Squires and neck warping

[redhotblues]

Hello everyone!

I've been a guitarist for about 20 years, but recently decided to pick up bass in order to pick up some additional gigs as a fil-in musician. So I'm searching for my first bass. I've been lurking here for a while, and was fairly convinced I should get myself a Squire Vintage Modern Jazz; my thought being its a perfectly serviceable bass for a couple years, and then if the gigs continue then it might be worth buying second, better bass and keeping the squire as my back-up.

During my research I stumbled across this [admittedly older] video from Anderton's;



At roughly the 13:12 mark, They mention that the neck of the owner's classic vibe strat has "odd humps in the fretboard" - which to me would suggest warping. I have yet to hear of this anywhere else, in either the guitars or bass. Either the neck was warped or not true at purchase and discovered within a couple weeks, or its never discovered. I realize they may some interest in trying to convince you to buy a higher price tag instrument, and that being an older video perhaps the newer squires may be better built.

I'm curious if;
-is this a real issue? Are people finding their necks are twisting, warping, or developing "odd humps in the fretboard" after a couple years of use?
-Am I on the right or wrong track wanting to start there with the Squire Vintage Modified Jazz, and if I stick with it upgrade later? should I be thinking about/looking elsewhere? I do like the feel and sound of the Jazz Bass, but perhaps I'm missing something obvious?

Thanks all for your time and consideration!

 

[Bent77]

I've owned about 20 squirere basses

One had a jacked neck. It was a 2000 model year, kid had left it in the closest strung and tuned for years.
All the rest were fine, including some I owned 5+ years

 

[redhotblues]

I've owned about 20 squirere basses

One had a jacked neck. It was a 2000 model year, kid had left it in the closest strung and tuned for years.
All the rest were fine, including some I owned 5+ years

But it is safe to say that if the previous owner stayed on top of its maintenance [truss rod adjustments with humidity/temp/season changes] the neck would have probably never developed any issues?

 

[ZenG]

The only issue I've ever heard of for Squiers is that some of the cheapo Squier Affinity P-Basses seem to be prone to neck warp.

 

[Bent77]

But it is safe to say that if the previous owner stayed on top of its maintenance [truss rod adjustments with humidity/temp/season changes] the neck would have probably never developed any issues?

Likely. The VM basses seem to be better quality

As noted v

The only issue I've ever heard of for Squiers is that some of the cheapo Squier Affinity P-Basses seem to be prone to neck warp.

 

[JW56789]

I recently bought a Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass (VERY similar to the VM Jazz), and have no qualms about whether or not the neck will last, I was stunned at just how well it's built. Stay on top of your maintenance (in most cases, all new basses will require some tweaking from time to time to stay exactly in spec, it just takes a while for the wood and finish and glue to mature), and as far as I'm concerned, I'd be very surprised if mine ever turned into a problem child.

 

[rallen]

I have had many (and still do) Squier basses. I have never had ANY issues with the necks on them! As a matter of fact, the only neck issue I ever did have was with one of my American made Fender Jazz basses! I agree with J Wilson, I too, will be surprised if any of my Squiers will ever have neck issues. For the money, nowadays, they are pretty well made.

 

[Batmensch]

The Squiers in general do not have any reputation as being notorious having such neck issues, the exception being the cheaper Affinitys, and I haven't heard about them having issues like that for years. It's not something I would worry about as a matter of course in buying a Squier, even the Affinitys these days.

 

[Teacher]

I, too, have only heard of the Affinity line having any real problems, and who knows what the actual percentage is. I taught myself to play on a Korean made Squier II P bass, which was rock solid, and those actually have a reputation for excellent necks.

 

[redhotblues]

So today I went to several pawn shops and three music stores. I didn't see anything I really liked until the very last store. There was a USA peavey foundation [white] in one of the pawn shops for $269, but it was fairly beat, needed a serious setup [mile high action] and lots of rust - I was dubious that it would set up well so I passed.

At the last store I tried every squire and fender in the place [about 15 or so in total], and the best playing ones were a Squire Jazz Vintage modern and a $1000 USA jazz. There was a nice Rickenbacker there too, but at $2K... ouch. The difference between the USA jazz and the squire was not huge to me. now granted, I'm a guitarist not a bassist, but as a guitarist I do have an idea of what a good instrument should look/feel like.

I think with a good set up, and some better pots/wiring [which I can do myself and have all the parts for - about $12 worth of stuff] if could be almost as good for 1/4 the price. There was no fret spout, the neck seemed straight, the tone was even across, it played well, no fret issues... I'm going back tomorrow with a friend who's played bass a lot longer than I, and if he gives it the nod of approval will probably pick it up.

 

[Batmensch]

Squier, not Squire (oh, and it's Vintage Modified, not Vintage Modern)

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spelling Nazi

 

[JimmyThunder]

You are correct about the Squier. It's a great bass for the money and a good bass even without the price factored in.

Also, if the neck DOES warp (quite rare), replacing it on a Squier is as cheap and easy as they come.

 

[edro]

One of my basses is a Squier Dimension V and I love it. Zero issues. I'd buy a Dim IV in a heartbeat if a good deal. Bass is not my principal but I have a Stein, a Ray, old mint Fender Cali Series PJ, and bought the Sq Dim V on a MF STOTD. It has the actual Fender heavy mass bridge and I think the same three band active EQ as Fender. If the Fender is better than my Dim, I'll eat that Dim... Incredible bass...

My late older bro played bass for close to 50 yrs and had a bunch of Fenders.... He had a Jazz V active and played a Squier copy of it in a shop and bought it on the spot. Never touched the USA Jazz V again... Out of all of his high dollar basses in his collection, he played that Squire on stage for the last several years of his life. He said it was the best playing and sounding bass he had ever played. That was high marks coming from his OCD picky ass... Good enough for me...

The bottom line Squires are pretty good for what they are but law of averages says there will be some Bubbas in the pile, being real cheap basses but the upper Squier lines are damn good...at least every single one I've played are.... I also have one of the gold 60th Anni Squier Strats that I would put up against almost any Strat... Plays and sounds as good if not better than my USA Strats....

I've sold several Squier Bullets in my small shop and all were pretty good and better than many in the other lower line brands. We don't have a Fender gig (don't want one) so can't get the uppers... If we could, I'd be happy selling just the VMs and CVs... Damn good guitars/basses...every bit as good as many upper Fenders I've played....and better than many...

Just is....

 

[Lee Kirkham]

As with any instrument, you need to check every one to make sure it is in acceptable condition. If you are purchasing online, only do so from a reputable seller. I would never suggest buying something online from a private party, unless there are safety precautions in place, such as through an auction house like eBay.

As far as Squiers having any more issue with neck condition or fitment, I personally have not had issues with any of the many Squiers I have owned and played. And like others have stated, you may even find one that feels and plays nicer than a more expensive instrument, I know I have. In fact, my main player and backup are both Squier Standard P-Bass Specials, a precursor to the Vintage Modified/Classic Vibe lines.

As far as necks are concerned, that is a real personal preference thing. You may try a dozen basses or more and never find that neck that feels just right. Or you may stumble across one immediately, you just never know.

 

[Rattman]

Squier, not "Squire" (oh, and it's Vintage Modified, not Vintage Modern). . Your Friendly Neighborhood 'Spelling Nazi'

I'm glad you got to this before I did. But your sentiment is exactly the same as mine..
. .

 

[felis]

I had one Squier VM with a bad neck. But I bought it that way for parts.
I have no idea what caused it to warp.

 

[redhotblues]

Squier, not Squire (oh, and it's Vintage Modified, not Vintage Modern)

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spelling Nazi

I'm glad you got to this before I did. But your sentiment is exactly the same as mine..
. .

yeah, I know. Every time I try to type it the right way the autocorrect reverses it. Sorry about that~

 

[Rattman]

yeah, I know. Every time I try to type it the right way the autocorrect reverses it. Sorry about that~

Hey... I'm sorry if you thought I was too forward (my apologies!) ... but, are you using an Ipad, smart phone or a PC? Because I absolutely LOVE to teach my on-board dictionary new words, so that very thing you are dealing with is no longer an annoyance.
. .

 

[redhotblues]

Hey... I'm sorry if you thought I was too forward (my apologies!)

No big thing, my friend

 

[Lee Kirkham]

I had one Squier VM with a bad neck. But I bought it that way for parts.
I have no idea what caused it to warp.

In my experience, most instances where an instrument has a bad neck (for any brand, not just Squier) is that a previous owner somewhere in the instrument's history did not take good care of it or kept it in extreme conditions for an extended period of time.

It boils down to this, keep good care of your gear and your gear will perform the way you want it to for many years. It is quite alarming, the lack of care that many instrument owners put their gear through.