Best advice I can give, try before you buy. The QC for those basses cannot compared to those of US, Japan and Mexico-made ones. You can also say it's harder to get a good instrument, so it goes back to trying the instruments before you buy em.
in terms of craftsmanship, the indo is impressive however, the electronics could have been better. not talking about functionality here, just that the punch we hear from a typical p-bass for instance, is missing... however, if you prioritize playability, it's a rewarding unit to invest in.
I beg to differ. The craftsmanship of a Chinese-made can be comparable. The maple necks of the Indonesian-made ones can sometimes look artificial. I tried the China-made Squier P Bass Special and it wasn't that bad. The Indonesian-made ones are available at Swee Lee, but they are a little over-priced. An Affinity series Jazz bass costs $600. The China-made Squier P bass special that I tried was not bad in terms of the finish, craftsmanship and tone, costs only $350 BEFORE discount.
Please feed me with information as the information I have now isn't enough for me to decide on which to buy. Thanks guys. =)
quote shaneypants: I beg to differ. The craftsmanship of a Chinese-made can be comparable.
no begging necessary; nobody said the chinese versions were duds. the current indo batch are done differently in terms of construction, fit & finish. some people dis this because they are used to the prior incarnations. in terms of basses, i respect the Squier brand name; there is enough quality in the finish despite them being entry level. a worthy purchase, regardless of the country of origin.