Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass Reviews

4.7/5.0 based on 5 customer reviews

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Customer Reviews

Jim Morgan
from Cumberland, RI
March 18, 2013Music Background:
Working semi-pro

Budget American Vintage 1964

Based on Classic Vibe which is the top of Squier line IMO. Borrowed a friend's American Deluxe prior to purchase and I don't see any reason to spend the extra $$. Came set up beautifully. Sweetwater support was first-class as always. Will need to replace the bridge to fit the bridge cover as the Squier high-mass bridge is too big for the cover to fit. Going for the look of the American Vintage 1964. The sound of this bass - even unplugged - is massive. Just can't beat it for the price!

Leonard
from Michigan
March 16, 2013

Great Bass that I thought was a Custom Shop

When I saw the bass with the matching headstock I thought it was a Custom Shop. After I played it and saw the price, I took it home. End of story!

Justin
from Placentia, CA
January 25, 2013Music Background:
Multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer, and home recording enthusiast with over 20 years of experience spanning every genre

Totally exceeded my expectations

I previously owned an American Standard Jazz Bass which I sold a couple years back and have regretted it since. Decided to get a replacement but didn't want to spend the Fender American prices. This Squier model was recommended by the folks at Sweetwater. I must say that I am very impressed. The one I got easily holds its own with the American that I previously owned. I realize some may be skeptical of that statement. I understand. If I were reading this review, I would be skeptical as well. This is an incredibly well built bass made of great quality parts. The setup and fretwork are excellent as well. I've bought new guitars for thousands of dollars that required a good setup and cleanup work on the frets. I was shocked that this was not the case here. Perfect. The pickups are good but could be upgraded with your choice of aftermarket pups and you'd still be way ahead in the cash department. And my preference would have been for a string through body design, but I don't notice a perceivable difference in tone or sustain with regards to that. Also, it does not include a case or gig bag. Again, for the price, can't complain about that. If you're looking for a Fender Jazz Bass, don't overlook this incredible instrument.

SC
from Australia
May 21, 2013Music Background:
Amateur Musician

Really freaking good

When I originally bought this, I was kicking myself that a mexi-fender was only 150$ more but I couldn't afford it. I wouldn't trade it for one now.

Feel and tone is classic jazz bass, I've played the proper Fender models and if you had a blindfold on you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between this and a 60's era JBass. The fretboard even feels the same, except cut a little better at the back of the neck.

Can't say enough about the painted headstock, it's just a simple thing that makes the guitar look so much better. I've often speculated that all the custom shop guys are really paying for is matching headstocks anyway - it costs them like 2k to do that. I just got that upgrade on a Squier CV for 100 xD. Other little things like the heavy bridge as well.

I'm sure the electronics are inferior, so I might upgrade the pick ups at some stage but it doesn't feel high-priority at all. On the PA it just sounds like any Jazz Bass. I would gig with this, and I bet other bassists would come up ready to ask all about it until they saw squier on the headstock. If you need very first bass or a gigging backup I couldn't recommend it enough.

Didn't get into this guy and his band, but I have no end of kudos to give to him for speccing this guitar out at this price.

aproud1
from United States
December 18, 2012

Sounds and feels like a jazz bass

I'm a sucker for matching headstocks and needed a relatively inexpensive Jazz bass for a back up and travel bass. Ended up using this bass a lot more and selling my much higher dollar Jazz bass. I was hesitant because of the basswood body not because of bad experience but because there seems to be some negative comments about it. Well I love basswood now.

This bass sounds perfect. Sounds like a jazz bass. I have owned many jazz basses and variations and this bass is seriously one of the best I've heard. Pickups are single coils so they can be noisy but no worse than any other single coils.

The fit an finish is very good. Paint is looks great, pickguard and control plate are well fitted neck pocket is tight, tuners work fine and the nut is cut fine. Fretwork is good but not great but the bass sets up and plays very good out of the box. Neck is stable and bass stays in tune well.

The only part that seems to be not great is the nut. It works fine but if you need to work it the material seems to be softer than normal and is about the only part I would have to replace. A neck shim and a fretjob as well as a new nut sends this bass over the top . But that could be said about a lot of much higher priced jazz basses.

This seems to be a Squier Classic Vibe with a fancy paint job. A great upgrade to me but maybe not to some.

If you need a jazz bass and love Lake Placid blue and a matching headstock this bass can't be beat.