Fender Squier Classic Vibe '70s HSS Stratocaster Review and Take Apart | Better Than Vintage?

[@doombringer1505]

Took a 60's sunburst classic vibe and installed a loaded 70's pickguard into it. Sounds great, plays great. Still got it and I'm 64 now..

[@stephenjonestv6644]

The Squier Classic Vibe Series has really become appealing to me over the past few years. Awesome quality and still relatively affordable (especially to the over-priced entry level Fender MIM guitars)

[@bsideguitar]

Totally agree with you. I was blown away at how good this one is.

[@ruffyfarmracer9498]

Agree, both Squier and Epiphone are making some killer lower price point guitars now days. Gretsch too matter of fact.

[@v.k.7463]

Remember when Mexico Fenders used to be $400?😅 Now they're $850 & up.

[@altitudeadjustment259]

@@v.k.7463 I bought my mexistrat around 2 years ago (2020) on sale for $650 and I was hesitant at that time lol. During the pandemic it's crazy to see how much guitar prices have soared.

[@klr-canary7100]

I just purchased the black edition 50s vibe strat and it's awesome.

[@charleslanphier8094]

A black strat with a maple neck is the best looking guitar there is

[@simonsmith2579]

Amazing guitar. Feels and sounds like a Fender. No you don't even need to change the pickups, if they are not strong enough, raise the heights. Period.

[@reddsshaker3477]

Only issue is, if you get the neck or middle pickup too high and close to the low strings, they’ll cause ‘beating’ due to the magnets pulling on the strings…heard as a pulsing sound. And an added nasty side effect….those strings won’t intonate properly.

[@edelarth8320]

Thank you for your consideration. Play on. Music is the original language. Timeless. Aloha

[@simonsmith2579]

@@reddsshaker3477 who said anything about raising them too high? I have the guitar, the pickups were too low from the factory. When I raised them to what I judge as the correct height, the guitar is plenty strong output enough for the type of music that the 'look' of this guitar lends itself to (classic rock/metal) I have the guitar, have successfully done the work and wish to save anyone the bother of changing the pickups if they are trying to achieve the result I have.

[@octtrinittolavg]

What does mean "to raise a height" for pickups?

[@octtrinittolavg]

Is a fretboard of this one equally or as near as other CVs smooth? I played CV 60's in a music shop.

[@ruffyfarmracer9498]

I enjoy the hell out of the classic vibe line of guitars. I have a 50s vibe tele and now this one for my first strat. I don’t mind the glossy necks as my hands don’t get hung up at all on them. I have some much higher cost guitars via Gibson and Gretsch, but I’m no guitar snob and just love quality. These are great especially for money.

[@shanerose5348]

I love the fact that you read from a book to outline this bit of music history. Super impressed, great presentation. Subbed!!

[@bsideguitar]

Woooo whoooo!

[@68gt66]

I always find it funny when the CV guitars are compared to a vintage instrument, in this case a 70s strat. While I own the CV and have owned a number of CVs. The CVs are often lookalikes more than anything else, but the big thing about them is there tends to be very little with the vintage 7.25 radius, favouring the 9.5, or the vintage skinny frets etc etc.. I know all about the 70s quality but there are a lot of great strats that came from then, and sure there were some dogs ,poor neck pocket fit, but if someone knows how to set these guitars up properly, and use the the micro tilt to effect it , its a fabulous guitar. There's a lot more good than bad CBS strats out there contrary to common folklore. Let's talk about the fact that a vintage strat has 40+ year old wood dried out over the years, some great pickups too. I own a 75 and 79 strat, 75 is just over 6.5lbs and alder body, 79 is an ash bodied strat that's just over 7lbs..no Titanic anchor weights here. CVs are great guitars but to compare them to original 70s or other is nothing more than fruitless.

[@edelarth8320]

I had a fat strat Squire. A red one, bought it in the late 70s. Cheap. Loved it. Rocking some times playing too hard broke it. Stupid. Getting another one soon. Nice feeling comfortable

[@BenjaminRoethig]

I have a FSR 70s CV Strat in sapphire blue. I originally bought it to have a vintage style Strat, but it made itself known that it's an instrument that punches well above its price point.. The neck plays better than my black Strat with a usa warmoth neck and gold EVO frets.

[@bsideguitar]

Probably punches a few classes above ;)

[@arturojc6974]

I am surprised about the questions. The guitar does not play metal or grunge , the user does . You can play any type of style with almost any guitar, pickups and amplifier

[@charlesbronson5235]

I just bought that exact guitar set up and got a Fender Mustang GTX Amp online. Never as much as touched a guitar and I’m pushing 60. Any tips ?

[@Pulse2AM]

Yes, learn the 1st postion chords, then basic power chords. Start by learning simple songs, hold off on lead playing until you can play some chords well then learn the minor pentatonic scale in all 5 positions. You'll be on your way.

[@charlesbronson5235]

@@Pulse2AM wow thank you very much for your advice. I truly appreciate it and hope I have fun. I’m almost 60 and always wanted more than air guitar 🎸

[@Pulse2AM]

@@charlesbronson5235 No problem, I'm in your age group but have been playing since 18. Anyhow you might check out something like the Fender Play I think it's called? It looks like a good course for beginners. Take your time it can be frustrating but a lot of it is muscle memory so repetition will lock it in after awhile. Make it fun by learning simple songs and try and learn them all the way through - that'll pay off in the end. And, along with the Pentatonic scale, which most use for rock soloing, you can learn the blues scale to play the blues - they're very similar.

[@charlesbronson5235]

@@Pulse2AM will do my friend and thank you again. I’ll keep you posted if it’s ok?

[@herewego034]

@@charlesbronson5235 Hey, it’s been a year since your original comment. How are you doing now?

[@comeback1827]

@12:40 i have try multiple 70's indonesian squier, and all sounded thin even unplugged... so a new pickguard should give a good result but may be limited by the resonance (lake of body, of mids) of the guitar... :/

[@bwyou812]

For me, I was a little disappointed to see dime pots and a cheap block switch when I opened mine up to change out my pickup covers. I didn't expect to see this for a guitar that breaks a 500 dollar bill. Now to drop in a loaded quality pickguard will bring the cost of this guitar up to a MIM Fender. Just my thoughts. It didn't look much different inside then a lesser priced squier.

[@wmpopper]

Thank You...Informative video, nice playing.

[@adrian_V99]

I rented one. Loved everything about it except the pickups.These days a loaded pickguard with Fender USA pickups is too prohibitive. May as well buy a Player's MX Strat. No need to upgrade a thing. Upgrades actually can devalue the resale price of the guitar. I upgraded a dozen at least. Ended up keeping them all

[@adrian_V99]

@@Great-Documentaries good for you! Neither do I. I only buy what I like and then cannot part with them. Guitars are addictive.

[@d4nt3vzgz25]

I bought this guitar and I changed the pickguard for a red tortoise one and the only thing I need is to change the pickups but I don't have the money hahaha

[@sober-southoftheborderever3591]

Great great, I got one recently. I am trying to get used to the headstock. I prefer the smaller ones. But hopefully I will get used to it, it is a great tone guitar!

[@joebagodonutssummertime8267]

How well does it hold a tune?

[@RicardoGarcia-kq7ew]

hi i got a question dors bridge position has tone control?

[@johnjcjr]

Great review. Can you, or anyone, recommend a good quality loaded pickguard for this CV 70s strat? Thanks.

[@pdepde9648]

Does this classic vibe 70's hum when the volume knob turn on ? Since it has a HSS? Thanks

[@immanuelsiregar7395]

the potentiometers value/mark are 250K, or 500K ?

[@rkonwa]

250k

[@davidcarson7936]

I'm of the same opinion, have some high end guitars, but also 3 classic vibe squire telecasters & 1 classic vibe Stratocaster. Sound and feel great.... Not a guitar snob .. refreshing honest video 👍

[@ayoh4864]

Damn, looks like i'm gonna have to route that neck humbucker that I want lol

[@ChrisAguilar504]

Could you tell whether the pots are 250k or 500k?

[@John-ZZound]

Hi , thanks for your video, did you know it’s possible change this guitar to HSH configuration? with this body I have a project in mind thanks !

[@v.k.7463]

Cutting into the body may be necessary if you desire a full-sized humbucker for the neck position. Otherwise, the Seymour Duncan Cool Rails & DiMarzio Chopper are awesome neck humbuckers in a Strat-pickup-size. I think I like the Cool Rails better than a full-sized neck humbucker.

[@TripsView]

Would you buy one of these over a MIM player series? Saw you’re video saying the green players series was awesome.

[@bsideguitar]

If the money is not an issue, I would go with the MIM player. But if you want to save a few bucks these are great guitars.

[@TripsView]

@@bsideguitar my worry is the pick ups and gloss neck. Upgrading from 07 affinity

[@bsideguitar]

The gloss neck is a big difference. If you are concerned at all go with the the player. The pickups on the player are a little more modern sounding to me as well.

[@brentparks3669]

It’s called a classic vibe for a reason! Meaning classic tones, and the neck can be sanded down pretty easy.

[@TripsView]

@@brentparks3669 bought a Mexican hss with Seymour’s for 100 more than new classic vibe

[@davidyoung8875]

I love the big headstock It's so Jimi.

[@buck7477]

My biggest concern would be the frets and fingerboard feel! I can fix all the other things?

[@thenovicenoisemaker]

Just sold my stunning FSR CV (you can see lots of it on my channel). Loved everything other than the stick neck 🤦🏻

[@jmo1366]

The fretwork on mine was surprisingly great..

[@dawoud8013]

@@jmo1366 same here !

[@michaelmichael8886]

Hi, i have a question? Whats the difference between the 50's 60's and 70's models from squier classic vibe telecaster? Is there any sound or equipment difference?

[@Ujjal.Tamang22]

Nice question

[@MelodyCarroll-rx8tk]

The only difference are the finishes and the headstock. Pickups are exactly the same across the 50s, 60s, and even 70s models. I know because I've owned them all. As far as strats are concerned. I'd guess the teles are the same as well.

[@vadergrd]

those were cleans???

[@SolidMoses]

Excellent review mate. Do you know where i can find pickguards for squier though? Been looking everywhere but can't find anything (EU region).

[@joen3992]

Or the over sprayed polyester finish 1/8th thick, unwaxed potted pickup....to save money.

[@goodtimes7633]

What country is the manufacturer?

[@v.k.7463]

indonesia

[@tommomoonxx3640]

is this guitar good for playing grunge? :)

[@iaminsfiredbytrustfration8502]

kurt played vandalism with hss 🤷 i’d say yea

[@mattlillis6152]

To get a good sound out of this guitar you probably have to crank the volume on the amp

[@dawoud8013]

Personnaly, y prefer my Vintage V6 Reissued over my different Classic vibe. Only point... the finish on the frets borders is perfect en my CV, while on my V6... not on top.... . But the wood, the resonance, the weight, etc... on my Vintage reissued V6 is better. in terms of sound, compared to my chinese 2009 CV 60's, it's the same. So Finally, I prefer to play with my V6 ! Sad thing is that the new V6 reissue have a glossy sticky neck.... like the CVs... the previous was satin like the Yamaha Pacifica starts... it's better.

[@xavixavi4959]

it does really well, but you have to set the bridge well, If you do, you can use the trem bar with no problem

[@jesseregenauer630]

Found one of these used but like new (same all black as yours). Got it for $100 which is a STEAL. I keep mine tuned to open E for slide work. Excellent guitar in looks, feel, and tone through the amp rig I use......

[@Trollberg]

Does it play metal

[@Aczon7]

do u know? Have the same quest like trash metal

[@v.k.7463]

Yes: Raise the bridge pickup a tiny bit higher toward the strings & let your fingers do the rest.

[@scottstetzer]

No bullet trussrod? Its really just a standard strat with a large headstock, not too much 70s about it really.

[@bsideguitar]

Well headstock and neck shape. Would have been a very cool touch to add the bullet.

[@BenjaminRoethig]

This is more inspired by a MIM standard than a 70s american strat save the cbs headstock, but that isn't a bad thing.

[@immanuelsiregar7395]

Made in Indonesia, or Made in China?

[@methatlovescats3602]

Maybe it's your amp I'm not sold

[@nolslifegren]

Humbucker in a strat ? No ta