Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass V 5-String Black
Squier's Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass V 5-String Black is a 5-string Jazz Bass from their upscale Classic Vibe series. Indonesian-made with vintage-inspired specs and surprisingly good hardware for the price. At mid-range-tier pricing, it's one of the best import J-basses on the market — punchy, versatile, and gig-ready.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Classic Vibe series quality — Indonesian-made with attention to vintage specs
- +Two single-coil pickups deliver classic J-Bass growl and versatility
- +Five-string configuration extends range without sacrifice to string spacing
- +Neck profile is comfortable and fast
- +Hardware is solid for the price tier — better than typical Squiers
- +Vintage aesthetics with modern playability
Cons
- −Five-string J-Basses have narrow string spacing — not ideal for slap or fingerstyle
- −Classic Vibe series is still Squier — resale value trails MIM Fenders
- −Pickups are decent but upgrading to better J-pickups is common ($100+ additional cost)
- −Glossy neck finish can feel sticky compared to satin or oil finishes
The Verdict
Squier’s Classic Vibe ’70s Jazz Bass V is one of the best import 5-strings on the market. At $559.99, you get vintage J-Bass versatility, solid build quality, and surprisingly good hardware. Our EJ score of 80 (based on critic consensus of 80) reflects that it punches above its Squier branding. The narrow 5-string spacing won’t suit everyone, and resale trails MIM Fenders, but for gigging bassists on a budget who need low B extension, this delivers. Upgrade the pickups if you want, but it’s gig-ready stock.
