I think this is my problem with him….
Let’s assume he knows a good bass from a bad bass, then he would know what is a quality issue Vs a design flaw Vs a setup issue etc. he doesn’t seem to know these things. If adjusting a pickup can/would/does change his reviews, then he isn’t qualified to review them.
or worse still, he knows these things and realizes them but still gives bad reviews for publicity sake. I realize he may be doing this for shits and giggles, but I bet you there’s a lot of YouTubers or subscribers that take him seriously. either way after my initial infatuation with his channel, as I learned more about bases and bass playing, I think that I’m trusting his channel less and less. that said I still enjoy his content and I do enjoy hearing all the different bases that otherwise I would not have a chance to hear.
I enjoy his content too, but also take it with salt.
I want to like his channel, but when the info he provides is this spotty and dubious, I simply can’t.
Lobster likes quirky basses and MusicMan lucky fit me I like quirky basses and MusicMan basses. I only like 1 out of 5 mod videos he made.
I’m with @Wombat-metal on this. As he said earlier in the thread listen to the tones, ignore the pyjamas and make up my own mind.
He does demo a lot of basses that I don’t see elsewhere.
I kind of wish Tyler Spicer would review more basses.
But what the hell are we supposed to do with the cat? And the beard?
Agreed, he was really objective but it seems he has other life goals now.
This goes for any YouTuber. You have to remember that the main goal is always getting more views. For example Glenn from SMG has been bashing Gibson for the last few weeks because those score a lot of views.
Well, either that or Gibson deserved a lot of bashing. You never know with Gibson 
I am buying an FGN sight unseen and shipping it from Japan, not worried. I would never do that with a Gibson, too risky
Yeah, they make some great instruments, but I would never mail order one.
Is anyone familiar with Blue Book of Guitar Values?
Given the age of this thread I’m certain the question has been asked and answered before but for sheer ease of making the upgrades and overall value I’d start with a Squier Classic Vibe.
Most of the available bridges and pickups one would use for upgrading are sized to fit Fender style basses. I’ve done several upgrades on CVs for myself and a couple of friends. New bridges, pickups, and electronics.
Unfortunately the only one with a P/J configuration stock is the Jaguar Bass. A stock PBass would require routing the body for the bridge pickup. Another option that requires no upgrading is a G&L Tribute Series SB-2.
These models use Leo’s MFD pickups and his Saddle Lock Bridge and are somewhat unique in that the bridge pickup is used in the place of a tone control. It uses twin volume pots and no tone pot. You roll in as much or as little of the bridge pickup as desired to alter the tonality. It’s very different.
Here’s an example of a FSR '60s Jazz Bass I upgraded about 18 months ago.
The stock bridge was replaced with a Chrome Babicz FCH Bridge. The pickups are Bill/Becky Lawrence Wilde J45s a noiseless air gap design Bill patented also used in his Micro-Coil guitar pickups. The electronics were upgraded with a harness using CTS pots, Treble Bleed mod, and a Switchcraft jack. The strings are GHS Pressurewounds and the frets were leveled and crowned. IME this bass would rival any $1000 plus Fender Bass you can buy new or used.
Another upgraded Squier is my Matt Freeman PBass. These models originally sold for $300-$350 and today sell for as much $900 stock. Again this bass would rival any $1000 plus Fender PBass I have ever owned including a '63 PBass I owned long ago. It’s best single best sounding and playing bass I’ve ever owned and it will go to my grave with me ashes and all. LOL
The upgrades include a Black Babicz FCH Bridge. Bill/Becky Lawrence Wild P46 Pickup (best you’ll ever find and very inexpensive). Upgraded electronics with CTS pots, Treble Bleed mod, Switchcraft jack, and a Bill Lawrence Q Filter in lieu of a tone capacitor. The strings are LaBella Deep Talkin’ Flats.
Yeah. I think the basic question is, “do you want a Fender-shaped instrument?”
If so, the Squier CV '70’s would be my pick. If not, there’s lots of other options out there.
Absolutely agree. Plus the hardwares and electronics are the same as the USA made one and it’s final checked here in the US. So the difference is simply the location where it’s made. Great value.
They truly are even now that they list for around $450-$480. In reality that’s far less of an increase than those of MIM and MIA models. IMHO a person with a little skill and a few simple tools can turn virtually any Squier CV into a much better version of itself if they choose. But even without upgrades the bones still offer a very playable and giggable bass or guitar for anyone stock.
I’m a huge believer in buying used or lower cost Fender style instruments and spending some time and a little money upgrading them. Just keep the original parts if you ever plan to sell it because few will pay for the upgrades even if you discount them substantially. Case in point; Some years ago I upgraded an MIC JBass in a similar fashion to the one I just posted about. The retail price of those upgrades was in excess of $300. Because I’d caught a break when I bought them I only asked $100 more than stock. Then I reduced it to $65 less than stock. Took them off and put the stock pickups and bridge back on.
I sold it for just $50 less than I asked for it with $300 worth of upgrades. I understand that buyers will not pay full price for my work in bettering an instrument but it’s not as if I put something on that was usable to me alone. I’d turned a $400 bass into a $700 bass yet no one wanted to pay even $50 more for it. JMHO but we should not be that short sighted if we’d turn around and pay even more for a model that isn’t even equivalent only because it says Fender on the head stock. That may be reality but it makes little sense to me.
I should also say that many Sire models appear to be prospects for the same kind of work however I’ve never owned one so I can’t honestly say.
