ON THE BENCH #6: Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jaguar Setup + Quick Demo

[@ironmaiden6771]

You're like a Bob Ross for offset adjustments. Keep doing a great work Mike, love your vids!

[@telequacker-9529]

happy little vibratos

[@flfreaks3745]

The fact that you willing to go extra mile to treat this budget Squier like it's a Fender Professional series and some more it belongs to your friend who just started to learn playing guitar makes you such a great and bigger man (no pun intended!)

[@marinecam]

To be fair... I only owned Fenders and Gibsons up until this year. When I was a kid and just starting out, Squiers were trash. I mean awful. Epiphones were OK though. But I finally got a Fender and found I vastly preferred them... I heard the hype about these Classic Vibes, and caved because I'd never owned a jazzmaster. These are not high dollar--but they are good guitars. Regardless of price. The Jag has neck binding for God's sake. They use poplar and not basswood like cheaper squiers, and it honestly is indistinguishable from alder to my ears... AFAIK it's just the grain isn't as nice. I implore you to get your hands on one. Got the JM in shell pink, couldn't resist, and liked it so much that I had to get this daphne blue jag--the block inlays + binding are killer. I prefer the sound of the jazzmaster but I don't think it's that the stock pups on the jag are inferior--they're just a basic single coil sound. I own a strat and love how it feels to play but just don't dig its sound. It's an American Standard and quality. Preference is a huge thing.

[@nicholaschavira1743]

@@marinecam I gotta second this one I ditched American gibsons and Signature fenders for classic vibes (I got lucky and found the early 2010s that were made in China) set them up correctly and they feel as nice as higher end guitars, and those early models are excellent platforms to mod! For a couple hundred more bucks I have instruments that surpass the American professional series for a fraction of the price. Plus modding is fun once you get the right tools and learn to do it yourself

[@KeepAutismWeird]

who knew you could intonate a guitar with a Gameboy Advance SP

[@gretchman]

It's a great tuner, but it can make your hands cramp.

[@Puisheen]

Oh now I want to dress mine up like that

[@pedroo255]

Great video as always Mike. Keep it up

[@BeesWaxMinder]

😂

[@landonbailey]

I just assembled a Jaguar partscaster and was told this is the place to check out for setups!

[@Puisheen]

Landon! Sorry I missed your comment - funnily enough I was just watching your Sonic blue build! Well done, and great choice of components. Love the ‘65 Jaguar pickups. Yikes about that gouge on the 20th fret of the original neck!

[@tabturn]

I just bought this same guitar new, and it has the same issues, almost exactly. As someone inexperienced with setups, esp. with this type of vibrato, having you go through this is very helpful, I appreciate the video!

[@lenduckworth99]

Me too with my 70's CV. It's a factory issue I think: there isn't enough pitch in the necks. The shim fixes it.

[@slightreturn1045]

​@@lenduckworth99How thick was the shim? I just got one of these.

[@Ironworthstriking]

@@slightreturn1045 Try a .5 degree shim. That should get you there.

[@HarrisArt]

Ive learned more about Jazzmasters and offsets in the last few months than I have in the last 20+ years. All because of you. Thanks Mike! Keep up the great work.

[@Updog89]

I wish they made more jazzmasters with block inlays like this. I love the look!

[@christophernoia5197]

I liked your post, even though I'm not a fan of the block inlay look. I wish they made more interesting vintage colors, like Sherwood green metallic, with matching headstocks, no binding, and clay dots on a rosewood board. I'm a big fan boy of the late 50s and early 60s custom colors without all the frills of neck binding and inlays. Probably why I. Not impressed with the new AV2 66 reissue.

[@Updog89]

@@christophernoia5197 I absolutely love the look of a Sherwood green Jazzmaster, especially with matching headstocks!

[@christophernoia5197]

@@Updog89 I've wanted one for years! I have a white av65 Jazzmaster with a matching headstock and a partscaster in burgundy mist metallic with a matching headstock. I almost went with Sherwood green partscaster and kind of wish I would have nowadays. The new fender metallic colors, like mystic seafoam, aren't bad but I want the rare vintage colors more available! Including... Mary Kay white 😎

[@christineblack4654]

there not the righ size tho haha not like the original. again squier fucks up.

[@luisgramirez94]

That slamming the vibrato arm with a hammer tip is killer! I can finally do the Kevin Shields strumming on my CV Mustang.

[@Puisheen]

YESSSSS

[@tabturn]

irc, there's a video somewhere on KZbin of Kevin Shields discussing his guitar, and in one of the closeups you can see he has tape on his vibrato arm to prevent the it from being fully inserted. So it was the first thing I tried, it does make that 'glide" technique of his easier! Here's a shot of his arm: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nanOq4x5iZeBfa8

[@alwaysevolving281]

I have a shell pink one of these babies on the way! This video is literally EXACTLY what I need haha

[@Puisheen]

Love the shell pink!

[@docamosroxie8686]

Jealous

[@mistyaltvater4370]

I just ordered the surf green model, love the surf green

[@evanharnett]

How much does it weigh?

[@gazzabiker8540]

Ah man I want the pink one with matching headstock!!!

[@misterspookyman]

Followed this as closely as I could with my exact same model... it came out FANTASTIC. Thank you!!!

[@misterspookyman]

Had to go .50 on the shim... apparently, started with almost negative pitch back! Lol

[@pressureflipin1992]

@@misterspookyman so I just bought this guitar for my son and plan to do the exact same set up. Is there a middle ground to with when it comes to shims?

[@misterspookyman]

@@pressureflipin1992 I bought the stumac 4 pack. .25, .50, .75, 1.00. That way you can make the best decision for your situation.

[@mister2987]

Started playing when I was 13 and have had an MIJ Jaguar (ser# Exxx038) for the last 20 years. By watching as many of your videos as I can find, I have learned not only more about my specific guitar but also about the extended family from where it comes, including the philosophy of the people who designed and built it. You have settled the question of whether I should sell my guitar for something else, now I also want a Jazzmaster. At 75 years of age (played surf music before someone called it that), I'm not sure I shouldn't have let this sleeping dog lie.... But thanks very much just the same!

[@Puisheen]

Loved reading this!

[@Mr.Steve-O]

I love that Jag especially the block inlays. I own a Squier VM Jazzmaster and went through a year long series of string changes, bridge changes and finally threw a Stew Mac .50 shim and that cured all the ailments. Can't put the guitar down now. Oddly, when I took off the neck I too found a jimmy rigged piece of sandpaper in the heel pocket too. Thanks for all you do Mike !

[@gretchman]

Come for the Classic Vibes Stay for the Gowron Eyes

[@Puisheen]

I wanna write an indie hit with that title

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Yeah Gowron!!

[@davidmessana3452]

Awesome, Mike... I did many of the same things to my CV 70's Jag. Your earlier videos were extremely helpful in getting it closer to "fighting" shape. THIS video confirmed my suspicion that I need to file down the nut too. I was able to fix a lot of the noise in my vibrato just by pinching the collet closed a little more with some pliers. I also added a little bit of electrical tape to the bridge posts just to get rid of the metal on metal clang. I'm not sure if you would have recommended that since I've never seen you do it... but it works. Thanks again.

[@Puisheen]

I don't personally use tape as a fix, but plenty of folks have over the years!

[@MarioKazooie]

I've had this one (but in surf green) for over a year or more and I haven't been able to get it working the way I want it. This guitar came like a total disaster from factory and I bought it new. You don't know how excited I got when I saw you uploaded this, I feel like an expert is now trying to help me.

[@obahrey5197]

You are talented enough to be a fender custom shop master builder. Specializing in offsets of course.

[@Puisheen]

That's kind! I know some of the builders and I think they're waaaaaaay better than I am ;)

[@obahrey5197]

@@Puisheen You’d go in there and make the best offsets. Plus you’d get to use the mythical RSD bridge on your designs!

[@poetryofbeing]

My only problem with your videos is that i seem to have watched them all! Great content and amazing attitude as usual. I await your next transmission.

[@Puisheen]

More on the way! Thanks so much!

[@georgewarnell2063]

So glad I discovered your Guitar bar in Fremont. Can't wait to get my Jag back in a playable state!!! Keep up the good work!

[@marklepley]

Thanks for posting this. I bought one of the CV’s in daphne blue. I absolutely love it. I did a lot of what you did in the video, mainly oiled the board, polished the frets and did the pitch back on the neck. Just those things made a night and day difference. My guitar didn’t even have any kind of shim from the factory, I just used a small sliver from an expired gift card. 😂 but it still worked.

[@davidbaker6549]

I purchased my CV Jaguar after seeing this video. Halfway thinking it was going to be a nightmare and half hoping that it would be so I would have something to "Tinkle" with. When I got it. Plugged it in and had NONE of the same issues. However the tuning and tremolo suck. I installed a Classic player Tailpiece and Vintage locking tuners. NO shim, but I did lock the bridge so it wouldn't rock. Filed the knife edge on the CP tailpiece, slipped thin heatshink tubing, (2"), over the ends of the strings. 1mm action at the 12th fret. No ringing, no rattling. Neck is perfect. No fret sprout or rough edges. If I didn't look at the name, it could be an MIA Fender. A great instrument for

[@gazzabiker8540]

My Squier VM Jaguar wasn't behaving itself. I tried everything, even a Buzz Stop. Watched a bunch of your videos inspired me to take the Buzz stop off, put more shim in the neck pocket, fit a Staytrem bridge, set of .11 strings... and it's fixed! Stays in tune, plays nice. Cheers dude.

[@Puisheen]

This is great to hear, congrats!

[@Wolf_K]

Setting up Jags and Jazzers is one of the most satisfying things...I love doing it and going from poor to perfection.

[@oldandeerie]

well i paid a lot for my new guitar and would expect it to be somewhat playable i wish Squier enjoyed doing them as much as you do too lol

[@patrickryan7532]

Thanks so much for this video. Finally managed to setup my Squier VM Jag after having it for 5 years. Plays like a dream now. The high bridge and neck shim solved everything! Love from Liverpool UK!

[@Dan.Solo.Chicago]

I like that he’s willing to just eyeball some things. Everything doesn’t have perfect and precise all the time. Somethings you just have to go by feel. I’ll measure the fret action but prefer to eyeball neck relief.

[@stevesoldwedel]

I literally laughed out loud at "Gowron eyes." Thank you.

[@rbrwr]

When I get a CV Jag (which I probably won't because I don't love the '70s binding and block inlays look) I'll be sure to also get a (checks video) belt sander to get it working properly.

[@obornes]

I got the same guitar and it had the same issues. The parts are well made and it's a quality instrument in my opinion. Just poorly put together. Squier are making some fine instruments these days. I have two from the Paranormal series. They where perfect right out of the box. Incredible guitars for the prize. Or double the prize. I like your playing!

[@taylormoon3561]

I’ve been binging your videos in excitement while my sunburst cv is in the mail, soaking up as much offset wisdom as I can. I really love how much fun you have.

[@francisgori5631]

Mike- even though I’ve been an armchair guitar tech for 20+ years... there is always something to learn! Great advice about rolling off the tone while intonating the guitar... works wonderfully! Thank you guitar guru!!!!!!!!!

[@danc.732]

I love that chord progression in your intro.

[@Hamsong]

I can’t tell you how satisfying that was. Nicely done. I have the Jazzmaster version of the CV in the same color and love it. I got lucky with setup and new strings and paying someone to level the frets made a huge difference.

[@mattofthemountain]

Rolling off the tone for intonation - never thought of that! Great tip! Thanks for sharing your secrets, living life with open hands, you're a solid dude.

[@rstuartcpa]

Can’t like this enough! Just got a Squire Jag as a platform for mod projects and learning how to do set ups. Thanks!!!

[@LRHutch]

I just bought one of those last week. Everything was good to go on it except for that stupid pivot bridge so I made 2 shimes to go around the post, now it's all better. Tremolo worked perfect, nut was cut perfect frets were level but I did polish them.Sanded down the neck to take some of the gloss off. That was it. Put strings on and set intonation. I will however wire in the bridge pickup to the rhythm channel later. Great video man, have a good one.

[@johncourage9424]

"How To Modify a String Anchor Plate" is what I learned in class today! Thanks for the pro tip, Mike!

[@oliverauvinen8908]

I cannot thank you enough for this video, just bought a classic vibe 60's jag and was wondering wtf was wrong with it :D

[@MrSalefish]

Man youre such a good guy ! Iam building an offset guitar with jazzmaster tremolo and your videos helped me to set properly my guitar and fix all the noises from tremolo and love the sounds of that guitar !

[@69rootman69]

A little late to the party but so hyped you have a KZbin channel now. Finally some quality luthier vids ❤️

[@hobbaswaggle]

that note about rolling off tone for a tuner is a HAWT tip, thank you!

[@davidharding200]

I have absolutely no issue with mine. It came from the uk to Australia. It sits on a stand in the house and after 2 weeks still loving it and no issue with tuning for me. I just pick it up play put it back and don’t feel the need to tune.

[@69lespauls]

Just bought one of these used, while I thought it was setup ok, after watching this video, I will be giving it an overhaul thank you fir showing us all how!! educational and entertaining!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@xzatious]

You've got me thinking hard about the Squier line now (for some fun) but I just picked up a 72 Harmony H82 Rebel so I need to chill out for a second.

[@rivulus]

Thanks for the tip about the tremolo knife. I do not have a belt sander but a levelling beam should work just as well 🙂

[@thecaveofthedead]

This is such a great overview. Going to send it to a friend who's a new offset owner.

[@lush8515]

The metal demo is unexpected killer

[@stevenriddle22]

I have a Fender Jaguar players series and this video definitely helped me in the long run, especially with them saddles not staying in place but, thanks man!! Subscribed

[@donniehba795]

Good and very helpful video. I just took delivery of a Squire Jaguar a couple of hours before watching this video and it is exactly what I needed. Cool!

[@alexanderdrury3308]

Just found the channel and two videos in you won my subscription. I really appreciate the detailed but unpretentious teaching style. A little extra video production and you’re right there with some of the bigger channels in my opinion. Hope you keep the good vibes flowing!

[@karol_p]

Exactly the same issues with my Squier Jag, the same sandpaper shim. The post screws are sooo loose. From what I can tell, shim and power slinkys fixed all problems except for the sinking bridge posts. Even with loctite these sometimes go loose. I ordered some Chinese Mustang Bridge with individual string adjustment screws, I hope this makes the guitar complete. This guitar has one very strong advantage. I think the pickups are really amazing.

[@dweezil4228]

How did the mustang bridge work out for you? I have the exact same problem on my CV jazzmaster and I’m thinking of upgrading to a mustang bridge as well, but I’m not sure if I will have to make any changes to the holes or the mustang bridge will just fit right in place. Thanks in advance

[@karol_p]

@@dweezil4228 The mustang-style bridge I ordered from China was way better than what squier had from the factory. Solved the bridge problems for me

[@michaeloppitz9609]

Thank you so much! Awesome Video. I tried to set this guitar up for such a long time, a 0.75 shim (0.5 + 0.25) and the higher bridge with some threadlock did the trick! Much appreciated

[@AndrewWukusick]

I just got one of these same guitars and had the same concerns. This video was perfect timing and a huge help!

[@mrjdsummers]

Love the Trek references and that dope shirt. Also very educational video. Thank you for sharing.

[@ericlewis217]

Great overview of setup quirks. Also, the Kenner Powerloader & Gowron Eyes!

[@Puisheen]

That power loader has become one of my most-used tools

[@ericlewis217]

@@Puisheen Did you keep the .25 shim or use a different size? Thx.

[@danielsgrunge]

Thats probably one of my favorite color combos ever, looks killer! Nice video too!

[@CORDUROY00]

Got my CV Jag late last year. My plan was to hit you up for a set up when it came in. Of course the week I got it you annouced your move. Drats! Been using your videos and various articles as my set up guide. Shimmed it, upped the string gauge, got a Staytrem bridge and now looking at a AVRI trem. Nut could use some work but it's ok for now. Thanks Mike.

[@Puisheen]

Aw shoot sorry for the bad timing! Seems like you've got it worked out!

[@slarbiter]

Stripped my truss rod a few months ago trying to set up my cv jazzmaster, even with the highest action possible it wouldn't stop buzzing. Finally got it set up 'good enough'

[@Puisheen]

Oh no that sucks!

[@maggieo]

"Gowron Eyes!!" I'ma be stealin' that.

[@mastermachetier5594]

I love your little testing chord progression :)

[@kcd2120]

I know, right! I’d love to know what those chord shapes are.

[@renxo909]

this helps so much because i have this guitar!! thank you for making these videos mike

[@VelcorHF]

You turned that into a whole new beast. Great job dude. Good explanation and demo of the intonation process.

[@EdgarDizzlewicz92]

Oh man, discovered this on my homepage and this was the best nerdy indulgence in ages! I’ve seen there are more offset videos so I’m off down a KZbin hole. Thanking you!

[@TiANr0ckst4r]

This video helped me set my new jazzmaster up so thanks so much big bro 🤙🏼

[@jedimindfrak82]

Great vid! I'm glad I found your channel. I, too, am a Pennsylvanian transplanted into the West Coast (Oregon for me). I also have a red beard and love Star Trek, so you, sir, are freaking AWESOME! 🖖🏻😎

[@nikolarunjavec1079]

Great video. Actually a great dude! Who could not love this guy? I just received this guitar and made a quick setup only by raising the bridge and it already makes wonder for the playability, guitar does not go so easily out of tune and most importantly no strings are buzzing. Of course I am quite into doing a full setup. Loving this guitar so far.

[@silo2105]

That metal demo at the end is FIRE!

[@Haze763]

Great demo Mike. I love all your great set up tips. Just wish you had wings and hot sauce during this video too! 😀

[@Puisheen]

So do I!

[@Brijoolz]

Just did all of this on my new CV. Setup was shockingly bad. Also shielded all the cavities. The bridge didn’t even have shielding paint, so I’ve shielded it all with copper tape, and taken a ground wire to the bridge too. Stuck the same 11s on, and it’s playing much better. Thanks for all the info.

[@matred3538]

Many thanks. Really helpful and will go back and re watch if I have any problems with my Jaguar on the way.

[@ErlangS]

Awesome video, straight out of the bag. Enjoy your coffee.

[@jazzblasterrr]

My classic 60’s lacquer Jaguar has similar issues. I’m definitely going to try sanding the trem blade

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

It’s like a completely different, good guitar. I have a cv telecaster, bought it used, and had to dial in almost everything a little. Now it’s a good one. Good video man.

[@Bikedueder]

Just got mine today. Shell pink! This video is helpful, even though I have experience with doing setups, intonation, etc.. Thank you!! I have the pivot plate out and about to grind it. I already polished the frets, they were SO bad You could hear the string scratching from three feet away.I also sanded the fretboard with 800 and then 2000 grit. I was actually getting the wood to shine like rosewood. I also went a step further and used some Minwax ebony stain on the fretboard. It doesn't look black, it looks like dark rosewood!! Oh well, on to the plate grinding and loc titing....

[@Bikedueder]

Done, and it's awesome!!! I put on 11/50's, set the intonation, stretched the strings, and it stayed in tune better than some hardtails I have owned before.

[@ksac35]

Currently fixing mine this is a great video thanks

[@glenfenderman]

Good video! I put pen springs on my bridge pickup screws to make it more adjustable.

[@Wariatkevin1991]

Great vid! It's funny. I got the same guitar just a month ago and had to do all of these things too. Especially put some threadlock on the screws adjusting the height of the bridge cause it was sinking even after one song. Also filed down the bone nut a bit and moisturised the VERY dry fretboard. Now plays like magic and I'm totally in love in it!

[@Puisheen]

I'm so glad you got the kinks worked out, Kevin!

[@Wariatkevin1991]

@@Puisheen I just wish I had your video up by then haha :) Looking forward to your review. I have to say I do prefer the black colour though.

[@shkibby1]

I've watched this vid 10 times by now. I picked one of these up locally and have been slowly getting it in order. I had the opposite problem with my bridge adjustment screws in that they are too tight... Lol. But I can't afford a Mastery bridge atm, so... I'll make it work. My trem plate was also really gunky like they had tape all over it... Took some doing to rid it of all that

[@Puisheen]

Oh weird! If the screws are tough to adjust sometimes heat can break any connection being made there from gunk or thread locker. Try holding a soldering iron tip to the screw itself and see if that doesn't help!

[@shkibby1]

@@Puisheen I'll have to try that, already down an Allen wrench... Lol

[@fenderbass0]

I had that same ridiculous shim on my CV Jazzmaster. I also had electrical crackling whenever I used the trem. I surmised there was some poor contact of the bridge posts in the thimbles because that all fixed itself when I made a proper neck shim and restrung with 10.5-48 strings. I love the guitar for its value, sound, and all the quirky goodness of offsets!

[@MonstersByMax]

Your channel is fantastic! I keep learning things, not just about offset Fenders, but guitar setup in general. This inspired me to fix the neck pickup height on my Les Paul (had been crooked since I bought it, I think the previous owner smashed it into a corner or something and I had no idea all it took to fix was turning some screws). I used to play mostly on the bridge pickup because the high notes sounded weaker instead of just darker everyhwere else. Keep up the great work!

[@NicDoesDumbThings]

I have one of these and I've never had any tuning issues. Maybe it's an item-to-item thing but this is the best guitar I've ever had lol

[@silverblunt6328]

really? Did you make any modifications? i want to buy one, but i cant modify it

[@NicDoesDumbThings]

@@silverblunt6328 No but i did buy another online and it wasnt set up. Buy one from a store though to make sure it sounds good. Also i know you said you cant mod it but add a buzzstop its only like 20 dollars

[@NicDoesDumbThings]

I only just added that though the guitar sounds amazing without it

[@uptopmikep7065]

This video was worth the view just to learn more about the pivot plate. I have a Classic Player Jag that has the clicking problem with the tremolo. Now I may be able to fix it. Thanks Mike, from Mike P. Cheers and keep up the fantastic videos!

[@ALWTunes]

A link to this video should come with every purchase. Haha. I plan on getting one of these one day and will definitely use this as a reference.

[@hellogreg1973]

Great tips on this! I have a VM JM converted to baritone. Sounds great now. Thank man

[@lenduckworth99]

Awesome vid. Just got one of these delivered. Mine needs a shim too I think.

[@nickm6001]

Yeah the only bad things about it was the bridge noise/ vibrato arm noise, I set it up with 56-13 flat sounds and some neck adjustments can make it play great

[@christophermrofchak]

This video is so informative. Thank you for sharing this, it really helped me set up my own Squier Jaguar.

[@Fenlander456]

I have the black version, I ended up getting a friend to cut a new nut (The one that was on it had incorrect string spacing), shim the neck, and level and polish the frets to get it into a state where I was happy with it, its a great guitar now, but i think you have to be prepared to have some work done to get it playable. I have the CV 50's tele but that played great out of the box, though i guess compared to a jag a tele is a very simple guitar.

[@valley_robot]

Just bought this exact same guitar today, this video is going to be very helpful

[@ThePainkiller9995]

new subscriber here, have a few things to say first of all i love the energy in your videos! you seem like a cool dude that id love to hang out with ahah you remind me of an internet friend of mine whos obviously a great guy too second, i recently got a CV 70s Jag in surf green and I adore it, absolutely in love w that instrument but it did play poorly out of the box and after following your advice (loctite on screws, neck shimming etc.) it now plays amazing so thats a lot for that. last but not least, I loooove your playing, 90% of guitar demos are done by boomers who can only play stale blues licks, no offence to them but its maddening especially when its done on a guitar that was clearly intended for other genres, so yea your demos are super refreshing

[@Puisheen]

Thank you!!!! Love the CV in Surf Green!

[@declannorth5965]

an absolute wizard of the offset world

[@alexradsby]

Thank you so much! Great video! I need to get hold of some stew mac shims :)

[@StratBurst92]

Just bought my surf green Squire Jaguar from Sweetwater. The setup was perfect from them.

[@Seafire-gy2hs]

I just ordered one of these. Thanks for the setup tips!!!

[@vtcoe1]

Thanks for this video! I just ordered the same guitar as a backup for my Japanese Jaguar, but I think I may have to follow your setup instructions on that one too.

[@PattyStefanMusic]

You did an awesome job! I love the look of this guitar but I wouldn't buy one unless I had a guitar guy like you to set it up for me.

[@thesurfjunkies]

Once again we learned something Mike. As always thanks for the thorough and thoroughly educational and entertaining video.

[@GunsNRoosendael]

Kudos for adding time stamps Adam, you're a gem.

[@telecasterbear]

Do not stand until the ride comes to a complete stop. Go Mikey, go Mikey, go Mikey, go.

[@SD_Marc]

Thanks, Mike! Great vid!

[@claudecat]

Thanks for this in depth guide. I just bought one of these and couldn't believe how glaringly bad some things were (gritty frets, dry board, insanely noisy tremolo mainly). There's a really decent guitar in there, as you demonstrate, but it's gonna take some work, and I don't have the power tools to square off that tremolo part that's causing the rattling noises. I'm a person that loves cheap guitars and have managed to find some pretty decent ones for crazy low prices (mostly under a C-note). I've never had an Indio or IYV or Grote or even a Glarry-level guitar come with as many issues as this Jaguar (and another Squier that arrived brand new with a dead pickup). I'd be pissed if I'd paid full price. For $4-500 you should get a guitar that's a LOT more playable out of the box. It's funny... I bought the CV Jag not long after having bought a guitar I'd been seeking for years: a Yamaha AES820 (early 2000's). That guitar, for which I paid the exact same price, was perfect from the start, I'm assuming due to a quality setup by the store, but maybe not. It's a better guitar in every way, with premium components. Playing the CV Jag was a bit of a letdown after that, but I'll get it to being what it can be.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

Wow!!! Shimming the neck on a brand new guitar?!?! No thanks Fender! But thank you Mike for pointing out this issue. The Guitar Center customer reviews discuss it, but this video makes it very clear. I only wish you lived in Tucson so I could use your services when needed.