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Thoughts on Squier basses? Im skeptical.

#201
Drewsmith00 said:
So ive been looking for a second bass for awhile and the Squier CV 70's Jazz bass V5 has shown up basically everywhere. The reason im skeptical is because I own a Squier guitar (Not bass), which was 120$ used and, is garbage. It worked when i was a beginner, but its definetly not great. Moving over to my bass, again, a piece of garbage, but this time it makes more sense. Its a yamaha TRBX174 which I got used for 80$. After learning basic technique i started to realize its faults, mainly the quality overall, tone (or lack thereof) and the action. The action makes sense, because I got it used, but its really bad, like at the 12th fret, its about 3/8 inch off the fretboard... yeah. Also, im getting a 5 string, no matter what. The yamaha is a 4 string and ive learned all the basics, after being told that I would be an idiot for starting on a 5 string, which i learned is bogus advice. I plan to get it adjusted when I get it, and put rotosounds on it. Any advice? Also im new to this forum so let me know if i need to clarify anything, thanks!
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Squier CVs & VMs are generally very good, especially those made in Indonesia & Korea. I play short scale & my go to is a Squier VM Jaguar SS (one of the best necks I've played) modded with DiMarzio pups & KickAss bridge. First thing is proper set up. Check this vid if you want to do a good, basic set up . If you think it needs more take it to an independent guitar tech or luthier.
 
#202
Drewsmith00 said:
So ive been looking for a second bass for awhile and the Squier CV 70's Jazz bass V5 has shown up basically everywhere. The reason im skeptical is because I own a Squier guitar (Not bass), which was 120$ used and, is garbage. It worked when i was a beginner, but its definetly not great. Moving over to my bass, again, a piece of garbage, but this time it makes more sense. Its a yamaha TRBX174 which I got used for 80$. After learning basic technique i started to realize its faults, mainly the quality overall, tone (or lack thereof) and the action. The action makes sense, because I got it used, but its really bad, like at the 12th fret, its about 3/8 inch off the fretboard... yeah. Also, im getting a 5 string, no matter what. The yamaha is a 4 string and ive learned all the basics, after being told that I would be an idiot for starting on a 5 string, which i learned is bogus advice. I plan to get it adjusted when I get it, and put rotosounds on it. Any advice? Also im new to this forum so let me know if i need to clarify anything, thanks!
Click to expand...
First of all, nothing wrong with Squier basses. It really depends on the model, but in the last decade or so they've been one of the best "bang for the buck" basses out there. Second, get a set up on the Yamaha please! Third, yes Rotosounds sound great and stay bright for quite a long time, but....they eat frets faster than most....
 
#204
Drewsmith00 said:
Yeah, as far as the setup goes, never, lol. Too much stuff for me to buy and the place I went to to get my regular guitar adjusted was AMAZING. 45 to fully adjust, and after checking just now, its 60 for a 5 string. Im usually hands on and fix literally everything myself but i cant pass that up.
Click to expand...

My adjustments are free. For life. ijs
 
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#205
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
Yes it’s Fiesta Red. They didn’t get the color 100% correct. In certain light it looks more orange , sometimes more pink or salmon , sometimes more red. They also came in Sonic Blue and a rare Limited Edition Bronze only sold through Guitar Center in the US and Long & McQuades in Canada . This was a short run right before they discontinued the line.
There is one seller on EBay that seems to get them quite frequently . Last time I checked , maybe 2 months ago.
They are harder and harder to come by now . Keep your eyes peeled .

Yes they come stock with bent bridge and high mass brass saddles. No complaints .
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Is the neck finish tinted orange on those, too? Maybe they were trying to give the red an aged look. Fiesta Red looks kinda pink when it ages.
 
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#208
mexicanyella said:
Mine is a 1999 model, not sure where that falls on the “recent” scale. It was marked at $80; I got it (in 2008) for $50 needed new knobs and strings and a setup, and it’s been great.

The stock pickup and wiring seems to work fine. I even like the sometimes-criticized stock tuners. Either I really lucked out and got a good one, or reports of their general crappery are exaggerated, or my standards are super low...but it seems like a no-nonsense reliable tool so far.

But don’t take my word for it. Let Dixie Dave Collins of Weedeater be the spokesperson:

View attachment 4184175
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No comment ... wow!
 
#210
Below, a few covers utilising standard Squire Basses as practical demonstrations to assist the sceptical.

Musical instruments like people, can differ. Pieces of wood are singularly individual and it is of course necessary to try for oneself, any instrument that takes your fancy.

On the whole, my personal preferences for Basses are entirely different and very specific. But I have picked up enough great looking Squire Basses and plugged them in to know that their quality, feel in the hand, weight and sound, often strongly belies their affordable price point.

That’s the salient issue, which should give encouraging confidence to those on a strict budget. I was in a local music store a while back and the manager who is a Bass Player was with me, looking at their Basses. I mentioned to him that I had visited a competitor’s store in another city and been left in a private room with lots of instruments to try.

I told him there happened to be a Red 50’s Style Squire P Bass that looked stunning, so I purely out of curiosity tried it and was amazed. The manager then told me of his Studio owning pal (we both knew) who had asked him to select a cheap Bass that would do the business for the odd occasion that might be necessary, simply to leave in the Studio, just in case.

He selected and supplied exactly the same Model.

Clearly, people I respect like these Basses.


Squire 5 String Jazz

Carl Stanbridge - bass jam to 'He brought me' by Dorinda Clark Cole - YouTube

Squire 4 String Precision.

Respect Bass cover, Aretha Franklin live in Philly by Carl Stanbridge - Fast!!! - YouTube

For comparison, 73’ Jazz Bass

Signed, sealed, delivered bass cover - King Curtis version - Carl Stanbridge - YouTube


Thank you for the excellent pictures of the superb finishes throughout this thread of your great Basses.
 
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#211
I have had Squiers, Mexi Fenders, Japanese Fenders, American Fenders. As far as I’m concerned you will get the best bang for your buck with a used MIM Fender. I bought a used MIM P Bass with a hard case for $300 on Craig’s List. It is a great instrument. Period.
 
#213
1]. All Fender basses are “parts basses”. All of them.
2]. As such, they are subject to frequent idiosyncrasies. All of them. Some less than others.
3]. If you want a “great” Fender bass, try several, or dozens or hundreds. They are there.
You just have to find them. Sometimes it seems like a needle in a haystack, but they are there. Patience and perseverance are your ally’s. Be patient and you will be rewarded.
I think in the 60’s there were less “dogs” but they built a few thousands back then and now they build hundreds of thousands. So do the math, you have to try more to find a gem.
Think of it as a treasure hunt! Again, patience and perseverance are your friends.
 
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#214
Johnny Em said:
Squier CVs & VMs are generally very good, especially those made in Indonesia & Korea. I play short scale & my go to is a Squier VM Jaguar SS (one of the best necks I've played) modded with DiMarzio pups & KickAss bridge. First thing is proper set up. Check this vid if you want to do a good, basic set up . If you think it needs more take it to an independent guitar tech or luthier.
Click to expand...


I replied much earlier in this thread, I was a bit perturbed by a recent used Squier purchase. But there are certain Squier models that seem better than others. The VM Jag SS is one of them. I bought a used one a number of years ago for $80. After the used prices started to go up on this model I sold it for $200 and bought a Gen 1 Peavey Fury for $250. I miss that cool all black SS, but so much happier with the Fury. My current ‘04 Squier P-Bass has its quirks, but it does sound good with upgrades.
 
#215
Greetings from the North,

I own two examples of Fender designed Squire 5 string bass guitars. One is a VM 5 Precision and the other is a VM 5 Jazz Bass. Both in vintage white. They both are fine examples of the best quality that Squire is capable of producing. Both producing that legendary Fender sound.
And yet I too remain sceptical.

Rezdog
 
#216
I adore my Squier CV70's 4er Jazz, the only thing I'm thinking of doing to it is probably putting a John East J-Tone in it for alternative tones but it's great as it is. I can't imagine the 5er would be of lesser quality but 5er's are different beasts to 4er's and you need to research especially if you are new to them. With a 5er it's going to be about comfort and playability, your physical relationship to the axe, or that relationship will never prosper.
 

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