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Why does everyone hate Squire's????

#221
franchelB said:
it has to do with the "snob" factor. Some people feel they have to justify spending $$$$$ for their stuff. And unless Squier starts charging $$$$ for their guitars, there will be snobs who will look down on Squiers.

BUT so what? Who cares?? I'm using a "custom-built" bass that an acquaintance built for me with a Squier P body, Fender MIM fretless Jazz neck, and a Dimarzio DP122 P bass pickup. And ya'know what??? The bass feels great in my hands, and sounds even better when other bass players use mine at our blues jams!

Don't worry, be happy!
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Agreed... TBC basses would probably have more "respect" if Jack charged $1000 for his totally hand made in America instruments. But since he charges about $400 they fall into the "good for the money" catigory. The main beef I see is that, again, electronics seems to be the issue. And look at Peavey. There are a lot of people that will choose a Cirrus over anything else. Granted a USA Cirrus isn't cheap the name is still hard to get passed for a lot of people.

It all comes down to the player. A piece of crap in the right hands will ALWAYS sound better than a $20,000 Alembic in the wrong hands. :cool:
 
#223
Sorry, need to clarify. Peavy got and still does get a bad rap for what it used to be in the past. It was after all in the beginning a low cost alternative to Fender and Gibson, kind of like the Behringer of the 70's. Their amps especially were inexpensive, but really now, not know for tone. Though you did see a lot of country guys use it in the 70's. But they hung in there and have always had their market. Cirrus comes along and makes great strides in providing a very good instrument.... BTW Peavy has a lot to than Jack Wilson for on making a great bass. So sorry for the confusion and thanks for calling me on that. I guess what I meant is that once one has a bias against something it is hard to have an open mind about a company. I confess that I had and still have a hard time with Peavey gear. For the longest time I wouldn't touch anything that said Peavey. I did own Peavey amps in the past as a guitar player only because I could afford them. In my wiser years however I will try anything once and give it a fair try. So I have auditioned several pieces of Peavey gear, a preamp and a couple of basses -- not a Cirrus -- and they didn't do it for me. But neither did the Ritter I tried about 6 months ago. I wouldn't have paid $500 let alone $5000 for it. Again, one must play before judge, and I am sorry to say that I have been in the camp that judged before I played because of a name. I would love to get my hands on a Cirrus just to see what it is like. Hope that clears things up a bit.
 
#224
Truth is, badge snobbery aside, quality control is very hit and miss across the whole Fender group...

I've had Squiers that have been excellent quality & great sounding (I actually have a VMJ Fretless Jazz at the moment) & have played some astounding Squiers, such as a Pete Wentz I ordered for a pupil. WHAT A BASS!!! (This had the best P Bass sound I've ever heard!)

I've owned an MIM '06 Jazz V which was a lovely bass. One of my pupils is still playing it now. This particular instrument has the Marcus Miller sound licked without a sniff of a preamp or any trickery!

I've also had a Japanese Geddy Lee signature & finally earlier this year bought an MIA S1 Jazz. It must've been about the tenth one I'd tried. Luckily it was one of the "transition models" produced just before the line changed to the new 08 American Standards started production. It had the Hipshot tuners, the knurled fingerboard edges & was a stunning bass. But the other MIA's I tried... Oh dear, oh dear... Quite a lot felt literally half finished, pickup outputs on two I tried in one store were massively different & quality/fit & finish was seriously patchy.

I am going to try an 08 American Standard Precision this year, but I'm not going to order it blind. From what I've heard, QC is a lot better on these new models, but I'm not taking any chances. I'll try them until I find the right one for myself!

The lesson? Well, all the Squiers I've played in recent years have been consistantly better quality than the American Fenders overall. Literally only one MIA has made the grade. (The one I bought! - And don't forget that us Brits pay literally twice as much in UKP for our Fenders as you do in the States!)

This comes from a very discerning professional bass player who is used to boutique custom order instruments (currently own 3 Status basses, etc...) but not afraid to buy a Squier :)
 
#228
Lemoore-on said:
Maybe its because theye are made by children under slave labor conditions in indonisia? I played a fretless jazz copy for quite a while yesterday and was impressed! I might get it for my 1st fretless.
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why must everyone infer that just because something is made in a 3rd world country that it is made by children under slave labour conditions?

yes, they ARE made in Indonesia...and you would be surprised what else you have laying around your home was ALSO made in Indonesia.

Guess what? Indonesia and with their 200million+ population has an economy, too! That means that they have businesses and employ people and EVERYTHING...(shock horrror :eek:)

How about all the STARVING children in 3rd world countries? at least those whose families are employed can afford to EAT!
 
#229
Basseroni said:
I don't hate Squiers but I would never buy one today. When someone said that these were "entry level" basses they were correct. If I was just starting bass I would get one without hesistation but for someone, me in particular, that's being playing bass for 20+ years and grew out of the "entry level" phase they don't work--not even as a backup bass.

They are good basses for what they are, though. I wouldn't discourage anyone from buying one if that is what they really wanted. :)
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after 20+ years, you may or may not have developed into a seasoned player...but at least you're well on your way to developing an elitist bass-player attitude...that's good...

After 17+ years playing, I bought my first Squier last month...it ROCKS! :p
 
#230
Not every one hates Squier. :) I have a very simple equation.

Bass Player: If you're good, you're good!

The Bass: If you like it then play it! Whether $100 or $1,000. You're the one who has to play it!

The Amp: The louder the better. Just give it to me loud and clean!


This is all that matters. Not names on a headstock, company logos or brand names, everything is subjective! If it sounds good to you then play happily!

Let the Lakland people love Lakland, let the SX people love SX!
 
#232
I'm looking at it this way; I've had '51 P bass gas for almost a year now. I almost flipped my MIA P bass for one. Now Squier is introducing a '51-type model, with a couple of what I consider "upgrades" (high-mass 4 saddle bridge and body contours). I also prefer the LP blue to the yellow, and the easier truss rod access. I'm not a fan of basswood, but I suppose it will be much lighter than the ash-bodied CIJ. Not really a bad thing for somebody who isn't getting any younger. :) The $350 saved won't draw any complaints either. Sure, it would be nice if it said "Fender" in the big letters on the headstock. That isn't such a sticking point for me these days though. I'll be getting this one through my local music store, so it will be much easier to send back if there is an issue. The two VMs and the deluxe V they have there are very nice, virtually no dropoff between those and the MIMs they have.
 
#233
Did you read my post? I said I was impressed and might get one:rolleyes:
Dont be so sensative (spell check anyone?):D

Back to the original thread, I dont hate Squires, my room mate has a P bass. I dont like the P bass style neck. it has nothing to do with it being a squire. it seems like a nice bass & I love a good deal so I think they are fine!

PilbaraBass said:
why must everyone infer that just because something is made in a 3rd world country that it is made by children under slave labour conditions?

yes, they ARE made in Indonesia...and you would be surprised what else you have laying around your home was ALSO made in Indonesia.

Guess what? Indonesia and with their 200million+ population has an economy, too! That means that they have businesses and employ people and EVERYTHING...(shock horrror :eek:)

How about all the STARVING children in 3rd world countries? at least those whose families are employed can afford to EAT!
Click to expand...
 
#234
I have two pre-CBS Fenders, a vintage guild, two mexican Fenders, a JB Player P-Bass, and 3 Squiers. Everyone is a solid player with unique attributes.

I really like the Squiers and the JB Player the best because I picked them up used for around $100 each. They were either already modified or I have modified them since. I particularly enjoy my Chinese P-Bass Specials, one that has Bartolinis and one with Gotoh Alnico V pickups, both of which were less than $180 after modification. The good parts of squiers are very good, and the bad parts are easily upgraded.
 
#235
I have a Squire P Special and it's ok. It plays ok & sound ok.

I borrow my buddies '72 P every chance I get because you just can't compare the tone difference between the P & the Squire.

That '72 is awsome.

Sometimes I feel so dirty after I borrow it because of the clandestine love affair I have with it/her. After all she does belong to my friend...but I just can't help myself.

She is delicious.
 
#236
FrigginChris said:
i've been seeing squiers getting a ton of praise here lately. some comments even saying that they rival the MIM fenders.
Click to expand...
Yep. Which is why I find it silly that this six-year-old thread was bumped. The VM line hadn't even been introduced at that time, IIRC--the OP might have had a point then, but surely not now.
 
#237
I think some bass players hate Squier because they had a not so good experience with that bass. Probably they were unfortunate to get a poorly constructed few from a bunch of well made basses. Some probably hate it because its cheap and somehow, they are worried that people may think they are not good bess player because they use cheap bass.

I am very happy with my VM Jazz even though it weighs like elephant and in fact I'm just eating McDonalds burger for my lunch to save money for another VM Precision.:D
 
#240
I agree with you man! I used to play a White Squire P-bass. Band practice was every Thursday, and I had to leave from school and take the bus for a 40 minute trip. The band went without a permanent bass player for many years and they'd take turns jamming on it, so they let me play that one instead of hauling my own bass around school and on the bus all day. Man that thing really kicks! GREAT tone, easy to play. I think it sounds better than the other 2 basses I play.
 

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