Did the unthinkable. Bought a Classic Vibe Squier

[scottosan]

I have to admit, I’ve been snobbish about judging Squier guitars. Most of it deservedly, but there are some to look for.

Most Squiers have smaller/thinner bodies and substandard wood choices and even plywood on the relay cheep ones. There’s been lots of factory and spec changes over the years. Another forum member raves how good these were for the money and I was looking for an R&D/Demo guitar to start winding single coil and didn’t want a high end guitar to be constantly swapping pickups

So here is what I learned about the Classic Vibe series. These can out in 2008 and were made in China until 2013-ish. Then production moved to Indonesia. The consensus is that you have your fanboys for both factories but there is a difference between the specs. In both cases, I feel you get a better deal that most of the older MiM strats. In both cases you get full size bodies. The older MIM strats often had 4-5 piece bodies with a veneer.

China:
50’s - Pine/Maple
60’s - Alder/Rosewood
70’s -Poplar/Rosewood or Maple

Indonesia:
50’s - Pine/Maple
60’s - Nato/ Laurel (after 2017)
70’s -Poplar/Laurel or Maple (after 2017)

These also appear to be routed to accommodate HSH, so modding possibilities are great.

After looking for about 4 weeks, I found this one at the guitar show. These also have medium jumbos.

2009
2 pc Alder body
Rosewood board
ALNICO 5
Action is buzz free at 1/16 at the last fret

Just ordered a HSS pickguard and modding will commence.

 

[Mailman1971]

Sweet!!! My first guitar I bought on my own at 14 was a fender squire bullet. MIJ. man I took that guitar to hell and back. Haha
Routed it for a hum bucker. Painted it like 4 times. Great memories of my squire

 

[RaceU4her]

I just read the Genisis guitar player is playing squires this final tour they are doing

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/mike-rutherford-genesis-squier-bullet-strat

 

[Devin]

I've played the Classic Vibe 50's tele before and that was a super solid axe

 

[paulyc]

Surprised you didn't build a Musikraft or other strat type.

 

[scottosan]

Surprised you didn't build a Musikraft or other strat type.

All of my other builds, I spared no expense and didn’t really save any money. This time I was certainly on a budget.

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

I recently bought a new Squier CV 50's Strat for modding purposes. Bought a black one and have since installed a black pickguard. Haven't decided on pickups yet but surprisingly the stock ones sound pretty good. A couple things I know I will be changing is likely the electronics and the saddles. Overall a very solid guitar for less than $500 out the door.