Squier Classic Vibes Telecaster Custom story Caleb Hawkins

This is the story of my main electric guitar! The one you hear on all the recordings. The one that hits the stage and pays bills.
Thanks for watching! My name is Caleb Hawkins and I really love the classic acoustic and early electric music of America! If you like this music please subscribe and follow this channel, and visit my other outlets for my creative ventures on the internet!
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Music Gear
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My Guitar pickup: amzn.to/3jkLYY1
Baggs Para DI: amzn.to/3twc3rJ
Fiddle Strings: amzn.to/2MZ4OHX
Rosin: amzn.to/2YPaGWU
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#calebhawkins #classicvibes #telecaster

[@fannyingabout]

There’s something exquisite about owning a guitar that is inexpensive yet sounds superb. That’s why I got one.

[@jubbaronny]

John Washington same here 👍🏻

[@teodelnorte]

Get a tribute G&L Fallout and you'll get this feeling in spades

[@diddymies]

The early Squiers CV are magical, especially with Rosewood fingerboards. Im a sucker for 90s-2010 Asian made Rosewood guitars.

[@paxonearth]

Ten years ago I worked with a very solid guitar player who was a brand snob. Wouldn't have owned a Squier to save his life. Somehow he came across one of these, and it blew his mind. His direct quote- "It plays as nice as my Tom Anderson." I picked one from a pawn shop a few months ago. Several BIG dings, but that didn't bother me. I paid $232 out the door. I discovered at home that it did have a fairly serious quality control issue, unfortunately. The bridge was off-center by a 2mm or so. I performed a bit of surgery on it and got it to where it needs to be. Now it plays great, and sounds great (or as great as I can sound anyway).

[@jamessnowden8002]

I'm a musician. Love the story! Cool stand! ..that guitar is "me" in this world. Thank you God for loving me "a wretch"

[@kirwangreen]

There's so much more than words in this story. Beautiful.

[@andrewcarey5681]

This is one of the greatest KZbin videos I’ve ever watched. I already wanted this guitar but this video has brought my need to own and play this instrument to a whole new level

[@calebbhawkins]

It’s a good instrument. It isn’t magic, and unless you actually play it, then I don’t buy the idea that any guitar will make someone a better player. Subscribe because I’m about to film an update on this guitar after 10 years of ownership

[@andrewcarey5681]

Subbed, looking forward to the video

[@mariosmusicvault]

This was magical. I love your story and presentation.

[@darwinbrownie]

I bought one used late last year. I didn’t have high expectations for it, but the price was too good to pass up. I love this thing. It plays like no other guitar I’ve ever had or played for that matter. I did upgrade the electronics to CTS pots and a CRL switch. Kept the stock cap for now. Everything else is stock. Might pop a graphtech string tree I have just because. Also did the switch mod so that the pickup sector switch is in the back and not the front. These are true gems. Can’t get myself to sell it. Sold plenty of strats (intend to keep but end up flipping and making a profit). Definitely keeping this baby for sure!

[@calebbhawkins]

Darwin Hernandez yeah, the bones are good. I always planned to upgrade mine but with the flat wound strings I’ve never had tuning issues or tone complaints. I just kept making money with this bad boy!

[@mikelundquist4596]

Back in 1990 I had a tele with binding, front and back, in candy apple red. Fantastic guitar. I wish I knew what I did with it. Guess I traded it. Wish I had it back.

[@Thepalpatineboys77]

I have this guitar, I did have a Mexican strat 2009 and this guitar is far in front on every level 👌

[@wolfgang4078]

Anyhow, it`s a piece of wood, the player put his soul in it. If there is no soul, even a 10 000$ guitar is only a piece of wood :-)

[@powbobs]

Souls don’t exist. The guitar does.

[@wolfgang4078]

@@powbobs Who knows?

[@Thepalpatineboys77]

I agree 100%

[@thefast86ers42]

I love mine. Its the H/S but its the nicest playing guitar I own. Truly just a well built machine.

[@MPNNag]

That is a great Guitar, I owned two Squire Customs. They played so good that I sold them and got two Fender USA Custom Telecaster and they are even better than the Squire Custom but at 10 times the cost. But if you are on a strict budget you will love the Squire.

[@aurozappa305]

I just bought this guitar , and its awesome ... I don't even like Telecasters and now is my favourite guitar !

[@calebbhawkins]

Tappa Tappa I think Squire made a real gem. I kind of want to see the new model they are making in Indonesia this year.

[@josuemoreno7479]

welcome to the telecaster family !!

[@calebbhawkins]

Josue Moreno thanks! I’ve owned a few over the years. This one just happened to put the most food on the table for me. I should probably talk more about my acoustic guitars soon!

[@NotoriousOzTheMan]

Man, your story telling gave me goose bumps. Whether a player is a noobie, a pro or an guy like me that has no musical talent but loves to hear the magic of an electric guitar, there is a connection you end up feeling with an instrument. I haven't heard anyone describe it better than you have. You earned a sub my brother. The squier CV Custom and Butterscotch are out of stock almost everywhere - hoping to pick both up soon. Keep on jamming!

[@peterklein5861]

Yep. They went up in price and disappeared simultaneously :( checking almost daily to try and get a preorder in.

[@ryanday633]

I own this same model and it's probably the best telecaster I own. I've had some fenders in the past and they were a bit sketchy. The squire always stays in tune and sounds awesome through my Fender Tone Master and Boss Katana 100. The only upgrades I made to it was I put a Wilkinson bridge on it and put Fender pure vintage 64 telecaster pickups in it. This guitar is definitely bang for your buck, you'll get alot out of it and a whole lot more.

[@MMcG25]

Well those are probably the two upgrades you could make....the tele is pretty special in it's simplicity, so you made the right upgrades I'd say (I mean what else would you change other than tuners perhaps).

[@alexandredesmonts35]

Thanks for the pickguard upgrade Idea, I just ordered. looks really better on your video. This guitar is crazy, I bought it couple months ago, last rosewood version piece, now they make it with indian Laurel. 485 euros in France !

[@icantplayguitarandnowyouca3198]

For me, I can't really tell the sound differences for most guitars, (except when pickups are obviously better or worse), I got a Squire classic vibe tele last year, and I like it. Recently got a Fender Thinline, thinking I had 'upgraded', but I still like the Squire better. It just feels better to play.

[@chrissouthern9741]

I’ve just bought one. It’s outstanding, I have a Gibson Les Paul with Seymour Duncan antiquity humbuckers as well, but this thing is a great bang around guitar, it just IS. Plays too easy, sounds great and holds its tune.

[@Jpetersson]

I have one and just ordered the same vintage pearl pickguard! I might reverse the controls panel as well!

[@benallmark9671]

Definitely gonna do the same pickguard swap. Great idea

[@MrBrungers]

me too haha, it looks great!

[@graphicnick07]

Brother I couldn't have said it better, the minute I played it there was a bond.

[@dudemanwow9751]

The way you adore it. It’s pure love. One’s in my area for $350.00.

[@Lloyd-mo]

I recently got a 99 fender squire affinity telecaster for 60 bucks. Put better pickups and new tuners on it. And I love it.

[@juandediospascual3386]

I bought the exact same guitar and amp a few years ago (mi amp is a sonic blue special edition, but it's a Super Champ X2 anyway). I love both and that guitar is the best money/quality thing I've get in my life by far.

[@TheUlesifah82]

I just got one brand new for 300$ ….. I love it !! Thanks to your video I found mine online and just got it yesterday, idk if I even need to change the pickups! She sounds pretty dang good, and the feel is amazing !! Great video bro !! Cheers

[@calebbhawkins]

Congrats! I haven’t felt the urge to change pickups on my own guitar either. I figure when something breaks I’ll upgrade it. Too many people buying guitars and immediately swapping the pickups without really truly putting the stock stuff through the paces.

[@derekclacton]

@@calebbhawkinsThe early ones were rumoured to have unbranded Tonerider pickups, they sounded so good. I don’t know if that’s true but apparently they were made in the same factory.

[@TheUlesifah82]

The neck on this classic vibe is buttery smooth too! The frets are great…. I honestly think the classic vibe neck is nicer than the neck on my Mexican standard fender

[@londonemski]

Great video. I bought one of these about ten years ago. I love it.

[@calebbhawkins]

That is awesome!

[@BoyitoEnnui]

I feel you. I have a squire 72 thin line that is my love. It is an amazing guitar.

[@michaeldinunzio3002]

I enjoyd your story I own one as well and love playing it.

[@jorgeluiscisneros9815]

La línea Classic Vibe de Squier es en general una excelente opción, por encima de muchas Fender, incluso. Tengo la Tele Custom y la Strat 60s...

[@Rhezoloution]

Just got One a 2010 chinese for $200 its fantastic. I like squire as a brand more and more.

[@leascaart]

I ordered one of these guitars this past weekend.

[@72911RS]

Great story. Good for you. I'm one of those nerds with too many medium priced guitars. But I am and have been eyeing one of these for a while now. There is something very gratifying about being completely satisfied with less and being fully at one with one guitar. I wish I could do it. I wonder if I'd be a better player if a focused on one. But I have to admit I am very fortunate to have a few different guitars and it always feels refreshing and inspirational to pick up a different one after having played just one for a while. I keep rotating through them. And every time I move onto the next one I think. Oh yah. This is definitely THE desert island guitar. It would be so difficult to choose one. And even though I don't need to at the moment I can't help but play the game.

[@calebbhawkins]

72911RS I have some crazy nice acoustic guitars. Dig around my channel to see some of those. But this guitar really put food on the table for a long time now. Funny thing is I’m mostly an acoustic act anymore. Focus on playing for a while, find some projects, get busy enough using the guitars you own so you don’t feel like shopping. It helps with the crave for new stuff. A few months after this video went out I actually did pick up a pretty seriously killer Tele worth a lot more money, but the CL will always be my baby.

[@theshire]

Great story

[@miriamhawkins7825]

Knowing you, you did a bunch to this guitar to it to make it play and sound awesome.

[@Flatpicknation]

Love it brother.

[@teddyboy9116]

I've just got one of these, theres definitely something special about them that stands out from other cheap guitars....I love john frusciante and he plays a real one...this is close enough for me in my price range! Wicked guitar!!

[@sublyme2157]

Love the story!

[@x2mars]

Pretty proud

[@GAFFieldServices]

I had no idea George Mcfly played guitar!

[@theozone9156]

Great video man. Where did you find the pickguard?

[@Namron2422]

Hi Caleb, nice Guitar! Sounds awesome! Could you tell me the production year? Serial CGS.... The First two Digits after CGS.. thanky you!

[@johnsmith-sm6mh]

Cool

[@jurajcagan5874]

I heard that Squier CVC 60s Telecasters use Tonerider pickups. Is it right? Which type? Different Toneriders used in Chinese and Indonesian model? Anybody knows...?

[@lihy1]

I got this and 2004 anffinity.

[@ramoneramlingam3723]

True story

[@darrenmackenzie1892]

Is this a fender squire tele fsr classic 60 custom ltd??

[@72fresh92]

Trying to find a rosewood one of these, not many for sale.

[@calebbhawkins]

Ian Freshney It’s tough to find one that hasn’t been upgraded with middle of the road pickups and the seller wants more than new retail for. I’ve got mine, and likely won’t sell it. I hear good things about the Harley Benton version of this guitar though.

[@72fresh92]

@@calebbhawkins true, one on ebay now, has had the pick ups swapped, plus modern and saddles bridge fitted, ruining the whole point of the guitar.

[@tabakatinjim]

This guy takes forever to say not a lot

[@benallmark9671]

Question , I just ordered what I thought was that same pickguard but it turns out it’s an 8 hole so how many holes is that , if it’s an 8 did you just screw in the other’s or ?

[@TeleCS]

Great story. My favourite Tele. Where can I get that pick guard? What colour tortoise shell is it?

[@calebbhawkins]

So sorry it took this long to reply! The color I went for was aged pearl, and I just added an affiliate link to the guard I used up in the description. Thanks for watching!

[@ds2td]

Just wondering, how come the Telecaster has screws on the sides of the pickups, but the upgraded pickguard on Amazon doesn’t have holes for it? Did you screw out some holes for it to yourself?

[@calebbhawkins]

Ryan Trinh the one I bought back in 2013 had the conventional holes beside the neck pickup. Which my pickup isn’t even mounted that way. But rather than change the mounting. I jus left the holes. The new one in my affiliate link is correct without the extra holes.

[@darrenmackenzie1892]

Can someone with expertise tell me if this is the squire vibe classic 60 custom ltd fsr???

[@calebbhawkins]

No. This is an older Chinese built model from well before the FSR stuff was made. I’ve played a few of those at Sweetwater and they are ok. The satin finish felt kinda weird though.

[@benallmark9671]

I don’t know how I feel about drilling an extra 3 holes in my guitar that really aren’t suppose to be there. No boggy or ? How does everyone feel about this , I’m curious and want to hear your thoughts

[@calebbhawkins]

It’s your guitar. Who cares what others feel about it? Do you like the way it plays and sounds? Can you convey what you need with it?

[@Tonetwisters]

That's the best rig to be playing bars. You just have enough sense to know it. Most guys who have those expensive guitars and amps, leave them at home and take things like this into the night ... if it gets dropped ... it if gets stolen ... easily replaced for little capital outlay. These guitars make a lot of sense, and I might eventually find one, myself. They are great guitars if you need/want something that will always look and act "new." But some players want instruments that will age with them, and polyurethane will not do it. You have to spend big bucks to get nitrocellulose lacquer, which will age and change and "grow" with the player. Neither is wrong. Just depends on what your needs are ...

[@calebbhawkins]

I agree, though this one has "aged" too there are scars and bruises and the finish has worn in a bit. I'm honestly still shocked people watch this video so much, but there isn't that many videos about these on KZbin, so I guess that's why. Thanks for dropping a line!

[@miriam43899]

Subscribe. He might make more like this.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

200 dollars is a bargain. They compete with Japanese and usa models ☺

[@Baci302]

Did you have to change the tuners to locking?

[@calebbhawkins]

Baci302 No, I just use the method Leo came up with for these Kluson tuners and they hold tune great. Mind you I am strung up with 12 gauge flat wound strings so that might be part of it.

[@bluefish1875]

what size allen key do I need to adjust the truss rod

[@calebbhawkins]

4mm I believe it is.

[@gregjohnson6329]

What are your pedals?

[@ProjectMoniik]

Howcome the pickguard had 8 holes on your model?

[@calebbhawkins]

Flynn at the time that after market pickguard was all I could find that wasn’t $56 or something.

[@ProjectMoniik]

@@calebbhawkins ok thanks for letting me know, the guitar is lovely. Is the one linked in the description the same one on your guitar? I click it and it had 5 holes lol sorry for confusion

[@calebbhawkins]

Flynn the one linked is the one that should drop right on without issue now. Times are a lot different for after market parts on Amazon.

[@alexandredesmonts35]

Did you make a refret after +8 years of daily playing?

[@calebbhawkins]

I use flat wound strings and they don’t grind against the fret nearly as much. So I have had hardly any wear. It’s got the slightest of wear at the 3rd fret by the B string but that’s it.

[@benallmark9671]

@@calebbhawkins what’s up with the flat wound strings ? I just ordered one of these but it’s eating at me that it has the parfaro or whatever it’s called for a fretboard. I recently bought a player series tele in the sunburst with 2 humbuckers and it has that new Par faro fretboard, at first I couldn’t stand it but I started soaking it with Lemmon oil and it darkened up and grew on me. What are your thoughts on that , should I cancel the order and search for an older used on or would that be difficult ?

[@calebbhawkins]

@@benallmark9671 don’t over think stuff so much. I use flatwounds because I like the feel and that is also what was being used on electric guitars in the era of music I primarily play in.

[@Rhezoloution]

So your lady made you sell your collection tisc tisc

[@Quikshiver]

$200!? I paid almost double.

[@calebbhawkins]

Keep in mind it was used and it was GC in 2013. It was a deal and I’m glad I took it.

[@benallmark9671]

I’m watching another video of somebody else’s and theirs has 8 holes , like WTF

[@SevenOfNine-7]

Its never the gear, always the player. People who spend tens of thousands on custom shop bullshit are just fooling themselves.

[@thomasvignolo8940]

Is That some kind of a parody ?

[@calebbhawkins]

thomas vignolo just a love story about the guitar that paid my bills for years. Let’s hear your music.

[@thomasvignolo8940]

Caleb Hawkins no offense I was really wondering.

[@calebbhawkins]

thomas vignolo we can’t all play custom shop stuff and sometimes we don’t need it anyway

[@thomasvignolo8940]

Caleb Hawkins totally agree with you.

[@thomasvignolo8940]

Caleb Hawkins I’ve tried these classic vibes and I think too that they are awesome !

[@soulvaccination8679]

Wow.A normal person..Congrats on your marriage to a female...Yaaayyy