3RD TIME (UN)LUCKY?! | Squier Contemporary Precision Bass [Review/Demo]
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- Опубліковано 18 лип 2022
- #squierbass #squiercontemporary #precisionbass
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I was stoked to hear Squier adding roasted maple to their line, just unfortunate the QC on these basses is not up to par because they look stunning. Excited to see your trip of the Fender Showroom!
Me too, I hope they're not all like this, but i did have problems with all 3 😪
I appreciated your honesty in this review.
Wow, what an experience. Mind blowing. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds great! I saw you sanded back that chip in the forearm carve. You may want to do what the custom shop does and brew some strong tea and stain it with the tea. I have heard this is what they do to their relics to make it look like natural playing. Great video and great playing as always.
Very informative. Thanks!
You're welcome!
Bought one from Chicago Music Exchange this week. They checked it out before they shipped it and did a setup on it. I have it and it’s awesome! No issues and the fit and finish is as nice as any MIM I’ve had (many) and as nice as some of the USA models. Changed out strings and adjusted the knobs ( few were wonky, little loose). I adjust knobs to where the set screws are facing up at my preferred settings. On stage you just look down and know where your at. Great bass for my first Squire!
So glad you had a great experience! 😁
Picked one of these up today from my local music shop, thankfully it was set up by one of the lads there, and I got plenty of time playing in before pulling the trigger. When these things actually work, boy do they work, immense sound, and really nice necks. Got it as a backup for my MM V7 for my metal band and I think it may end up dethroning it...
Awesome! So glad you got a good one 😄
Squier basses just need a little extra love when you buy one. I don't mind putting a little extra money in one if it means it's going to sound great. I just did that with my new jazz bass I got from Squier/Fender. New pickups, new electronics, and a new bridge along with a setup has it singing like a champ.
As far as yours goes, it kind of has that road worn look to it which I like
I'm still interested in seeing where this saga ends up... can't wait to see the showroom vlog!
Never ending story! 🤪
This is just a good honest review and I hope Squier gets it together. I stopped buying Squier products when I encountered issues with everything guitar or bass I’ve ever bought. And this is coming from a fender guy love the Mexican and American made stuff!
I feel like some things I'm okay with, but losing my patience with them a but, especially as the prices continue to rise! Thank-you 😊
Glad this one has continued to work for you. I'm wondering if this QC issue coming out of Indonesia is a wide spread thing right now. I had similar issues with ordering my Sterling Ray 34, made in Indonesia as well.
Seems like we're getting lots of Lemons! Harley Benton continues to impress though. Maybe they're trying to sell more Fenders!
I would rather think its a Fender Problem. I bought a Yamaha Bass and Ibanez Bass from Indonesia the last 2 years, no issues. The Gretsch Pickup thing makes me wonder if Fender maybe isnt really interested in their own Budget Gear.
@@angrywhiteman which makes no sense to me, that's probably their biggest market and gateway to introducing more players! 🥲
@@angrywhiteman i've tried sterling rays multiple times over the past few years and every one has had major qc issues. i have 2 chinese squier basses which are immaculate (affinity jag h and paranormal jazz 54) .. so i personally think indonesia is more of the problem based on experience
I purchased a Squier 40th Anniversary Gold Edition Jazz Bass directly from Fender. The first one came with two neck pickups that were muddy, the second came with a bad neck (broken truss rod and warped) the third finally came in perfect. Overall it took over two months to get rectified. Love the bass but might be the last Squier that I buy for awhile.
I have to say I really enjoyed a lot of The Squire products over the fender player series stuff but that being said I did own a contemporary jazz bass which I traded in very quickly the sound was so so and it was the heaviest bass I've ever picked up
Yes, the ash body of the J is heavy as hell...
The P's poplar is way lighter. Sound wise the J sounds warmer, fuller and a tad more mid-scooped while the P has more growl and is a bit more aggressive and in your face. As I found, the bridge PU on the P is about 15 mm closer to the bridge than on the J.
I just bought the jazz version of this five string so far so good. I have none of the problems he mentioned. Yet lol
I have the five string in HH config and I really like it. Neck feels great. Only issue is that it's quite heavy
If you loosen the lower grub screw on the stacked tone control you can lift it a fraction,1/2mm so it does not rub on the body,had to do it myself on a couple of bass's pot's...it does make a good road worn bass,a few strategic dings and a bit of scraping with the edge of a hard backed/ razor blade....though obviously not the neck..and it will look like you've gigged it for years...a good tone on the PJ pick-ups though i think your right a better quality 2 band eq would be better & give an even better tone....neat 🎸👍
Great video and hence the reason I overlook the Squires. If you can’t ensure someone’s hard earned money is being met with satisfaction, it’s not worth my time and grief. Hope you have better luck on the 4th man.
I've had some fantastic squiers too don't get me wrong, but this is super disappointing
Am watching the first 5 minutes I'd missed earlier during the premiere; Woah! More hassles also with *this* one! 😮 Now the video's title makes sense to me, too!
Such an adventure 😆
@@JonnyDibble - Good on ya for taking it all with humour! 😊
Man it might not work but it sure looks cool. Can you recommend similar looking basses?
I've had QC issues with squier too. I purchased a Sunburst classic vibe Jazzmaster brand new from the boxing day sales in 2021 and when I received it, the pickguard had deep scratches in it that went through the protective plastic and into the pickguard, the protective plastic and stickers were peeling off the pickguard, there were 2 large and ugly imperfections in the body wood on the see through part of the finish and black specks of paint under the see through finish. The retailer asked me to send it back and they would replace it, so I did and the guitar just vanished, the Australian postal service somehow "lost" it and it took around 3 months for the retailer and the postal service were finally able to negotiate a resolution and give me a refund. So after waiting a few weeks to find another one on sale for close to what I paid for the first one, I purchase a sonic blue one from a different retailer thinking that I wouldn't have issues with a solid finish like I had with a see through one, I finally get the guitar and open up the box and the finish on the body was fine.... Until I flipped it over and there was a large bubble in the finish on the back of the neck that was quite noticeable when you were playing, needless to say that one also got sent back too. So after close to 4 months of screwing around and waiting I ended up receiving 2 flawed/faulty guitars from 2 different retailers. Funnily enough I also bought a much cheaper Squier affinity telecaster deluxe at the same time as the second Jazzmaster from the same retailer and that arrived in flawless condition, despite costing almost half of what the Jazzmasters did. Definitely leaves me with mixed feelings towards Squiers, especially the higher end ones.
Man, that SUCKS! I think they've stepped up their cheaper ranges but have yet to do so with the classic vibe range. I was hoping these 2022 basses would be the first sign of the stepping up for this price range, but I'm not so sure
Does this bass work without battery in passive mode or is it has to be one constantly? I'm thinking about this bass but as passive mode only.
I really wanted to get this pbass V, but after the first two reviews and the QC issues I ended with a new Spector Pulse II 5. And I dont regret going overbudget!!!
Oh man, LOVE Spector!! 😍
nothing wrong with that, probably has a better b string, cheers
you really have to tighten the knobs by removing the pickguard and tighten the knobs and check that the preamp works well (these 2 aspects can cause problems even with an original and new guitar because the control has not been done well = small price, small efforts lol)
so I have 2 of the basses so I decided to resolve the problem by myself (to have a good guitar is like a lottery lol)
I'm sorry for your troubles on The Squier Contemporary series. I love my Contemporary HH Jazz bass. I have the Sweet Water Exclusive 4 string Jazz in Burgundy Satin. I really wish you could get your hands on a good one.
Oh that one looked beaaaautiful! I applaud Squier for always bringing out interesting gear
Sir, we have the same issues. Maybe contemporary series do have an electronic issues. At first it was good buy but then after a week. I thought I need to replace a dying 9v battery so I replaced it, then I tried to other bass amp and its same low sometimes high fuzzy-Fuzzy sound. Hey Fender what just happened?
Split between this or a newer affinity pj 4. I do miss 5 string actives was also eyeballing a spector legend standard 5 string
Thinking about getting mine from Sweetwater. After their pre shipping inspection it should be in pretty good condition. I hope. It does sound really good. First Bass so keeping my fingers crossed!
That's a great idea! At least you'll get one that definitely works and to a high standard. Hope you enjoy!!
Any luck?
@@balks yes. It arrived in perfect condition. plays sweet and someday I hope my abilities on bass are worthy of this quality of an instrument.
i keep seeing stuff like this....i have bought a squier 70s jazz bass, and now a contemporary jazz bass and never had an issue with either, in fact they are great basses
If you get a good one, you get a GOOD one. I've had loads of Squiers and really loved 90% of them. Can't say the same for these though based on my multiple experiences 🥲 Glad to hear you weren't so unlucky!
@@JonnyDibble I totally understand, I bought a epiphone 335 guitar and you wouldnt believe the horrors, like you i figured it was a one off, and sent it back for a replacement...it came in in worse shape than the first. I didnt order another one for years. a few years rocked on and I tried once more, now they are putting out great instruments. It all comes down to who is running the show.
I have a fender squier jazz bass hh, and that thing plays like a dream.
Can you speak to how different the models are? I’m curious.
Awesome! I've not played the HH unfortunately. Is yours a 5 string?
I'm getting the Squier Classic Vibe Jazz Bass V, very shortly.
I won't have to worry about active electronics, thankfully.
Nice one!
Had one, tons of fretbuzz. Returned to sender within a week
Is had two classic vibe 50’s p bass’s sent back during covid. Ended up buying a vintara
Oh no! That's quite the upgrade though haha
It is yeh, just had no faith in what squire were putting out. Were there no qc's going on etc
For the last 10 years I really wanted a high end fender jazz bass. During these years, I ended up buying 4 of them, and... returning 3 of them. All made from USA, top production. One pro, a pro II, an elite and finally a ultra. The 2 pro were BY FAR the worst since the second one had a completely messed up neck with some kind of convex bump in the upper frets. The pro 1 wasn't that great either with all the lacquer used for the maple fretboard all over each fret. The elite had some fret leveling problem also and would have needed a good fret dress.
So in the end I am a happy owner of an ultra Jazz 5, but at what cost? Instead of you I never ordered a replacement from any so I never discovered if I was just unlucky or Fender'QC is really that bad
Really not sure of buying anything else from them if I had to in the future if I had to buy another intrument
WOW. That's not what you should expect from any instrument over 1k!
I just got my squire jazz paranormal 54 in the mail. I had no issues
It was pristine.
Sorry you had so much bad luck.
I bought one slighty new off Reverb. Love the sound, but dont like the the feel of the strings, will switch out to maybe flatwounds or tape wrapped. The frets are sharp at the edges, emery cloth should take care of that. Not enough treble unless I use the eq control on the amp or pedal. Overall a great addition to my other bass guitars for $314.
I have three Squiers made in China that I bought sight-unseen online, and they were perfect out of the box. I bought two Squiers made in Indonesia, and they were complete crap that had to go right back to the shop (and really, never should have shipped). I won't buy any Squier instrument made in Indonesia ever again.
It's nice to see Fender reach out and follow up with you, but they've done frik-all for the rest of their customers that don't point out their shyt on UA-cam.
It actually sounds really good, and the two little string holder thing on the headstock is a nice touch. But i am still woried about its longevity :))) how will you mod it? :D
Yes that is a good feature! Preamp upgrade to start 😁
My only concern is finding upgrade pickups that don't need to be routed to fit that's a huge pain
@@ironblast5 Yeah, if you fck up the woodwork that bass is done :))
Great video Jonny. I appreciate the honesty despite the bribery from Fender. 😁 Clearly Fender have an issue here, hopefully they can fix the quality control gaps they have. I’m sure the next free bass they give you will be great……… 😂
Cheers Dave! Yeah hopefully, I'm so interested to see how the next one fairs!
I just got the MIM Jazz Bass Player in green burst and it had a sharpie slash marked on the third fret. A maple fretboard. Very noticeable. How does that even happen?? So dissapointing...
How is the neck? It sounds good. Im weary of squier 5 strings especially jazz necks because the strings "fall off" easily. Noticed on a vintage modified jazz 5. The p bass neck was fine.
By fall off I mean if you bend the low b or g string it will literally go over the edge of the neck.
No issues with strings slipping put of the nut, that's cut fine on mine. Neck just feels a bit dry!
Come on Jonny! Let’s see how you get on this time 😂
Quite the roller coaster 😅
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Bass & Wabbitz? I dig it. 🐰👍
Bass and bunnies is the best combo
Did Fender explain the cause for the two faulty basses? Was it something simple to repair?
They didn't actually explain, weird!
So glad I bought a Harley Benton instead. I've got their music man copy and its brilliant
Amazing! I'd like to check one out
Sounded great ...most of the time. I'm also not so sure about 5 string or active P's.
It's weird isn't it? There's just something a out a mid rangey low B that sounds farty to me
Such a shame that the QC is rubbish. You could possibly blame staffing issues due to Covid, so hopefully the quality will improve. I was fancying one to play Deftones covers on.
Maybe! I bet there's been a lot of new staff and higher turnover of staff. Are you able to try one in person? 😊
Wish you addressed the exact cause of the sound issue with the other 2 ..was it a wire not soilderd? Could I have fixed it easily without sending the bass back? What exactly was wrong with them
Could've been an easy fix, but not acceptable to reach the consumer like that!
@@JonnyDibble that is true, man.. I think I’m still gonna get one I’ve seen them being sold for 200 USD at some places so even if I did get a bad one it’s probably an easy fix anyway thanx for the replay man
Why dont you try sire p7 or yamaha bb735 if you want active pj bass ?
I really want a BB734 rn haha
That'so sad. I hope Squier will do something about it.
Indoor rabbits! ❤❤❤
I have the Squier CV late 50’s P bass and it is really good, I replaced the bridge to Fender hi mass and am planning on changing the pickup as well but the playability and overall feel is great
Awesome! 😁
So as a jazz bass owner, i never had issues with my contemporary preamp until i broke it, it could just be dodgy wiring tbh
I broke it by accidently ripping the preamp off btw
Longest 100 minutes of my life 🥲
😪😪😪
ive played a few of these and i have the chance to getting one online for a little over 200. its in good condition. should i do it?
I'd only buy one you've physically played, but for that price and if there's a returns policy, could be worth the risk if its the bass you want! 😄
Where in the U.K are you and do you own your own music store?
I'm near Bristol, haha I wish!!
I am not sure. But to my ears (And I am using my studio reference monitors watching this), but the lower bass notes seem to get drowned out if that makes sense. I.e. it is almost as if the lowest notes, the guitar is not capable of producing nice and clearly (as for example how James Jamerson's P Bass was able to get those nice deep, crisp, yet resonating deep notes)... Of which, again, to my lay ears, this sounds more like a jazz bass then a Precision, not sure if it that has to do with the strings or guitar itself. But that is my lay-take on this... Edited - as a member of the public, I really appreciate your very honest reviews, cause some folks might have actually been scared out of fear of hurting feelings or looking somewhat 'ungrateful' for their free gestures, and have felt obliged to only say nice things about this range of Precision Basses... The world would be a better place if politicians could be like that towards the companies that fund them.
Go away spammer.
Bought a Squier classic vibe 70s jazz bass and molded case in aug 2021. Put both in the corner until about two months ago 2/2023. Decided to add the bass in my rotation. Bass was unplayable outta the box. Terrible bow in the neck, fret edges painfully rough, terrible fret buzz. Shockingly low pickup output and a terrible buzz that can only be stopped by unplugging the guitar. Set up the bass and find out it has multiple high frets, loose frets, nut wasn’t glued and every screw was loose. Fender was no help. 120 mile trip to a fender authorized repair center for the tech to confirm everything I already knew and say he was too backed up at the moment for repairs. Glad they took care of you. I’m out $500 for a bass that’s only useable as firewood.
QC aside. Continuous shipping damage is a symptom of today's world. You won't be able to order a square foot of bubble wrap without damage. Complaining aside. Great videos. Keep on keeping on man
Yeah, things need to be double boxed! Thanks very much! 😄
Hey dude, I wanted the same guitar (not because of you ) so I bought
and I know some people (like you ) had problems with the electronics but the design +elements were good - amazing
si bought it but the preamp knob can move itself ! it had to be tighten
and the strings were too high (the action was high vs what Squier wants-says in the manual)
so come back to the shop for a new guitar (the same and if I have another problem I will buy the Yamaha bb735)
Yamaha is a great company (no need to pay a lot of money to have great products)
Sucks to hear you've had some quality issues too! Setup issues put the box I can forgove as I normally give mine a bit of a setup when I have it, but the BB735 will be a big upgrade!
I don't remember when Squier had a good QC reputation. Sire is a no brainer, never had even small problems
You don't remember but I do : in the early 80s when the original MIJ Squier models were issued.
Sold my Squiers and switched to Sire, Cort and a fretless Harley Benton
Great alternatives!
Bass & Bunnies! Low End Leporids! Rythmic Rabbits!
All better names for my channel 😝
Looking into one of these but as a fellow bunny 🐰 parent, i forgot what i was doing here because bunnies.
Lucky guy
Super grateful for that free bass!
Hmm, that’s a shame you had to deal with all of that, by the look and pickup config seems like a great bass, but I’d probably go with sire or Harley Benton, sorry fender step that QC up guys!!
I reviewed the Enhanced Jazz bass a year or two ago and fit and finish was fantastic! Sire are the ones 👌
@@JonnyDibble I agree! There doing great things!
i got one of these, worked for a couple of days then it farted out of life like your 4string models. new battery did nothing. then a couple of weeks later i popped the new battery back in and it miraculously worked again. reeeeally strange issues with this one...
...oh and when i pulled the old battery back out again it leaked fluid all over the battery box. anyone who has one, get rid of that original battery ASAP.
Jeeeez! So strange. I tried several batteries in both bad ones and the issue persisted. Interesting to hear I'm not the only one!
I'm forever scared ordering and sending back a Geddy Lee Jazz bass twice, till I finally gave up and took the refund. And I'm not a picking person(no bass pun intended 🤣). They just couldn't get the neck right.
Oh noooo. Not a cheap bass either! What was wrong with the neck?
@@JonnyDibble Both times the neck was warped and the truss rod did nothing. I tried lowering the bridge, shimming the neck, etc. Nothing worked. I went online and found out it was a common issue with that bass. It forever turned me off to Fender basses, and any bass with the truss rod adjustment at the bottom of the neck. I got an Olympic White Gibson Les Paul bass with bartolini pickups on ebay and never turned back! 😆
It looks like Sq are not upping their game at all. They are going the other way!
Tbh its just those active contemporary series, I haven't had issues with any other squier bass personally 🤷♂️
@@phipschi4255 Yes I have a 96 jazz and an infinity p, and they are fine.
Had a 70's classic vibe... TONS of fretbuzz. It was terrible.
@@lou3567 Oh Dear!
Like for the house rabbits. I'm a rabbit man myself.
Fender dropped a whoopsie not once, not twice but 3 times… owch 😬
Whoopsie doopsie
Man that’s a sad story. From what I can hear I really like the bass, and I love Fender and Squier, but with three of them not even working someone can get the american Fender in a regular shop. But this has no point at all.
I'd like to say I was just unlucky, but 3/3 with QC issues isn't a good look 🥲
@@JonnyDibble Some days ago a was in a local shop to get some strings and I noticed the salesman is unboxing a couple of Squier basses, one of them being the Cont J bass. I ask them if I could try one out. The tone was muddy, zero clarity and super low output. I was not expecting that tone with 2 active humbuckers and I asked the salesman. He told me that was the second instrument they ordered because the first one didn't work at all, nothing was coming out when plugged in. So also the shops are gettin' trouble with this instruments.
@@francescovelludo8398 sad to hear its the same across the board! 😓
Straight up out of the box...Yep... From all of the problems you've had just getting one there, (a-hemm) it doesn't surprise me it sounds like you're slapping while picking & that fret buzz...buzz..buzz...buzzzzz...
Dry neck? The oil from your hand will fix that
Wow.. this bass is very underwhelming, and I'm a Squier believer (probably owned near a dozen). Bummer.... Love the review though!
I too am a believer, which is why this breaks my heart a bit 🥲 Thank-you!
I don't play bass enough to go out and buy one.
Remedy: play more bass 😇😈
B sounds a bit average, but the bass sounds nice.
Need that B to feel like you've been slapped with a brick
Kinda just seems like a wannabe schecter stiletto stealth
The world went mad when they stuck a 5th string then 6th….. the nonsense of lead base players!! They just need a guitar and get over it!
Wot 😆