Want a cheap J-Bass, Squier? SX?

[Big Hoss]

Here's a used SX at Guitar Center for $179. Happy hunting.

SX VINTAGE SERIES JAZZ Electric Bass Guitar

And here is that same instrument but brand new, with the newer design head stock for $149.00 from Rondo...

Link Removed

One thing to note. I can't get the photo to zoom in on Chrome, but from the thumbnail, it looks like that bass has been retrofitted with the SX BB104 high mass bridge. I am about 99% sure of that. Either that bridge, or that neck is a replacement. The bridge was used in the Andromeda, but not the Ursa series. The neck was used in the Ursa, but not the Andromeda series. .

That bridge runs for $19.95.

Can you get a bridge installed for $20.00 and do you mind a pre modded used instrument for the price of new + mod?

Or better question, do you mind the older pointy Ursa headstock vs the new shoosh headstock?

 

[Big Hoss]

Ordered the andromeda... Still thinking about the Squier though... and maybe an Ursa... I still have to buy that diamond-j.... GAS is bad.

You have chosen well. The Andromeda's are beauties... They do differ from the Ursa in some important ways, that can be good, bad, or indifferent. I point them out just for reference.

• Ultra light, one piece, solid, American swamp ash body (the body on this bass is worth the price alone!) The Ursa is available in an Ash version, but is not the standard.

• Dual cutaways allow access to the highest frets

• One piece, bolt-on, Canadian maple neck with rosewood reinforcement and dual action truss rod. The truss rod on the Ursa is accessible via a route at the head stock, the Andromeda is like the older Fender design, you have to remove the pick guard to access the truss rod adjustment.

• High mass (BB104) bridge for improved sustain. Not standard on the Ursa, but can be added. I am getting ready to do that to my Ursa 1 and Ursa 3.

• Improved (DJ430CR) tuners for precision tuning. I haven't found the Ursa tuners to be objectionable, some folks do.

• D'addario strings. This is the one mod I do to all my SX basses soonest possible.

• Two single coil pickups are controlled from two volume controls and one tone control for lots of sound variation

• Pearloid pickguard. This is cosmetic only. A cosmetic upgrade I do on mine certainly, but not really a functional issue.

• Maple fretboard with 20 jumbo, hand filed frets and pearloid block inlays. Block inlay on a Jazz style bass is an awesome look. Great for visibility to boot. The Ursa for the most part, uses dot inlay, a few get blocks.

• Polyurethane finish

• Chrome hardware completes the look

 

[madjazzbass]

One of the Nicest looking Squier Basses I've ever seen!

 

[Kahrmine]

If you find a VM squier that plays and sounds nice, go for it. If you can't try and SX. You won't find a better bass for as cheap as they are, they rival the VM $300 Squier offerings for a fraction of the price. but you will not be able to play it first like you could a Squire in a shop.

 

[Willy-D]

Never owned the VM, buy do recall playing one in a store (fretless) & remember thinking it sounded "thin". Several years back I picked up a used SX Vintage Custom Fretless J off of Craigslist òn the cheap.

Typically I really like it, but it is heavy as hell (looks like white ash) and one of the pickups could be used as a microphone. The did sound better that many squiers I've heard, but I slapped a used set of Dimarzio model Js in it to stop the microphonics.

I am only now dealing with the weight issue. Have it apart and I've routed out under the pickguard to remove some lumber. Bass was close to 10 lbs so anything helps. Maybe no issue for some, but my middle aged back screams after 1 standing set.

Fit and setup were pretty good as I got it, but did have to tension the truss rod a little to take up some relief.

 

[Batmensch]

I have 3 Squier basses-all good
Have not not had the pleasure of playing an SX but a lot of people seem to like them.

I have three also, one VM J, one VM P, and a FrankenSquier Pbass.I like them all. I had a SX P bass once, and I really liked it too, I found it sounded good and played well. It wasn't perfect, it required a tiny bit of fret work, but I liked it quite a bit. Bottom line, though, even though I liked the SX, for me, my choice would always be the Squier. It's just overall better quality, and requires less work and expense to get it up to speed. If your funds are really limited, the SX might be the way to go, but if you can afford a bit more, the Squier would be your best bet. if you can't afford a new one, a used Squier in good shape other than a new SX would be good, too.

 

[lowplaces]

Used peavey foundation USA made. Pickups are either super ferrite singles, or VFL soapbar singles. The body isn't the same as a jazz, but the neck is, and the sound is similar. Fans consider it a "jazz bass on steroids"

The bridge pickup is maybe even a tad closer to the bridge than 70s spacing.

Definitely worth considering. They tend to go between $150-300 but I got mine for way less, being in the right place at right time.

If you can find one with the older style 2pc maple neck, they are extremely stable for such a thin neck (it is like a geddy Lee!)

This is mine, it is late 90s (post 1995), has the one piece neck, the 2 PC usually has a truss rod cover. Also this is the vfl soapbar type. Most peavey fans favor the older ones with the 2pc necks and super ferrite pickups, but this bass still kicks ass and I can't argue with the low price I got it for.View attachment 1081869 View attachment 1081870

Hell yeah ! MIA for the price of a Squier ? No brainer !

Squires are fine if one wants the traditional Jazz Bass look. But the Foundations don't need upgrades imo. Great bang for the buck.

 

[ubernator]

Hell yeah ! MIA for the price of a Squier ? No brainer !

Squires are fine if one wants the traditional Jazz Bass look. But the Foundations don't need upgrades imo. Great bang for the buck.

Same with fury, some may assume that because they were a low priced bass, that they had cheap components. Not the case, I have no need to upgrade the electronics in any of them. Bottom line, the name "fender" on the headstock adds price, and "peavey" is a "value" brand. I wrote off my 94 fury as a cheap bass when I started getting fenders, and sold it cheap around 1998. Last year I realized I regretted that move. Now I have 2 furies and a foundation, and $252 total invested in all 3! I was gigging them until the plug got pulled on the band. So now I am looking for another. I still have the band where I play the thunderbirds, but no gigs on the books right now.

My foundation is a later 90s with vfl pickups, and an ugly bright red finish, but the body seems to be made of maple. I may refinish it in the future. It was pretty beat up, it was practically free. Someday I will get a peavey with super ferrite pickups, a foundation, or maybe a patriot or early fury. I have to sell my milestone and some pedals before I can consider anything else (or book a paying gig, these peaveys can be so cheap that one or 2 gigs pays for one)

 

[mbell75]

I wrote off my 94 fury as a cheap bass when I started getting fenders, and sold it cheap around 1998. Last year I realized I regretted that move.

Took you 18 years to realize this? You couldn't have missed it that much

 

[ubernator]

Took you 18 years to realize this? You couldn't have missed it that much

In the scheme of things, you are right. I moved up to USA fenders and German Warwick's, it wasn't like I had a reason to miss it.

It was realizing I needed a 2nd p bass, and was agonizing over which $100 range bass to get, because I am not in the position of having money like I used to. I initially got an import peavey milestone that was cheap at GC, and then shortly after the foundation fell into my hands for even less. It did not help that there was a fury at that same guitar center for $139, a month before I realized I wanted one again. Now I have 2 and the milestone is on the block.

USA Peaveys are an addiction, and not Much more than SX basses (sometimes less). I would rather have a bunch of USA peaveys than a bunch of SX, personally.

As much trash as I talked on peavey, carvin and crate amps in my youth, peavey and carvin actually make (yes make/made) some pretty decent guitars and basses.

Peavey prices are on the rise, grab em if you can, and avoid the $300 price gougers. A good peavey cost $200-300 new in the early 90s, a little less than MIM fender at the time.

 

[lowplaces]

Same with fury, some may assume that because they were a low priced bass, that they had cheap components. Not the case, I have no need to upgrade the electronics in any of them. Bottom line, the name "fender" on the headstock adds price, and "peavey" is a "value" brand. I wrote off my 94 fury as a cheap bass when I started getting fenders, and sold it cheap around 1998. Last year I realized I regretted that move. Now I have 2 furies and a foundation, and $252 total invested in all 3! I was gigging them until the plug got pulled on the band. So now I am looking for another. I still have the band where I play the thunderbirds, but no gigs on the books right now.

My foundation is a later 90s with vfl pickups, and an ugly bright red finish, but the body seems to be made of maple. I may refinish it in the future. It was pretty beat up, it was practically free. Someday I will get a peavey with super ferrite pickups, a foundation, or maybe a patriot or early fury. I have to sell my milestone and some pedals before I can consider anything else (or book a paying gig, these peaveys can be so cheap that one or 2 gigs pays for one)

A few years ago I had a Foundation 5, same red color as yours and same pickups. I emailed Peavey the serial number and they told me it was a maple body. I forget what year it was made.

 

[lowplaces]

In the scheme of things, you are right. I moved up to USA fenders and German Warwick's, it wasn't like I had a reason to miss it.

It was realizing I needed a 2nd p bass, and was agonizing over which $100 range bass to get, because I am not in the position of having money like I used to. I initially got an import peavey milestone that was cheap at GC, and then shortly after the foundation fell into my hands for even less. It did not help that there was a fury at that same guitar center for $139, a month before I realized I wanted one again. Now I have 2 and the milestone is on the block.

USA Peaveys are an addiction, and not Much more than SX basses (sometimes less). I would rather have a bunch of USA peaveys than a bunch of SX, personally.

As much trash as I talked on peavey, carvin and crate amps in my youth, peavey and carvin actually make (yes make/made) some pretty decent guitars and basses.

Peavey prices are on the rise, grab em if you can, and avoid the $300 price gougers. A good peavey cost $200-300 new in the early 90s, a little less than MIM fender at the time.

Ha, I just Googled Peavey Foundation Bass. Right there number one on the results list was TalkBass threads lol.

That's why prices around the rise. People Google them and they read all the posts here and see all the gushing ! Those of us who own them can't keep our mouths shut lol.

 

[ubernator]

A few years ago I had a Foundation 5, same red color as yours and same pickups. I emailed Peavey the serial number and they told me it was a maple body. I forget what year it was made.

I should do that. I tried for my milestone and they couldn't tell me. Word on the street is that peavey lost their database, so after 1995 it is difficult to date them.

The weight, and wood visible under some large chips screams maple on mine. And the bright tone as well. It is a keeper. I do want the 5, but can't justify the cost since I am not really playing 5s right now, and have a pair of Warwick 5s in the vault. But I do want a less expensive, more fender-ish 5, and having one with the same pickups as my 4 is appealing for use in the same band. I sometimes regret selling my MIK squier HM V, but that pointy headstock

 

[ubernator]

Ha, I just Googled Peavey Foundation Bass. Right there number one on the results list was TalkBass threads lol.

That's why prices around the rise. People Google them and they read all the posts here and see all the gushing ! Those of us who own them can't keep our mouths shut lol.

Yeah but we also gush about that they cost $150 maybe $200. That seems to be changing. However one that was listed 235 on eBay and got no bids, just relisted at $150, so not everyone is gouging them. Those that do hype the "made in USA" aspect. Fury was a $200 USA made bass back when I was a teen, $100 was the standard used price. Some ask $3-400 for them now. They can still be had under $100-200. Boycott the gougers! Those who fall for the high price only make it worse for the rest of us. $250 for a really clean foundation. Hell T40s went for $200 a few years ago, now they are rarely under $500 with a few in the $350 range here and there. Maybe someday, but the weight and the chunky neck deter me as well as the cost, but it is a super well made bass, the bridge, pickups, electronics are top notch. Very versatile. Tjh3113 has a couple YouTube videos with a t40, and he has quite the collection of basses. Someday I will have one, maybe.

 

[lowplaces]

Yeah but we also gush about that they cost $150 maybe $200. That seems to be changing. However one that was listed 235 on eBay and got no bids, just relisted at $150, so not everyone is gouging them. Those that do hype the "made in USA" aspect. Fury was a $200 USA made bass back when I was a teen, $100 was the standard used price. Some ask $3-400 for them now. They can still be had under $100-200. Boycott the gougers! Those who fall for the high price only make it worse for the rest of us. $250 for a really clean foundation. Hell T40s went for $200 a few years ago, now they are rarely under $500 with a few in the $350 range here and there. Maybe someday, but the weight and the chunky neck deter me as well as the cost, but it is a super well made bass, the bridge, pickups, electronics are top notch. Very versatile. Tjh3113 has a couple YouTube videos with a t40, and he has quite the collection of basses. Someday I will have one, maybe.

T40's are great but I just can't deal with the weight.

What I'm waiting to find locally is one of the slant super ferrite models.

 

[lowplaces]

Enjoyed the chat brother I'm hitting the hay. Catch you later.

 

[ubernator]

T40's are great but I just can't deal with the weight.

What I'm waiting to find locally is one of the slant super ferrite models.

That be the t20, or the first fury models. The patriot is similar but straight instead of slant. If one popped up for a hundo I would grab it. Passed on that chance once before, because of the p bass width neck and fact that I was looking for a split P type at the time. It is a collection disease. I have both types of split fury pickup, and the vfl foundation. I definitely need something with super ferrites, and realistically. A 2 pickup would probably be better for me, but I would take a slant or patriot. I have to turn the peavey brain off until the milestone sells. That reminds me it is time to edit my Craigslist listing.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Morning, i have an eyeball on an early Patriot. Maple neck with a bit of a bow,rattle can white body,single super ferrite. They have it tagged at $145, i will do a low ball offer because I'm already getting the stink eye from SWMBO "it's not the money, where will you put it". I hope to get a look later today, i hope they bite because it will go nice with my white T40.

 

[chilliwilli]

Buy a cheap upgraded bass use. You'll get a better deal and know it's half way decent because people don't always bother modding the terrible ones.

 

[ubernator]

Morning, i have an eyeball on an early Patriot. Maple neck with a bit of a bow,rattle can white body,single super ferrite. They have it tagged at $145, i will do a low ball offer because I'm already getting the stink eye from SWMBO "it's not the money, where will you put it". I hope to get a look later today, i hope they bite because it will go nice with my white T40.

We have successfully hijacked the squier vs SX thread with logic and awesomeness.

Used USA peavey is always the answer to squier vs SX, unless of course a 100% fender clone is required.

Patriot with rattle can refinish should go $100 or less.

I just put the stock pickup back in the milestone II, and wow, it actually holds up nice compared to the fury, but to be fair there are steels on it and nickels on the fury.

The plugged in sound should help it sell. It helped me decide to buy it in the first place despite the cleanup and TLC it required.