Surprised by a Squier......

[Mr Woody]

So, I visited one of my favorite music stores this weekend, and checked out the bass section for the first time. I've been playing guitar for 23 years, but am relatively new to the bass scene. I wanted to check out some P-basses to see how I like them compared to the MIJ jazz bass I'm currently borrowing.
I liked most of them just ok, but was somewhat underwhelmed with the lack of thump from most of them, including the custom shop stuff. Then, I picked up a Squier P-Bass...... the cheapest on the rack..... man, it was set up better than all the rest, had more thump (I'm guessing because of the higher output ceramic pickup), and was just all around more enjoyable. The strings were super low and easy to play, but here was no fret buzz whatsoever and the intonation was pretty well spot on. I'm guessing the 1.5" nut width is pretty much a j-bass profile. Honestly, the only other bass that I felt came close was a 70s model.

I'm very familiar with the "Squier vs everything else" debates, and my guitars are all custom shop, but I'm almost ALWAYS impressed by the quality of Squires when I try them, and this weekend left me dumbfounded. I didn't want to like it the most, but it's the one I would pick, hands down.

 

[Adrnlnjnke]

Sounds like you just found your new bass.

 

[Jimmy Stump]

Ignore what’s on the headstock but do listen to the instrument that just feels and sounds right to you.

 

[kbraker510]

Sounds like it could be the Sonic Pbass model. I just ordered one fromMF used. I hope to get it the day after tomorrow.

 

[Chuck M]

I was in GC recently and they had a 40th anniversary Squier P bass. I did not plug it in but it did feel good and was set up decently. I was impressed by the quality of the finish. It was a very nice bass. My only niggle is that I don't care for gold hardware.

I own one of the Squier Vintage Modified Precision 5 string basses. It is a wonderful P bass.

 

[jd56hawk]

Squier Affinity or one of the 40th-Anniversary Vintage P basses on sale?

 

[buldog5151bass]

My only concern would be the long term reliability because of the cheaper material (of course, I keep my instruments for decades). But yeah, the bar has been raised on lower priced instruments.

 

[Mr Woody]

It was indeed a Sonic Squier P-Bass for $219. Typical black w/ white pickguard. I also wonder about long-term stability in the neck. Will it twist, or stay true. If no twist, it's pretty much perfect!!!!

 

[Mr Woody]

Well, did some reading and it looks like the Sonic series can either come from China or Indonesia. The one I tried was from Indonesia. Here's some info from a different thread:

Some info to people interested in this series:

— Indonesian models have one piece maple necks with skunk stripe opening for the trussrod installation. Pretty cool to have one piece maple neck on budget basses.
— Chinese models are made in Reliance Musical factory and they cannot boast the same luxe, and are 2-piece maple necks with lesser finish quality as it seems.

 

[Shindig73]

I now own two 5 string Squier Vintage Modified basses (one P and one J). Both excellent and a joy to play. Big bang for the buck.

 

[Lucas Carioli]

Squier had improved a lot in the last years.

 

[skyline_01]

I was in GC recently and they had a 40th anniversary Squier P bass. I did not plug it in but it did feel good and was set up decently. I was impressed by the quality of the finish. It was a very nice bass. My only niggle is that I don't care for gold hardware.

I own one of the Squier Vintage Modified Precision 5 string basses. It is a wonderful P bass.

I also have a VW P5 and I concur. It gives MIM and some MIA basses a serious run for their money, no joke. I think they were TOO good so Fender had to axe them.

 

[themickster]

So, I visited one of my favorite music stores this weekend, and checked out the bass section for the first time. I've been playing guitar for 23 years, but am relatively new to the bass scene. I wanted to check out some P-basses to see how I like them compared to the MIJ jazz bass I'm currently borrowing.
I liked most of them just ok, but was somewhat underwhelmed with the lack of thump from most of them, including the custom shop stuff. Then, I picked up a Squier P-Bass...... the cheapest on the rack..... man, it was set up better than all the rest, had more thump (I'm guessing because of the higher output ceramic pickup), and was just all around more enjoyable. The strings were super low and easy to play, but here was no fret buzz whatsoever and the intonation was pretty well spot on. I'm guessing the 1.5" nut width is pretty much a j-bass profile. Honestly, the only other bass that I felt came close was a 70s model.

I'm very familiar with the "Squier vs everything else" debates, and my guitars are all custom shop, but I'm almost ALWAYS impressed by the quality of Squires when I try them, and this weekend left me dumbfounded. I didn't want to like it the most, but it's the one I would pick, hands down.

You need look no further

 

[Cicis Dad]

I was in GC recently and they had a 40th anniversary Squier P bass. I did not plug it in but it did feel good and was set up decently. I was impressed by the quality of the finish. It was a very nice bass. My only niggle is that I don't care for gold hardware.

I own one of the Squier Vintage Modified Precision 5 string basses. It is a wonderful P bass.

Would you know what the string spacing on these VM Precision 5'ers is? Thanks!!

 

[Relsom]

I own one of the Squier Vintage Modified Precision 5 string basses. It is a wonderful P bass.

Indeed! Those were great. I regret selling mine. Too bad they were only produced for a year or two.

 

[skyline_01]

Would you know what the string spacing on these VM Precision 5'ers is? Thanks!!

Forgive me for answering out of turn, but I'm 99% sure it's 18mm.

 

[DwaynieAD]

Squiers have been kicking ass for the last 15 years at the very least

 

[Mr Woody]

Yeah, one of my favorite things to do is walk in Guitar Center, grab the cheapest used Squier Strat off the wall, plug into a decent app, and play nice sounding stuff never fails that 2 or 3 people will stop by and say how nice it sounds while being surprised it's a Squier. They nail the "classic" strat sounds.

 

[Chris_will_do]

I own a Affinity Jazz V that's just amazing.

 

[JazznFunk]

A buddy of mine has a 60s' era Fender Precision in Fiesta Red. The real-deal Pino vibe. I have the Squier Classic Vibe P from 2009/2010 in Fiesta Red. The 'poor man's Pino.' I took my bass to a blues jam he hosted years ago and we swapped basses on a few tunes to compare. He said my Squier felt and sounded at least as good (if not better) than his axe, and I agreed. Obviously there were differences, but when it came time to test it in the trenches, the Squier shined. He was impressed.... as was I.