![Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '50s [2008-2018]](https://img.audiofanzine.com/img/product/normal/1/2/124909.png?fm=pjpg&w=300&h=218&fit=max&s=6a500065844aa1c88f383175297b33d4)
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King Loudness « Value for money that's not easily surpassed »
Published on 08/10/11 at 21:59The 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!
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!