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Post subject: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:11 pm
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Hello forum! I have got something on my mind and just cannot seem to shake it! Very recently I Bought a brand new MIM p-bass. A friend of mine has a Squier Affinity p-bass that he bought for his grandson. He told me it was identical to mine. I told there has got to be some difference because mine was a "FENDER" and his was a "squier"! well he brought it over and sure enough he had a black squier affinity and, except for the headstock, it was pretty much identical. Now I am suffering from PTSD because of it. His bass sounded just as good as mine and cost him $150.00! Mine cost me $550.00, not including the tax! So, not to be defeated and deflated I got on Fender.com and compared specs. Well low and behold the specs are IDENTICAL!!! down to the pups. Now being a fender lover and always faithful to my love, I felt very let down and feel Fender has betrayed me, and countless other Fender faithfuls! I cant seem to get anybody from Fender to explain or evan make me feel better....sob....! Anbody out there that knows Fender and Squier products, I would really appreciate any consolation you can give me! blues1953


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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:40 pm
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They are often made with lower quality woods/metals.

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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:48 pm
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blues1953 wrote:
Hello forum! I have got something on my mind and just cannot seem to shake it! Very recently I Bought a brand new MIM p-bass. A friend of mine has a Squier Affinity p-bass that he bought for his grandson. He told me it was identical to mine. I told there has got to be some difference because mine was a "FENDER" and his was a "squier"! well he brought it over and sure enough he had a black squier affinity and, except for the headstock, it was pretty much identical. Now I am suffering from PTSD because of it. His bass sounded just as good as mine and cost him $150.00! Mine cost me $550.00, not including the tax! So, not to be defeated and deflated I got on Fender.com and compared specs. Well low and behold the specs are IDENTICAL!!! down to the pups. Now being a fender lover and always faithful to my love, I felt very let down and feel Fender has betrayed me, and countless other Fender faithfuls! I cant seem to get anybody from Fender to explain or evan make me feel better....sob....! Anbody out there that knows Fender and Squier products, I would really appreciate any consolation you can give me! blues1953


Interesting question. There are differences you might not spot even when side by side. Better hardware made out of better metal including better tuners, bridge and even harder fret wire that lasts longer might not be easily spotted unless you know what you are looking for. Even the string tree on the headstock is different. I can tell by looking at even bad photos that the tuners on the Fender are not only different but much better. There is also different neck construction with the more desirable and convenient truss rod adjustment location on the Fender. The pots and caps on the Asian models are Asian made. The pickups on the Fender Standard P-Bass are Fender North American while the pickups on the Squier Affinity are Squier made in Asia. Even though the pickups have the same name designation within the respective brand they are in fact different brands made on different continents using different materials. If the Squier sounded just as good as your Fender you might need to purchase a better amp next.

All Squiers, including the lowly Affinity series, have been stepping up their looks and playability lately. But an Affinity is still one of the lowest priced playable basses on the planet and while it may appear to approach the quality of a Fender in looks and playability when new, wait a few years and then check them again. While a great value for the price, it is not a Fender. First it will develop tuner slippage. Then noisy controls. Then neck problems like prematurely worn frets. It is basically a good Asian knockoff of the MIM Standard. The MIM Standard Precision is a good Mexican knockoff of the American Standard Precision. If there were no differences between them everyone could just buy a Squier and they could shut Corona and Ensenada down.


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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:01 pm
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Thanks Brother Dave! I am still wondering why Fender.com In the specs dept. doesnt make it more clear cause it is very disheartening and makes a true Fender buyer leary of purchasing what appears to be an identical instrument for a much lesser price. I imagine it is possible that my friend just lucked out and got a very good sounding squier which may give him problems later? Fenders marketing department should be working on that! But then again fender or squier, they still make money.


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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:05 pm
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Thanks for your reply Buxom! I have an American 1975 P-Bass and I thought i would try out the MIM since I have heard very positive remarks about them, and I am getting kind of afraid to take my 75 out too much any more. Still in pretty good condition and afraid too ding it too much.


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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:16 pm
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Brother Dave, I am playing my bass off an old but beautiful sounding Bassman 10 tube amp. perhaps that is why the Squier sounded as good as my MIM. But there is a lot of wisdom in what you say because the MIM does not come near to sounding like my American 75 p-bass. Maybe that is why my faith in Fender caused me to think that the MIM was going to kick that squiers $@!! haha! You have made me feel better about it though. It's what is under the hood that counts.


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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:17 am
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blues1953 wrote:
Thanks Brother Dave! I am still wondering why Fender.com In the specs dept. doesnt make it more clear cause it is very disheartening and makes a true Fender buyer leary of purchasing what appears to be an identical instrument for a much lesser price. I imagine it is possible that my friend just lucked out and got a very good sounding squier which may give him problems later? Fenders marketing department should be working on that! But then again fender or squier, they still make money.


Disheartening?? It's not a big conspiracy or secret that Squier is the value brand for Fender. Some of the Squier stuff is better than the MIM, but since 2010, it's tough to say that again, since they've upped the ante in Mexico. Nothing to worry about here. Get the Affinity, see how it holds up compared to your Fender in the long run. It's a beginner's bass, with cheap tuners, plastic chrome string tree, and lower spec electronics. There's a reason the MIA is still what most people would like to 'own one day'. Your $550 bass will be $200 in a few yrs - wholesale/trade in - while that Affinity is going to be worth $50 in a few years with no one but another beginner to keep it going.

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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:52 pm
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blues1953 wrote:
Thanks for your reply Buxom! I have an American 1975 P-Bass and I thought i would try out the MIM since I have heard very positive remarks about them, and I am getting kind of afraid to take my 75 out too much any more. Still in pretty good condition and afraid too ding it too much.


There are gobs of good choices from Fender for a gigging bass while keeping your vintage one safe and sound at home. It all depends on how much you want to spend.

Frankly it is amazing how many good buys are out there right now on used Fender MIM P-Basses. Look for a used Standard in good shape that plays great. Put on your favorite string set and you might can get by with no other changes. Some people change pickups, bridges, etc....and you can if you feel you need to but actually they are not bad instruments at all stock. There are so many of them that they are never actually going to be collectible or dramatically increase in price. Routinely around here a really nice MIM Standard P-Bass goes for $300 or less retail! I'd just avoid the 90's models as they are often not as good as the 2006-2008 models. I like the 06 ones a lot personally and owned one of those for a couple of years. It was gorgeous, played well and sounded like a P-Bass should.


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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:29 am
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I think there is a big difference in the finishes and body wood used on the Squire/Affinity basses as compared to the MIM.

The real difference in in how these basses will hold up over time. It will take a new bass player some time to perceive the quality differences between the two lines.

I just bought a 2006 Mexican made Fender Precision and I am surprised at the difference in this MIM bass as compared those made in the 90's. Fender really upgraded the MIM Precision bass in the last ten years. I don't know when the upgrade happened, but it is apparent when you play the basses.


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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:15 pm
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Bro Dave: Ya I've noticed now that my interst got sparked, I should have looked around a bit longer and should have gone for a used MIM bass! I just got too much in a hurry and bought without thinking. and I am 58 yrs old and acted like a kid in a candy store! Oh well live and learn..... You are absolutely right about not needing to modify too much or at all! This bass is fine the way it is. Not too crazy about the white pickguard, but that can easily be changed later. Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:31 am
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BC: I like the 2006's a lot. They are alder bodied for sure. Mine was a warrior that never needed anything done to it.

Blues: I agree that pickguard changes are easy and actually FUN. But wouldn't do it on a vintage bass of course. I agree the white ones are kind of blah, but black ones show every speck of dust and fingerprint so that is no better. A pickguard change is also a way to individualize your bass if you really wanna splurge and get a custom one made in some bizarre color or material that isn't stock. I often wondered if Fender made pickguards so boring on purpose to sell you a replacement or upgrade. LOL


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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:22 pm
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The smartest thing I have heard yet is"it takes some time for a new bassist to realize the difference between a decent bass and a great bass"(close enuff)I too early on thought the same way"why buy an american for 900.00$ when a Mex is 400.00$(at the time)I could add the mods that seperate the two.
Well 8 yrs later I know what the diffs are and some cannot be"just changed out"as one becomes more familiar with playing you will realize what diffs make a expensive bass what it is,things like(not limited too)well dressed frets,correctly cut nut,bi adjustable truss rod,re-inforced necks,dressed fretboard edges,and superior hardware and electronics.
And the most important is need,does one NEED a 1200.00$ bass to site home and noodle in the garage?are all the bells and whistles nec.farting around with a buddy just jamming?I had customers who would pay me to do everything and anything to their bass in the name of up-grading when they could barely even play "mary had a little lamb" but a bada$$ bridge,reverse tuners and a pre-amp were a must have addition to his 1/2 hr a week playing.
So if your needs are for a killer bass then go for it,but to spend money on an american made 1400.00$ bass when a 400.00$ MIM will fit the bill(most cant even tell the diff)its a waste,but if you can afford it and money is no object "DO IT!
A MIM or used Japanese bass is a good place to start,get a fret-level and a set-up,new strings and a good once over and you'll go far,if you out-grow it then up-grade(you'd be surprised how many bassist use MIM and Japanese made basses)

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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 1:00 am
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blues1953 wrote:
Brother Dave, I am playing my bass off an old but beautiful sounding Bassman 10 tube amp. perhaps that is why the Squier sounded as good as my MIM. But there is a lot of wisdom in what you say because the MIM does not come near to sounding like my American 75 p-bass. Maybe that is why my faith in Fender caused me to think that the MIM was going to kick that squiers $@!! haha! You have made me feel better about it though. It's what is under the hood that counts.


The Bassman 10 tube 4x10 combo is one of the best bass combos Fender (or anyone else for that matter) ever made. You could plug about any bass into it and make it sound decent. I love those amps.


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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2011 2:14 pm
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Buxom wrote:
They are often made with lower quality woods/metals.

I would substitute the words "less expensive" for "lower quality". Cheaper does not automatically equate to lesser quality.

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Post subject: Re: MIM vs Squier Affinity
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:00 pm
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Well everyone is entitled to an opinion.


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