The new Affinity Squier P/J

[nogoodwithnames]

Looks like a fender, nothing new

I think that was kind of the point. It's not supposed to be anything new, just a cheap, decent quality bass that appeals to a broad spectrum of players.

I've always had a thing for white p-basses, and this was cheap enough to justify buying it as a backup.

 

[archtop2]

Agree. Good bass at low price.
Pickup change enhance a lot its capabilities, they're still ok to exercice at home.

I didn't notice any problem with the strings, I read good feedback for those 7250, what´s wrong ?

 

[nogoodwithnames]

I don't know, they just didn't feel right to me. Fender strings have never done it for me. And the sound was kinda thin to my ears, after a switch to DR sunbeams it really came to life.

 

[gregmon79]

The strings, while still pretty new as I can tell they weren't played on very extensively, still felt pretty lifeless to me. Very stiff too. I'm used to DR's.

 

[GLEN18INCHSPICA]

I changed pickups on mine, I installed an SX p pickup in it 1st & tested it out, no good it was not an improvement in tone & it balanced terribly with the J pickup. I received a Fender Super 55 J bridge pickup today & after fixing a bad factory solder joint got them working & it still didn't balance with the SX pickup. I put the factory Affinity p pickup back in & the balance was like factory pickup set. I think they got the resistance rite with the p pickup on this bass & suggest leaving it alone & just replacing the bridge pickup for anyone else. I've had quite a few PJ basses in my almost 30 years of playing & this p pickup balances the best of any passive PJ setup I've played. The Fender pickup is silent & works now too early to give it a review, but having to fix a factory pickup makes me leary to recommend it.

 

[gregmon79]

So you're saying the P pup is good but the J isn't, correct? In your opinion that is. I feel the same way. I do dig the stock the P pup but I don't dig the J pup at all really. It would sound awesome if it had some balls but it really doesn't have any. It thins out a lot when the J is maxed but if I turn it all the way off, solo the P, it does sound pretty good. That's why I'm hoping the EMG GZR pups I have coming fixed that.

 

[GLEN18INCHSPICA]

I was thinking of trying those pickups but I didn't want to wait to see how they were reviewed so I bought this Fender pickup on a whim, its not a ballsy pickup on its own as it still sounds like a single coil jazz pickup just fuller, slightly louder & silent. I still roll back the jazz pickup a pinch like before but the stock affinity works better than the SX precision pickup in this regard. I read somewhere on this forum that the affinity p pickup is wound with a low resistance & I think this is why it works well in a PJ configuration.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Those of you dropping in those Geezer pups, come back and let us know how it goes.

 

[gregmon79]

I dropped a set of geezers into my affinity p/j. Went without any issues whatsoever. I was done in about 30 min. The one thing I was concerned about was the route to the jazz pup cavity. When I first installed them I tried to slip the wires and connector through to no avail. I tried the next day, a little harder this time, and it squeezed itself on through. Fit like a glove.

They sound friggen awesome! They are a tad mellow for my tastes, but that's ok as my P and ATK are aggressive sounding enough so it's nice to have a bass that can get some vintage sounds that are still pretty aggressive IMO. As far as vintage goes. They're better than the stock pups that were in the affinity before as in they're more balanced to my ears and have a stronger and smoother mid presence. I was playing along to paranoid last night and it was pretty spot on. I dial a little more treble on than geezer did with some external preamp action. But overall, great, strong pups. I'm happy and they will stay in my p/j for a long time I'm sure.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I dropped a set of geezers into my affinity p/j. Went without any issues whatsoever. I was done in about 30 min. The one thing I was concerned about was the route to the jazz pup cavity. When I first installed them I tried to slip the wires and connector through to no avail. I tried the next day, a little harder this time, and it squeezed itself on through. Fit like a glove.

They sound friggen awesome! They are a tad mellow for my tastes, but that's ok as my P and ATK are aggressive sounding enough so it's nice to have a bass that can get some vintage sounds that are still pretty aggressive IMO. As far as vintage goes. They're better than the stock pups that were in the affinity before as in they're more balanced to my ears and have a stronger and smoother mid presence. I was playing along to paranoid last night and it was pretty spot on. I dial a little more treble on than geezer did with some external preamp action. But overall, great, strong pups. I'm happy and they will stay in my p/j for a long time I'm sure.

Thats great! Thanks! Any pics you can post of the body with the EMGs in it?

 

[gregmon79]

Thats great! Thanks! Any pics you can post of the body with the EMGs in it?

Sure thing!!

 

[Stranger Danger]

Sure thing!!

Thanks! Well done

 

[Stranger Danger]

Anyone else find it strange that the $300 VM version is made of Agathis and the $180 Affinity is made of Alder?

 

[bassliner50]

Is it me or does the headstock shape look to be a little off?

Yeah, that is the typical "Chinese profile headstock". Slightly narrower than the Indonesian profile. Serves the same purpose, but I prefer the Indonesian which looks closer the the Fender headstock to my eye....

 

[Stranger Danger]

OK so I just ordered a white one. Should be here in a week or so. I'll be back with my thoughts. Anybody have a good source for replacement pick guards btw??

 

[gregmon79]

I find that with any Squier pg I've replaced I've had to redrill holes. Maybe you will find one that fits good. I think you'll be pleased with the newer affintitys. Great basses. Especially for the money. I'm super happy with mine. Especially with those geezer pups.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I got mine today. One of the set screws for the knobs was missing. I sent them an email. We shall see what they decide to do.

The weight is exactly the same as my American Standard.

The tone of the bass is excellent. No complaints.

I do get kind of aggravated when they call something Olympic White when it clearly isn't Olympic White but actually Arctic White.

BTW, the pick guard screw holes exactly match an American Standard pick guard but the pickup on the Squier is actually too big to fit through the Fender hole and would require some work there. Just FYI.

 

[sissy kathy]

... I do get kind of aggravated when they call something Olympic White when it clearly isn't Olympic White but actually Arctic White. ... Just FYI.

Oh come on, surely you aren't that particular. Maybe it's just a batch variation. Not everyone uses computers for paint color control.

 

[dewbass4]

I find that with any Squier pg I've replaced I've had to redrill holes. Maybe you will find one that fits good. I think you'll be pleased with the newer affintitys. Great basses. Especially for the money. I'm super happy with mine. Especially with those geezer pups.

Since P and P/J basses theoretically use the same pick guard you might want to check these out. I ordered this pick guard for my CV60 P bass and it fit perfectly. It required no new holes, no filing or sanding, it was like they used the pick guard that came off my bass for the template. The seller even include a complete set of screws.It was a little skimpy on shielding (a single thin layer, only under the control area) but other than that it is by far the best fitting pick guard I've ever purchased (include several from Fender). I have no idea about the other products or how they will fit your specific bass, but the one I received was perfect and the price can't be beat. Shipping was very fast, actually took less time than promised. Of course as always YMMV.

 

[nogoodwithnames]

Just Felt Like Sharing.