Why is a Fender bass so much more than Squier? (And is it worth it?)

for what its worth, i bought some silly japanese bass off a friend in highschool for 10bucks. Thing sounded great and still use it to this day. No idea what it actually is but whatevs :/

Interesting video. One thing I take into consideration is the resell-ability. The way things are today, chances are if you decide to sell the USA Fender a few years down the road, you'll probably get the full 1200 back if not more than you initially paid as they seem to get more and more expensive.

From a sonic standpoint I often find that a decent "budget" guitar and its parallel "pro" model is pretty similar. The "pro" model may be a bit cleaner sounding generally, but if you are good at dialing into a quality amp it's going to sound fine. Feel for the player and quality of the hardware and electronics? The "pro" model will likely be better. Will that be enough to justify the cost? That's hard to say.

For example, I've owned a G&L Tribute ASAT and currently own a G&L USA ASAT. These are G&L's T-style guitars. The former is roughly on par with the Fender Classic Vibe and the latter is arguably around Fender's lower Custom Shop models in terms of build quality. Both were transparent orange finishes with maple boards, though the Tribute was poly and the USA is nitro. The Tribute had a humbucker in the neck slot---the G&L Humbucker was really nice, though I'd put a Seth Lover in, which was probably a waste of money---and the USA has a Kinman P-90s, so they were different, but the bridge pickups were essentially the same, both G&L MFDs. Sonically the Tribute was fine and from stage it looked about the same, though not on close inspection, where the USA clearly looks a lot nicer, if that matters. The Kinman P-90 in the USA is just downright amazing, though of course that's aftermarket. (I really can't say enough good things about Kinmans.) Here's where we get to feel, hardware, and finish. The Tribute's neck was... OK. It had a '60s profile and a gloss finish which I found kind of uncomfortable. By contrast, the neck on the USA is downright excellent for me: It's satin nitro, it's got a '50s profile and has a better contoured neck that really adds to the resonance of the instrument. The hardware on the USA overall is better---steel and brass, Switchcraft electronics, etc. It took some work to get the USA set up precisely the way I like it, but now it's really the only electric I want to play besides my jazz box. Thinking of the price points all in I suspect the USA cost me $1800 (used, counting the Kinman I had installed) while the Tribute was $700, so say somewhat more than double the cost. The USA also came with a hard shell case, which I mostly use to block the dog from sleeping on the couch or to take the guitar in for a setup.

So if you're good with replacing the hardware and electronics and getting it really dialed in with a good setup, the budget model will be fine. I know a guy who plays an old Squier Strat into a beat up Blues Junior and he sounds fantastic. The real comparison cost-wise is how much is it going to cost to get your axe up to where you want it? If you're a beginner, you probably won't notice all the little things. If you're an experienced player who's going to want the tuning stability that comes from high-quality tuners and clearer signal from reliable electronics, that's going to add to the price.

The name brand factor does mean you'll likely get better money if you sell the instrument down the line.

Excellent video!

How do you come to the conclusion on a percentage of improvement? 20%??? What are the factors how do you “calculate” that?? It’s your opinion but you need to explain the reason how you came up with that estimate🤷‍♂️

If you’re already an intermediate using a low mid-grade bass and intend to keep playing, an upgrade makes sense. In my case, however, I believe a MIM will be adaquate. No matter how much I admire Jaco Pastorious’ playing, I have no need for a 1200.00 plus bass since I only use it to compose (and let a better bassist actually play the lines).

This video was a big help. Thanks so much!

Tbh tho. That’s the base line affinity. They do better ones

Nice comparison between two extremes. I'd like to see the other comparison, between the most expensive Squier and the most affordable Fender.

Keep in mind people, that this guy's opinions are completely subjective.

Hey don’t forget the MIMs (Made in Mexico) which fit squarely in the middle and a great choice I may say.

My two cents…there is a definite difference between the Squire and the MIM Fender primarily in the electronics and the finish, but between the MIM’s and the MIA’s very little. Recently I had a Squier Classic, a MIM and a MIA P basses in my stable. The intonation of the Squire, the finish and its pickups not really acceptable. The difference between the MIM and the MIA just came down to the electronics. I swapped out the stock MIM’s pickups for a set of Aguilar pickups and a 920 D pre-wired set of pots. Paid $450 for the MIM used off Reverb, the pickups were a demo set for $110 from a local shop, and $70 for the harness from a major online music vendor. For less than the price of a new MIM P bass I got a better sounding bass than a stock MIA.

Made in Japan for me for sure. Love my P bass more than anything🫠

The whole thing really depends whether your a Fender guy, or a Squier guy

The machine heads on my 77 Fender Precision is similar to the Squier and I never had a problem with it.

what a solid video. thank you

Squires are great instruments for the working musician. Play great, reliable, don’t break the bank. Not expensive, so if they are stolen, or beer is spilled on it, or bumped/nicked, it’s not a big deal. Great starting point for personal modifications.

Expensive instruments are great too. If you can afford em, buy em!

The Japanese Squires made in Japan in the first year are as good as the 1962 jazz bass.

You get what you pay for i have both fender squire precision, and fender precision player series,the player series is a different animal much better pick ups and build than a,squire i payed £289 for Squire and 645 for precision ,if you can play go for fender precision bass everytime and you do not need to pay £1200 either mexican fender i have apart from a,set up glitch it is worth the extra.

The Japanese Jag bass is a beast. I've preferred it to US models 👍

I could hear the j-bass at once. The distinctive "smack" is the thing I love about it.
Didn't even know the "Squier" was built in China.

I'm looking for a cheap bass for open jams. A 'burner' bass. Often you can't tell the difference between a cheap bass and an expensive bass in a loud environment. The only problem is that you often have to replace the cheap connector barrel with a premium $30 one. The pots also become scratchy. Have the appropriate sprays to clean the pots. Then I think you're good to go.

The thing is that you compare in procent witch is wrong IMO price and quality, ,from a certain point on rising the quality it becomes not so easy

The neck of my squier bass is definitely much arrow and stabil than the am std but the harmonics and tonoclarity never ever..

Resale value?

A china made fender will never gain in value like an American made fender eventually the American made when reaches vintage status will be worth way more the American made fender uses better electrinonics and hardware the wood made be the same there is different quality of alder the procedure the wood goes thru is not the same truss rods in american models are better quality control is better of course they cost more they are built for longevity working and professional musicians demand quality they are not using squires squires are made to look good and play decent for beginners unless we are talking Japanese fenders I play American and Japanese some Mexican made models that are made to specs like a vintage reissue or artist models are good instruments but squirt is never the choice of a working or professional player china made squires will never be valuable any I know plenty of my students have lots of problems down the road with their cheaper counterpart you get what you pay for they don’t even compare

Maybe it’s just a mental thing, but I play a Squier CV P bass 99% of the time. I played an American pro II P bass in the store a few days ago and I was absolutely blown away by how good it felt to play. I suppose my Squier could use a fresh setup, but I’m having to adjust this bass all the time.

This is a really interesting way to think about the Fender lineup, it's kind of funny but I realized I'm OK with paying a premium for the Fender name (at least on my main guitar) but not for the "Made in USA" logo . . . . I wound up getting a Player Plus Strat and using the USA-sticker money for the frets and pickups I liked. Totally happy, it's exactly what I wanted. Thanks for posting.

I am totally here for this level of forensic detail.

This whole issue is why I bought an Ibanez. :)

The theory: better materials, equipment, and quality control.

The reality: name, mostly. Anything out of China is slave labor crap, admittedly. Japan and Korea - different story. Want a great bass, buy a used Fernandes/Burny on Reverb.

Fender stopped being Fender when Leo walked out the door. His best work was done at Ernie Ball and G&L.

Go to Glassdoor - Fender employees will TELL you about the crap working conditions, the non-existent QC, and the money-grubbing incompetence of management.

There is one Question for you and every other Hillbilly guitarist on here claiming to be Paul McCartney lol there is a huge Difference between the Real difference is The Fender will retain its Value mostly sometimes even they will increase so if you want to buy some cheap throw away garbage than you have that right understand lol😅😅😅😅

It's Like buying a Gibson or a Harley Davidson they have their reputation it takes many years to achieve that Buck. Rodgers lol😅😅😅😅

You should be putting guitars on the back seat anyway! Never in the boot. Seen a boot full of lovely instruments destroyed in a rear ender.

Hey, my base has a death spot on the 6 thfred of g,darnit

very scientific

All money spent on bass, no money left for a decent mic

Great posting. I play 2 Mexican jazz basses with bartolini and DiMarzio pickups an couldn't be happier. I do have a peulla MVP I played since 1988

Squier Classic Vibes are the PDP Concept Maple drum kits: Made somewhere oustide of the USA, but they sound amazing for the price.

Very good video, very honest, and very fair. However, can you really compare mainstream consumer products of Apple to professional/enthusiast products of Fender? Not sure about that. Apple for some reason does not feel the need to put Foxconn name on their products. Would Foxconn name make Apple brand aficionados look down on a Foxconn branded product? Probably. On the other hand, do you we an option of buying a cheaper Foxconn product vs. a more expensive Apple product? No. We're stuck with one option. Is that good? You be the judge.

As far as Fender/Squier goes, I have to applaud the company to offer us the options. For me, personally, all basses sound the same. If they don't, you can EQ them to bring their sound within the same ballpark. However, when it comes to actually owning a Fender guitar or a bass, I only bought a Mexian Fender once in my life. Okay, twice. Meaning, the fist and the last time. The pickguard simply bulged out on my Mexican Fender Startocaster. I sold it, no regrets. From now on, I buy Fender products very rarely, but I buy American models. You can call me a snob, shallow, elitist, whichever offensive term one chooses these days for political opponents. Living in the U.S.A. I prefer local product, instead of an import. Granted, I'd go for an import if I were a true elitist member of the ruling class. I'd buy a Porsche 911 instead of a Ford Mustang. But with my place in society, I am good with local economy. On another related note, I very much loved the original Dunlop MAX200G tennis racquet made in England, than anything that Dunlop offers today.

In fact, some chinese copies are better than the Squier Affinity. I have had or been able to test brands like SX and Strinberg, or even the Brazilian Tagima that do not limit quality like Fender limits the Squier series.

I am surprise that Squier sound better. Thanks for this great video

Comparing the basses with completely different strings makes aural differences impossible to determine.

I do agree on the diminishing returns chart you made, but I would also consider the return of investment. I believe that American built is still better than squire specially if we are talking about value in the long run. If I buy a squire today for two hundred, if I decide to sell it in 30 years that squire becomes 150 or even lesser or even no one wants it. But the American on the other hand will be probably higher value if the market is right! Have you seen 1970’s jazz bass American?? Geez 7k!! In this alone hands down America wins!!!

Great video. I have listened the clip several times and the differences I could hear was (1) Fender was definitely fuller in deep bass sounds (like at the first note of the third bar, I can say) and (2) squier was brighter.

Here’s where you’re wrong. The Mexican player series is about 500% better than the squire classic vibe. . I’ve owned multiple of both and it’s without question. The Mexican series is every bit as good as the American counterpart people praise the squires because they want to feel like they got something for their money And they did. But to claim there as good or close to as good as the Mexican models is ignorant

There is a third way - a Bass Centre Betsy, a near-replica of Guy Pratt's 1964 Fender Jazz. Guy himself had a lot of input into the design, and (as was his Fender after his tech changed the pickups) it's fitted with active EMG pickups. The whole thing is great, it plays and sounds wonderful and I love it. Cost less than half the price of the Fender about three years ago.

Holy fuck dude. I had to turn down the contrast on my television. Your jackrabbit bleached British teeth are fucking blinding.

I'm actually liking the tone on the squier ha.