Originally Posted by: Andrew SaI find this particularly true with low-end instruments(like Squire in particular)

How very true. My squier bass (being my first instrument ever), despite the being about as low end as it gets, plays quite well. The neck does anyway... for what it is mind you. It could be better, but I dont' feel ripped off by any means, but the second I get a new bass that one's going right into retirement. Until then it's crappy bass sound in my recordings. Still like it though.