They're nice guitars, no doubt. But the "better than anything Fender USA has ever made" statement is utter nonsense.
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The new Affinity Squier P/J
- Thread starter ics1974
- Start date
They're nice guitars, no doubt. But the "better than anything Fender USA has ever made" statement is utter nonsense.
I'm confused. You have to decide between the P/J or the Jazz? Your first sentence says you have the opportunity to score the Jazz.
I've read through a lot of reviews and comments that have basically bashed the older Affinity basses as not good. But I have to say, these new Affinity Series Basses seem to have come a long way. It would seem to me that Fender/Squier have paid attention.
Of course, I still have to decide on Jazz or PJ, and then buy one .... before I can officially have an opinion on the new Affinity basses. The finishes on them look sweet in photos!
We'll see
Of course, I still have to decide on Jazz or PJ, and then buy one .... before I can officially have an opinion on the new Affinity basses. The finishes on them look sweet in photos!
We'll see
I haven't taken any measurements, but they seem like standard size, open geared tuners to me.
As per the "no pics, no bass" rule, here's my new metallic red PJ. With a red stage light wash. Groovy.
I own an Affinity Squire Jazz from IIRC around 2007 (it's metallic blue if that helps).
I can say that while the instrument certainly wasn't expensive, I've gotten tons of use out of it and IMO it stands up there with much more expensive basses. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not here to say that the affinity's are equal or better then the american standards/deluxe models or whatever much more expensive bass you can think of... but for $300 (guitar, tuner, case, bag, strap and fender rumble 15 amp) I can say that I got a very solid instrument that has served me very well.
I like the colors of the new ones, I just wish they'd start offering maple necks. Heck I'd even pay extra for a maple neck.
I'm not convinced I'll ever need, want or have a $1,000 + instrument but until such a time would come my good ole affinity jazz will see a decent percentage of my playing time.
I can say that while the instrument certainly wasn't expensive, I've gotten tons of use out of it and IMO it stands up there with much more expensive basses. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not here to say that the affinity's are equal or better then the american standards/deluxe models or whatever much more expensive bass you can think of... but for $300 (guitar, tuner, case, bag, strap and fender rumble 15 amp) I can say that I got a very solid instrument that has served me very well.
I like the colors of the new ones, I just wish they'd start offering maple necks. Heck I'd even pay extra for a maple neck.
I'm not convinced I'll ever need, want or have a $1,000 + instrument but until such a time would come my good ole affinity jazz will see a decent percentage of my playing time.
You could always get a replacement neck directly from Fender.
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Tuners are the only think on mine I want to replace. They work and stay in tune, but they are sticky and just feel fragile
I've got mine for 5 months now and the tuners are OK, smooth and effective, not Z grade piece of s.... Question is how will they stay over years but it´s already a very good deal.
The price of this bass do not come from too cheap hardware.
The neck wood has more veins than a Fender one but you don't get an ugly zebra like cheapo.
It comes not set at all with heavy buzz frets and deserves a whole setting of truss rod.
On mine truss rod screw was misaligned with the hole, nearly damaged it trying to bend the neck.
I finally properly reshaped the hole, perfectly accessible the truss rod is effective and gives finally an excellent bass.
I like it alot
The price of this bass do not come from too cheap hardware.
The neck wood has more veins than a Fender one but you don't get an ugly zebra like cheapo.
It comes not set at all with heavy buzz frets and deserves a whole setting of truss rod.
On mine truss rod screw was misaligned with the hole, nearly damaged it trying to bend the neck.
I finally properly reshaped the hole, perfectly accessible the truss rod is effective and gives finally an excellent bass.
I like it alot
Some closer pics, for those who knows Affinity tuners on Precision, the PJ ones are the VM flavour if not the same.
The belle
The belle
I saw the black on black PJ at GC over this week and decided to pick it up and try it out. I must say I really dug it. For $180 I'm seriously thinking about investing in one. Sounded great, played great, looked great. I liked it better than the VM jazz I picked up a few months ago and took back. What do you guys think? Are the newer affintys worth the price of admission? I'm sort of GAS'n for it right now. I figured I can mod the pups later if I wanted to. But as far as build quality and the neck and so forth, worth it??
