1st - CV (esp. for rock) 2nd - V60s (very smooth; a real "jazz" bass!) Equal 3rd - Affinity/ APII (the cheapest & the dearest actually sounded the most similar to each other imo.) (Edit: Thanks to the dude who did the time stamps.)
I was trying to decide between a Squier Affinity PJ bass and a Squier CV Late 60's Jazz Bass, as Fender has a big sale going on right now. Wasn't sure about which to go with, as I liked the idea of having both P & J pickups, but I believe the quality of the Classic Vibe line is worth the extra $20 difference.
Ooh following! My current playing bass is a heavily modified squire bullet jazz bass, emg active pickups and pots, heavy mass bridge, flats. (All in all I have maybe 240 total in it) Really unnecessary money put into a bullet but I had fun doing it. But I am seriously considering buying this late sixties bass from fender because damn it's a good deal.
Ack! I decided to go ahead and snag one of those basses, got all super excited, it was in my cart already and fender had emailed me to check out. Welp as luck would have it, apparently they are now out of stock when I went to pay for it. ☹️☹️☹️😢 I'm really hoping they add some more inventory tomorrow as it doesn't seem nice to be out of stock on a labor day sale item on labor day, hell I don't care if I have to wait for that price
@@ericboyer622 I was in the same boat. On pro audio star they have all classic vibe models on sale. The sunburst J bass was 249$ taboot…I have used them twice in the past and they were great so no complains there. It recommended taking advantage of Labor Day deals there where stock is lively!
That was my first impression too. As I listened closer I think it sounds rounder and bigger - it sounds like more neck pickup. I think if you like that bigger sound leaning more toward a P-Bass then yes I agree. I like that tone too but also want the tightness of a true Jazz bass sound at times. Here's a tip -- if you try and blend your pickups so that you are favoring the neck pickup a bit on any Jazz bass you will get that fuller, rounder tone. One challenge is that the volume pots are tapered so once you go past 10% or so down in volume on the bridge volume pot you don't hear it at all. On one of my basses I switched out the pots to be linear and now I have a lot more room to flexibility combine the pickup sounds. Also be aware if your volume pots aren't both all the way up, you will get 60 cycle hum. It doesn't bother me too much but some people hate it. There are noiseless pickups that address this but some say they don't sound quite the same as single coils. I think all pickups are bit different, just preference.
Thank you so much for this video. Fender never ceases to amaze me rather it be a 200 dollar bass or 2,000 dollar bass. They're all unique but outstanding in quality and sound. If youre not playing Fender, you're not playing.
I was going to buy a Pro but when I heard the 75th Anniversary Jazz which has the Vintera pickups, I was sold. And the half price factor didn't hurt either.
Funny just did the same thing. I had the 1st series of the pro jazz and I loved it. Fast forward to now after combing through the market, the vintera really holds its own for the price point. Without the glitter and flash..
How about an update with new offerings like the Squier Paranormal '54 J and Fender Gold Foil J bass and maybe a Player Plus J bass. I have all 3 and would love your take. Cheers from Utah
I picked up a top end jazz about 4 years ago (I think) for around 2500$. It's the best sounding bass I've ever touched or heard lol. Idk if it's the opposite of a lemon, or the high end ones are just fucking incredible, but I played 3 of them side by side and the one I picked sounded better like it was in a class of its own. No two jazz basses are made equal it seems (in the jazz custom range). I like the active/passive toggle on it, but god Damn it's got like 6 different pots on it so it takes some time to tune in your tones. I also run like 4 dark glass pedals making things even more complicated lol.
play all guitars in one position for different bridge the graphique screen in the equal vst i want to see one tone for all bass a.... the neck rose wood be different to maple thnks
It's amazing how good even the all sounded (Affinity included)....until you played the next one up. This proves that an ok bass with a great amp works better live than a great bass with an ok amp.
It's funny how ceramic pickups are supposed to be brighter and more powerful, yet the tone of the Affinity is the dullest and weakest of the bunch. Great review tho
corona calif. yes but is not made USA. it is assamble since more than its componets are made outside the USA. this is why the made in USA is no longer stamp rather Corona Calf.
AFFINITY (ceramic pickup)
neck 3:35
bridge 4:06
both 4:31
CV 60 (alnico pickup)
both 6:32
neck 6:59
bridge 7:32
VINTERA 60 (vintage '60 pickup)
both 9:29
neck 10:04
bridge 11:04
AM PRO II (V-Mod II - alnico 2 + alnico 5)
both 13:58
neck 14:44
bridge 15:38
Amazing review!
My sound classification:
1) AM PRO II
2) CV 60 (but the glossy neck background... 😞 )
3) VINTERA 60
4) AFFINITY
Thanks legend!
The black Squire was by far the best sounding
Really loved the Classic Vibe! Thank you for a thorough run through of these beautiful guitars!
1st - CV (esp. for rock)
2nd - V60s (very smooth; a real "jazz" bass!)
Equal 3rd - Affinity/ APII (the cheapest & the dearest actually sounded the most similar to each other imo.)
(Edit: Thanks to the dude who did the time stamps.)
They really did sound better and better as you went along. Thanks for comparing these for us!
Damn.. for the price, the Squier CV is a no brainer.
Would have been nice to slot in the Player Series in the middle there as it is the most affordable Fender MIM
The tones from the vintera are sweet! great sound.
Yep. A real "jazz" bass!
That Classic Vibe is Beautiful Sounding . That Vintera sounds Smooth Also.
I was trying to decide between a Squier Affinity PJ bass and a Squier CV Late 60's Jazz Bass, as Fender has a big sale going on right now. Wasn't sure about which to go with, as I liked the idea of having both P & J pickups, but I believe the quality of the Classic Vibe line is worth the extra $20 difference.
Trying to make a similar decision. 200+ for a classic vibe 60s jazz bass is a really good deal. I might just have to go with that.
Yup just pulled the trigger on a sunburst CV 60s jazz Bass. Hope it’s a good one. Either way can’t beat the price!
Ooh following! My current playing bass is a heavily modified squire bullet jazz bass, emg active pickups and pots, heavy mass bridge, flats. (All in all I have maybe 240 total in it) Really unnecessary money put into a bullet but I had fun doing it. But I am seriously considering buying this late sixties bass from fender because damn it's a good deal.
Ack! I decided to go ahead and snag one of those basses, got all super excited, it was in my cart already and fender had emailed me to check out. Welp as luck would have it, apparently they are now out of stock when I went to pay for it. ☹️☹️☹️😢 I'm really hoping they add some more inventory tomorrow as it doesn't seem nice to be out of stock on a labor day sale item on labor day, hell I don't care if I have to wait for that price
@@ericboyer622 I was in the same boat. On pro audio star they have all classic vibe models on sale. The sunburst J bass was 249$ taboot…I have used them twice in the past and they were great so no complains there. It recommended taking advantage of Labor Day deals there where stock is lively!
Incredible video bro! lot of thanks
This was great, thank you!
Excellent review and great playing man.The pro 2 is awesome.
Is it just me or the CV60 sounds better than all the others?
That was my first impression too. As I listened closer I think it sounds rounder and bigger - it sounds like more neck pickup. I think if you like that bigger sound leaning more toward a P-Bass then yes I agree. I like that tone too but also want the tightness of a true Jazz bass sound at times. Here's a tip -- if you try and blend your pickups so that you are favoring the neck pickup a bit on any Jazz bass you will get that fuller, rounder tone. One challenge is that the volume pots are tapered so once you go past 10% or so down in volume on the bridge volume pot you don't hear it at all. On one of my basses I switched out the pots to be linear and now I have a lot more room to flexibility combine the pickup sounds. Also be aware if your volume pots aren't both all the way up, you will get 60 cycle hum. It doesn't bother me too much but some people hate it. There are noiseless pickups that address this but some say they don't sound quite the same as single coils. I think all pickups are bit different, just preference.
Yeah, I want to buy a Jazz Performer cos on the bridge pickup sound great, but this one playing on the neck sound amazing.
Thank you so much for this video. Fender never ceases to amaze me rather it be a 200 dollar bass or 2,000 dollar bass. They're all unique but outstanding in quality and sound. If youre not playing Fender, you're not playing.
I was going to buy a Pro but when I heard the 75th Anniversary Jazz which has the Vintera pickups, I was sold. And the half price factor didn't hurt either.
60th anniversary..but I really agree
Funny just did the same thing. I had the 1st series of the pro jazz and I loved it. Fast forward to now after combing through the market, the vintera really holds its own for the price point. Without the glitter and flash..
Those Vintera pickups are impressive.
How about an update with new offerings like the Squier Paranormal '54 J and Fender Gold Foil J bass and maybe a Player Plus J bass. I have all 3 and would love your take. Cheers from Utah
The American made instruments have neck contouring that has to be played to be appreciated. The tone difference is definite also.
CV 60 takes it away here.
Unfortunately I bought the am. pro 2.
The interweb taught me ONLY to go with my ears.
CV for the win here for rock & heavier styles; Vintera for jazz & 60s/70s pop.
Which one has the chunkiest neck? Thanks for the very informative and well done video!
Thinking about getting a cv 5 string
How did you get around the 60 cycle hum? Are you just facing the the right way? Noise gate in post?
I picked up a top end jazz about 4 years ago (I think) for around 2500$. It's the best sounding bass I've ever touched or heard lol. Idk if it's the opposite of a lemon, or the high end ones are just fucking incredible, but I played 3 of them side by side and the one I picked sounded better like it was in a class of its own. No two jazz basses are made equal it seems (in the jazz custom range). I like the active/passive toggle on it, but god Damn it's got like 6 different pots on it so it takes some time to tune in your tones. I also run like 4 dark glass pedals making things even more complicated lol.
Bet with dark glass that sounds terrific ?
This version of Affinity, if it's 2018-2020, have alder body. Poplar just on 2021 version, I think.
play all guitars in one position for different bridge the graphique screen in the equal vst i want to see one tone for all bass a.... the neck rose wood be different to maple thnks
Cory, I need to buy a small bass amp. Any suggestions?
It's amazing how good even the all sounded (Affinity included)....until you played the next one up. This proves that an ok bass with a great amp works better live than a great bass with an ok amp.
The fender vintera had a big gap in the neck pocket.
It's funny how ceramic pickups are supposed to be brighter and more powerful, yet the tone of the Affinity is the dullest and weakest of the bunch. Great review tho
corona calif. yes but is not made USA. it is assamble since more than its componets are made outside the USA. this is why the made in USA is no longer stamp rather Corona Calf.
All of them sound good