squier by fender electric bass guitar: picks for beginners

If you want a squier by fender electric bass guitar, you're buying into Fender's effort to put its classic bass designs within reach of new players. This guide sorts the Squier range by what matters when you choose: body style and string count, included gear, owner ratings on Amazon and price tier.

Short answer

For most beginners, the Squier Debut Series Beginner Precision Bass is the simplest starting point. Its Amazon listing shows 4.6 stars from 1300 ratings and sits in the $100–$300 tier. If you also need an amp, the Debut Series kit with amp is the alternative. Both are listed as Precision Bass models, so check each page for the exact contents before you buy.

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How we researched

We compared Squier bass pages from Guitar Center, Fender's Swiss Squier collection, a retailer listing for a Squier Jazz Bass V, and the Squier listings on Amazon, using the star ratings and rating counts shown there. Guitar Center also lists many used Squier basses, which we did not assess one by one. This guide compares products using manufacturer specifications, current Amazon listings and owner reviews; we did not test them hands-on.

Buying criteria, in order of weight

1. Body style and string count: Precision or Jazz, four or five strings.
2. Included gear: whether an amp comes in the box.
3. Owner ratings on Amazon: the star average and how many ratings sit behind it.
4. Price tier: under $100, $100–$300 or over $300.
5. Finish and neck feel, which listings describe only loosely.

How we chose

We weighted the criteria above in that order. Our evidence is manufacturer and retailer pages for specifications, plus Amazon star averages and rating counts as a small sample of owner feedback. We had no expert reviews in our material and did not handle any of these basses. We will update this guide when products or price tiers change.

What the Squier line offers

Fender's Swiss Squier page pitches these basses to beginners, promising the authentic Fender feel with a powerful tone at a lower price (Fender Switzerland's Squier electric bass collection). Guitar Center describes its Squier 5-string basses as an affordable instrument with Fender quality and design, plus a fifth string, and says most of them are based on the Jazz Bass. The exception it names is the Vintage Modified Precision Bass V, which pairs old-school styling with a modern C neck profile (Guitar Center's Squier 5-string page). A retailer listing for a Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass V gives more build detail: a soft maple body, a C-shape maple neck and a maple fretboard (The Music Zoo's Squier Jazz Bass page).

The sources don't cover everything. None of them gives a string count for the Debut or Sonic Amazon listings, so confirm that on the product page.

Squier Debut Series Beginner Precision Bass

This fits beginners who want a Precision-style bass at a budget price and already have an amp or plan to buy one separately. Its Amazon listing shows 4.6 stars from 1300 ratings and 100+ bought in the past month. Those ratings are a signal about owner satisfaction, not a review of how the bass plays for you.

The drawback is that the same 1300-rating count appears on several Debut Series listings. That suggests the count may be shared across variants, so treat it as a reading on the family rather than on one listing.

Squier Debut Series Beginner Precision Bass Kit w/Amp

This fits buyers who want an amp in the box and don't want to shop for one separately. The listing shows 4.4 stars from 108 ratings and is in the $100–$300 tier.

The drawback is that our sources don't include amp specifications, so we can't tell you its power or features. The smaller rating count also means a smaller sample than the Debut listing.

Squier Sonic Precision Bass Guitar

This fits Precision-style buyers who are comfortable with a smaller review sample. The Amazon listing shows 4.4 stars from 122 ratings, in the $100–$300 tier. A separate Fender Squier Sonic listing shows 4.6 stars from only 10 ratings and sits in the over $300 tier. Ten ratings is too few to lean on, which is why we didn't rank the two listings against each other.

The drawback is the lower star average than the Debut listing, and we don't have sourced specifications that explain the difference.

Comparison table

String count is not listed for any of these Amazon listings.

Who should skip which option

Skip the Sonic if you want the most owner feedback behind your choice. Skip used listings if you can't check the neck, frets, electronics and hardware yourself, since used basses come with more unknowns. If you want five strings, look at the Squier 5-string Jazz Bass models in the Guitar Center and Music Zoo listings, and confirm the exact model before you buy.

How to choose

If you're on a tight budget and already own an amp, pick the Debut Series Precision Bass. If you need everything to start playing, pick the kit with amp and check its amp specifications on the product page. If you want five strings, start with Squier's 5-string Jazz Bass range and check the string count on each model.

If you want a broader comparison of entry-level options by budget, see our Best Beginner Electric Bass Guitar: Picks by Budget guide.

FAQ

Is a Squier bass good for beginners?

Owners on Amazon rate the Debut Series listing 4.6 stars across 1300 ratings, and Fender's Swiss site pitches Squier to beginners. Ratings tell you what owners liked, not how the bass will feel in your hands. If you can, try one in a shop first.

Is Squier the same as Fender?

Squier is Fender's brand for more affordable instruments that carry Fender designs. Guitar Center describes it as Fender quality and design at an affordable price. Our sources don't include a detailed build comparison, so we don't claim the two are identical.

Should I buy a used Squier?

Guitar Center lists many used Squier basses. Check the neck for straightness, the frets, the electronics and the hardware before you pay. A used bass can save money, but it carries more unknowns than a new one.

Conclusion

For most beginners, the Squier Debut Series Beginner Precision Bass is the best place to start. It has the highest rating count among the listings we compared and sits in the $100–$300 tier. Choose the kit with amp if you need everything in one box, and check string count and amp details on the product page before you buy.

Sources

• Guitar Center: Squier 5 String Electric Bass
• Fender Switzerland: Squier electric basses
• The Music Zoo: Squier Jazz Bass