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

[allihts]

DAMN! Still haven't gotten around to playing the origional CV jazz and now I want the new one!

[Kongo]

Wonder how long it will be until a big artist is "Playing Squier Exclusively"...or getting endorsed by them!

[dannybuoy]

What, like these?

[url="http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?section=basses&cat=precisionbass&subcat=artistseries"]http://www.squierguitars.com/products/sear...at=artistseries[/url]
[url="http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?section=basses&cat=jazzbass&subcat=artistseries"]http://www.squierguitars.com/products/sear...at=artistseries[/url]

[merello]

Frankly they should dump the Squier tag.

[hillbilly deluxe]

I think that the new ones could cure anyone of logophobia.

[Kongo]

[quote name='dannybuoy' post='897766' date='Jul 18 2010, 08:24 AM']What, like these?

[url="http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?section=basses&cat=precisionbass&subcat=artistseries"]http://www.squierguitars.com/products/sear...at=artistseries[/url]
[url="http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?section=basses&cat=jazzbass&subcat=artistseries"]http://www.squierguitars.com/products/sear...at=artistseries[/url][/quote]

Higher, those are mainly just because kids would be into those artists and it works on a kids budget.
I'm talking things away from Green Day and the like.

[Kongo]

[quote name='Johnston' post='898633' date='Jul 19 2010, 09:16 AM']But Mike Dirnt doesn't play a squier, he has his very own big brother Fender sig as well.

And a bloody good bass it is too [/quote]

Ah yes indeed, this also, they HAVE to "Play Squier Exclusively".
That's the rule...go find!

[goblin]

I've never really understood the concept of the Fender Mex. I've played loads of Squires that're better than Mex basses, Jazz and Precision. However, I've also played much cheaper stuff that has played better than American Fenders too. Sods law I guess and it's great for those who want to have Fender written on their headstock, kinda similar with Warwick Rockbasses. At the end of the day to a lot of people, it's still a Warwick.

I wouldn't consider myself as a badge snob, the reason I play 2 Warwicks and a Wal is they came up at fantastically cheap deals, the Wal was already in the family as well, but I like the way they feel and I like the way they sound. I also play a chinese Tokai too which with a badass 2 bridge and decent tuners is the business.

If I was in the market for another Jazz or a P, I'd seriously consider one of them Squiers, as I bet with a good bridge and good hardware and pickups, it'll play better than a lot of what Fender MIA are offering at several times the cost, and if I really want to, I can stick a Mighty Mite neck on for whatever reason.

At the end of the day, I reckon Fender need to get their act together and look at the quality of stuff coming out much cheaper, and then think hard about what they can do to make their gear worth the money.

[jumbo]

Hi All
On the back of this thread and the thread over on Talkbass, I went out to have a browse and maybe buy one of the Jazz Vintage Modified with the block inlay. The guy in the shop (Dawsons in Bangor County Down) had to go in the back and get a brand new, virgin, still in the packaging one for me. However whilst looking it over I noticed that the G string was running way out of line with the pole pieces on the neck pickup and I mean way out....as in, not even going over the poles but off to one side. The D string was also slightly out but not nearly as bad as the G. I pointed this out and the chap said its fine and wont affect the tone. Off course I politely made my excuses handed him the bass and left.

Still determined to try one of these out I went to another shop to have a look at another one. This time it was a display one hanging on the wall and again this one was exactly the same. I showed the salesman and thankfully he seemed to agree that this didn't look right. Unfortunately he didn't have another one to look at so my investigation ended there.

I had a quick check on google images and have found a few images showing this, although none of the pics look as bad as the two I have seen in the shops.

[url="http://www.promusicalaska.com/store_images/5216-300.jpg"]Misaligned picpup[/url]

[url="http://cachepe.samedaymusic.com/media/quality,85/brand,sameday/0326702521v3_hi-a32db93d45454671b8c18533c60b10ac.jpg"]Image of misaligned pickups[/url]

To me it did not look as if the neck was misaligned because some of the pole pieces did actually line up, therefore if the neck was moved to line up the G, then the E would be out. (hope I explained that ok) To me it looks as if the pickups are actually slightly too big for the string spacing.

My questions are ..... Am I being too picky and would this not even be a problem?

Also, have any of the owners of these basses noticed this and are they all like this and I have just been unlucky to not see a good one yet?

I really want to buy one of these .....but I am a bit concerned by this (possible) issue.

I should point out that I'm relatively new to basses. I'm a reformed guitarist of 25 years and have only been playing bass for a few months, so I'm no expertand maybe I'm way off with this.

Many thanks.

[bumnote]

[quote name='jumbo' post='908555' date='Jul 28 2010, 07:18 PM']Hi All
On the back of this thread and the thread over on Talkbass, I went out to have a browse and maybe buy one of the Jazz Vintage Modified with the block inlay. The guy in the shop (Dawsons in Bangor County Down) had to go in the back and get a brand new, virgin, still in the packaging one for me. However whilst looking it over I noticed that the G string was running way out of line with the pole pieces on the neck pickup and I mean way out....as in, not even going over the poles but off to one side. The D string was also slightly out but not nearly as bad as the G. I pointed this out and the chap said its fine and wont affect the tone. Off course I politely made my excuses handed him the bass and left.

Still determined to try one of these out I went to another shop to have a look at another one. This time it was a display one hanging on the wall and again this one was exactly the same. I showed the salesman and thankfully he seemed to agree that this didn't look right. Unfortunately he didn't have another one to look at so my investigation ended there.

I had a quick check on google images and have found a few images showing this, although none of the pics look as bad as the two I have seen in the shops.

[url="http://www.promusicalaska.com/store_images/5216-300.jpg"]Misaligned picpup[/url]

[url="http://cachepe.samedaymusic.com/media/quality,85/brand,sameday/0326702521v3_hi-a32db93d45454671b8c18533c60b10ac.jpg"]Image of misaligned pickups[/url]

To me it did not look as if the neck was misaligned because some of the pole pieces did actually line up, therefore if the neck was moved to line up the G, then the E would be out. (hope I explained that ok) To me it looks as if the pickups are actually slightly too big for the string spacing.

My questions are ..... Am I being too picky and would this not even be a problem?

Also, have any of the owners of these basses noticed this and are they all like this and I have just been unlucky to not see a good one yet?

I really want to buy one of these .....but I am a bit concerned by this (possible) issue.

I should point out that I'm relatively new to basses. I'm a reformed guitarist of 25 years and have only been playing bass for a few months, so I'm no expertand maybe I'm way off with this.

Many thanks.[/quote]


I had a similar issue with a mi japan jazz bass but it was easily fixed by undoing the necks screws slightly and moving the neck.
Although the neck pocket was tight, there was still enough movement to help get the strings aligned

[cameltoe]

[quote name='merello' post='897777' date='Jul 18 2010, 08:38 AM']Frankly they should dump the Squier tag.[/quote]

Or go back to 'Fender-Squier series'

Much better. They don't really need to advertise the fact it's a 'cheaper' brand anymore, my Precision just says 'Fender' 'Precision Bass'- people still ask where it was made and curl their lip up when I say 'Mexico'

[quote name='goblin' post='899618' date='Jul 20 2010, 12:05 AM']I've never really understood the concept of the Fender Mex. I've played loads of Squires that're better than Mex basses, Jazz and Precision. However, I've also played much cheaper stuff that has played better than American Fenders too.

If I was in the market for another Jazz or a P, I'd seriously consider one of them Squiers, as I bet with a good bridge and good hardware and pickups, it'll play better than a lot of what Fender MIA are offering at several times the cost, and if I really want to, I can stick a Mighty Mite neck on for whatever reason.[/quote]

99% of it is how well they're set up, and you can set up a USA to play nicer than a Squier, but if the USA is set up like a bag of crap.....

I just can't get the action on my Squier CV Precision low enough without it tapping and rattling. I might have the frets worked on, I hadn't considered swapping the neck.

Edited July 28, 2010 by cameltoe

[jumbo]

[quote name='Johnston' post='908577' date='Jul 28 2010, 07:36 PM']hat wouldn't be the one that was hanging in Matchetts by any chance??

If you don't mind me asking how long ago was it, there is a forumer bought one there a few weeks back.

Depending on the time line it could be the same one.[/quote]

It was indeed the one in Matchetts and that was today.

[jumbo]

[quote name='bumnote' post='908603' date='Jul 28 2010, 08:12 PM']I had a similar issue with a mi japan jazz bass but it was easily fixed by undoing the necks screws slightly and moving the neck.
Although the neck pocket was tight, there was still enough movement to help get the strings aligned[/quote]


To be honest I don't think moving the neck would fix this..... It looked way out and also some of the other strings were lined up ok, so if the neck was realigned then the other strings would be out. Is it possible that some of these have had the wrong size bridge fitted at the factory? (too small) There was quite a bit of room between the outer strings and the edge of the neck.

[jumbo]

[quote name='Johnston' post='908652' date='Jul 28 2010, 09:02 PM']Different bass then

Anything of interest in??[/quote]


There was a Stingray hanging right beside it. Looked nice

[gjones]

So many people are lusting after these Squiers................but nobody's actually played one yet.

They may be pants!

[jumbo]

[quote name='gjones' post='908657' date='Jul 28 2010, 09:05 PM']So many people are lusting after these Squiers................but nobody's actually played one yet.

They may be pants![/quote]

I didn't get as far as plugging them in and actually hearing them but they did seem to play really nice. In fact the first one had such a nice action that I would have bought it if I had not noticed the issue with the pickup. The finish seemed really good on them too. Shame about the alignment really or it would have been a sale.

[gjones]

[quote name='jumbo' post='908666' date='Jul 28 2010, 09:17 PM']I didn't get as far as plugging them in and actually hearing them but they did seem to play really nice. In fact the first one had such a nice action that I would have bought it if I had not noticed the issue with the pickup. The finish seemed really good on them too. Shame about the alignment really or it would have been a sale.[/quote]

I was actually talking about the new ones which are out in September. Nobodys had the chance to play them yet.....but everybody wants one.

I wouldn't worry too much about the pickups being misaligned on the VM bass you tried as I have an old standard Squire from 2002 which has the bridge and the pickups misaligned but it still plays and sounds great. I also have A Japanese Squier from the early 90's which is as good as Fender. I think you should go back to the shop and plug it in. If the strings sound unbalanced then there's a problem but if they don't (and it sounds and plays good).........buy it.

[Kongo]

[quote name='gjones' post='908680' date='Jul 28 2010, 09:52 PM']I was actually talking about the new ones which are out in September. Nobodys had the chance to play them yet.....but everybody wants one.[/quote]

TBH from testing almost every Squier made in recent years I'm confident these will be top notch...the quality has skyrocketed...and I'm not easily pleased!
Just ONE raised fret and that's it...time to put it down...Not had that in any Squier of recent personally, tho some may have...but then also had this in USA Fenders so...can slip through QC I guess.

[jumbo]

[quote name='gjones' post='908680' date='Jul 28 2010, 09:52 PM']I was actually talking about the new ones which are out in September. Nobodys had the chance to play them yet.....but everybody wants one.

I wouldn't worry too much about the pickups being misaligned on the VM bass you tried as I have an old standard Squire from 2002 which has the bridge and the pickups misaligned but it still plays and sounds great. I also have A Japanese Squier from the early 90's which is as good as Fender. I think you should go back to the shop and plug it in. If the strings sound unbalanced then there's a problem but if they don't (and it sounds and plays good).........buy it.[/quote]


I took your advice and went back to the shop today. Needless to say I am now the proud owner of a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz (with a slightly wonky pickup). You were correct it sounds great and does not seem to be affected by this issue. Many Thanks.

So far I'm finding all the positive reviews of this bass to be accurate. Sounds great, plays fantastic and looks good too.

I slightly tweaked the neck to line it up a little better. My opinion is that the string spacing on the bridge is slightly too narrow causing this issue. As you can see from this picture if the neck is moved any more to line up the G perfectly then the E will be way out. I think if the string spacing at the bridge was just a smidge wider it would cure this.


Edit.... My pics don't show for some reason
Here's the links instead
[url="http://www.ukimagehost.com/view/5d61facb1a1aeaee.jpg"]New VM[/url]
[url="http://www.ukimagehost.com/view/5d61facb1a350ace.jpg"]PIckup closeup[/url]

Edited July 30, 2010 by jumbo

[AndyTravis]

The necks on VMJ's feel just like the Affinity series, therefore to my mind they feel a little 'cheap' because of it. The Yamaha Mike Stern Tele alike guitar feels the same, a grainy satin finish - a bit uncomfortable to my hand.

Maybe that's just a compliment to the Affinity series?

I love the sound of them though, and the various souped up ones i've serviced really have made me think hard about having a real hot rod.

[gjones]

[quote name='jumbo' post='910565' date='Jul 30 2010, 07:31 PM']I took your advice and went back to the shop today. Needless to say I am now the proud owner of a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz (with a slightly wonky pickup).[/quote]

Great stuff!

[OliverBlackman]

that jazz bass looks amazing! But does it have the 70's bridge pickup spacing? I cant tell from the picture wen i compared it to the 60's Classic Vibe.

[essexbasscat]

Final nail in MIM ? NAH !!

Long ago discovered that country of origin doesn't guarentee build quality, incuding USA. Given this, the title of this thread cold just as easily included USA Fenders too in my humble opinion.

Elsewhere on this forum many folks have said that MIM roadworns have far and away been the best in the shop by a long way, even in the presence of CV Squires. There are also other MIM models. Perhaps the MIM title is a bit vague, as there are several different MIM models.

A good bass is just that,, regardless of origin. TO label every guitar from one origin the same overlooks the finer points of differences between instruments really.

T

[gjones]

[quote name='blackmn90' post='910854' date='Jul 31 2010, 12:41 AM']that jazz bass looks amazing! But does it have the 70's bridge pickup spacing? I cant tell from the picture wen i compared it to the 60's Classic Vibe.[/quote]

If the bridge pickup is in line with the tone control it's 70's spacing. The picture of the 70's Squier shows the pickup in a 60's configuration but that doesn't mean much because the picture on the Fender website shows the Fender Geddy Lee bass with a 60's position as well but if you check out an actual Geddy Lee you'll notice it's futher back towards the bridge (plenty of pictures of actual Geddys in the for sale section).

[OliverBlackman]

[quote name='gjones' post='911023' date='Jul 31 2010, 10:38 AM']If the bridge pickup is in line with the tone control it's 70's spacing. The picture of the 70's Squier shows the pickup in a 60's configuration but that doesn't mean much because the picture on the Fender website shows the Fender Geddy Lee bass with a 60's position as well but if you check out an actual Geddy Lee you'll notice it's futher back towards the bridge (plenty of pictures of actual Geddys in the for sale section).[/quote]

Your 100% correct. Il just have to wait until its in the shops.