Members Relayer71 Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 Been playing guitar on and off for years and recently been itching to play bass. Actually played one for a couple of years back in the 90s so not a complete beginner but still don't consider myself a bassist. Surprised at how much prices have gone up (been out of the loop for a while). Seems the standard Fenders cost almost as much as the American Standards did last time I checked! $600 is a bit pricey considering I'm not in a band or gigging atm not to mention everytime I get one of these "itches" my wife has a fit (my fault really, I keep buying stuff I hardly use, lol). My question: Are Squiers decent basses??? From what I've read recently seems like the quality is much better on Fender's Squier line for both guitars and basses than it used to be. Being a Tele guy, I sort of had my eye on this one...http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-by-Fender-Vintage-Modified-Precision-Bass-TB-519758-i1276125.gc But also this Jazz Bass...http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-by-Fender-Vintage-Modified-Jazz-Bass-103726584-i1166457.gc Any of you real bassists have any experience with these? I've always stayed away from budget guitars and the Bass I previously had was an American made P-Bass. I know on Teles/Strats I used to be able to FEEL the difference between the American made and the Made In Mexico/Japan. Not too worried about phenomenal sound at this price, I can always replace the pickups later, I know they tend to go cheap with electronics at these prices. Just worried about how they feel overall, intonation, stability. I could go to a store and try one out but not the same as owning one so if anyone has one, please comment. And is Agathis a good tone wood? Don't think I've heard of this wood before for a guitar either. So should I pick one of these up? Or wait a bit and spend twice as much for a standard Fender? Also, what about other brands? I did see a few Ibanez, Ephiphone and Peavey basses in this price range (around $300). Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kingmaker Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 Get a Yamaha or an Ibanez. You'll thank me later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 The Squier VM series are great basses for the money. I've played a few of them that I liked quite a bit. Having a good setup goes a long way too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dDigitalPimp Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 the VM series from squier is very highly rated when you take into account bang for the buck. that tele bass may be a bit muddy with that bucker at the neck. ive played that VM jass and i really liked it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jackcheez Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 The Squier VM series are great basses for the money. I've played a few of them that I liked quite a bit. Having a good setup goes a long way too... Watch out for slipping bridge saddles. It can be dealt with. Just a heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bryan316 Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 If I go and blindly grab a $400 Squier, I'll get sharp fret ends, bad tuners, a bridge that's hard to intonate and less than stellar tone. If I go and blindly grab a $400 Ibanez, I might get mildly sharp fret ends, good tuners, a good bridge but will check the saddles for burrs anyway, and average-to-good tone. Plus, a very comfy, thin neck. And if I go looking for a used Ibanez around $400 that hasn't been abused, I'll get a good-to-very-good bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Relayer71 Posted June 18, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 Hmmm, so I'll have to check out Ibanez and that VM series. Was also eyeing this one: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-BB414-4-String-Bass-519164-i1150453.gcLove the look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 If I go and blindly grab a $400 Squier Then I'd ask why you were looking at such an expensive Squier... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thumper Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 The Squier basses are good value for the money. I bought a VM Jazz for my nephew for his 13th birthday a year ago. I did some basic set-up (truss rod adjustment, bridge intonation, pup height) and it made a world of difference. As for Ibanez and Yamaha, they're good basses, too. I've never cared for them, but that's personal preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassthumpintwin Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 Squires are decent, though I'd recommend playing them all first. The VM series, as stated before, gets great reviews as a "good bang for the buck" bass. That being said, there are PLENTY of other "bang for the buck" basses that are easily as good, if not better, for the money you'll spend on them. I personally own some Ibanez basses, and can't complain about those too much. Schecter also makes some good basses for low prices. SX by Rondo gets good reviews, though I've no experience with them. Yammys aren't bad basses either. Danelectro makes a low cost bass that get's great reviews too. I think they were recently on closeout though. You might still find one for under 200 bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mermph Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 Get an SX!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members garytees Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 I have owned both those basses. Sold the jazz, now selling my VM. Better basses are the Squier Affinity series and Yamaha RBX series. I play these over my Mexi basses. Once in a while I use my Squier Japanese P from the 80s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kingmaker Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 If I go and blindly grab a $400 Squier, I'll get sharp fret ends, bad tuners, a bridge that's hard to intonate and less than stellar tone.If I go and blindly grab a $400 Ibanez, I might get mildly sharp fret ends, good tuners, a good bridge but will check the saddles for burrs anyway, and average-to-good tone. Plus, a very comfy, thin neck.And if I go looking for a used Ibanez around $400 that hasn't been abused, I'll get a good-to-very-good bass. If Bryan does that, he's a very smart man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chip Stewart Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 Check out the Hammer Slammer line of basses. I have a SB-4/CS (see my avatar) and a buddy of mine has the P bass clone, and both are built well and sound very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members burdizzos Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 I'll ship a G&L Tribute L-2500 to you for $400. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bryan316 Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 I got my black Ibby SR-305 off eBay for $300. It was my main stage bass for 6 good years or so. It's now my backup at every gig. My new A bass is... an Ibanez Prestige SR1005, basically the same bass in feel and playability, but with a thru-neck design for muuuuch better sustain, Bartolini pickups and preamp, the sweepable mid tone control, better inlays and heavier maple body for thick yummy tone. Get that cheap-o Ibanez, and get comfy on it. Once you're ready to invest in a better version of that bass, look at their Prestige basses knowing it'll be just as comfy with so many upgrades and improvements. I'm not smart. Just ask Zeromus-X about my $3000 rig. Heh heh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members UltramegaOK Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 I'll ship a G&L Tribute L-2500 to you for $400. Take this deal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Maineville Bass Posted June 18, 2009 Members Share Posted June 18, 2009 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SR400QMCS/ Might be able to find it cheaper at your local music store used,demo,b-stock etc...or on the 'bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassandgolf Posted June 19, 2009 Members Share Posted June 19, 2009 Ibanez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Relayer71 Posted June 19, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 19, 2009 Thanks for all the replies. After some more research, think I'm going to go with this one: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-BB414-4-String-Bass-519164-i1150453.gc Love the way it looks (does the world really need another P or J bassist???) From what I've read looks like plays well too, we'll see. Looks awesome in Wine Red too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hotblack Posted June 19, 2009 Members Share Posted June 19, 2009 Take this deal! BIG +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Robin Posted June 19, 2009 Members Share Posted June 19, 2009 I'll ship a G&L Tribute L-2500 to you for $400. I'd be all over that. Pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members burdizzos Posted June 19, 2009 Members Share Posted June 19, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bryan316 Posted June 19, 2009 Members Share Posted June 19, 2009 Love the way it looks (does the world really need another P or J bassist???) SIGGED. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted June 19, 2009 Members Share Posted June 19, 2009 I'd be all over that. Pics? Hell yeah - now THAT'S a nice bass for 4 bills... - georgestrings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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