Honest Review : Squier Classic Vibe '60s Precision Bass - An In-Depth Look
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 бер 2021
- The good, the bad, and the PHAT.
Even at a relatively low price point, it's good to have more information about an instrument before considering a purchase. So many reviews are overblown or have no real information. I hope some will find this helpful.
For more info, Subscribe to this channel, join us at PsionicAudio, or email us at info@psionicaudio.com.
I really enjoyed your very thorough review, how you think ("... a fairly reasonable voice.") and present your ideas and your detailed, yet not 'obsessive' observations.
Very very enjoyable! Such an intelligent and pleasant voice. Much appreciated.
Very interesting you really gave a detailed description of this bass. Great to see an honest review of this model bass guitar. I believe at this price point it’s quite good value for the money. And as a bass for beginners it’s ticks most boxes. Thanks for an excellent review, it’s the best I’ve seen by a long way.
Great review, Lyle you have firm grasp on reality and its much appreciated. I picked up the Squier standard P-J bass last summer, a display model for a ridiculous low price. I'm a F.N.G. at guitar and picked up the bass just to have around and play with and found it to be an excellent piece, sounds good, stays in tune and hasn't come close to hurting this silly old man with any sharp edges. Scary the quality Fender and Gibson/Epiphone are getting for the price point.
What a brilliant Demonstrator you are! In every single, as well as the amps as the guitars or basses. Everything clear!
Really great, thorough overview! Thank you.
That's the best review I could have hoped for, no bullshit, just straight talking
Excellent Thankyou!.
Hey Lyle, great review!
I think you were on point with everything and gave a very thorough and honest review on this bass. I bought one new in 2019 and I still have it and still love it. I agree with you about the output jack and as a matter of habit, I ordered new pots and cap and output jack when I ordered the bass. Surprisingly, I did not have to ream the holes out for the new output, jack and pots to fit. The one and only issue that I found was on the E string. it was much quieter than the others, and after a few minutes, I realized that one of the poles of the pick up did not pass the tap test. I fixed this by adding a small magnet to the pole underneath the pick up and it works great and so far I have not felt the need to upgrade the pick up.
Anyway, thanks for a great review.
Love the honesty and thanks for the pointers on how to make it better!
Nice job. I've owned a few Squier basses and there's no escaping the old saying "you get what you pay for". Decent price, decent bass. It's that simple.
Well done! This give me a very clear idea of what I might receive when ordering a Squire Classic Vide. I think it sounds excellent.
Thanks so much I’ll be ordering one exactly like the one that you have in about a week !!!
This is the most thorough review on UA-cam of this bass and I agree with you on all your criticisms. I just picked a lefty one up NOS from Sam Ash for $285. It was a steal, IMO. It did arrive with a non-working tone pot (probably why it was only $285), so I went in and did some soldering and it's fine now. This bass looks, sounds, and plays every bit as well as my '2016 Am Std P, and the neck profile is exactly the same too. I see no reason to justify the price of an MIA P (currently $1600) vs. this. (I had an Am Pro I P Bass and hated it. Horrible fretwork, sterile sound, uncomfortable neck, etc).
If every UA-cam video was as good as this I'd spend all day watching them
Very educational and comprehensive review.
Finally an honest and truthful "knowledge spitting" realistic bass review person...
Thanx Psionic Audio❤
Got a CV 50's PBass on closeout from CME. Like this, gold aluminum pickguard, 2 tone sunburst (no red,) maple fingerboard. Lovely out of the box, especially for $360 shipped.
Replaced the zinc saddles with All Parts threaded nickel saddles, had to drill the plate intonation screw holes out to 9/64's (my plate was flat.) Jettisoned the plastic nut for bone. Left the pots, swapped the jack for a Switchcraft. Filed and polished the fret ends.
Wow. Good wow. Very good wow. Pickup is just a little ragged like 57's are, gets *so* dirty with just a little bit of drive. Go get one before they're gone, my holiday gift-advice to you.
I bought one of this a year and a half ago and so happy with it.
I love Squiers. Not because they're the very best ever, but because they play well and sound good, and you can gig with them, and you can also trade them among your friends, and learn to do fretwork, electronics, etc. I have two Squiers basses: an old Mustang bass and a parts P that probably has an Affinity neck and an Affinity body. They're a blast. I've gigged with both of them. I did put a high mass bridge and import hipshot tuners on the P, just because I like them.
The Classic Vibe series has blown out of the water! I have a trusty tech who can fix and set up my basses, im going to get a CV 60s p bass in sunburst and mod it! Lindy Fralin pickups and Gotoh hardware!
Professional reviews are always more reliable than emotional reviews by people who have invested in one model and it's absolutely "perfect" and you MUST have it.
Great review. Thanks.
Holy cow! Someone who tells you what’s under the pickguard! This is super important to those of us who like to occasionally remove it and play the bass naked!
Just bought a Squire Classic Vibe 60's Jazz fretless, should be delivered tomorrow, and I'm encouraged by your overview of this P version...these appear to be very reasonable quality out of the box for their price point...never owned a fretless, and I'd like to possibly try my hand at turning her into a string-through body...great video, thanks...keep 'em coming.
Both the Cort and Sammick Squire factories are turning out some amazing guitars/basses, its better to play a few in person before buying because you can usually find them with flamed maple necks with really straight grain!
Just got one on remainder for less than $300 to trick out, swapped the neck for a MIM standard Jazz rosewood neck, installed a Bill Lawrence pickup, shielded everything, I love it.
All of that great information and then like a minute of playing
Looking at this...Super glad to find YOUR review of it. Cheers...A small point - the factory site says the nut is bone.
I know what the specs say but I took a file to it. It’s plastic.
@@PsionicAudio Not doubting you. Hopefully, they are not making a habit of it??? I will check with the shop before I buy. A price for most things but nice to get what you pay for. Anyway good to get your insight first. Cheers:)
My MIM Player P bass, which costs almost twice as much, had the same issues plus every single fret was sharp and had fret sprout. I then got a Vintera neck: same issues with the frets plus a noticeable ski jump at the end of the fretboard. My next bass will be a Squier and I'll fix the issues myself.
That was a great review!!!
I just purchased a classic Vibe 60s precision bass. Open box deal at $199.00. I did some fret leveling and polishing. I placed a switchcraft jack, CTS pots, Fender pure vintage 63 precision bass pickup, fender covers for bridge and pickup, and a thumb rest. I will now put on a set of Labelle deep talkin flats 45-105, that I had on my 75 p bass. That ought to make it comfortable for me.
This bass sure behaves nicely, but I sure do wish that the neck was beefy. The 'slim comfortable C shape' sure feels small as I am used to the fat neck of my 73-telecaster bass.
Great review 👍. Told me what I need to know. I don't often need a P bass but for the amount of times I need that tone, the Squier seems to fit the bill.
I have several bass guitars. I have been playing bass for 30 years. I got a p bass cv 60 from a friend, I think the pickups are fender 63' with flatwound La Bella low tension. I was concerned about how well it was doing. I gave so much money for expensive guitars. I'm almost shocked at how well such a cheap instrument can work. The sound is the same if not a shade better than my Fender. I must get one of these for my collection. Such good sound and build quality for so little money... unreal
So it took me a bit longer to get one after watching this but this review really helped inform my decision!
good video .Thank you. I just bought one the other day for $100.00 in really good condition. It hums a lot until I touch the strings or the volume knob. I am getting that looked at as well as a set up. I had to buy it for that price. I hope I made a good choice.
Great video, very sophisticated infos, far more valuable than this "the best budget bass ever!" fireworks. Well done! 👍🏻
You are right about the jack, mine had to be replaced. Everything is else is still stock.
Had one for years,played a lot of gigs.very good for the money.
I bought a Squier Classic Vibe 70s Jazz Bass and really, really like it. Feels, sounds, and plays great. I think I will swap out the pickups but other than that, no issues. Was looking into getting a MIM Fender P - the price difference vs Squier is $350. It seems like the only major difference between the Fender entry-level and the Squier is the name stamped on the head.
I was thinking about getting a Fender P-Bass, but I may get the Squire version now to save some money. I recently made a big 6 string purchase, but still need a new descent Bass since I play both. All the reviews I've seen seem honest and fair. Thanks for your review, I'll be getting a nice Squire P-Bass in the near future! rock on!
Good stuff. Plus some Sting riffs! Just bought one of these and its a great bass for the money.
The Squier series are really good. The fit and finish is tighter than it was pre CBS. Yeah yeah, different paint and pickups. All they need is a fret dress and your favorite strings. Upgrade the rest is easy and fun. I have a 1967 daphne blue Mustang and a made in Indonesia Mustang. The Indonesian one got mini humbuckers and new wiring. Both are really special, one has an extra zero on the price tag and I play them both equally.
Was thinking of garbing one to pimp. just want it for studio. was thinking of popping some 62 fender pick ups in. worth doing ?
I had the same thing with the bridge with that exact same bass. If you remove the bridge you see there is a dent in the wood underneath, you need a bridge that protrudes more towards the end pin to really correct it. It's a fine bass after that
Own 16 squiers from cv60's cv70's and Affinitys jazz,p bass,p/j like them all play well for the price point for what I do they work just fine sound just fine
I’m thinking of getting one as my first bass guitar ,they cost £375 in Scotland, what other bass would you recommend pls even if I have to add slightly more money , thanks Charlie 🏴❤️👍
I got one second hand for $250, it came with old Flatwound strings and I love the bass with everything within me
A great review - honest and to the point. I believe these basses are a fantastic starting point for any bassist. The wood and craftsmanship are really quite good. Modding them with better pickups , tuners is just a lot of fun and can be done on a budget over time - and there lies the fun. Not everyone can afford a $1550 Fender American Professional II Precision Bass.
Spot on mate well said we all have to cut our cloth to a certain extent a well made Bass I have the Jazz version it’s great I thought about trading it in and purchasing a lower end Fender at around £750 UK but decided against 🏴
Oh man. They're more expensive here. $2,379 (US$1,766) last I saw the price tag.
Awesome vid' man! I got the 70's J bass and love it! Had a few issues too, but love it! Thinking about that 60's P bass. Definitely think the fretboard wood looks kinda ashey, but the oil helps a lot! Question is... is the oil working/soaking in/you know what I mean? Just curious.. Thanks! 🥰😋🎸😎
Many months later it hasn't gone ashy again. Won't ever be confused with rosewood but it doesn't look weird like it did new.
These are good basses... Either the CV '60s or the CV '70s. Just from time to time, upgrade the hardware... 4 new Fender reverse vintage tuning pegs, some good Fender CS or Lindy Fralin P bass pickups, a new wiring harness with a good oil / paper cap, CTS knobs, switchcraft 1/4" jack input, ... From time to time, slowly, upgrade the components and get a real bargain bass. I put D'Addario EXL220BT balanced tension strings .040-.095 on it and this is really nice.
I almost agree with you completely,, except I do audio electronics for a living and I have to point out that paper/oil caps are a scam in an instrument's passive tone circuit.
Don't water your money on them, folks. In blind tests comparing different capacitor materials*of the same value* there is no audible or measurable difference.
Thanks you !
Considering this is a budget/beginner bass for 300 bucks it's not bad and a good modding platform at a good price point
I like mine...its simple and plays just fine. Its all about the player not the supposed "tone wood" etc, thats just marketing that doesn't mean crap.
Hello, very nice video, I have one & I like it very much , what pickup upgrade you would recommend or is better keep stock one ? Best reagrds,
While I put in a Fralin and new pots, knobs, and a new jack, this would be very expensive for most Squire owners. I had to enlarge the holes in the pickguard and file the pickup opening for the new pickup to fit. I already have the tools, and am a tech. The Fralin was justified because I'm using it as test gear for testing bass amps.
The stock pickup was pretty good as were the pots, and most Squire owners would be better off leaving them in my opinion. The jack should be changed though, as a Switchcraft jack is only about $3.
Any money spent on "upgrading" these basses would be better spent having a good guitar tech doing a full setup. The difference in sound and playability between a stock instrument and one that is properly set up is very noticeable and you would enjoy your bass even more.
Some Steely Dan there on the end! I was like "I've seen your picture
Your name in lights above it This is your big debut It's like a dream come true So won't you smile for the camera
I know they're gonna love it, Peg....😃👍
Well, you're too kind. It was dimly remembered Deacon Blues.
because of this video i purchased a classic vibe 70 pbass last monday May 1
i think this is a good bass which will not hurt my bank account 🤣 although i am ready to some maintenance very often since im living in a humid/warm region
but yeah it is a good modding platform planning to change the pickup and bridge soon into seymour duncan spb 1 or 3 and a hi mass bridge other than that i could say this is a bass that you can depend upon on gigs
What is thedifference with Late 50's P? The maple neck (brighter tones)?
That’s the one I’m interested in finding out more about. I have more experience with guitars and have one-piece maple neck, rosewood and Pau Ferro fingerboard guitars. My favourite is actually the Pau Ferro but maple a close second and they to me they have more snap in the feel under the fingers but aren’t necessarily brighter sounding. I’m looking at a budget bass for recording and something else to do and have preferred maple on any basses I’ve played which is why the late ‘50’s p-bass has the most appeal for me.
Great review and thank you, just subscribed. Btw, Fender claims the nut is bone on their specs.
I can verify it's plastic.
I had mine replaced with a bone from a repair shop that specializes in bone nuts. Probably did not need it but for peace of mind I wanted it. Plus the set up is now perfect and I now know there are no nut flaws for sure.
I wouldn’t worry if it works well and doesn’t buzz. If it becomes a problem swap it with a Tusq nut and you’re in business.
Synthetic fingerboards by Squire are fantastic. The VM Jazz fretless was awesome…
i would add that it's not necessarily they chose indian laurel because it's more affordable and lesser quality of rosewood - it's native and way more accessible indonesia, which is where the bass was made, there's a lot of legal paperwork and money for fender to use rosewood in indonesia so it helps with the cost
I am hoping you can please tell me what oil material you used on the fretboard and what your process is? The only thing stopping me from getting this or a pau ferro fretboard is the ugly dry looking fretboard but yours looks fantastic!
I used extra virgin olive oil because I have some and it doesn't go rancid, but a "lemon oil" sold for fretboard conditioning is better. Tons of videos out there on conditioning a fretboard.
I have a couple of beautiful, dark and supple looking Pau Ferro fretboard guitars. One is a custom Warmoth neck and one is a Reverend guitar. Just apply some lemon oil every 6 months and play it to get natural oils in there.
@@PsionicAudio But was that extra virgin oil also cold pressed?🤔
Just bought a 2003 Squire P bass in Cash Converters for £60, Dakota red a few minor knocks, works and plays just needs a setup.
Dumb question: Is there any point to shielded cavities when you have a hum bucking pickup? I know it's a no brainer with single coils prone to 60 cycle hum, but with pickups immune to that?
Yes, for the same reason we use shielded cables from the output jack to the amp. A humbucker just eliminates 60Hz noise. But its output signal is just as vulnerable to other electrical noise in the environment.
Seth Lover designed the Gibson system to be almost fully shielded. Nickel cover soldered to the bottom plate, braided shielded wires for every connection inside the cavity. Shielding the cavities helps even more as the stock circuit is not shielded where connections are made.
I have. A quick question, the stock pickup that come in this bass is “ Fender® Designed Alnico Split Single-Coil “ is it better than this pickup model “ Fender ‘63 Precision Pickups “ this one is made with 5 Alnico Magnet which is better ?
The stock pickup sounds pretty good actually. Its dimensions are metric, as are the openings in the pickguard, so a replacement from Fender, Duncan, DiMarzio, etc isn't an exact fit without carefully filing the opening in the pickguard.
So my advice to beginning bassists would be to keep the stock pickup for a good long while and just play and practice.
And play other people's basses, compare to your own, see what you like, see what you don't.
You could easily spend $300 upgrading things on the Squire, but a year later you may realize what you really need is a Stingray or a Jazz. Or a 5 string. Or a "real" Precision. And then you'll wish you hadn't put that extra money into the Squire.
But aside from the output jack and the lifted bridge in mine, nothing Kris the stock Squire from being giggable as it comes.
That said, if you had a tech set the relief and string height and intonation and file any high frets that would be money well spent to let you get the most from the bass.
Thanks a lot you are right
The bodies and necks of the American Standard guitars and basses are all made in Mexico. They are shipped to the US to be assembled.
Really?! Surprised to hear that.
The only ones made in the US are the high end custom shop guitars.@@christosfragias592
Squier Precision basses are a great platform for modifications.
I have eva gardner bass by squire precision bass ,from 12th on up makes that noise. But when putting its throw the Amp and compression on it can get rid of most of it in some cases. It was make in February 16, 2015 Don't know how much it's worth
That's a rare model. Fine until you try to play Sinatra.
Sounds like you have uneven frets.
Nice Staxs Record T-shirt 👕, I own a Fender Squire Vintage Modified Precision Bass PJ 3 Color Sunburst, it's a great bass. I have La Bella Vintage 1950 Flat wound Strings on it. Were was this made? California or Japan or Mexico or Indonesia?
Do u do bass amp videos
The pots in them are Korean, same brand as Epiphone use, full sized, tapers seem alright, I wouldn’t rush to change them.
Is this the bass Mike Dirnt plays?
Joe dart played one. That's why I also want one
Also the mini pbass too lol
Nice looking.
You rock dude! Of course the 1974 would be correct (I'm 47). What do you think of their maple neck 70s ClassicVjbe Phase?
I tried the '70s. The neck was smaller, and for me, too small. I also didn't like that the neck "binding" and "inlays" are decals beneath the finish. That's mostly cosmetic, but I didn't like the thinner neck.
Not that the '60s has a big neck - it's more similar to a Jazz neck (aside from width at the nut) than most P necks. But it's comfortable.
🙌
or you were lucky or I had bad luck ... ordered the 40th anniv. P: I have a friend who has one: I love the feel of the neck (same as the CV '60's neck) better than the neck on my mex and my USA P. Only 3,6 kg, nice sound and I thought it only needed some fretwork. (fretbuzz from 5th till 13th fret with the action higher than on my 2 other P's ...) So brought it to the luthier: fretwork indeed, but the nut slots where also done wrong (so it needed a new nut) and there was a slight twist in the neck so there it stops ... had to send it back: pitty! (this was my second Squier with a twisted neck ...) My friends 40th anniv has also fretbuzz unless you give it a high action so I was not the only one, when you look it up on youtube, the bass only gets good reviews, do they all play with high action?
An electricians bass review.👍
This is the best guitar ever made because it was my first guitar. I dont need additional evidence.
(Apline white mint green pickguard to clone a mexican standard)
I'm brand new to bass. Damn, is the 1300+ price difference worth it, over the CV Squire?
Can be. Not when starting out, and there are expensive bad instruments out there, but this CV P isn’t a very alive instrument. It doesn’t have much personality, and it doesn’t resonate. I’d say this is the baseline (no pun intended) of playable usable bass. It is what it is.
But when learning you don’t need an expensive instrument to learn how to play. This bass won’t hold back your development as a player or sound bad so that you lose a gig.
But it’s not the full experience.
@@PsionicAudio I agree. I played bass on my first gig last week at a nursing home with a 60's CV jazz, and a 100 watt rumble. It did fine in the mix with a steel guitar, three guitar players, and one snare drum player. Anyway, I think in the spring, when I come to drop off a couple of amps with you, I'll go by a couple of music stores in Memphis.
so basically it's okay for the money?
Bad Ass bridges give more sustain but less highs and lows. I believe the saddles need to move freely to bring out the tone.
For the $250 I payed for it used it's great. For the $450-480 they go for new it's a bit spendy.
The Squire Classic Vibe P Bass is spec'd with a bone nut. Check yours again.
Doesn’t matter what they typed. I took a file to it. It’s plastic.
@PsionicAudio mine arrives Tuesday, I'll check it before I accept it at Guitar Center. Just curious, is yours Chinese or Indonesian?
For this instrument, if it were mine, I'd first do the setup, including dialing in the nut, and put in a proper Switchcraft jack. After that I'd upgrade the tuners to Gotoh and the pickups to Bill Lawrence. Lollar, Fralin pickups are super nice; I use both in my basses. However, Bill Lawrence pickups offer the best bang for dollar; $72. They're hand wound and it's a small family operation; they're a real bargain. With that being the case, they would be the best fit for a solid econo bass. //Yeah, that bridge is a problem and I'd replace it with an old fashioned Fender bridge with threaded saddles, too. Highmass bridges are way, way, way overrated.
@@fredriksvard2603 $600 to $650 depending on pickups.
I was also speaking of what I’d want to improve if it were mine, focusing on the prospect of what I’d want that specific instrument to be or become.
I’m not here to tell anyone else what to do.
BTW, the next Fender bass up the price table is $750 Player Mustang PJ short scale. A new Fender Player Precision is $800. If that were mine, I’d at least upgrade the pickups on that one, too. Then it would be $950 with Lollar pups.
If had a new Fender American Original 60s P or J, I’d possibly replace those pickups, too; $2,150 plus tax.
See where I’m heading?
It’s going toward what I actually have.
tellin' it like it is ! Worlds best P bass? The one you like and play the most. ;-) but, as my dad always said; "quality hurts once"
I believe that the spec sheet for this bass says that it has BONE nut.....
Then whoever put this one together didn't read the spec sheet. It's plastic.
True - that's what it says when you look it up online at least: bone nut.
Looks good 👍 but I'd hide that headstock if I played with other musicians! Ha oh dear !
How I wish as a former (due to health) bass guitarist (there is a difference between Guitarist and player as outlined by The Ox!) that other demonstrators/reviewers would keep it about the instrument, not a 20 minute slap bass ego trip (slaps fine, its a tool, but like garlic, you can use too much in the wrong food...)
The pick ups are great. Yes they sound generic and nothing special but great for mixes.
Could the same be said of other P basses, like the Electra VS4? Or the American professional? Or the mini P basses?
How much is that bass guitar
$430 new most places.
Shit yeah. Carol Kaye used a pick on most things.
imo its great for its price but there are defenitely better basses that might be more expensive
Am I the only one who thinks the factory strings on this bass feel very stiff to play?
After watching this I think I'll pass. I was all set on getting on.
"Sadly I did not get the best bass in the world for $350." lol!
The Squier Vintage modified and classic vibes are on par with the Mexican fenders, I own both mim jazz and a Vm 70s jazz I play the Squier more than I do the mim,
You kinda sound like john Goodman from monsters inc to me
I don't hear it, but that's kind of funny as I've been playing with my mom's new pup, Boo.
Just put this one on your garagewall…..
Made in China so a non-starter for me but if you’re on a tight budget…sure….or get a used made in Mexico one.
But are the used made in Mexico ones affordable?
Nut Material
Bone
Nope. Don’t care if they say it in the marketing. It is plastic.
Ha
Who needs tone off setting especially with a pick???
Lots of people do. Why we have options.