Since this page is for the Squier line of basses and not just one in particular, I’ll mention that I purchased the Squier Affinity PJ Bass. This is the second bass I’ve owned, the first being an Ibanez from the early 90’s or so. Having owned this bass for over a month, I can confidently review this product now. It’s pretty apparent that build quality for budget instruments is on point right now, and Squier is easily one of the best budget brands.
Firstly, if you’re considering this bass, it’s not ready to play out of the box. If you’re trying to play something right when you get it, you’ll probably want to buy in person, as it will most likely be set up. That being said, included in the box are tools required for adjustments on the truss rod, and bridge saddles. A search online can help with setup, or you can take it to a shop if you’re not comfortable with it.
With all that out of the way, this bass is awesome. I purchased the Olympic White color, and I think it looks pretty sick. I purchased this bass to experiment with different tones, the p-bass pickup has a nice softer more mellow tone and the jazz style pickup has a more warm twangy tone that pairs well with a rock/metal style. I’m not going to sugar coat it and say this is the best of both worlds, because it’s really not; each pickup does its job well separately, and experimenting with both pickups together will give you a bit more unique tone. The knobs work will to give fine adjustments to volume of each pickup, and the tone knob does the job as well. From my time with this bass, it’s been able to stay in tune relatively well, even dropping to D Standard tuning. The included strings felt great to me, and I enjoyed the sound out of them. The fret edges were rounded enough on mine to not cause any irritation on my fretting hand. It might be an unpopular opinion, but the raw finish on the neck is something I absolutely love, and I never want to go back to a gloss neck.
Pros:
- Budget Friendly
- Keeps Tune Well
- Build Quality
- Raw Neck Feels Awesome
- Pickups Good For Beginners
- Strings Included are Great
Cons:
- Not Ready Out of Box
- Pickups Won’t Give True Jazz/P-Bass Tones
Overall, if you’re looking to purchase a great beginner bass experience I’d recommend the Squier Affinity PJ Bass.
Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass, Black, Laurel Fingerboard
4.7 | 1,241 ratings
Price:
Last update: 09-02-2024
About this item
Hand orientation: Right
Product information
| Item Weight | 13.02 pounds |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 51 x 15 x 4 inches |
| ASIN | B07B6KQ32N |
| Item model number | 370500506 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars
1,241 ratings
4.7 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #14,065 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #30 in Electric Bass Guitars #258 in Guitars (Musical Instruments) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | March 2, 2018 |
| Back Material | Basswood |
| Body Material | Poplar |
| Color Name | Black |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | S |
| String Material | Alloy Steel |
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Guitar Bridge System | Hard Tail |
| Material Type | rosewood, maple |
Top reviews from the United States
Matt
Squier Affinity PJ Bass
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2021
Matt
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2021
Firstly, if you’re considering this bass, it’s not ready to play out of the box. If you’re trying to play something right when you get it, you’ll probably want to buy in person, as it will most likely be set up. That being said, included in the box are tools required for adjustments on the truss rod, and bridge saddles. A search online can help with setup, or you can take it to a shop if you’re not comfortable with it.
With all that out of the way, this bass is awesome. I purchased the Olympic White color, and I think it looks pretty sick. I purchased this bass to experiment with different tones, the p-bass pickup has a nice softer more mellow tone and the jazz style pickup has a more warm twangy tone that pairs well with a rock/metal style. I’m not going to sugar coat it and say this is the best of both worlds, because it’s really not; each pickup does its job well separately, and experimenting with both pickups together will give you a bit more unique tone. The knobs work will to give fine adjustments to volume of each pickup, and the tone knob does the job as well. From my time with this bass, it’s been able to stay in tune relatively well, even dropping to D Standard tuning. The included strings felt great to me, and I enjoyed the sound out of them. The fret edges were rounded enough on mine to not cause any irritation on my fretting hand. It might be an unpopular opinion, but the raw finish on the neck is something I absolutely love, and I never want to go back to a gloss neck.
Pros:
- Budget Friendly
- Keeps Tune Well
- Build Quality
- Raw Neck Feels Awesome
- Pickups Good For Beginners
- Strings Included are Great
Cons:
- Not Ready Out of Box
- Pickups Won’t Give True Jazz/P-Bass Tones
Overall, if you’re looking to purchase a great beginner bass experience I’d recommend the Squier Affinity PJ Bass.
Images in this review
K. Gale
Nice Bass for price
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2022Amazon Customer
Good overall, amazing for the money
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2019
Chris_1200
My favorite everyday bass
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2020