Fender Squier Classic Vibe 50's Telecaster Review-The Underdog Story
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- This video is a review of the 2020 Fender Squier Classic Vibe 50's Telecaster and the underdog story of the popularity of the Telecaster guitar.
www.BrooksReid.com
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Here is the link for the Telecaster Brass saddles from Amazon:
www.amazon.com...
I have been a guitar player, tech and 'accumulator' for over 50 years. Most of my guitars are American made, but I bought one of these just to see what everyone was talking about. I also saw Jack Pearson playing a CV Strat on Bonamassa's boat cruise. For $400 this thing is quite amazing! For a beginner, this guitar is 10X better than any "beginner guitar" we had in the 60's!! With a good setup and a few hardware changes it could be the only guitar you ever need! Of course once the 'guitar bug' bites it's all over. LOL But if we had these 50 years ago, at this price (adjusted for time), I might not have a house full of guitars today. LOL 8) Of course, JMHO --gary
I totally agree! Thanks for the comment.
At 4:02, When I was enjoying the finishing of the tele, I saw the tiny guitar bug. Haha!!!
I hate the term beginner guitar.
@@leontang1990 fantastic eyes!
@@mikespadafora9077 But that's how the company feels about the product they are making and how they are marketed. Yeah, I know, it creates a negative stigma, but that's how these companies develop their products and how they are marketed and at what price point..
One of the best Tele videos I’ve seen on RUclips. Very professional and enjoyable at the same time.
Thank you for the compliment! I appreciate it.
@osborne007 ???
Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking. One trick pony.
Thank you JM! I appreciate the compliment and glad you enjoyed it. Please subscribe. Lots more reviews and more coming.
Reminds me of a PowerPoint presentation
There’s magic in the classic vibes. They are amazing guitars not just for the price but for any price. Very well made and full
of mojo
I totally agree Sir!
I agree but with one caveat .... buy from a shop and not online in order to check it out. There are Friday jobs with quite serious issues if you do not have luthier skills .
@@davidr9991 lmao. Friday jobs.
I just got a classic vibe in butterscotch made in Indonesia, gorgeous guitar with a great neck given its high poly finish. It surprised me being smooth and fast. You have done a fantastic job on describing/reviewing this guitar. Everything is true after having played mine. I’ll be switching out my saddles for brass whether it truly changes tone or not brass just looks better especially on this guitar. Squire did a phenomenal job on this guitar and I’m in shock over it for the price point. Anyone on the fence about one of these needs to just cave in an go for it. You’ll be presently surprised.
Hi Dustin, thank you for the compliment and the comment! Please subscribe!
I love your comments at the end. That is exactly what I told a gear snob friend of mine. Is more badass to be at a stage and sound amazing with a relative cheap guitar than with an expensive one because people are not expecting it.
Thanks Hector, glad you enjoyed the video. Please subscribe!
just bought a squier tele, used, for £100 - my current favourite guitar - we're in the age of superb cheap gear
Let’s not forget Prince and Chrissy Hynde! Two iconic players that helped bring the tele to the MTV generation in the 80’s.
Great video man 👍🏻
Thanks for the comment Darth! I totally agree. There so many other people I should have included. That would have been a whole video. Hey maybe I should do that! I've seen Prince with so many guitars I'm not sure if I identify him with a Tele.
Prince didn’t play a Tele, he played a Horner Madcat.
The formatting of this video was so refreshing, calm, clear and concise. I really appreciate the way you produced this video. It's like watching quality television back before RUclips, and streaming services, took over. Haha
Thanks Metalface! I appreciate you taking the time to comment and the compliment. You made my day! Please subscribe and check out more of my reviews. Thank you!
The older classic vibe 50 out of China 3 or 4 years ago the butterscotch had the alico fives on it brass Bridges medium jumbo frets... That was the best one in my opinion...
That's the one that got. Great guitar!
I have the Vintage Blonde with the Low output AlNiCo 3s and love that sound...
@@BLUEWATERTOO I went with the vintage blonde as well. Love the sound. I’ve had it a couple years now. Can’t imagine ever getting rid of it.
I've got the vintage blonde one, great guitar! It's pretty heavy though!
I've got a 2018 cv 50 bsb and it's a great guitar. I'll never part with it.
This is how all guitar reviews should be made. Gold Standard!
Wow thank you Jeffery! You made my day! So glad you enjoyed it, please subscribe!
Some of the best tele sound samples I’ve heard. Really captured the essence of what makes the tele tone special and unique.
Thanks Shaddy! Glad you enjoyed it!
The original tele bridge is the most misunderstood bridge out there. You can get perfect intonation every time- you just don’t rely on moving it back and forth. You have to minimally raise or lower the strings to get them balanced. Once it’s there it stays there, it’s one of the most solid bridges on any guitar.
My 2016 C.V. 50's Tele was made in China. It has Brass saddles, the 5-hole pickguard and Alnico 3 pickups. It's also a heavy beast. It's the best Telecaster I've ever owned, and I've owned plenty. Great video!
Thanks Gary! I'm glad you enjoyed the review and your Tele. Please subscribe to see more of my reviews. Thanks!
Classic vibe were all produced in china pre 2019. Production was moved to Indonesia in 2019, although on the 50s models they currently are being produced in both Indonesia and China. I thought the older pre 2019 CGS serial classic vibe guitars were far superior to the new ones.
Aye, the China built guitars were brilliant.
I recently-ish had a Classic Vibe Strat, Indonesian made.
It was more like the cheaper, discontinued 'Vintage Modified' Strats.
The Chines was more like a Mex Fender on quality.
I've only ever had a Chinese CV Tele, but I imagine it's the same story 😔
@@SchmittPhysics Hi Peter, I just bought a 2017 50’s Vib tele on Craigslist, looking forward to playing it.
I have a 2010 CV 60's Tele made in China. Updated the pickups and got a good setup, and it's one of my favorite guitars.
This is true. I have a CV 50’s Strat that was a first year production (2008) and it was made in China. From what I’ve read and heard the older Chinese models were a bit better than the newer Indonesian ones.
Not to burst any pre conceptions but the Affinity string thru Tele comes from China too - and I wouldn't brag about it at all. See above comment. A CNC Machine doesn't know where it is. 🎸
I bought one from a friend to keep in open G for those Keith Richards moments but have ended up enjoying it more than my Strat and Les Paul. I think it's the simplicity of it that makes the difference. I'm thinking of buying another one to keep in standard tuning for some Albert Lee licks 🎸😃
If I recall correctly, the white and butterscotch CV"s at one time had different pickups - the butterscotch had alnico 5, and the white one had alnico 3 pups (which is by far my preference for the original telecaster sound).
Get the BYO Vortex hot Tele pickups if you want a GREAT sounding tele.
The white ones from China did have the Alnico 3 pickups. They are the real jewels of the classic vibe series in my own opinion..
Bought a Butterscotch Classic Vibe 5 years ago and upgraded with locking tuners , compensated brass saddles and Lindy Fralin Blues Special pickups and Control plate.Now I have a Tele that sounds as good as any I've ever heard for a fraction of the price. Who cares what name is on the headstock. The Classic Vibe is a Great guitar
Hey Gary, I couldn't agree more. I just installed Fender Custom Shop Texas Specials and I will be posting a video with a blind test.
@@airtimedesign Forgot to mention ......Great presentation and great voice. If you're not using that voice in a commercial way ....you're missing the boat.
@@bandit4915 Hey Gary, well I kind of use my voice in a commercial way. I have several ablums of songs I've written, performed, and recorded including lots of vocals. Please search Brooks Reid and you'll find my music. Thanks!
My dad left me nearly 70-guitars.
I play a Mexican Tele he gifted me one Christmas 99% of the time. It’s just perfect.
I love the simplicity. I have been playing since 1975 and have been through many different guitars through the years. At this time, I have a 1977 telecaster, and I am currently assembling a tele with a white-blonde classic vibe tele body, and a mexican fender '51 'U' neck.
So I just got a used one of these, made in China in 2013 with the brass saddles. It is heavier than I expected but what surprised me is just how better it both felt and sounded than my American made Vintage 50s tele. It is the original 50s vintage and not the new Vintage 2. The Squire Classic Vibe 50s plays better, has a much better finished neck, and sounds the same. I sold the Fender and kept the Squire. Great video and so easy to digest and follow and also fun to watch
My 2020 made in Indonesia butterscotch blonde doesn’t come with brass saddles. It has Crome saddles. It’s a ISS model meaning made in Indonesia samick factory and is a new guitar that arrived in Australia in October
I have the Squier CV tele in sunburst with double binding looks great sounds great nice to play. I recently changed the 3 saddle bridge for a 6 saddle as the 3 saddle drove me spare.
Undoubtedly amazing guitar a true value for money. I love this guitar. Oh rosewood fretboard.
Actually, the latest models are made in Indonesia. The production in China stopped in 2019, I believe. Anyway, great video and lovely instrument!
2008 - 2018 Classic Vibe guitars were manufactured in China.
In 2019 CV guitars manufacturing moved to Indonesia. In 2020-21 some CV's were also made in China.
Pre 2019 had the neck pickup mounted to the body. 2019-current have the neck pickup mounted in the pickguard.
3:23 I have never seen a CV 50's Telecaster with an 8 hole pickguard from either Country.
I had a 2015 and sold it just because I knew a guy looking for one. I missed having it around and recently bought a 2013. All versions are wonderful guitars.
I liked the stock pickups but a nice pair of Lollar Pickups really brought the guitar to another level
I have CV 60’s Thinline. The fit & finish is amazing. And the neck has that roasted maple look. It’s a great guitar for $450.00. I’ve always been a Strat guy, this is my first Tele. I love it.
I love my Squier CV 50s Tele BB so much! The glossy neck, the playability, the sound of the Pickups, the look of it and so on! Only changed the three saddles in the bridge to brass ones. And thats all! Sounds great, feels great and she is playable in every genre. I'm a jazz guy, the guitar works so much and does this job very well too! Get one if you actually don't have one! Killer guitar🙂👍🏻
I have a BS blonde CV Tele made in China. It's about 6 or 7 years old and came with brass saddles. I couldn't agree more with the video. I own many guitars, Gibson Les Paul's and SG, Fender USA tele and Strats and I have to say the Squier is always in tune, fun and inspiring to play. A true workhorse! Rock on!
LOVE! the pictures of Don Rich, my first telecaster( though I didn't even know what one was at the time) hero, at age 5!
Thanks for crediting Don Rich and of course Buck Owens.
@@airtimedesign I built a red-white-and-blue telecaster with a silver sparkle pickguard (homage to Don Rich) and named it 'Roo, in honor of Buck Owens and the Buckaroos- they were my first introduction to that good old twangy Tele sound. PROPS!
Other than the 20 American made guitars that I have, I only have CV tele and strats. Every bit as good. Save for some loose jacks and questionable switches, they are in fact easier to play compared to all but the compound radiused Fender and Suhrs. A bit on the heavier side, but nothing to write home about. Amazing amazing instruments.
4:02 if you look carefully to the left side of the pickguard, there’s a tiny bug that crawls down and I had to replay it several times to check if it was from my phone or video haha
Yeah I had the same haha
I had one of these for a few years. The quality was mindblowing for the price. I love them! After a few years I fell out of love with the neck profile and sold it. Other than that, it's incredible guitar.
Julio, what is your favorite neck profile?
I like the Indonesian guitars better! I like having the single bridge better and the brass doesn't bother me! I wish mine had the hard tail better but I'll live with it. My others are hard tail!
@@phillipholt6005 Hey Phillup, When you say "hard tail" are you talking about a stop bar tailpiece as opposed to a Bigsby?
@@airtimedesign No I don't care for string through guitars.
I have the Bullet Strat and the Mustang and they have the string incerts on the saddle.
I bought a Classic Vibe 50’s tele and it was one of my favorite guitars. After a couple of years I upgraded a MM tele and stopped playing the classic vibe altogether. Fortunately I had a buddy that did not have a tele.
So true sent him the CV tele and he absolutely loved it and plays it to this day.
I've owned many guitars both new and vintage, and my CV 50s tele has a place among them. I really enjoy playing it.
Another great video! As a country music lover, I have a huge soft spot for telecasters!
Thank you! Took me a while to warm up but now I'm hooked.
Finally someone who is not a snooze fest while reviewing guitars. Its been decades man.
Thank you, I actually thought this might be a snoozefest because I put so many audio samples and I was afraid it would be boring. Glad you enjoyed it!
Like you I’m a strat guy and 34 years later I’m in love with the Telecaster.
Hello YadJtra, This Squier Tele was the first Tele I've ever owned in my life (over 6 decades). Now I have 4 and taking delivery on a 5th one tomorrow. I'm hooked, my Strats don't get much love anymore. Please subscribe, Thanks!
@@airtimedesign Al ready subscribed. Mine is coming also tomorrow;)
Hey Brooks!
Great, no nonsense video. Making me tempted to buy one (and I’ve got a couple of Teles already! 😆).
But, seriously - straightforward, analytical and EXACTLY what a review, of any type, should be.
Superb!
Thank you Rob! Merry Christmas and thank goodness 2020 is almost over!
Got my CV 50’s (made in Indonesia) Tele a few months ago, before the world and it’s money markets went more crazy than it already was, for a shade over £300. £300!! So a set up for £75.00 was an easy decision to make. Looks, sounds, and plays like a dream. As has been said, a bit of a compromise has to be accepted as regards intonation. A little heavy, but not unpleasantly so. I may change the tuners at some stage but it’s not an issue by any means. At any price this is a fabulous guitar. All tones are accessible for all genres - country, rock, blues, jazz. Great, great guitar.
The 2012 China version comes with brass saddles, it was the reason I bought it, as well as the alnico pickups, compared with the newer version. Overall it sounds amazing for the price point
The new ones have Alnico V pickups.
Fender Custom Shop has a replica of Waylon Jennings Tele that they sell for 25k. I bought a Squier CV 50 for $250 on Marketplace. I sent it to Six String Showcase and had Eddie cover it in leather exactly like Waylon's. I replaced the neck with a $700 US roasted maple neck from Fender. I replaced the bridge with one that has the "Fender Pat. Pend." on it. I bought new Schaller tuners and a Keith Bacon Banjo "D" Tuner for the low "E". For less than $2,000 I built a damn near exact replica of the one that Fender sells for 25K. What I love now is the smell of my guitar. Every time I pick it up I smell the leather.
I have an 08 classic vibe telecaster 50s The only complaint I have about it is it's a little bit heavy even with the solid pine it's the white and it has yellowed nicely Love it
My Indonesian Classic White CV (2021) one has a 5 screw pick guard and doesn’t con me with brass saddles. Yet, the serial says clearly Made in Indonesia… I love that guitar, beats (to me) a Gibson or a Fender (I’ve got a very good Fender Roadworn from 2012, killer specs, yet it’s pretty close to the Tele). Love them, it’s great, some people can really get lucky with some examples, and I think I’m one of them. On only thing: there is a chip out on the treble side of the neck pocket, a minor 5mm chip that doesn’t do anything to the tone, really.
Great review. Thanks Brooks. I also just got an Indonesian-made CV. There were a couple of QC issues but it plays and sounds awesome. I'm amazed at the versatility and clarity of its sound. It's inspiring to play, like you say. I'd say if you can play it in store before you buy I doubt you can't go wrong. Also, being an Aussie, I love the rugby reference!
Thank you Gregor, What were the QC issues?
@@airtimedesign The slot for the G string was cut too wide so the string pinged when bending. After I put a new set of 10s on there's no ping. The tuners have some play in them and the string ferrules are uneven. And there's no shielding paint or foil - not a big deal for me but from what I've seen on YT the Chinese-made CVs were well shielded.
@@gregorsalmon Hey Gregor, yeah that sounds like it needed some work. Glad you got it all sorted out.
I just got an ebony and gold 40th Anniversary Squire Telecaster. I'm thrilled! Same pickups, as this guitar I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong...
That special guest at 4:01 freaked me out I thought it was crawling in my monitor
This is the best demo on this guitar on YOU TUBE.. I just got one. & I felt the same way about them in the beginning.. as you described.. Boy was I wrong... These guitars have their own soul.. My axe of choice for sure
Hey Shan, thank you for posting the compliment! I appreciate it.
Love it! I feel the same way with my CV Thinline. I can’t figure out why it’s so good! Mine was $450 at Sweetwater. Previously I told you I gut my guitars. I’ve only had this telecaster a week and am already gigging it. I play at church a lot! Wish the bars would allow bands to play during Covid-19! No setup, no parts swapped, it’s just a good guitar and it’s super light! Great videos! I love your voice over style for your videos. You’ve got a good tv voice!
Hey Arnold, I've been told I have the perfect face for radio so I'll stay behind the camera for now. I'm hoping next year we will be getting back to more normal. Glad you enjoyed the video!
In 2021 Fender says that the saddles are brass with chrome plating. I didn't try to scratch the chrome off to see. The nut is 42mm. I used a Tusk 5042 for a perfect upgrade.
Wow a lot of love went into this video! Really enjoyed the review!
Thank you FallStar! I appreciate the compliment and yes it's true!
Great!! I got my Tele, new, 1967..3-colour sunburst, Rosewood fretboard, bound body..l had a VOX AC 30, and they went well together.
My only regret is that l expected too much, as l tweaked it a lot..now it has a Kinman bridge pickup..but l should have left it as it was.
I still have it, as well as a Gilet custom job, made for a bloke who wanted it for a Bruce Springsteen tribute show..Birdseye maple neck, swamp Ash body, Schaller hardware, butterscotch blonde finish..sounds great thru a Peavey Classic 50 valve (tube) amp, but these days l'm thinking VOX A C 15..not too heavy.
I sold a Gibson 335 to buy the Tele, and l don't regret it..the Tele 25 1/2" scale suits me better.
Best sound l ever had was a club with a mezzanine floor in an atrium..the acoustics made that Tele sing, and the sound man came to check out my guitar, he was very interested, and l would bet he became a Tele aficionado.
Thanks for an excellent review.
KE Higgs
I made my custom tele based on classic vibe approach but with rounder body edge and thinner body, yet taking the vintage pups and electronics schemes, the tuners and bridges/saddles are even parts from classic vibe stock. After replacing electronics with Dimarzio's, switch the nut to graph tech (I just dont really like bone ones), and using stainless steel frets, it really is my go-to, I even sold my PRS because I no longer play it due to this tele.
My first electric guitar was a cheap telecaster copy. My favourite band at the time (Status Quo) used them. My mate still has it. 42 years on!
He told my personal story! I had no interest in a tele, back in the early 70s. Now...I play a 72 thinline AND this cheepo Classic Vibe. I’m telling you, you won’t believe this guitar. I like it as much as my 72. Can you imagine? Yes, they are that good. By the way: he mentioned the saddles. I have the Indonesian chrome saddles and the intonation on the thing is perfect. If perfect is possible. It’s hard to believe, but if you should spring for one, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I love this little 400 buck workhorse. One last thing: he also mentioned the jack. You’re gonna have to do one of two things and that is to either replace the jack or remove it...takeoff the interior nut, the slip it back through and use a lock washer in the outside or you will never keep that thing tight. It’s the only thing that the fender/squier company did wrong. Enjoy.
Hey Butler, glad you enjoyed the review and glad you could relate to my take on Tele's. The CV was the first Tele I purchased. I was so impressed now I have several Tele's and have spent a lot more money but I still keep coming back to the $400 CV. It holds up to all the Fenders in the line. Thanks for the comment and please subscribe!
The CV series punches way above its weight.
The CV production went from China to Indonesia and back to China. Only the earlier Chinese made CVs have the brass saddles and they also have Tonerider pick ups.
I just bought a BSB from 2015 with the brass saddles and it's an amazing guitar.
It’s 2022 and they are made in Indonesia. I own a Strat and my Buddy the Tele version. Both bought this year and both made in Indonesia.
@@jimmy5634 Yeah I guess the majority is still made in Indonesia but I've seen 2020 models (if I recall the year correctly) that were made in China.
@@Remu-
2019 was the last year china.
I just picked up a second 50's Tele but it was made in Indonesia 2022. I got it to do the Keif open G tuning. It had a couple of flat frets to I need to crown and polish them and I added the brass saddles and removed the low E string. My 2018 50's Tele is prettier and sounds better but not by much. I love the Squire 50's so I also have 2 Strats too. I'm going to sand the gloss of the backs of the necks but that's it. They all keep their tunes once the strings were stretched and a bit if graphite in the nut and nothing but lowering the actions. Great tools.
Hey Rick, thanks for the comment. I have 2 Squier CV Teles and on CV Strat. They're all great guitars. Let's face it, I don't think I've ever come across a perfect guitar. The Squier CV series is a great value and as good an instrument than some much higher priced guitars. It always feels good knowing you have a really good guitar and didn't have to spend a lot of money to get it. Please subscribe if you haven't already, thanks!
Yeah I have the exact same guitar and I can't believe how good it is, of course I made tweaks and modifications here and there even with the saddle screws cuz they stuck out too far but that's what this guitar is for is modify who cares for the price and it's incredible, I came to the realization that anyone starting out playing electric guitar should play a telecaster because of its simplicity but also its versatility
If your saddle screws are sticking out too far it’s probably a hint that your neck angle is off and could use a shim.
I love it. I'm looking for my first electric and this might just be both my first and last. It's all I want.
It might take a few more views before I know for sure, but so far there is that... something... that makes this review one of the best reviews of this particular guitar I've seen.
Thank you so much Robert for saying that! I appreciate it!
One of the best guitar demo videos I've ever seen. I've seen thousand.
One of the best reviewed out there. Just bought a new acoustic guitar, but am in doubt to change it for a tele now after seen this!
Thank you Ewout! I appreciate you taking the time to comment! All the best.
I have a 2010 CV and it was made in China and had brass saddles.
I switched the bridge out for a Fishman piezo with the pre amp for acoustic option. It's a regular gigging guitar.
I also have a 1973 Strat but the tele gets the bulk of the work.
I was thinking of putting a Fishmen power bridge piezo acoustic set up too, do you have to use the Fishmen potentiometer preamp chip deals to make it work?
@@fabianvasquezjr8852 I first tried the bridge without the pre-amp but the sound was thin and weak, very disappointing. The pre-amp made all the difference and the only issue was where to put a battery. I ended up hollowing out the body below the volume panel with a dremel and fitting the battery there. Two screws to remove the control panel and access the battery. Battery life is quite long if you unplug the cord when not in use.
Wanted a Tele.Big budget and got out of the store with a Godin Session Custom 59 Coral Blue.
That's great, I guess.
Kinda defeats the work horse simple guitar but hey, it's your money !?
11:28
Well, a 2016 MIC Tele (in Butterscotch) has been my second ever electric guitar, and my first ever "real" guitar.
Now I'm considering getting the Vintage Blonde to match.
My butterscotch CV is dated March 2018, and it is a made in China model with brass saddles and the neck pickup you have to remove the pickguard to adjust. My understanding is that the CV Teles were all made in China until sometime in 2019, then they were made in both Indonesia and China, and are possibly now all made in Indonesia.
Hello MK, thanks for the comment. I bought my CV Tele in May of 2020 from Sweetwater and it's made in China.
Brooks Reid Finding any straight information on the actual production history of these is pretty hard. I know something changed after 2018 though, because I’ve noticed newer ones don’t have brass saddles and they have the neck pickup adjusting screws in the pickguard instead of beneath it.
I have three and I love them. Just the perfect telecaster.
I'm a metal guy, but I would GLADLY play a Squier Classic Vibe with 2 Humbuckers in it. The necks and fingerboards on these things are AWESOME! Absolutely FLAWLESS review by the way too! Man, I wish everybody would go this in depth. Showing the routes beneath the pickguard and bridge plate was a major plus for me. Now I know at least on the Tele, full Humbucker can go in the neck position no problem, but bridge position would require a single coil sized Humbucker or routing out the body! 😬
You don't need humbuckers if you want to do Metal with these. A Telecaster with it's fat overwound single coil in the bridge, can get you into Metal territory pretty easily. You'll just want to invest in a noisegate for the feedback. If it's classic early Metal tone you want, these can get you there with a Tubescreamer.
If you really want humbuckers in a Tele though, the Custom '72 style is where to go. That was basically Fender's attempt to build a Les Paul. They give 2 tone and 2 volume controls and placed the selector switch in the same spot as the LP. But you'll either love or hate the "wide range" pickups. They don't sound like regular old AlNiCo humbuckers, and if you want to replace them, you'll need a whole new pickguard since they are slightly different in size.
Just get a John 5 or Jim Root if you’re a “metal guy.”
@@spacejockey4746 it's the NECKS I love on these Classic Vibes. They're super chunky and glossy with gloss maple fretboards even. Completely opposite of your typical slim necked "shred" guitars.
I'm that odd guy out in the metal crowd who hates slim necks and massive railroad track frets. I like a huge beefy neck and more vintage type fret wire like what these Classic Vibes or 50s Les Pauls have. I just want scorching hot humbuckers to with it. 50s Les Paul with Seymour Duncan Black Winters & 1 Meg volume pots would be supreme! 😅
Love, love, LOVE my Squier Telecaster. Mine's the Affinity model.
Thanks Brooks - I'm a guitarist from Australia. I'm waiting on my Squier Classic Vibe Butterscotch Blonde Tele, as of this writing. Until it arrives, I'm enjoying watching your video and others like it. Unlike others, you play some classic licks which got me smiling as I recognised them. Thanks for an informative and fun video !
Thank you That Aussie Bloke! I appreciate the comment and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Did you get your CV yet?
Great video. Unfortunately I am a big fan of the Classic Vibe series. I have three CV tele's, and Two CV strats. So, although I have many more MIM or USA made Fenders, and a bunch of partscasters, I am biased towards these more affordable, guitars, that have better fretwork than almost every other fender guitar. And I guess I was lucky to buy mine 9 years ago, when the price was even lower. I won't sell any of these guitars. Some call them starters, I call them keepers. And this is a really good review of them. If someone gets a lemon CV, it's not the norm believe me.
Thank you Crow! Please subscribe if you haven't already.
I have never been a collector I just trade guitars I fix up for other beaters and the cycle goes on but, I recently traded a Michael Kelly S-style guitar with a all the works including a flamed maple top for a Squier Telecaster bullet and man I fell in love. Fret level and a proper setup and this guitar is (I swear in terms of playability) now is on par with my old Carvin custom guitar.
It really blows my mind I never even tried a tele before but, the look is just beautiful to me now and I now am in a position where I don’t want to let this extremely cheap guitar go. I won’t even be swapping pickups and I know this thing is gonna rip live. If I can trade something to get a CV tele though I will pull the trigger in a heartbeat!
I have been in love with Teles for over 60 years and have owned and played many all over the Fender configurations and price points. Of course I wish I had them all now. The Tele is a versatile instrument that really can do it all. Never thought to Nashville High String it, until now... as you mentioned, it is the perfect platform for those whose instincts to experiment and personal cannot be denied. A great video on a great guitar. Rock on! I shared your video on my Flipboard ezine: Telemania.
Hi Nonno, I'm glad you enjoyed the review and thank you for sharing it! Please subscribe more on the way.
You know what,I just got a CV 50s too and I think you described so well the shape of the guitar: a small priced guitar with a big heart! It has no fear of no one! P.S: And yeah, classic rocker will always choose a Telly (CV especially) instead of a fancy prs (good guitars of course but Telly is outstanding). Fender,Gibson,italian brands,tried a lot of guitars but the feeling and the sound of this little asian Telly is veri unique! And remember: we’re just talking about an asian, China or Indonesia,it depends, guitar! And before I forget: this guitar could really sound better than a more expensive modern Fender but this is just a secret!!
Hi Flavio, glad you feel the same way!
I agree with you 100%. I love my classic vibe telecaster. I am a telecaster guy all the way I own 7 of them. 4 American made and three squire. The only guitar I pick up more than the classic vibe it's a squire contemporary telecaster rh. I play those two more than any of my American ones. I have been playing guitar for 35 years now and those two guitars awesome.
Very informative video. Really like the fact that you made the sound comparison on the different pick up positions. Yes I have always played struts and Les Pauls but I have fancied for a telecaster for the last few years. I will definitely check this one out.
Thanks you Miguel! Glad you enjoyed it!
The Chinese CV guitars were made in the "Grand Reward" factory (where they also made the Fender Modern Player guitars), and the Indonesian CV guitars are made in the Cort factory.
Both factory's have excellent standards of fit and finish.
...which is why Fender chose them.
👍😎
I have a Cv Tele China and I think it sounds much better than the one made in Indonesia.
Well produced video and extremely professional...Brooks, you have perhaps the perfect narrating voice. For months, I have been trying to decide between a new Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster in white blonde or a pre-owned Fender American Special Telecaster in blonde (few and far between these days on the used market). I wrestled with the dilemma of Squier quality vs. USA-built and the big price difference, but this video convinced me to go for the Squier. Thanks for your help! I purchased the Squier yesterday, and it is as good as you have described here, if not better! Superb quality and craftsmanship, killer looks, fantastic playability and amazing tone right out of the box. Mine needed only a very slight truss rod adjustment to get it dialed in. Wow!!! Love the tinted gloss neck too. The Squier CV 50s Tele holds its own against Fenders (and others) that are two and three times the price of this monster. I really like this guitar, more than I think I should. Squier got right with this one, and it's probably the last and only Telecaster I will ever own. It's that good. Five Stars for sure!
Wow thank you Dave! I appreciate the kind words and I'm glad you are happy with your Squire. Please subscribe!
I bought the butterscotch blonde one in late 2019 or very early 2020 and it is the best telecaster I own. I was always a Stratocaster lover with the occasional use of a Les Paul. I saw the classic vibe at my local music store and for the price I couldn't resist. I even traded my Fender FSR telecaster for it(it never stayed in tune) I brought it home and was blown away as to how great it sounded. Squire these days have been putting out some very good instruments I'd recommend any of the CV series guitars. The only upgrades I made to the telecaster was I put brass saddles on it and after a while I put actual fender custom shop 51 nocaster pickups in it. With those recommended upgrades there's no need to go buy a fender for over a grand.
Hey Ryan, thanks for the comment and I couldn't agree more!
I bought the Red limited edition bullet. The only thing I don't care for is the string through.
That's a lot of work and money for a budget guitar. I don't modify instead I buy the guitar with the features I want. I only have 8 guitars and that includes a nylon and acoustic. I have 3 Squires and 3 Epiphone guitars.
I never buy to many guitars I can't play equally.
My problem with Squier Classic Vibe Telecasters...they are the most bang for the buck, high quality, very versatile, and comfortable. Don't get me wrong, I love my USA, MIM, and Warmoth tele's, but the Indonesians and Chinese CV's are impossible to beat...have to love the FSR Squier Tele's in the UK too! Great upload, thanks for sharing!
Hi Kenneth, Thanks for the comment. Please subscribe!
Not much of a problem.
I've got 3 squier telecasters.
1. Classic vibe custom ³ color sun burst.
1. Black Squier custom telecaster with 2 hum buckers.
1.squier bullet tele butterscotch with bill Lawrence black guard bridge position and custom shop fender stratocaster neck pickup and they all are great !
The classic vibe 60's custom I've played three frets off and the black ones kinda heavy but all freaking great guitars !
I've been watching a lot of videos on the squier teles especially the classic vibes because I'm thinking about getting the new 40th anniversary gold which I've read are pretty much the classic vibes with gold hardware, different neck but more or less the classic vibe for a little more money. Played one at the shop and it's maybe the nicest feeling neck i've ever played. The point of my comment however is to thank you for such a well made and informative video!!!
Thank you Kyle for taking the time to comment and the compliment! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I would really appreciate it if you subscribed I'm really trying to build my channel. Thanks!
Lots of info I couldn't get anywhere else. I'm getting the white one and can't wait to hear it through my'64 Princeton non reverb,(orig, not a reissue). Rock on 🙏😷🎶❗👀
Thank you for this very well done video, it helped me a lot to choose my first electric guitar! A squier cv50's tele but in butterscotch blonde. After one mounth I can say to be satisfied, it's a very versatile guitar, I play it with a small vox amp and it's a great sound combo for me!
Thank you for that comment and compliment Stefano! I'm glad you are enjoying the guitar.
Best bang-for-the-buck guitar out there! I have one, still all stock barring the bridge/saddles as I wanted compensated saddles for the intonation. I went with the wonderful Wilkinson version (3 x compensated brass saddles). It's a straight replacement! Love it...
I have tried out the CV 50'S Tele in a music store. It was simply a very nice Telecaster in every way. I must admit though, that the bridge pickup on the Fender was nicer with overdrive on it. I own two CV Strats, a 60's and a 50's. After installing treble-bleed circuits and wiring the bridge pickups on both to a tone pot, I don't find them to be lacking in any way. I forgot to mention a Wilkinson bridge on the 60's. It did improve the tone a bit.
I’ve got an american standard tele & 3 other ones, a couple of years ago i bought the classic vibe tele in butterscotch for a downstairs couch guitar, after a couple of days i made it my #1. I just live that tele & it is very inspiring to play!
Love my Classic Vibe, I put some Fender Vintage Noiseless Pickups in it having it rewired with 5 position switch, by Stew Mac to wire pickups together for Humbucker sound, along with regular Tele tone, I have 3 pickup Tele too. Good Video.
Thank you!
You mean soundless puckups.
I have a 2010 Blond White...made in China...im not sure this was ever made in Indonesia. I love this guitar great feel, sound and quality. When I bought it I was trying out Fenders 2 times the cost and the store clerk brought this over and it played as good if not better than the more expensive Fenders. Well worth the sale price of 370 bucks. It did not make sense spending 2 times the cost just for the name Fender. Besides Squire is made by Fender.
Great review, thank you. Was in the market for a reasonably priced tele. Love teles, but DO need a belly cut. So got a contemporary squier tele instead.
Enjoyed every minute of your video! I agree that Fender knows how to attract/bring new customers specially younger ones, even old professional players are noticing, make no mistake these Tele's can beat a $1000 stock guitar anytime.
Thank you Esteban!
I have a 2015 made in China model that came with brass saddles and there are no height adjustment screws visible on the neck pickup. They're under the pick guard. I had a 74 Tele custom back in the eighties. It was great at that time in my life. But these days I get just as much out of my inexpensive Squire, and I'm a much better guitarist. So I agree with your observations about these guitars. Yeah I have an old American Strat that oozes coolness, but I actually play the Squire a lot more these days.
Hey Jonathan, thanks for the comment. The Squire CV Tele has gone through a few different versions and it gets a little confusing but the quality stays consistently good in my experience.
This will probably be my first electric guitar. Then I'll modify it a bit. I'm thinking pickups, bridge, and tuners.
4:02 ANT ALERT!!!
I had the same view of the telecaster as stated in the begging of the video. I have sense gotten a 50's classic vibe and I fell in love right away. I feel like I was missing out the whole time and robbed myself of great sound due to this. Will always have a place for a telecaster now. It sounds great from anything from The Who to Nirvana to Metallica in my opinion.
Thanks for your comment Jason and glad you enjoyed the video! Please subscribe!
Hey- it’s Dec 2022. I got a Black Friday deal on a 60’s CV. Out of the box it was unplayable. Had to set string height, neck, pickup height and intonation. Even after that, there is some strong buzzing I can’t fix. Nut slots? Out of my skill range. Doesn’t stay in tune well at all. Pickups kinda lame. But for $200+ I have a good looking guitar that I can learn to mod and use for drop d and to learn slide.
I have a 2011 tele classic vibe totally in love with that guitar will never part with it all other more expensive guitars sold these early models have tonerider pups and has a beautiful flame neck great. Review they are that good
Probably the best video on a Squier CV Telecaster ever seen. I'm a Stratocaster guy, but I'd like to add a Telecaster to my strats collection without spending too much. This could be the right choice. With some upgrades in the future, this could be a real deal. In Italy it's 369 Euros right now. Not bad!
Thank you Luca! I appreciate the compliment!
Wow, you totally nailed why I loved playing a Tele back in the day. Yes it's the working man's guitar! I had one in college, just a cheap Squier Affinity model and it was amazing. If there's one guitar I regret selling, it's that one. I played a standard Mexican Fender Strat at the same time, and also had a much more expensive Gibson Les Paul. But the Tele was the straight up "meat and potatoes" like you said, and despite cheap ceramic pickups, it still had twang (and sounded far better than the very bright ceramic pickups in my Mexican Strat). I could get close to the twangy country sound with the middle pickup in my Strat, but it wasn't the same. My Les Paul broke the bank and that guitar had such muddy pickups and lacked any real tonal personality that my cheap Tele had. As fate would have it, I wound up playing in a southern rock band where a Tele was far more useful than the other 2 guitars I had, so it seen a lot of time in my hands. I wouldn't come to truly appreciate and love the twang though until I didn't have it anymore.
I miss my Tele and I might end up buying one of these. A few years ago I bought an ES-339 and quickly fell in love with it. It became my main workhorse and shockingly, the closest thing I've ever had to a Tele. ES-335 type guitars are often associated with Jazz, but I can prove without any doubt that my 339 is a boss when it comes to southern rock and country. It can get that twang when you want it. I 100% agree that the Tele is more versatile than the Strat. In my opinion, the ES-335 and Tele are the two most versatile guitars ever. Damn, you just reminded me of why I miss having a Tele so bad. I'm very tempted to buy a CV Tele.
I guess I need to get into sales! Glad you enjoyed the review Mike. Please subscribe!
I think you got China and Indonesia mixed up. They used to be made in China and had the brass saddles.