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Wait what? That's a Fender Squire??

dmas81

dmas81

Supporting Member
Sep 17, 2006
142
265
44
Greensburg, In.
#1
Guys and Gals, I'm very curious if anyone has recently played the newest Squier Fender Jazz? I know I said Squier, but stay with me here.

I'm a 20 year plus bassist and always considered Squier an entry level bass that is far below my dignity, however......I was in a music store last night and played every American Fender Jazz he had on the wall (3-4) and then just so happened to decide to grab a blonde Squier jazz with a maple fret board and those beautiful rectangular fret markers as you would see on a Marcus Miller. I could not believe the tone and feel. It completely blew me away. Now mind you I have 3 other basses of quality so I was highly amazed when it was easily out-toning my Ernie Ball Musicman HH and my American Peavey Cirrus.

So get this, I contacted Fender on the spot and asked them what about that bass that sounded so good. The gentleman asked for the serial number and then stated that I was playing one of their new Fender Modified 70's Jazz Squiers. He went on to say that Fender just updated them and are now providing them with a more classic pickup style called "Fender Designed" that is supposed to mimick a '62 with AINiCo magnets.

Anyway I've rambled long enough but I gladly bought that $500 dollar blonde and I'm almost convinced I won't be playing any of my other girls for a while. If you haven't tried one you should!!!!
 
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#2
There have been some recent, game-changing years for Squier. In 2008, they unveiled the Classic Vibe series who's level of quality has been enough to make some think twice about overseas-produced instruments, not to mention sparking many a vicious debate on those fronts. Then, in 2013, they dropped the "Duncan Designed" pickups for "Fender Designed" ones, created a few new models and started adding a glossy neck finishes to some.

To be a bit more specific, it sounds like you grabbed a "Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass". But for $500? Are you in the U.S. or elsewhere? Here in "The States" they go for $300 and $330 for a five-stringer.
 
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#3
Squier.......not Squire!!!!!!

teacher-spanking.jpg
 
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#8
dmas81 said:
Guys and Gals, I'm very curious if anyone has recently played the newest Squire Fender Jazz? I know I said Squire, but stay with me here.

I'm a 20 year plus bassist and always considered Squire an entry level bass that is far below my dignity, however......I was on a music store last night and played every American Fender Jazz he had on the wall (3-4) and then just so happened to decide to grab a blonde Squire jazz with a maple fret board and those beautiful rectangular fret markers as you would see on a Marcus Miller. I could not believe the tone and feel. It completely blew me away. Now mind you I have 3 other basses of quality so I was highly amazed when it was easily out-toning my Ernie Ball Musicman HH and my American Peavey Cirrus.

So get this, I contacted Fender on the spot and asked them what about that bass that sounded so good. The gentleman asked for the serial number and then stated that I was playing one of their new Fender Modified 70's Jazz Squires. He went on to say that Fender just updated them and are now providing them with a more classic pickup style called "Fender Designed" that is supposed to mimick a '62 with AINiCo magnets.

Anyway I've rambled long enough but I gladly bought that $500 dollar blonde and I'm almost convinced I won't be playing any of my other girls for a while. If you haven't tried one you should!!!!
Click to expand...

I had a similar experience with a Modern Player Jaguar. It was used $240.00- in very good condition. But I was very impressed with the way it played and the sound. It good to see that a company like Fender is putting out good quality instruments at very affordable prices.
 
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#10
There are real differences in quality between Squire and MIA, maybe less so with MIA. The real question for buyers these days, is what makes an MIA worth twice the price of a Squier? Is the construction, electronics, and fit/finish really twice as good? That's a tough one to argue, I don't see it, but obviously others do. Since many of the parts are made in the same Indonesian factories, you have to decide how much that pretty headstock decal is worth to you.
 
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#11
Malak the Mad said:
There have been some recent, game-changing years for Squier. In 2008, they unveiled the Classic Vibe series who's level of quality has been enough to make some think twice about overseas-produced instruments, not to mention sparking many a vicious debate on those fronts. Then, in 2013, they dropped the "Duncan Designed" pickups for "Fender Designed" ones, created a few new models and started adding a glossy neck finishes to some.

To be a bit more specific, it sounds like you grabbed a "Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass". But for $500? Are you in the U.S. or elsewhere? Here in "The States" they go for $300 and $330 for a five-stringer.
Click to expand...

Yep - I'm wondering too. Just did a quick search for that and every place in the US is selling the 4 strings for $299 - before any discounts.
 
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#13
I'm late to the Squier party. And I'm at that stage of life where I can afford to buy pretty much anything I want. And I already own (or have owned) most of the big name majors. But I've bought three (2 CVs plus 1 VM) Squires this year, and I will probaby get a Matt Freeman Precision before I'm finished.

I think they're unbeatable for what they are - Fender style basses. Which is to say they're not just good basses "for the price." They're very good basses period.

Like Bill Shatner said in that old TV commercial: "You could pay a lot more. But why?"
 
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#15
dmas81 said:
Guys and Gals, I'm very curious if anyone has recently played the newest Squire Fender Jazz? I know I said Squire, but stay with me here.

I'm a 20 year plus bassist and always considered Squire an entry level bass that is far below my dignity, however......I was on a music store last night and played every American Fender Jazz he had on the wall (3-4) and then just so happened to decide to grab a blonde Squire jazz with a maple fret board and those beautiful rectangular fret markers as you would see on a Marcus Miller. I could not believe the tone and feel. It completely blew me away. Now mind you I have 3 other basses of quality so I was highly amazed when it was easily out-toning my Ernie Ball Musicman HH and my American Peavey Cirrus.

So get this, I contacted Fender on the spot and asked them what about that bass that sounded so good. The gentleman asked for the serial number and then stated that I was playing one of their new Fender Modified 70's Jazz Squires. He went on to say that Fender just updated them and are now providing them with a more classic pickup style called "Fender Designed" that is supposed to mimick a '62 with AINiCo magnets.

Anyway I've rambled long enough but I gladly bought that $500 dollar blonde and I'm almost convinced I won't be playing any of my other girls for a while. If you haven't tried one you should!!!!
Click to expand...
There's a lot of love for the new Squiers around here. Quiet a few arguments, too, because there's no way they can possibly compare to their Fender cousins, right?
Wrong!
I tried quite a few Vintage Modified Jazz basses (I really like the one you chose) before I decided on the Classic Vibe Jazz. Everyone who tries mine can't believe the playability and the sound!
By the way, the board "rule" demands you post a pic.
ab0a2w.jpg
 
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#16
Yeah man. I've got a Squier VM P-bass with Lindy Fralins and it looks and sounds amazing. White body w/ tort pick guard. I have a picture but I don't like the resolution so I'll try to take another one soon and post it.
 
#19
Gilmourisgod said:
There are real differences in quality between Squire and MIA, maybe less so with MIA. The real question for buyers these days, is what makes an MIA worth twice the price of a Squier? Is the construction, electronics, and fit/finish really twice as good? That's a tough one to argue, I don't see it, but obviously others do. Since many of the parts are made in the same Indonesian factories, you have to decide how much that pretty headstock decal is worth to you.
Click to expand...
Do we always have to have these freaking comments? don't put people down for their choices. There is more to it then a pretty decal
 
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