibanez vs the Affinity Squier. Well, they both suck. The lower-mid range of price - then I would take the Squier. But once you get to the mid-range then it is fairly even and it will depend on the feel of the bass to you. In the upper-crust - then Ibanez wins hands down. Squier simply doesn't make basses in that class/range.
 
#9
I've played all 3 tiers of Squier basses, and one thing I can say is that they're made very well, even the Affinity. Whether the quality of the pickups, tuners, etc are up to your standards is for you to decide.
 
#10
New CAP soapbars and three band active equalizer perfectly match maple SR370 body

They're great
Remember that MIK Ibanez models from mid '90s were MIJ replicas down to sound and solution
Present SR370 (and SR375) are heirs of those SR400/SR405/SR406

Squier active deluxe Jazz share a very similar sound with upper SR500 SR600 and SR700 Ibanez series
They're made out of mahogany, ash and mahogany with flamed maple, while Squier active deluxe it's basswood, but electronics work the very same with three band active eq and midscoop switch.
And you know what?! Not that much output maybe, but Squier cut a bit better thru the mix

The one cuttin' more than anything else and bein' authentic fun to play is the VM Jazz
All passive? Right, but with an undeniable funk tone to it if need be. Hit or miss with neck reliability but overall bang for your bucks.

So: which one among the three?

I agree with the one tellin' ya Squier active deluxe Jazz
Smart and classy like VM '70s Jazz bass (what's more classy and sexy than a Jazz bass btw?) and modern and versatile like Ibanez SR series.

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#11
Wallace320 said:
New CAP soapbars and three band active equalizer perfectly match maple SR370 body
Click to expand...

I had an SR375 fretless (almost exactly the same) and wasn't impressed by the sound at all. I thought it was pretty dull. That being said, the newer models with the 3-band EQ are much better than the ones with the 2-band EQ and precision/jazz knob from a couple years ago. The pickups sound the same, at least compared to my old SR300.
 
#12
macrocheesium said:
The necks are two completely different worlds and will have a bigger influence on your decision. Personally, I can't stand any Fender/Squier/Music Mans because the necks are so thick, and I'd pick the Ibanez on that alone. But that's what I get for starting with an Ibanez and I'm sure a lot of others feel the exact opposite. Just depends on what you're used to playing now.
Click to expand...

With respect, the Deluxe Jazz necks may not as thick as you'd expect. They have a 12" radius, instead of the usual 9.5". Combine that with the satin finish, you've got a pretty fast-action neck there.

I tried my hand at five strings via a Deluxe Jazz Active V. I didn't take to the extra string well, but I liked the look and feel of the satin neck+ebonol fretboard enough to harvest the neck off an Active IV for a parts-bass I'm assembling.
 
#13
macrocheesium said:
I had an SR375 fretless (almost exactly the same) and wasn't impressed by the sound at all. I thought it was pretty dull. That being said, the newer models with the 3-band EQ are much better than the ones with the 2-band EQ and precision/jazz knob from a couple years ago. The pickups sound the same, at least compared to my old SR300.
Click to expand...

"Remember that MIK Ibanez models from mid '90s were MIJ replicas down to sound and solutions
Present SR370 (and SR375) are heirs of SR400/SR405/SR406"

we're all talkin' relative (subjective) point of views here, but I tried to walk in OP shoes describin' the offering he could find in SR entry level 370/375 (yet much better than agathis 300/305) which are not that far from a "recent" (forgive my age;)) best sellers

I know that nu metal is not en vogue anymore but these basses were intensively sought after back in those days

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#14
Wallace320 said:
"Remember that MIK Ibanez models from mid '90s were MIJ replicas down to sound and solutions
Present SR370 (and SR375) are heirs of SR400/SR405/SR406"

we're all talkin' relative (subjective) point of views here, but I tried to walk in OP shoes describin' the offering he could find in SR entry level 370/375 (yet much better than agathis 300/305) which are not that far from a "recent" (forgive my age;)) best sellers

I know that nu metal is not en vogue anymore but these basses were intensively sought after back in those days

Cheers,
Wallace
Click to expand...

I get what you're saying. Just giving my impressions and as much information on the sound as I could--no disrespect intended. :)

If that tone is your cup of tea, the SR300 has some of the best value in the market. Mine was built perfectly and played better than the more expensive basses I use now.
 
#15
macrocheesium said:
It all comes down to the tone and neck. Squires have a more "vintage" tone while the Ibanezes sound very dark by comparison, without a whole lot of mids. The necks are two completely different worlds and will have a bigger influence on your decision. Personally, I can't stand any Fender/Squier/Music Mans because the necks are so thick, and I'd pick the Ibanez on that alone. But that's what I get for starting with an Ibanez and I'm sure a lot of others feel the exact opposite. Just depends on what you're used to playing now.

I'm not a fan of the lower-end Ibanez tones, though. The SR500 is a HUGE improvement over any of the cheaper models. If I were you, I'd get a used SR500. You can easily find them under $300.
Click to expand...

THIS^

I own an SR506 and paid under $300 for it. It's a killer Ibanez in all standard ways which means fat tone, thin neck, nice playability. I also own a Squier P/J 5er. Yes it has new pickups but that's all. Neck plays like a dream with no adjustments. It's an old school classic.

Personally I'm not one to have a hissy fit over neck dimensions. I LOVE the feel of the narrow Ibby neck but I also LOVE the feel of my "chunky" G&L or SX necks. I especially love the WIDE neck on that that Squier P/J bass. the neck I hate the most is the standard one on my Fender Deluxe V.

So for me the bottom line was tone: Classic Old school or classic "modern". I see need for both from time to time hence the TB answer: eventually you buy them both.
 
#19
I'd go for the VM Jazz, they work great for metal, even better if you stick active pickups like EMG's in them, I've never been a fan of the lower end Ibanez SR basses, I don't like the feel or tone & personally I wouldn't get anything lower than a SR500.
 

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