Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar SS Bass
Available at Musicians Friend and Guitar Center
The Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar SS Bass is a wonderful
instrument for the cost. It produces a
quality tone with for many different styles of playing for minimal cost. During this review, I will explore this
instrument’s tone, build, feel and overall quality through first hand
experience.
Being the bassist in a local pop punk band (CLICK IT. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO), a durable, well sounding bass is a must. When I first picked up this bass, I wasn't expecting much. Squier is kind of the red-headed step child of Fender that no one really wants to admit is good for anything. After playing it, however, I've changed my mind. Here are my findings and observations on the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar SS Bass.
Build/Look
I own the cherry red version of this bass with the black pick guard. Usually, I hate the look of red guitars, but this instrument is absolutely gorgeous. The chrome hardware and contrasted against the black pick guard and the red finish gives this a classy look.Now for the technical aspects of this bad boy. The agathis body provides an EXTREMELY light feel. The rosewood finger board is built in a very comfortable "C" shape for maximum comfort while navigating the 20 frets. At 30 inches, the short scale allows for a more comfortable, light feel.
Also, she's pretty durable. First time I played her live, I jumped and my strap came off. She hit the floor pretty hard but I picked her up and kept going. After the show I inspected her, and there was very minimal sign of internal or cosmetic damage.
Overall, this is a very well built instrument that provides minimal weight issues for younger players.
Feel
This instrument feels wonderful in your hands. The short scale makes it easier to play it as
well; you can cruise through scales and really utilize both high and low
tones. The slim neck also helps make it
feel more playable without pain. I
remember (years ago) playing a 1960’s Fender Precision Bass, and the
combination of the thicker neck and being thirteen and inexperienced, there was a little bit of pain involved.
Also, it is an extremely light bass. You can play this thing standing up for a long, LONG time with almost no shoulder pain. This would be ideal for younger players, or gigging musicians who like to “use the stage” and jump around and all that good stuff (invest in straplocks if that’s the case.)
Tone
The biggest problem I had with this instrument is when I drop-tuned it. My band plays in Drop C (A full step lower, with the E string another step lower) and, because of the short scale, it didn't like to hold the tune or the tone.
This bass's tone is relatively versatile. If you're looking for that jazzy "pop" I would recommend going with the full scale model, or drop the extra money on a Squier/Fender Jazz Bass.
The Bottom Line
If you're at a beginner to intermediate level of playing and want to move up from an "entry level" bass, but don't want to spend a lot of money, this is for you. I'd specifically recommend this for younger hobby players, due to the shorter scale neck and the light feel. This is a great instrument for songs played in standard tuning, and down a half step. Genre-wise, I recommend this for rock, alternative or pop.
Seriously, it's a great instrument. Squier has stepped their game up over the past years, and this bass won't disappoint.
This is great. I like the emotions to it, but remember that GREG wants it to be like an official review of a product.
ReplyDeleteGREAT work.
Dear God Jake, the naked fat man?
ReplyDeleteGenre: Music, and humor (obviously)
Organization: There is not a whole lot to work with right now, so it is hard to tell, there are some headings though.
Voice: Obviously, Jake knows what he is talking about. He owns this bass and uses it often. He gives examples as to why the bass is good, like saying you can stand for long periods of time without it hurting. The voice is very "for" the bass.
Headings: Build, Feel, and Tone. I can guess that build refers to the parts of the bass and how it is assembled. Feel is how it feels when you play it, and Tone is maybe how it sounds? This one might be confusing because to me tone is like voice, so the tone of the review or the voice of the review, not the tone of the instrument.
Visuals and Hypertext: Though the fat man is lovely he has to go. Replace it with a picture of the instrument. I like that you link to your band page, but you should say you have a band and you use the instrument when playing in your band. This would give context as to why the link is there. It is also not a descriptive link even though people's curiosity is what makes them want to click it.
First Hand use: Yes, Jake states that he used this product and gives reason as to why he likes it.
Good headings, first hand knowledge, unfinished.
ReplyDeletePicture sets the perfect mood for a guitar review.
ReplyDeleteGenre: I would say this review is well written and it does go over a lot of the questions that i would have if i was to go off and buy a guitar. It goes in depth a little bit about the weight and the length of the neck, which seem like good things to have.
Organization: You have a great start, all you need to do is get rid of the indent in the second paragraph. You don't indent on the web, just use a line space as your break point.
Voice: The voice of this feels right on point and the picture at the top, *even if you're not keeping it* just adds tot he overall feel of the review and sets up how this review is suppose to be taken. Which is more of a fun and informative kind of way.
Headings: Headings are all good, you can tell which is the heading and which are sub headings. easy good flow the post.
FIrst hand use: Very nice at going into a little bit of detail with how you used it. All and all i think this review is heading in the right direction, it just needs to be completed and it will be awesome!