Thoughts on Squire Basses for Professional Musicians?

[jlepre]

The thing is we are talking about details that are quantifiable and can be measured. That's what makes a difference between something like say, a bass built by Roger Sadowsky with hand picked woods and time taken to be precisely built, compared to a pile of parts randomly grabbed out of a box and bolted together by people with zero knowledge.

There is a reason there are high and instruments and starter instruments.

A Ford Festiva is a great car and will get you to the store the same as a Mercedes sl500. But what would you rather drive?
There is a difference and those differences and details are quantifiable and can be measured.

Sound or tone is completely subjective though. And let me be clear on that. I'm not saying that one is necessarily sounds better than the other that's all left up to the person who is playing it.
But overall quality and build is not subjective.

I'm sorry but your commentary came of as very snobbish. I play an EBMM SR5 as my main bass, but have no problem picking up my squier whenever I get the chance. Is my SR5 a better built instrument? YES IS my VM V slapped together with inferior parts and workmanship? NO

 

[Gorn]

...compared to a pile of parts randomly grabbed out of a box and bolted together by people with zero knowledge.

It's uncanny how random parts bolted together by unknowledgeable people manage to turn into great basses that are almost unanimously regarded as excellent musical instruments, often not just for the money.

 

[corndog]

I was in my local shop Tuesday and noticed a new EB Stingray. I picked it up to give it a go and almost cut my hands on the frets sprout! You could grate cheese with it! It has been unusually cold and dry here lately so I didn't think to much of it......until I picked up a Squier CV 50s. I couldn't believe the difference. Not one fret sticking out on the Squier.

Now I know we can't gauge overall quality on this one detail, but the Stingray shocked me, it was that bad. Oh, and the EB cost $1800 compared to $350 for the Squier.

 

[Eldo]

Roger Glover played Rics for years when he was with Deep Purple. Later he "stooped" to playing a Hondo Longhorn and then played Peaveys.

And you know what? Every single one of them sounded fantastic.

Never, ever let anyone tell you what a professional musician SHOULD play.

 

[bassbenj]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQG5mjE6qiA

Me and my Squier Jazz VM V...nuff said


QUOTE=MikeBass;15420708]As a contrast......
Me and my Sadowsky Will Lee 4:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNW3KkCrYTA[/QUOTE]

Come on guys. Just listen to that Sadowsky tone! And compare to that Squier "entry level" beginner tone! Night and Day!

Guitar players have assured me that anyone playing a Squier instrument is NOT serious about music! Guitar players! Is there anything they don't know?

THis has me putting my Squier P/J in the classifieds as soon as possible.

Seriously, my Squier P/J is a pretty nice bass. But I also have to admit that I like my USA G&L better. And I am of the opinion that it is the Agathis tonewood in my Squier that sort of keeps me from really loving it. As for neck, playability, balance, pickups (replaced with Fender and Dimarzio) it's all wonderful but I SWEAR that wood does SOMETHING to the tone. A least that's my theory.

Now I do know a pro player who only plays Squier and ibanez. And his Squier sounds as good as that Sadowsky. Why? I don't know. Luck? He picked it out himself? I don't know why, but it is possible.

 

[MikeBass]

I'm sorry but your commentary came of as very snobbish. I play an EBMM SR5 as my main bass, but have no problem picking up my squier whenever I get the chance. Is my SR5 a better built instrument? YES IS my VM V slapped together with inferior parts and workmanship? NO

It's uncanny how random parts bolted together by unknowledgeable people manage to turn into great basses that are almost unanimously regarded as excellent musical instruments, often not just for the money.

I thought I was pretty clear that I have no issues with squire basses.
I honestly have played a number of them that were awesome.
It's just that in a few years where is that thing going to end up with regards to quality?
You don't know exactly what you are getting.
Sure, lightning in a bottle basses for sure.
And a great deal if they were twice their price.
But I've played almost as many that were just not built well that I have that were built well.

That being said, you can find dogs from any company. Period.

Again, walking into a gig or session, I want to know without a doubt that what I have is always gonna work.

I really dig them, and may pick up one of the Tele basses just to have one.

Sorry, didn't mean to be snobby. Those who know me know I'm any thing but a snob.

 

[Art Araya]

I have no problems with it. If a bass sounds good and plays good, I don't care how much it costs or the name on the headstock.

My very limited experience with them was not good. I bought a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz on here based on what I read about them. It didn't play anything like my high end basses, it did not sound anything like my high end basses. I spent a good amount of time tweaking it to try to coax the most out of it but I could never get it where I wanted it.

I sold it to someone who was very happy with it.

To each his or her own. For me, I guess I'm used to a higher level instrument and my ears and hands are more picky.

 

[jlepre]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQG5mjE6qiA

Me and my Squier Jazz VM V...nuff said


QUOTE=MikeBass;15420708]As a contrast......
Me and my Sadowsky Will Lee 4:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNW3KkCrYTA

Come on guys. Just listen to that Sadowsky tone! And compare to that Squier "entry level" beginner tone! Night and Day!

Guitar players have assured me that anyone playing a Squier instrument is NOT serious about music! Guitar players! Is there anything they don't know?

THis has me putting my Squier P/J in the classifieds as soon as possible.

Seriously, my Squier P/J is a pretty nice bass. But I also have to admit that I like my USA G&L better. And I am of the opinion that it is the Agathis tonewood in my Squier that sort of keeps me from really loving it. As for neck, playability, balance, pickups (replaced with Fender and Dimarzio) it's all wonderful but I SWEAR that wood does SOMETHING to the tone. A least that's my theory.

Now I do know a pro player who only plays Squier and ibanez. And his Squier sounds as good as that Sadowsky. Why? I don't know. Luck? He picked it out himself? I don't know why, but it is possible.[/QUOTE]

I agree, the VM sounds much more focused and defined. I can barely hear your bass lines.

 

[jlepre]

Plus my recording was made using just an Iphone. Your recording looks like it was professionally done, and your bass line consisted mainly of half and whole notes.

 

[mattattack187]

This is my standpoint: Play what YOU like to play!

 

[muggsy]

Joe Dart plays a Squier here. I don't think the bass is holding him back.

 

[smcd]

Keeping in mind J Mascis plays his signature Squier JM and he's a real player. While it can be argued that he could play on a better made instrument, he certainly can't be knocked for playing his Squier.

Most of the photos I see of Mascis have him playing a Fender JM, not a Squier.

 

[MikeBass]

I agree, the VM sounds much more focused and defined. I can barely hear your bass lines.

Don't know what you were listening on, but my bass is anything but quiet on that track. in fact, it's a bit too up front IMO.
And if you make it to the bridge, you'll hear more than just whole and half notes. (what note length has to do with anything is beyond me...).
The ending chorus my d-tuner drops my E all the way down to B, and it's as good sounding as a 5.
Can a Squire do that? Sure. Over time do you have the confidence that things will be soild?
You may. Personally, I don't
And yeah, to be fair it is a professional recording.
My point, which I should have really pointed out more clearly was to show that really, there isn't that much of a difference.

Listen, I'm not knocking these basses. At all.
And I'm not saying that at any given level a player should move on or up or whatever.
Your bass sounds great.
And in the end, to most people, they 1) couldn't tell a difference if there was one 2) don't care 3) you should love it.

How about this......the PGA Championship at Hualalai just last week:
First place -22 under
24th place -7 under
After 96 holes of golf the difference from a massive payday and a few grand is 15 shots.
Getting 80% there is "easy" it's the last 10 or 20% that is the most challanging.

I've said countless times here on TB, love what you play, play what you love.

 

[smcd]

I haven't gone through all 14 pages of this thread, so forgive me if I'm asking a question that's been asked before, but -

Can someone cite some name musicians that AREN'T endorsers that play Squier instruments.

 

[Rip Topaz]

Brand envy has always bothered me, and here's why:

In my opinion EVERY bass, no matter the price or name on the headstock, has something unique to offer.

I have a MIA Fender. I also have a Squier. Both get about equal playtime, because both have their own specialness.

I've never once refused to play any instrument based on the brand. Even the cheapest guitar has something to offer, it's just waiting for you to find it and exploit it.

 

[Gorn]

I haven't gone through all 14 pages of this thread, so forgive me if I'm asking a question that's been asked before, but -

Can someone cite some name musicians that AREN'T endorsers that play Squier instruments.

Charlie from Drive Shaft

 

[Dark Horse]

I haven't gone through all 14 pages of this thread, so forgive me if I'm asking a question that's been asked before, but -

Can someone cite some name musicians that AREN'T endorsers that play Squier instruments.

Here are a few I can think of off the top of my head....


I know Jimmie Vaughan had a set of Squier pickups in his main Start for a long time. Way before he got the Fender signature Strat.

Omar, from "At The Drive-In".

Jimmy Pettit, the bassist from Joe Ely's band plays a Squier ...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[awilkie84]

I thought I was pretty clear that I have no issues with squire basses.
I honestly have played a number of them that were awesome.
It's just that in a few years where is that thing going to end up with regards to quality?
You don't know exactly what you are getting.
Sure, lightning in a bottle basses for sure.
And a great deal if they were twice their price.
But I've played almost as many that were just not built well that I have that were built well.

That being said, you can find dogs from any company. Period.

Again, walking into a gig or session, I want to know without a doubt that what I have is always gonna work.

I really dig them, and may pick up one of the Tele basses just to have one.

Sorry, didn't mean to be snobby. Those who know me know I'm any thing but a snob.

I have a Fender MIM P-bass (mid-90s that were regarded as poor quality), a Squier affinity from 2010 and a 2006 Spector Rebop. Guess which 1 is still fully functional, despite my incessant need to tinker with them?

If you guess the Spector, you're wrong. It has a truss rod that seized due to glue seeping into the truss channel. What was that about build quality being inferior on a Squier? Luckily, a luthier friend of mine is fixing it for me.
If you guess the MIM, you're half right. It's currently torn apart & being modded but never gave me any issues.
If you guess the Squier, you win!! I've put that bass through hell & the only thing I've HAD to do to it was have the frets dressed. ($60 through a luthier friend)

Also, even if I did have to buy a new CV Squier every couple years (or even another Affinity), I'd still be well under the cost of a Sadowsky or any other mfr in that group.

 

[lfmn16]

Now I know we can't gauge overall quality on this one detail,

Or this one comparison. Try comparing 100.

I don't know why people keep starting these threads. They always wind up with someone comparing their Squier to a Sadowski or equivalent and that's just silly. Why are some people worried about what the other guy is playing? Whether someone else plays a Squier or a Fodera, it shouldn't affect how you feel about your bass.

 

[khutch]

A LOOOOONG time ago I saw an article in a photgraphy magazine where a group of professional photographers had been given Kodak Brownie cameras and were told to make some great photographs. The Brownie was one of the orginal cheap consumer cameras, almost nothing on it adjusted, the lens was mediocre, and of course it used film. And the photos those pros took with those simple little box cameras that were obsolete by a decade or two even way back then were stunning. Now the difference between a Brownie and a professional grade Nikon or Hasselblad of the day was vast compared to the differences between a Squier and a Sadowsky today. So yes, anyone worth the designation "pro" could play a Squier and do amazing work with it. Dosen't mean he/she couldn't find a dozen reasons to prefer a Sadowsky but if you can do it at all, you can do it quite well with a Squier.