What’s the cheapest jazz bass that Fender makes? Is there something below Squire? I’m looking at something used that might be a crazy deal so I just want to know how low they go.
This Squier bass is available only on Amazon, intended to compete with all the no name $100 instruments on Amazon. I got one to use as a BEAD tuned bass, and it’s actually a very solid P bass. I am very happy with it (although I haven’t yet got around to putting the BEAD strings on it).
EDIT: but not a jazz bass, obviously. Never mind.
That’s ok. Thanks! I think affinity is the cheapest. I found a deal that might be worth snapping up and doing some upgrades on. Now I just gotta hope the guy gets back to me.
Squire Paranormal 54 is a very good Jazz bass, and you might be able to snag one on the used market for a good price.
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This price is so good it makes my teeth hurt.
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You thought that was painful.
I got a pair of these beauties from ProAudioStar for $199 each. So both after tax still less than the $500 retail or $450 street price. So after delivery it turned out the the sunset red was dropped, I sent them the picture they said sent it back or $50 refunds. I said I’d keep it. It took me 5 minutes with a sander and we are back in business 
Roasted maple neck
Carved neck pocket
Tall narrow frets( features on the High end fender bass and custom shop.)
Active electronics
I said it before if they slap a fender USA on it as is and sell for $1500 I’d believe them.
Killer paint job
Oh goodness! 
I would buy used rather than go rock bottom new, myself.
Any used midlevel Squier, even a better-than-worst one, is gonna be real cheap.
So truly curious here, mostly for the blue contemporary J: I’ve seen a couple reviews on YT (I could find them, but typing at work now) that talk about how the QC on those was not good. For instance one person was saying his had sharp fret ends, another one that the pickguard was razor sharp.
Has that been your experience at all so far? Have you noticed any problems with them?
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Yes and no. Not all Squier have issues especially the Classic Vibe series. I have not encountered any fret sprouts or build issues.
The rest of the Squiers are Hit and miss I usually get one at deep discount so I’m expecting the worst but I was pleasantly surprised not much to touch up certainly not more that my last Fender American which shockingly came with fret sprouts and some neck pocket gap.
I build and hone my maintenance skills almost exclusively through Squier guitars and bass, while I haven’t seen it all I’ve seen most of the problems.
I don’t think that there’s a wide spread of issues but certainly they happen.
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I’ve had really good luck with the quality of the Paranormal Series, better than the CV if anything
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I would also suggest buying a used Classic Vibe model PBass or Jazz Bass. As is they are very high value basses. With a few upgrades you can easily have a Squier equivalent of much costlier Fender Player or Vintera Series Bass. Here’s my modified '60s Jazz Bass.
It has Wilde J45 Noiseless “Air Gap” Pickups, a Babicz FCH Bridge, New Chrome Control Plate, and Completely Upgraded Electronics. It matches up well with every MIA Fender Jazz Bass I’ve ever owned for 1/3 or less of what a new Fender Jazz Bass would cost.
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Yeah I’ve also been lusting after the Paranormal Rascal as well…No money for GAS right now though 
Thanks for the response Al! Yeah I figured that their better models (like the CV series or maybe the contemporary) shouldn’t have many issues, maybe people got unlucky. If I’m honest, I had an Affinity J 20 years ago (granted, I didn’t know anything really back then), but I don’t remember it being bad in any way and if anything, instrument quality has been getting better in recent years. People on this very forum for instance are happy with the Sonic series or the Bronco series, so there can’t be that many issues out there.
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I just got my Bronco and modded it. So good I couldn’t put it down.
That bass is so funky. I love it.
I put almost $400 worth of mods on a $120 bass and it plays like a $1000 bass.
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I’d love to put a 51p single coil p pickup in one
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Yeah with a little mod a Lollar or Chis Novak would sound killer.
The price went back up next week when they put. It back on sale, I’ll pick the green one and do just that. 
I’d do Novak but I have a Fralin pickup lying around
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I love it!
Dang it sold. Dudeman on marketplace was selling some variant of a Jazz bass for $100 