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Classic Vibe P-Bass Question

Radspin
November 26th, 2011, 10:25 AM
I just put a deposit down on what looks to be a very nice used Fiesta Red Classic Vibe P-Bass. It's made in Indonesia. Question: Were/are they all made in Indonesia, or were earlier ones made in China? I thought I read somewhere that the CVs were made in China but could be wrong. If they have been made in two different factories, are there any significant differences?

flag72
November 26th, 2011, 10:45 AM
me to I tought all classic vibe instrument was made in China,my CV tele is crafted in China make sure its not an Affinity Bass
keep us inform'd

Radspin
November 26th, 2011, 10:49 AM
It's definitely a Classic Vibe Fiesta Red P-Bass, and I don't have it in front of me--it's on police hold-but I could swear it said "Made In Indonesia" on the back of the headstock.

Cadfael
November 26th, 2011, 10:56 AM
Hi Redspin,

the Squier instruments of the last 5 or 10 years have been made in various countries.

The Squier Standard basses (not built anymore) and most VM basses were/are built in Indonesia. And Indonesia was a key to the very good reputation of Squier nowadays.
I own a Squier Standard and VM Fretless Jazz Bass from Indonesia. Both have a very good quality.

Some Squier guitars are made in India and most CV instruments come from China (in a quality as good as Indonesia). I think that the new "Fender low budget instruments" are made in the same plant in China???
But the China production came later (with the CVs) than Indonesia.

The Squier quality management is extremely good, no matter if China or Indonesia. These Squier instruments have nothing to do with the Squiers made in Korea in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Every instrument is different, but some Squier instruments can even beat Fender Mexico or USA instruments.

The only thing I don't like are the jacks. They are too cheap to my mind and I changed them to "Switchcraft jacks". You can change the pickups but to my mind, the original pickups are already very good.
A new saddle, trimmed by a professional bass builder might bring some improvement, but in most cases that's just luxury ...

CU
Andreas

Cadfael
November 26th, 2011, 11:02 AM
Oooops, I didn't pay attention to "CV - Indonesia" ...

Normally basses with these bridges are made in China ...
So, the CV and the Matt Freeman ...

Maybe the/some CVs are made in Indonesia now after the closedown of the Standard series and the new Fenders made in China???

thunderbyrd
November 26th, 2011, 11:36 AM
the CV i have says "crafted in china" (whatever that means) on the back of the headstock. it is an excellent instrument IMHO. the pickups seem fine to me and the brass barrel bridge is killer. i have not played tons of P basses, but it's hard for me to see how a more expensive one could be much better.

Cadfael
November 26th, 2011, 02:10 PM
Years ago "China" meant cheap and poor quality ...

Nowadays it depends on the brands, the quality management they have and if they want to produce cheap or for a reasonable price ...

You can not get good quality with underpayed workers who don't know what they are doing and who get hired and fired after the season ...

I think besides Squier/Fender, Roland is an excellent example for companies who manufacture most parts in China, but also care for workers. I don't know it exactly, but too cheap payed workers can not produce a constantly high quality ...

Maybe Fender makes a lot of profit ...
But I think the reason why the CV basses are not "China cheap" is, that the workers get a (China) "fair pay" ...

Radspin
November 26th, 2011, 05:14 PM
I AM AN IDIOT! Well, maybe not really...the CV I have on layaway is Crafted In China. I don't know where the idea that it's made in Indonesia popped into my head...I did look at a few instruments that day and must have gotten confused...happens more often with age!