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| Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster |
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| Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster with Bigsby |
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| Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Precision Bass |
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| Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass V |
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| Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI |
Me, I'm a little peeved that they brought out this new version of the Bass VI which is far more faithful to the original than the Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI released earlier this year. The Squier also retails for under half of what I paid for the Pawn Shop version here in the UK.
I'm also very interested in the Cabronita Tele with Bigsby - at last an affordable Tele... WITH a Bigsby. How cool is that?
G L Wilson
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£264 for the cabronita tele. That's tempting.I thnk squiers these days are not far off in quality to at least the Mexican models. I got a Baja Tele A mate of mine got a Squier classic vibe and you can't tell them apart quality wise.
ReplyDeletesquier are really putting out some good models for the last few years, and these new additions really do look tempting, want ALL of them
ReplyDeleteAnother Bass IV brings up a question that's been bothering me about the Fender Pawn Shop Bass IV, and since you own one, maybe you provide your insights. A lot (a LOT) of the comments I've read online about the recent Bass IV stated that there were terrible intonation problems with the lower E string, with some people having to actually get the bridge moved. Have you had that problem at all?
ReplyDeleteAlan... (you mean Bass VI, by the way, not IV)... Yes, I've read various comments on forums about the intonation problems with the low E string. I know there have been replacement bridges manufactured by a third party to try to solve the problem. For myself, I haven't experienced it for a number of reasons. First of all, I haven't swapped the strings yet for a heavier set which is, I believe, when the problem starts manifesting itself. Also, I think it's only really noticable when playing high up the neck and this simply hasn't been an issue for me so far. Yes, the low E-string as it stands (.085 gauge, I believe) is a little flabby but it works for what I've been using the Bass VI for so far. (I do tend to play the higher strings a lot more).
DeleteI think also that some owners who are aware of the problem just let it bug them when really it is ignorable (i.e. how often are you really going to play the low E string high up on the neck?), so in the spirit of perfectionism they swap the bridge out, move it, or whatever. In my case, it works for me. When I get around to swapping the strings for a heavier set as I expect I will at some point, then I'll have to re-evaluate my position on this.
The Squier is, I believe, fitted with the heavier gauge strings. Perhaps we could ask our very own David as I know he's just gotten himself one.
In my limited experience dealing w/ intonation issues, too many of us become "adjustment happy". We're so enamored of our newfound ability to tweak, We.Just.Can't.STOP! "I think if I..?"
DeleteIt takes a bit of discipline to stop the cycle, catch your breath and stand back, if only for a week to allow the inst. to... self-adjust? If it's still really that noticeable, or someone [other than yourself} makes comment, then you can worry about it. Your local shop tech ( that does this for a LIVING ) doesn't agonize over such details. They don't have the time.
Too much complaining and they'll eagerly respond "It's within spec's". We read all about top player's pampering by hand picked set up guys and feel if we're going to get to that level we need the same. Truth is; they just have LOTS of guitars and the tech rolls the dice as to which is most likely to deliver, that NIGHT.
Gavin, for what it's worth, and I realize like myself, more artist than collector; but the difference down the road will be in re-sale value. You won't have to live w/ all the snubbing we long time Sq./MIM players have had to put up with!
My Squier Bass VI sixth string is a bit flabby to be honest but that only really affects it when you're playing very quietly or unamplified. The bottom strings do slap against the fretboard a bit if you hit it quite hard. But through the 30 watt marshall guitar amp, I keep in the office, it sounds pretty good and I haven't noticed any real problems. I'll be getting a Roland Bass Cube next week (thanks for the tip Gavin) So I can give it a bit more realistic test.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy with the strings that came with it so I don't see me changing them for a different gauge just yet.
There are a couple of videos online including this one from GAK in the UK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qblERL_-i1M and they have them for about €20 cheaper than I paid for mine.
Honestly, for the money, you can't go wrong. If you are a serious six string bass player, you'd probably want to go for something more dedicated to a more precise intonation, with a price to match. For guitarists, experimenters, dilettantes or just the idly curious, this could be ideal. I don't really see the point of spending 300 quid on a new guitar then adding another 300 quid's worth of upgrades to bring it up to the standard you wanted in the first place.
David
For inspiration, here's a clip of a Fender VI, that I came across:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWEGmUMdrVE