All user reviews for the Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '50s [2008-2018]

Guitar made in China. And well made!

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UTILIZATION

I know nothing about the technical specifications of a handle. When I play a guitar, I like the handle roughly or displeases me and that finding alone is enough for me. The impression left by a handle when playing is obviously very subjective. Most Fender Strat (the Mexican, U.S.) I had in hands had infuriated me from this point of view. I always had an inverse overall impression with Gibson I played. Pleasant surprise this Squier, I felt in total comfort and the handle immediately liked me by allowing me a precise and flexible game.

Access to treble is good. But I go very often.

The knobs are very progressive and playing on the classic 5-way switch, you do whatever you want.

SOUNDS

This guitar has a beautiful sound!

It is obviously very Strat. With a "vintage" character as the model name suggests. Compared with the Mexican Strat "modern" my brother, it was less "wise" slightly "dirty", more biting, more original in fact. And this is a real treat! Beautiful crystal, but richer than the Mexican sounds, a nice ability to have (pickup) sounds that jacked on the neck pickup the typical mix of attack, round and warm with this characteristic harmonics "sizzle "(what words to use to describe sounds?) who blackmails light saturation tube amp. With this Squier, clear sound Hendrix (as in "The Wind Cries Mary" in the studio, for example: ) is almost at hand! I say "sound"! ) If (unlike me) you like Shadows sounds or guitar spaghetti western, no problem to find it. Overall, listen to renowned guitarists who play classical and tell you that you can have very oncoming Stratocaster tones.

Given its price level, this guitar has made a truly extraordinary! microphones seem to have a good level of output and are not noisy - for single coils.

On my amps (Egnater Rebel 112 and Combo Laney Cub 12R modified with a Cannabis Rex) this Squier is awesome! Tried a whole afternoon on Huges & Kettner Tubemeister 18 my brother, a marvel. Pushing the drive amps, good God! she sing lamps ...

As I said earlier, there is a very clear Hendrix sound that I particularly like. Believe me, a real treat. This small Chinese is exciting for me.

OVERALL OPINION

Won a game (yes, what a bowl!) And therefore subject on my part to purchase any comparison, I use it for less than a week. I'm having trouble not play too often.

I love the build quality - the Chinese seem to learn quickly to upgrade. Remains to judge holding it all over the years. Woodwork and finishes are really nice. Always relative to the price of the instrument, the agreement is fairly stable, vibrato behaves honorably enough - well ... not exaggerate its use anyway, but with strings Fender head pointed it behaves quite well .
I love his sound. Not connected we feel his body vibrate and it has a good sustain. For musicians too wealthy, on stage it will do nicely (if not too much clubbing blows angry vibrato! Or less to be gifted to retune during the game). I am not a specialist of Fender, but I think this Classic Vibe not exceed sore Mexico Fender models and can compete with some U.S. models. It is very comfortable to play, but for my case required a re-adjustment handle / stand. In short, this guitar is suitable in the state without hardware modification, but if you wanted at all costs to improve, I recommend you review the following: mechanical, tremolo block and probably nut.

Upon purchase, do not hesitate to take along a set of strings to change immediately: those are really factory-installed "-hum." I highly recommend Fender Super Bullets For my part, I opted for a draft of 10: I did not like not only the quality of the factory strings, but pulling them 9 which gave me the impression of playing on strings rubber (on the handle ... because the impression given by a set of strings is eminently obviously related to the geometry of the handle and adjustment of the equipment string)

What I hate: the gilding of the fittings, too shiny jewel with two bullets which gives an impression of "guitar Barbie and Ken" aspect, enhanced by the white-gray color with a (small tip) printing rosé. I will try very quickly artificially skate all these gilding that seem in poor taste. But aesthetic issues are discussed. If I had a choice, I would have certainly taken a model of another color and chrome hardware. Another small point, but absolutely not serious (I nitpick, there!): The right of each band on the edge of the handle near the button, the micrometric grooves resulting from mechanical sawing throat fret - fortunately, I can not find absolutely not annoying to play.

Well ... I want to acknowledge that this is not a Squier Strat U.S. to 2000 €. And my enthusiastic comments of course take into account the price level of the instrument. I do not know enough about the Stratocaster "high end" for me adventurous comparisons. But frankly, this Squier enough for me. And I think as fans of classic Strat less fortunate, it will give a lot of happiness. The price / quality ratio seems really excellent!

If I had not won this Squier and that I had paid for testing, I would have immediately offered! But in Lake Placid Blue finish (beautiful!) Or Olympic White.

Made in China
Squier bridge,
Modern C maple handle 21 boxes
6 mechanical Squier
3 pickups Squier Custom,
and finally a setting with 3 knobs and a 3-position selector.

I'm pretty satisfied with the characteristics of the beast in general although I highly recommend a change of mechanical and bridge as soon as possible for an outfit for the perfect agreement. I would not put that 7/10 to all because I had the bad surprise to break the arm vibrato Squier original on the second day! (So ​​for strength, we revert) Apart from that the violin is very good.

UTILIZATION

A very nice handle, it is mainly why I bought it at the base. Access to acute is worthy of the great strats and found this charming dug everything you want in a Stratocaster. The sound is great, I especially love the neck pickup even if I changed the original pickups for Strat Hepcat '69. Its weight is quite ok, no complaints above, the balance is good, I move a lot on stage and ergonomics fits perfectly in my game scene.

SOUNDS

When I bought it, I was (still am) a fan of AC / DC, yet she tapped me in the eye especially for its side and slamming hot rhythm it can provide. I play on a small Vox Pathfinder 15, and it sounds terrible. I play without effects most of the time even if a good overdrive and a delay is cool from time to time. It is great for everything funk, rock and blues. But this is after the change of pickups it has become divine for me.

OVERALL OPINION

I for 1 year, I tried full of guitar models before this one, SG, Les Paul, and lots of other stuff but this one stood up to the standard Mexican strats as if nothing ' was! I'm not saying they are worse than the Squier because every guitar is different. So frankly for value for money (I got 220 euros new) is top notch, the look Olympic White with creams microphones and bronze plaque is huge. I'm in love with this guitar though I've tried lots despite my young age! I would do this choice with his eyes closed! Classic Vibe tear!

Just when we experienced the JV and SQ series, we go back, this is the same level
It is a strat and I said that I do not like strats, but it has taped me, I tried in the store on a ibanez amp compared Fender american standard and classic vibe. I may offend but the standard was rotten like all strats I've tried in my life and the classic vibe, I was in another world. The handle perfectly set, not the standard, better quality wood. It is clear that micors CV are less powerful but do not buy a strat for powerful micors, I personally have EMG81/85, blackouts, seymour (SH13, sh4), gibson 498. But what its fine! Beautiful.

UTILIZATION

HANDLE: excellent
ERGONOMICS: mild, it seems to me that it is smaller than other strats
ACCESS TO ACUTE: good for a strat, this is not an ESP 24 cases but this is not what is asked
SURPRISE: very good set, strings of satisfactory quality

SOUNDS

I bought it to play vintage, and it's perfect, I think a guitar with such a period it must be in the € 5,000. I intend to try a typical 50 us to actually see the difference and if it is good I will save, if I say nice things steps and I will redeem a CV which I ascend SP custom or something genre. American standard strat is happening everywhere disgusting and it is with this that I compared, skyscraper without personality. I am looking for the vintage in a skyscraper or send it to death between the two is to throw, but I recognize that most guitarists seeking a compromise, which explains the number of rotten guitars on the market. For the vintage is perfect

OVERALL OPINION

I did that today, but since I played 30 years on many TV and fender strat, and the best for me are the classic vibe and Squier SQ series (which I sold as a wholesale cn ). The Southwestern fender japan or us it is shots bowls. There are not huge differences between Squier and fender or so surprising style today as the best squier with the standard, then I do not know the custom shop, so I can not say anything, but after for esp for example (not elite ltd I do not know), the species are really above ltd, I have a ltd with blackout, it is very far below my emg esp mirage.
What I like is that this is a very good guitar. After I see for mechanical, but considering the price, even if I have to change, there is nothing to say. I listened to a lot of surfing and vintage stuff, no strat that I had tried this grain, overall I found them bland and goes everywhere, the major drawback of strats elsewhere. With it you will not send the violent but if you add a little reverb cathedral, a memory and a boy electro harmonix pog you will be transported into another era

Made in China. Very well made ...
Features standard Strato.
Beautiful, very beautiful!

UTILIZATION

This is my second classic vibe Strat, it came with the factory settings means unlike the 60's that it was set on top!
Very fun to play, no printing of "cheap" in the hands. We have to do the good stuff!
Races knobs a bit difficult feature of the mark, but you get used to.

SOUNDS

Er ... It's a Strat! Really! This is my fourth name, including two U.S..
It sounds. No need to replace anything, starting with the microphones.
I have not found the "metal" side mentioned in the previous opinion (although it was present in the 60's).

OVERALL OPINION

Purchased as a replacement guitar, relief, reserve ... This guitar and its little sister the "classic 60's vibe" took the path of my flight management rehearsals instead of my U.S. Strat. And first at the request of other musicians. And I thought to go with my guitar minus one 1st prize ...

Excellent quality / price ratio! Why pay more?? I recently had in hand an excellent Strat custom shop a friend, worth € 2,700. It has nothing to envy except "prestige"!

Beautiful Chinese manufacturing. Flawless in terms of machining and finishing. Beautiful red color.
Alder body (light) - Nail thick and shiny - Maple neck one piece, gloss varnish, profile C - basic mechanics, hardware and tremolo chrome input range.
3 single coil pickups - 5-way switch - 1 volume, 2 tone (neck pickup and middle)

UTILIZATION

The weight of the instrument is lightweight, perfect (not like some stratospheric ash). Perfect balance. Everything is done on the body with the instrument.
Channel C (a bit late for my taste), thin frets, impeccable pitch (this is the least we can do). Classical to change if we have to make the scene mechanical: it does not take long to strong bends.

SOUNDS

All fittings violin is very effective.
Vintage sounds not found on Fender necessarily more sophisticated is obtained.
Paradoxically, the ultra basic trestle bridges with bent sheet metal and chrome, combined with spring vibrato also very basic, give a very nice resonance and sustain is the rendezvous. The sounds are mixed according to hope that the pick closer to the neck or bridge is placed. The spirit of Hank Marvin is there, sitting at the right hand of Jimi!
Electronic side, the price was right to bare minimum. The pickups are crystalline, but it lacks a bit of body and medium. To compensate, the knobs are very efficient and progressive. I had already noticed with the G & L Asat that Asian productions were sometimes better than American knobs. If you do not immediately get the most interesting sounds, excellent results are obtained by combining the trimmings of the guitar and the amp.
Then, if you want, there are a plethora of micro kits that will do the trick, but it's always worth trying to tame the beast in its original configuration.

OVERALL OPINION

It honestly all you can expect from a real Strat!
(You could say "it has everything a great")
After having several U.S. models more or less good, tried Mexico and some pretty improbable copies models and even the Squier models further down the line (which have nothing to do - except the general shape - a priori it is not at all the same production), it really is this model that offers more opportunities if you want to stay in an ultra-reasonable budget.

Made in China.
Easel 6 points to the former as the mechanical kind Kluson.
Excellent finish. The pickups seem to be Tonerider. Perfectly adjusted to delivery. C handle modern, radius of 9.5

UTILIZATION

Easy to play. It is lighter than my Strat Plus 98. Very comfortable. Strat, what ...

SOUNDS

Guitar teacher, I have to play everything. The pickups are very honest.
But, in my humble opinion, one side a little dry and metallic. The output level is bon.Mais I have replaced with a set of Custom Shop Fat 50. And it is even better! A real pleasure. It is actually closer to the sound of Strats series L. The sound is much more defined, more nuanced and the attack of the strings is more sensible. But the original set does a good job, just a bit garish for micro mechanical bridge.Les take good agreement. Vibrato, advised moderate use, vintage oblige.

OVERALL OPINION

Bought a week ago. I play a Strat Plus Deluxe 98, a PRS CE24 and a Yamaha SA800 85 (Gibson 335 copy). I plug everything in and KOCH Twintone Studiotone and a Fender Mustang Pro Reverb and one for my classes.
The price / quality ratio is very good. Aging remains to be seen.
Very pleased with this guitar once upgraded side microphones. In a short time, I will take a model 60 in Candy Apple. That is to say that I like these little guitars!

nothing to add.

UTILIZATION

a good point to make, the handle is really comfortable, and yes there is the comparison with a lot of more expensive models. Shape and weight, very well.
get a good sound: v / global opinion.
explanation of 6: v / global opinion.

SOUNDS

it's very attractive, sometimes "we believe it."
more precise: V / global opinion.

OVERALL OPINION

before going further, it is clear that the value is great. in that, I agree with all previous notices.
I just get a small flat, to avoid those or those contemplating the purchase of this instrument to believe that they will pay for the deal of the century for cheap.
then yes, the handle is really good, and sounds very cool. BUT:
in a group situation, we realize a lack of depth and presence in the sound. It results in the classic problem: either you play too hard, and you sound "small", or you push, to give you the impression of being there, and "on" kindly ask you (Hum. .. ) to stop making "g. .... r" ta "p. ... n" Start ...
Similarly, it is not easy to mix in a record. Again, at this price, they are asked not to be a scratch in the studio, but hey, almost orgasmic seeing the reviews, I was moderating a bit ... Finally, in electronics, the decrease in volume changes over the sound settings to "live" based on the use of the volume knob work. For those who know only "to donf" is not a problem. But to play it fine, it will not. Conclusion: Given the price, maximum score. Given that exists, "correct" would be more accurate.
Little philosophical question: you know a lot of drummers or saxophonists or violinists who think they have a good instrument for 500 shot? ask them ...

guitar made in China
Alder body
neck and maple fingerboard
21 frets
Alnico 3 3 SSS
1 volume and 2 tone
a very good violin and mechanisms that hold the tuning well. An electronic vibrato and a block are the major weakness of this guitar. But there is a scratch on a 400 euros. Therefore should not be demanding of mass either.

UTILIZATION

handle very end, it changes me enormously in my les paul. But I must admit it is very pleasant. The guitar is comfortable (bah is a Start) and access to acute is very simple. The microphone is serious for me the best of three, it is very pleasant to hear. The microphone is good too keen but I found it a bit too sharp precisely. The intermediate micro is for me the worst of the three by far. It is too dull for my taste. But for a skyscraper to price, we will not ask for the moon

SOUNDS

I bought it to complement my les paul. There's songs or tell you, like, it would be better with a stratum. That's why I bought it. I plugged into a Peavey ValveKing 112 VK. I'm not a fan of Finding the sound will sound like so-and-so. The only regalge I made it a bit more serious and a bit less sharp compared to the micro acute and basta. Both sound that annoyed me a bit to the sound 2 and 4. The intermediate micro is just spoil the thing.

OVERALL OPINION

I for one week, I did not try the other because it was a favorite. The fiesta red, I love so here goes. I love everything about this except the micro scratches INTERMEDIATE. As for value, it is simply amazing. I do not regret my purchase and if I had to redo this choice, this will be the syeux closed.

- In which country was it made?

"China" is marked behind the head

- How many frets, what kind of micro as well as their configuration?

21 frets, 3 single pickups vintage alnico 3

- What type of easel

Simple bridge, Vintage Start

- What are the settings

2 tones and one volume: a strat what ...

- What type of race?

Maple + gloss polyester varnish well!

UTILIZATION

- The handle is it fun?

A background! ultra slamming it glides well, it is beautiful but soon we see the dirt ...

- Access to acute (recent freight) is it easy?

As a Start: Up to 17 tranqille, I try not to go higher

- Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)?

Rather light with the "groove" of a layer to the ergonomics perfect (not like a tele)

- Gets it easy to sound good?

I play on a behringer preamp, full of effects and simulations (VAMP2) with a ts7, connected directly to the stereo. The settings are mostly on the preamp, not the guitar.

SOUNDS

- They are suitable to your style of music?

Well, I play mostly blues rock (Hendrix, Clapton, SRV, John Mayer), but it happens to do more rock stuff! (Power chords ...) and the distortion is pretty good!

- With what (s) amplifier (s) or effect (s) do you play?

Always a bit of reverb, often with a little boost to ts7

- What kind of sound you get and with what settings ("crystalline", "bold ",....)?

This gives a super clean very strat through the micro (position 2 and 4), a good crunch on the characteristic of the micro environment, an excellent thing between crunch and clean on the neck pickup (ultra feature!) And a distortion correct on the bridge pickup.

- What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?

The cleans-middle position (it looks a bit like something in Wait Until Tomorrow "by Hendrix (Axis: Bold as Love)
-The neck pickup for blues solos in the Clapton / Hendrix / Mayer (the solo "Belief" in Continuum!)
-The bridge pickup for rhythm rock (power chords)
In addition to the pickups are fairly quiet so no sounds "hateful"!

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?

1 year

- What is so special that you like most and least?

The +: The handle slamming hot!
The -: The plate on the back useless as all strata (had to put something!)

- Have you tried many other models before buying it?

Yes, Tele and affinity squier standard home (too rock for me!), Fender Mexican Start (more expensive and less!).

- How would you rate the quality / price?

€ 324 in store with free maintenance for life! : Not really big compared to a Mexican Stratocaster (neck less beautiful, less beautiful finishes) to nearly € 500 if not more ...

- With experience, you do again this choice? ...

Altogether! It is exactly what I want (and more it looks like that of Clapton on "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs"!)

Crafted in China
Body: Alder
Finish: Polyester
Neck: 1-Piece Maple, Modern "C" Shape
Fingerboard: Maple, 9.5" (241 mm)
Frets: 21, Medium Jumbo
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Nut Width: 1.65" (42 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Tuning Keys: Vintage-style tuning machines
Bridge: Vintage-style, 6-saddle tremolo
Pickguard: 1-ply white
Neck pickup: Custom Stratocaster pickup (AlNiCo III)
Middle pickup: Custom Stratocaster pickup (AlNiCo III)
Bridge pickup: Custom Stratocaster pickup (AlNiCo III)
Pickup switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
Controls: Master Volume, Tone, Tone
Strings: (.009 - .042) Nickel Plated Steel
Unique Features: 2-Color Sunburst over alder; 21-fret vintage tint gloss maple neck; 1-ply white pickguard; aged plastic parts; vintage style tuning machines; vintage style, 6-saddle bridge; custom Stratocaster pickup set with AlNiCo III magnets

UTILIZATION

This guitar is very easy to play. I had to set it up myself, as I had expected, but once I did, wow! The fit and finish of the guitar are impeccable. I am blown away with this instrument coming from Squier.

The tremolo is very responsive, yet stable. A change to the to a brass tremolo block added a lot of sustain and tone, for not much additional money. I feel like the tuners are good, great even - I'd use these on an American Fender.

SOUNDS

Sound wise, this does everything one would expect from a great Strat guitar, with the exception of the bridge pickup. I could not get that pickup to sound balanced or as full as the other two, no matter how much I raised it or lowered the others. It just sounded thin, so I changed it for something else, and I am extremely happy with it.

OVERALL OPINION

This guitar is incredible, especially for the price. I fully expected to have to change some parts, but not as much as I ended up swapping out. The bridge pickup is a weak point, as is the actual wiring and pots - I'm going to change those out next.

Overall, a great guitar.

The Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster 50s edition is designed to be like a reissue of the classic 50s Strats of old in both feel and tone, but with a price tag that's about 1/100th of the original 50s Strats. They're made by the Squier corporation in China and features an alder body, a maple neck with 21 frets, vintage style tuners and fulcrum tremolo bridge, and the standard compliment of 3 single coils, a volume and two tone controls, and a 5 way selector switch. The plastics on this guitar are aged to resemble an older guitar, and the neck finish has a vintage looking amber tint to it as well... very cool.

UTILIZATION

The design of this guitar is like an old Strat. I've found the Classic Vibe stuff to be much lighter and more resonant that some of the other Squier models and that's a step closer to being like the originals. The upper fret access is decent on this guitar, but the glossy neck finish does prevent moving too fast I find... it would be nice if the finish was a little thinner. It's basically designed like a good Strat, and that's what it should be.

Getting a good tone from this guitar is not difficult due to the great pickups that are used. There is rumor that the stock OEM pickups in this guitar are made by Tonerider Pickups, and I wouldn't argue with that, because they certainly sound far superior to any of the Squier or Duncan Designed pickups that I've heard over the years. They have a decidedly "Strat" tone that covers a great range of tones from Dick Dale, to Hendrix, to Eric Johnson. Awesome.

SOUNDS

I've tried the Classic Vibe 50s Strat with various Fender, Marshall and Mesa Boogie amplifiers. The clean tones are quite nice. The neck pickup has that wonderful throaty and gutsy Strat tone that we all know and love. The middle pickup offers a great facsimile of Stevie Ray's famous biting blues tone. Positions 2 and 4 give that quack that's perfect for Hendrix or Dire Straits, and the bridge pickup is just the ticket for surf, rockabilly or other things that require more treble in a clean tone. Kicking in some overdrive reveals a thick and viscous lead tone that reminds me heavily of Jeff Beck or Eric Johnson, which is NEVER a bad thing. Even at higher gain levels this guitar retains good clarity and brightness. The pickups are fairly noisy, but they're standard single coils so that is to be expected.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all the Squier Classic Vibe 50s Strat is a superior instrument for anyone looking for a serious "Strat" for not a lot of cash. These street at about $350, which is a BARGAIN for the tones and craftsmanship that these guitars offer. If you prefer the character of rosewood, check out the Classic Vibe 60s Strat. Either way you can't go wrong!

Mine is olympic white color with gold plate 8 hole (anodized)

Crafted china
vintage fender type bridge (52 mm spacing so be careful if you considered the change because it is not the U.S. ratings)
In addition, the bob of the vibrato is thinner than the U.S. So in theory at least sustain
round shape 1 piece maple C radius 9.5 inches
stained and varnished completely
21 medium frets
3 custom alnico III pickups
5 position selector sleeve, neck / middle, middle, middle / bridge, bridge
1 volume, 2 tones (on the neck and middle pickups)
Finishing almost perfect

UTILIZATION

Channel super nice, although the frets hang slightly (I have sanded the ends with a small sanding block of designer and now the handle is perfect) I note 9 because of the frets!
rather light weight for a stratum (3.3 kg for mine)
well balanced
very resonant
on the sound of old strat (surprenant!) that sound very vintage flute!
I have completely redone the settings rise 9-42 of origin, I rise 10-48 Gilmour way (besides this Squier is much like his BlackStrat to 3700 euros in a few details <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt="" /> .)

SOUNDS

Absolutely versatile in the directories of former ...
The neck pickup is a bit tight for my taste and demand may be changed (see later).
Sounds great but the alnicos III.

OVERALL OPINION

Purchased for 1 month and I am very happy to have owned many Fender, it exceeds by far the Mexican!
even an American I've owned.

Value for money better than anything I know! roughly 35 models of strat tried.

I do it again this election without problem until proven otherwise ... go for this is that the happy scratching! hope they maintain this level of production from Squier.

Just a little flat at the fixing screws provided, they are just a bit and I had to change (slightly greater diameter) when changing the mechanical drawing for remaining in place.

Known characteristics. It is a strat all there is more "Start" (with a small head, I prefer)
Cons by the choice of colors is very limited, but the 2 tone sunburst is not too ugly.

UTILIZATION

The handle is nice, still large enough (more than a yam and a pacifica Epiphone LP STD)
For it is against "varnish", I think it slowed / holds hand a little change of positions. Maybe it will wear well ... if not with the steel wool to satin.

SOUNDS

THE sound I was looking for Stratospheric lens. Each switch position brings its own special color to the sound, there are Dire Straits, Hendrix, SRV, is happiness.
By pushing the gain on the bridge pickup, you get a distortion enough to go to heavy metal, but not beyond.

OVERALL OPINION

Super value for money (say that 90% of scratch just buy a new shovel but this is true =))
The finish is almost flawless. To get sound, it's not worth the shot put 200 € more for a Mexican, except if we try to mark all costs, or a greater range of colors.