Congrats! Wow Spud, it just amazes me what Squier is putting out for six string enthusiasts these days. I saw this axe at Sam Ash last week and it appeared quite impressive. Now, especially hearing what you can do with it, coupled with your recommendation, I wouldn't hesitate to point anyone in its direction.
I just wish they would do the same for bass. Although they are putting out some nice looking stuff, it falls short on sound. I got a chance to spend a fair amount of time playing a number of instruments at a local guitar shop last week, and among them, I played the new Squier '75 style Jazz, the one with the natural body and block inlay on the fingerboard. I really like the look of this bass and so wanted to fall in love with it, but alas it wasn't to be. At the same time, I also got to play the Squier "Jaco," a Jazz bass that is a lined fretless with no pickguard, a burst finish, and Duncan designed pickups. In addition to these I also played a silver American Standard Jazz, and a pretty Highway One Jazz in blonde finish. The S-1 switching circuitry gave the American Standard a slight edge in versatility, but it would have been the Highway One that would have gone home with me. It sounded great and it felt great. I can't tell you what made the difference, but when A-B'd like that, the Squiers just were not up to task next to their American bretheren.
In the end though, it wasn't even a Fender that caught my heart, but that is posted elsewhere. When I came home, just for giggles, I picked up my el cheapo SX fretless jazz, and I have to say, with its mods, I still feel real good about it. I might start looking for alternative pickups though!
Rob Smith
I AM the bass player!
GUITARS: '93 ZON Sonus 4, '85 G&L L-2000 (Mahogany), '05 Schecter Stiletto Custom 4, '06 SX SJB-62MG (Fretless), '07 Squier Bronco (project), '06 Ibanez AEB10E-BK acoustic bass, '70s Epiphone OO-sized acoustic, '94 Peavey Reactor (extreme makeover edition)
AMPS: '03 Ampeg BA115 bass combo, '86 Peavey MkIV Series 400 bass head, SWR Workingman's cabs, 2x10" & 1x15", '00 Peavey Micro Bass