Jazz Bass Shootout - Squier vs. Mexican vs. American - All About the Bass
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2016
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👆 Welcome to All About The Bass on Andertons TV. This week the guys discuss the differences in the Jazz Bass Lineup.
Links to the gear used in this video below:
Squier Affinity Jazz Bass: goo.gl/BFCR6L
Mexican Standard Jazz Bass: goo.gl/5IO8ox
American Standard Jazz Bass: goo.gl/AZyi23
Laney Nexus Combo Amp: goo.gl/csyx26
The Captain's Gibson Custom Shop 58 Reissue
Thanks for watching Andertons TV!
#fendervssquier #jazzbass #bassshootout
![ОРБАН приехал к ПУТИНУ и "отчитался" о поездке в Киев 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0ukDovOWq8/mqdefault.jpg)
34:59 Squier neck pickstyle
35:08 Mex neck pickstyle
35:16 USA neck pickstyle
35:24 Squier bridge fingerstyle
35:32 Mex bridge fingerstyle
35:39 USA bridge fingerstyle
35:47 Squier slap both pups
35:56 Mex slap both pups
36:04 USA slap both pups
You're welcome.
you are a saint.
absolutely , you are saint :)
You guys are too nice.
Dude, the MIM sounds better in each.
Thanks for saving my time!!!
I own a Squier vintage modified jaguar bass, which im still in love with after 6 years. Later ive gotten a MIM fender Jazz, which sounds just amazing!
Id say, the squier wins in playability, and the MIM jazz wins in sound - That said - I still find the sound of my squier, just amazing! - Specially the p-pickup!
Dont get fooled by fender's branding - You can buy a squier and maybe even upgrade it, and get way more bang for your buck.
I'd like to see a blindfold challenge about basses, maybe with these?
Yes please
would have to swap the squier to a maple fretboard
Music Store Köln has a super cheap J&D jazz bass with maple board (139 Euros including delivery to the Netherlands). There's one on my lap right now, and it plays and sounds great. (Or there's the 70s Squier classic vibe, if you like brands and have a bit more money.)
I really enjoyed that, and your comments seemed pretty honest. Thanks a lot!
I always try to blindfold myself while listening to these videos by clicking away to a different tab and then going back to see which one I preferred the sound of. For this video I preferred the USA each time. The Squier was very impressive though, for the money. Thanks again Captain.
Been waiting for this!
As I watch this, the time on your clock in the background is perfectly correct 😂
Very usefull video. A lot of details revealed for me. Thanks!
Great video - thank you for making it!
CNC stands for computer numerical controlled...used one often back when i was studying design Technology...even made a guitar for my final project
How did it play??..
better than expected...had to recut the nut and re do the frets...after that it turned out ok, as good as any squire i've played
That was very useful. Thanks a lot guys.
Get a Squire you like.. New bridge and Seymour Duncan 1/4 Pounders :) :)
This is what I keep doing. Got three MODDED squiers!
Mexi is a good blend of great sound and budget friendly, I’ll gladly take that one
I have squire and a MIM - the squire has better finish quality (components probably not)
my first jazz bass was a '68 fender jazz bass. I've been playing for 39 years and have owned so many different basses, I can't remember. my last six basses have been all Squiers, and only for the reason of quality /price. I now own a 4 and 5 string model (s) of the deluxe active basses and I've always amazed everyone on stage that a Squier can perform the way mine do. they're both stock too. I've owned the vm fretless, a PJ precision, a '77 vm jazz, and a affinity precision. I've gig them all professionally and recorded without a problem. I'll NEVER over spend for a bass again.
I agree..........it isn't the instrument.....it is the PLAYER. I have done bass for 20 years and I have owned both Fenders and Squiers: my present bass I use is an MIM Standard and next to my Geddy Lee (which was a gift from my late grandfather) I will NEVER part with it willingly. SHE DOES THE JOB.
My J Squier with Seymore Duncan Basslines is my favorite bass. (Japanese)
I love how most of the video is the guy on the left saying what makes the guitar better than the other, then the guy on the right saying why it doesn't actually make any difference 😂
I stopped by my local Guitar Center to check out the Fender Squier VM Jazz Bass '70s and Standard Fender Jazz bass. Wow! I was surprised at how close the Squire and Standard Fender basses were for playability and feel. I had expected the Squire to have sharp fret ends. Both have equal play and feel. The Squire was heaver by a few. The body of the Squire did not show the divider of multiple slabs of wood glued together. The price difference between the Fender Standard and Fender Squire was about $300.00. I am considering buying a Fender Squier VM 4 string 70s Jazz Bass. Thanks for doing this video.
Every time I start to feel that I'm a fairly good bass player, I listen to Nathan for about five seconds and I'm immediately corrected!
he is my fav person for the comparing things in the meantime, absolutly serious credibility. And -of ourse- highest experience . This guy knows what hes talking about.
Bought a Squire 70's reissue and fell in love, sold my MIM Jazz. Plays really fast and smooth , play out regularly and love the lighter weight and the smooth neck.
Excellent video! I wish you guys had done it three years ago, because I had to watch a dozen videos to figure out the difference between those three basses. Fortunately I got the American Standard, really worth.
Great video - really helpful!
After much looking a soul searching I just bought a Player (MIM) J-Bass. Absolutely love it. It hasn't had a proper set up yet, and it still has the factory springs, but it's a joy to play.
I thought they all sounded great through all the tests but the American standard really shined with the slap test ! In rang out with more of a full bell like tone, so if you take that tone and translated into recording fingers style or chords or slap, I think you'll get more of a variety of tones on the menu with a more articulate sound on the American standard. Really great and in depth and informative video that did a stellar job of representing the iconic Fender and Squire Jazz Bass guitar ! Great job guys! Anderton rocks!!
To my ears all of these sound very very similar with subtle differences. Resale value however is always something to think about when choosing an instrument and was a valid point from the Captain. I only buy instruments I know I can resell because of my G.A.S. problem :)
that's fair, if you grow attached to your instrument though, you may not need to resell, I have yamaha trbx 174 that I've upgraded into a beautiful P bass, im never selling it.
😄
is it weird that the Squire sounds good in all of the demos?
@Timothy Yo and they are heavy!
Did you expect it to sound like garbage Fender put their name on it so I would expect it to at least sound decent
@@MarcG7424 it sounds better than most fenders that cost $1000+
Thanks! Nicely done :-)
You've got to love a professional salesman who is saying that there is very little difference in things with a price difference of 6x. That is one of the reasons I love these Andertons videos - they are very honest. I doubt it will put people off buying expensive if they can afford to (I could and did) but it makes those who can't afford to happy too. Very entertaining and I don't even play the bass.
Hey guys,,,I have a mim jazz & p-bass and the same in squires AND LOVE ALL 4 ,,,THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO 🎸🤠
I swapped the standard bridge out on my 2002 Mexican Jazz Bass for a Badass and the difference was colossal... Everything was so much better.. Very easy to do, screw holes are all the same, just a like-for-like swap... Well worth it.. 👍
It's taking me a long to get around to it but I'm planning on doing the same on my MIM Precision. My JB is a G&L Tribute series and it's an absolute monster!
I wish the Squier had been a Vintage Modified.
I thought the same. More of a fair comparison...
I will admit, I was blessed with a Vintage Mod Squier JBass as my starter back in the day. It has an Alder body with the Duncan Designed pickups (not made by Seymour-Duncan but produced in concert with or something like that) and it is my OG staple for doing just about anything I've ever asked. If anyone is looking to start out, I'd suggest the VM over the Affinity without a doubt
I suppose an affinity and the mini basses are friendliest to the wallet/bank and will give you a brighter sound than the mexican and american standard.
I thought that was pretty good and very helpful, Thanks.
Honestly loved this video! Really made sense haha
The MIM model almost sounds like it has a mid range boost, and there's a loss of clarity in the higher frequencies. The American Standard certainly sounds the most musical, nice texture.
I've had my Mexican geddy lee for 5 years. It was the first bass I bought with my own money and it always my go to. Love that neck baby
At last! good video
The Squire is amazing for the prize. A true bargain! I'm not a bass player but when you are composing and such.. a perfect buy. Have it left handed. Usually lefties don't make the cut as well as right handed instruments. Even my lefty Fender Am.strat needed "a little work" back in the day when got it 20 years ago..
when it comes to bass, I think it's more About playability than tone in terms of price ranges
I prefer the sound of the squier! The difference was most noticeable when he did the slapping
I love my Squire 70s reissue. The amp is the most important part imo!!!!
No doubt about it - a really good amp with good speakers will make a tremendous difference. Way back in the day , amps and speakers were big and HEAVY but also there was a lot of bottom end that you could not only hear but feel too.
Would love to see your take on some some short scale basses - Hofner, Mustang, Ibanez Mikro
Squire and then American loaded pick guard for $199 from Stratophere sounds good idea to me for a budget, but richer sound :-)
Concerning the woods. You stated that the Squire Affinity is made with alder like the Fenders. Unless they've changed their procedure, the Affinity series is made from Agathis, which is in the Evergreen family of trees (which among other things helps keep the Affinity series price point) If you want Alder bodies from Squire you want a vintage modified model. The use of Agathis is also why the Squire Affinity feels so light (A point remarked on in the video) Thank you for the time and effort you spend putting out these videos.
+Dave Miller Pretty sure their site says it's alder but you might be right.
I have confirmed the Squire web site does state Alder as the wood of choice for the basic Affinity series 4 string.
Yep, I stand corrected, the web site does say Alder bodied. Thank you for the replies.
In fact the vintage modified and classic vibe uses basswood,agathis and maple as body woods,just the cheaper basic affinity uses the tipical fender añder wood lol
I believe the Squier Affinity in the video is made of Agathis. It looks like the kind that come with the starter packs (skunk stripe and black head stock logo) which are made in Indonesia with agathis as the body wood. The Affinities you get outside of the starter packs are made in a Chinese factory with alder bodies. Cheers.
I could really hear the jump in tone from the Squire to the Mexican, and a bit less of a jump from the Mexican to the American. That said, if I were gonna learn to play bass, I'd go with the Squire, because it still sounded very workable to my ears.
Sounded to me the main difference was on the neck pickup (thus affecting the 'both pickups' sound). If I had the money/need I'd go MIM and maaaaaaaybe try another pickup set.
Great review!
I liked your test. I suggest for future tests to use the same fresh American (or British) made strings and the same adjustments in all instruments (bass or guitars). These itens will make great diference in sound and feeling; and will give a better view to the comparison with cheaper instruments.
You guys referenced a video review of an Ibanez that blew you away. Can you tell me which one that was? Thanks in advance.
something I learned about the Mexico basses is there's not a lot of consistency. They let tools, cutting bits/blades and such, get worn pretty badly before replacing. Wood has little to no quality control so one bass will be great pieces and one will be really bad wood.
Play EVERY Mexican made bass you can find. some will sound like trash, but you will eventually find one that's nearly indistinguishable from an American standard.
Be patient and play every one of them and save some money.
Do they have completely different departments for guitars and basses? I have two guitars from that factory and tried a few more and always found them to be of absolutely great build quality.
Or, just save your money a bit more, and buy an american.
I just purchased a New-Old-Stock 2003 Fender MIM "Deluxe Zone" P/J in "Pewter" (a Metallic Silver with a touch of Bronze) - the "Spiritual Successor" to the '90s "Precision Lyte" with a downsized body and slim neck compared to standard Precision Basses. I'm much more a "Modern Jazz" & Spector Guy: I prefer their punchy, full mids as opposed to the "Open, Hollow Mids" that my ears hear from Precision & P/J Basses...but this is the P/J that has spoken to me the most among all I've played throughout the years. A downsized, super-light Alder Body, slim Maple Neck and Rosewood Fretboard, with solid P and J Pickups that's wired Vol / Blend with an Active 3-band EQ.
I'm most likely going to replace the stock electronics with an Aguilar OBP-3SK/PP... not that the stock is bad, but the OBP-3 is my "Preamp Of Choice" as well as EMG's "GZR" Geezer Butler Signature Passive P/J Pickups, as I've heard *nothing* but praise about them with their "slightly gritty" tone. I'm also toying around with the idea of swapping Black GB-7s for the stock Chrome Tuners and a Hipshot Type-A Bridge I have on hand, but that would be for purely astectic values as I think that Silver and Black Hardware would simply be more "me", and I have all the parts on hand.
...but I can say with absolute honesty that it feels just like all my American or European-made Instruments, and the price I got this NOS Bass was an *absolute steal* to fill the "P/J Bass" hole in My Collection, as did a MIM "Standard"'Jazz Bass I purchased in the mid-'00s, which I upgraded the Hardware & Pickups in and sold a few years down the road and making double what I had paid for, both the Bass as well as the parts. 😉
form52 thanks for the knowledge mate 👍
Form52 I Own a mexican Jazz that sounds EXACTLY like the american shown in this video; after buying that i tried other two mexicans and they sounded like crap, so you are right
Its' all about getting you to move up the Fender product chain. To do this, Fender is starting you off with instruments that feels like $$$$, but cost $$. That's not a bad thing. The cheaper ones will just wear faster, but that makes sense!
With an added compression and eq pedal, there's likely very little difference between the three in terms of tone. The only factor not discussed was electronics noise. Any additional hum or such from less shielding or cheaper controls in the Squire?
Stepped away from the renewable wood issue right quick! lol!
I used a squire strat. I owned and mainly used a Yank deluxe Strat. A friend of mine wanted 50 bucks for it. I had it set up and fret dressed and it made a great guitar. I changed nothing. It was made in Korea and it had it's own sound and I couldn't say enough positive about it. Probably my favorite guitars I've owned over the years is an original model 22 fret Godin LG with Seymour P90's. I regularly choose it over guitar worth 4 and 5 times it's cost. Hands down the best bucks I have ever spent. In other words over the years I have come to choose guitars for that individual instrument and it's "thing". More often, expensive guitars feel and sound nicer but certainly not always.
I would love to see a blindfold challenge using fender basses, either the Precision of the Jazz, like how the Tele and Strat blindfold videos have gone, with each different level.
The Squier affinity series is a solid bass wether your a beginner or a seasoned pro,I had an affinity p,I gigged with a few times with any issues. My question is where does Squiers VINTAGE MODIFIED series fit in this lineup?
You should do more vids like this for bass... Maybe take a look into Yamaha's offerings with the TRBX and BB lines?
Nathan makes me want to shop at Andertons. Honest about the sound, like no other reviewer would be. I'd buy my Squier there, My MIM there and then, when my pension comes in, my 'merican there too.
I'll put my MIM Standard Special against any of these basses, it sounds fantastic though I do hate the active electronics.
Can you do the same with the Jazzmaster?
The MIM bass looks pretty good. Waiting to hear it. Soon everyone will have a bass.
That Gibson Lee was playing is amazing
Matteo Damien I believe that's his Custom Shop 58' Les Paul
What PUPs would you recommend for the Squire should I decide to get it modded?
Yes i like the bass sound on the beginning
Things that differ are generally the hardware quality such as the pickups, bridge and tuners as well as the body wood. On cheaper guitars they will be made up of more pieces. For instance my Vintage Modified Squire is clearly a 3 piece body where as the American standard is more likely to be a 2 piece affair. On the higher end basses you get features such as a through body bridge and on the higher end you get hum cancelling pickups. Having said that the Squires are very good basses for the money and if you are not averse to a bit of modding they can become something quite unique.
I bought mine because I liked the way it played. Since I have fitted an active pre-amp, built in a fariday cage using copper tape to help verses hum and replaced the bridge with something a bit more solid (the original Fender bridge was always a case of the cheapest possible design to do the job). In terms of controls I have changed the blend pot for a 3 way switch with single volume and stacked tone as I found the blend to be sapping the life out of the sound. Otherwise a bit of sanding work against the fret ends and down the back of the neck really help the ease of play. In the future I will possibly upgrade the pickups, nut and tuners but I think it will stay as is for a while yet.
Weird to do a comparison with these 3 basses, when one of them has rosewoods fretboard!
Anyone know which Ibanez they were talking about at 34:10? I'm in the market for a new one and would love to see this phenom.
Cnc is 'Computer Numerical Control' this is a program that defines the tool path, cutting speed, feed speed etc This produces the basic profile of the body including body cavity and any other features. It's used throughout industry to accurate and repeatably cut complex shapes.
The Squier Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe occupy a nice place between the starter pack Affinity and the Mexican bass, although I have played (and own) a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz that is every bit the equal of my Mexican model. You owe it to yourself to try out the VM or Classic Vibe Squiers if you're considering a Mexican bass, at least.
Nitro vs. Poly is almost as bad as the tonewood debate, lol. Not touching that one, except to say that I prefer nitro, and often finish guitars myself using stuff from Reranch.
More expensive doesn't always equal better, but if you're going to buy it and upgrade the tuners and the pickups, and the bridge, and/or the pots...
On an unrelated note, if that's simply the combo version of the Laney head, it sounds great. Thanks for doing these, Anderton''s video game is unmatched. I'm still waiting for the Anderton's compilation CD/DVD featuring Mick and Pete and Rabea and Paul and Lee and Nathan.
Is the squire also available in black? 4 string.
An idea for something different: how about an episode about acoustic basses?
I've been looking in to getting a jazz bass for a while now and todays the day i choose what to get im wondering if i go american or mexican im using it for practise and live but mainly as an everyday sort of bass what should i get ?
Would love to see you guys make another jazz video but with 5 strings
Please review the o-bass, i want to see the orange one :)
I believe the main reason the MIM and MIA basses are heavier than the Squier is that the Squier has a thinner body than a standard or traditional jazz bass. The smaller tuning pegs and posts may account for a modest amount of the weight difference too.
Should do a review for the Ibanez GSR205SM 5 String. TY Keep te good work.
Lovely intro!
Thanks guys I'm going to buy a Mexican made fender bass soon and this was helpful. I did think the American made sounded the best. Cheers!
I think the only real differences between standard and American standard is the pickups are different. You could switch them and file the frets if you needed. I really don't think there is a lot of difference between the levels of Fender. Like, it is much easier to see the differences between a PRS, SE, and S2 or a Warwick Custom, Team, or Rock bass.
Darkglass made an amp! Maybe you guys could do a video on it? It's called Darkglass Microtubes 900
I have a 30 year old Mex Jazz...its like a Nokia phone. Beat up beyond all recognition but still plays and sounds beautiful.
What strings do you recommend to get the best sound out of any either bass? I was always made to believe the quality of your string makes a difference.
Depends on what style of music your playing and the sound you want
The difference in sound which is what we could notice from a video is pretty clear to me. The american sounds brighter, tighter, has more gain and a lot more sustain. Now between the squier and the mim, sound differences are a lot less noticeable. But I do believe the mim is the best idea. Fender mexican factories are currently running exactly the same machinery as the USA factories, just different labour. And one of the coolest things about the Jazz bass is upgrading it. New bridge, pups, and tuning machines would be a lot cheaper than the american version.
Do a precision bass version of this!
Listening through a decent set of Martin Logans.... Laughably, I prefer the Squire sound. The US model was a tad louder, but so was the sound of strings rapping the neck.
Which feels, plays and is the most substantial?.... Well, that you just can't really see or hear in a utube vid.
lutherie is making a come back. there are several smaller companies producing amazing guitars that are hand made.
Captain: When are you guys reviewing the new Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Firebird I?
Theyre all great.
Nathan's honesty, and 'open minded' approach make these videos more valuable than the 'captain-chappas' videos... I like them all... but Nathan's honesty more than Chapman's more 'stealth-corporate' approach
Just bought a second hand MIM. Im doing some mods on it. Custom pickups, eventually bridge and tuners. I think it really comes down to budget, preference and the player. There is a bit of muddy waters with all the different lines of the same product which sucks. But material these days are expensive, and these companies wanna make it attainable....and make more money.
after watching and listening to the review. The greatest difference seemed to be when going to the American model and also the most noticeable differences and step up in all three was when the neck pickup ways played on its own...
if had the money and wanted Fender then it'd be the American. No question. Audibly the only difference when going from Squier to Mex-Fender was that quite powerful neck pickup.
Again if i were to make any changes to my Squier which is already the much better vintage Modified would be to request the through body stringing and a better bridge and at the very least upgrade the Pickups. And am guessing that Bell tone of the Full American one would start to come through, as am really suspecting that the better Bridge and through body stringing may well be where a lot of that bell tone and sustain will be coming from. despite the drooling for the real thing.
American was my favorite in sound. That said, the Mexican and Squier sounded good at a fraction of the price of the American.
I keep forgetting the bass player's name but he's really got that sixties thing going on. He was playing stuff I had long forgotten, I now wish he would have played Funky, Funky Broadway.
You've also got the various Squier models, etc. The one thing I 've found about Squier is that you usually have less options for materials. Maple fretboards tend to be less common on Squier basses unless you get a particular signature model. That said, Japanese models don't get out of Japan much anymore and that's a bummer. The Squiers that used to come out of South Korea were the bee's knees.
34:20 speaking of that "certain other brand", how about you doing a review of the Chapman ML-B1?
would be nice if u guys make a video about the difference type of bass beginners need to know example : ( P bass and Jazz bass). thank you very much for loading more bass video.
nice video Captain. If the Standard and Amrican Standard were of rosewood finger board would be more persuasive:)
Niiiiiiiiiiiice, niiiiice niiiiiiize!!! sounded good as hell.
Saw the mighty Roy Babbington of Soft Machine last night and was surprised to see him playing a Squier P bass......
Squier Jazz Bass Vintage Modified 70 (maple) instead Squier Affinity Jazz Bass would have been great !
Nice comparison anyway.
Can we have more bass videos from Andertons? And maybe someone else than Nathan?
The Squire was very impressive. It had all the mojo.
Any thoughts on the classic vibes? Id buy one but not crazy on the inca silver!
I once had a Classic Vibe Jazz in white.Do they still do that finish? Very nice bass but it wasn't as good as my 84 Squier JV Precision and that didn't compare to my Fender 62 Precision(an original,not a reissue).But I would definitely recommend the Classic Vibe as probably the best in its price range.
kingstumble I don't think they do, ive only seen inca silver and candy apple red to buy new. White would be great, or a sunburst, just have to keep hunting! Hah well I wouldn't expect it to compete with either of those basses! Though perhaps stripping the electronics, replacing the pickups and bridge might get you close-er!
There is a clear difference between the American and the rest. Squier and Mexican sound pretty close. Anyways, all of them sound good. If you ask me, I'll probably go with the Mexican. Great sound,, better quality and materials overall, (compared to the Squier) and almost half price of the American. I think it's the most balanced choice. BUT..if you have the dough, just go for the American. It will never disappoint you and is an instrument that you can keep and play for your whole life.