Thoughts on Squier basses? Im skeptical.

[retslock]

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!

My sister-in-law who hasn’t played in a long time, wants to play again and brought her old Squier made-in-Japan Precision to me recently to get it in shape. The pots were very stiff and sound was intermittent. It was built around 1982-84 from the serial number. She has owned it for several years but is not the original owner. It’s been stored for years and was not in great shape. After I cleaned it up, WD40’d the pots, oiled the fretboard and set up the action, I have to say, it’s now a very playable bass. It feels and sounds a lot like my early ‘70s Fender Precision. The neck is straight and it’s only real weakness is the bridge (the ridged type) which could have been placed a little more accurately but it is definitely gig worthy after some TLC. I would not call it garbage by any stretch.

 

[SteveHeissner]

Lower cost Indonesian made basses, including the Squier basses, have seen an impressive increase in quality over the last few years. Try a new one manufactured recently and you might be like it.

 

[OptimalOptimus]

Hope you meant Affinity Squires. The current CV and VM are well made instruments the "Made in China" CV's are incredible instruments and most who own them would argue (including myself) that they ARE in fact better made than some more expensive models especially MIM...2 of which I also own...

Well compared to other Fender instrument yeah sure they may be as good but it still crappy compared to other brand and more expensive other brand

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

Also, if anybody is this far down in the thread, is playing without an amp bad for the bass?

You played WITHOUT an amp?

If you were guitar center, would you wanna hear 400 teenage beginners abuse stairway? The only reason that they let em use amps is so the guitars don't explode!

I'm kidding.

But it takes so much more energy (imparted on the strings) to play a elec. bass audibly without amplification.

I worry about people doing this and reinforcing bad habits.

 

[Bass Viking]

Amazing how many people don’t know how to spell Squier, even their owners!

 

[Thundertips]

A lot of people making a lot of generalizations. Especially about the Affinity series. Yes, there are a lot of “bad” Squiers out there, but there are some great ones as well. Advice like, “Stay away from Squier”, will deny the opportunity to find the “great” ones. IMO, the best advice is, “Try before you buy”, but definitely try!
I happen to own a Squier Affinity Jazz V that is totally stock and plays better than some basses that cost 10x as much! It might not be easy to find a great Squier, but they’re out there.

Yes, try before you by and you will find good ones. The Classic Vibes are good, no questions asked, but the cheaper ones are hit and miss. The problem I find most is the sound of the cheaper ones. Overtones and wolf howls, but they all play great. I also got one that had the nut slots not filed low enough. I mean, it is what it is, if you're gonna pay 200 or 300 bucks for a Bass you can't expect it to be a Cadillac.

 

[Bassmike62]

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

Agreed.
I might even get my VM70s back one day, a friend saw my ad on Marketplace and bought it, so I know exactly where it is and he probably won't keep it after his current recording project.

 

[Sid Fang]

Amazing how many people don’t know how to spell Squier, even their owners!

Cut 'em some slack. They have to fight the built-in spell-checkers.

 

[Sid Fang]

Just got out my Squier VM Jazz V to check the country of manufacture and other build details relative to what folks have been talking about. Mine's made in Indonesia, with the Duncan Designed pickups, but nondescript bridge and tuners. It's a natural wood finish and maple neck, but the woods, while not bad pieces, aren't particularly pretty, nor are the wings particularly well-matched when seen from the back. But I was looking for a specific tool, not a decorative item. I just wanted the cheapest Jazz 5er I could find that wasn't a total piece of crap, as a platform for a Roland bass MIDI pickup. In theory, you can put them on other basses, but they're clearly designed to fit best onto a Jazz-style body (just as the guitar version is really designed to go on a Strat). Mine wasn't beautiful, and wasn't light, but once I plugged it in and played it, it was clear that not only would it do for my purposes, but it was a really good bass. Not only do I use it for MIDI, but as a bass in its own right. It is absolutely a compromise, but the good things were what I cared about and the bad things were things that I did not. Your mileage *will* vary.

 

[dannylectro]

Not sure what else I can add to this but, for the record, I have CV 50’s Precision bass. The body & neck are pretty great, but I did need to add to the “roll” in the neck, and knock the finish down on the back. The original bridge I think is actually pretty cool and very good quality; the tuners slightly less so but they work just fine.
I did replace the pickup with a Lindy Fralin, and replaced the original pots and cap (very low quality) with CTS/Emerson etc. This required slightly enlarging the control cavity and drilling out the holes on the control plate. But for $400 paid for the bass, brand new, and about $200 in parts, I have a really cool looking, vintage vibe bass that plays and sounds like a bass that cost twice as much or more.

 

[Drewsmith00]

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?

I have played with an amp, later down i just said i dont play often with an amp.

 

[Drewsmith00]

I didn’t read the whole thread but I think the term “garbage” in the OP was what I would call “needs some setup work, like any instrument, and maaaaaaaaaaybe a pickup/electronics upgrade (but quite possibly the right pickup height, strong choice and amp settings would make it rock as hard as anything).”

Note: my main bass is a Squier Affinity P that cost $50 at a pawnshop. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea but it has been an inarguably smooth player, holds a setup and stays in tune. A good, solid, no-frills tool.

In theory, that would make it better, but im not going to put new everything on it, just to spend hundreds of dollars on a bass that doesnt feel good to me, Im just asking for advice on a new bass.

 

[sean_on_bass]

I used to hate Squier basses, but bought one of the Vintage Modified jaco fretless and feel it is a solid bass that i'd be willing to gig with. I think alot of people just treat their Squiers like crap and don't keep them setup well. I'd still rather have an MIM Fender, but Squiers are totally functional basses if you are on a tight budget.

 

[mexicanyella]

In theory, that would make it better, but im not going to put new everything on it, just to spend hundreds of dollars on a bass that doesnt feel good to me, Im just asking for advice on a new bass.

Fair enough. Maybe my emphasis was unclear or misleading. The point I was trying to make was, the basic piece of wood and hardware you have now might play quite well with a decent setup and strings, assuming it all works. It worked out that way for me, and it might for you too. Assuming it’s “garbage” because it currently needs adjustment to be optimized is assuming too much.

If you want a new bass, you want a new bass. My answer was not directed at that. I just wanted to point out that you might already have a bass worth playing, with a setup.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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!

I had one about 10 years ago, a 5 string JB. I think the best way to describe it with a general term, it was unrefined compared to a bass you would pay $1,000 more.

Fit, finish, assembly, components, like hardware and pickups, are all in line with a bass that Fender probably could manufacture in mass for around $200. That said, although it had a few fret buzzes, it was certainly playable and played in tune.

As for sound that comes out of it, I did a side by side comparison with a MIM and MIA JB. I will say there is a difference in sound quality, but without a studied side by side comparison, more than likely wouldn’t notice much of the difference. However, those that have significant experience playing higher end basses and or have a good ear will probably notice the difference.

I think in the end, the Squier line can scratch the itch for large amount of musicians. That said, don’t expect it to be just like a bass costing a $1,000 or more expensive.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

No reason to be skeptical of Squier basses. Like most companies there are jewels and junk available on the market. Play some, see what you like or don't like and decide from there.

The only ones that will be 100% deniers of Squier probably spent a couple thousand on a bass. And if that floats your bobber, fantastic! Basses are as individual as the people playing them so buy for yourself.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

A have a 2014 Vintage Modified P/J and I love it. And I'm a real stickler for tone and playability - a bass either has it or doesn't. If it doesn't it moves quickly out of my collection.

Crafted in Indonesia, build quality is close to perfect, no sharp frets, no weird blemishes. Plays and sounds like P. I did swap out the pickups with a Pickup Wizard P/J set. It's got a thinner neck profile than my MIM P, and weighs around 8 lbs.

That being said, try one out if you can. I think I got lucky with this one, I've played some lemons before.

 

[Lee Kirkham]

I have no experience with the Chinese manufactured instruments, but my experience with the Indonesian produced Squiers has been great. In fact, my workhorse basses are both Squiers from the early 2000's Standard Series. And I've been gigging a lot, 15 shows this year so far and another 10 lined up this month.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

My only suggestion is stay away from made in China basses. QC is bad in general. Indonesian and Korean made squiers are usually fine.

This isn’t true of all Chinese Squiers.
The original run of Squier Classic Vibe Basses made in China rival US made Fenders. These are excellent basses that are well regarded and sought after. They now sell for twice the original price. Serial numbers starts with CGS.

 

[TimB1226]

Not sure I need to add this, but I managed to get a CV fretless Precision during a tiny window when they made them, and I love it. It’s in the avatar. But I should say that I’m primarily a guitar player and would have to win the lottery a few times to spring for the $5K/up level of basses that so many on Talkbass have. So discount accordingly.