AMOY - Squier Affinity Precision PJ Bass Review. It's... Okay. Practice your maintenance skills!

A quick, stupid review of the Squier Affinity Precision PJ Bass. There are times you get what you pay for. This is definitely one of those times. Here are some links for goodies mentioned in the video. I get zero money for doing this; not even an affiliate or anything with any of these companies. Just trying to disseminate information. :)
Squier Affinity Precision Bass PJ - www.fender.com/en-US/squier-e...
EMG PJHZ set (NOT on the bass when the video was made; but good pickups) - www.emgpickups.com/pjhzset.html
Nembrini Audio Beta Gamma Bass Amp - www.nembriniaudio.com/product...
Twisted World Music - www.twistedworldmusic.com/ind...
My Website - keithvarney.com/

[@MrSonordrumr]

Great video Keith! You should do a video of how you set up your basses/guitars unless you have already and I missed it, which is entirely possible....anyway, I think it would be educational as you are probably the most knowledgeable musician I know.

[@keithavarney170]

Hi Randy! Yeah, I might do something like that; show how I do my setups. I've found that it can be a bit subjective, but some of the stuff is pretty straightforward. I can recommend both Crimson Guitars and Dave's World of Fun Stuff for setup and maintenance info. And they're entertaining too! Crimson Guitars: kzbin.info Dave's World: kzbin.info/door/OXNPo7CtnzzZ9A4GyQ6Tog

[@trim7535]

Which version of the Affinity series is it? Because the white version of the 2021 series has maple fingerboard

[@keithavarney170]

Bought it in 2020, so it is the previous version. Looks like the Indian Laurel neck comes in blue and gray now. www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-basses/precision-bass/affinity-series-precision-bass-pj/0378551569.html

[@trim7535]

@@keithavarney170 ok, thanks. Because I heard that the 2021 version is a big step up form the previous versions

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

Either Squier have improved their quality control or you got a bad example. I picked up an Affinity PJ bass recently because I was impressed by how well made it was and how playable. Sure, I can see where money has been saved, but I have no problem at all with build quality or the sound - the pickups are ceramic but remarkably aggressive and responsive - which has been much improved by a good set of flats. Perhaps you should revisit this review with a different example ?

[@keithavarney170]

Yeah - I just un-lucked into a bad one. I should have returned it. It's the only Squier I've ever gotten that disappointed. There are some other Squier reviews I've done that are much more positive, including one for the Sonic P-Bass - I've even used that one recently for band practice!

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

@@keithavarney170 I must admit that I'd only buy a bass that I've actually had in my hands and played, if only to be sure I'm not getting a "Friday afternoon special" like you got. But here's the thing - both of my Squiers (CV jazz bass and Affinity PJ bass) are much better made instruments than my rather valuable 60's classic bass, even though Squier/Fender market them as "beginners" basses. Modern manufacturing techniques have really improved what you can buy for a modest amount of money these days.

[@Sudipta_Dey_Utsa]

Very informative! If I compare this Squier with Ibanez GSR200, almost the same price and the same pickup setup, what would be a good choice? Actually, I am currently using the Ibanez. Just thinking about buying an another.

[@keithavarney170]

I'm a big Ibanez fan! Currently using the SR505 for recording. Given a choice, I'd probably take one of the new Squier Sonics right now; although I haven't gotten my hands on one yet. I'm waiting for the blue P-Bass ($219) to become available. I don't think you can go wrong with either - it comes down to personal preference. Might be a little easier to upgrade the Squier?

[@Sudipta_Dey_Utsa]

@@keithavarney170 Thank you

[@davidtalkovic9369]

I bought used gsr 205 for 140 bucks bought and installed a set of EMG dcx pickups made it a killer sounding bass

[@Sudipta_Dey_Utsa]

@@davidtalkovic9369 Wow, That's great! Please make a video with that gear.

[@keithavarney170]

@@davidtalkovic9369 Indeed! If you can find something with a good neck on it, you can just upgrade the hell out of it and make an awesome, CUSTOM instrument. I LOVE doing that. 🤘

[@Outdoor_Nam10]

Planning buy my first bass which one you think the best between squire affinity PJ or yamaha TRBX174

[@keithavarney170]

Either of those would be okay - but at this time I'd recommend the latest Sonic P-Bass from Squier. They finally (FINALLY) have an old-school style p-bass with a single pickup at a basement price (~$210). For the longest time all you could get was a PJ style bass - adequate, but not my cup of tea. My very first bass (that I still have!) was a Fender Squier P-Bass (1994), and I still use it for recording. I have upgraded the pickup, but the basic pickup in the new model should be more than good enough for learning - and even recording. Please check out the link - www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-basses/precision-bass/squier-sonic-precision-bass/0373902503.html - and DEFINITELY get into a local music store to try one out if you can.

[@Ceko]

Beginner question. Why do you find the P bass better than the PJ? You can adjust the controls so you only hear one pickup right?

[@cyrilbrocard]

I don't know about this Squier, but generally, you're right: the precision pickup is good and strong, and the jazz pickup is weak. You don't want to use it alone. But the real thing is to blend it with the precision pickup to add some bite in the mids and highs. Then you get something interesting - and versatile.

[@keithavarney170]

It obviously works - they sell tons of them LOL. I think I'm just lazy and don't want to take the time to figure out the "mix". Crank up the P and rock it!

[@cyrilbrocard]

@@keithavarney170 Actually, I think they shouldn't call them "PJ" - it's true that's what they are, technically, but it creates the misunderstanding that your could use them as precision and jazz basses. Which is patently untrue. What they are is precision basses with more tonal options, really. So maybe they should call them "precision +" or something.

[@mattfoley6082]

@@cyrilbrocard "PJ" indicates the pickup configuration, not the model name per se. Fender and Squier have used various model names for this, e.g., Precision Bass Special. Many other manufacturers have the PJ configuration, too. I was shopping for a P bass but saw the Squier PJ and decided it was better because more versatile tones. You just have to turn your amp up if you're on the bridge pickup.

[@mattfoley6082]

I have one. Yes, the neck pickup is noticeably louder than the bridge pickup. With both pickups full on it sounds nothing like a jazz bass. I still love the bass because it was inexpensive and the P bass tone sounds great esp. slapping.

[@keithavarney170]

I'm learning that you can get a good balance between the pickups using the volume controls - I've always been a caveman that runs everything at 10. Nuance is a new thing for me :) Thanks for the comment!

[@mattfoley6082]

@@keithavarney170 LOL I have a 2000 Fender American Jazz Deluxe V purchased new for $1050. I used to think I had to always have both pickups on because they were there for a reason. I've since learned that I get more bottom with just the neck pickup, and it sounds almost like a Precision.

[@daveweed2765]

Who the hell buys cars or instruments online? Honestly my favorite 6 string is an Epi Les Paul. 15 years ago i chose it at Guitar Center ove multiple Gibson Les Pauls. The lamenated body leads to the distorted growl and sound dirty as pornstar in church. My 2 Gibson Les Pauls cant reproduce that sound through overloaded tubes. My favorate bass is an Epi SG PJ. It blows my Fenders away and my Gibson Thunderbird PJ away too. But I do prefer fitted necks over bolt ons. They sound better through tubes.

[@circedge]

The fret issue is probably climate control in the factories. Until Japan invested in the tech sometime in the late 60's, their export guitars were junk, same with Korea until the 90's. As far as I know Indonesian factories are mostly devoid of it, don't know about China but from what I've read they have a better reputation in some areas, but it could just be that they avoid the more humid zones.

[@keithavarney170]

That would definitely make sense. I have the feeling that some of guitars that I have had fret issues with actually left the factory in decent shape. Between their lack of climate control and mine, the issues later popped up. Maybe?

[@MrSrtman18]

It a sub 200 bass. U act like ur talking about a 2k bass. I think youre fret sprout.

[@andysmusikwelt1562]

Why 95 % talking and only 5 % playing the instrument... ? That's what the viewer is interested in, to hear what it sounds like, that's my opinion of an instrument review.

[@keithavarney170]

Hi Andys! I made a decision early on to not play the instruments live. All you will hear is what it sounds like out of my setup - which would be different from what anyone else would hear out of their own setup. I always include a recorded track that uses the instrument so you can get an idea of how it sounds. Thanks for the comment!

[@justinTime077]

Speak for yourself shart-lips. I wanted to hear thoughts on the experience with this suspiciously cheap instrument

[@jeffreyburton7284]

5 out 10 is 50% and that is an 'F'. Your grade doesn't reflect what your are saying about the bass.

[@TomislavHristicmchrile]

Hey Wizard, are you some kind of music theorist, since I haven't heard you play a tone on any of the instruments you've been peddling about?

[@keithavarney170]

I make plenty of music. I've just found that playing out of my speakers into whatever mic I happen to be recording on doesn't give a good representation of an instrument's true sound. Any music you hear in my videos was created by me and I usually include a clip in the video of the instrument being reviewed in some type of studio-ish recording. Here's a sample of some of my stuff: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZqkmmOweKpleLs You can also check out www.twistedworldmusic.com/ for more.

[@keithavarney170]

Wizard. Lol. 😆

[@MrSrtman18]

@@keithavarney170it was sarcastic.