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SX or Squier?
- Thread starter HGS9669
- Start date
Factor in the price differential, and it's easily SX, IMO and IME.
At the same price, it's a crap shoot, as QC for both can be questionable at times.
At the same price, it's a crap shoot, as QC for both can be questionable at times.
looking at price point, I would go with SX.. but if you consider quality overall bone-stock, go with a Squier.. 
I guess i come up on decent deals , because i got a Vintage Modified P bass and jazz for 150$ each and i would take a used one of those over an Sx any day , i also got a used squier affinity for 60$ and would rather play that over the 2 sx basses i had.
I have an SX fretless Jazz, a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazz, and a Squier Affinity P bass. I would rank them like this:
Squier Affinity P < SX Fretless Jazz < Squier Classic Vibe
The SX that I have has wiring problems but it feels like a nice bass. I will eventually get around to fixing it. The Squier P bass I have also has wiring issues and the neck doesn't feel quite right.
The Classic Vibe is an awesome bass. I would gladly pay the extra money for a used Squier CV Jazz, based on this experience. It is phenomenal. It feels perfect in my hands, it sounds awesome, and the looks are almost perfect.
I found a used Squier VM Precision on eBay that I grabbed. The seller is including four different pickguards and one of them is a nice looking tort. It is perfect because I am getting the bass that I've wanted at a used price and it comes with the guard that I was planning on eventually getting. It'll be an awesome match for the Classic Vibe Jazz that I have. Then all I'll need is to swap the neck for one from a Classic Vibe Jazz or Precision so it has the matching vintage tint.
The SX selection is typically pretty good but they've been dwindling. I only see a couple available that I would actually consider buying, based on looks. The looks of the Squier cannot be beat, in my opinion. Olympic White and Tort is one of the best combinations for any Fender style instrument.
The SX basses have awesome price tags and are well received by many owners. There are a lot of people that buy them and mod them and they turn out looking awesome. The great thing about the Squiers is that very little actually needs changed. Some would say that the same applies to SX basses as well.
You'd be well off with either, in my opinion. If you can't afford the CV or VM series Squiers then I would definitely put the SX at the top of the list. I am not very impressed with my Affinity series Precision.
Squier Affinity P < SX Fretless Jazz < Squier Classic Vibe
The SX that I have has wiring problems but it feels like a nice bass. I will eventually get around to fixing it. The Squier P bass I have also has wiring issues and the neck doesn't feel quite right.
The Classic Vibe is an awesome bass. I would gladly pay the extra money for a used Squier CV Jazz, based on this experience. It is phenomenal. It feels perfect in my hands, it sounds awesome, and the looks are almost perfect.
I found a used Squier VM Precision on eBay that I grabbed. The seller is including four different pickguards and one of them is a nice looking tort. It is perfect because I am getting the bass that I've wanted at a used price and it comes with the guard that I was planning on eventually getting. It'll be an awesome match for the Classic Vibe Jazz that I have. Then all I'll need is to swap the neck for one from a Classic Vibe Jazz or Precision so it has the matching vintage tint.
The SX selection is typically pretty good but they've been dwindling. I only see a couple available that I would actually consider buying, based on looks. The looks of the Squier cannot be beat, in my opinion. Olympic White and Tort is one of the best combinations for any Fender style instrument.
The SX basses have awesome price tags and are well received by many owners. There are a lot of people that buy them and mod them and they turn out looking awesome. The great thing about the Squiers is that very little actually needs changed. Some would say that the same applies to SX basses as well.
You'd be well off with either, in my opinion. If you can't afford the CV or VM series Squiers then I would definitely put the SX at the top of the list. I am not very impressed with my Affinity series Precision.
I have never played a Squier Affinity bass, but I have plenty of SXes and I have a Squier Deluxe V and I have played the vintage modifieds in the store (they feel like my Deluxe, IMO). Anyways, I agree with theory.
But the OP asked the wrong question. "Best" depends on who is asking as well as what they plan to do. The neck on SX basses is chunky, some people like them, some don't (I obviously do). THAT IMO is a bigger deal than the other differences people often bring up on value basses.
Even though I have never played an Affinity bass, I am pretty sure their necks are not as thick as SX necks. The most important thing that I can NOT comment on is the Affinity pups. But on the SX pups I will only say this, I have a few SX basses (see sig) and I have replaced pups on 3 of them. But I have NO intention of changing the pups on the others. The stock pups are strong and I like them!
But I WILL say this, if you buy an SX, set it up (or have it set up, which might have to include leveling frets) and change the strings you will have a good bass. AND you will be happy as long as you like chunky necks!
But the OP asked the wrong question. "Best" depends on who is asking as well as what they plan to do. The neck on SX basses is chunky, some people like them, some don't (I obviously do). THAT IMO is a bigger deal than the other differences people often bring up on value basses.
Even though I have never played an Affinity bass, I am pretty sure their necks are not as thick as SX necks. The most important thing that I can NOT comment on is the Affinity pups. But on the SX pups I will only say this, I have a few SX basses (see sig) and I have replaced pups on 3 of them. But I have NO intention of changing the pups on the others. The stock pups are strong and I like them!
But I WILL say this, if you buy an SX, set it up (or have it set up, which might have to include leveling frets) and change the strings you will have a good bass. AND you will be happy as long as you like chunky necks!
I have both:
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The left is an SX 5-string fretless. The one on the right is an Squier Affinity -- with a Gotoh 201 bridge and a tort PG added. The Affinity neck is definitely thinner front to back. The body of the Squier is also somewhat thinner, but Affinitys are known for that. Squier CVs and VMs are full-sized. The SX seems to be sturdier -- heavier, more solid. However, the Squier is extremely comfortable to play for extended periods since it weighs less. The difference between the pups is night and day: The SX is warmer but lacks definition (had Chromes on both of them for a short while and there was a definite difference in sound). However, the SX pups work really well for a fretless -- warm, mellow, and with La Bella strings it's very EUB sounding. The pups on the Squier are awesome beyond their price point. With Rotosound 66s, these pups have a growl that is just raw. Really nice classic rock tone. Lots of definition and clarity with the tone wide open, but also lots of warmth with the tone rolled off.
Bottom line: You can't go wrong with either. But then I've also been told about my Squier that I "got a good one." I wouldn't buy a Squier without playing it first. I wouldn't hesitate to order another SX -- and will be soon -- knowing that I could send it back if I had problems.
Link Removed
The left is an SX 5-string fretless. The one on the right is an Squier Affinity -- with a Gotoh 201 bridge and a tort PG added. The Affinity neck is definitely thinner front to back. The body of the Squier is also somewhat thinner, but Affinitys are known for that. Squier CVs and VMs are full-sized. The SX seems to be sturdier -- heavier, more solid. However, the Squier is extremely comfortable to play for extended periods since it weighs less. The difference between the pups is night and day: The SX is warmer but lacks definition (had Chromes on both of them for a short while and there was a definite difference in sound). However, the SX pups work really well for a fretless -- warm, mellow, and with La Bella strings it's very EUB sounding. The pups on the Squier are awesome beyond their price point. With Rotosound 66s, these pups have a growl that is just raw. Really nice classic rock tone. Lots of definition and clarity with the tone wide open, but also lots of warmth with the tone rolled off.
Bottom line: You can't go wrong with either. But then I've also been told about my Squier that I "got a good one." I wouldn't buy a Squier without playing it first. I wouldn't hesitate to order another SX -- and will be soon -- knowing that I could send it back if I had problems.
Though I am generally a fan of the SX basses, I'd opt for Squire for two main reasons. #1. I like the thinner profile of the Squire necks vs the chunky SX necks. #2. I prefer the Squire pickups over the SX pups.
I'd say Squier, by SX is VERY good for a cheap bass, just needs some mods, and sometimes Squiers need mods too, but not as much.
+1. I've had several SX jazzes and precisions and they all had chunkier necks that the Squiers. Plus if you want to mod something, it's generally easier with a Squier due to the fact that they're a bit closer to Fender specs.
