Thoughts on Squier basses? Im skeptical.

[The boa]

Some squier stuff is great. The squier J Mascis Jazzmaster is better than a lot of fenders. The CV p-bass I played was every bit as good as my MIM fender p. The low end squier isn’t great, but the mid tier stuff can be really good. There are more lemons though, so it’s a small risk in that regard

 

[The boa]

Also, if anybody is this far down in the thread, is playing without an amp bad for the bass? When i practice at home I play without an amp, and ive been thinking about getting the vox bass headphone amp instead, and then using my usual bass amp when i need to. Will the headphone amp still sound good? Obviously i dont know what bass im getting yet, but in your guys' experience, are they worth it?

Mira not going to hurt your bass if that’s what you are asking. You certainly can develop bad habits of digging in too hard, because it’s a lot more quiet than unplugged guitar. Look at a rumble, ampeg ba-15, or even the bass pignose for small practice amps that won’t break the bank. Used peaveys are everywhere and cheap, but I don’t think they sound as good as the newer low wattage practice amps.

 

[Thundertips]

IMO Squiers can be hit or miss, especially the affinity, but the CV line has been largely solid. Normally I’d recommend Yamaha or Ibanez as an alternative for better QC, but IDK if you’ve been burned

But at the end of the day these are little details that some people notice, and some don’t. I’m not as picky about electronics or hardware, but picky about necks. I am also willing to do touch up work and replace parts if needed.

I’d recommend just playing them and see for yourself, or order from a place with a good return policy, like Sweetwater.

good luck, welcome to TB!

The Affinity's are hit and miss. I've had some real good ones and some real bad ones. Quality Control issue maybe? I had an Affinity that had the grooves in the nut not filed right and the strings were way above the first fret. You couldn't bring the action down. I gave it to my daughter who plays with her fingers and likes high action.

 

[andare]

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!

Sounds like you don't know how to set up your instruments.

Current Squiers are really good, even down to the lowly Mini Precision and Bronco. Perfectly cut and tight neck pockets, well-aligned necks, thorough shielding. The bones are solid.
What's not so good is the inconsistent set up, but they can be set up well and the necks are stable.
The frets are dull and have sharp ends, probably soft metal too. The back of the neck is rough. These are simple issues to fix. The nut slots might need a touch up. Take it to a pro who has nut files.

The Classic Vibes are much better. There's a general feeling of cheapness in the metal parts, some sharp burrs, soft screws, sticky glossy finishes, but it's nitpicking. Get a well cut neck pocket, a straight neck with nice edges (CVs are rolled) and have it set up. Then learn to set it up. It's dead simple. Upgrade the pickups if you need a different EQ profile. For example the CV 70s precision has a rather bright and thin tone.

All Squiers have thin modern necks. For beefy carves look elsewhere.

 

[andare]

The Affinity's are hit and miss. I've had some real good ones and some real bad ones. Quality Control issue maybe? I had an Affinity that had the grooves in the nut not filed right and the strings were way above the first fret. You couldn't bring the action down. I gave it to my daughter who plays with her fingers and likes high action.

Shallow nut slots can be lowered to the right depth with proper nut files. It's a simple, quick, cheap job for a tech. That is the one part of a set up that requires expensive tools.

 

[Thundertips]

Shallow nut slots can be lowered to the right depth with proper nut files. It's a simple, quick, cheap job for a tech. That is the one part of a set up that requires expensive tools.

I was thinking about getting it filed, but my daughter tried it and said she liked it the way it was, so I gave it to her.

 

[andare]

I was thinking about getting it filed, but my daughter tried it and said she liked it the way it was, so I gave it to her.

She'll pull all notes sharp at the first fret if the action is too high. But of course I'm just saying, if she likes it then it's great

 

[Thundertips]

She'll pull all notes sharp at the first fret if the action is too high. But of course I'm just saying, if she likes it then it's great

Yeah, thanks. She likes it and it's not that bad, it's just bad for me, cuz I like low action and I play with a pick. I learned to play guitar first, on a Charvel that has action low enough to play itself. Haha. So, as a consequence, I like the action really low on my Basses. I don't think it's bad enough to pull the notes sharp.

 

[Bassmike62]

Not familiar with the CV series, but I had 2 Jazz from the Vintage modified series, a VM77 and a VM70s up until a few months ago. Great basses for any price, even used them at gigs. Quality was amazing, easily comparable to a lower-level american or japanese bass. Would've gladly kept them, especially the VM70s, but GAS got the better of me and upgraded for something else.

 

[Ostie]

I recently saw a Squier CV 70s Jazz listed on FB for for $650. Wishful thinking on the sellers part? I just don’t see it. Maybe I’m wrong.....

 

[Old_Noob]

I have a parts squier cv 70s P body with an allparts neck. other then some overspray in the neck pocket, i love it

 

[DwaynieAD]

Squiers are awesome. All these basses are made on the same cnc machines. Learn to do a setup. Don't be afraid of a truss rod. And if you're playing without an Amp how do you know these basses are crap?

 

[nabilhuakbar]

Not familiar with the CV series, but I had 2 Jazz from the Vintage modified series, a VM77 and a VM70s up until a few months ago. Great basses for any price, even used them at gigs. Quality was amazing, easily comparable to a lower-level american or japanese bass. Would've gladly kept them, especially the VM70s, but GAS got the better of me and upgraded for something else.

I'm pretty sure the real reason Fender went out and redid their Standard series into the Player series is because the CV and VM Squiers were legitimately nicer than the old Standards and they had to make "entry" Fenders worth buying again

 

[nabilhuakbar]

Shallow nut slots can be lowered to the right depth with proper nut files. It's a simple, quick, cheap job for a tech. That is the one part of a set up that requires expensive tools.

And for whatever reason, Bass Guitar nut files run you north of $100 everywhere you look...when regular 6 string guitar nut files are like $15 for a set

 

[andare]

And for whatever reason, Bass Guitar nut files run you north of $100 everywhere you look...when regular 6 string guitar nut files are like $15 for a set

Where do you find good quality guitar nut files for $15? Hosco sets are all about the same price, regardless of instruments. I wouldn't use cheap nut files.

 

[HardNHeavy]

with a minimal amount of tweaking and you can make any bass sound and play great. Learn how to do setups, take that thing apart and dissect the sht out of it..learn what everything does and it's relation to one another. Most ppl complain about the hardware, electronics, or cheap woods..Some dont have an issue at all with them..Like any bass, play as many as you can. Before long you'd be frolicking off into the sunset with one.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Shallow nut slots can be lowered to the right depth with proper nut files. It's a simple, quick, cheap job for a tech. That is the one part of a set up that requires expensive tools.

Expensive is relative...

A quality set of bass nut files is $80-$100. For those who own a lot of instruments and are interested in learning to make them play as good as possible, it's worth learning how to use them and spending on them. Nut files are really the most expensive part of a good setup kit.

One you've done a couple, it's easy to swap out plastic nuts for better materials or perfectly set up instruments for different string gauges. If you screw it up, new bass nuts are cheeeeeep...

 

[BarfanyShart]

The last time I did serious bass shopping a couple years ago

 

[Plain Old Barry]

other then some overspray in the neck pocket, i love it

Overspray in the neck pocket?

Do you crawl under you car and look at the paint in the fender wells?

 

[asparaguspee]

If you can save up for something better, say the $US 500+ range there are some great instruments in that price bracket (e.g Sire).
You'll be much happier with a quality instument than trying your luck in the budget range.