They are same pickups! Fender used Korean G & B pickup Co both for the 2013 Fender modern player and for the 2019 Squier Classic Vibe. So both guitars are quite the same but you pay more than twice just for « fender » sticker. The only minor difference is the size of the F holes ( wider on the Squier ). It’s quite amazing from Fender that used the same pickups on the Fender telecaster custom made in Japan. Very cool for squier customer, not very for fender buyers…
@@DarrenLockMusic yep! And they are not real « wide range » Humbucker. Fender have done new Cunife Humbucker since 2023, but they are selling for 200€ each…
Do they use the same pots and caps? Because the Fender sounds like it has a bit more upper range clarity than the Squier. I could see how the pots and caps could affect that. I have the classic vibe, and I love it, but when I roll the volume back a little, there is high end roll-off as well. Looking at changing the caps to allow that treble bleed through.
@@JeffSalladay it seems that Squier classic vibe starcaster use 500k full size, so same spec as Fender modern player. And The Fender is made in China, so probably same pots, not CTS.
@@XkssWlp They are real wide range humbuckers, they just don't have the expensive rare earth magnets that the originals had. Of course the originals suck, which is why they weren't even made for a decade and only fools who don't know any better waste $200 on them.
Based on this and numerous other reviews, I bought one, in natural. First shock: this may be the first guitar in decades for which I'm not immediately contemplating pickup replacement. I REALLY like these stock ones, though I might consider a 500k vol pot for the bridge pickup only ... but not rushing to do it. Workmanship is flawless. Setup is excellent (thanks, Sweetwater), and though I was concerned about the offset body, I find it very comfortable and balanced. Wasn't sure about that headstock, but it grows on you. Greg Kotch likens it to an "elfin tool of war." I can go with that.
It was the Starcaster that turned me onto offset bodies as I play sitting down and offsets just seem to sit naturally on my lap. Glad you found a keeper! 👍
I have a CV Starcaster about 2 years old and just got an inspired by Gibson Epiphone ES 335. I like the sound of the CV better, really surprised. Great review of these 2 models. I believe that made in China model was actually a Costco guitar that sold at really great price like a couple hundred bucks.
They're not really "humbuckers", per say. I read that they are "Full range pickups that were originally designed by Seth Lover for Fender. They (Fender) wanted to compete with the Gibson 335, only making a Fender version of it. So the "Full Range" pickups, which are wider than humbuckers, (as you can tell), but are jinglier & bell sounding like a single-coil. (I read that Seth was asked to design it like that). The $300 Starcasters that Squire sells now do have (cheap) real humbuckers. (I just bought one). The $400 Starcasters now being sold have the full range pickups. Great video anyways.
I started to appreciate the Starcaster when I saw Jessica Dobson from Seattle band Deep Sea Diver playing a Modern Player Starcaster. When the Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster came out I wanted one so much I bought one. I absolutely love it. I'm a big fan of Fender offsets, and I love semis, so to me it's a dream guitar.
They are same pickups! Fender used Korean G & B pickup Co both for the 2013 Fender modern player and for the 2019 Squier Classic Vibe. So both guitars are quite the same but you pay more than twice just for « fender » sticker. The only minor difference is the size of the F holes ( wider on the Squier ). It’s quite amazing from Fender that used the same pickups on the Fender telecaster custom made in Japan. Very cool for squier customer, not very for fender buyers…
Ooooh, same pickups, eh?
@@DarrenLockMusic yep! And they are not real « wide range » Humbucker.
Fender have done new Cunife Humbucker since 2023, but they are selling for 200€ each…
Do they use the same pots and caps? Because the Fender sounds like it has a bit more upper range clarity than the Squier. I could see how the pots and caps could affect that. I have the classic vibe, and I love it, but when I roll the volume back a little, there is high end roll-off as well. Looking at changing the caps to allow that treble bleed through.
@@JeffSalladay it seems that Squier classic vibe starcaster use 500k full size, so same spec as Fender modern player. And The Fender is made in China, so probably same pots, not CTS.
@@XkssWlp They are real wide range humbuckers, they just don't have the expensive rare earth magnets that the originals had. Of course the originals suck, which is why they weren't even made for a decade and only fools who don't know any better waste $200 on them.
Based on this and numerous other reviews, I bought one, in natural. First shock: this may be the first guitar in decades for which I'm not immediately contemplating pickup replacement. I REALLY like these stock ones, though I might consider a 500k vol pot for the bridge pickup only ... but not rushing to do it. Workmanship is flawless. Setup is excellent (thanks, Sweetwater), and though I was concerned about the offset body, I find it very comfortable and balanced. Wasn't sure about that headstock, but it grows on you. Greg Kotch likens it to an "elfin tool of war." I can go with that.
It was the Starcaster that turned me onto offset bodies as I play sitting down and offsets just seem to sit naturally on my lap. Glad you found a keeper! 👍
I have a CV Starcaster about 2 years old and just got an inspired by Gibson Epiphone ES 335. I like the sound of the CV better, really surprised. Great review of these 2 models. I believe that made in China model was actually a Costco guitar that sold at really great price like a couple hundred bucks.
Wrong. The Fender Modern Player Starcaster was a full-price instrument. You are mistakenly thinking of the Strat-shaped range of Starcaster guitars.
You re correct it is a strat looking thing. @@DarrenLockMusic
Yes i was right the natural one was the better guitar-sounds warmer to me !
They're not really "humbuckers", per say. I read that they are "Full range pickups that were originally designed by Seth Lover for Fender. They (Fender) wanted to compete with the Gibson 335, only making a Fender version of it. So the "Full Range" pickups, which are wider than humbuckers, (as you can tell), but are jinglier & bell sounding like a single-coil. (I read that Seth was asked to design it like that). The $300 Starcasters that Squire sells now do have (cheap) real humbuckers. (I just bought one). The $400 Starcasters now being sold have the full range pickups. Great video anyways.
Nice video!
I own the Squier in walnut.
Is the necks on them the same thickness?
My squier has a thin, modern, neck.
They’re about the same.
I started to appreciate the Starcaster when I saw Jessica Dobson from Seattle band Deep Sea Diver playing a Modern Player Starcaster. When the Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster came out I wanted one so much I bought one. I absolutely love it. I'm a big fan of Fender offsets, and I love semis, so to me it's a dream guitar.
Thanks for sharing 🎸🎸🎶🎶🎶
My pleasure. Hopefully it was useful!