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Thoughts on Squire Basses for Professional Musicians?

#41
I'm a pro, and one of my gigging basses is a Squier CV Jazz. The neck was ok, I just changed the pups: the stock ones weren't that bad, but with DiMarzio Model J and a complete re-wiring now it sounds great. Usually people, attracted by the blue pearloid pg, say "Wow, it's a Squier, I didn't know they were so good".
I also own a CV 60 P, still stock, and it's great for blues gigs (.050 flats on it).
If a bass is ok, what's wrong with the name?

In some cases, a boutique bass allows you to pretend you're a star, but in the end the sound is in your hands, the bass has just to be good enough to play.
Well, if you have money to buy high-end gear, enjoy your luck. Otherwise, do your best with what you have and what you can afford.
 
#43
To be fair, on my VM Jag I changed the tuners to hipshot ultralights with a d tuner, and replaced the cap on the P pickup with an orange cap .047 and a .033 on the J. TI flats. Other than that, it's stock and sounds and plays great.

Also, if I recall correctly, Juan Alderete used a Squier J bass to record the first Racer X record.
 
#44
Pro or not, I'd have no problem gigging my Squier Affinities anytime, anywhere. Mine are usually improved and somewhat "Fenderized" anyway.

I can generally rework the weak spots myself, upgrade to Fender grade pots and caps, and still be into it for much less than most Fenders would cost. Not that I don't want a Fender or 10, but I have what I have, for now, so I work with it.

Most assembly line stuff, especially the lower level stuff, always has some room for improvement, if one is able and willing. And unless it's just total, unworkable garbage from day one, a good player ought to be able to make any instrument shine.
 
#45
bassbenj said:
The serious pros I know who gig with Squire (and Ibanez) have what it takes to cut down any other player, they've got hand-picked and hand-tweaked instruments that put any boutique to shame and they've got the attitude (with whatever it takes to back it up) to DARE anyone to question their choice of instrument.
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But that means for them, a Squire is "the one", right? I thought you said you didn't want a Squire if you were looking for "the one"?

That's just a rhetorical way of saying nah, I don't buy this. Jaco, for example, completely revolutionized the entire instrument with a bass whose quality was below even today's Squires. Hacked up with a butter knife, wood putty and boat epoxy. And probably a lot less well made than your average Squire.

So what you have to ask yourself is are you that serious and professional?
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I much prefer your original question when it comes to instrument selection - is this bass "the one"? That allows you to play a Squire if you want to without having to hock the wife and kids for a "serious" bass. That might not even be as much fun as a Squire and was 10x as much money besides.

If I were still gigging, I'd not have a problem showing up to a most desirable gig with just my cheapo defretted jazz bass. I play about as good on it as I do my Carvins or my G&L. So why not, especially if a JB tone is what's needed?

So I'm with the other guys, I don't think the bass really indicates what you're going to get out of the player. Most of those guys with Matt Garrison Foderas wouldn't sound any better on it than they would on my jazz bass. That's true of me for sure, so I play my Carvins, G&L and my jazz bass.

There may be some prejudice out there in gig-land against "Squire" written on the headstock. I ran into that from time to time with my Ricks when I was gigging. But that's part of why I don't gig anymore; True I am quite a bit of a gearhead and always have been, but when it comes to playing, sometimes that guy with the cheap bass can really surprise you.

LS
 
#52
I have a $600.00 dollar Schecter, that I loved, and was very happy with. However, I found myself wanting to expand my arsenal and include something with a maple fret board. I did my research, read the reviews. LOTS OF REVIEWS, 100's, and decided on the Squier VM. Love it!!
The Schecter hasn't been played since I got it! Love the feel, the tone. I did put flats on it, it's awesome sauce.
Totally love the maple fret board, and body, and neck.
Great bass!!
 
#55
mogpipe said:
I have a $600.00 dollar Schecter, that I loved, and was very happy with. However, I found myself wanting to expand my arsenal and include something with a maple fret board. I did my research, read the reviews. LOTS OF REVIEWS, 100's, and decided on the Squier VM. Love it!!
The Schecter hasn't been played since I got it! Love the feel, the tone. I did put flats on it, it's awesome sauce.
Totally love the maple fret board, and body, and neck.
Great bass!!
Click to expand...

What kind of tone do the flats give you an the VM77?
 
#58
Squiers sound very good and play fairly well for a cheap instrument. With some minor upgrades and setup work it could make for a good instrument. A serious professional might use one for the reasons above, but they're rare. There are some construction flaws in some of them that most don't want, like dead spots, unequal string spacing, a lack of string-to-string balance, that kind of stuff. Still if you're a rocker and crank through an amp, this may not mean much as long as it's comfortable. The PU's and the position of the PU's help these basses sound good.
 
#60
I have a Squier Vintage Modified TB that I customized with a 50s style P bass single coil and I absolutely love it. The neck is great, the sound is great and I haven't had any quality issues whatsoever. I too had to get past the anti Squier snobbery, but I have played a few of the Vintage Modified and Modern Player basses and have been impressed for what you get for not much money. The thing to keep in mind is...your audience couldn't care less what kind of bass you play. Most non-musicians wouldn't know a Squier from a Sadowsky and more than a few in your audience will only vaguely know what a bass does. If you like a Squier, go get one.
 

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