lxxwj Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I've been thinking about getting a cheap bass, and there's this one Squier lefty with P/J pickups that plays pretty nice. However, I was playing through an awesome (to my ear) Fender Rumble 150 at the time. Are Squier basses actually any good? I think I might get it and then convert my old Peavey to a fretless.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSix Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 If you get a good one they are as good as anything else IMHO. Many owners rate the Squier VM series and the CV series better than the genuine Fenders... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) I've got a lefty 2008 Indonesian made Squier PJ.In terms of build quality,finish and playability I can't fault it,and I have used it in preference to my 78 Fender P,as it's a lot lighter.And black.The pickups are the weak spot,slot in some aftermarket pickups and in my opinion you'll have a very good bass. Edited February 25, 2012 by Spike Vincent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairleg Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Just bought a VM Jazz today. Well worth the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I've seen and handled some really horrible uninspiring Squiers but also had a few very very good examples. I think a fair few tend to be written off as poor due to a combination of cheap/nasty, knackered strings and a poor or non existant set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Yes they are-especially the Vintage modified and (particularly) Classic Vibe series. The quality of Squier instruments has really improved over the last few years.I've got no problem gigging my Squier CV 50's Precision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lxxwj Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share Posted February 25, 2012 Sounds good! Glad I wasn't just hallucinating at the playability of that bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) I bought a 10 year old, made in Indonesia, standard Squier, 3rd or 4th hand for £95 ($150). It played and sounded great. The neck was slightly out of alignment with the bridge but nothing too bad. The newer ones such as the VM or classic vibe are even better. I hate to say it but at the time I had a Geddy Lee Jazz and a 62 reissue both made in Japan. Guess which one I preferred playing? My nephew has started playing bass so I gave it away to him. I'm seriously thinking of buying another standard Squier Jazz (if anybody has one going cheap - black or sunburst please). Edited February 25, 2012 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 [quote name='lxxwj' timestamp='1330189958' post='1553964'] Sounds good! Glad I wasn't just hallucinating at the playability of that bass! [/quote] The thing is,if you think it plays and/or sounds great it doesn't matter what make it is and how much it costs (unless you are worried about what other people think..in which case,get over it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakenewmanbass Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 One of my students has a CV precision, it's a fab bass sounds and plays just like a precision should. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 [quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1330189740' post='1553957'] I've got a lefty 2008 Indonesian made Squier PJ.In terms of build quality,finish and playability I can't fault it,and I have used it in preference to my 78 Fender P,as it's a lot lighter.And black.The pickups are the weak spot,slot in some aftermarket pickups and in my opinion you'll have a very good bass. [/quote] I think that's the Affinity Series, I tried one and yes, fit and finish great but the tone was best described as muddy. I've got budget (£15) P bass pickups in my twin neck and the tone is infinitely better. (I tried the Squire next to a Westfiled P and that also had a better sound. I don't think you need to spend big bucks to improve an Affinity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subbeh Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Had one with the P/J config and It compared surprisingly well to the US/Jap Fenders Ive owned. Pups let it down a bit but theyre easily replaced and the general fit and finish was great for the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 As said many times. The Squier VM and CV series are both well made from cheap parts. A very worthwhile purchase in their own right and you can get some that play better than even the American Fenders. I have one such VM and it started out as a really playable bass with some shortcomings in the equipment stakes however, having upgraded everything but the neck I now have great sounding and loud pickups, solid hardware and a bass that I would pitch against any Fender or clone in terms of playability and against any Fender in terms of build quality . All bought new for less than the cheapest Fenders available (except the body - which is a Fender). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 [quote name='StraightSix' timestamp='1330189522' post='1553951'] If you get a good one they are as good as anything else IMHO. Many owners rate the Squier VM series and the CV series better than the genuine Fenders... [/quote]yep there can be a jem, but that statement may be a broad one.. i think most Fenders made in Japan are better than the USA models.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 [quote name='lxxwj' timestamp='1330189340' post='1553945'] Are Squier basses actually any good? [/quote] Well.... those that own them rate them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1330195805' post='1554094'] Well.... those that own them rate them... [/quote] And many people own them. (but not me!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 [quote name='lxxwj' timestamp='1330189340' post='1553945']there's this one Squier lefty with P/J pickups that plays pretty nice. However, I was playing through an awesome (to my ear) Fender Rumble 150 at the time.[/quote] The playability of the bass has got nothing to do with the way it sounds... as many have said (and with which I would agree) some Squiers can play brilliantly, but often their tone can be a disappointment (particularly the Affinities). Whip oot the pickups and put in some cheap but decent ones and the difference is incredible! If your hands tell you that a bass is a good 'un, then it's a good 'un! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) I have 2 squiers at the mo and they are both good. I have upgraded some of the hardware with half decent budget gear and have gigged them lots and I have never had any complaints. Like all mass produced things, if you get a good un, bingo!! Jez Edited February 25, 2012 by jezzaboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I had a Squier CV Jazz. It was excellent and perfectly giggable stock. It was even better with a pair of Wizard 64s and new wiring and pots. Buy one now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I've got a Squier VM Jaguar Bass Special and I've replaced the pickups with a Wizard P/J Combo, replaced the pots to make it a passive VVT set-up, given it a fret-dress and a bone nut and I think it's great. Not just 'great for the money', but a great instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Hughes Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Yes. And I was skeptical too until I got a Squier Matt Freeman Signature Precision. It just plays so good and sounds like it should. I previously have owned a Fender Sting Signature Precision, a 2008 Fender American Standard Precision and a late 90's Fender Japanese 70's Reissue Precision. None of them were as inspiring in tone or playability as the Matt Freeman - and I am genuinely surprised by that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I`ve had 3 Squiers, a 90s Japanese one, an Affinity, and a CV. All were very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twentyhertz Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I've had three Squiers in recent years, and yeah, I'd say they're pretty great nowadays, although that definitely hasn't always been the case. My first bass was an affinity Precision, sometime around 1999-2000, and it wasn't really up to much. In 2008, I had a VM Jazz to keep me busy when I was living in New Zealand for a while, and it was an absolutely amazing instrument... I'd definitely have another one of those right now if I could justify having one. Again, I moved to the US for a couple of months, and bought a Squier Jaguar (the non-VM cheap one with the P/J pickups) - it felt pretty decent, although maybe not quite up to the standards of the VM/CV models. The fit and finish was pretty decent, I just didn't really care for the pickups or the active electronics - something you could very easily rectify later with some fairly simple modifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Bases come and basses go. But I always end up with my CV Squier back out of its bag and on the rack as my number one 'go to' bass, in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I'm gonna be totally 'up front' here and admit that my experience with Squier is based on the brand when it first appeared. By the time you've bought a Squier, replaced the pickups, upgraded the electronics, put a new set of machine heads on it and maybe pushed the boat out and fitted a new bridge - wouldn't it have been cheaper and quicker to have bought an MIA in the first place... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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