mentalextra Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 On a shopping trip today out of town and happened upon a Squier P bass in black, ok with a few nicks on the black body, looks unmolested. They want £60. Simple decision, buy it or forget about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 If it's from the Affinity range (small enclosed tuners) it's not that great a bargain. Otherwise, if the neck's good, I'd buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalextra Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 [quote name='bremen' timestamp='1356113800' post='1907119'] If it's from the Affinity range (small enclosed tuners) it's not that great a bargain. Otherwise, if the neck's good, I'd buy it. [/quote] Yeah, I had a quick look and it looked like it had spent most of its time in a cupboard, but the "affinity" aspect worried me. How can you tell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr M Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Usually by the 'Affinity Series' label at the top of the headstock. As was pointed out to me earlier today, it's only on the Affinity Series that it actually says 'P-Bass'. On the old Standard Series and the newer CV and VM Series' it would say 'Precision Bass'. To a certain extent, I think the Affinity Series has an undeservedly bad rep. There are certainly some awful ones out there, but many of the more recent (ie. 2000 onwards) ones I've seen have had more-or-less the same hardware as other Squier models - full size tuners, etc. It's also worth noting that the Affinity Series are now £160+ new, so if it's a newer one in good nick, £60 is a pretty good deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 My modded affinity jazz is brilliant! Also as they are a bit thinner they are super light, I used mine for wedding and function gigs if it was a 2 hour + set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalextra Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 [quote name='Dr M' timestamp='1356116896' post='1907174'] Usually by the 'Affinity Series' label at the top of the headstock. As was pointed out to me earlier today, it's only on the Affinity Series that it actually says 'P-Bass'. On the old Standard Series and the newer CV and VM Series' it would say 'Precision Bass'. To a certain extent, I think the Affinity Series has an undeservedly bad rep. There are certainly some awful ones out there, but many of the more recent (ie. 2000 onwards) ones I've seen have had more-or-less the same hardware as other Squier models - full size tuners, etc. It's also worth noting that the Affinity Series are now £160+ new, so if it's a newer one in good nick, £60 is a pretty good deal. [/quote] I wasnt there looking for a bass to be honest. It was pure fluke I noticed it hanging on the wall and wandered over for a look. But Its been bugging me all evening. I cant help thinking it was worth a punt. I might go back for a second look. I am not too bothered about the affinity, but more whether its a cheap bass with a Fender squier sticker. Not being an expert on p bass it did look a little "short" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalextra Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 [quote name='Dr M' timestamp='1356116896' post='1907174'] Usually by the 'Affinity Series' label at the top of the headstock. As was pointed out to me earlier today, it's only on the Affinity Series that it actually says 'P-Bass'. On the old Standard Series and the newer CV and VM Series' it would say 'Precision Bass'. To a certain extent, I think the Affinity Series has an undeservedly bad rep. There are certainly some awful ones out there, but many of the more recent (ie. 2000 onwards) ones I've seen have had more-or-less the same hardware as other Squier models - full size tuners, etc. It's also worth noting that the Affinity Series are now £160+ new, so if it's a newer one in good nick, £60 is a pretty good deal. [/quote] Im pretty sure it "didnt" say affinity on the headstock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 I had an Affinity Series Precision, and was amazed at the quality and playability for a cheap instrument - going back about 6 years when new they were about £100 or so. Really, a very good instrument. £60 for one of these is a nice deal, as is the one Shonks is selling on here for £80. Great bass either as an intro to Precisions, or as a backup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalextra Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 Looks like I should have gone with my first instinct! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 I used an affinity p bass a while back for a modding project and it turned out really well. If you can get it somewhere around £50 it would be a good deal. The pups and electrics aren't brilliant but you could get a few bob for them on Ebay. Then upgrade and you will have a decentish instrument, so long as the truss rod and neck are ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 For £60 in good nick, that`s a deal. They are decnet enough basses and can be made much better with some budget upgrades. A good little project for the holiday season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 I missed a VM J Bass in Crack Converters a couple of weeks ago for £100 - by the time I went back for it, it was gone. Kicking myself. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalextra Posted December 23, 2012 Author Share Posted December 23, 2012 Do these places make thorough checks on authenticity, seems to me that Fender decals are cheap to buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr M Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 [quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1356289133' post='1908866'] Do these places make thorough checks on authenticity, seems to me that Fender decals are cheap to buy? [/quote] Probably not, but if you were going to go to the trouble of sticking a new decal on, why put a Squier one on, not a Fender? Certainly there are plenty of fake Fenders around (I'm sure I've seen a few threads here about them) but they're easy enough to spot. Most of them aren't particularly well done. If you're worried about fake Squiers (unless you're talking about the 80s Jap Squiers, I think this would be really unusual) I think the things to check would be the neck plate - should have an engraved Squier logo, and the back of the headstock - should have a decal with country of manufacture and serial number. At least this is true for my Squier Jazz ('06 Standard Series). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Coffee Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Years ago I spotted an old battered and chipped but beautifully real McCoy Sting signature Fender model in a branch of cash converters for £50.00. The shop attendant said that they couldn't wait to get rid of it as it was making the shop look bad. I wryly smiled and played it and it was a beauty; but here the story goes bad. I didn't notice the sneaky sweaty geek who was watching from behind the DVD stand and as I set it down to go to the autobank next door he swooped and plucked the deal from below my nose. Lesson learnt - if it seems good, at least put a deposit down before you release it from your mucky paws and don't fall for the disinterested passer by who hangs around like a stale smell pretending to be ignoring you but is about to gazzump your booty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalextra Posted December 25, 2012 Author Share Posted December 25, 2012 I am the "sneaky sweaty geek" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Same process as buying any bass in my opinion. Take your favourite bass to the shop (and amp if necessary) and try both basses together so you can directly compare. If it's a good bass buy it. If it isn't, don't. For £60 I wouldn't worry what model it is or what logo is on it, it's either good or it isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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