Squire Affinity PJ Bass vs 90's Japanese Fender PJ

[Ariel-X]

So I bought a Squire Affinity PJ bass the one with the precision and Jazz pickup layout which is the same as my old 1990's Japanese Fender Jazz Bass special. I just did an A/B comparison and the result is that I will return the new Affinity Bass.



The Squire had new strings on it whereas my Japanese one had strings that were boiled in hot water to try and liven em up. So advantage for the squire you would think. Here is what I noticed, The Japanese one had more low end, far better clarity and the notes sounded more 3D and together plus the mid range had a more forward tone to it, a nice grind on heavy gain settings. It was quite a huge difference, the squire sounded flat and the note definition through distortion was lacking. I was surprised at the large difference. The Japanese one also had more weight to it which I preferred. I dont like light weight instruments as there is no physical authority behind it when you play em.



Saying all that, the price point was great on the squire but if your looking for tone as priority then look elsewhere. I could replace the pickups but then I would have do some searching on sound shootouts of pickups. I also saw a youtube video of someone doing a similar shootout and I heard the same thing going on. I was surprised at the comments saying how much better the squire was- that is what you get when people listen on laptops of speakers with no low end. lol

 

[Gorn]

I think it's fair to say that a Japanese Fender jazz bass special is generally better than a Squier affinity in most ways.

But you didn't mention if you gave the Squier good strings and a good set up. If the bass is set up well and your amp is functional and you don't suck as a bass player, then the Squier is perfectly capable of sounding amazing.

 

[Ariel-X]

I did the set up which effects play-ability but not the actual pickup tone or wood resonance. Made sure pickups were set at the right distance etc. If I was a crap player then it would be the same crapabality on both basses wouldn't it I mentioned the squire had the advantage with a slightly newer set yet still didn't not sound as good. The Squire can sound fine but the Japanese was the clear winner and in the studio that makes a big difference. The Squire is incredible for the price point and played very well and I loved the neck on that thing. If that is a persons price point and budget then it would do fine

I think it's fair to say that a Japanese Fender jazz bass special is generally better than a Squier affinity in most ways.

But you didn't mention if you gave the Squier good strings and a good set up. If the bass is set up well and your amp is functional and you don't suck as a bass player, then the Squier is perfectly capable of sounding amazing.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Well, what year was the Squier PJ? I've got a 2016 Made in China that's great.

Keep in mind that the Squier Affinity PJ is a very solid base (yes, base) with mediocre pickups and stuff. It's a great base for modding, I'm just waiting for my Kalium strings to come in and then I will fully shield the bass and replace the pickups with Dimarzio DP126 PJ pickups. The flat tone you're hearing comes from the pickups, but they come with nice Fender strings already.

It's usually a given that when you buy a Squier Affinity of any variety, you swap the pickups. The tuners are fine, bridge is fine, knobs and pots are fine, frets are great, neck, etc. But it is not shielded AT ALL and the pickups are just meh.

Squiers, especially Affinitys, are very hit-or-miss, you can get a gem or a turd. It's just luck of the draw. They're quite literally a dime a dozen so you won't have a hard time finding another one to try out. They just made a new batch that are really nice though.

You saw that people praised the Squier's tone in that video, I guarantee you the guy replaced the pickups.

 

[Ariel-X]

I agree the squire is a solid base for changing out the pickups. It played like a million bucks. In the video was the stock pickups as I heard the lack of the deep lows compared to the fender. It had a bit of squacky mid range but flat sounding. I think people got fooled by the mid on that without being able to hear the full spectrum and note quality, It is important to moniter through a system that has a sub or speakers that extend low enough to show the whole body of the tone. The Squire I picked up played incredibly well. The issue is then trying to figure out what pickups replacements would equal the ones I have in my Japanese one. So I may just look for a second hand Japanese Bass.

 

[Gorn]

A Squier affinity certainly can be modded, but it really doesn't need to be. Good strings and a set up in the hands of a good player and I defy anyone to identify it as a stock Squier without looking. Yes the parts are cheap but that doesn't mean they're bad. A lot of people waste money on mods to either compensate for a lack of skill or because the placebo affect of improved tone after spending money, IMO.

 

[Ariel-X]

Gorn, good strings and set up and all things equal with the 2 basses will still reveal the same difference in tone. The Squires are fine basses for the price and I would recommend them as a good starter bass for sure,but they dont compare tone wise to the higher end ones. Even in the hands of a pro it will be limited by the electronics- just like a neve vs a mackie preamp. I play solid and even redo players parts in the studio when they cant cut it whether on bass or gtr. I produce full time so I know tone and how things sit in a mix etc

The issue is when you A/B you can clearly hear the difference

 

[GK Growl]

The Squires are fine basses for the price and I would recommend them as a good starter bass for sure,but they dont compare tone wise to the higher end ones. Even in the hands of a pro it will be limited by the electronics

I think I smell something.

 

[mdogs]

Gorn, good strings and set up and all things equal with the 2 basses will still reveal the same difference in tone. The Squires are fine basses for the price and I would recommend them as a good starter bass for sure,but they dont compare tone wise to the higher end ones. Even in the hands of a pro it will be limited by the electronics- just like a neve vs a mackie preamp. I play solid and even redo players parts in the studio when they cant cut it whether on bass or gtr. I produce full time so I know tone and how things sit in a mix etc

The issue is when you A/B you can clearly hear the difference

Dude, don't try to interject experience and qualifications into this argument, the Squire minions have spoken. Plus, everyone knows all the tone comes from your fingers...unless you play with a pick and then it comes the plastic...

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

A Squier affinity certainly can be modded, but it really doesn't need to be. Good strings and a set up in the hands of a good player and I defy anyone to identify it as a stock Squier without looking. Yes the parts are cheap but that doesn't mean they're bad. A lot of people waste money on mods to either compensate for a lack of skill or because the placebo affect of improved tone after spending money, IMO.

I only referred to replacing the pickups, and that a shielding job wouldn't hurt. Not sure how that means I'm compensating for a lack of skill...improved tone after replacing mediocre pickups with better ones is far from a placebo.

Dude, don't try to interject experience and qualifications into this argument, the Squire minions have spoken. Plus, everyone knows all the tone comes from your fingers...unless you play with a pick and then it comes the plastic...

Sorry, but this seems like a pretty useless post. Squier "minions"? Is that really necessary? People can't give their honest opinion on here without getting attacked, it seems.

 

[Ariel-X]

I think Mdogs was applying some humor to this Unless someone is claiming that the ultra pro bass player can make all pickups in the affinity line equal that of the higher end models by somehow making up for the lack of low end and different midrange tone with the magic in their fingers or pick. I think not of course. And tone is not just in the hands but the sum of all parts, Bass, pickups, amp type or DI etc.

 

[Ariel-X]

Question though, what pickups do you suggest to swap in? Anyone know how to find out what was installed in the Japanese Jazz Bass specials ? The precison/jazz combo set. I presume like all companies Fender is always changing the type or design of pickups and electronics.

 

[BusyFingers]

Affinity basses are the cheapest bass you can buy for a reason. Fender Japan is awesome! Some of the newer MIM stuff is getting really good, too.

 

[BusyFingers]

Question though, what pickups do you suggest to swap in? Anyone know how to find out what was installed in the Japanese Jazz Bass specials ? The precison/jazz combo set. I presume like all companies Fender is always changing the type or design of pickups and electronics.

Those Fender Japan pickups are probably pretty darn good. Maybe a fresh set of strings would help?

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Question though, what pickups do you suggest to swap in? Anyone know how to find out what was installed in the Japanese Jazz Bass specials ? The precison/jazz combo set. I presume like all companies Fender is always changing the type or design of pickups and electronics.

It's hard to give a definite answer without knowing what tone profile you are trying to get

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Well, if it really is a Squire, as you indicated many times, it's a knock-off.
Fender makes the Squier brand.

 

[Malak the Mad]

So I bought a Squire Affinity PJ bass the one with the precision and Jazz pickup layout which is the same as my old 1990's Japanese Fender Jazz Bass special. I just did an A/B comparison and the result is that I will return the new Affinity Bass.

It's almost an "apples to oranges" situation. I mean, I've owned some killer Squiers in the past, but Fender-Japan's craftsmanship is often, and quite rightfully, help up in direct comparison to a lot of American-made instruments.

If you're looking for some Japanese-made pickups from the nineties, you'll probably have to luck-out and stumble upon a set. In the meantime, you could more easily find a set of Fender Aerodyne pickups. They are from Fender-Japan and have been produced from the early/mid-2000's on through to today.

 

[BigJohnAZ]

I bought a Squier Affinity P/J a couple of years ago. I have Chromes on it and just installed a Babicz bridge a week ago. I really enjoy playing it. My Ricky is my baby, but I wanted something in the Fender line to put flats on and drop the tuning a half step to play along with those tunes and not have to retune the 4001 all the time. I will probably install nice pickups soon. For the money, I really like it. The neck is straight, the tuners are solid and fit/finish was spot on. Guess I am one of the lucky ones, but no matter, it's a solid bass.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Well, if it really is a Squire, as you indicated many times, it's a knock-off.
Fender makes the Squier brand.

But if Fender makes it, how can it be a knock-off?

The market is saturated with knock-offs of Fender products, but I've never considered a Squier to be one of them

 

[Killed_by_Death]

This is Mr. Squire:

He had nothing to do with Fender's Squier.