What makes a Squire "Affinity" bass "Affinity"

[NegativeEase]

Re: What makes a Squire "Affinity" bass "Affinity"

Tonally or playing?

Tonally, but they played just fine too -these were brand new Tele and a Bass Affinity -so you could feel the difference because they were not played in at all, they were lighter, bodies maybe 1/8". inch thinner, frets crowns were spankin' new, fret ends were not worn etc etc

I bet with a few months of playing their tip top -I'm back in that studio in June and will bump this thread and let you know.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: What makes a Squire "Affinity" bass "Affinity"

Tonally, but they played just fine too -these were brand new Tele and a Bass Affinity -so you could feel the difference because they were not played in at all, they were lighter, bodies maybe 1/8". inch thinner, frets crowns were spankin' new, fret ends were not worn etc etc

I bet with a few months of playing their tip top -I'm back in that studio in June and will bump this thread and let you know.

I can believe it tonally. Based on my limited experience I’d be shocked if I couldn’t tell my Squier from my more expensive Fenders. The nut width alone is big, but I guess if you prefer the narrow nut width it might be preferable?

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: What makes a Squire "Affinity" bass "Affinity"

I can believe it tonally. Based on my limited experience I’d be shocked if I couldn’t tell my Squier from my more expensive Fenders. The nut width alone is big, but I guess if you prefer the narrow nut width it might be preferable?

Yeah, there's no doubt in the difference when you feel it, but if the Affinity was played in, the neck scotch brited, the frets worn a bit -there would certainly be people who prefer those affintiy differences -like the neck profile, weight, and fretboard radius, width and taper etc.

Personally, 50s and a lot of 60s Vintage stuff feels chunky and gross more often to me -especially 7" radius, nuts with mid 30s width etc. Early Fenders radii, Rickenbacker and especially Mostrite neck profiles are great examples of what feels gross to me.

 

[solspirit]

Re: What makes a Squire "Affinity" bass "Affinity"

are the bodies thinner than normal? they were on the guitars back in the day, no idea if that has changed

Pretty sure there's still a slight difference.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: What makes a Squire "Affinity" bass "Affinity"

I got a Squier Vintage Modified '77 Jazz a few weeks ago. Maple body, maple neck & board, pearl inlays, some sort of Fender designed pickups. It's an absolute delight to play, sets up however you like with very little effort, and sounds awesome. I have really light Rotosounds on it right now (35-95), and all the J bass sounds are there. I got it with ultra-dead Rotosounds, and it was straight Motown. It's 100% stock, and though I'll probably replace the bent-steel with a Hipshot bridge of some sort, and the tuners with lighter ones, it's fine as-is.

In comparison to the Squier Affinity bass, this thing may as well be a handbuilt boutique instrument. If I needed another Fender style bass, I wouldn't hesitate to look at another VM or Classic Vibe. Big no thanks on the crap-neck Affinities, though.

 

[dystrust]

Re: What makes a Squire "Affinity" bass "Affinity"

I'll probably replace the bent-steel with a Hipshot bridge of some sort

If you're looking for a good, inexpensive upgrade the Gotoh 201 sounds great for about half the price of a Hipshot. longcat and I have one on a Yamaha RBX fretless.