Just like every other mass produced bass on the planet - some are good, some aren't.
You've been on TB for almost a year and a half and haven't noticed the practically weekly thread about how great they are? Really?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Squire Vintage Modified Jazz Bass
- Thread starter B-Mac
- Start date
You've been on TB for almost a year and a half and haven't noticed the practically weekly thread about how great they are? Really?
Much better? No they aren’t. Go grab a CV Squier P and a Players Series P and you will see the same 4 saddle chrome bridges and open gear tuners, except that the CV uses vintage styled hardware. The only real difference between a good Squier and MIM Fender is the pickups. However, the new Fender designed pickups going in the newer Squiers sound nearly identical to modern MIM Fender pickups, they are also alnico V. So saying a MIM Fender is much better than a Squier is not accurate at all.
Honestly I haven’t been interested in Squiers until I saw this beautyJust like every other mass produced bass on the planet - some are good, some aren't.
You've been on TB for almost a year and a half and haven't noticed the practically weekly thread about how great they are? Really?
Yeah but the shipping is all on the high sideYou might find one in the classifieds with a little luck. I don't think they're too rare.
Add:
Found this immediately after posting here. $900 for a 2016 American Jazz, string-through. You're welcome.
For Sale - 2016 Fender American Standard Jazz 4 String bass
Add (again):
Another one. Now I'm wondering if I'm lucky or if you aren't looking...
For Sale - 2012 Fender American Standard Jazz 4 Black/Rosewood Excellent Condition
Add (third time):
Ok, now I know you aren't looking! $825.
For Sale - Fender Jazz American Standard 4 string
Bummer
When I was in the market for my Jazz V, I had no preconceptions or "image" concerns, I just wanted the cheapest usable platform for the MIDI pickup. I figured I'd pick up a banged up third-hand MIM or a no-name clone. It was a pleasant surprise that the new Squier VM Jazz V was not only the cheapest option, but actually a better playing and sounding option than instruments >2x more expensive.
My first bass was a 2010 Squier Vintage Modified 4 string with the 70's spacing.
Here's a few things on mine:
- I bought second hand from a casual player and the setup was actually okay
- I manually had to file the nut down quite a bit, first fret was actually not the most friendly to fret until I did
- After I set it up for BEAD (with a 0.130 B), I discovered I could've filed the nut even more, and I did
- I was getting some buzz around the 14th fret on one string, and more buzz on another fret on another string, so fretwork is highly variable, depends on what the bass has gone through (if it's used). But it shouldn't be a problem if you are buying it new.
- truss rod nut ran out of adjustment... I spent a lot of time looking for a fitting nut to shim the truss rod nut, I never got to doing it, it was weird though because the set of strings I had then were lighter than the EADG set that was originally on there.
- bridge saddles were scratching the bridge when moving, probably my fault adjusting them with some tension still on them? this caused the saddles to catch sometimes but I remedied that
Overall it was pretty forgiving for my first bass, it taught me a lot about setting up basses and getting the best you can out of what you have, so I stuck with it for about a year, now it's gone.
Here's a few things on mine:
- I bought second hand from a casual player and the setup was actually okay
- I manually had to file the nut down quite a bit, first fret was actually not the most friendly to fret until I did
- After I set it up for BEAD (with a 0.130 B), I discovered I could've filed the nut even more, and I did
- I was getting some buzz around the 14th fret on one string, and more buzz on another fret on another string, so fretwork is highly variable, depends on what the bass has gone through (if it's used). But it shouldn't be a problem if you are buying it new.
- truss rod nut ran out of adjustment... I spent a lot of time looking for a fitting nut to shim the truss rod nut, I never got to doing it, it was weird though because the set of strings I had then were lighter than the EADG set that was originally on there.
- bridge saddles were scratching the bridge when moving, probably my fault adjusting them with some tension still on them? this caused the saddles to catch sometimes but I remedied that
Overall it was pretty forgiving for my first bass, it taught me a lot about setting up basses and getting the best you can out of what you have, so I stuck with it for about a year, now it's gone.
I have owned a CV Jazz, a VM Jazz, a Player Jazz, Standard Jazz, American Standard, and an American Professional. I can say that the CV and VM are both great instruments- but the MIM Fenders both felt and played better. Now maybe I had some great MIM basses and some not so great Squiers so I'm willing to accept that. It's not the pickups (I usually replace them all anyway) but the species and quality of the wood used.
Alder is alder, there is nothing amazing or exotic about it. Its not like Fender Mexico is using some amazing alder Squier in China or Indonesia isn't. Even basswood and poplar, who cares? Could you tell the difference between a basswood bass and an alder bass with the same pickups in the same room while blindfolded? I bet you anything you couldn't. People overthink things way too much. Your average MIM Fender is no better than a CV/VM Squier aside from the pickups, and those random standard Fender pickups can be had for like $70, cheaper used.
The differences don't really start to make a noticeable difference until you get into the $2k MIA Fenders with HiMass bridges, upgraded tuners, MIA necks, great pickups etc...but again, you can add all that to a Squier (minus the neck) for like $350 and save yourself $1400.
Last edited:
Yeah they wouldn’t
It’s funny how someone posts about the american pro and people trash it claiming It’s not worth the money over a mim. Then someone posts about a mim and people say there’s no difference between a Squier and the mim so it’s not worth the money.....
At this point I’m wondering why everyone on talkbass isn’t playing a Kleenex box/paper towel roll bass with rubber band strings.
It’s funny how someone posts about the american pro and people trash it claiming It’s not worth the money over a mim. Then someone posts about a mim and people say there’s no difference between a Squier and the mim so it’s not worth the money.....
At this point I’m wondering why everyone on talkbass isn’t playing a Kleenex box/paper towel roll bass with rubber band strings.
Then it would end up being a "Kleenex vs. Puffs body with a Bounty vs. Brawny neck" thread. It never ends.
I just bought my son a second hand squire jazz bass off eBay. Found out its an FSR via the serial number. It sounds truly beautiful and looks the part. I am no bass snob as I have had rays, corvettes, fenders etc. Honestly, this has a real old thumpy sound like the pre-ernie ball rays.
