Jigglebone
Senior Stratmaster
- Jan 20, 2017
- 1,355
- Southern Idaho, US
- Jan 20, 2017
- #1
I'm new to the Squier world. The last Strat I owned was a Fender MIM standard Strat. I picked up a Chinese Squier (CSX0911...) and I love the feel of it. So which ones are the best/middle/worst? It's hard to tell just by the pricing --opinions seem to vary wildly, but I'm more interested in things like facts bout materials and construction. 
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Ebidis
Providing the world with flat bends since 1985
- Nov 14, 2013
- 30,426
- Alabama
- Jan 20, 2017
- #2
IME, as far as materials and workmanship are concerned, the Classic Vibe Strats are really good. Excellent in fact. Better than the price would indicate. They are the top of the line in the Squier lineup, and for good reason.
I can say that the Vintage Modified Teles and Jazzmasters are also great, but I have never tried a VM Strat.
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Guitarmageddon
Dr. Stratster
- Apr 19, 2014
- 27,512
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Jan 20, 2017
- #3
Jigglebone said:
I'm new to the Squier world. The last Strat I owned was a Fender MIM standard Strat. I picked up a Chinese Squier (CSX0911...) and I love the feel of it. So which ones are the best/middle/worst? It's hard to tell just by the pricing --opinions seem to vary wildly, but I'm more interested in things like facts bout materials and construction.
Your CSX is a Squier SE Strat - near the bottom of the line BUT it has a full thickness body, which is a huge plus - you can fit a full size trem block in it...so great for modding...
I think the best Squier products in modern production are the Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified lines...
Jigglebone
Senior Stratmaster
- Jan 20, 2017
- 1,355
- Southern Idaho, US
- Jan 20, 2017
- #4
Guitarmageddon said:
Your CSX is a Squier SE Strat - near the bottom of the line BUT it has a full thickness body, which is a huge plus - you can fit a full size trem block in it...so great for modding...
I think the best Squier products in modern production are the Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified lines...
Thanks for the input. What criteria do you use to tell them apart? I did check into the body thickness before I bought it (I definitely wanted one of the thick bodies). This one is a cheapie, but it feels great and stays in tune and has no fret buzz, and I was able to get intonation almost spot-on perfect. The tuners are getting replaced (they're die cast Squier), and I put a hot rails at the bridge and it really woke it up. The pickups were definitely sub-par.
Guitarmageddon
Dr. Stratster
- Apr 19, 2014
- 27,512
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Jan 20, 2017
- #5
Jigglebone said:
Thanks for the input. What criteria do you use to tell them apart? I did check into the body thickness before I bought it (I definitely wanted one of the thick bodies). This one is a cheapie, but it feels great and stays in tune and has no fret buzz, and I was able to get intonation almost spot-on perfect. The tuners are getting replaced (they're die cast Squier), and I put a hot rails at the bridge and it really woke it up. The pickups were definitely sub-par.
I can tell by the serial number prefix - you have tuners with one screw in bottom right corner on each one right? They might also be branded SQUIER on the back....
The headstock truss rod hole has no plastic surround, just bare wood
It says SQUIER STRAT (not stratocaster)
Body will be 1 3/4" or just under....
Colors are sunburst with tortoise pickguard, black with pearl pickguard, white with pearl pickguard....those are the 3 most common....
Jigglebone
Senior Stratmaster
- Jan 20, 2017
- 1,355
- Southern Idaho, US
- Jan 20, 2017
- #6
Ebidis said:
IME, as far as materials and workmanship are concerned, the Vintage Vibe Strats are really good. Excellent in fact. Better than the price would indicate. They are the top of the line in the Squier lineup, and for good reason.
I can say that the Vintage Modified Teles and Jazzmasters are also great, but I have never tried a VM Strat.
How about the a Classic Vibes?
Guitarmageddon
Dr. Stratster
- Apr 19, 2014
- 27,512
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Jan 20, 2017
- #7
Jigglebone said:
How about the a Classic Vibes?
he meant Classic Vibe - there is no such thing as 'Vintage Vibe'
Jigglebone
Senior Stratmaster
- Jan 20, 2017
- 1,355
- Southern Idaho, US
- Jan 20, 2017
- #8
Guitarmageddon said:
I can tell by the serial number prefix - you have tuners with one screw in bottom right corner on each one right? They might also be branded SQUIER on the back....
The headstock truss rod hole has no plastic surround, just bare wood
It says SQUIER STRAT (not stratocaster)
Body will be 1 3/4" or just under....
Colors are sunburst with tortoise pickguard, black with pearl pickguard, white with pearl pickguard....those are the 3 most common....
Yep, described it to a 't'! I decided to make a project out of it. Should be fun!
R
Roccobagadonuts
Strat-Talker
- Sep 6, 2011
- 364
- Remulak
- Jan 20, 2017
- #9
They have been makin Squiers since 1982 so there have been quite the few models over the years. The most expensive will run over 1000 bucks used while the cheapest will be pretty much given away for almost nothin. As far as the current Squier models go the CVs and Vintage Modified models are their best stuff. If ya want the best Squiers tho buying a new one aint gonna make it happen...
Ebidis
Providing the world with flat bends since 1985
- Nov 14, 2013
- 30,426
- Alabama
- Jan 21, 2017
- #10
Jigglebone said:
How about the a Classic Vibes?
Guitarmageddon said:
he meant Classic Vibe - there is no such thing as 'Vintage Vibe'
Yes, sorry, I did mean Classic Vibe.
johnnymg
Most Honored Senior Member
- Sep 5, 2015
- 6,621
- Out Where the Busses Don't Run
- Jan 21, 2017
- #11
Ebidis said:
IME, as far as materials and workmanship are concerned, the Vintage Vibe Strats are really good. Excellent in fact. Better than the price would indicate. They are the top of the line in the Squier lineup, and for good reason.
I can say that the Vintage Modified Teles and Jazzmasters are also great, but I have never tried a VM Strat.
I bought a new VM Surf strat and it was quite nice after I polished the really dull/tarnished frets. I ultimately sold that guitar because the neck was too thin for me.
My CV 60 Strat is very close (if not equal) to my MIA Standard in playability and fit/finish. It's absolutely the best value in any guitar I've purchased.
Otisblove
Senior Stratmaster
- May 20, 2016
- 2,115
- Indiana
- Jan 21, 2017
- #12
I bought a Classic Vibe Custom telecaster a few weeks ago because I liked it as much as any of the Fender Telecasters I played and it was considerably cheaper.
I heard a guy playing a butterscotch blonde classic vibe 50's telecaster today in Guitar Center and it sounded great. I've picked up a bunch of them myself and every one was impressive.
Only drawback is that all of the bsb teles I played were on the heavy side and I prefer a lighter guitar in my twilight years. The custom I bought is the lightest telecaster I've ever played. That sealed the deal for me.
Ebidis
Providing the world with flat bends since 1985
- Nov 14, 2013
- 30,426
- Alabama
- Jan 21, 2017
- #13
Otisblove said:
I bought a Classic Vibe Custom telecaster a few weeks ago because I liked it as much as any of the Fender Telecasters I played and it was considerably cheaper.
I heard a guy playing a butterscotch blonde classic vibe 50's telecaster today in Guitar Center and it sounded great. I've picked up a bunch of them myself and every one was impressive.
Only drawback is that all of the bsb teles I played were on the heavy side and I prefer a lighter guitar in my twilight years. The custom I bought is the lightest telecaster I've ever played. That sealed the deal for me.
Does yours look like this?
I absolutely love this Tele. Plays and sounds like a much more expensive guitar, and yea, it's light.
xland
Senior Stratmaster
- Oct 5, 2014
- 3,331
- Phoenix, AZ
- Jan 21, 2017
- #14
The only Squier I own is my BSB Classic Vibe 50's Tele and it is easily one of my favorite guitars. It's my only single pickup guitar and it doesn't take a back seat to any of my other guitars. I honestly thought today (after playing my Gibson Tribute T LP) the only guitars I would need are my Tribute T, my HSS Strat and my Squier 50's CV Tele.
Otisblove
Senior Stratmaster
- May 20, 2016
- 2,115
- Indiana
- Jan 21, 2017
- #15
No. THAT, my friend is a Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Custom. Mine is a Squier Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster. It's all very confusing.
Here's mine.
T
texred
Guest
- Jan 21, 2017
- #16
@Guitarmageddon
Howdy. Thought somebody said the chinese se's were 1 5/8"?
thomquietwolf
Dr. Stratster
Silver Member
- Dec 2, 2010
- 24,352
- Peardale CA
- Jan 21, 2017
- #17
Otisblove said:
No. THAT, my friend is a Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Custom. Mine is a Squier Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster. It's all very confusing.
Here's mine.View attachment 211908
I played one just like this at Foggy Mountain
Loved the neck & liked the pickups
For some reason I wasn't fond of the body binding
Picky picky picky
SouthernGuitarman
Strat-Talk Member
- Nov 30, 2010
- 47
- New Zealand
- Jan 21, 2017
- #18
Don't judge a book by it's cover. I was browsing through a range of the cheapest Squier Strats on a rack in a shop and came across a Black one with Rosewood a neck. The electrics sucked and were replaced. BUT the neck was stunning! I could get a low fast action from it. I still have that neck on another guitar and its playability and action are still superb. Sometimes you find a real gem.
Ebidis
Providing the world with flat bends since 1985
- Nov 14, 2013
- 30,426
- Alabama
- Jan 21, 2017
- #19
Otisblove said:
No. THAT, my friend is a Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Custom. Mine is a Squier Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster. It's all very confusing.
Here's mine.View attachment 211908
You're right. I read Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster and somehow it registered in my feeble mind as Vintage Modified Telecaster Custom. I should lay off the caffeine.
Oh well, they are both really nice Teles.
Ebidis
Providing the world with flat bends since 1985
- Nov 14, 2013
- 30,426
- Alabama
- Jan 21, 2017
- #20
SouthernGuitarman said:
Don't judge a book by it's cover. I was browsing through a range of the cheapest Squier Strats on a rack in a shop and came across a Black one with Rosewood a neck. The electrics sucked and were replaced. BUT the neck was stunning! I could get a low fast action from it. I still have that neck on another guitar and its playability and action are still superb. Sometimes you find a real gem.
I know what you mean, I have a Bullet Tele HS that has a superb neck. Very nice action. And those guitars cost a whopping $119.99 when they made them.
