Classic Vibe Telecaster '50s Review

Squier's Classic Vibe Telecaster '50s puts classic "blackguard" Telecaster vibe into a gorgeous Vintage Blonde-finished pine-body guitar you'll be hard-pressed to tell whether or not you are holding a premium ash-body instrument.

Features:	9.5
Sound:	9.5
Action:	8.5
Reliability:	8
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	8.9
Users rating:	9.7
Comments:	19

overall: 9

Featured review by: Ippon, on july 21, 2008

Price paid: $ 259

Purchased from: Sam Ash

Features: After reading all the rave reviews from a popular Telecaster forum, I decided to get one even though I don't normally buy full price and new. It was introduced June 2008 and I've had it for about 2 weeks now and like with most inexpensive guitars, I'm past the honeymoon stage. This was made in China (MIC) and from the Squier website: "Squier’s Classic Vibe Telecaster ’50s puts classic “blackguard” Telecaster vibe into a gorgeous Vintage Blonde-finished pine-body guitar, you’ll be hard-pressed to tell whether or not you are holding a premium Ash-body instrument. The Vintage-tint gloss-maple neck has a maple fingerboard with 21 medium-jumbo frets and a modern 9.5” radius. Distinctive Telecaster tone rings from the custom alnico III single-coil pickups, giving clear note separation even when distorted, strong mid-range dynamic response and plenty of solo high-end bite." Promotional blurbs aside, it's one of the best stock Telecasters I played straight out of the box. The bridge is a Vintage style string-thru body with a 3-Brass Barrel saddles. Scale is 25.5" with a Modern C neck profile. Note: the prototype Fender Esquires were made of Pine, fondly called PineCasters by luthiers and fans Who build replicas. This Tele exudes old school charm! // 9

Sound: It suits various music genres from Classic Rock to Country to Blues and anything else in between.

I've played it through a Hughes And Kettner switchblade head, a Hughes And Kettner TriAmp MK II, a Fender Hot Rod Deville 212, and a Mesa Boogie Road King. As expected, with more than decent tube amps, you get glorious tone and realize the full potential of any guitar, no matter how inexpensive. This guitar is surprisingly quiet even through fast switching, a testament to modern electronics manufacturing. It has the typical Tele twang, thanks to traditional bridge PU and you can simulate classic rock tones with the neck pickup through a fully- or even partially-driven tube amp. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: As mentioned earlier, the guitar came playable right out of box, even though it was ordered online. It had medium action, which I lowered a bit, and surprisingly, the intonation was close to ideal, given the challenges associated with the Tele-style 3-saddle bridges. The semi-transparent finish is beautiful, specially for such a budget guitar. I haven't opened it up yet to check the guts, but so far, I haven't seen any flaws. // 9

Reliability & Durability: This is a very nice Tele! I hardly gig with my Teles, being more of a Strat, Les Paul, and SG player; however, I wouldn't hesitate to use this as a primary or secondary guitar if I wanted the distinctive Telecaster tone. Even the bridge is beefy thick, almost like the boutique Callaham bridge. I'll be watching the strap pegs though, given the "softer" Pine body. This is not a slight on this model since strap pegs easily strip on other models made of Basswood, Alder, and even Mahogany bodies. Just based on the manufacturing improvements of even the most inexpensive guitars, I know this guitar will be pretty reliable. The Gloss Polyester finish is pretty hard and should resist denting/gouging from slight bumps. // 9

Impression: I play classic rock, blues, jazz, and some metal and I've been playing seriously for about 3 years and have started doing friends' birthday parties and school shows the past year or so. I have the typical Gibson and Fender guitars and other copies, all played through a Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212, a Hughes & Kettner TriAmp MK II, and a Mesa Boogie Road King. I wish Squier offered this model in other colors. One thing that I wish Squier would do is get away from using the cheap plastic nuts. However, this guitar is so inexpensive, if it were stolen, I'd buy one immediately. I expect this to be a huge seller and will probably monitor the Used market for a replacement. The traditional look and feel, coupled with the old school Pine body makes this model a winner. For such an inexpensive guitar, it rates a solid 10; however, if this were my only guitar, it rates a solid 9. Buy one, now! // 9

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: Capt_Clarkson, on march 24, 2009

Price paid: £ 203

Purchased from: PMT

Features: This guitar was made in 2009 and manufactured in China, it has 21 medium-jumbo frets, the neck is maple and has a gloss polyester finish which gives it an almost "laminated" feel which is great to hold and play on. The body is pine and has a very thin blonde paint coating which allows you to see the wood grain, (this is one of my favorite features).

Because it is based on the 50's model "blackcaster" it has many Vintage features, it has a Vintage style strings-thru-body bridge with 3 brass barrel saddles and has Vintage style tuning machines.

It has the Standard Tele pickup configuration, and has both tone and volume control. The pickups are 2 custom single-coil Alnico III's. // 10

Sound: The Telecaster is famed for it's ability to suit many music styles, and even this cheaper model lives up to it's more expencive counterparts standards. I play many differing genres and this guitar manages to achieve the requirements needed with little effort. With the neck pickup you get a very distinct blues tone which is suited for Guns N' Roses and Cream. The bridge pickup gives a clean "twangy" tone which is great for Frusciante/Red Hot Chili Peppers style playing. With a few Standard effects it is easy to get a very good metal/heavy tone, stuff like Tom Morello's (Rage Against The Machine) signature sound. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar's action was a little high to begin with but that was easily solved, the tuning pegs are a little loose but it isnt noticeable, the pickups were at optimal height and the bridge was perfectly routed. The nut was cut perfectly and the electronics are stable and well built. // 8

Reliability & Durability: The strap buttons are well fitted, this guitar is fine to play Live (which I have done) and I haven't had any problems with the electronics. However I have had a few issues with tuning pegs on the guitar, the tuning peg on the high e string seems to be weak causing the string to de-tune after playing. The finish is also easily chipped due to the paint being quite thin, after five days I had already chipped the back very slightly. // 7

Impression: To conclude my review I would like to say that over the years of playing guitar I have played many Telecasters and this one manages to stand up against the likes of Fender American Standard models and sound almost identical. For the £200 I payed for it I am highly impressed, even though it does have a few minor faults I can safely say it is one of my favourite guitars. // 9

Comments

[Multiplayerjon]

sexy

[xXxNiCkxXx]

nice

[xXxNiCkxXx]

[koalabacon]

ew... its squier

[christheman]

Why do I have my doubts?

[Ippon]

Even through inexpensive SS amps, the cleans on this inexpensive guitar is pure Tele. Through an over-driven tube amp, nobody will think of it as a "cheap" guitar. You really need to try this on your favorite Mesa, Marshall, Fender, Laney, Orange, Traynor, Peavey, etc. tube amp. It can go as heavy as your favorite LedZep or Alice in Chains.

[Ulrik]

koalabacon wrote:

ew... its squier

ew? Are you 12?

[Mental Hop]

I don't normally buy full price and new

What happens when you go to the super market? Half-priced moldy milk? Do you haggle when the waitress brings the check? And do you ask for 10% off insulin?

[Ippon]

Mental Hop wrote:

I don't normally buy full price and new

What happens when you go to the super market? Half-priced moldy milk? Do you haggle when the waitress brings the check? And do you ask for 10% off insulin?

Used guitars in superior condition offer the best Bang for the $$$ for some people, an opinion. There are also discount coupons, etc. BTW, the scenario you chose is flawed in so many levels, an opinion.

[Ulrik]

Invite him to Bullshido!

[the.spine.surfs]

Do want.

[Jimmy America]

I might be buying this one on Monday. you should all thank your lucky stars you live in the good ol' US of A, i moved to Australia and it's going to cost me $699 Australian or $605.78 USD if you don't have a converter. It's a shame because my budget of $500 would stretch MUCH further over there =(

[Anjohl]

I am in the process of buying a 50's vintage vibe strat, this line is fantastic.

[Capt_Clarkson]

just got mine, its kickass

[adamshakermaker]

Forget the fact that it is a Squier, it is truely an amazing guitar. I preferred it to a Fender Japan '62 RI Bound Edge Telecaster, I played 'em side by side.

[byngx]

koalabacon wrote:

ew... its squier

yeah man ive been looking at this and fenders and who cares about the name - its an equal guitar esp. for the price

[christopher c]

I tried a classic vibe tele could not believe how great it played and sounded. I owned guitars in the 2000.00+ price range and this keeps up with no problem. Go try oneyou will loveit,,way to go Fender.

[henkjanwiegers]

I own a classic vibe '50s tele for almost a year now. I played like 50 different guitars since then and this one really stands out. Its quality matches the qualitiy of the Fender Baja telecasters, in my opinion, which are more expensive. The sounds great and the pickups seem to be quite noiseless, no humming whatsoever. I recommend this guitar to anyone looking for a tele.

[The^Unforgiven]

I've been wanting a tele for a long time now, but I don't have the money to blow it on an American Fender, but this one I could afford... I've heard and read a lot of good about this particular model, and I do have to say, It looks sexy as hell...