# TLDR Review: Squier Affinity Series PJ Bass *Published: 2024-12-20 | Updated: 2024-12-22 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/squier-affinity-series-pj-bass* --- ## Verdict The Squier by Fender Affinity Series PJ Bass is a fantastic entry-level bass guitar for beginners or those looking to get back into playing. It offers great versatility in sound, a classic appearance, and comes with a complete starter pack, making it convenient and cost-effective. While some minor setup and quality issues may arise, these are common in budget instruments and can often be addressed with upgrades or professional adjustments. Overall, it's a solid choice for those not yet ready to invest in a higher-end bass but who still want a reliable and stylish instrument. **Top pro:** Excellent starter instrument perfect for beginners or those returning to bass playing. **Top con:** Setup may require minor adjustments such as fret work and pickup/bridge height tweaks. ## Product: Squier Affinity Series PJ Bass **Brand:** Fender [Compare prices and price history on ShopSavvy](https://shopsavvy.com/products/squier-affinity-series-pj-bass) ## Pros - Excellent starter instrument perfect for beginners or those returning to bass playing. - Offers versatile sound options thanks to dual pickups with individual volume controls. - Capable of producing a wide range of tones, from booming bass to overdriven distortion. - Impressive Fender pickups, particularly the thunderous split coil pickup. - Attractive and classic appearance with a smooth, comfortable neck. - Suitable for both practice and gigs, especially as a reliable backup instrument. - Comes as a complete starter kit with an amp, cords, and a strap. - Affordable and allows for customization without worry. - Rosewood fingerboard and quality strings add to the instrument's appeal. - Includes highly praised Fender Play lessons for quick learning progress. ## Cons - Setup may require minor adjustments such as fret work and pickup/bridge height tweaks. - Strap and cable provided are of poor quality and need replacement. - Amp is underwhelming with distortion issues at higher volumes. - Gig bag offers minimal protection with insufficient padding. - Some quality control issues like fret sprout and sharp fret ends. - Neck might feel wide for those who prefer a jazz neck. - Back of the neck can have a rough, unfinished feel. - Potential tuning peg and screw tightening issues. ## Pros vs Cons at a Glance | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Excellent starter instrument perfect for beginners or those returning to bass playing. | Setup may require minor adjustments such as fret work and pickup/bridge height tweaks. | | Offers versatile sound options thanks to dual pickups with individual volume controls. | Strap and cable provided are of poor quality and need replacement. | | Capable of producing a wide range of tones, from booming bass to overdriven distortion. | Amp is underwhelming with distortion issues at higher volumes. | | Impressive Fender pickups, particularly the thunderous split coil pickup. | Gig bag offers minimal protection with insufficient padding. | | Attractive and classic appearance with a smooth, comfortable neck. | Some quality control issues like fret sprout and sharp fret ends. | | Suitable for both practice and gigs, especially as a reliable backup instrument. | Neck might feel wide for those who prefer a jazz neck. | | Comes as a complete starter kit with an amp, cords, and a strap. | Back of the neck can have a rough, unfinished feel. | | Affordable and allows for customization without worry. | Potential tuning peg and screw tightening issues. | | Rosewood fingerboard and quality strings add to the instrument's appeal. | | | Includes highly praised Fender Play lessons for quick learning progress. | | ## Last Seen Prices *Each price is the last one ShopSavvy observed, on 2024-12-22; it may have changed since.* | Retailer | Price | Availability | Last seen | |----------|-------|-------------|-----------| | [Reverb](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/1570171e-a3e6-7174-d16b-5d4de9ff1b49?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $256.74 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [Amazon](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/d3a043d9-2ae4-1230-8594-c5dc80e4e13d?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $379.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [Bananas.com](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/ed9b9068-519b-67b7-08c8-0d163fe00f85?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $379.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [Fender](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/ed7d2f55-4c49-fc2b-a279-047aeb23e2fc?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $379.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [Guitar Center](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/4c61ff88-01e2-500a-2b31-7ffe1b4a77c4?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $379.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [Mundt Music of Longview](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/feb650ff-7f8b-0b19-a9d9-81832292642b?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $379.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [Musicians Friend](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/e9528f82-9dd3-e766-e904-889ff9d1892b?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $379.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [Percussion Source](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/71033caf-fc35-0180-1e7a-a8fa3225272f?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $379.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [Russo Music](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/94b47d10-4cad-2720-d501-d3d309a893ba?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $379.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [Sweetwater](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/1be1ce89-7bec-4fda-f1d2-dc902ade7a3f?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $379.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [West Music](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/sj84MqheMVuFzO0NwJnk?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $379.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [Chicago Music Exchange](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/58e58d2d-785a-2bd4-2b07-7875013669d7?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $399.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | | [Music & Arts](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/upmOpvJIXMGOYAaoWFNR/offers/5unxaxmMzGvhHQ0S6Rlz?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $399.99 | In Stock | 2024-12-22 (may have changed) | [See every retailer and the full price history on ShopSavvy](https://shopsavvy.com/products/squier-affinity-series-pj-bass) --- *About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data (each price shows when it was last seen).* *Machine-readable access: append `.md` to any ShopSavvy URL, or send `Accept: text/markdown`, to get this page as Markdown. 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