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Squier vx. SX (give a noob some advice)

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DrVenkman

Jan 22, 2010
191
18
Pacific NW
#1
OK, I'm an aspiring bass player, which means I'm in need of a bass. I've got a budget of about $200 (maybe slightly more) to work with. Yes, I know that's not much, but here's my reasoning. As a brand new bassist I don't really know what I want yet - I have some ideas, but after six months of playing may find out that I was totally wrong and that I just have to have a 6-string fretless, and I'd rather not have a lot of money wrapped up in my 'starter' bass. And less be honest, from the number of barely used basses that get sold all the time it's obvious there's a chance I'll decide the bass just not for me, and again I wouldn't want to have lots of money tied up in it.

I'm pretty sure I want a jazz style bass rather than a p-bass, both because of the sound and the feel of the neck (I've played a little guitar, and the jazz necks just feel better to me). A used bass is perfectly fine, maybe even preferable because of the price.

My local guitar center has a Squier Affinity jazz bass for $125. As far as I can tell it's mechanically sound (the pots move smoothly, tuners are OK, etc.) and plays OK (action is maybe just a little low). It's got some cosmetic issues with some chips in the body here and there, but I don't really care about that. It seems to play OK (E string is a bit floppy, but may be tuned down - I'm assuming worst case is it needs some new strings). I've heard multiple times to stay away from the Affinity series, but never why. What's the issue? I'm a fairly handy guy, and wouldn't have a problem swapping out tuners or changing the pots or something like that.

I've also read on here of the SX basses. Seems like the price can't be beat, and they get decent reviews. Sounds like they usually need some setup, but I figure it's stuff I can either do or can get done for me relatively cheaply. The big issue is I've never had one in my hands so I have no idea how the neck feels. Can anybody compare it to something I might find in my local GuitarCenter ("the SX neck feels just like a ....")?

So what would you do? Go for the Squier, which is a known quantity, or order the SX? Or go for one of the low-end Ibanez basses that are all over the place? Or is there something else I should be looking at?
 
#5
Demon_Hunter said:
uh oh...

wait for it...:hiding:


wheres my popcorn?
Click to expand...

michael20jackson20gif.gif
 
#8
Honestly, I love my SX's. I repeat, I love them.
But, I wouldn't recommend them to a total noob, because quality is all over the place. They could frustrate you too much getting them in shape, IMO. OTOH, you could get a great one "out-of -the-box". Unless you have someone to help you be sure you get the most out of it, it is sort of a crap shoot...but they do have a good return policy, so if you get a dud there won't be a problem returning it.

I'd keep an eye out for a good used Ibanez, or a used Squier. If you can actually play it first...that's even better. Squier CV series and VM series have a great rep. You just missed a deal on an Ibanez ATK in the classifieds for 225 shipped.

As far as what SX necks feel like, they are the same width as an ATK at the nut (1-11/16") but slightly thicker front to back.
IIRC, the radius is 12" or so.
In other words, it is a fairly meaty neck.
I like it, but some hate it.
 
#10
So early returns definitely favor the SX! Can anybody comment on the feel of the necK?

And just to throw another one into the mix, found an ESP LTD B-154 for $150 on Craigslist. Any good? Or are they so different from a jazz-style that I'm comparing apples and oranges?
 
#13
The SX is much better than the Squire Affinity. Get a low-end SX (closer to the $100 range than $150), then put the leftovers into a practice amp or a headphone amp and some decent headphones.
 
#14
SX, but you have to change the strings, put DR high beams on it and you'll get an great sounding bass for very little money.

Here are some examples of my SX 75' Jazz Bass. I was just messin' around, i'm sorry for the bad playing. First you can hear just the Bridge Pickup full volume, then the Neck Pickup soloed, then both pickups full volume. Then the Slap with both pickups full volume. Mine is an Ash Body Maple fingerboard SX Jazz Bass with block inlays...

SX with DR High Beams (a couple months old strings)
http://kiwi6.com/upload/hotlink?id=c1pb239z

recorded directly into my macbook pro, i didn't use any pre-amp or audio interface. It sounds very nice, i've been playing with it the last couple months on pro gigs, and i've got very nice comments on my sound.
I just got an Aguilar Tonehammer and it works great!



This is the SX on a "rehearsal recording" with one of my bands, again directly into a mbox 2, no amp

http://kiwi6.com/upload/hotlink?id=wmmv415j

Another good thing about the SX is that it looks great!
 
#15
The CV basses are going to be more than $200, even used... Go with the SX, use the rest of the money for either an amp or mods to the bass to make it better. I wouldn't go with a Squier affinity bass, especially used, it'll fall apart before you even get it home.
 
#16
I own 3 Affinity 5 strings (all modified) & 4 SX's. In a nutshell I prefer my SX's. But there are differences & I'll just toss them out there FWIW.

SX's are heavier than the Affinitys, if that's a concern. The Affinity's fretwork is very good - none needed any fret level. Three out of my 4 SX's required a fret level and I felt the need to file the nut slots down on my SX's to get the kind of action & playability that I prefer (which is very low action).

The SX jazz basses have hot/aggressive ceramic pickups and are located in the 70's position (vs. the 60's pup position on the Affinity). Very growly tone (think Geddy Jazz bass), whereas the stock Affinity pickups are a bit smoother sounding, but still a very nice jazz bass tone.

DrVenkman said:
Can anybody comment on the feel of the necK?
Click to expand...


The Affinity necks are very much on the flat & wide side of things, whereas the SX necks are just a tad beefier (front-to-back) than traditional Fender jazz necks & have the familiar feel of a jazz neck.

All that said, I prefer my SX's by a long shot & intend to sell off the Affinitys I currently have. As others stated, if you don't mind adding the *potential* cost of having a full setup done on the SX off the bat, they are incredible instruments. The Affinity basses are more player friendly out of the box in that it's very unlikely they will need a setup beyond a quick truss rod tweak and/or adjusting the string height. Keep in mind that if you go into the SX knowing that you may have to cover a one-time cost for a nice fret-level/nut file (or address these yourself), the SX is the clear winner in feel & tone, IMO.
 
#17
Based on the comments here I'm leaning more and more toward the SX. Anybody want to try and talk my into an Ibanez or anything else?

I can handle adjusting the truss rod and the bridge myself, or filing the nut, or even cleaning up the edges of a few frets if they're rough. I wouldn't be comfortable doing a full-on fret leveling though. I'm in Seattle - can anybody recommend a good shop to go to for a fret level if needed (or other setup, for that matter)?

And thanks for all the feedback, it's greatly appreciated.
 
#18
FelliniFlex said:
SX, but you have to change the strings, put DR high beams on it and you'll get an great sounding bass for very little money.

Here are some examples of my SX 75' Jazz Bass. I was just messin' around, i'm sorry for the bad playing. First you can hear just the Bridge Pickup full volume, then the Neck Pickup soloed, then both pickups full volume. Then the Slap with both pickups full volume. Mine is an Ash Body Maple fingerboard SX Jazz Bass with block inlays...

SX with DR High Beams (a couple months old strings)
http://kiwi6.com/upload/hotlink?id=c1pb239z

recorded directly into my macbook pro, i didn't use any pre-amp or audio interface. It sounds very nice, i've been playing with it the last couple months on pro gigs, and i've got very nice comments on my sound.
I just got an Aguilar Tonehammer and it works great!



This is the SX on a "rehearsal recording" with one of my bands, again directly into a mbox 2, no amp

http://kiwi6.com/upload/hotlink?id=wmmv415j

Another good thing about the SX is that it looks great!
Click to expand...

The links don't work. :hmm:
 
#20
Not so much the jazz style body as the jazz tone and flexibility, and the feel of a jazz-type neck.

I know the lower end Ibanez basses (SR200's, or whatever they're called) can be had new for about $200. Sounds like for the money everyone is picking the SX over the Affinity; what about the SX vs. the Ibanex?
 

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