An affordable modding platform with a few caveats and things to know.

[@IanNorsworthy]

Fantastic and honest insight as ever! Great to have options, but to also know and understand what those options are in a realistic way.

[@AudiomoMusic]

Exactly, they may require basic assembly things done after the fact, kind of wild.

[@jasonstacey8577]

Hi where did you get your control plate, did it fit properly, screws line up, 40th anniversary telecaster.?​@@AudiomoMusic

[@MrSpeed-lt8gr]

Just got one of these for $350 after tax. It’s not perfect but nothing a set up and basic maintenance can’t fix. I filed the sharp frets, changed out the strings, adjusted the truss rod and intonated it. And for someone like myself who isn’t a Tele die hard (I’m a Paul guy) I think it’s a guitar that’s more than adequate. Definitely would play it live. I may change pickups but I think these work fine.

[@REX-ks1os]

These squier vintage 40th anniversary strats and tele's are basically what you got in the 1970's, though the electronics like the pot's you got were a bit better back then . The tele pick ups are similar to what you got in a standard Tele or Strat, the woods were different but kind of the same in the 70s you got ash basswood sometimes mahogany what ever they had around or at hand.. 40th A.V squiers wood are nyato poplar or nato and of coarse basswood . yes you need to do maybe $100 bucks in upgrades but then you have a great workhorse of a guitar that you dont have to worry about getting stolen at a gig or dropped on stage .

[@strongarm65]

You bought those pickups from me! Thanks!

[@AudiomoMusic]

Hah what are the odds!! I really like them, they are much different than what I'm used to

[@strongarm65]

@@AudiomoMusic if you like those, you should try a set of Porter Pickups 9T. Been following your channel for a while. Didn't even realize you were the buyer on those. When I saw you said you got them off Reverb, I went back and checked the name on the sale hahaha.

[@jeremywills9303]

Appreciate your insight. I've been riding the fence on picking one of these 40th models up. I already have a CV tele. It would be nice to leave one in the classic Tele recipe and hot rod the other one.

[@AudiomoMusic]

If you don't mind putting some work into it and potentially swapping some minor parts along the way, it's definitely a fun project that won't cost a ton and like you said give you something different

[@1thess523]

I have a 50's Squire Classic Vibe Tele that I added a Wilkinson bridge with brass saddles. I had to drill out the control plate to add Full size CTS pot's which was totally worth it after i heard the tone. My string ferrels came out and I thought I they didn't come on the guitar because I bought it used so i ordered Fender one's and after I installed them (had to drill out the holes also) I found the old ones on the old strings 😂😂😂

[@GraemeCampbellMusic]

That was really helpful. I have the blond version of the 40th Anniversary and I plan to upgrade the electronics. Mine has full size pots already (albeit alpha pots and not great). Did yours come with mini pots?

[@AudiomoMusic]

Hey Graeme the pots were the bigger Alphas but the shaft was not the same diameter as the CTS so they fit in fine whereas the CTS pots and Bournes I tried would not fit all the way through. I would just be safe and have an extra control plate for it ready, although I've seen multiple instances where Fender don't always use the same parts on each guitar.

[@GraemeCampbellMusic]

@@AudiomoMusic Thanks for clarifying, I really appreciate it. You’ve saved me a lot of hassle. 😀

[@frederickklinge2885]

Great video and thanks so much for the excellent tips. I'm upgrading my 40th anniversary tele vintage with a set of Lollar pickups and I'd also like to switch out the control plate pots and input jack. I noticed my 40th Anniversary control plate measures a bit smaller than a standard Fender tele control plate. Did you order a Squier-friendly control plate for your mod? I was even thinking about one of the pre-wired 920D control plates. thanks! @@AudiomoMusic

[@AudiomoMusic]

@frederickklinge2885 good question - I used an American spec control plate and it fit fine. Definitely go with the Lollars! Matter of fact shoot them an email and talk to them directly, dont get the 920d harness just get everything from them I love my blue flower tele that has their special t pickups and harness. Super nice guys, tell them I said hello haha

[@margiez6002]

I always learn alot 🎶thanks for the great video 👍

[@AudiomoMusic]

Thanks Margie I hope you're having a great weekend

[@anthonycashero7605]

I did TV Jones starwood pups on my sherwood green gold edition. New wiring harness with it. It was a good guitar. It's my favorite guitar now. Thinking on replacing saddles also. Thanks for the review.

[@elevenAD]

BTW those TV Jones pick ups sound great! His stuff is top notch!

[@AudiomoMusic]

They definitely sound different to normal tele pickups, very modern sounding to my ears compared to the fralins im used to and handle gain really well

[@elevenAD]

@@AudiomoMusic i have a set of his Super Trons in an old Agile, they are filter trons but also have a modern sound about them compared to other filtertrons.

[@jamesmgreen15]

Blimey, a veritable glut of these going for great prices now. Maybe, a lesson there with what Fender wants for the latest take on designs essentially unchanged in 75 years...............Good vid and super playing.

[@AudiomoMusic]

If it ain't broke, no need to fix it haha. It's hard to get upset at the small little issues with the price considered but I felt it was important to let people know some of the potential problems they could run into with these.

[@staleyexplores]

i really do like the electro socket glad I picked it for my build and lucky I made the right choice on that piece at least!!

[@AudiomoMusic]

Every single t style guitar should ship from the factory with them, they are the best

[@jonathanoakley88]

whats the benifit compared to a switchcraft?

[@elevenAD]

i was thinking of picking up a Squire offset Tele just to fill a hole left by my now sold AP offset but the ferrules falling out of a new guitar does not give me confidence lol. I have also been thinking about a Stratosonic, i have found that i really like P90 strats!

[@AudiomoMusic]

As sad as this may sound, it doesn't really surprise me when I remember how these are made in large numbers and I'm convinced the assembly line workers and QC are not given adequate time to ensure these little details ( same with the nut ). P90s are awesome, just gotta find the right guitar as a candidate, I'd wait it out personally... if I was a gambling man I'd bet those stratosonics will be half price sooner than later as well.

[@CHlEFFIN]

Don’t let this review turn you to your potential purchase, I have never had an issues with my ferrules falling out. This guy must have gotten a bad batch, unfortunately. The fact his ferrules have fallen off is almost comical.

[@bciecko1]

Fender discounted their Vintera line as well. I caught a 2 day special, be it a mistake or a super sale--I don't know, and got a Vintera Mustang in LPB for $703, free shipping. $746 after tax, for a brand new Vintera, direct from Fender. Likely making room for the Vintera II line. High discounts all around the company. Note they raised the price again to $879. I have my receipt though, I caught the uber discount price of $703.

[@AudiomoMusic]

What's wild is the sales are everywhere, lots of stores are running crazy promotions on American guitars too. Some if you trade in $200 of gear you get 25% off any production guitar. For 700 bucks you did well! Hope you love it!

[@bciecko1]

@@AudiomoMusic I'll take the sales! Haha. I plan to maybe, maybe, make a Smells Like Teen Spirit, replica with it. Matching headstock, comp stripe.

[@francesconobili7294]

What beautiful notes. I purchased this guitar a few weeks ago and I was wondering if it had vintage wiring or is the neck pickup very muddy. I haven't disassembled the plate, but if you have and could answer me I'd be happy. Congrats!

[@RaymondLandis]

Thanks for the review... It definitely brings us some good insight! I've considered one of these too; I actually have the Strat and I even refinished the body...

[@AudiomoMusic]

Now that is something is worth thinking about. With the satin being so, so easily to remove on these guitars I could see that being a very popular thing people end up doing with all of these vintage models. What color did you go with?

[@RobinDaHood99]

modding a tele is a must.. dope vid

[@AudiomoMusic]

It's always a fun thing to do, you can really do so much while changing so little on these guitars

[@canyonproductions7683]

Great intro playing and honest breakdown. Ive been lookin at Player Teles and NOT finding any that floor me. They usually have fret sprout and id really prefer a tummy contour. Theyre also nowhere NEAR Consistent in weight. I feel like Teles used to be lighter weight but now Fender has zero consistency in weight. (Strats as well) . I hobestly found I liked the 40th aniv Tele better when im in a music store( minus the pickups and satin finish)

[@AudiomoMusic]

You are already ahead of the game in many ways by taking the time to try them in person. I also have noticed tele's in this country seem to be getting into Les Paul weight more regularly - it's kind of a crapshoot. At least if you like the feel the electronics can always be changed if you end up with something like this.

[@canyonproductions7683]

@@AudiomoMusic amen

[@AJVarietyTelevision]

I Acquire a Squier - I Mod everything immediately.

[@PineconeTheory]

Do you think this guitar is better or the same as the current classic vibe 50s Tele's? Am I appropriate in saying these for all intents and purposes are 50s Teles with a fresh coat of paint? I want one, especially for the lower cost between the two, and I would like to try a Wilkinson hybrid bridge and brass saddles. It's a shame in my opinion about the weight, and that they don't include a top load/string thru bridge, I believe they used to on some CVs.

[@AudiomoMusic]

It's pretty much the same thing as you said minus finish differences however the neck I feel is far better on this than the Classic Vibes due to the finish used. Every regular CV neck I've tried has been glossed to an extreme from what I'm used to, it sticks really quickly and I really don't love that. This neck to me feels much, much, much better.

[@PineconeTheory]

Yeah, I own a CV Jag, the glossy neck isn't my favorite. I don't mind the tint, I actually like it, but it's too sticky. I've read that scotch Brite pads help, but I'm afraid to try.

[@AudiomoMusic]

I've done the scotch brite pads, as long as you go gradually and make sure you're wiping off the excess between passes it's not so bad. It definitely helped a bit.

[@Synapsenplatzer]

I bought both models 1 month ago. Out of the box I liked the CV 50s more. Only exception: the 40th Anni neck feel is fantastic. I replaced the saddles on both with Gotoh compensated brass saddles (no drilling needed). The PUs on the CV are fine. The 40th Anni neck PU was by far too dark sounding so I replaced the complete set with a Fender Tex Mex set. I am using the CV at home and the 40th Anni with the band - so both are keepers for me.

[@ChoatMusic]

😂😢 thanks for the video, i have the red, going to say mine had a lot of these quality control issues playability issues as well I haven't resolved them just yet but it's good to know that I'm not alone. Add in the luthier expenses to the price of the guitar and now you're up in the 600 700.00 range depending on what you want to do maybe more. Always best to play guitar before you buy it if you can

[@AudiomoMusic]

that's the problem with these kinds of guitars. there are going to be good ones and bad ones, if you get unlucky and get a "bad" one you're going to spend as much as a much better instrument would have cost to begin with. If you're buying blind new - buy Fender Japan they are the only ones I trust haha

[@aminahmed2220]

Fantastic 😊

[@AudiomoMusic]

Thanks 🤗

[@nonamejones2321]

Good job young man

[@AudiomoMusic]

Thanks man, I appreciate it!

[@tomaslopez2940]

Why not try a G&L ASAT?

[@AudiomoMusic]

I have many times, they are really good guitars. A brand I always look for custom orders to pop up used on the market

[@lazvt8469]

got the S-500 Indonesian Strat....GREAT....and the USA Tele G&L ASAT....GREAT (super thick neck though). Can't go wrong with a set of Lindy Fralin Blues Special in a Squier CV...mine is my go-to now.

[@jonathanoakley88]

wilkinson compensated brass saddles fit perfect

[@AudiomoMusic]

That's interesting, it had everything to do with the actual screw size that prevented the Callahams from fitting. The factory ones were too small and I couldn't fit the ones supplied by callaham through the bridge as they were too narrow.

[@Synapsenplatzer]

Gotoh compensated brass saddles fit as well.

[@Choupifr]

Gotoh "in tune" bridge did it for me, the fixation holes spacing were not identical but close enough. I like the low profile ash tray look and feel, idont understand why its not the standard for every vintage bridges.

[@AudiomoMusic]

@Choupifr gotoh make killer stuff, have a bunch of their hardware on other guitars.

[@stancoleshill8925]

No solutions provided such as . . . drill the hole out a bit larger on 2 issues ? Trim your finger nails is a biggy for me. I have to do it 2 times a week sometimes.

[@AudiomoMusic]

Congratulations looks like you’ve got it all figured out

[@Ronno4691]

Get that opening jam turned into a full song with vocals and a full band now 😊

[@AudiomoMusic]

I just to learn to sing and I could do it all myself! Just give me a few I don't know... years hahahaha

[@bobbycody1247]

$50 for a fret level?!?!? Man I wish everyone around here starts at $200!

[@AudiomoMusic]

yeah that kind of sucks no two ways about it but I've been to places in this country where you're right - 200-250 bucks. At that point i'd be buying all the tools myself and learning to do my own work