Terry M.

I've played some American Fenders that felt lifeless and dull and Squiers that were not and have owned several of each. I watched a video online earlier this year where a "gourmet" food stand was set up and was giving out free samples. Everyone actually thought they were eating gourmet food and was seemingly impressed. It was revealed to be Greggs all along.

This is subjective. On paper yes the Fender is supposed to be superior but...

But this simplicity and quality can exist in far-eastern produced Squiers at a fraction of the cost. Exactly how can Fender justify the much higher prices for essentially the same thing? I think with regards to sounds between boutique and Fender basses ,in many cases the "best" bass tone isn't what's required.I've been in situations where people just want the sound they're used to hearing on their favourite albums. It makes no difference to them if an alternative sounds "better". I'm not suggesting this applies to you personally but it's definitely out there.

They should have kept the S-1 series/parallel switch found on passive American Series Jazz Basses. As it was so unobtrusive it would be up to the user to ignore it if they wanted it in parallel the whole time. Nothing lost there and an extra sound palette for the series switching fans. In fact have it on even the active Jazzes. Didn't see the point of it as much on P basses however.

Fender know there are many loyal fans who won't stray from the brand so it almost gives them a licence to charge what they feel like. They have a sizeable captive audience. I don't have a problem with the brand per se but I don't feel their prices are in line with their innovation. As mentioned previously you now pay a premium for an already bashed up looking "new" bass.

I gigged my sub £1k Mexican Player Plus Jazz V just last night and it did everything I needed it to do. Would it have done more if it was a £4k Custom Shop model? I vote no. I like my Fender but at heart I'm a Warwick fan.

I'm totally with you on this.

I tried a Squier Affinity Jazz Bass V in a store once followed by a Fender American Ultra ii Jazz Bass V and for the life of me couldn't understand the price difference. I'm not saying the Fender wasn't better but they're both essentially two pieces of wood screwed together (I know I'm gonna pay for saying that 😂). So I too don't know where the price point you mentioned happens either.

Maybe this? I will say that I feel alternate fingering feels WAY more efficient than raking to me but it's all personal.

I buy basses I know I don't need and the associated guilt makes me real secretive about it when in actual fact the wife knows what I'm like and is nowhere near as bothered about it as I think she is. It helps that she loves music and is also a classically trained mandolin player.

These basses are almost free when you consider the performance-to-price ratio versus the vintage Fender market. I purchased a new Squier (Affinity I might add) Active Jazz V before Christmas after picking one up to try in PMT (RIP) ONLY because it was the only fiver they had.I thought it was that good. I'm not knocking the vintage Fender market but I'll confess to not understanding the prices whatsoever.

Actually wait for me,the GPS on this thread is playing up 😂

Nighty night 🤣

Despite the thread title the question was actually whether an "irreplaceable" instrument would be used in a pub.

I literally do this on a daily basis 👍

Playing bass for me is primarily about developing a bond between myself and the instrument and that then influences the "secondary" aspect of playing with others as I feel it makes me more useful hopefully. That means I'll happily play just because a bass is there as it puts me in a happy place. I wasn't actually shocked at all,it was meant as a joke.

😧

Unless the venue has a rig that's arguably "better" than yours. This thread isn't about amps but I had that happen to me some years back 😄

The title is asking about taking a best bass on a gig but you're specifically asking about pub gigs. I answered based on the latter as I use my favourite in church all the time 👍 None of my basses are "housebound" in that sense.

Of the 3 basses I own I would hesitate to use my favourite one on a pub gig. Why? Because like a child and some Lego I'm embarrassingly attached to it. One day I'll grow up and get over it 😂