The Ultimate Squier Classic Vibe Thread

[Robert****]

I've decided I don't like the stock neck on mine. It's got some buzzing still, and I can't bond with the feel of the neck either. I have a '51 neck that Tremoloman gave to me. I forgot about this neck completely. I checked it out, and it fits nicely! I just need a nut and tuners and I'll have the best Squier Tele in the world!

[duhvoodooman***]

Hmm. I wish there was one of each at the store. But I really liked the Custom at the store, and felt it had a nice, warm, sweet neck tone that responded well to the tone knob. It may be that I am in the minority here too as I was with the CV strats. Everyone seemed to pick the 50s, whereas I seemed to like the 60s better.

In any case, I originally was thinking about changing out the neck pup anyway to a humbucker or something. But when I played it in the store, my thought was I did not need to be in any big hurry to do so.

Just be sure to play the 50s model before you make a final decision. You may still decide to go with the "twang factor" of the Custom, but a lot of players seem to prefer the warmer/bluesier character of the 50s. Just depends on what you're looking for from a Tele.

BTW, I'm still not sure I don't need one of each!

[Duffy]

For me, that guy is so talented and has such ability that it is difficult for me, if not impossible, to evaluate the two selections he plays. Had he played the same selections on both guitars I might be able to make a decision as to which sounds better to my ear.

The fifties sounds really twangy and bluesy like Albert Collins. The Custom has a mellower sound, to my ear, and is smoother and quieter - as in less noisy, but maybe the noise on the Fifties is something else.

This guy gets some sounds out of each of the guitars that are very polished. He makes that Custom sound really good, and gets a deeper more mellow, woody, sustain type tone out of it - never ice picky, probably because of the Alnico V pickups. The Alnico III pups on the Fifties are probably more of a vintage tele sound - clear, bright, cutting.

It's hard for me to tell though because he has a lot of stylistic differences going on between the two selections and we don't know where his amp and guitar controls are set at.

To my ear both guitars sound great and there can be no doubt that the Custom delivers some really great sounds in this guys hands. It seems like he plays the bass and mid strings more on the Custom, maybe because of the darker tone of the guitar to begin with.

I have to agree with SVL to some degree, in that I really like the sound of the Sixties CV, but own Fifties CV strats. They had a nice Sixties by me brand new for 279 and it sat around a long time but is now gone. It was a great guitar all around. I remember the guy that bought it thought it sounded as good or better than the American Special and cost a little more than a third of the Special.

[ZMAN]

Just be sure to play the 50s model before you make a final decision. You may still decide to go with the "twang factor" of the Custom, but a lot of players seem to prefer the warmer/bluesier character of the 50s. Just depends on what you're looking for from a Tele.

BTW, I'm still not sure I don't need one of each!

I purchased the CV Custom about a year ago. Now I am not a tele guy in any shape or form. I have tried maybe 25 different ones over the years and I could not find one that I really liked. The only one that really felt good was the 52 reissue but it had the 7.25 radius on the neck. When I saw the CV50s
I really wanted to try one but I could never find one in stock. When the CV Custom was released I talked to my local guy and he was ordering a couple in. I asked to be the first on the list when they came in.
Right frome the start this guitar just felt good. I really like the Alder body and the color and finish are amazing. To get a double bound body on a guitar this reasonable is just crazy. I wanted a maple neck but this rosewood board is smooth and very nice to play. I had never had a 3 saddle bridge and I was worried about intonation. The 3 saddle works perfectly. I have the CV50s Strat with the A3s and I like the tone, but I really like the combo of the Rosewood, Alder and the A5s. I was ble to get a really nice low buzzless action.
Having 1 Tele out of my 17 guitars suits me just fine, but I have been keeping my eye out for a blowout on the "Pine Caster" Fender has really outdone themselves with the Classic vibe Series. If you could get both of them for 600 bucks that would be the deal of the century they are real bang for the buck.

[sunvalleylaw]

Well, if one or two of my items will sell I am in! I liked that Custom. Plus I talked to the store, and if I put money down on the Custom, but they get a 50's in and I like that better, I can switch the deposit over to that one.

[sunvalleylaw]

ZMan, Thanks for the input. I have not been a tele guy before either, but this Custom seemed to work for me. Glad to know you felt the same way. Funny, you have a strat like mine too. This guitar felt a bit like my strat did when I first picked it up. Very comfortable, and right in my hands. The sounds worked for me too.

[Duffy]

I'm not sure what I'm going to do, because I found a near mint '07 black with maple board Fender MIM tele for 260 used at a store near me. Super low action.

I can get a CVC for 299 at a GC not far from here.

The MIM seems to make more sense than a Squier, even if I upgrade it with EMG T active pickups.

A lot of people are saying the CVC's are superior to the MIM's, so it's a difficult choice involving essentially the same amount of money.

Any advice before I make my final decision is welcome. In the end it will be a matter of personal preference, but your input is appreciated.

[sunvalleylaw]

Duffy, your preference is my only advice. Go play them and see which one talks to you more, and feels better to you in your hands. That's all I can say. Or save your dough. You already have a couple teles!

[sunvalleylaw]

Some good blues tones here I think.

[t_ross33]

...I'll have the best Squier Tele in the world!

Second best I REALLY love my Modified Vintage Modified Squire Tele since I installed a Warmoth Vintage Modern neck with a 10-16" compound radius... plays like butter and a great deal

[Robert****]

Bring it over, so I can inspect it closer, Trev! And we can jam a bit.

[deeaa*]

Second best I REALLY love my Modified Vintage Modified Squire Tele since I installed a Warmoth Vintage Modern neck with a 10-16" compound radius... plays like butter and a great deal

That kind of raises a question, how is it a Squire any more with a Warmoth neck?

IMO the neck is like 60% of the guitar, the pickups 30% and all the rest make up the 10%. Hardware has little to do with how the guitar sounds anyway, as does the body wood as long as it's in the ballpark.

A Warmoth neck over here costs more than a complete MVM Squire....so I'd call the guitar a Warmoth with some Squire parts.

[ZMAN]

ZMan, Thanks for the input. I have not been a tele guy before either, but this Custom seemed to work for me. Glad to know you felt the same way. Funny, you have a strat like mine too. This guitar felt a bit like my strat did when I first picked it up. Very comfortable, and right in my hands. The sounds worked for me too.

I did just about what you are doing with your local shop. I have a pretty good set up there. If there is anything new on the horizon I call him and ask if he plans to bring them in. He usually has them on order. I get first dibs on the guitar when it comes in. He sets it up for me and if I don't like it, he puts it on the floor for sale. So far I have never put one back. In fact when the Deluxe Squiers came in I picked up both colors. To tell the truch I never really had a lot of gas for the white Tele. I have several white Strats. I did see a couple when I was in Maine but they were still priced in the 350 range. I am crossing my fingers that they come out with a Butterscotch/maple in the CV series.

[sunvalleylaw]

Butterscotch/Maple would be really cool. But then they would sell fewer '52 re-issues I bet.

[Duffy]

SVL, actually I'm upgrading my collection and selling some of my older guitars.

This is why I'm debating the excellent CVC or the MIM teles right now.

I'm thinking a black MIM with a black or black pearl pickguard with EMG T active pickups or Seymour Duncan tele noiseless will make a real nice addition to my collection, even though this deal on the CVC seems real good.

[t_ross33]

That kind of raises a question, how is it a Squire any more with a Warmoth neck?

IMO the neck is like 60% of the guitar, the pickups 30% and all the rest make up the 10%. Hardware has little to do with how the guitar sounds anyway, as does the body wood as long as it's in the ballpark.

A Warmoth neck over here costs more than a complete MVM Squire....so I'd call the guitar a Warmoth with some Squire parts.

Same here... think the neck alone new would have been well over $300 USD. I found it on a local classified site for a fraction of that

[ZMAN]

Butterscotch/Maple would be really cool. But then they would sell fewer '52 re-issues I bet.

The 52 reissue is over 1500 here, so a 300 dollar version that played and looked as nice would be a big seller. Plus the added plus as far as i am concerned would be the 9.5 radius neck.

[sunvalleylaw]

Yeah that would be a big seller. I would jump all over that. I agree with you on the neck radius too, which as you know is basically the same as my strat. I am sure that is why this CV tele felt so comfortable and at home in my hands.

[sunvalleylaw]

Well, I put 10% down on the one I liked today to hold it at GC at the sale price. ($299, the additional $30 coupon does not apply to the already on sale items.) Looking forward to selling some gear, saving a little more, and bringing it home!