The 4 Best Squier Bass Guitars – Fender Reviews 2023

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There’s hardly a more famous bass guitar than the good old Squier by Fender. Its well-known body shape combined with the classic yet evergreen sound manages to perform amazingly, as it’s used by a wide variety of musicians. But with numerous different variations of the model, which one should you get?

First of all, getting a Squier bass is a good choice for both beginners and more practiced musicians. No matter the genre, coupled with a good amp it will surely stand out.

As the prices can differ a lot, think about the money you’re ready to spend. Although some offer more than others, you shouldn’t worry too much, as you really do get a high-quality guitar either way, as every cent is accounted for.

Knowing your preferences before buying a bass guitar is great, but don’t worry if you don’t know a lot about that stuff. That’s exactly why we made a list of the best Squier bass models. We’ve also included a couple of useful tips to help you in choosing the perfect instrument for you.

Squier by Fender Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ

Definitely an incredible value, even when considering the relatively low price. The Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ is a great option for every bass player who is looking for a solid Squier bass, as it’s undeniably worth every cent.

Rocking that classic Squier design, this bass features all the good specs you would expect. The wood of choice is maple, and the neck is bolt-on. Scale length comes in at 34 inches, as you would expect from a Squier. This bass rocks passive pickups in an S/S configuration, with a split single- coil middle pickup, and a single coil bridge pickup. Configuring your desired sound is made easy by three different pots. Both pickups have separate volume controls, and there is also a master tone pot, for controlling the overall punch of the bass.

Medium- jumbo frets are a must for maximum playing comfort and mixed with a rosewood fretboard make this bass very easy to play. The eye-catching white glossy finish coupled with a pickguard rounds up this bass as not only good sounding but appealing as well.

Squier Affinity Telecaster | How Does It Sound?

Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 60’s Precision Bass


The Precision Bass, or P-Bass, was one of the most iconic bass guitars of the late ’50s and ’60s, and one of the first electric bass guitars to become widely used. This Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 60’s Precision Bass is inspired by those early instruments in both its sound and its design. The vintage styling on the white finish and unique pick guard mean it’s a bass that looks as good as it sounds.

The Classic Vibe 60’s Precision Bass uses a Fender split-coil pickup with an Alnico magnet. They give the instrument a nice thick bottom end, warm without being muddy or losing definition on the attacks. Paired with the right amp, you’ll be very impressed by the output you get out of the Classic Vibe.

This is a very playable bass, as well. Squier made some modifications to the original Fender design, notably the addition of a slim C-shaped neck. The fretboard radius of 9.5” fits comfortably in most adult hands, and the narrow frets fit nicely under your fingertips.

Vintage touches on the Classic Vibe 60’s Precision Bass include threaded saddles on the bridge and nickel-plated hardware. Overall, this bass is smooth playing, sounds great, and one of the best Squier bass guitars around.

Squier By Fender Vintage Modified Jazz Bass V 5 String Electric Bass Guitar

Whether you’re more into jazz or heavy metal, not including at least one 5 string bass guitar wouldn’t be fair. The body is slightly wider, as to accommodate the wider neck and bridge. Having solid wood as the wood of choice for the body, this bad boy offers amazing sustain, which is especially needed for that low B string. Twenty medium jumbo frets are more than enough to please most bass players, and the maple fingerboard feels good under the fingers.

Smooth yet not too slippery, providing excellent control over each and every not fretted. As it is a 5 string after all, rumbling lows are very well defined as expected, and the mids and highs don’t fall behind as well. The overall sound is excellent, as this bass guitar features a wide range of very finely balanced sounds.

You can either choose from 7 colors–Inca Silver, Amber Burst, Black, Candy Apple Red, Olympic White, 3-Color Sunburst, or just plain Natural, which is the guitar above. One of these colors should be badass enough for you, and one is sure to make you stand out onstage.

Squier 5 String Vintage Modified Jazz Bass - Quick Demo

Squier by Fender Deluxe Dimension Bass Guitar

Offering something a bit different, Fender’s Dimension bass line is known for a modern take on the classic Squier look. The body looks way more sleek, featuring an offset design, with both forearm chamfer as well as a full back scoop. The guitar sits comfortably, both when played in a sitting position and standing up. As the body horns are a bit smaller than usual, the good folks at Fender added some additional weight to the headstock, in order to compensate for the lighter body, keeping balance on point.

As for any Fender product, the materials used for this bass guitar are top notch. Both the fingerboard and neck are made of maple, and the wood of choice for the body is ash, maintaining that sweet balance of durability and overall tone presence (see full specs). As the neck profile is slightly asymmetrical, fretting even the most complex lines and chords is a piece of cake.

But how does it sound? Simply put, it truly packs a lot of robust sounds, with those well-known snappy highs and piercing mids. As it boasts active electronics and a 3 band EQ, you have endless possibilities when it comes to shaping the exact sound you need.

Squier Deluxe Dimension Bass IV Demo | Fender

So How Do You Choose the Best Squier Bass?

When choosing between 4 or 5 string, there are a few things to consider. If you are a beginner, a 4- string would be a better choice, as finding your way around 5 strings can be a bit confusing. I first got a cheaper 4- stringed one and moved to a more expensive and better 5- stringed option after a couple of years.

If you’re not sure whether passive or active electronics are for you, well, consider the following. Do you prefer a more natural, old school sound? If so, definitely go for passive. If not, go for active electronics. That option gives you more freedom when it comes to shaping your sound without even touching the amp EQ.

As stated previously, you really can’t go wrong by choosing any of the above bass guitars. Finding the best Squier bass is really what suits you best with your own personal likes and dislikes. Good luck!

Written and Reviewed By

  • Micah Johnson started playing music in high school, when he taught himself the bass to join his friend’s band. He added guitar and drums during his twenties playing in local clubs, and along the way, he picked up unique, hands-on experience from hand drums to studio mixers. On Song Simian, he aims to share this knowledge from 20+ years playing and recording music. When not in gearhead mode, he enjoys photography and travel.

  • Marko is the senior editor and writer on Ultimate Guitar, the No. 1 guitar spot on the web, since early 2013. His work was also featured on a variety of other notable gear spots such as Guitar Fella, Consordini, and, of course, Song Simian. His musical journey began at a very young age, and he finally opted to pick up an instrument in his early teenage years. A fan of King Crimson. A travel enthusiast.

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One response

  1. Personally, I think the Squier Standard Precision PJ Vintage Modified offers amazing value. As-is they can be bought used for $125-150 and generally need only a good setup to play well. For only $135 you can upgrade the pickups to Seymour Duncan’s Quarter Pound PJ set, which fit this instrument. Check the full specs and you’ll see why it’s an amazingly good buy.

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