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Thoughts on Squire Basses for Professional Musicians?

#221
I've gigged pretty much nothing but a Rickenbacker 4001 and a 4003 for the last 13 years. I love those basses very much.

Today, I gigged my amber/maple Squier VM Precision for the first time. Come to think of it, it was the first time I've even used this bass with a band at all. It's completely stock except for the Labella 760FL flats I put on it. All I have to say is WOW. It was a total breeze to play. I loved it. I couldn't tell if it sounded good since we were all using the provided backline instead of our own amps and drums, but wow, what a nice playing bass it is. Looking forward to gigging this thing with my own rig.
 
#222
blues_bassist said:
What are your thoughts on serious or professional musicians using Squire products? I'm in a serious band and I'm looking at buying a Squire Vintage Modified Tele Bass but I have a sort of negative view of Squire. So what do you all think of Squire?
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I play a Squier VM P-bass TB all the time - played it on Sat night, and was paid well...

I'll scream it from the mountain top : Squier CV and VM are great. In addition to the VM P, I also picked up a CV 50's P and a VM Bass VI. I have two main gigs which both pay decently.
 
#223
I always had a pretty negative preconception towards all Squire basses until when a close bassist friend suggested a Squire Classic Vibe Jazz Bass. I absolutely love it and I think it was worth every penny. The sound is comparable to the actual fender and I haven't had any real major problems with it.
 
#224
SendetisDavid said:
I always had a pretty negative preconception towards all Squire basses until when a close bassist friend suggested a Squire Classic Vibe Jazz Bass. I absolutely love it and I think it was worth every penny. The sound is comparable to the actual fender and I haven't had any real major problems with it.
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I change the tuners because I play hard and gig a lot, but other than that and straplocks my Squiers are stock, and sound fantastic.
 
#225
Jared from Big Business (and Melvins) rocks a Squier bass.

98% of the audience doesn't notice, and doesn't care (unless your instrument really demands attention, like it glows in the dark or something). The other 2% are gear nerds who won't complain about the label on the headstock if you can really play. If you can really play, they'll be even more impressed that you did it on an inexpensive bass. (Example: Jared from Big Business/Melvins).

However, many pro bass players are often asked to just plod along on the root notes (and not display their mighty chops), in some cases it might make a difference. Or for studio musicians. Or if you are in a bigtime country band. Then it might matter.

So, YMMV.
 
#228
I do about 30 gigs a year, but im not a pro.
For the past 3 years ive been playing a Squier CVP, sometimes a CV Jazz. I sold off my Laklands and higher priced basses.
I do have a Lkland JO neck that sometimes goes on my CVP. It doesn't have a logo on it but whenever asked what the bass is i always say its a Squier. I feel that although those that don't know how good these basses are might look down their nose at us, it makes me feel special knowing i have a fantastic bass that probably cost 1/3 the price these other people would pay for a "name" brand, and it makes me feel superior lol.

I almost just brought my old Lakland Duck Dunn back this week, as i wanted a nicer looking P (cant stand Fiesta red), but ended up going for a new 3TSB Squier VM PJ. Over half the cost and more versatile.
 
#229
Good playing > what's on the headstock

That said, trends are trends, and "cool" is "cool". In my experience, ANYTHING different is seen as a positive.

A Squier affinity P bass may be lame... but a Squier Vista Musicmaster is holy-grail cool.

The new VM stuff has a very positive reputation with the professional musicians i know. I know a few VM Jazz players... a few VM Mustang players... a slew of Bronco players (i credit myself for inspiring the local Bronco players :smug:). Shoot, i have a friend that plays an affinity P in a Led Zeppelin tribute band, and he sounds incredible.

At the end of the day, the only people that care about the headstock are other musicians. Even then, as i said, good playing impresses the most. :bassist:
 
#230
Charlie from Drive Shaft played a Squier.
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#231
I am a vintage snob......................there I said it. I will also say the product Squire puts out these days is top notch! I own a '79 Tele bass and let me tell you the Squire VM version of it is far superior in every way! The Classic vibe series are excellent basses period. No shame in a Squire these days.
 
#232
White 66 Reissue Fender Jazz from Japan...plays like buttah...never seen one this colour with a matching headstock and the binding and inlays...workmanship is SUPERB; neck pocket gap about .0000001...can't put it down. Sounds fantastic, punchy and alive like a real Jazz Bass should!



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I had a Squire when they first came out in 1982, the 'Lawsuit' jazz bass, with a big Fender logo, and a little teeny Squire sticker - it was substantially better than the horrid 80's Fenders (white pickup era)...wish I still had it. This is a Japanese Fender, I guess technically a Squire (or IS IT??!!!).

Cheers,
Cameron
 
#234
I agree, the Classic and VM Squier stuff coming out these days is basically top notch compared to the Affinity series basses of yesteryear and are very nice basses for the money. I think too many musicians in general put too much emphasis on name brands and not on tone, play ability and other factors. To each their own of course but it seems only gear snobs would say a great sounding Squier still sucks compared to a decent sounding Fender all because it says Squier on it. Not knocking on the gear snobs but it's the truth ;).

Try them out if you can and compare with your ears, but if cosmetics and names are important then go with the most generally popular name brand. Just remember to try to stay within budget if that is a factor too.
 
#235
Squier is "branding" only. How the bass is made is essentially the same as a MIA, or whatever other boutique bass you can think of. Wood + electronics = bass.

These Chinese/Korean/Indonesian factories are pushing out DAMN fine instruments for the price. SX, Squier, Fender Modern Player series, etc... Hell - no one looks down on the Lakland Skyline series...

Squier is the BRAND - nothing to do with the quality of the instrument. If you've been paying attention to this trend, you'll know - 300 bucks and a tweak will get you a professional gig-worth bass.
 
#236
Unfortunately the Squier name will suffer from its 80's reputation, fairly or not. That being said, I will happily gig mine in public. If I get any guff for it, I will extol the virtues of my VM Precision V without the slightest bit of shame; any harassment after that, well, I do know how to throw the thing.:)
 
#238
On a slow year I'll do 225-250 gigs, normal year typically 280-300...I keep pretty busy, and make my living playing music. I have no hesitation playing a Squier bass ...or a Dano Longhorn...or a SBMM Sub .... whatever is right for the gig....I typically leave my more expensive basses at home, where they're safer from theft and mishaps.

My $.02
 
#239
Too many people pay more attention to the name of their gear than their playing. I have and use regularly from my more expensive Fender MIA basses to the cheapest who was a Squier silver series from 93. I only regret not getting more of them when they in stores because that is a very fine instrument. I choose mine from style and tuning, not name on the headstock.
 

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