Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsGood Value J Bass
Reviewed in Canada on September 15, 2023
This Sqiuer by Fender Classic Vibe 70s Jazz Bass is basically awesome but there are expected drawbacks for an entry-level bass guitar like this. The fit and finish is good but getting the perfect set up out of it is a little bit challenging because the frets are not aligned quite as nicely as a higher end bass which means getting that perfectly "low action" feel without buzzing is hard. Having said that, it comes with both Allen keys (truss rod and bridge) so you can play around with it and get a decent set up with a bit of time and effort.
The fit and finish other than that is good. The bridge and tuners work well to keep the bass in tune and and neck feels like a classic thin J bass. Any player should find it easy to play this bass.
The pickups leave a lot to be desired. It doesn't have much thump on the low end and isn't particularly bright on the high end. Compared to my girlfriend's Player Series Fender Mustang Bass, there is a lot less clarity out of the Squier but it doesn't sound 'bad'. It's got a decent low mid range and sounds 'good' when plugged into the right amp. It sounds like it's just slightly better than an entry-level bass guitar.
I think the bridge pick up sounds good overall and the neck pick up is 'just alright'. There is some humming with each pick up if your tone knob is up but, interestingly, using both pick ups seems to cancel the hum which is a nice perk. I personally do like the sound of both pick ups maxed with tone all the way down. Again, not much clarity or brightness out of the pickups so leaving the tone knob down seems to produce the smoothest and most pleasant results. Bridge pickup superior to neck pickup in terms of overall sound quality.
I did have a loose second volume knob but it was very easy to open up the cap and screw it back on tightly so it's not worth knocking down my rating for that.
The gloss finish on the neck (both front and back) is not for everyone but I really like it. Maybe it is less ideal compared to a satin finish for a lot of moving around but it keeps the hand steady as far as grip.
This is a nice back-up bass, first bass, or travel bass but I doubt any serious players will find this a good value at any price. Might be good for guitar players who just want to dabble. I know the Player series is a far jump in price but I recommend going that route for a more serious player that wants that stage-ready or recording-ready sound.
This Jazz Bass from Squier is a good value overall if you temper your expectations and you're not playing live or recording. Good enough for band practice which, at this price point, is impressive.