New Squier range - the final nail in MIM's coffin

[nollaig]

[url="http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vintage-Modified-77-Jazz-Bass.html"]http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vin...-Jazz-Bass.html[/url]

[url="http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Precision-Bass.html"]http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vin...ision-Bass.html[/url]

[url="http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Jaguar-Bass.html"]http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vin...aguar-Bass.html[/url]


Is this going to be Fender's OLP i.e. too good for the price and stops people buying the higher end - if this is £300 (maybe £450 including the bridge/PUP/tuner modifications you'd want to make) surely it'll trash the MIM market (if that exists anymore)?

If Classic Vibe/Vintage Modifieds are such good value, so well crafted etc then why is a MIM at twice the price not twice the guitar? - leaving aside country of origin and brand name. In reality Fender surely need to look at the £500-£750 range and make them really worth it (like CIJs - why aren't they easier to get??????).

[Stylon Pilson]

Ohhhh the amber P. I think I've just worked out what my next purchase will be.



S.P.

[charic]

[quote name='nollaig' post='896451' date='Jul 16 2010, 12:24 PM'][url="http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vintage-Modified-77-Jazz-Bass.html"]http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vin...-Jazz-Bass.html[/url]

[url="http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Precision-Bass.html"]http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vin...ision-Bass.html[/url]

[url="http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Jaguar-Bass.html"]http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vin...aguar-Bass.html[/url]


Is this going to be Fender's OLP i.e. too good for the price and stops people buying the higher end - if this is £300 (maybe £450 including the bridge/PUP/tuner modifications you'd want to make) surely it'll trash the MIM market (if that exists anymore)?

If Classic Vibe/Vintage Modifieds are such good value, so well crafted etc then why is a MIM at twice the price not twice the guitar? - leaving aside country of origin and brand name. In reality Fender surely need to look at the £500-£750 range and make them really worth it (like CIJs - why aren't they easier to get??????).[/quote]

I paid £350 for my MIM new...

[basshead56]

To be honest, I don´t think the Mex Fenders are going anywhere.
The newer ones have had some good upgrades recently and the new finishes and maple necks are great
Also, the build quality seems to be great.
The 50´s RI P Bass was one of the best I´ve ever played and the RW P and Jazz are the exact same, bar the finish and price differences.
And the Mark Hoppus sig is the most amazing sounding bass (even unplugged!) I´ve ever heard/played/owned.Fact!
I think in terms of marketing, they are going to leave them positioned where they are-resting on their laurels as a line for intermediate players to aspire to.
Its not the whole hog, but it´ll be close enough for younger/newer/budget players looking to get their first Fender.

While I think the MIM Standard series have alwys been overpriced, they are still great basses and I don´t think upping the QC of the Squier lines is really cannibalising their market share.
However, if they (MIM) dropped in price, Fender would then perhaps be shooting themselves in the foot, as the price points would be quite similar, since the VM Series stuff has hit the 300-350 bracket.

My first Fender was a MIM Jazz (still have it) and I´m glad I got it, as I had wanted a Fender Jazz since I started playing and it is great bass, There was no way I could have afforded a US built one at the time. Saved hard and got it. Still love it and take her out occasionally.

[Veils]

That Jag looks sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

[rasher80]

I like the VMJ colour option in black.

Wonder if they'll do it lefty

[Spoombung]

I like the look of that Jag



Very underrated basses, Squiers

[nollaig]

[quote name='charic' post='896466' date='Jul 16 2010, 12:41 PM']I paid £350 for my MIM new...[/quote]


Fair enough, but I'm basing it on the current internet prices for Standard/Mexican Precision at £429.99-449.99 and Standard/MIM Jazz at £489.99-519.99 - no, not twice the price, but more expensive.

I don't necessarily dislike MIMs I'm just interested to hear what people think.

[nollaig]

[quote name='basshead56' post='896473' date='Jul 16 2010, 12:48 PM']And the Mark Hoppus sig is the most amazing sounding bass (even unplugged!) I´ve ever heard/played/owned.Fact![/quote]

That does look like a well thought out set up - no messing.


[quote name='basshead56' post='896473' date='Jul 16 2010, 12:48 PM']I think in terms of marketing, they are going to leave them positioned where they are-resting on their laurels as a line for intermediate players to aspire to.
Its not the whole hog, but it´ll be close enough for younger/newer/budget players looking to get their first Fender.

My first Fender was a MIM Jazz (still have it) and I´m glad I got it, as I had wanted a Fender Jazz since I started playing and it is great bass, There was no way I could have afforded a US built one at the time. Saved hard and got it. Still love it and take her out occasionally.[/quote]

I agree with you that MIMs plug a gap in the market for younger/intermediate/aspirational players looking for their first Fender (my first 'proper' guitar was a MIM Tele) - but when seasoned musicians are favouring a budget line it raises some questions as to the quality of the MIMs for the price (I'm not calling into question the fact that they are potentially quality instruments).

Still - that Hoppus sig looks the part

[dave_bass5]

You do know there is a 10 page thread already on this topic dont you ;-)

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=90084"]Squier Jag thread.[/url]

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='896543' date='Jul 16 2010, 02:06 PM']You do know there is a 10 page thread already on this topic dont you ;-)

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=90084"]Squier Jag thread.[/url][/quote]
He does know, he posted there saying he was going to open this thread so as not to hijack the other thread.

[nollaig]

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='896543' date='Jul 16 2010, 02:06 PM']You do know there is a 10 page thread already on this topic dont you ;-)

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=90084"]Squier Jag thread.[/url][/quote]


That thread was about the new Squier VM Jag - this is about whether or not the new range will overtake lower end MIMs in popularity- especially amongst those who require "no stinking badges".....

Edited July 16, 2010 by nollaig

[Telebass]

As the owner of a MIM, a MIJ, and a Squier, I'd hate to see the MIMs go, or be lessened in any way. I still rate them as some of the best Fenders, period.
And I'm afraid that I am one of those sad old buggers that has to have 'Fender'on the headstock, so my Squier doesn't see much gig time...

[Jacqueslemac]

Have you seen the You Tube [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Cd98DH__U"]comparison of Squier versus Fender[/url]?

Food for thought!

[Cat Burrito]

Fender have always had a wide range and Squier have really got back in the game over the last couple of years. The MIM's have got better since the price hike and I am sure there is room for all. There's just a lot more choice for players these days and that is no bad thing

[Bassman101]

I think ill get one of the Jags.

But mex fenders are better in my opinion, they are getting better.

[Marvin]

Can I just ask that people stop posting pictures of the Squire Jag. My next purchase has to be an amp and I don't want to get distracted go out get the Jag and have nothing to play it through.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='896784' date='Jul 16 2010, 07:21 PM']Fender have always had a wide range and Squier have really got back in the game over the last couple of years. The MIM's have got better since the price hike and I am sure there is room for all. There's just a lot more choice for players these days and that is no bad thing[/quote]

I entirely agree.

[tony_m]

[quote name='Marvin' post='896801' date='Jul 16 2010, 07:42 PM']Can I just ask that people stop posting pictures of the Squire Jag. My next purchase has to be an amp and I don't want to get distracted go out get the Jag and have nothing to play it through. [/quote]
Likewise. I'd just convinced myself that I didn't actually [i]need [/i]a VM Jag, and then more pics of P/J pup'd / concentric potted goodness appear to tempt me...

[Kongo]

Looks like Fender love modders and home DIY Bass tinkerers.

Thumbs up for me, if it's good quality I'm not bothered what MIM Fender does.
I'm droolin over this! New Squier P-bass for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOHOO!

Edited July 17, 2010 by Kongo

[Musicman20]

I don't understand the huge popularity of the Squier Jag? It really doesn't look that pretty. The CV Jazz is fantastic, but that Jag doesn't look right.

Edited July 17, 2010 by Musicman20

[dan670844]

[quote name='nollaig' post='896451' date='Jul 16 2010, 12:24 PM'][url="http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vintage-Modified-77-Jazz-Bass.html"]http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vin...-Jazz-Bass.html[/url]

[url="http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Precision-Bass.html"]http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vin...ision-Bass.html[/url]

[url="http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Jaguar-Bass.html"]http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/Squier-Vin...aguar-Bass.html[/url]


Is this going to be Fender's OLP i.e. too good for the price and stops people buying the higher end - if this is £300 (maybe £450 including the bridge/PUP/tuner modifications you'd want to make) surely it'll trash the MIM market (if that exists anymore)?

If Classic Vibe/Vintage Modifieds are such good value, so well crafted etc then why is a MIM at twice the price not twice the guitar? - leaving aside country of origin and brand name. In reality Fender surely need to look at the £500-£750 range and make them really worth it (like CIJs - why aren't they easier to get??????).[/quote]

Every one of these VM's and CV i play has been very well made and set up, and I won't bother changing anything on them the PUs Bridges tuners are well good enough for most situations that most people need em for. Fender Japan stuff is now again very good (non export) Fender mexico and USA is very hit and miss, some of the setups on these are pretty shocking.

[Kiwi]

Seems like niche marketing at its finest to me.

[nollaig]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='897044' date='Jul 17 2010, 01:22 AM']I don't understand the huge popularity of the Squier Jag? It really doesn't look that pretty. The CV Jazz is fantastic, but that Jag doesn't look right.[/quote]

I think it's the matching headstock - it looks a bit mince. Pity, it's otherwise perfect.

[OutToPlayJazz]

The Jaguar is worth the stack knob plate alone. If you don't like it, you can always transform your Jazz into a '62 RI

[SignsOfDelirium_bassist]

I think I might have to sell my 5string to get some money for a jag when it comes out! I should have enough for the jag plus maybe new pickups...Although considering how amasing the stock pickups sounded on my VMJ, maybe not...I guess I'd better get some pics so I can start trying to sell my 5string here, haha.