Great review. I have just bought one of these second hand although I don’t think it has been gigged. Basically I bought it to get myself back into bass playing as a couple of friends are asking me to do a few gigs with them. In the mid 70s my father bought me a fender jazz bass and fender bass man 100 amplifier which I gigged in his band with them for a few years. Wish I had not sold them in the late 80s. I also play six string and piano organ and now workstation which I use on our present days gigs. I couldn’t justify spending a lot of money at present on an American Fender but if I was to be doing more gigs as a bass player I would do. Your review is spot on. These instruments are playable but maybe lack the tonal variance and quality. I have subscribed to the channel.
@@martinhudson2552 Hi Martin thanks for your kind comments. It's great that you have returned to playing and I'm sure it will be worth doing. As for your 70s jazz bass, they attract high prices but others are arguably equally good. Nostalgia carries a premium. Good luck with your musical endeavours and thank you for sharing, it really helps. Best wishes Michael
@@michaelsguitarreviews at the time I thought the jazz bass over rated and the cabinet was a 4 x 12. I think a 2 x 15 would have been a better choice looking back. The bass and amp were new in 1975 and I kept them immaculate. As for build quality. Despite the ps bass being a fraction of the cost the quality doesn’t seem to bad at all. I am in the process of lowering the action as it is a little high. I also own a Squier Strat which I bought new in 2009. Not a bad guitar. My father has a 1970s American Strat and tbh to play there is little difference however the American Strat does have a fuller sound somehow. I can barely distinguish the sound difference through his 1960s AC30.
Great review!!!! 1.625 inches is the modern precision bass nut width, the original nut width was 1.75 inches or 44.4 mm , Fender made the change around 1975. If you were to get a Fender player series or American professional p bass now it is 1.625 inches. I have a Fender Vintera 50s p bass and it has the thicker vintage width of 1.75 inches, same goes for the American Original or Vintage ll.
Hello - thank you for taking time to do this video . I just purchased this same exact bass . ( I needed a back up bass for shows ). We do a few songs with drop D tuning and I got tired of tuning up and down on the same bass all night . Haha I’m lazy ! Anyway - I am really liking this bass . Sounds great and feels great . I already removed the stock strings and replaced with a set of Black Beauties ( now it looks even better against that white body ). They feel and sound a little better too . Here is my question: I want to replace the pickups with Seymour Duncan’s . Do you think it will sound even better or am I wasting my time and more importantly- money ??? Love to hear your thoughts . Thanks again 🤠
Hi and thanks for getting in touch. I'm pleased that you enjoyed the video, that's what makes it worthwhile as I enjoy sharing with fellow enthusiasts. Interesting question re the pickup change. I haven't any experience of pickup changes on these. I would recommend sourcing ideas from an online forum which might be better informed than I on this point. You say that with the string changes your bass sounds and plays great. I wonder whether maybe living with it a while might be an option and perhaps if you want a different sound maybe later looking for a change of pickups. What I have found is that there is such a wealth of effects available nowadays that sometimes it reduces the call for a change of pickup, but as with all of these things its very much a personal choice. Sorry if I'm waffling here but it's such a massive area to consider I wouldn't want to suggest something that might not work for you. I'll shut up now and go make a cup of tea. I really hope that you continue to enjoy and please do get back in touch should you decide on changing the pickups, I'd be interested in how you get on. Best wishes, Michael
@@michaelsguitarreviews Thank you for responding. Let me clarify . I may of misspoke . The strings that came with the bass were just ok . Little Tingy ( if that’s a word ). But when I replaced with these Black Beauties , it just felt better . A little smoother and more fun to play . I don’t think it improved on the sound but it sure felt like it . Haha 😂 Definitely looks cooler ( something about those black strings against that white body ). So now - the sound itself . Pickups of my choosing world be these Seymour Duncan’s . That definitely will add a better tone . But not necessary as you said . I have been practicing in my room using a Fender Rumble 40 watt amp . It sounds great . But tonight I will text it out on my Fender 500 amp . That amp has more choices to create your sound . I’m going to show up an hour earlier before practice just so I can play around with the amp . I might not have to make any changes at all . It’s already set for what I like anyway. It’s just good to know that there are options . The bass itself is really a great deal . You can’t beat that price !! When I think about the basses I’ve used back in the 80’s and 90’s , this Squire PJ blows them all away . And that is leaving as is - no modifications. I will let you know how it sounds after I install those SD’s . I’m very curious !! I’ll try to even make a video of the before and after . STAY TUNED 🙏♥️🤠
Hi thanks for the video i really enjoyed the video. These days all youtubers reviewing bass guitars cant even come to the point, screaming, trying to catch attention with doing absurd affects or things like that. this video was very helpful for me. I wanted to upgrade my bass which is very very cheap second hand bass that i bought to learn the instrument. I want to upgrade and i believe i am in still beginner-intermediate level. I recently changed my life and i dont have too much to spend on a bass right now. This bass looks fine for me to learn more about playing and also having some different tones ( which i believe in my bass journey i am in this point) I only doubt your comment about its in between a jazz and precision bass. Is there any bass you can recommend in this price range that i can feel some different tones. Also anyone who read this comment i would like to hear your opinions too.
Thanks for your comment which is much appreciated. A couple of basses that might be worth considering are a Peavey Millennium BXP (there are cheaper Peavey basses, but the millennium is impressive). Another is a Harley Benton Jazz bass which is very cheap to buy, but an excellent bass and surprisingly close in quality, playability and sounds to some much more expensive basses. I have reviews on each of these that might be of interest to you. Good luck with your search for your next bass and I hope that you continue to enjoy playing. Kind regards, Michael
I really enjoy mine (black with maple fretboard). At only £207, it's a perfect bass for dragging around from gig to gig without worrying about something happening to it. Odd assessment: I found it plays better at higher elevations.
I have an affinity strat. The original pickps sucked but those are easy enough to change. Otherwies nothina at all wrong with it. (Have had it 20 years)
Thanks for your message. I agree there are some impressive squiers (especially some early ones) and they are relatively easy to modify. Glad you've found a good one. Regards Michael
Thanks for your comment. Yes there is a bit of slap on this one, though it doesn't belong to me, but I will pass this on to the owner. Thanks again Michael@@licosaenz
