Classic Vibe Owners Club - Page 30

doyster15 · November 16th, 2009, 02:30 PM

Hello all First time on the forum.

Good afternoon from sunny New York!
I just wanted to drop a note on My CV 60's Strat which I purchased a couple of weeks ago.

I purchased it from MF with a 20% discount which I had so guitar cost me 280.00(great price)
but even at the retail price what a steal!!!!!

So,out of the box the Guitar was beautiful(vintage sunburst).The wood grain(Alder)comes through nice. The guitar comes with 9's Which I think give the guitar a more twangier voice(if that's a word). The neck is smooth the frets are excellent and there are no sharp edges on this guitar.(what value!). So, I sent it to get set up to my liking. My tech put on Ernie Ball 11's which gives the guitar a beefier sound with some more bottom end, everything was adjusted and the action lowered. I got the gutar back saturday and used it in Church on sunday through my DRRI. And Wow.....better than ANY MIM I have played, and the pickups came through crystal clear. I was complemented on the sound of the guitar. So if anyone has been thinking about getting one of these, please do not hestitate. Get one. You won't be sorry.....

Squirr · November 16th, 2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwcowell

Just bought a CV 50s in Buddy Holly sunburst. It's officially a Christmas guitar so I haven't played it yet other than 10 minutes in the store, but here are some observations after a careful visual examination. Some of these notes might change once I get to, you know, actually play it more intensively.

Merry Christmas, cwcowell!

Welcome aboard!

Squirr · November 16th, 2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doyster15

Hello all First time on the forum.
Good afternoon from sunny New York!
I just wanted to drop a note on My CV 60's Strat which I purchased a couple of weeks ago.

Hello doyster! Welcome to the forum!

You can "register" your Strat (if You want to) here: Classic Vibe Owners Club The CV 60's are in minority, so yours would be most welcome.

Esprit · November 16th, 2009, 07:19 PM

Cwcowell wrote "A big caveat: this review and rant may be moot if I plug the thing in on Christmas and it turns out to sound terrible".

This sounds exactly like my first impressions of my CV50's.....but it only gets better! Much, much better! It will sound great I promise!

woodenduckmaker · November 20th, 2009, 01:53 PM

i'm switching from 9 to 10 gauge strings. i'm too lazy and not good at adjusting action/intonation. would it be alright to just leave it be?

Malikon · November 20th, 2009, 02:04 PM

9 to 10 is kind of a jump for the guitar. It usually needs adjusting, sometimes depending on the string brand it'll lift your bridge right up.

Jimi Hendrix · November 20th, 2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodenduckmaker

i'm switching from 9 to 10 gauge strings. i'm too lazy and not good at adjusting action/intonation. would it be alright to just leave it be?

I've made this switch on two of my Squiers, both times i had to tweak the truss rod a little and adjust the intonation.

JRSIV · November 21st, 2009, 03:12 AM

I've been most pleased with my CV60's since I got it last month. I originally set it up pretty much how I got it from GC. The bridge was flat against the body, and not being a fan of the tremolo, I screwed the claw in as tightly as I could. I've been planning to get a nice ash or maple block to wedge in between the trem block and body but I've been reading over and over again how blocking the tremolo robs the Strat of tone, especially the tone Leo himself intended.

So I decided to do some adjusting and float the tremolo and see how it sounded. I gotta say, I'm amazed. It's not necessarily better, just different. I've had my main '91 MIM Strat blocked for years (it is staying that way) and used it as comparison.

The blocked trem sound to me is slightly rounder and has more sustain initially (the notes jump out in full voice). The CV's floating trem had a livelier sound; hard to explain, I can best say it's very "wiry" and "open". I think the strings resonate more with the bridge suspended.

With the trem cover off the CV, and in another well worn piece of tone lore, I listened for a difference when I replaced it and then took it off again. I'll be damned if it didn't sound a little better with it off! I know these timbrel changes are small, but to my ears it makes the CV more like it was intended and it provides a cool counterpoint to my MIM Strat.

The more grounded, warmer toned blocked MIM Strat will be my rhythm guitar when recording and the spiky, ringing CV will be for lead work. I know to some of you guys this is old news but I've been playing for close to 20 years and just always resisted the tremolo. I had a Foto Flame Strat with a Floyd Rose but got rid of it because I hated the tuning problems and when I tried to palm mute on the bridge it was impossible. But the vintage Strat trem bridge is easier to get around and I'm surprised how well the CV trem stays in tune. It's opened up the Squire in a way and made an excellent guitar even sweeter.

SennaF1 · November 22nd, 2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doyster15

Hello all First time on the forum.

Good afternoon from sunny New York!
I just wanted to drop a note on My CV 60's Strat which I purchased a couple of weeks ago.

I purchased it from MF with a 20% discount which I had so guitar cost me 280.00(great price)
but even at the retail price what a steal!!!!!

So,out of the box the Guitar was beautiful(vintage sunburst).The wood grain(Alder)comes through nice. The guitar comes with 9's Which I think give the guitar a more twangier voice(if that's a word). The neck is smooth the frets are excellent and there are no sharp edges on this guitar.(what value!). So, I sent it to get set up to my liking. My tech put on Ernie Ball 11's which gives the guitar a beefier sound with some more bottom end, everything was adjusted and the action lowered. I got the gutar back saturday and used it in Church on sunday through my DRRI. And Wow.....better than ANY MIM I have played, and the pickups came through crystal clear. I was complemented on the sound of the guitar. So if anyone has been thinking about getting one of these, please do not hestitate. Get one. You won't be sorry.....

sweet, welcome to the forum. i got one two ! excellent guitar.

i'm in huntington where you from ?

Basher · November 22nd, 2009, 06:16 PM

Hello
Fairly late to the party here but...
I just got a CV50s and I can't believe how good it is for the money. My only other Strat is a 1988 Strat Plus and the Squier complements it by being a bit more twangy and toppy than the Plus, which has a slightly darker, smoother sound.

I've just rewired the bottom tone control to the bridge pickup which I prefer.

My only concern is that most of the saddles are at, or near to, their maximum height. I'm still getting a tiny bit of buzz on the low E and ideally I'd raise it a fraction but can't as I've no more upward adjustment. Any ideas on the best way to tackle this?

I can see that setting the trem to float might help but I prefer it flat to the body. Other than this I can only think of finding some longer allen screws or, gulp, trying to sand the neck pocket.

Anyway, here it is:

Cheers
Brendan

LexLuthier · November 23rd, 2009, 08:06 PM

I have 2 - 50's CV Strats.
CGS0900925 - 2 tone burst
CGRC09000211 - White w/gold guard

I've owned a few vintage Strats (still have a '63 Strat) and I really dig these Classic Vibes. I wish they had a steel block because the trem arm threads are already getting loosey goosey with the cheap cast blocks. Both mine have quartersawn necks and lightweight alder bodies. Kind of like a poor mans EJ Strat (which I owned too). A/B'ed a new 50's Classic Vibe Strat to a new CS '56 RI Strat, and I thought the Classic Vibe sounded and played better (!). Really great bang for buck.

AllroyPA · November 23rd, 2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basher

Nice photo man. You could wedge the front of the neck pocket should give a bit more relief, then change the angle so you can lower those pins. You'll find many Fenders from the factory with those little pieces of tape inside.

Basher · November 24th, 2009, 09:05 AM

Thanks AllroyPA

It had never occurred to me that you can shim a neck "in reverse" i.e. reducing the angle - I've only ever heard of it done at the body end to increase it!

I suppose the idea of this is slightly unnerving as one thing that impressed me about the CV was the very tight neck-body joint. Instinct says that anything that reduces this coupling might have a detrimental effect on tone.

On the other hand - as you point out - plenty of vintage Fenders are shimmed and these seem to sound pretty good

I'm going to restring it with 10s when I get chance and this might put a bit more relief in the neck. If the buzz is still there, I'll try the shim. It's not a massive problem and it's nice being able to mute at the bridge without being stabbed by allen screw heads!

bryvincent · November 24th, 2009, 09:20 AM

Hi! i'm new here. just bought my first Squier 2 weeks ago(impulse buy, just can't pass on this one.) and i'm very happy with it. i just can't believe the craftmanship/quality and tone for the price. as mentioned, i think its the next best thing to an EJ Strat(well maybe its the MIM 50s Strat but those have 7.25" FB radius). its pretty light too, weighing in at 6.6lbs. and its very resonant. so far, i'ved changed the pup covers and knobs to white and installed a GFS trem with steelblock which improved the sustain.

Basher · November 24th, 2009, 03:10 PM

Nice one Bry!
The all-white look is very tidy. Personally I don't mind the cream pickup covers and knobs, even if they look a bit odd against the pure white pickguard.

I had expected to hate the pickguard as I've read a lot about them being way too thick. However I quite like the look of mine - I think the bevelled edge makes it look a bit nicer than the straight sided ones.

I even think the stock pots are nice! I know they're not the most military-spec components but they seem to work fine. What's nice is that I can roll back the volume without things turning to mud which is not the case on my Gretsch Jet that costs over seven times as much!

Being a "glass half empty" sort of fellow, I'm still waiting to find the catch with these guitars! A light, resonant, handsome instrument with great pickups at this price must surely be too good to be true?

fenson · November 24th, 2009, 03:17 PM

congrats nice, welcome fellow Canadian . Say if you every want to get rid of the pups and or tuners I will take em.

cwcowell · November 24th, 2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basher

I'm still waiting to find the catch with these guitars! A light, resonant, handsome instrument with great pickups at this price must surely be too good to be true?

I hear you. It's kind of creepy.

If CVs were only available at midnight at crossroads in the heart of Mississippi, well then, that might make more sense.

Basher · November 24th, 2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwcowell

If CVs were only available at midnight at crossroads in the heart of Mississippi, well then, that might make more sense.

Well mine came from a shop in Ormskirk in Lancashire and there are some strange folk live out that way, so just maybe.....

mjpgolf1 · November 24th, 2009, 07:19 PM

I just picked up a CV 50s lake placid blue with the white pickguard and man is the fit and finish on this thing nice. I am definetely going to enjoy even just looking at this one.

richey88 · November 24th, 2009, 11:38 PM

Need a pic of that mjpgolf1....my 60's just flat out sings. I have 11's on it (tuned to Eb). Filed the nut and raised the saddles a bit, not much really. It rocks!

11's on the Duo too:

thaus · November 25th, 2009, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjpgolf1

I just picked up a CV 50s lake placid blue with the white pickguard and man is the fit and finish on this thing nice. I am definetely going to enjoy even just looking at this one.

Let's see a pic of that one!! Haven't seen a live one yet. Bet it looks pretty sharp.

doyster15 · November 25th, 2009, 01:36 PM

I am out in Coram.......

dleuen · November 25th, 2009, 02:37 PM

I'm in. Picked up a used CV 60s Strat which already had a new pick guard. It appears the original owner botched it because the tone controls weren't working. After a day of trouble shooting I found a loose wire from the volume control to the switch. All is great now and I've got a great guitar for $230. This really has a nice neck, outstanding fret work and great body.

mjpgolf1 · November 25th, 2009, 04:21 PM

Here she is. Sorry it took so long to get a pic up. Heres my new classic vibe 50s lake placid blue, great guitar. Theres a pic of it next to my new MIM fender strat. I went a little crazy with the cash on monday this week and picked both of em up. This is what happens when I cant decide which one I want more.

peskypesky · November 25th, 2009, 04:31 PM

awesome. enjoy!

TEMPA · November 26th, 2009, 09:39 PM

Hey guys,

I have posted in here about my desire to own a CV 60's but as mentioned I have issues with the tortoise shell pick guard.

Just wondering what is involved in changing it over for another one? Tossing up between a white or a black pick guard at present. Haven't decided as yet because I need to know if it is an easy job or do you have to hack into the guard to make it fit or re-drill holes in the guitar etc...

Any advice or insights most appreciated.

Thanks,

J.

dleuen · November 27th, 2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEMPA

Hey guys,

I have posted in here about my desire to own a CV 60's but as mentioned I have issues with the tortoise shell pick guard.

Just wondering what is involved in changing it over for another one? Tossing up between a white or a black pick guard at present. Haven't decided as yet because I need to know if it is an easy job or do you have to hack into the guard to make it fit or re-drill holes in the guitar etc...

Any advice or insights most appreciated.

Thanks,

J.

If you buy a pick guard where the screw holes line up with the original you could swap it in about 15-30 minutes if nothing goes wrong. You probably should have a soldering iron handy though in case a wire pulls loose. My used CV60 already had the mint green pick guard so I can't tell you where to get one.

SteveB · November 27th, 2009, 06:57 PM

mjpgolf1 - I've also got the Lake Placid Blue CV Strat, I've put pics of it somewhere on the Squier thread. Excellent guitar, though sometimes the pups can seem a bit thin. Wouldn't swap or go back on the purchase though. The song 'Santa's Clauses' on the Soundclick link below was recorded with the CV.

AllroyPA · November 27th, 2009, 08:01 PM

RE pickguard, I think one post said the us pickguards fit well, mabe someone else can back that up.

mjpgolf1 · November 27th, 2009, 08:23 PM

As far as the pickguard is concerned. It is a fairly easy job. Most all aftermarket or Fender brand pickguards for a strat are going to be pre-drilled for all of the screw holes. The only thing you may have to drill out which I did on one of my swaps was where the holes for the pots are there is a little tiny hole that is drilled next to each of them for a small stem that comes off of each pot to hold them in place and keep them from turning when you turn the tone/volume up or down. When you take it apart you will see this. Other than that everything should be pre-drilled. I would like a previous poster said have a solder gun handy just in case you pop a wire off, but if you are cautious and take your time this should not happen. Good luck with it. If I were you I would give it a shot though, little things like knowing how to do this will save you money in the long run, plus it gives you the opportunity to open your guitar up and see how everything goes together so you know how it all works. It almost brings you closer to a guitar when you work on it yourself, as stupid as that sounds its true.

boujsquier · November 27th, 2009, 08:23 PM

Hi all,

I swapped the original guard on my CV60's for US black guard from ALLparts and it fit 100% exactly with no modifications needed at all.

Hope that helps !

:-)

TEMPA · November 28th, 2009, 02:08 AM

Thanks for all you help and input guys but I won't be joining the Classic Vibe club....

I just bought a MIM Fender Standard strat this afternoon. Sunburst with Rosewood fingerboard.

Now I have to wait until Christmas to play with it!

peskypesky · November 28th, 2009, 02:20 AM

i'm sure you'll be happy with the MIM. congrats.

Hugh · November 28th, 2009, 02:41 AM

Welcome Mikfer ! CV's are great guitars. I like my 60's too.

Hugh · November 28th, 2009, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boujsquier

Hi all,

I swapped the original guard on my CV60's for US black guard from ALLparts and it fit 100% exactly with no modifications needed at all.

Hope that helps !

:-)

Sure it helps, thanks ! That's what this thread is all about

Hugh · November 28th, 2009, 02:54 AM

Just a heads up for anyone in, or within driving distance of, Louisville. A local shop has an overstock of CV 50's. They have 2 they will let go for 270 out the door. Still sealed in the box. They won't ship at that price though. Cash and Carry, no trades.

PM me if interested. You don't even need to mention me to get the deal, and I'm not making anything on the deal. I bought a guitar there this week and one of the staff knows I like CV's and told me they had them.

richey88 · November 28th, 2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveB

mjpgolf1 - I've also got the Lake Placid Blue CV Strat, I've put pics of it somewhere on the Squier thread. Excellent guitar, though sometimes the pups can seem a bit thin. Wouldn't swap or go back on the purchase though. The song 'Santa's Clauses' on the Soundclick link below was recorded with the CV.

Cool stuff Steve!! Tell us about the recording setup (amps, mics and axes too). I dig the reverse effect on Nitetfill...

peskypesky · November 28th, 2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Just a heads up for anyone in, or within driving distance of, Louisville. A local shop has an overstock of CV 50's. They have 2 they will let go for 270 out the door. Still sealed in the box. They won't ship at that price though. Cash and Carry, no trades.

PM me if interested. You don't even need to mention me to get the deal, and I'm not making anything on the deal. I bought a guitar there this week and one of the staff knows I like CV's and told me they had them.

yow. that's a sweet deal.

bluzjamer · November 28th, 2009, 08:12 PM

Not trying to one up anyone but I got my CV 50 for like $200 + ship. Also was a closeout overstock type deal. Should be some deals coming up.

richey88 · November 29th, 2009, 01:16 AM

[quote=mjpgolf1;126623]Here she is. Sorry it took so long to get a pic up. Heres my new classic vibe 50s lake placid blue, great guitar. Theres a pic of it next to my new MIM fender strat. I went a little crazy with the cash on monday this week and picked both of em up. This is what happens when I cant decide which one I want more.

Noice! Wonder why no vintage tint on the LPB neck? Does it still have the gloss?