Fender Thinline Comparison Custom Shop vs. Squier

[@Jay891F]

I’m amazed at how good the Squire sounds, wasn’t expecting that.

[@lukelessing3622]

This is how all guitar comparison videos should be. Less talking and more back to back playing.

[@233451ify]

They sound pretty identical to me. Doesn’t sound like there’s a drastic difference, hence I don’t think the huge price difference is justified. Maybe in terms of playability and comfort, the fender custom shop may feel much better, but I think it’s still possible to set up a Squier to play just as nice. Maybe sanding down the glossy neck and file the edges of the frets. Nothing a little bit of DIY work can’t do.

[@sirdudeness1386]

Or just get a Mexico tele if you don’t want a squirt. I agree though, the sound didn’t have a significant difference enough to justify 5000 gs.

[@Arcade1959]

The CVs are very well done, I have two Thinlines and they were well tuned. I did not sand the frets. I just changed the saddles by personal choice. The price difference is exaggerated

[@Arcade1959]

@@sirdudeness1386 I tried a Mexican, it's not better. Unless you want the Fender logo

[@calvarytucson247]

Thanks!

[@DrewsReviews07]

This squire model is a hidden gem

[@michaelidoyaga5272]

I prefer the Squier. It has a nice. Warm sound. I reccently played one at gc and I was very impressed.

[@igorfleury7855]

Well, if the music is good we have proof now that going with a custom shop 3k or a squier for 500, will not matter for when recording or playing live. So nice have to have this tone and guitar quality. Guitars are an 70 year old technology after all.

[@BrianBrazilHarmonica]

If the volume and tone controls on both guitars were set wide open with the tone and volume of the amp of the the same. The custom shop sounded a little thicker but not by much. In fact the Squier Classic Vibe Thin Line was cleaner and clearer like a Telecaster should be.

[@bobcole612]

I don’t hear much difference, but I’m not a professional player. I also happen to own that exact model Squier CV, and I love it.

[@johnhart2861]

Just bought my first Squier. A thin line tele. Compares favorably to other far more expensive guitars. Won’t be selling my American guitars but this light weight beauty holds its own with them all!

[@martinfrylink4252]

Give me the Squier. All day, every day.

[@mmmadfishhh]

The Fender gives a much richer sound. The spectrum of sound feels wider. also It's warmer and louder. Squire is not bad, but the difference is clear.

[@voiceofexperience]

The Squier sounds better (less muffled) and I think it looks much nicer too. Go Squier!

[@johnecollins9503]

My son just got me the Fender Square thin line for my birthday... Let me tell ya it is a whole lot of Guitar so pleased with it and for around $500 wow ...

[@richyriff]

The type of wood and pickups will be the main difference. Not sure if I heard you say what woods they are. I think the Squier is made of Nato. Guessing the custom shop is ash wood? Either way, great playing demo. The Squier does seem to be great bang for the buck these days. I have a couple MIM Fender thinlines and they are really great lifetime players.

[@patrickb3064]

Wow! First of all great demo. I will never know what these guitars feel like playing them but for the money. I think instead of going for an in between price point tele I would find a squier that felt good and mod it as needed. You could probably get close with some at home mods and some electronics and still have around 4,000 in the bank. And if you have it and can do it buy the custom shop. It does keep people employed.

[@willistaylor4077]

I bought the Classic Vibe Thinline Telecaster, and I'm putting Bare Knuckles Flat 50's pickups and new string tuners on it. It will be ❤️❤️❤️❤️🎸🎸😙

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

Very close but the Squier just edges it sounding more classically Tele like. This video is a good advert for not spending the extra cash.

[@john15333]

The CS sounds a lot better and more refined to me. The CV is a great guitar for the money, but if this is your primary I would dig deeper and get something with ash or alder, better pickups, and less gloss on it.

[@alexflare5214]

The string on squier 0.09/0.42 while on fender 0.11/0.52 this difference is reason for the sound is different, the test is really only the setup is identic on twice guitar, but if i pick up are different the equalization will be different , the sound 400 to 5000 $ for string and pick up upgrade is always possible

[@zdave6083]

Thanks for pointing that out. Was not loving the squier. Now I do. Just needs better strings .

[@MintStiles]

My CV plays (playability wise) second only to a suhr classic S. It's superior to the other dozen and half American guitars in my house. This should say something about the CV (esp the CIC) ones line. I felt like Fender artificially nerfed these later in the production with minor tweeks to not hurt their main line.

[@nevillegreg1]

I bet you can feel quality of the Fender as soon as you pick it up, when it's in your hands and when you play the thing. One significant attribute of the thinline is weight relief. Typically the weight relief of a cheaper guitar will not be as light as the more expensive guitar, would have been good if you mentioned how much more heavier the Squire is.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Both please!!

[@rayfranchi1507]

The squire definitely has more Strat jangle and it sounds like more output too

[@Xcorgi]

Not a whole lot of difference overall. At least not enough difference to pay $5,000.00 for the custom shop when you can pay just under $500 bucks for the Squier that is only slightly less hot with the gain. Even if you put another $200.00 into better pickups for the Squier to bring it up to par with the custom shop, it’s still an absolute steal in comparison.

[@Arcade1959]

You don't necessarily have to change the pick-ups. Simply replace the steel saddles with brass saddles. I did and there is a big difference.

[@MintStiles]

The American made ones are always tuned better to have a more even response across the frequencies. They (MIA) dont necessarily sound better than the CV, they just tend to have responses and resonance that is more friendly (predictable) with most guitar effects. That's just my two cents. So, yes, a pickup change ought to negate most sonic differences if not more.

[@Xcorgi]

@@Arcade1959 Great advice. I think I’ll do exactly that!

[@Arcade1959]

@@MintStiles I would not change pickups on my C.V. The sound suits me perfectly (for Jazz). Before changing pickups, you must first listen to the sound of the guitar. It's a personal affair. You don't have to make systematic changes. Equally important is the sound of the amp, as far as one knows how to tune it.

[@MintStiles]

@@Arcade1959 yes I totally agree. The amp plays a much bigger part if anything. You can have one guitar, but amps are where it's at. My observation is that people at Fender have basically figured out that people want gears. They differentiate the guitars by using different pickups with different response. The MIA ones simply are tuned to be even across the board (typically more mids and less aggressive highs). Otherwise... The CV are sonically equal or arguably better than the American ones.

[@zdave6083]

Alex flare points out that the squier has lighter strings than the fender. Accounts for a lot of tone difference.

[@scottschmittmusic]

Middle position for me went to the American.. but bridge sounded the same so I guess change out the neck pickup n boom.. no brainer

[@soulsway]

I can hear a big difference in the mid frequencies, must be the pickups - the American has so much more balance and clarity. I bought an AO thinline - the neck plays me!

[@DrOcelot667]

Insane how similar these were. I closed my eyes to focus on the difference and it was tough to tell for 90% of the playing. I picked this Squier up during last year’s Black Friday sale on Sweetwater. It’s awesome. I immediately liked it better than MIM strat. I am always researching and keeping an eye out for new pickups but haven’t swapped these out, I genuinely enjoy playing the factor Fender designed ones. Absolutely insane that the custom ones cost 10x what this easily comparable guitar sounds like.

[@felixfranzen7578]

The intonation seems to be better on the Squier. The Custom Shop sounds a little bit off. That's not really a problem though and says nothing about the quality.

[@anthonyroach7974]

Got to say you would never know in a recording studio .Think the Squire sounds better to be honest .with a great set to be amazing guitar not break the Bank .great fun playing a cheap guitar to .like buying your first guitar so magical.it’s the vibe you get from them not the cost

[@davidthomas5035]

So it's 16 times better? Sure it feels better. Maybe the pups are a little meatier sounding and the metal in the tuning keys and bridge is better. But $5K or $300? Replace the pups, bridge, tuners and pots, get it pleked and your there for $1500.

[@rick00770]

Couldn’t tell a lot of difference, really. Both sound good. I do know the squire is very light weight. Personal preference I’d say.

[@nathanglass512]

My opinion is the Squire's sound better than the Mexican ones. Of course the USA sound best. I say either stay really cheap or take a big leap. But is the difference in tone and quality worth that financial leap? If there is a big difference it is, if not, it isn't.

[@richyriff]

I have two MIM Fender thinlines. I think the main upgrade going to the "middle tier" is the pickups and tuners. But yeah, Squier guitar quality has come a long way. Budget guitars are so good these days.

[@MYdjANDkaraoke]

I think you are right... I saved a little longer and got the Fender wide range Thinline but I liked the slightly warmer Squire one a bit better. Hence, I'm here trying to determine if I want to buy another one

[@jerryfurr8116]

Squire sounds just as good maybe the build quality is better with the USA but sound wise I'd go with the squire

[@peterhedrich7653]

the squire looks better fretboard is elegant the custom shop sounds better but think it´s how the Pickups bring that what happens between saddle and Brigdge to the Amp so try to get some Fender custom handwound Picks and put them in the Squire😀Wiring is standard 3 way switch 250 k pots ,22nf and a trebled for singelcoil and ready is the Televarie with a Nato Neck😷🍀so that is Fender ❤what i like from that great Company

[@Apollwn]

As always there IS a difference in tone, but definitely not such that would justify a few thousand dollars of difference in price.

[@Acechao111]

Which squire thinline is that?

[@andreaskreft6858]

Classic Vibe 60's thinline.

[@Lowtech14]

Custom shop sounds thicker, fuller. Squier CV sounds thinner, spikier. Neither is better, just different.

[@jayyoungmusic919]

The squire had less Roundness to them, which could Bc of the pick ups or the the fact is hollow 🤷🏽‍♂️. That can be fixed with pickups I’m very surprised since I own the squire

[@BrianBrazilHarmonica]

Both of those guitars are semi hollow. I own the 72 Thin line with humbuckers.

[@qwertz12986]

squier is real good for its price but lacks sustain and dynamics compared to the custom shop... obviously there must be differences when you compare 200$ to 5k$. everyone should decide for themselves if they wanna spend that upcharge which is huge but can be totally worth it for those who can and dont mind paying more.

[@Ira88881]

Sounds exactly the same.

[@TheMadShredder]

I wish the Squier was 1.65" neck width like the American fender

[@tomeisenmenger7048]

It's listed as 1.65" on the Fender website.

[@johnnybregar]

I may be in the minority here but to me the custom shop sounded way better on all settings. The Squier sounded thinner to me - in a bad way. Sort of rattlely metallic, and the upper mids sounded harsh. The custom shop guitar had way more body and tone in the upper mids. Could be down to pickup differences, but my guess is it’s just a synergistic thing - literally everything is cheaper on the Squier. The wood, the metal bits, fret wire, bridge construction, etc. I’d rather have the custom any day.

[@youngcurmudgeon411]

The fender sounded fuller

[@voiceofexperience]

The Squier just sounds more "Tele-like" 's all...

[@erikverhoef1630]

Probably for the most part a pickup thing. They sound very different in the middle position. I own the Squier and it can really sound great if you take time to adjust the pickups and tweak amp settings. But I am curious what a pickup swap can do for this guitar. Apart from the tonal characteristics of the pickups, I think the biggest improvement would be how they respond to dynamics, wich will feel like an extra dimension...

[@Steve-of8zo]

He had made up his mind the custom shop was worth $5000 before he unboxed it. Custom shop guitars are the most overrated and don't hold value at all. Watch "blind" guitar comparison on Anderson's with guys that handle thousands of guitars a year and see how they are regularly fooled.

[@MrTndtv]

I probably just have “Trailer Park Taste”, but I like the Squier sound better…

[@juliengmusic]

the squier is much better in every aspect!

[@johnnyb3376]

Quite similar to me except the Squire sounded the best in neck position. Fender's custom shop instruments are way overpriced.