If you’re wondering if Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass is a good guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s article, we’re going to take a very close look on that brand new model to see if it’s worth it. Surely, it has a killer look, but does it actually sound good?
The truth is that Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass offers a very high quality. The company really stepped up their game and they managed to create a fantastic instrument that looks and sounds beautiful!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what makes this bass guitar so special. Firstly, we’ll start with the specs. There will also be a sound demo, so you’ll be able to hear how it sounds. At the end of the article, we’re going to see if there are any alternatives for those who can’t afford it right now.
Hopefully today’s review will help you to understand if this guitar is a good fit for you or not.
Specs & Pricing
Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass is a brand new model announced by Fender in early 2022. The guitar features a lightweight nyatoh body and a very comfortable C-shaped maple neck. In addition, there’s a very smooth Indian laurel fingerboard with a 9.5″ radius. The scale length of this bass is 34″.
What’s important, all guitars from this series also feature golden hardware, pearloid block inlays and binding on the neck. From the outside, they all look very special and aesthetically pleasing.
be used in a lot of different genres. If you like the punchy tone of a classic Jazz Bass, you’ll definitely enjoy playing on that guitar. The manufacturer equipped this guitar with two Fender-Alnico single-coil pickups – both of them sound awesome!
There are two versions of the 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass – Gold Edition and Vintage Edition. The main difference between them is that the Gold Edition features a gloss finish, while the Vintage Edition features a satin finish.
Some may say that the pricing of this bass is a bit too much, but in my opinion, it’s not overpriced at all. I had a few of the 40th Anniversary models in my hands and their quality is similar to the quality of Mexican-made Fenders. Considering that these guitars are one-of-a-kind, they’re definitely worth checking out.
Here’s the official sound demo – feel free to check it out.
Who Is It For?
Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass will be an ideal choice for all bassists who are looking for a high quality and reliable gear. This guitar can be efficiently used by both beginners and more advanced players. Whether you just want to practice at home or play gigs, this guitar will be ideal for you.
Of course, just like all the other Jazz Basses, this is a very versatile instrument. It can be used in a lot of different genres, so whether you’re into indie, rock, blues or country, you’ll definitely enjoy it.
I have no hesitation in recommending this model to anyone who’s looking for a great looking and great sounding bass guitar. If you’re looking for a new budget and you have the budget for it, go for the 40th Anniversary Series!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages of Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass
It’s really difficult to find a guitar without any flaws – that’s a fact. Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass has its own disadvantages, but to be honest – they aren’t that serious.
Firstly, some of the new guitars from this series require a professional setup. You can either do it on your own (there are a lot of tutorials on YouTube) or you can try to find a good luthier in your area.
Some people report problems with the string action, so setting it up properly will definitely improve the overall playability. It’s a very common issue that appears in the vast majority of cheap and mid-level guitars. So don’t worry, it’s totally normal.
Squier sells this guitar without a soft case, so that’s an another disadvantage – you’ll have to get it separately. Nevertheless, it’s not a big deal, because there are plenty of affordable options out there.
Lastly, this is one of the most expensive Squier basses. It may be a disadvantage for a lot of people and that’s totally understandable. Still, I think that this bass is really worth the money, mainly because of the fact that it’s just one-of-a-kind.
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you can’t afford getting the Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass and you still want to find a new guitar, don’t worry – there’s a few good alternatives out there. Here’s three models that you should also check out.
1. The CV ’60s Jazz Bass
The Classic Vibe Series is admired by the vast majority of amateur and more intermediate guitarists. All of these guitars feature a really good quality and although they’re not ideal, they’re definitely comparable with the Mexican-made Fenders.
This particular model is slightly less expensive than the Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass and it’s actually pretty similar. It has a very cool vintage aesthetic, so I’m sure that a lot of bass players are going to love that. If you like the sound of the ’60s, you won’t be dissapointed.
2. The Affinity Precision Bass
Squier Affinity Precision Bass is an another really cool choice for a lot of guitarists. The Affinity Series is cheaper than the Classic Vibe and 40th Anniversary Series. I played on a lot of guitars from this Series and I have to admit that they all sound and feel great!
Who is it for? Well, if you’re looking for a reliable and versatile bass guitar that doesn’t cost too much, you’ll definitely enjoy that model. It may not be as good as the Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass, but it’s still a great guitar.
3. The Mini Precision Bass
Squier Mini Precision Bass is smaller than the rest of guitars listed above, but it’s still a great choice for teenagers or players with small fingers. It’s one of the cheapest basses offered by Squier, so if you’re on a very low budget, this model will be a great choice for you.
Although it’s not the best guitar in the world, it’s definitely more than enough as an entry-level guitar. It’s inexpensive, it looks good and it sounds great – who needs anything else? I highly recommend checking it out!
FAQ
Can you use a Jazz Bass for rock?
Any Jazz Bass guitar can be efficiently used for rock, grunge, indie and metal. This is a very versatile guitar!
Are Jazz Basses good for punk?
Of course, Jazz Basses are great for playing punk music. A lot of punk musicians are using this type of guitar for their gigs and studio recordings.
Where is Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass made?
Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass is manufactured in Indonesia.
How long will a Squier last?
Squier guitars are built very well, so they should last you for years to come. The quality of these guitars significantly improved throughout the last few years. Just remember to take a good care of your Squier!
Who owns Squier guitars?
Squier is currently owned by one of the biggest guitar brands in the world – Fender.
Summary
As you can see, Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass is a really cool guitar. I’m sure that a lot of bass players are going to love it. Although it’s one of the most expensive Squiers, it definitely features a similar quality to all the Fenders at the same price level.
What do you think about that Jazz Bass? Would you add it to your own bass collection? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this review, you may also like:
Comments
2 responses to “Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass – Is It Good? [REVIEW]”
Hello!
I bought my Squier 40th anniversery Jazzbass a week ago.
1. I have problems with the G-string on 4-6 th lever. The tone “dies” directly when playing it.
2. The neck isnt it is bend on the lower side of the nec
3. Its nearly impossible to get a acceptabel high on the strings, the strings get noicy.
Excuse me for my bad english, hope that you can understand my message.
Best regards
Hi Per! Sorry to hear that you’re experiencing problems with your Squier. You may have to visit your local luthier to set it up – it will definitely improve your bass!