Fender Squier Series? What is it?
netsatan
I've just bought Korean Fender P-bass. There's a little Squier logo at
the end of the headstock ("Squier Series"), and I'm wondering - what is
that? Fender? Squier? S/N of the bass is CN330972. Can anyone explain me
what i've bought? :D
Cheers,
netsatan
Les Cargill
It's a P-bass. It's the AK47 of basses. My main
working axe is a '75 Pbass with EMG actives.
Squier and Affinity are Fender's reduced cost makes. They're made
in China or Indonesia, or someplace like that. So long
as the neck's not warped, they're fine instruments. The
hardware can take an upgrade, but you won't get any resale
out of an upgrade, only additional utility as a tool. Slap
a set of EMG actives on it and smile.
I will tell you this - until you get to the $1k and up "vintage"
Fender basses, *these* are the ones I would buy, because the
mid range ones all have some weird active tone controls that
are - IMO - badly designed. But people who buy new
basses usually like more knobs, so....
The only thing cheaper ( and these still work really
well ) are SX brand basses, which are also very good,
especially for the money.
--
Les Cargill
netsatan
Thanks, but:
I know what P-bass is, I've been playing bass for over two years now.
That one I have bought has big Fender logo, and small logo "Squier
Series" at the end of the headstock. Here's the photo:
http://www.torun.mm.pl/%7Etorunpany/allegro/fender/dscn5247.jpg
Can anyone tell me something about it?
Cheers,
netsatan :)
netsatan
> From the serial (CN330972) maybe Korean, made 1993?
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squier#Korean_Squiers
>
> also
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cort_Guitars
>
> What does the writing on the back of the headstock say? Can't make it out
> in your photo.
Yep, I know it's Korean. But i'm wondering about that "Squier Series".
Is it Fender, or not? Here's back of the headstock (dunno what for, but
here it is): http://www.torun.mm.pl/%7Etorunpany/allegro/fender/dscn5250.jpg
Cheers,
ntstn
JGN
Looks like my Jazz Bass does (Fender in big script, Squier series in small).
Serial number identifies it as mid-90's japanese.
(the fender website has a serial number search thingy)
Jose de las Heras
"netsatan" <kayb...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:gpnsli$ji0$1...@atlantis.news.neostrada.pl...
Yep, it's definitely a bass ;-)
(sorry!)
Jose
--
www.mcnach.com
www.myspace.com/purplenoise68
-
Current favourite guitar: Fender 'Sambora' Stratocaster
Current favourite bass: Warwick Corvette $$
netsatan
Ok, but maybe something I don't know yet? Here's e-mail from Fender
Consumer Relations Department:
Date: 5/4/1994
Model Name: Squier Precision Bass Left Handed
Model Number: 033-7420-(Color #)
Body: Hardwood
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood 12" Radius (304.8mm)
No. of Frets: 20
Scale Length: 34"
Width at Nut: 1.625" (41 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Vintage Style
Bridge: Vintage Style
Pickguard: 1-Ply White
Pickups: 1-Split Coil Precision Pickup
Pickup Switching: N/A
Controls: Master Volume, Tone, Tone
Colors: (506) Black, (558) Torino Red, (569) Pacific Blue, (580) Arctic
White
Strings:
UNIQUE FEATURES:
ACCESSORIES:
Source: KOREA
MSRP: $349.99
Specs:
So, I'm asking again: Squier Series? What is that? Regular Squier,
regular Fender, or something else?
Derek Tearne
> So, I'm asking again: Squier Series? What is that? Regular Squier,
> regular Fender, or something else?
It's an example of brand and market confusion.
If Fender themselves can't answer you question, how on earth do you
expect anyone else to.
It's a bass - manufactured by one of the many and varied tentacles of
the Fender corporation - these tentacles are so entwined no one can
really make sense of it - and this is quite deliberately so.
If you're asking "Is this the kind of Fender bass that will increase in
value over its lifetime allowing me to retire on the proceeds when I
sell it in mint condition in 40 years time" the answer is no. It is a
low budget version of an instrument that was always meant to be a budget
instrument.
If you're asking "Have I been duped" then it sounds like you probably
have - assuming you wanted something that your perceive to be 'Fender'
quality rather than 'Squier' quality.
Fender are masters of brand confusion - there are Japanese Squier basses
that are as good as anything Fender has ever made - there are Fender
branded basses that are really not very good instruments - and all
points in between.
As ever, you have to play a Fender/Squier bass to find out if it is any
good or not - it could be great, it could be crap - the logo alone tells
you nothing.
At the end of the day, though, the only thing that is really important
is "Does it play OK?".
--- Derek
--
Derek Tearne - de...@url.co.nz
Vitamin S - improvisation from Aotearoa/New Zealand
http://www.vitamin-s.co.nz/
J Stevens
> Jose de las Heras pisze:
>> "netsatan" <kayb...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:gpnsli$ji0$1...@atlantis.news.neostrada.pl...
>>> Les Cargill pisze:
>>>> netsatan wrote:
>>>>> Hi there,
>>>>>
>>>>> I've just bought Korean Fender P-bass. There's a little Squier logo at
>>>>> the end of the headstock ("Squier Series"), and I'm wondering - what
>>>>> is that? Fender? Squier? S/N of the bass is CN330972. Can anyone
>>>>> explain me what i've bought? :D
>>>>>
>>>
>>> I know what P-bass is, I've been playing bass for over two years now.
>>> That one I have bought has big Fender logo, and small logo "Squier
>>> Series" at the end of the headstock. Here's the photo:
>>>
>>> http://www.torun.mm.pl/%7Etorunpany/allegro/fender/dscn5247.jpg
>>>
>>> Can anyone tell me something about it?
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> netsatan :)
>>
>
> Ok, but maybe something I don't know yet? Here's e-mail from Fender
> Consumer Relations Department:
>
> Date: 5/4/1994
> Model Name: Squier Precision Bass Left Handed
>:
> Source: KOREA
> MSRP: $349.99
> Specs:
>
> So, I'm asking again: Squier Series? What is that? Regular Squier, regular
> Fender, or something else?
>
It's a Squier made by Fender.
Fender used to market the line as the Squier series (in small print on the
headstock) with a big Fender logo. This started in the early 80's
Then they switched to printing Squier in large print with a small "by
Fender" logo
Jay S
netsatan
Thanks. :) That is what I wanted to know. :)
Cheers,
netsatan
netsatan
Cheers,
netsatan
Phil W
> It's a Squier made by Fender.
> Fender used to market the line as the Squier series (in small print
> on the headstock) with a big Fender logo. This started in the early
> 80's Then they switched to printing Squier in large print with a small "by
> Fender" logo
I´ve seen such "Fender - Squier series" instruments (basses, as well as
guitars) during some periods in the last 10 years or so. From the price tag,
they´re probably rather Squier than Fender quality instruments. It´s some
kind of marketing thing. A big "Fender" logo looks better than a big
"Squier" logo... ;-) To whomever that might be wanting to be impressed with
"expensive" names rather than the actual quality of an instrument, this may
be important.
It doesn´t actually make your bass better or more valuable for a potential
resale.
If it´s a good playable bass, that you feel comfortable with, consider
exchanging the pickups with something real good and the bass´ value
soundwise will be improved. Active pickups will be a big improvement to the
stock ones - but good passive ones will also sound better. ;-)
Phil
John (NJ)
> It's a bass - manufactured by one of the many and varied tentacles of
> the Fender corporation - these tentacles are so entwined no one can
> really make sense of it - and this is quite deliberately so.
>
This bass was actually made by Cort, one of the two largest guitar
companies in the world (the other is Samick). Fender, Gibson
(Epiphone) and others outsource production to these two companies and
have their name placed on the final product.
Fender Squires from the 80's are now sought after by a segment of
players. Their quality is actually quite good. Perhaps in the near
future yours, if the quality is good, may also be in demand.
bassdu...@gmail.com
benj
I wonder what body wood it's made from? Mine is made from alder like all
the standard basses, but my Squire P/J (Indonesia) is made with Agathis
(pine).
Les Cargill
> On Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:18:10 -0800, bassdude0815 wrote:
>
>> Stumbled upon this while doing some research. I recently bought a 1995
>> MIM Fender Squier Series Jazz Bass because it was pretty unique. I did
>> quite a but of digging to learn some info about it. From what I can
>> tell, these basses were made in Mexico along side the Standard Series
>> basses and were meant to be better than the Indonesian or Chinese made
>> Squiers (since Korean and Japanese Squiers of that time are often
>> considered to be similar, if not better, quality than some Fenders). I
>> own a 2006 Standard Jazz Bass as well, and other than the 80s style
>> pickguard, they are essentially the same bass. The only differences
>> being the pickguard and the pickups on the SQ series are a little more
>> noisy, but I think that could be from age rather than quality. Overall,
>> the Squier Series basses can be considered a slight variation of a
>> Standard series. The quality is DEFINITELY much better than the modern
>> day Squiers.
>
> Interesting! I own a MIM 2002 Jazz but I've never heard of a MIM Squier.
MIA Strats. So I'd be unsurprised of the same were not true of J
basses.
> I wonder what body wood it's made from? Mine is made from alder like all
> the standard basses, but my Squire P/J (Indonesia) is made with Agathis
> (pine).
>
--
Les Cargill
Derek Tearne
> benj wrote:
>
> > I wonder what body wood it's made from? Mine is made from alder like all
> > the standard basses, but my Squire P/J (Indonesia) is made with Agathis
> > (pine).
> Agathis isn't pine.
Australis). One of my Wal basses has Kauri facings and a good friend of
mine owns an acoustic guitar made of Kauri by Laurie Williams -
http://www.guitars.co.nz
I'm kind of surprised that Indonesian Squier instruments use Agathis as,
as far as I can tell, most species are endangered or threatened - not
the sort of wood you'd expect to find in a low budger instrument.
The facings on mine, and the wood Laurie Williams uses (and other NZ
luthiers) is generally ancient/swamp Kauri - it's not a wood that is
commercially logged any more.
Vitamin S: improvisation from New Zealand http://www.vitamin-s.co.nz/
d'Groove: 12 piece party/covers band http://www.dGroove.co.nz/
Les Cargill
> Les Cargill <lcarg...@comcast.com> wrote:
>
>> benj wrote:
>>
>>> I wonder what body wood it's made from? Mine is made from alder like all
>>> the standard basses, but my Squire P/J (Indonesia) is made with Agathis
>>> (pine).
>
>> Agathis isn't pine.
>
> Indeed. Agathis is the family that our native Kauri tree is in (Agathis
> Australis). One of my Wal basses has Kauri facings and a good friend of
> mine owns an acoustic guitar made of Kauri by Laurie Williams -
> http://www.guitars.co.nz
>
> I'm kind of surprised that Indonesian Squier instruments use Agathis as,
> as far as I can tell, most species are endangered or threatened - not
> the sort of wood you'd expect to find in a low budger instrument.
>
grade mahogany". The trees look la lot like mahogany
trees to me. I have to wonder if it's the same thing as kauri.
http://gaskellguitars.com/downloads/77.html
This claims 21 species...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agathis
> The facings on mine, and the wood Laurie Williams uses (and other NZ
> luthiers) is generally ancient/swamp Kauri - it's not a wood that is
> commercially logged any more.
>
> --- Derek
>
>
>
>
--
Derek Tearne
> I expect there's more than one species. It's also called "commercial
> grade mahogany". The trees look la lot like mahogany
> trees to me. I have to wonder if it's the same thing as kauri.
reveals that they are threatened or endangered.
Although that doesn't seem to stop logging from occuring in some parts
of the world.
Perhaps there are species of Agathis which are abundant and sustainable,
but considering they are all from an ancient and generally slow growing
genus, I'd be mildly surprised - but I'm far from an expert on such
things.
I can say though, that although the gaskell guitars link suggests that
New Zealand Kauri is what is being used in 'cheap' guitars that is
absolutely not the case.
Laurie Williams guitars start at US$7000
(http://guitars.co.nz/pricing.html)
Langcaster guitars start at US$2400
(http://www.langcaster.com/Forsale.html)
RichL
news:1ky8kdn.2h2n3u1ioraaxN%de...@url.co.nz...
>
>> I expect there's more than one species. It's also called "commercial
>> grade mahogany". The trees look la lot like mahogany
>> trees to me. I have to wonder if it's the same thing as kauri.
>
> There are 21 species, but clicking on most of them in the wiki article
> reveals that they are threatened or endangered.
>
> Although that doesn't seem to stop logging from occuring in some parts
> of the world.
>
> Perhaps there are species of Agathis which are abundant and sustainable,
> but considering they are all from an ancient and generally slow growing
> genus, I'd be mildly surprised - but I'm far from an expert on such
> things.
>
> I can say though, that although the gaskell guitars link suggests that
> New Zealand Kauri is what is being used in 'cheap' guitars that is
> absolutely not the case.
>
> Laurie Williams guitars start at US$7000
> (http://guitars.co.nz/pricing.html)
> Langcaster guitars start at US$2400
> (http://www.langcaster.com/Forsale.html)
"The wood is commonly used in the manufacture of low priced guitars due to
its good resonating properties, yet relatively low price of production."
I wonder if they're referring to a specific genus?
Derek Tearne
particular species.
The species I am familiar with (NZ, Fijian and one of the Austrlian
ones) are very similar woods in many ways, so I'd expect them all to
have similar resonating properties. Although having said that, most of
the NZ Kauri (Agathis Australis) that is used in luthiery has spent tens
of thousands of years in a swamp - which has to affect its tonal
properties.
RichL
Jay S
wrote in message
news:b958703a-35db-4fcc...@googlegroups.com...
Fenders from that era.
I have heard the Squier Series (black Fender logo with "squier series"
written on the end of the headstock) were American necks and Bodies
assembled in Mexico using lower grade hardware and electronics.
Actually I've heard lots of different things, but general consensus seems to
be they are good quality and usually found for a deal because most people
think they are a squier rather than a Fender.
Jay S
Les Cargill
they are eligible to be made into cheap guitars.
--
Les Cargill
Les Cargill
>
>
> wrote in message
> news:b958703a-35db-4fcc...@googlegroups.com...
>
> Stumbled upon this while doing some research. I recently bought a 1995
> MIM Fender Squier Series Jazz Bass because it was pretty unique. I did
> quite a but of digging to learn some info about it. From what I can
> tell, these basses were made in Mexico along side the Standard Series
> basses and were meant to be better than the Indonesian or Chinese made
> Squiers (since Korean and Japanese Squiers of that time are often
> considered to be similar, if not better, quality than some Fenders). I
> own a 2006 Standard Jazz Bass as well, and other than the 80s style
> pickguard, they are essentially the same bass. The only differences
> being the pickguard and the pickups on the SQ series are a little more
> noisy, but I think that could be from age rather than quality. Overall,
> the Squier Series basses can be considered a slight variation of a
> Standard series. The quality is DEFINITELY much better than the modern
> day Squiers.
>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
> There is much information (mis-information?) rumors and myths about MIM
> Fenders from that era.
> I have heard the Squier Series (black Fender logo with "squier series"
> written on the end of the headstock) were American necks and Bodies
> assembled in Mexico using lower grade hardware and electronics.
> Actually I've heard lots of different things, but general consensus
> seems to be they are good quality and usually found for a deal because
> most people think they are a squier rather than a Fender.
>
> Jay S
>
>
Les Cargill
Ike Naar
> '90s Strats that said Squier were all MIM, and could be better than
> MIA Strats. So I'd be unsurprised of the same were not true of J
> basses.
Made in Aberdeen?
benj
> I dunno - they're not like pines, that are everywhere. No clue how they
> are eligible to be made into cheap guitars.
the southern hemisphere. The wood is indeed very similar to pine in feel
and characteristics. But at least some of it appears available enough to
use to make ships, boats and cheap guitars. (there are 21 species)
While apparently many luthiers seem to use it or even prefer it, my
personal experience is that while the wood is not especially bad, it's
not up to the quality of even my Fender MIM Jazz which is made of 9 or so
sticks of alder glued together. But I do like it better than say soft
basswood which to me gives a kind of rolled off tone unless specifically
compensated as in say the Bongo bass.
benj
Les Cargill
--
Les Cargill
Tim
rodvan...@gmail.com
benj
Squier is an import series of basses usually made in Indonesia and the
like. They are lower priced and sometimes of cheaper wood than higher
priced models. Back when, they were mostly regarded as inferior beginner
instruments. Today they produce some basses with amazing quality for the
money.
MIM-made in Mexico, is a step up and are labeled "Fender" and not
Squire. They are made in the Mexican factory and are quite good though
they may have bodies with more pieces of wood glued together than the
made in USA models.
Made in USA are the top of the line of factory Fender basses.They ae
usually excellent and expensive.
The absolute top of the line are Fender Custom shop basses. Get out wallet!
Gary Rosen
were considered the "inferior budget" line some of them were
excellent instruments. I have a Squier made in Indonesia in the
early 2000s I bought as an emergency/backup/jam bass and it's not bad.
Paid $160 for it, new (or almost, it was probably a store demo, came
with no case).
- Gary Rosen
"benj" wrote in message
news:581ba71a$0$55862$c3e8da3$3388...@news.astraweb.com...
tsch...@gmail.com
benj
means fast growing like sumac "trees" and other junk woods. Real
mahogany is a decent tone wood for instruments (My Alembic is mahogany
with a flamed maple top) but cheapo drumsets are made of Luan which is
sometimes called "Philippine Mahogany". It is the junk of all junk
trees. Commonly used for cheap closet doors. Cheap wood tends to soft
which means it dents easily and does not resonate well rolling off
highs. You may want that sound, and electronics can compensate (Bongo
bass is basswood) but in a passive bass it's not what I want. My Squire
PJ is agathis (a type of pine) and that is my main complaint about it.
I"d like it better if the wood were alder. But wood tonal differences
are minor. Another common cheap wood is "forced maple". They take maple
trees and hook sap pumps to them to force the growth and it makes a
fast-growing soft wood a lot like bass wood but you can still call it
maple to make people think it's a hardwood.
Les Cargill
> Cheap wood tends to soft
> which means it dents easily and does not resonate well rolling off
> highs.
Tight-grained woods on basses tends to move them towards Carl Thompson
or Alembic territory, where you're dependent on the electronics for the
tone.
> You may want that sound, and electronics can compensate (Bongo
> bass is basswood) but in a passive bass it's not what I want. My Squire
> PJ is agathis (a type of pine) and that is my main complaint about it.
> I"d like it better if the wood were alder. But wood tonal differences
> are minor. Another common cheap wood is "forced maple". They take maple
> trees and hook sap pumps to them to force the growth and it makes a
> fast-growing soft wood a lot like bass wood but you can still call it
> maple to make people think it's a hardwood.
guitars ( not necessarily basses ) are very cheap wood.
You really only notice trends in the wood used when you get to
acoustic instruments.
--
Les Cargill
benj
instruments, but still people care. A Dano is Masonite and still rocks.
So cheap doesn't necessarily mean bad. Tone is where you find it.
> You really only notice trends in the wood used when you get to
> acoustic instruments.
tsch...@gmail.com
- show quoted text -
instruments, but still people care. A Dano is Masonite and still rocks.
So cheap doesn't necessarily mean bad. Tone is where you find it.
> You really only notice trends in the wood used when you get to
> acoustic instruments.
I notice!
Then comes the aluminum-neck kramers, the plastic Status, Moses, Steinberger things.
They all sounded pretty good too..
benj
But sounding good is not sounding the same.
Les Cargill
<snip>
> Tone is where you find it.
--
Les Cargill
tsch...@gmail.com
But sounding good is not sounding the same.
And that can be a good thing....