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

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My buddy Ryan bought a cool Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jaguar, but it really didn't play all that great out of the box. In this week's On The Bench I'll be taking you along for the ride step-by-step as I turn a decent guitar into a great one.
Ryan is a great photographer and I would love it if you checked out his work:
molynophoto.com/work
For other Jaguar/Jazzmaster setup videos, click below:
• 1965 Jazzmaster Setup ...
• Offset 101: Shims & th...
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00:00-00:30 Bad Demo
00:31-03:03 Intro/Gameplan
03:04-4:44 Evaluation
04:45-8:00 Bridge Maintenance
08:01-08:46 Cleaning
08:47-10:19 Vibrato Maintenance
10:20-11:57 Neck Shimming
11:58-13:10 Cleaning/Oiling the Neck
13:11-15:19 Nut Slots and Restring
15:20-17:30 Finalizing the Nut
17:31-19:24 Brief Intonation
19:25-21:34 Play Test
21:35-22:40 Final Thoughts
22:41-23:53 METAL 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

[@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]

😂

[@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

[@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.

[@gretchman]

Come for the Classic Vibes Stay for the Gowron Eyes

[@Puisheen]

I wanna write an indie hit with that title

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Yeah Gowron!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!!!

[@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!

[@SD_Marc]

Thanks, Mike! Great vid!

[@turbozayas]

Great video, very informative! Thanks for posting

[@aaronfinney1740]

Love these videos.

[@vincemincevince]

this was so good

[@thesurfjunkies]

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

[@Seafire-gy2hs]

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

[@ErlangS]

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

[@ksac35]

Currently fixing mine this is a great video thanks

[@renxo909]

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

[@silo2105]

That metal demo at the end is FIRE!

[@mrjdsummers]

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

[@VelcorHF]

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

[@christophermrofchak]

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

[@TiANr0ckst4r]

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

[@protodiablo]

Thank you so much, man! Great video!

[@matred3538]

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

[@GunsNRoosendael]

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

[@lush8515]

The metal demo is unexpected killer

[@hellogreg1973]

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

[@michaelworse6034]

Great channel , very helpful . Many thanks .

[@danielsgrunge]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@danc.732]

I love that chord progression in your intro.

[@evanpitman6169]

Buying one of these soon

[@valley_robot]

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

[@AndrewWukusick]

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

[@ilyasnamozov2914]

Saw this and subscribed! Great work!!

[@69rootman69]

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

[@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.

[@thecaveofthedead]

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

[@johncourage9424]

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

[@FullmetalHotpants]

Great video! My new Squier CV 70s Jaguar comes in tomorrow. I’m both excited and apprehensive…

[@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.

[@olliesound67]

Great Mike!

[@mickjames5388]

Dude; amazing video-subscribed!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!!!

[@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 !

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@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 🙂

[@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

[@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.

[@clmdeprav]

daym, you have the coolest guitar cable ever.

[@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!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@mastermachetier5594]

I love your little testing chord progression :)

[@kcd2120]

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

[@lifeisdead01]

Thanks, I now know how to intonate my jag!

[@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!

[@glenfenderman]

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

[@hobbaswaggle]

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

[@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 !

[@Frankyandhisguitar]

enjoying the channel, brotha!

[@markcunningham6086]

Great job....

[@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.

[@markmccafferty6515]

Good tip to roll the tone off to intonate & on neck pup too - thanks 👍

[@Ncebulsky]

I just got mine yesterday. I got really lucky. It was set up pretty well.

[@alexradsby]

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

[@brianwallace4024]

Just scored one of these. I will get to work!

[@Labyrinth1010]

Another solid one, thanks Mike.

[@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!

[@lenduckworth99]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@ryanoc333]

This is awesome. I have the same guitar with the same problems and was thinking about selling it. I'm going to try this out, thanks!

[@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.

[@stevesoldwedel]

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

[@maggieo]

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

[@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.

[@G.S.W.SewmesomeMusic]

The few the proud the offset army!

[@jazzblasterrr]

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

[@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.

[@StratBurst92]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@angelvargaspartida1891]

I love this video

[@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!

[@RobCmusic]

Nice work

[@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! 🖖🏻😎

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@declannorth5965]

an absolute wizard of the offset world

[@masonWV]

Love your videos. Ive learned so much watching, even to the videos I don't need to watch are interesting enough to watch! Do you have a review / set up of a J mascis jazzmaster?

[@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

[@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