Squier Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster pickup demo

[@mrgitarman]

Killer look, sound and your playing. I want that guitar. update; I GOT THAT GUITAR

[@benallmark9671]

You still have it ? Play it ?

[@KurtFuller]

This guitar doesn´t need any modifications. Sounds and plays wonderful just like it is.

[@TheRiddle11]

Just a good set up on a luthier, and my guitar had a Nut problem. Just this. Wonderfull guitar

[@salvadormiron8909]

You're actually the first demo I've seen who's playing actually have style I love your playing

[@sprucetree49]

This is a model video: You make a really interesting comparison, go about it systmatically, express yourself clearly, and do some very nice playing all the way through. It was a real pleasure to watch. My personal reaction is that the new pups are more refined and professional sounding while the old ones were lively but a bit raw. But you've increased my opinion of the Squier, even without new pickups. Thanks for a really helpful video!

[@Zanthxs]

Very nice picking ... geez, what a real player can do with a Squire. Sounds incredible. I've been playing for over 42 years btw and heard quite a few fine riffs, hat's off to you mate! ...

[@michaelbellenir8331]

I really like the way you organized the video. You added the quick change out of the pickups in a timely fashion and that was very cool. I really like it man!

[@lazvt8469]

11 year old CV Tele video STILL sounds great! I upgraded my CV50 Tele with Lindy Fralin Blues Special last week...noticeable 'improvemen't...but stock sounded fine...now the ax sounds like a million bucks. Also did a simple mod yesterday where I disconnected the neck pup from the tone knob....don't use it for the neck, ever.....neck sounds bigger and perhaps more clear.

[@torwalk6978]

Awesome playing. After years of searching through different types of guitars, the Telecaster is my type of guitar.

[@oscarmorales1621]

You are the first person that have convinced me to change the stock pickups of a fender. Great tone and playing!

[@noakwesterberg]

Thank you!

[@bach2117]

It's not just the guitar, it's the player, you make this tele sound better than it should, nice job.

[@jacobbowen9739]

Holy shit! great playing man. I honestly think the stock pups sounded really good but man those upgraded pups sounded great too. They had a little more chunk than the CV pups. I have an affinity tele and i think ill pick up one of these cv teles. Thanks!

[@noakwesterberg]

Thanks, glad you founf it useful!

[@roberttosa2560]

Nce. New pickups have better frequency range and articulation with a fuller sound and punch. Big improvement. And you play well.Thanks for sharing.

[@rafasounds2010]

sounds really good mate. these squiers are really future classics. im proud of my 50s strat

[@danieltelecaster7040]

That's seriously good tele tone with either pickups. I'm very impressed with all the Squier

[@IPushHard]

I noticed a bigger difference in the neck position than I did the bridge, but KZbin does not deliver the best sound.. so the difference in person is probably much greater. Very well done demo and nice playing. Thanks for posting.

[@World.of.the.Artful.Guitarist]

This is one of the best Telecaster sounds (Squier or Fender, stock or upgraded), I've heard on KZbin, and I think I've seen them all! Really, really great sound. Both stock and aftermarket pickups. I do prefer your slightly more ballsy aftermarket pickup sound, but the the improvement is small and not worth the expense imho. The biggest factor in the great sound is the Blackstar amp. British-voiced amps really bring out the aggression in Telecasters.

[@whatsabryan]

I bought one as soon as you switched to the stock neck pickup. Absolutely killer.

[@noakwesterberg]

Glad to hear that the video helped in your decision! I hope you're happy with the guitar 👍

[@CabinFeverEffects]

This video was major in convincing me to buy one of these. Got it last week - love it. Nice licks, man!

[@stratcat9432]

Hey Noak, I see you have not posted anything in 3 years. So there is a good possibility you may never see this? But i just wanted to say that seeing this video back years ago had a big influence on me getting this CV Tele a 2012 model to be exact. It has remained in the family collection, played and gigged out by myself, and 2 of my sons who have their own bands. So it's served us well. Thank you, Noak, and i hope you are still creating music in some form, and maybe even on this Tele still. 😊

[@realdocloco]

One of the best CV custom video around - and a very nice way to show the difference between stock and upgrade pickups. I personally like both the bridge pickups (stock and upgrade), but the upgrade neck pickup sound definitly better than the stock one. Great playing btw :)

[@patrickphippspa584]

Wow I enjoyed that 9 years later. Hope you're well Noah. I'm subscribing buddy!

[@SpiceIndustries]

i wish i could feel the music into the groove as much as this guy, great playing

[@lennyhmorel7998]

Great great tone!!! I am totally amazed with the stock pickups. The classic vibes are like custom shop instruments in my opinion. I own a Classic Vibe Strat and it is the holy grail compared to my 20 or so other electric guitars .... Thank you for this great video!!

[@LoganKramerMusic]

The stock pickups are actually not bad. That's awesome

[@scottchristopher4503]

This tele reminds me of the 64' reissue. I love these new and improved squiers. I have the 2012 deluxe ash butterscotch blonde, among others and multiple "American starts/teles... but..... I guarantee you this squire custom would be my "go to" and not worry about denting it over and over. What a value!!! unbelievable!! so many people these days think, "the more expensive guitars are way better..." sorry to say, but your very wrong, a squire set up right is perfect!! Great playing by the way!!!

[@WorshipFog777]

Good God what a tone!! Loved Your playing aslo, good one bro!!

[@notsuretwo]

First of all, let me say this is an excellent demo. Nice playing as well, which always help on demos. Computer speakers tend to sound tinny. Even if connected to hi fi speakers there is a inherant filtering of mids, and a emphasis on highs. So you are probably hearing more on the Lundgren than we can hear. You're sound is excellent both ways.

[@noakwesterberg]

Thanks! There's always some hum with traditional single coil pickups. These guitars, however, are painted with a shielding paint connected to ground on the inside parts which reduces these issues quite a bit.

[@2speedy4u22]

Great playing. Shows how good the stock cv pickups are. I think I preferred them over the "upgrade".

[@briandarabaca]

Yup. The stock neck pick-up is untouchable. It will stay on my CVC. It's my go to guitar and I actually use it on my first EP recording. This demo is excellent by the way.

[@theWARMJET]

great Twang sounds from the original and new pups.nice playing and thank you congrats from Portugal

[@kmisi1]

great video. it's amazing what difference the playing could make. you make a cheap squier sound like a vintage tele. awesome!

[@RemoteAbductionArm]

Those original pups sound awesome, IMO. Damn it, now I'm jonesing for a CV Custom :-)

[@gangnamstylegrandpa6352]

I had one of these guitars , loved it , the neck was a little thin , front to back for me . Mostly I was impressed with your guitar playing !!! Amazing !!!

[@tjnugent62]

Great guitar... I have several of the Squier's and I always change out the pickups. Your choice was spot on for this axe.

[@loongkant]

Currently out of stock at our local distributor. Well pick one up as soon as the new lot comes. Killer guitar and playing man.

[@CaliforniaKid44]

Nice chops man! I just bought that same guitar and I can attest to its amazing value, playability and quality of finish. Better than many American Fender guitars I have owned or played.

[@luisangelsmusic]

The stock pickups sounded great, but because you know how to play very well. You easily sold me on that guitar. The new pickups seemed to just be "more" to what the originals had. More twang, more gain.

[@pedrolacerda2708]

This tele sounds amazing! To be honest I liked the stock bridge pickup better than the DiMarzio! It sounded warmer to me! But both are really good!

[@crashjarvis13]

You are a pretty solid player my friend. Keep bringing the ROCK.

[@aj329770]

Nice demo! I was originally going to get a MIM telecaster and those just dont sound as good as the Squier. I also like the white stripe around the body and the rosewood fretboard. Awesome demo and now I'm gonna go get a classic vibe tele!!

[@christophercharles8758]

I just bought one of these guitars, sounds awesome! And not just "for the money". Only thing I changed was the bridge, mainly because I like brass saddles, but partly because the bridge was clearly the place they "saved" money on. However it did make a noticeable difference and for the better. I won't be changing anything else unless it breaks, I'm really happy with it...

[@musicmatty67]

I would have to say..I give the edge to the stock pickups. Very nice playing and thanks for this great demo.

[@anthonykalcic]

Thanks for writing. You ever heard of ToneRider pickups. I think Fender is using them on the CV50's Strat. They sound real good to my ear.

[@IIVV91]

great playing! all demos should be like this. was very informative. i have a classic vibe 50s strat and love it! enjoy.

[@rg7120]

I liked the stock pickups. Sounds like an old Tele to me! I couldn't believe that a stock Squier would have have nice alnico pickups or a great neck until I played one. I'll have to buy one soon.

[@electricragtime]

The stock pickups sounded great ....the replacements didn't actually make an improvement to your sound.... I believe that people are to caught up in changing out parts these days .....You possess all the tools you need to sound good ....they are attached to the ends of your arms .....I suggest that time spent on improving technique is much more beneficial to sound improvement than any additions to instruments .....and you already possess very good technique ..... I spent years from the 60's onwards caught up in the same bullshit .... and believe me there were some improvements to be made on instruments from the 60's .....I eventually realised that it didn't matter what instrument you played or what you plugged it into ....once you hit the stage 99.9% of your audience couldn't tell the difference .... you may get a couple of muso's upfront who had some idea but it was rare ......so in conclusion.....find a guitar that plays like butter and plug it into any amp (well almost any ha ha) and get your ass onto the stage and play the sshit out of it ....and see the smiles on the faces of the audience (all the reassurance neccessary)

[@timmyv694]

Your right on the money. I spent years with some of the best equipment money could buy. And now later on in life with more playing time under my belt I'm sounding way better playing on a squier bullet and a peavey bandit. I think this guy sounds great though. And the original pickups sounded better.

[@electricragtime]

tim varney Hey Tim ... I guess it takes us all a lot of years to realise that the aquisition of equipment is mostly based on hype and the incredible advertising budget of the music media machine .... and I like you current choice of equipment .... I love Peavey bandits ...and I'm currently playing a G&L tribute asat through mine and it sounds as good as anything I ever had in the past..... all the best...Kev

[@electricragtime]

***** To right Alex ....american "name" guitars are more of a fashion accessory these days ....gone are the days of the 60's when the only way you could get a decent electric sound was to buy a gibson or fender (because the rest of the world couldn't make a decent pickup) ....the brits caught on fairly quickly with pickup design ...but still couldn't build a decent guitar .....and far easern guitars were limite to cheap copies (and I mean cheap) ..... but now some of the most innovative instruments come from the far east ...and its difficult to even buy a totally crap pickup..... but yes tone is definitely in the hands .... you only have to listen to the likes of roy buchanan and the tone he squeezed out of a tele through a modest amp and with no effects to realise the truth of it

[@moe761]

Yup, I know someone who has a duesenberg, matchless amp, shitload of pedals and other top notch gear and this guy playing on a squier has more flavor than he guy with a shitload of gear. I was once caught up in the BS too, but like you said, it all comes down to skill and technique.

[@chrishorton615]

I think the Lungrend pups are fuller sounding, but similar.

[@noakwesterberg]

Thanks! Yes, it would be interesting to do different sounds to compare, that's true. But at least all the settings between the two different set of pickups is identical so any difference you hear is due to the pickups.

[@dtgallowgate]

I just received this guitar after ordering online and before I received it, I also ordered replacement pickups to install in it as I was convinced I wouldn't like the stock ones but having played it now, I'm considering just leaving it alone. It sounds pretty nice as it is.

[@guitarplayerforu]

i love the sound of stock pickup's, i changed pickups on my mex standard strat to 50's 1s as it didn't sound much like a hank strat at first but does now but I'd keep one of these stock, its like a usa tele for just less than half the price. Used to only cost £275 they're now £400, proves how good they really are.

[@MegaBrebis]

@noakwesterberg Thanks a lot! I see you're in Sweden. It's been my favorite holiday destination for years! I'm in France. Cheers

[@LuisNunez777]

Nice review. Just got the same guitar as yours. I love the sound, I did a complete setup and thinking about doing the "Treble Bleed Mod" like i did with my American Telecaster. I also re-adjusted the pick up height to my Liking.

[@noakwesterberg]

Nice! I also do the treble bleed mod (to prevent loss of treble when turning down the volume) on all my guitars. Great mod!

[@LuisNunez777]

Noak Westerberg Exactly it is a nice mod! Nice playing BTW!

[@MrAMF50]

Stock pups rock.

[@TheRycooder]

LOVE the NEWER pickups much better.....great playing by the way....subscribing NOW.

[@noakwesterberg]

@simon keet I don't think the pickups are the problem. I would check the solderings inside, measure the pots (volume in particular) and make sure all the wiring is good. Also, have you tried using a different lead? Good luck!

[@RockYouVideos]

hey man, nice demo. great playing. thought the new pick ups were nice in that the overall sound is a tad more clear and articulate. just picked up one of these at GC today. i'm quite impressed by the build quality (can't really know about the materials till ten years later...). the frets were perfect more well done than the mim tele's i tried. i may just need one..

[@TheMrSnipey]

I didn't mind either of the bridge pickups but I definitely preferred the upgraded neck pickup. Good stuff.

[@sefton1972]

The stock pickups are freakin ace.

[@BrockBarr]

The neck sounds "watery" to me, slightly thinner on the attack is what I'm saying I guess. I have this guitar and the stock pups are fine I'm thinking.

[@ArntPetterAndersen]

Just ordered that particular guitar myself, and I am going to be using the stock pu's... imo I think they sounded really awsome! -tnx for sharing this video Noak.

[@TheMixonator]

Both sets sounded great. Great playing!

[@popoaggie]

I like the tone of weaker pickups through a cranked amp. Is that a bad thing? Will I be shunned or forced off the island?

[@aedwardsss]

What you like is about what you like. I love the sound of a Teisco Kawaii (plywood body). To each their own.

[@cozmovox]

me too. especially with the volume turned down a bit....

[@JasonWelchMusic]

I know a man who wanted a pedal steel guitar... so he made one out of plywood... yes, plywood.... it sounds amazing too. (At least in his hands.).. He didn't stain it. He didn't even oil it. ... I dont think he even sanded it. Yet it's one of my favorite sounding guitars. Look him up on Facebook.. his name is David Kelly Mitchell. He was once known as the great Tooley Hughes, and was an incredible player, person, and a well known recording engineer.. Yes, quality equipment is nice to own, but not always necessary.

[@rsaathoff]

No you're right on. I like vintage low output clean pickups. The let the amp, guitar shine. Plus they play well with clean boost and pedals.

[@xblackcatx1312]

popoaggie I’m looking for a tele. Been playing mexis, and the new American Performers. The one Performer was SO BRIGHT, it sounded painful...Then I went to the ash special mexi tele I was planning on burying, and it sounded a little muddy. Then I said screw this, I picked up a cool looking glitter red Squire bullet ( I never want to see another black guard tele,or baby blue, or pea green), and after that painful American Performer, I liked and appreciated the Squire Bullet, and I liked it’s neck a lot. The one at the store was nicked, and was 180. I went online, and found it on sale for 119.00, and the guy sold me it for 108.00. If the neck is good, I’ll be happy. If I feel I must upgrade, I’ll buy the demarzio twang prewired set for 200.00, install it myself, and I’ll have a cool looking and playing, and sounding guitar for 300.00. Personally, single coils always sound good, even the cheap ones - it’s the cheap humbuckers that sound like garbage. I like single coil sound so much more.

[@graphicnick07]

Hey man, nIce playin' you made me buy one of these teles!!! I love it! Im quite happy with the stock pups though, they sound better that some american fender teles ive played! But either way you make both sets sound awesome!!! Thanks for posting this!!

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

Thanks for great demo, bought same model today!

[@misha1d1]

Both sets of pickups sounded good, but I love the stock pickups, really had the tele snap to them.

[@noakwesterberg]

Definitely a good point, the bridge pickup may not seem as bright and "twangy" as some others have pointed out, but of course that's a matter of amp settings and other gear in use (OD's etc.).

[@londonemski]

Excellent - great video, great playing. You've persuaded me to get one of these. Thanks, man!

[@ArtHoward]

The originals were clear and articulate with classic twang. In a band situation, they're going to project to the last bar stool. The new ones sound like they're trying to be a humbucker, kinda mushy and muddy.These things are real beauties. A guitar for the history books.

[@RobKP45]

Cool video! Really dig that style of bluesy playing!

[@cozmovox]

stock pickups and tone control = perfect......I changed them and then went stock again, because I missed them. .Great guitar, by the way

[@milosmil]

Excellent playing and review young man. Thank you! Both sets works good, everything else depends of personal taste. The new set sounds better and bolder to me.

[@McDagger90]

You make that thing talk man. Excellent stuff!

[@lerlo]

Im quite sure classic vibes come stock with toneriders, thats why they sound soooo decent! They are made in PRC but they are really good pickups! I swapped texas specials for toneriders on my strat and they sound better than my stock fender 57/62s. Seriously, dont throw them out. I love your new bridge PU though, sounds killer just like your playing!

[@Jim71]

Either pickups sounded good. You're playing was great. Very bluesy SRV type. Very very nice.

[@efficientguitarlessons]

Came for the guitar, stayed for the playing. Awesome, and the guitar doesn´t seem to need any upgrade.

[@millershane71]

I think with the settings on the amp in this video the stock pups are slightly less uumph, but sound very similar, i think perhaps you could get same sounds out of stock pups with pedal or amp mods, also would be interesting to hear at cleaner setting, the stock pups are most likely lower output, vintage if you will, so they may sound better at lower gain setting, or not, but sorry for the long response, very intriguing demo, well done!

[@m3dion]

Grymt sound och fantastiskt spelat.

[@mrgitarman]

Your paying style great for Tele sounds. I just started using Teles after many years for their tones for some songs. I have the same guitar. I love the sound of your stock pickups.... you found a sweet spot on amp settings for sure. However I am not getting such tone so I am changing my pickups soon ( waiting for them to arrive). I chose GFS Fatbody neck and slightly overwound 50s vintage bridge. We'll see if it's an upgrade success.

[@noakwesterberg]

You're right, it is a bit hotter. It's nice when you want to push the amp, and it does sound great for country oriented rock which I like.

[@MrPoppa2]

Hi ramonUC, I like the thinner modern necks just fine, and the pickups sound fine to me, at least for now the body is Alder with overlays for the binding.The AlNiCo V pups are classic good sounding , I just like the great looks and playability on this CVC Tele....I like it and I did not expect my wife to get me this great Tele...Thankyou ................poppa

[@drallid3413]

One day I was in a guitar shop and their was a classic vibe telecaster in their exactly like the one Noak is playing and so I picked it up and played it a little, put it back on the guitar wall to look at more guitars and about a minute later I heard a big crash and the guitar had fallen off the guitar rack because the neck was to narrow for the hanger was on so I decided to buy the guitar and its one of my favorite guitars

[@billyhill4286]

wow really good playin man!! really nice tone too. The new pickups are slightly better. I hear a big difference in the middle position who is more massive, but the bridge and the neck are really close. I will stay with stock pickups...

[@tycurtis9368]

Really nice review! Great playing too!

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

The guitar sounds good with either set of pickups. Nice playing too.

[@nicklassandstrom3929]

Significantly more bite in both the new pickups, and more even output and harmonics!

[@demidevil666]

I played the blonde version with the black pick guard in my music store of choice today. This guitar is absolutely amazing for the price! Finally I have something to want for christmas. hehe^^

[@roadwornandy]

Great playing, great tone..and dig the Manfred Man look too!

[@Heman49]

Really love the tones and playing

[@EvanBradleyEDB]

Great demo, thanks. And you have some mean chops...excellent playing!

[@party1beast]

god damn, it sounds awesome.. Really thinking of trying one out here in the music store and buying one, even though I just bought an Epi SG '67 reissue haha, thanks for the vid man!

[@sadzidsmajkic6181]

Damn that's a fine sounding guitar. Stock pickups are amazing, wouldn't change a thing on it, maybe swap the bridge saddles for a brass compensated ones, but that's a 10$ upgrade. Other than that, it's a pure blues and rock machine. I would gig with it all day and night and play it to death.

[@JoeMyvalyir]

great video, makes me (a metal guitarist) want a classic vibe even more, i will however be putting in some humbuckers which will take some body modifications such as the pickup cavity for the bridge so it fits nice and snug but yeh the tone from the body and neck is unbelievable good for a more affordable telecaster

[@jeng3000]

I would say that the neck pickup really didn't make much difference. The new bridge pickup gave it a bit more mid-range clarity and therefore added some "chunk", but what that does is it changed the awesome twang of the guitar, especially in middle setting where both pickups work together. You can't get more "60's garage rock" than this guitar right out of the box. This guitar is a "sleeper hit". Meaning a lot of folks don't realize how great the guitar is without any modifications.

[@ramonUC]

Thank you bro ;D you help me a lot! i was thinking on getting the mim and upgrade it! but now i'll for the CV

[@johnsmith-sm6mh]

Sounds great, to be honest both pickups are good but the upgrade has a little more class and roundness, great Tele playing mate.

[@vainparasite]

I like the classic vibe teles they are really good for the money. To be honest i couldnt tell much difference between pickups. Then again its probably my speakers this end that cant pick up the subtle differences. Nice playing im quite envious.

[@TheOfficialCaseMade]

@timrocket2 If you can find them,get the titanium coated slinkys.They stay playable and sound better,longer.

[@rafaelzengo5534]

First of all, you are a great player. I could tell more difference in the neck position, the bridge pickup seemed almost the same to me. The middle position to me sounded a bit more clear. I think there would not be a difference for the listener if you'd let the stock bridge pickup.

[@guacadu]

pretty similar sounding at least on the bridge pickup, nice licks!!

[@FauxperatorTeebs]

The stock pickups sound fantastic

[@CptjackSparrow80]

The bridge seems a little tighter, brighter and more focused. A good upgrade.