First Bass - Squier Standard Jazz Bass?

[Gianni]

Ok, I now happily have my Telecaster, but, when I've got something, I like to set my sights on the next big thing.
This won't be for months, maybe a year, but I'd like to get into bass. Since I've been playing guitar a little while I know I won't pack it in so I can get something decent.
Guitar is my main instrument just now though, so I don't need something dead expensive, a Squier would do, no need for a Fender.
Something around £200 would be fine.

The bass that has caught my eye most is the Jazz bass. Just look at it!


And the Squier Standard Jazz Bass fits into my budget.

But is it any good? Would I be better with a Precision Bass?
I like to plan waaaaay too far ahead.
I just want to get an idea of what's available at the price.

[ccrnnr9]

Well doing a search will yield a lot of information however I can tell you what I know to make it a bit easier for you. I would assume that in Glasgow you have access to a number of music stores. If so I would suggest going to them and trying these basses out. I never thought there was much a difference between a jazz bass and p-bass until now. I always liked jazz basses better because of the more slender neck which was easier for me to play coming from guitar. However now that I have played for a couple weeks I really like everything (besides looks) of a p-bass better. I enjoy the wider flatter neck as it is more comfortable for me to anchor my thumb on. More than anything I like the thump p-bass pickups give. I currently play a bass that has both a p and j pickup and 90% of the time I play without my j pickup on.

I should mention it is all personal preference. Go to a store and try p's and j's back to back through the same amp and see which tone you want. They each have their place in bass playing however I find myself rarely desiring to hear that j-tone (although the j-pickup in my bass kinda sucks so that could be part of it too).

As far as answering your original question about the Squier standard, my experience has been that they are quite good. I honestly would save up a bit more and order either the Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe series. For about $50 more you get a whole lot more thump so to say. Since you are so interested in Squier my advice would be to try a bunch out before you buy and select the one that sounds good to your ears and right to your hands. The squiers, while good, are notorious for having the occasional lemon.

The other option, while a bit riskier since you can't try them out in stores, is to go with the SX from rondomusic. I believe there is some dealer in Europe who will ship to you because rondo doesn't. Because they are only sold online you wouldn't be able to try before you buy, however they have a very good reputation and return policy. My next bass will be a SX p-bass I think.
~Nick

[Gianni]

Well, I don't mind the make if it's decent. Just that the Squiers seem to be the next best thing to Fenders and they're based on the classic designs.

I will try a few out nearer the time.
What other decent budget basses are around then?
I've played a friend's Squier J Bass for a teeny bit and it felt great. And as I said, it's fantastic aesthetically.

[Tim Armstrong]

P-Basses and J-Basses are both great designs. The differences are like the ones between Teles and Strats. Either way, you can make music with 'em!

Tim

[superchicken_VI]

I find the single coils in the J tend to pick up a lot of noise relative to the split Precision design. I have a P-bass copy, a P/J Fender Precision Lyte, and a five-string Fender Jazz Bass V. I much prefer the the sound of the P-bass pickups to the Jazz pickups. If I were only going to have one bass, it would be a Precision or a P/J.

[aunchaki]

Good advice above. I agree with every comment. I think Squiers are great. My current one-and-only bass is a Squier MB-5 (not a classic P or J design, but a later, smaller-bodied Fender bass). My first bass was a hand-me-down Epiphone P-Bass clone.

I like the Jazz Bass just fine (my MB-5 has J-style pickups and controls) but I do really love the look, neck, simplicity and THUMP of a Precision Bass. There really is nothing like it, for me. I don't play enough to own two basses, but if I did, I'd get a P (probably a Squier or used MIM Fender).

Good luck. Bass is WAY fun. Like you, I like to obsess months in advance of a big purchase. Enjoy!

[Gianni]

So, it seems that the P-Bass is held in higher regard. I've only played a few P-Bass copies and that Squier J-Bass already mentioned. The copies were very low quality. And I also prefer the P-Bass aesthetically, but it should be mainly about the sound.
So, the P-Bass has a bassier sound? I like the idea of having a brighter, more audible sound though. But I also love that deep bass thump.
I will try them both out. Just need to plan ahead.

Keep advice and suggestions coming in, please.

Sticking with the Squier basses, is it worth it stepping up to the not much more expensive Classic Vibe or Vintage Modified ranges?
I really don't like the scratch plate on the CV P-Bass.

Also, will I be able to plug a bass into my Roland MicroCube?

[bobbybigmac]

Here's my cents worth :

You may like the narrow/round neck of a Jazz bass vs the fatter/wide Pre Bass neck because you currently play guitar. I remember playing a Duff Mckagen bass ( Pbass/JBass combo ) a few years ago. It was very enjoyable to play with a good rock tone.

You mentioned your desire to have a brighter, more audible sound, so I have to ask "compared to what ...???" Many factors can affect a change here, like amp type, speakers, strings, pick or finger techniques. I mean to say this is really wide open. A simple change from flat round strings to Rotosound round wounds ( my personal fav'sBTW ) would make a huge difference in obtaining a clear and bright tone.

If you have your mind set on a Fender or Squire then I'd like to suggest you try lots of different models of Pre and Jbasses, and try them without an amp.
If the bass feels good in your hands, and it sounds bright/alive without the amp, then it's a keeper.

[JPark]

I think it would be better to step up to a Vintage Modified - I did, and am not regretting it; it's also not that much more expensive.

And about the Microcube: you want to be careful when you plug a bass into a guitar amp, because if you play the bass a little on the loud side, you could crack or blow the speaker, as I believe lower frequencies need more power to move the speakers (which means you would overload the speaker).

[Gianni]

What about the Squier Standard P-Bass Special? It has both types of pickups.
The Frank Bello Squier has also caught my eye. It also has both types of pickups and a brilliant graphic design.

Any experience?

[superchicken_VI]

Originally Posted by Gianni

What about the Squier Standard P-Bass Special? It has both types of pickups.
The Frank Bello Squier has also caught my eye. It also has both types of pickups and a brilliant graphic design.

Any experience?

I haven't played either model you mention, but I love P/J basses. My Precision Lyte (which is a P/J with a blender pot and active preamp) is my go-to bass right now. I get the quiet P-bass pickup and can blend in the J to get a little more thwack. I think that a P/J is the way to go if it's your only bass. I tend to stay more with just the P, but during the set will dial in the J to get a little different sound and not be quite so monotone.

[Gianni]

That bass looks amazing. Seriously, she's a beaut.

Here's a picture of the Frank Bello bass.


As I said, it has the PJ combo pickups and I like the eye catching graphic and general great aesthetic design, but it maybe isn't as good in quality as the Vintage Combo or Classic Vibe basses...