Fender Squier Classic Vibe '60s Telecaster Custom: A GUITAR JUST FOR ME

Fender Squier Classic Vibe '60s Telecaster Custom: A GUITAR JUST
FOR ME
It is not very often that I work on a guitar that is just for me. Something I want and want to do because it is just for fun. Most of the time lately I am developing videos for the channel and try to come up with good ideas that I think viewers would like to watch. Today I am working on a guitar and yes, I am videoing what I am doing, but why not, and I am sharing with you. But at the end of the day, I am not doing anything new or original that will drive a lot of views. It is just for me.
I have wanted a ‘60s Fender Custom Telecaster (1966 to 1977) as long as I have been playing guitars. The combination of the three-tone sunburst and double white binding on the front and back of the guitar is just beautiful. The problem is I surely cannot afford an original. They start around $14000 and go up from there depending on the condition. There have been reissue versions namely the Fender American Original ‘60s Telecaster that was made from 2018 to 2022 . On the used market they start just below $2000. There are also Custom Shop versions, but they are around $5000. I have even seen a MIJ version on the used market.
Recently, I saw a Fender Squier Classic Vibe ‘60s Custom Telecaster and fell in love with it. I picked it up and read the back of the headstock to find it was made in China, so it predates the currently produced version of the guitar that is made in Indonesia. The weight on the guitar is 7 pounds and 7 ounces which to me is perfect. The neck feels fantastically playable. By the serial number I can tell it was manufactured in 2017 in the Grand Reward Factory in China. The neck is Maple with a Rosewood neck and not Laurel Wood. It also has a three-piece Alder body. What is amazing is the guitar looks identical to the Fender Original version of this guitar. If I did not see the Squier logo I would think it was a US made Fender. What also really amazes me is she is in mint condition and a good deal at $350. A new Indonesian model of this guitar is around $449. I could not pass it up and added it to my collection.
I played around with the guitar for a while and decided that I wanted to upgrade a few things.
I ordered a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Tele Pickup Set for $179. Seymour Duncan describes the pickups as "The Quarter Pound Tele Lead is our highest output Tele single coil." I wanted something with more punch and also a little growl while still being nice while clean.
I wanted to keep the original look of the guitar with a silver finish set of saddles but compensated. I did not want to install brass saddles. It would not look right at all. I had never tried Titanium Alloy Compensated Bridge Saddles before but thought I would give them a try. They cost me $22 on Amazon.
A new Vintage Fender Telecaster bridge plate which I already had. Looking at the bridge plate and comparing it to a true Fender made bridge it was thinner and less substantial. The irony though is when I measured the thickness of the two bridges, I got .057 inch for the Fender bridge and .066 for the original bridge on the Squier. I guess I have bridge bias - I somehow expected the Squier bridge to be less substantial. Looks can be misleading. Since I would be taking the bridge off to replace the pickup, I decided to swap the plate anyways since it had the magical Fender logo on it.
Lastly, I would build a new wiring harness that would be made up of CTS 250k ohm pots with solid shafts instead of the import style with split shafts. I would also install an Oak Grigsby three-way switch.
This is pretty much the list of my upgrades. My hope is that this project will bring the internals of this guitar to be on par with the overall external look and finish.
After finishing all of the upgrades I was very satisfied that the guitar still maintained the classic look of the original. The saddles were a little different in shape, but the color was correct. I did not mind that you could see the Seymour Duncan logo on the bridge pickup.
The compensated saddles did help when setting intonation. Each of the stings was pretty much locked onto the note it was supposed to be at instead of having to give a little with the non-compensated saddles.
When installing the neck pickup, it is screwed directly into the body instead of having two screw holes in the pickguard. This looks really cool but makes a small inconvenience when adjusting pickup height. I am glad this is something you do not have to do but once when you are setting up the guitar.
When I plugged the guitar into my amp I was really surprised at the output of the new pickups. They most definitely have the punch that I was looking for and they also do growl when distorted or overdriven. Last, they also have a very distinctive clean. I am happy with the enhancements and my guitar.

[@victormorris7796]

The new pickups sound much better.

[@Phillip-y6d]

😎

[@davidguiducci7596]

I installed Custom Shop Tex Mex pick-up in mine.

[@rodrigolembke2556]

Love those CV as well

[@derekclacton]

Nice … the new pickups sound great - interestingly, the original ‘60s model was called the “Custom Telecaster” and was actually introduced in 1959

[@guitarcollectorguy]

Thank you

[@staleyexplores]

ty for showing the soldering so close up, this is extremely helpful for me to see done.

[@guitarcollectorguy]

Thank you

[@samborn7120]

The older Chinese models on this exact guitar are much better in appearance, sound and feel than the current one Indonesian models. Congrats!

[@guitarcollectorguy]

I have become obsessed. I now have three of the Chineses made models.

[@aaronperrotta7055]

I totally agree. Have a 2010 Chinese model, changed pickups and electronics, and it's probably overall my favorite guitar, over my Gibsons and Fenders.

[@staleyexplores]

so so classic, excellent build!

[@kennyblackbird5674]

The replacement pickups have a P90ish sound.

[@dhatboy]

I bought mine owning already three other CV telecasters. Bit over the top to get one but do not regret it and it's my go to guitar and this 60's custom has been the best of the bunch. Only thing for me it needed was brass saddles ( offset) to tame the treble and it has such a fantastic tone with the stock pickups that it cuts through a mix. Plays like.a dream from the box ( I just adjusted action and intonation) but pretty small adjustments for taste. I own some other expensive guitars I bought years ago but the Tele and this Squire custom is amazing. I have had two Fender telecasters I sold that did not hold tune but this one does and sounds fab.

[@daliks]

I just got one like this myself, last week a 2011 3 tone sunburst double binding. I bought it for the body and going to pair it with a fender maple neck and some fresh pups and pots. right now it is acting funny but maybe its supposed to be like that: when i roll back tone, the volume also drops audibly. This is not the case with my american special. Is this different for you?

[@sluminous203]

Such an awesome build! Glad you’ve achieved the dream haha

[@oldasrocks9121]

Beautiful, and alder at that, good for you man. A thicker bridge plate will decrease squeal with high output pickups, the Joe Barden Vintage is a good one if your neck will support 2 3/16" string spacing. It's an ever bubbling debate on the forums, 60s tone monks go for thinner bridge plates.

[@guitarcollectorguy]

Thanks for the advice b

[@TheUlesifah82]

I like your channel!! I got into playing and modding guitars last winter after my kids mother and I split up, it’s been the most mentally rewarding hobby I’ve ever had. Then I see dudes like you with the same mindset and it’s just really cool to listen to and watch, so thank you for posting these because I can imagine how much work it is putting it all together. 😎🤘🏼 and I’ve got the same classic vibe Tele and it’s such an amazingly built guitar. Blows my mind how I picked it up open box/brand new for 300 freaking bucks! The neck on it alone is as nice as my 01 fender Strat !! Even the pickups are decent !! After seeing your Seymour’s you got me thinking tho !! 😜 rock on brother !!

[@guitarcollectorguy]

Thank you very much and welcome to the world of guitars! It is a great and rewarding hobby. This is my favorite model of guitar. Like you I am amazed at the quality. It really turned me onto Squiers in general although this is the king of Squier guitars.

[@TheUlesifah82]

@@guitarcollectorguy yea the 60s custom classic vibe is amazing, I liked it so much I picked up one of the 50s maple necks used and threw it on a Squier bullet body 👌🏼

[@Stratsrule]

I got the cv 60s strat. I moded it. My favorite

[@guitarcollectorguy]

I have one that I will do a couple videos on shortly.

[@SST079]

This is what I make with every Squier that I have 👌🔥🎸 no need for Fender

[@powbobs]

Squier is Fender.

[@SST079]

@@powbobs yes i now but people thinking that expensive fender is so much better 🤷‍♂️

[@stancoleshill8925]

This guitar ( Brand New Squire Classic Vibe 60s Sunburst) lasted one day in my collection of (now) 10 units. It did not work. BAD 3 WAY SWITCH ! Took it back to the store and got my money back. After that, my collection may be getting a bit smaller. Better to buy a bullet and rip out all the garbage electronics (?) Also the finish was flawed in a few places.

[@guitarcollectorguy]

Sorry that was your experience. Usually not what happens with this model. I have like three or four of them.