Jazz Bass comparison: Fender Mexican and Squier Classic Vibe 70s model.
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
- These two lovely bass guitars are compared and contrasted, making it a useful resource for those considering one. Part of the growing collection of reviews @michael's guitar reviews. Reviews of guitars by a lifelong enthusiast. Thanks for looking and I'm delighted to share these with you.
I already did this, I had knee surgery and went to the Music store and my friend was bringing jazz bases for me to try out. I chose the squire.
@@danmeek928 I'm still trying to work out the connection between your knees and choice of guitar, but it conjures up a range of entertaining possibilities😅🤔🦵
Excellent review. I appreciate this!
Thanks for your kind comment. I'm pleased that you found the review helpful. Regards, Michael
a couple things to mention other than the bridge pickups being in different positions is that Squier uses a cheaper, softer Fret wire than Fender also the Squier Classic Vibe 70's Jazz Bass in Natural has a Soft Maple Body and that is a unique spec in the Squier Bass line (like the Fender Steve Harris Signature Precision Bass). Soft Maple is going to make a stronger body wood than Alder, Mahogany, Poplar, Basswood, etc. Thank you for the video Michael.
Thanks for the information. Its good to know more about these guitars from fellow enthusiasts. I'm always amazed at how complex the trail can become when you start to look into the characteristics of different models. Thanks again for taking time to share your knowledge, it is much appreciated. Kind regards, Michael
No, the bass with the Fender neck has the bridge pickup in the 70s position. I was about to make that statement, but no.
@@bapt_andthebasses You should have because Fender moved the bridge pickup back to it's original location in the 1980's and hasn't looked back. Mexican made Player and the new Player II series Jazz basses have 60's spacing.
@@christopherfidler3019 look again, the bridge pickups aligns with the tone knobs on both basses = 70s. I'm a specialist with 70s Jazz Bass. i have several. I can recognise them without any video.
@@bapt_andthebasses I don't need to look. one instrument is clearly a Mexican Jazz Bass which has 60's Spacing and the other is a Squier CV70 JB with 70's Spacing. I established this in my original comment. I don't understand why you keep going on about the bridge pickup aligning with the Tone Knob when a Camera can make anything look closer or further away.
Yours is the first video that allows us to hear the difference. They do actually sound different. The Fender Mexican Standart base is warmer than the Squire, though setup may alter that.
@@jasonbannan4024 I'm glad you found the video helpful. The Fender does in my opinion perform better, so long as it has the higher mass bridge. Lots of guitar for the money. The Squier is still very good value. Best wishes Michael
Fantastic review. Thank you for taking the time to do so, Michael.
Thanks for your kind comment it's a pleasure being able to share my reviews. Best regards Michael
The Squier is more about getting the Fender style at a nice price and actually sounds pretty good on its own. Every part on the Fender however, is made slightly more robust. While the Squier might work fine at home it may not be as durable on the road. Great review!
Thanks for your comment Bob. Yes I agree with you, the Squier is a lovely guitar in its own right, however the Fender hardware is noticeably more robust. Good examples are the bridge/saddles and the tuner gearing. I must confess I enjoy playing both, however the Fender does has an edge in terms of overall quality feel, sound and finish. I'm still struggling to find a marked difference between a good Mex Fender and USA having played lots of each. I really find the Mex products, when you get a good one, to be very good. With best wishes, Michael
You are right, I had problems with the gears immediately out of the box. Other than that my CVs are fine enough.
Nice video. Im piecing together a bass to mess around with (I'm a guitar player with an itch) and so far I have an Affinity body made of Alder, with a PJ set up. I just grabbed a CV 70s jazz neck and I plan to add new pots and a heavier bridge.
This video confirmed for me that the quality of the neck is good and the new bridge will add some needed resonance and sustain.
I hope your channel continues to grow. - Charlie
Good to hear from you Charlie. Your project sounds really good and will I'm sure be a guitar to cherish. All of the components that you mention will bring together something that compares very well with many other bass guitars. Its also satisfying to create a bespoke instrument that you can modify to suit as you continue along your journey with it. As a matter of interest and you might already have your preferred method, but I find fret polishing with toothpaste of all things works well, though obviously the residue needs to be polished away. I cover it in other videos where I share ideas for set up. Leaves nice shiny smooth frets. Best wishes, Michael
Just discovered your channel and I'm really enjoying it! Thank you.
Thanks I'm delighted to hear that. My whole purpose is to share and hopefully people will enjoy. Best wishes, Michael
I enjoyed you review, I actually learned something. Nice test drive on those 2 basses, thanks.
Thanks for your comment John, very pleased that you enjoyed the review. Best wishes Michael
I've been on a very winding journey over the past few years with regard to Squier vs. Fender. I've come to the conclusion that Fender (Mexico) does use some better quality components, but not enough to make a major difference in either sound or durability. But Squier has been way more consistent, with better overall QC than Fender. I've rarely encountered a Squier with manufacturing defects, but every Fender I've touched that was made in the past 3-4 years (even American Ultra models) had production issues.
For me, the best option right now - if you can still get your hands on one - is the Squier 40th Anniversary Vintage Edition. I got both the Jazz and Precision versions, and then upgraded them with DiMarzio pickups and potentiometers. They're fantastic!
You raise some very interesting points, especially regarding consistency of quality. I have found some really good and consistent examples of Squier CV series guitars, well finished and with impressive sounds. Indeed the concept of what sounds good is subjective, which added to the wealth of available effects accessories, makes it a debatable issue. I've noticed a number of players who, like you, have chosen a decent basic instrument and then customised to suit them, which makes a lot of sense. More expensive instruments from established makers have a lot of competition and I think that players are waking up to the fact that, in some cases at least, headstock labels and high prices don't necessarily equate to a proportianately better product. Thanks again for your comments which I appreciate. Best wishes, Michael
I have a couple of the Squier Classic Vibes and they are really really close to some of the Fenders I have (if not better sometimes)
@@AllAboutBasses Fair comment they can be quite impressive. As with so many other guitars there can be worthy alternatives to the big names. Thanks for sharing, regards Michael
SQUIRE IS A CLEANER SOUND...FENDER A BIT MUDDY...
BUT I LIKE BOTH SIR...THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
I HAVE A COLLECTION OF BASS...MOST OF THEM SOUND A LOT DIFFERENT..
P.S.. I AM 64 YEARS OLD..
OLD SCHOOL..
JAMES JAMERSON MAN..
Hi Ronald, thanks for your comment. Yes the Classic Vibe does sound quite different to the Mexican Fender. Both are very nice guitars, so it is perhaps down to which sound the player prefers. With best wishes and thanks again, Michael
You may find this interesting... I have one of the 40th anniversary jazz basses Squier released and the tuning machines appear to be the ones (or just like the ones) on the MIM bass you have here. They aren't the ones Squier put on their usual 60s or 70s classic vibes. I didn't notice it immediately but what I did notice is that they were nice and held the guitar in tune remarkably well. In all the articles and videos I've seen about the 40th anniversary basses, reviewers spoke of the various little upgrades and touches Squier added but I don't recall anyone mentioning that the tuning machines were actually different and not just a different color. It looks like it's the same with the precision basses. Now that the 40th ones are being sold at a discount from their original price, which around here makes them the same or cheaper than the regular vibes, I'd say this is a worthwhile consideration. Cheers!
Thanks for the information on the anniversary versions. It's good to note the upgrades are more than cosmetic. A worthy instrument. Thanks again, Michael
4:27 I thought that airplane sound came from outside our house until you mentioned it was actually part of your video recording...lol
Thats good made me chuckle 😅
Good review. I've been eyeing the classic vibe jazz bass.
Hi Dominick, its a nice bass, well finished and sounds good. For the price it seems to hold its own very well against anything in similar price ranges. Worth having a try anyway. Best wishes, Michael
Amazing review, keep up the good work.
That you Alberto, best wishes, Michael
The Squier sound is AWESOME...😃😃😃😃
I would like to see you do a review of the squire paranormal jazz bass I recently bought one ...the fit and finish are a lot better than my classic 50s p. Bass the neck on the p.bass has to constantly be adjusted I've also seen reviews with this same issue the paranormal made in China is s much better than the Indonesian made classic vibe in my opinion...thanks for your vid!
Thanks for getting in touch. I would like to review a paranormal bass, its a question of locating one as with many other reviews, but Ill keep it in mind. Best wishes Michael
I have the Squier Jazz Bass CV 70’s 2019. I upgraded it. Sounds way better, although the wood is not very resonant. It’s on my channel
Yes they are a good overall instrument which can be modified to suit. Glad you've been able to customise yours and I hope you continue to enjoy it. Thanks for taking time to share. Regards, Michael
Hi Michael, i enjoyed your review and your friendly manner of presentation, that was very nicely done. Now PLEASE don't take this as a putdown, but as a guitar player, you don't get the same sound out of a bass as a bass player would, because you need and develop a completely different touch for both inetruments. That's why I found that both basses sounded weak and the demonstration wasn't really relevant for me as a bass player. Do the video possibly again by providing your friendly narration but let a bass player demonstrate the difference in the voices of these two instruments. But again, thanks for posting!
Thanks for getting in touch. I take your point about different players and different sounds, fair enough. I try to inform, rather than perform, but still value your comments. Best wishes, Michael
@@michaelsguitarreviews ... You're a gentleman 🙂
best fender sound more defined. when you play live is where it shows the most
Thank you, Michael
buy the vibe and go with grovers
Maybe I am biased, owning the Squier, but the Fender sounds somewhat artificial, computer generated, like a DAW bass plugin. Maybe also because you probaly use a guitar amp. Bass players do not call their instrument "guitar" by the way ; )
Thanks for getting in touch. As ever these things are subjective, perhaps that is what makes them so interesting. I always use relevant amplifiers for reviews, so it's a bass (amp) not another type. As for naming the instrument I guess again that is entirely a matter for personal choice, 'guitar' distinguishing the instrument from other types of bass instrument (bass drum, bass trombone etc). Best wishes, Michael
I wouldn’t compare those two instruments.
The Squier has the 70s pickup spacing and the Mexican one has the classic 60s spacing.
They will inherently sound different.
The Squier is mostly going to be used for slap (think Marcus Miller) or with a pick.
Regarding the size of the headstock, I don’t see any difference.
Thanks for your comment. Its their inherent differences that prompted the comparison. Both impressive in their own right. Best wishes, Michael
@@michaelsguitarreviews I have no intention to be rude, but the comparison you are trying to do makes no sense…
@@r3b0rn80 Thanks again, here is a definition of 'comparison' that might help .It could be a case of semantics. - 'Comparison or comparing is the act of evaluating two or more things by determining the relevant, comparable characteristics of each thing, and then determining which characteristics of each are similar to the other, which are different, and to what degree'.
sorry for my English
Thank you for your comment
@@michaelsguitarreviews thank. keep making videos
@@gabrielraul2733 Thanks again its my pleasure
the fender has better pickups
Interesting point. The pickups have different characteristics and, as everything, it depends on your preference. Both guitars are impressive in their own right with good quality features. Thanks again for your comment. Best wishes, Michael
Fender most likely have Alnico p/u and the Squier definitely has ceramic pups.
Both sounded good and like most bass tones, can be widely adjusted with a cheap EQ pedal or settings on the amp if available.
Stop!!!🤑
They are both really nice guitars. I recently reviewed a Harley Benton Jazz bass, which is very inexpensive but worth a look. Regards Michael
Your not even playing the same licks on both basses. How are we supposed to compare the sounds when you do that? I stopped watching pretty early on because of that
Sound is not the only feature under review. I hope that you find something to satisfy you in due course
I'd take a classic vibe over any current Mexican made bass any day.
They're build better, Mexican basses haven't been any good since the 90's ended. There is absolutely no setup done on them. Intonation is always off, you can shoot an arrow off the bow of the necks, and you'll slice your hand on the frets. They are no better, if not worse than the China bombs. At least the classic vibe has binding on the neck. The Mexican is way overpriced, especially since it has a fraction of the distance to travel compared to the Indo Squier. They're probably being paid the same hourly to make them as well. Everything made in Mexico is junk. At least the Chinese take some pride in what they make without taking a tequila siesta for 3 hours or smuggling for the cartels. Even the American mades aren't that good anymore. Save your money and buy a Squier if you must have a fender. Or just buy another brand. For what you spend on an American made Fender you can buy a Spector that'll destroy it. I've had them all so don't think idk what I'm talking about.
Glad you are pleased with your classic vibe, thanks for your comments. Regards Michael
both sound like junk to me--- you get what you pay for.
I didn't like the way his sound was set up. This is the only review I've seen where either bass sounded so tinny and they both sound far better in other people's videos.
Lembre-se que quem faz a música não é o instrumento, quem faz a música é quem toca. Você pode ter um instrumento caro e não tirar som dele, ou ter um instrumento barato e tirar um som maravilhoso dele.