Squier is one that I would absolutely recommend trying before buying, and I would absolutely avoid any active Squier. Fender doesn't do a very good job with actives and that extends to the Squier's IMO.
Try before you buy for sure. Idk about the actives though. They got their own thing going on. It’s not outstanding. But not off putting. Kinda like a steak at Texas Roadhouse. It serves the purpose in it’s price point.
I had this same bass for years. I ended up selling it to my brother not long ago. Bad idea, I may end up buying it back. Such a nice bass for the money. Great platform for mods if thats your thing as well. Enjoyed the video
I bought one a couple of years ago because I needed a five string for a few songs. I think it is a quality bass for the money. It looks good plays and sound great.
This is a great bass for the money but I like the Natural Finish more than the Black one because it has a Soft Maple body. I don't recall if this was mentioned but this bass features 70's pickup spacing like on the Geddy Lee Signature and American Original 70's.
Judging by the availability point I'd take a guess a Sire passive would be the choice he'd make. Still, I own a 4 string version if these basses and it os more than ok for a practicing/noodling bass to have next to your desk or a beater to take out to gigs. It gets the job done.
@@Therealchuckbailey Pretty good. I use a CV Telecaster with a few mods, it's solid and reliable. The same with my fretless Jazz.I do occasional gigs with friends in local pubs - not the sort of place I want to take expensive guitars and the Squiers are excellent for that. and they actually record well too.
I know this may rattle the haters but 🤣 This bass a few years ago would had been an incredible bass and not to knock it, it's still pretty cool now... But when you consider other and upcoming brands like Sire with the Marcus Miller active and passive range and at the same price tag, if not cheaper and more features actually aimed at bassists. I'm kind of disappointed with Squier and other sub brands of the Fender family for producing 5 string basses with such weak B strings that 'buzz' more than ring. I hope I'm not alone 😅
For Bass Channel or anyone knowledgeable in the comments. What would be a good budget ($300 - $500) p-bass for hot-rodding/up grading? Up grading in form of better pick-ups, hi-mass bridge, hip shot drop tuning machine/key. Or would I be better off spending more up front and get an $800 to $1200 Fender p-bass.
@@TheBassChannel True, but I'd avoid the ones with the soft maple body. That maple is VERY soft (it doesn't take screws well) and is very light so it feels neck heavy.
I want one of these with p pickups swapped in. Searched for years for the tone I hear in my head and it turns out the sound I hear is a dual P pickup five string bass.
I love the look of these basses, but I've been consistently hearing bad things about them. The two that are for sale in my area both have busted truss rods
Like all assembly line basses there are gonna be QC issues and one or two being bad isn’t a guarantee all will be. I’m open to try another CV model but this particular one wasn’t for me. Not when I know there are brands out there like Sire that are essentially great out of the box or if you’re going the Mod route Harley Benton is a great starting point also.
black with maple fretboard is my favorite combo. Also I gigged with a squier affinity bass for about a year it never let me down. Also to critique the review you can't have a video that is 6 minutes long and be so critical stating " i would reccomend you buy something else" without a reason WHY or what exactly you would recommend instead. this was a very long review that did not give much specifics. Please take this one down and go back to the drawing board and give us a review with more substance. Don't tell me you don't like something without a reason why.
they’re not bad! People in the comments are raising pitchforks and torches saying this was a harsh review. I think for $500 a bass at a minimum should meet certain requirements. Playability, tone, ergonomics and versatility. I hold any bass that I play to those standards. I just didn’t think this bass held up by comparison and the money to change the stuff out I didn’t like puts me in a position to get a better sounding bass without changing everything! I think I messed up by not saying more than just Sire in the video but honestly they’re one of if not the best company for basses in that price point I’ve seen. This CV wasn’t the ticket for me… I’m not gonna lie to people or sugarcoat how I felt about it cause there is a Squier Fan Club in the comments section with nothing to do. If anything they should be with me on this! Let’s stop letting companies off the ledge cause it’s a “cheap bass” and that’s what we’re told to expect. Sire proved that wrong. We can get great quality instruments for that price range and there’s no reason we should settle. I am a huge Mod Nerd and absolutely love swapping and changing parts on basses but for the people that keep saying “it’s a good starting point you just have to change out the bridge, tuning gears, pickups, preamp, etc.” yo… add that all up and see what you’re in to it and then look at the price range of basses you COULD have gotten! That was the point I was trying to make in this video… be patient and wait a little longer unless your intention was always to change everything out… to which I would ask… why did you get it then? I don’t think we will be taking it down. I encourage you if anything perhaps make a followup video and touch on everything I neglected or did wrong and please tag me in it! I would love to see it. Apologies if I did not convey the “why” behind my feelings better in the video… I thought I did but again I am sorry that was not the case for you. I think again we as bassists deserve a quality instrument that we should not sacrifice so much for to hit a $500 mark. It isn’t fair and that CV perhaps was just a dud and maybe… the other Squier instruments in the line are better… idk but I’m happy to check them out! I think Sire is better for quality and bells and whistles for that price point personally and you can mod it easily. Harley Benton is cheaper still and ideal for modding. Whatever you get just be happy and don’t go into buyers remorse cause as musicians it’s terrible but as bassists it’s just damn expensive lol. Take it easy Bass Racer and thanks for watching!
@@Therealchuckbailey i'm with ya buddy you 100 percent gave your impression of the bass I understood how you felt about it. But to me this did not feel like an actual review. " You can do better for the money" is a valid criticism but just wish we had more specifics. what could be improved?
@@BassRacerx I thought I conveyed that but perhaps I could have gone into better detail. My biggest problem with it was how weak the low B sounded. It came with sharp frets, the tuning gear ratio seemed off and aside from its aesthetics it did not appeal to me sonically in the slightest. Apologies and I can assure you the next Take 5 will leave you without issue regarding validated criticisms. Thanks again
Did this come off a tad elitst or is it just me? I'd probably go for something different myself but damn, 500 bucks aren't chump change and "mowing more lawns" to get "a few hundred more" isn't exactly feasible for A LOT of people in today's conditions. I don't know man, this whole "review/tirade" I just found misplaced. At least Josh's playing was nice.
All we can do is to be honest about our opinions on these things, and sometimes they aren't amazing - either straight up bad or maybe just don't feel like the money matches the instrument. I recently shot reviews of two shorties approximately the same price (videos aren't out yet) but one of them being a custom job and the other being a production bass made me evaluate the price a bit differently between them, even though both were good instruments. I'm surprised you found this one tirade-ish, though.
@@davedixon2167 don't know man, came off this way. To me, at least. Considering past reactions to many other gear thingies reviewed, this surprised me as well. And to be clear, it wasn't the opinion. I'm kinda on the same page about that. But the last part did come out just... wrong, I don't know. Maybe it's different in the states but over here, 500 (euros) is just a tad shy of the minimum wage and considering lay offs, sky high taxes on everything etc. that comment really seemed quite misplaced. Nothing personal.
Not the intent at all. More tongue in cheek than anything as I’ve seen it so many times for so many years. Your focus is on the wrong part though… I’m drawing attention to something so many musicians fall to and that’s impatience. I want to bring focus to SAVING your money to get something better. I tried to bring some levity to it with the “mow more lawns thing” cause years and years ago that was how I had to pay my dad back when he fronted the money for me to get my first bass. It comes from a combination of nostalgia and intended lighthearted humor. We as bassists think quantity over quantity far too often and I was guilty of that too. I decided to sell many of those off and SAVE that money for basses that were better for me. I’ve touched on this in previous videos and that’s the “investing in one’s self” with respect to instruments. It’s a hefty investment and not for everyone but I promise that once you get out of that cyclical approach to buying lots of cheaper basses and learn the patience necessary to hold off a little longer and invest I. Your happiness with higher tiered instruments you will always be happier you did. Sorry for your interpretation but I’m a blue collar Shlub that does this for free, works a 55+ hour work week with a mortgage, kids and bills like most. It can be completely feasible if we truly want it to be. There’s no timeline we absolutely have to buy an instrument… we have to do what we can do. Tirade though… not hardly. Thanks for watching just the same… even if it was solely for Josh cameo of playing wizardry.
I think it would have been nice had they mentioned those better basses around that price point. What's out there is thin. Also, these are excellent modders if you like how they feel (totally fine to me). Get a better bridge (doesn't even have to be a Hipshot), find a good deal on better pickups, it will put a MX Fender to shame. The tuners on these are fine. I did find the review overly harsh. I think the CV series instruments are pretty nice if you're looking for a more classic instrument. All that said, I've modded two Harley Benton basses in the last couple weeks, one for a friend and one for myself, and they're most definitely worth a look over Squier, especially if you are up to putting $100-150 worth of mods in. Shockingly nice builds for $122 or less (plus shipping).
Squier is one that I would absolutely recommend trying before buying, and I would absolutely avoid any active Squier. Fender doesn't do a very good job with actives and that extends to the Squier's IMO.
Try before you buy for sure. Idk about the actives though. They got their own thing going on. It’s not outstanding. But not off putting. Kinda like a steak at Texas Roadhouse. It serves the purpose in it’s price point.
I had this same bass for years. I ended up selling it to my brother not long ago. Bad idea, I may end up buying it back. Such a nice bass for the money. Great platform for mods if thats your thing as well. Enjoyed the video
Wow, that low B is surprisingly good!
I bought one a couple of years ago because I needed a five string for a few songs. I think it is a quality bass for the money. It looks good plays and sound great.
This is a great bass for the money but I like the Natural Finish more than the Black one because it has a Soft Maple body. I don't recall if this was mentioned but this bass features 70's pickup spacing like on the Geddy Lee Signature and American Original 70's.
I slapped some Seymour duncan quarter pounds in mine. I love it. Great bass.
Judging by the availability point I'd take a guess a Sire passive would be the choice he'd make. Still, I own a 4 string version if these basses and it os more than ok for a practicing/noodling bass to have next to your desk or a beater to take out to gigs.
It gets the job done.
I have the 4 string version of this and I'm converting it into a Budget Geddy Lee Jazz Bass.
At that price I'd go for Sire - but you can get a Squire CV or Contemporary second hand for a lot less. That's when the Squire makes sense.
How did you like those other model Squiers? Any good
@@Therealchuckbailey Pretty good. I use a CV Telecaster with a few mods, it's solid and reliable. The same with my fretless Jazz.I do occasional gigs with friends in local pubs - not the sort of place I want to take expensive guitars and the Squiers are excellent for that. and they actually record well too.
Have you tried out the Squier Paranormal Basses? Such a steal for the money!
No! I’ll look into them! Thanks!
I think I’d take the sire just because of the preamp options. These seem great for the value tho
A $500 dog chew toy is not cheap lol
By comparison to other options $500 isn’t terrible but yea it’s not terribly cheap but cheaper per say
In Brazil, the value of this bass is almost a price of a popular used car..
Wtf really???
kind like in argentina xD
@@Therealchuckbailey sadly yes..
unfortunately yes...
I know this may rattle the haters but 🤣
This bass a few years ago would had been an incredible bass and not to knock it, it's still pretty cool now... But when you consider other and upcoming brands like Sire with the Marcus Miller active and passive range and at the same price tag, if not cheaper and more features actually aimed at bassists. I'm kind of disappointed with Squier and other sub brands of the Fender family for producing 5 string basses with such weak B strings that 'buzz' more than ring. I hope I'm not alone 😅
You are not... :)
For Bass Channel or anyone knowledgeable in the comments. What would be a good budget ($300 - $500) p-bass for hot-rodding/up grading? Up grading in form of better pick-ups, hi-mass bridge, hip shot drop tuning machine/key.
Or would I be better off spending more up front and get an $800 to $1200 Fender p-bass.
The Squier Classic Vibe is a great mod platform.
@@TheBassChannel True, but I'd avoid the ones with the soft maple body. That maple is VERY soft (it doesn't take screws well) and is very light so it feels neck heavy.
Sire! In fact that will be an upcoming video hopefully more sooner than later but parts are super hard to come by
They WERE garbage, Fender beancounters finally had their say on production.
Paid out.
I want one of these with p pickups swapped in. Searched for years for the tone I hear in my head and it turns out the sound I hear is a dual P pickup five string bass.
A pj bass has more low end foundation
Sounds like a lot of Squier bias still
I love the look of these basses, but I've been consistently hearing bad things about them. The two that are for sale in my area both have busted truss rods
Like all assembly line basses there are gonna be QC issues and one or two being bad isn’t a guarantee all will be. I’m open to try another CV model but this particular one wasn’t for me. Not when I know there are brands out there like Sire that are essentially great out of the box or if you’re going the Mod route Harley Benton is a great starting point also.
Just get the sire V5 or the V3
black with maple fretboard is my favorite combo. Also I gigged with a squier affinity bass for about a year it never let me down. Also to critique the review you can't have a video that is 6 minutes long and be so critical stating " i would reccomend you buy something else" without a reason WHY or what exactly you would recommend instead. this was a very long review that did not give much specifics. Please take this one down and go back to the drawing board and give us a review with more substance. Don't tell me you don't like something without a reason why.
they’re not bad! People in the comments are raising pitchforks and torches saying this was a harsh review. I think for $500 a bass at a minimum should meet certain requirements. Playability, tone, ergonomics and versatility. I hold any bass that I play to those standards. I just didn’t think this bass held up by comparison and the money to change the stuff out I didn’t like puts me in a position to get a better sounding bass without changing everything! I think I messed up by not saying more than just Sire in the video but honestly they’re one of if not the best company for basses in that price point I’ve seen. This CV wasn’t the ticket for me… I’m not gonna lie to people or sugarcoat how I felt about it cause there is a Squier Fan Club in the comments section with nothing to do. If anything they should be with me on this! Let’s stop letting companies off the ledge cause it’s a “cheap bass” and that’s what we’re told to expect. Sire proved that wrong. We can get great quality instruments for that price range and there’s no reason we should settle. I am a huge Mod Nerd and absolutely love swapping and changing parts on basses but for the people that keep saying “it’s a good starting point you just have to change out the bridge, tuning gears, pickups, preamp, etc.” yo… add that all up and see what you’re in to it and then look at the price range of basses you COULD have gotten! That was the point I was trying to make in this video… be patient and wait a little longer unless your intention was always to change everything out… to which I would ask… why did you get it then? I don’t think we will be taking it down. I encourage you if anything perhaps make a followup video and touch on everything I neglected or did wrong and please tag me in it! I would love to see it. Apologies if I did not convey the “why” behind my feelings better in the video… I thought I did but again I am sorry that was not the case for you. I think again we as bassists deserve a quality instrument that we should not sacrifice so much for to hit a $500 mark. It isn’t fair and that CV perhaps was just a dud and maybe… the other Squier instruments in the line are better… idk but I’m happy to check them out! I think Sire is better for quality and bells and whistles for that price point personally and you can mod it easily. Harley Benton is cheaper still and ideal for modding. Whatever you get just be happy and don’t go into buyers remorse cause as musicians it’s terrible but as bassists it’s just damn expensive lol. Take it easy Bass Racer and thanks for watching!
@@Therealchuckbailey i'm with ya buddy you 100 percent gave your impression of the bass I understood how you felt about it. But to me this did not feel like an actual review. " You can do better for the money" is a valid criticism but just wish we had more specifics. what could be improved?
@@BassRacerx I thought I conveyed that but perhaps I could have gone into better detail. My biggest problem with it was how weak the low B sounded. It came with sharp frets, the tuning gear ratio seemed off and aside from its aesthetics it did not appeal to me sonically in the slightest. Apologies and I can assure you the next Take 5 will leave you without issue regarding validated criticisms. Thanks again
Give me an SX..(I Know, Laugh..LOL!)😜😜
😬..... a 5 string!
Oh no! I don't agree with them.
Did this come off a tad elitst or is it just me? I'd probably go for something different myself but damn, 500 bucks aren't chump change and "mowing more lawns" to get "a few hundred more" isn't exactly feasible for A LOT of people in today's conditions. I don't know man, this whole "review/tirade" I just found misplaced. At least Josh's playing was nice.
All we can do is to be honest about our opinions on these things, and sometimes they aren't amazing - either straight up bad or maybe just don't feel like the money matches the instrument. I recently shot reviews of two shorties approximately the same price (videos aren't out yet) but one of them being a custom job and the other being a production bass made me evaluate the price a bit differently between them, even though both were good instruments. I'm surprised you found this one tirade-ish, though.
@@davedixon2167 don't know man, came off this way. To me, at least. Considering past reactions to many other gear thingies reviewed, this surprised me as well. And to be clear, it wasn't the opinion. I'm kinda on the same page about that. But the last part did come out just... wrong, I don't know. Maybe it's different in the states but over here, 500 (euros) is just a tad shy of the minimum wage and considering lay offs, sky high taxes on everything etc. that comment really seemed quite misplaced. Nothing personal.
@@GreekDude All good, just was surprised you felt that way
Not the intent at all. More tongue in cheek than anything as I’ve seen it so many times for so many years. Your focus is on the wrong part though… I’m drawing attention to something so many musicians fall to and that’s impatience. I want to bring focus to SAVING your money to get something better. I tried to bring some levity to it with the “mow more lawns thing” cause years and years ago that was how I had to pay my dad back when he fronted the money for me to get my first bass. It comes from a combination of nostalgia and intended lighthearted humor. We as bassists think quantity over quantity far too often and I was guilty of that too. I decided to sell many of those off and SAVE that money for basses that were better for me. I’ve touched on this in previous videos and that’s the “investing in one’s self” with respect to instruments. It’s a hefty investment and not for everyone but I promise that once you get out of that cyclical approach to buying lots of cheaper basses and learn the patience necessary to hold off a little longer and invest I. Your happiness with higher tiered instruments you will always be happier you did. Sorry for your interpretation but I’m a blue collar Shlub that does this for free, works a 55+ hour work week with a mortgage, kids and bills like most. It can be completely feasible if we truly want it to be. There’s no timeline we absolutely have to buy an instrument… we have to do what we can do. Tirade though… not hardly. Thanks for watching just the same… even if it was solely for Josh cameo of playing wizardry.
I think it would have been nice had they mentioned those better basses around that price point. What's out there is thin. Also, these are excellent modders if you like how they feel (totally fine to me). Get a better bridge (doesn't even have to be a Hipshot), find a good deal on better pickups, it will put a MX Fender to shame. The tuners on these are fine. I did find the review overly harsh. I think the CV series instruments are pretty nice if you're looking for a more classic instrument.
All that said, I've modded two Harley Benton basses in the last couple weeks, one for a friend and one for myself, and they're most definitely worth a look over Squier, especially if you are up to putting $100-150 worth of mods in. Shockingly nice builds for $122 or less (plus shipping).