The Squire 40th anniversary are still quite widely available from what I can see and some shops are still offering the 40% discount that Fender had recently. This makes them a cheaper than the Classic Vibe 60s.
Just trying to figure out the differences with the P basses. I think the main difference with the 40th anniversary is the matte finish with tinted maple neck vs gloss finish and laurel neck. They both look pretty good, especially the Dakota Red and Lake Placid Blue.
The Classic Vibe looks very nice in Olympic White.
I’ve currently got a Squire Affinity Jazz from about 10 years ago and a Schechter Riot 4. Thinking of adding a Precision to the collection.
Also saw a really nice Fender Vintera in Sea Foam Green, but that’s more than twice the price.
Each year tweaks to aesthetics and quantity are made, some to cut costs, others due to improved or more efficient manufacturing. Some are noticeable, some are not, some end up being perceived lore over time.
The 40th anniversary Squier was priced higher than the CV of the same year, and my guess is what happened is they didn’t sell well at that price and now they need to clear them out for new models that cost even more, so they can sell them off at a lower price.
I’d also wager they are just the same quality or so close you won’t ever notice. In the end if it feels good buy it. They are fantastic and great upgrade/mod platforms.
Thanks @John_E , I certainly read quite a few YouTube comments about the price and some videos specifically called it out in the title. Don’t know if anniversary models hold their price better, but mainly just looking to add a P bass.
When I got my Squire Jazz, I had no idea how to play so got the guy in the shop to demo it. I can at least play a bit now so can try them myself
I have the glossy Lake Placid with gold hardware 40th anniversary. It was a hard decision for me as well. On the other side was the super awesome satin finish with buttery smooth neck. The matte satin finish feels really good, I have an American Performer Mustang with satin finish and I love that feel. In the end I chose the glossy blue because I’m a sucker for a white neck binding, lol.
Build quality is great, out of the box bangin’!
A word of caution! You have to look at the vintage on the Vintera toward the middle to end of Covid Fender Mim took a nose dive in quality and quality control.
Here’s how it sound a few minutes out of the box after a few adjustments. Pretty awesome. It sounds almost as good as the American pro II. https://youtu.be/CblQkP6ANLY
Note of caution on the Vintera. This line seems to be very authentic in it’s vintageness; most models you have to loosen the neck to access the truss. Double check that on the model you are looking at before purchase. Not that it’s a bad thing, just the more you know
Thanks @Al1885, certainly looks and sounds great. I do like satin necks, but one also got a couple of guitars with painted necks and other than the initial feeling, I tend to forget after playing them a while.
Very nice @cheeze_pizza, I haven’t tried different strings yet, just the factory ones. The price of bass strings compared to guitar strings, stings the wallet a bit.
The satin while buttery smooth, requires more thumb pressure than the stickier glossy neck. When I have to be fast and (more) precise up and down the neck I tend to grab my glossy neck which requires much lighter touches.
Not so sure now as you’re the second person to mention it . I mainly liked it for the Sea Foam Green colour, but don’t want to create a hassle for myself. I tend not to tinker with my instruments unless I have to.
Pretty sure @John_E is right. It’s the main reason I didn’t look at the Vintera series. It’s their ‘vintage inspired’ line. So it’s period correct, but a total pain in the ass.
I really don’t think it is that bad.
You don’t have to remove the neck, just loosen strings and loosen neck bolts so it can tilt.
Is it more steps?..yes.
Is it THAT hard?..no.
That said I only buy them like that if I LOVE the bass.
Thus, one of the reasons I sold my MIM Ventura.
That and I was never impressed with it on any level.
I got a little bit of time to try the 40th anniversary P bass, both the gold and vintage. Both very nice instruments and looked/felt like quality builds.
Think I liked the look of the Lake Placid Blue a bit more than the Dakota Red vintage. I think it was because the red was bordering on pink (kind of like a faded red car).
The neck on the vintage was really smooth though and the tinted maple neck looks great.
The tone was really nice, no doubt helped by the Rumble they plugged it into for me. Not sure what size it was but way bigger than my Rumble 15
So many nice bases in the shop and I don’t need a new one, but they are very tempting and still about 40% off
Dude.
Very awesome.
Great playing!! Way to nail all that slick slide articulation and the note lengths! Makes it killer!
And, for the record, I’m a sucker for block inlays.
. I mainly liked it for the Sea Foam Green colour, but don’t want to create a hassle for myself. I tend not to tinker with my instruments unless I have to.
