FENDER Telecaster vs SQUIER Classic Vibe | Vintage 50s Style | Worth the Money?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ค. 2024
- Fender Telecaster vs Squier Classic Vibe | Worth the Money? | Comparison of Vintage 50s Style
I take a look at the Fender Telecaster vs Squier Classic Vibe today. Both great guitars with that vintage 50s style. The Fender here is the Vintera Modified version. It’s a bit more expensive than the normal Player Series and the Squier Classic Vibe 50s. ($1049, $749, and $429 as of July 8, 2021). Is it worth the money? Only you can decide for yourself, but I tell you about all the difference I see and feel and play through each pickup combo for you.
Links to guitars and more!
Fender Telecaster Vintera: imp.i114863.net/P0aXPj
Fender Player Telecaster: imp.i114863.net/KeJxe9
Squier Classic Vibe ‘50s Telecaster: imp.i114863.net/q1e6y
Fender Vintera '50s Telecaster Pickups: imp.i114863.net/qnDqjN
My amp - Blackstar HT5R MKII: imp.i114863.net/74yZO
The mic - Senheiser E609: imp.i114863.net/na9v7
Squier Classic Vibe vs Affinity Telecaster: • Classic Vibe 50s Telec...
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0:00 Introduction
1:16 Notes and Observations
1:33 Squier CV 50’s Tele
3:18 Fender Vintera 50’s Tele
6:09 Quality Comparison
7:45 Sound Comparison Intro
8:26 Squier Neck Clean
8:47 Fender Neck Clean
9:07 Squier Middle Clean
9:34 Fender Middle Clean
10:00 Squier Bridge Clean
10:17 Fender Bridge Clean
10:34 Dirty Sounds
10:51 Squier Neck Dirty
11:14 Fender Neck Dirty
11:38 Squier Middle Dirty
12:05 Fender Middle Dirty
12:31 Squier Bridge Dirty
12:55 Fender Bridge Dirty
13:21 SPECIAL Sounds
13:31 Fender SPECIAL Clean
14:26 Fender SPECIAL Dirty
15:26 Recommendations
#Guitar #Fender #Squier
*Leave your comments and opinions about these guitars below! What other comparisons would you like to hear?*
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Squier Classic Vibe vs Affinity Telecaster: th-cam.com/video/UjZ-4zfaLPc/w-d-xo.html
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Your way of speaking is real calm and comfortable. Real pleasure to listen to.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I have a CV 60's Custom Telecaster (Chinese era) that has been one of my main players for over a decade now. The frets are still fine, I think I've made 2 minor neck adjustments in that whole time, and it is my most tuning-stable guitar I own.
Rock solid guitar and I love it.
Great playing as usual! You can hear the quality difference in the Vintera but the Classic Vibe is a great affordable Tele. I have the Baja Tele which became the Vintera modified series and it is a superb guitar. 😊
Thanks so much! You're absolutely right. The Classic Vibe is a great guitar too - especially for the money. Spending the extra depends on what you want and how much you want to pay for it. An extra $600 is nothing to sneeze at for most people (like me!)
Really love your channel!
I met some early 2000s indie band my wife was doing a meet and greet with. We got to the show early to set up the event. The guitarists were playing matching vintage vibe telecasters. I think they had just recently come out. They let me play them when I made some snide remark about Squiers. I was put in my place. I was very impressed. I have been meaning to get one for two decades now. Got sidetracked by modular synth.
Modular synths would be so expensive aha, I know what you mean. I keep seeing great deals on 2nd hand squires I never have the cash for lol
Very nice job, Mark. Both reviewing and playing.
Thanks so much!
Wonderful review!!
I love your OPINION and HONESTY!!
Thank you so much!
Your an absolute Legend Mark, this is years of experience, time, and Money and more that I did not have to waste thanks to you, you took me right to the result. A Rockstar, thanks a million brother, this is for you 👑
Glad I could help
Beautiful playing! The guitar comparison is well done, too. 😀
Thanks! You wouldn't be biased now would you?? LOL!
@@MarkZabel I am totally unbiased.
I have a 2010 CV and love it. I changed the bridge out for a Fishman piezo with pre-amp for acoustic versatility but the original bridge was a three BRASS barrel and very nice. I left the guitar original otherwise and use it as one of two for gigs. Cost me $350 cdn. Killer deal.👍🎶
Great review! 🤩
Thanks!
I learned in a 50’s Tele that my guitar teacher “had lying around!” I can definitely hear differences but I’m not sure they are $600 worth. I think it comes down to what you plan to do with it. For the average player, adding the Squire to your collection is affordable and worth it. If you’re a pro…definitely worth the extra money.
Thanks for your input! Many of us learned on far, far worse guitars than are available today for dirt cheap. The Squier Classic Vibe is a fine guitar. And it ticks the boxes right for beginners mainly because it has decent-to-good fretwork and playability, which is the most important thing for beginners and IMHO average players too.
The Fender beats it (IMHO) in all those categories, but having a real professional setup remedies a lot of the playability difference as well. Lots of approaches.
@@MarkZabel You nailed it about playability. Learning on a 50’s Tele was quite deceiving. When I bought my first guitar at 17, I felt like I was learning to play all over again.
Well put sir ✔️
The comment that I needed to read
I guess you could say I am a 'pro'. Musicians now have different oppertunities to those who lived in the old days. Back then musicians (if they weren't signed) only had paid gigs or open mic nights. Now musicians are also producers and can work with everything. My point being is, the instrument no longer matters and in actual fact, never mattered. I can play a shitty £50 guitar from ebay and adjust the EQ and compression to my liking and make it sound like it's £1k+; any competent producer can. The Classic vibe is phenomenal for what it does out of the box and I've had other tele players in my studio playing it more than other guitars I have which are worth way more. What I'm saying is that times have changed and 'cheap' guitars are actually fucking great. Don't forget, The Beatles started off with cheap gear and still made great music (Hofner bass/Rickenbacker, which was cheap back in the days).
I sold my Tele, missed it, it took me 5 years looking to replace it. Got the American professional and love it. I did try a Brad Paisley Esquire and was blown away. Really these are both great guitars in this demo, you really can’t go wrong here.
Right on!
I honestly prefer the sound of the CV all the way through.
More "sparkly" and crisp and "vintage".
The Vintera sounded a more modern take on a Tele sound.
Not as well-defined as the CV.
Yeah and if he drops it and it breaks no big issue , Id say Fenders are more for 1 off large gigs where your established as a musician , Squier guitars are more to have fun with and play daily as they are so cheap to buy.
1st time I watched one of your videos. Awesome. No more Mr Nice Guy is my fav rock tune of all time. You play great. Thanks
Thank you! Rock on!
wonderful comparison. thank you. i am happy to have ordered the surfgreen modified today. sounds really fantastic. I started with Fender, changed to G for a while and now i remorsefully came back to F. Interesting somehow. Merry Christmas, Mark !
Thanks so much! Merry Christmas to you too!
@@MarkZabel thank you !
I'm so impressed by the great super affordable guitars you can get today - but the truth is if I bought one just to tinker around on I know I would never pick it up because I'm super happy with the current guitars in my stable!
Yes, I end up that way too. I only upgrade the stuff I really like but want to keep and make better. Like maybe putting a new neck on my old Strat. (Love the sound, have always disliked the neck.) I've been getting rid of a number of mine lately because I just don't play them any more.
Great video. The interesting thing about the classic vibe is you can partcaster it into being a more authentic Tele than the Fender Vintera model...for around the same amount of money of the Fender. Just buy a Fender neck and bolt it on, and swap the pups...the Mexican made necks are around $200, a lot of the times can find cheaper and since this is a Mexican Fender it makes sense. The same twisted pup kit is around $200...the out of phase switch is a gimmick so not needed. The Pine body should sustain better and be a bit warmer than the Alder body on the modern Fender...and the pine body is the spec of the original teles. All these mods are really easy to do, swapping necks is literally screw off, screw on...Pup swap is easier than people think...and in the process it's a good learning XP.
The price of American made fender tele or strat necks cost as much or more than the classic vibes tele guitar!
I found a asc strat copy that played amazing and I put about 800 bucks in parts and electronics in it and it plays like an American strat it's a workhorse guitar and it was well worth the time and effort in putting it together and setting it up myself I want to mod my squire cv 50s tele
Great video Mark! Thank You!
Glad you liked it!
@@MarkZabel I just ordered the Squire CV (lefty). Your review helped me decide. Thank you again!
@@brivington2011 My pleasure. Enjoy the new guitar!
These comparison videos are the best, partly because you can really hear the difference. But also what you're playing is nice to listen to so you can hear the difference in the feeling you want the sound to have. To be honest, the tone I want from a Tele i feel I'm hearing more in the Squire. The Fender sounds slightly muted, like the edge is buffered out. The Squire had that sharpness to it's tone and a nice resonance. I've got a strat and an sg so I want that country and blues sound I felt you were getting better on the Squire. I prefer the character of the sound. Thanks for demonstrating :)
Thanks James! Yes, I totally get your appraisal. That's why I'm open about my opinion as it applies to me, but also that others will have their own!
My first electric was a Pacifica. Couldn't get on with it so I sold it. Bought a Fender which was nice and still have. Since then I've bought 4 Squiers which I still have including a brand new CV '50s Butterscotch black guard Tele that just arrived. What a great guitar! Will probably never buy another Pacifica or a Fender but would not hesitate for a single second to buy another Squier. Would like to see some different colors released from Squier for the CVs in 2023. A CV in Midnight Wine, Antique Olive or Agave blue would be great. I'd buy one of each. Cheers!
my first was a pacifica too! cheers
My favorite Fender/Squier telecaster that I own is my Fender deluxe Nashville Tele. My 2nd favorite is my Squier CV 50s Tele in the natural pine finish. But I love the color on that blonde Tele! And that blue Tele sounds beautiful!
Very cool! Can't go wrong with a Tele IMHO!
Both are nice guitars. I just traded for a 2021 Squier CV 50's Telecaster. They are made in Indonesia now. The nut on mine is cut perfectly. Super low and consistent nut action. The 3 way switch is not a PC board box switch like the China ones. It is the same CRL style switch that is in my MIM Fenders. That is a plus in my opinion. Dime sized pots, however, they do function well. I have not played a Vintera, but I do have a MIM Charvel San Dimas and I concur that the craftsmanship is to another level. My Player Strat is to another level as well. My older MIM Strats though are closer to the standard of the Squier CV's. The older MIM price point was closer too. lol Oddly enough, when I compare my instruments to one another, I can appreciate the quality differences, but when I'm playing, I don't really seem to care.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I think you nail it on the head in the end. The differences can be appreciated. Both will get the job done. It really is a question of what you'll enjoy. Money spent on something you'll enjoy is money well-spent. Thanks again!
I have a CV tele (bought used) that I changed out the pups to SD Antiquities, added cloth wiring, new pots/ caps and a Switchcraft jack and switch and steel wooled the gloss off the neck. Also added brass saddles. The stock tuners hold tune well. Got a great set up and it is a gigging machine. Probably spent 350$ all together. It’s awesome and will hang with any American made tele.
And after all that you realised the sound is in your amp.
@@mikehurley5052 A good amp is obviously important, but it’s not everything. Just wanted to say it’s already a well made guitar and I had fun doing easy and inexpensive upgrades. Truth be told, the real tone is in the fingers more than anything else.
@@timfaul1733 True.
It's the guitarist,not the brand
I know some guitarists that have expensive named brands, but they don't help them with their playing though!
Squier ALL DAY for me. The differences are so minor, the Fender should be $100 more. Not $600. You're just paying to have the Fender stamp on your headstock, which is kinda silly
Probably worth ~$250 more but they won’t retail a guitar for less than 1k for image reasons
I watched the first bit then just closed my eyes and listened, I really couldn’t tell any real difference in the sound, I did like the color of the fender more
No, you’re paying for it being made in this country. It will be made using better quality woods and parts. Our country should’ve never allowed importing goods from the third world because it’s screwed up the perception of what goods should be priced at when comparing our own wages used to buy goods. If we stopped importing products from the third world where labor is so cheap we’d have companies manufacturing here. Which would mean more jobs and the wages would be on the same level as the products we buy because they’d be made here, by American workers making enough money to buy the USA made products. It would be balanced. We have a service based economy here which equals lower wages. Can one work at a Burger King and buy an American strat? No. But they can buy one imported here from a country that pays very little for skilled labor.
@@wyattsdad8561 that dude is clueless, lol. I bought the exact same squier direct from the fender warehouse, made in indonesia... it was even inspected in cali. well, it arrived and the frets weren't even seated all the way down and had sprout, the setup was garbage, neck bowed wayyy too much, fret ends looked heat damaged, scratches in the finish of the neck, tuners barely moved, among many other issues. the squier quality control is absolute garbage. I returned it immediately.
@@wyattsdad8561 the player series are made in mexico lol
What a Beautiful player you are ,,,,,,,, very good vid, thanks for sharing.
I went gor the 50's Modified and its my go too guitar
Thanks. Enjoy your guitar!
Ill add that all the Squiers Ive seen in this model have a 3 piece body. The Vinteras usually are 5 pieces. Getting away with that because they are painted. If the Squier frets do really wear faster (I haven’t played mine long enough yet to verify) that isn’t a problem really, because they are tall frets than can be leveled several times. If you want vintage sound the Squier is your Tele!
Good review. I think the vintera sounded pretty good in all cases, but the CV held its own in the bridge with gain...a little more raw. Currently the vintera modified goes for $1200 new and I just can't justify it, especially when the CV is no slouch. That Daphne Blue looks sharp though!
Thanks! All makes sense.
I have the Squier 50s classic vibe and love it.
I have a mexi strat, epiphone Les Paul custom, Gibson SG, and several other cheap guitars, Harley Benton and Eart.
Thanks for your comp video. I just ordered a CV tele today. It weighs in at just under 8 lb. Even with the lower quality tuners and saddles, at the price point it was hard to pass up. I'm looking forward receiving it soon.
Awesome! The tuners will hold tune just fine. I just find them uncomfortable, so that's the only reason I would change them. Very nice guitars!
@@MarkZabel Thanks Mark. I'm an impulse buyer so I often do the research after I've placed the order 🤣. I appreciate your feedback and channel 👍
Great comparison. Great playin too. Any opinions a a squier CV50 vs Player Series. Which one u recommend between them
Thanks! I think the recommendations in the video are in line with my thinking on the Player Series. You won't get the more versatile sounds you get in the Vintera Modified and you'll get a modern C profile neck, 6 saddle bridge. But the core of the guitar is great and it's going to be a better build than the Squier CV (which is also a nice guitar). Personally I would spend the extra $300 and get the Fender Player Series, but it depends on your own thinking and budget.
Hi Mark, in my mind I feel that the Fender Telecaster is the aspirational guitar, one you work up to so in that respect is worth the money but the Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster is a very well made budget instrument for getting up and running when buying a Telecaster for the first time, so is also worth the money so take your pick and enjoy that bridge pickup!... 🙂
Well put!
Finally I found a video comparing the CV 50s and the Vintera 50s mod, the 2 guitars I was really torn between! And also, thank you so much for not using pedals or anything like that. Super comparison! I was so tempted to buy the CV but I think I will go for the Vintera. Lots of people seem to have issues with the tuners on the Squier, and 2 or 3 other smaller annoying things. Sure you can modify the Squier but I'm not a handyman and my luthier here in Norway takes $100 an hour. New tuners, brass saddles, fret setup including the work is a few 100 dollars right there, and you still have squier on the headstock. Also the Vintera no doubt in my mind sounds clearer and brighter. Oh and I love that blue colour.
Hi Gert! Glad you found the video helpful. They are both good guitars. The Vintera is clearly a better made guitar, but paying the additional money is a personal decision. I had the same thinking as you - I could hire someone to change pickups, switches, nut, tuners, hardware ... or I could do it myself (but I already have enough to do!) ... or I could spend the additional money. The last option was right for me. But for some the CV works fine even without modifying.
Seems like you're thinking it through in the right manner! Thanks for stopping by my channel!
@@MarkZabel I wasn't dissing the Squier by any means though. I think it's very good value. No question.
@@gertvanrooy428 Yep. I didn't get that impression at all from you. I feel the same.
j ai toujours fait le choix d acheter la serie classic vibe , et j ai toujours fait une mise a niveau au top , avec des accessoirs que j ai choisi , et a chaque fois j ai un instrument unique pour a peine le prix d une fender mexicaine , et bien mieux equipée .
Amazing; well done. I’m a new ear (March 2024) and not (yet) a guitar player, yet .. I could hear the difference between the two Tele variations, however, I want to listen carefully to this guitar comparison again (and maybe again!) in order to more fully appreciate and understand each model variation.
Thanks!
As it is now, the better choise is the Player Nashville telecaster. It comes with noiseless pickups + a middle pick-up that gives you a tele and a strat all in one guitar. The build q. is amasing.
Thanks. For people who want noiseless pickups and who are looking for a Strat, that's a viable option for sure.
I have a MIM and a Squire. I replaced the wiring in the Squire but left the pickups. They both sound good.
really good video mark
Thanks 👍
I own Fender Custom Shop, a USA Hamer and many other guitars. I bought my CV Tele in Feb 2021. It's one of my main players. Okay, it needed a fret level/profile out of the box but for me, that's a couple of hours work. Brilliant guitar. I have always mewant to upgrade the pickups though I have not done that yet: testament to how good it is! Victor...
PS: Sound-wise, there is a tad more clarity in the Fender pickups (on this video) but certainly nothing that you would pick up on. Classic Vibe all the way for me (I sold my 2008 Standard US Tele to buy it)...
Excellent comparisons. The original Fender has (what I would call) better tonal definition -at least to my ears, particularly on the clean sounds and that magical forth position. That said, the Squire seems to be a good deal for what you get. Since I recently purchased the Squire CV, I might consider some simple mods.
Glad you liked it!
How you play em is the main thing.
I’ll keep my Nashville Tele. Thanks for sharing.
I've played guitar for 25 years. I own 8 guitars and have played and owned a lot more. I recently picked up a dirt cheap mint squier classic vibe after reading some great reviews and wow! I gotta say it is an amazing guitar. I've got American strats and USA les Paul's and whilst this guitar doesn't quite reach the same level it feels like it deserves to be in that 'premium' guitar range rather than 'budget'. I don't think you can buy a better guitar for the money.
Well said!
The maple neck and fretboard on mine is the easiest playing guitar I got I was blown away at how easy it was to play I could hit notes up and down the fretboard with ease you have to play it with a very light touch I was able to do some leads that I couldn't quite get on my american deluxe tele or a dean select series exile that's like a walk in the park as far a playability costing 3x the price of the CV 50's tele love the neck it makes me sound like I know what I'm doing it's improved my technical playing significantly
I've had all sorts of Fenders.Looking back at it now, I think it is far better to buy a used American Fender.Or brand new one.The feel , playability and quality can leave me speechless.
But, I still bought a new Butterscotch Blonde Squier Tele Thinline just last week , because of the 6.2 lb weight and it is great for that price.
Thank you
Thanks for your comment. I don't feel as strongly about Fenders, but I definitely like this one - the Squier is good as well, but not *as* good.
I agree with your conclusions. Thanks for posting this comparison.
You're welcome.
Both great guitars, but really just came to say that you play very well!! Rock on!! 🎸
Thanks brother! Rock on!
Great comparison video. I have the butterscotch Squier Classic Vibe 50s so was nice to hear how it stands up to the Fender Player. One question though. Are you using the same strings on each and I’m curious as to the size of the strings you were using.
Thanks Bob! Yes, I believe it stands up pretty well. It's definitely a good guitar. I'm using Ernie Ball 9's on both.
Can I ask are rumours about the fret wear true. Did you find your frets wearing fast? I just picked up a classic vibe exactly the same as the video same colour 2nd hand for 219 dollars. It's barley been played sent it off to a luthier as it Had a stripped screw on it and for a set up as I'm new to playing and only had an acoustic up until this point so dont know much about setting them up. At 38 years young it feels abit late to get into but I've been self teaching for about 8 months now and love it.
I think the Fender Tele sounds just a little more spanky however, if I'm buying I think I would choose the Squire Classic Vibe Tele. You can clean up the nut, get brass saddles for around $30.00, and if the tuners are that much of a pain, you can get good ones for around $50.00. I have a cousin who does luthier work on the side, and could make a broomstick play like a custom shop guitar. I would rather spend my time playing and improving my chops, than working to payoff the Fender. 😀
Agreed! The Classic Vibe is the bomb for the price
tuners work fine!!!! no issues on mine or my CV mustang.
l have a buttercream vintera telecaster 70’s Limited Edition with a maple fretboard. It has steel rather than brass saddles. The pick ups are custom shop twisted tele pick ups. It can rock and l love playing pink floyd stuff on it as well as blues and jazz.
Cool! Glad you did it!
If price is not of concern then I would buy the one that inspires me the most. Based on your comparison, definitely that would be the Fender.
Totally makes sense.
I’ve got the exact same cv tele in white blond. It was between it and a players series. Couldn’t hear much difference. My first electric and great guitar regardless of price. Since I’ve had it for 2 years, I’ve changed the pick guard to mint green, swapped saddles for compensated brass, changed tuners to Kluson Supreme, got some locking strap hardware and filed the the nut down some. Fun upgrading parts and making your own. Also sanded down back of neck. Gloss was too sticky for me.
Blue witha black guard looks so good 👍
Both sound great guitars, but if I had a choice I would go for the neck pup in the vintners and the bridge pup in the CV50s
Black star clean impressed me I thought they couldn't get clean clean they great Amos I've heard
Ive never played a Tele, but I kept watching because I loved all the bits you kept playing. The blue one is obviously better, but the white one would be a great beginner guitar. Have you ever played a schecter? Ive preordered the solo 2 custom in the aged black satin finish. Be here in Sept. Anyhow, nice to see ya today man, good shootout with the teles😁
I've never owned any Schecter, but I've played a few. Nice guitars. The Solo 2 looks great. I would go for the gloss natural myself, but yeah, it looks great. A bit heavy for me though.
I used to have a CV50's and now Im getting a Modified 50's Tele. The Squier is great, sounds very good. But for me is the thin neck that I dont like and the reason I sold it back then and that I havent grabbed one again. The Fender has that thick neck that I like, plus the pickups that come in the Vintera I know them well and like them very much, is what I want on a Tele. The broadcaster on the bridge and twisted on the neck suits me perfectly. Also the satin neck is something I like as well. The brass saddles and better tuners, also a plus.
I actually used to have an American Original 50's. Such a great tele but disliked the sticky neck (there is somethig weird about the nitro of Fender usa, other fender had the same thing) and very small frets. the pickups were great but, very vintage tele, but myself is not the sounds por voice i looking for. So actually for me is the fender vintera modified is cheap compared to the american original. like half the price.
But if you like the CV neck ,then yeah, is hard not to go for that one. I would mod it myself, but the good thing of the fender vintera modified is that I need no mods on that guitar.
I’ve got the CV and upgraded the pots, switch & jack and also put some brass saddles on it and now it’s my favourite guitar and is also the cheapest I have. It’s on par with and in some ways better than my Mexican Fender.
Good way to do it.
As much as I like squier budget guitars I like the sound of the fender...blows my mind how the presence of the pick ups sound
I hear you. The Squier CV is a good deal, but yes felt it too. Everyone will have a different opinion. It's important to go with what works for you!
I don't have a ton of guitars, but what I've always done is that I take a simple used Squier Classic Vibe, which is not very expensive, and modify it myself. By changing the nut, pickups, and pickguard, in the end, it's worth it because even if it raises the bill by $400 or whatever, I end up with an instrument that is well set up, well finished, and well upgraded. After that, it depends on what you're looking for. Some people don't want to modify it; they want to buy a guitar, and that's it for them. I would recommend getting a Fender and sticking with that
That works! I'd leave the pickguard but add tuners (for ease, not tuning stability), bridge, and electronics. A 4-way switch is a huge plus. I never knew how much it added until I did it. Makes an already versatile guitar more versatile.
I also personally like the pickups on the Squier CV. Great classic Tele sound IMHO, so I would probably leave them.
@@MarkZabel And the trick is to buy as much as possible second-hand because you can get really good deals, and I'm aware that it's not a solution that works for everyone, but for me, taking a guitar that's originally cheap and changing all the important parts for me has proven to be profitable, especially if I do it myself, which means that afterwards I end up with two Squiers that are absolutely awesome in terms of setup and hardware, for the same price, I would have had something worse because I would have paid the 'brand tax’ .
As someone who is a satisfied owner of an Affinity Telecaster they both sound pretty darn good to me. The Fender is a touch cleaner but not by much. If play with the gain up I'm not sure you could tell the difference.
Cool ... and yes, with a bunch of gain it doesn't much matter. Neither of these guitars are meant for that though. Charvel (a Fender company) makes some very good guitars meant for high gain and with all the "shred style" features like a compound radius neck, rounded heel joint, locking tuners and so forth. Pretty well-priced I think.
Great sounds, sir! I'm starting to study country guitar and next month I'll go to find one classic vibe 50: on clean bridge position sounds very better than Vintera. Thanks!
Thanks! I prefer the Vintera myself, but the CV is a fine guitar too. Whatever works for you!
Classi vibe is my choice..scotch bright on the back of the neck and new tuners plus maybe brass saddles and its a winner..thats what i did
To my ear the Fender Tele has the edge all the way, not that the Squier is in anyway a bad guitar (especially for the money). Somehow the Fender plays better and just sounds spot on in every way.
They sound very similiar, but the Vintera has a power option in the switch! Great sound!
It does!
Great video, Mark - thanks for sharing! Nice playing, I thought the Fender pickups sounded really cheap and not as clear as Teles usually are.
Thanks! Interesting. Funny thing is that those pickups are among the most expensive Fender makes. Personally I like them, but the main reasons I like the Vintera are the neck, bridge, switching options and overall craftsmanship. Spend $250 on your favorite pickups and a solid body guitar will sound as you like it.
@@MarkZabel my first electric I ever bought as a kid was a 1989 Squier Strat. I fitted it with DiMarzio Super Distortion humbuckers in bridge and neck and it totally transformed it!
As I am just learning and will never gig with my guitar I’m going to have to go with the Classic Vibe. Maybe down the road, if my playing gets to a much higher level, I will be able to justify to myself the cost of that sweet Fender but I’m not there yet. I have a Classic Vibe 50’s Strat and I love it.
Hey! Buy some parts and throw together your own personalized tele. I’m a super fan of the original 52 telecaster pickups. I have 4 teles I’ve built with them. The squier is great. How much do you play? Are you jamming with friends? Gigging? If you care about the fender logo buy a fender neck and slap it on your squier. I’ve done that. The Vintera s are great sounding and playing too. As for the 3 saddle bridge intonation , it’s fine . I’ve used both 3 and 6 saddle bridges. They both work. My most recent build is a 75th anniversary diamond metallic with a player neck, 52 original pickups with a Wilkinson compensated 3 saddle bridge. Amazing! Cost me like $750 to put together. There you have it . Play on! Oh yeah, new tele has the four way switching. Very nice. The s 1 out of phase sounds are just weird.
Thanks for your comments Thomas!
@@MarkZabel my first tele was a mid 90’s Mexican made. Purchased for $325 . Very nice. Traded it for a Japanese made strat after a short period . Also very nice. I was heavy into strats at the time. Then les Paul’s . Then built my first tele with a really nice red transparent mahogany quilt top body from rock audio. All other parts were fender. It’s a keeper . Mahogany body, 52 original pickups , American six saddle bridge , Mexican made modern c neck. Came together nicely as a stand out instrument. After that my only fender made tele is the Broadcaster anniversary model. Had to have it , ya know. All teles are GREAT ! As long as you play them 😁👍
Gorgeous presentation
Thank you! Cheers!
I have a Tele performer series, American made Yosemite pick-up’s and came with the 3 barrel bridge, which l changed to Gohto compensated 3 barrel brass bridge. The fender barrels were brass but had no intonation compensation or string guides. This was a great improvement. This guitar sold in the neighborhood of $1400.00 so it is even more than $600.00 than the squire. But if you want a guitar with quality and holds its value and probably in the future gain value. I will go American all the way. All my guitars acoustic and electric are USA made.
I'm really impressed of the Squier Classic Vibe, and I actually prefer the glossy neck over satin. The pickups are really nice too as is the sound in general. Hardware is not especially nice, but perfectly acceptable for a 400€ guitar. Impressive.
Agree. The Squier CV is a good guitar. If one *does* prefer satin, it's a 2-minute job to do it with a 3M Scotch-brite pad.
They wear out patch marks from fingers those necks but I like worn look especially if its worn by you nothing wrong with a square and they thief proof
j ai toujours decidé d acheter les telecaster et stratocaster de la serie classic vibe parce que ca me plait de faire une mise a niveau avec les accessoirs que j ais choisi , ainsi j ai a chaque fois des instruments de qualité professionnel pour bien moins cher qu une Fender mexicaine , et equipé au top , avec ce que j ai choisi , et pourtant j ai toujours eu le budget pour acheter des Fender americaine , mais pour moi l esprit de la telecaster ce n est pas une custom shop a 4 ou 5000 dollars , c est justement cette Classic vibe , guitare accessible a tous comme l a creer Leo en 1950 , une guitare pas cher , ultra simple , et que l on peu bricoler tyrers facillement .
I have 3 Squires and play all three. Love em. I did take off the gloss finion the neck. Plays much easier
Great! Glad you like your Squiers!
Hello, i'm a beginner player and just got a CV 50s Tele as my first guitar. How did you take off the gloss on the neck? Did you leave some finish on or have the entire thing off?
I own a vintera Tele and a classic vibe strat and I love both them, although I have to admit that I enjoy playing and the sounds of the vintera more. Now I can't tell if I'm a Tele guy or my strat just sounds worse because of the price difference. I would love it if you could make the same kind of video for the strat versions !
Maybe I'll do that. I have an American Standard Strat. I wouldn't change that. They don't make them any more, but I don't have the cash or inclination to buy the "American Professional" at $1,500. But I might be able to swing the Squier Classic Vibe Strat. Do you think '50s, '60s, or '70s would be the right comparison?
@@MarkZabel I don't really know which model would be the best for comparison but i personally would like if you did it with the 50s Classic Vibe since its the one i have :). Im sure that if you get her you won't regret it, especially for the price she is going at. She's also a very beatiful instrument which is always a plus.
Awesome play!! Each has different tone even perfectly the same model. In this case dirty tone on CV is better to my ears. In my case I prefer my Fender 60s strato tone to CV 60s.
Cool, thanks!
I was listening blind. Everytime I liked and looked, the Fender was the guitar you were playing!
There you go! Of course I might not know how to play the Squier! 😀
Seriously, I like the Squier CV and recommend it for people who just don't want to pay ... or wait as the case may be. But yes, add the build quality and extra tones and I know the best choice for me and probably you too.
I bet you never thought I'd be a Fender man, eh? 😀
Nice video :)
Glad you enjoyed it
Nice playing on both. I feel like playing .
Thanks!
Hi Mark.
I have a Mex 60s Baja with the same controls as the Vintera that I love. But when you played the Keef licks I got an idea of purchase i Square CV and just use it for open g and slide. To get even more Stones vibe, put a humbecker in the neck position. The CV is already routed for that. Any thougts of that?
Greetings from Sweden and thanks for a very informative and good comparison. 🙏
Sounds like a great idea! A friend of mine had a CV with a Seymour Duncan mini humbucker in the neck - totally rocked.
@@MarkZabel Thanks for your comment Mark and keep on your good work.
You deserve more subs
Thanks so much! I appreciate it!!
Mark, thanks,
If you were to simply replace pickup on squier with the one on the vintera, and probably replace the bridge as well, besides build quality clearly being inferior, would these guitars sound more or less the same?
I believe so. I think that's mostly true about any solid-body guitar. Put in the pickups you want, adjust them to the height you want and that's the bulk of the sound (not counting strings, amp, and the way you play of course!)
Hi mark. Planning to get the 50s cv tele. What upgrades do you recommend to make it better besides from the PUPs?
I actually love the pickups, so I personally would leave them stock. Better tuning machines (won't hold tune better, but will be much more comfortable) and maybe brass saddles. I also like 4-way switching on a Tele, so I would do that mod as well.
hi sir mark what song did you get the riff for at 8:50 for the clean sounds?
Hi! I'm sorry, I'm not sure what I adapted it from.
Both are great guitars. Played them both at the guitar shop. The Vintera's sound is more pleasant for my ears (I avoid the term "better") and if I must chose between these two, I would go with the Squire and put Vintera pickups :D 'cause I like 9.5" fretboards. I bought a MIM strat and switched the picks to Vintara 60s, sound better.
But I guess I will buy a Larry Carlton T7 FR.
Great review Mark. Seriously, my ears can tell no difference between the two guitars. I must be easy to please. LOL...
LOL! Well, being easy to please is part of having a happy life! Thanks for watching!
excelent video!!!!!!!!!!! greeting from Peru!!!!! I have the classic vibe 50's and tone its great... just to mention that I saw the fender website and its says that most of the classica vibe telecastes comes from alnico 2. but in the video says pick ups comes with alnico 3...!! how do i know which one its right?
Thanks! If I remember correctly, the Vintera has one pickup that's Alnico II and one that's Alnico III.
Thank you fot this comparison that definetly make my buy a Vintera 50 mod Telecaster! For me the extras, especially neck profile and CS pickups, worth the extra cost... Too bad they don't make it anymore in butterscotch blonde colour, however that daphne blue is cool too :). The Squier CV remains a very good option for his cost and could probably reach the Vintera quality with some upgrades in hardware and lutherie, although I believe that the Fender logo contributes in improving the general sensations that we feel embracing a guitar! ;)
You're welcome. Thanks for watching and for the kind comment!
If you played a gig, literally no one in the audience could tell the difference between the two. Good guitar players will make either guitar sound great. But having the true iconic Fender or Gibson head stock means a lot to the player and other guitar players. It's worth the extra money to me and I have quite a few guitars on the wall. Great playing in the video, Mark.
Thanks! Yes, I agree ... except a few guitarists who were in the audience ... would see the sticker and say "that guitar sucks." LOL! The Squier is a good instrument. If you buy the Fender (or a more expensive one even) you should buy it because you really will get more enjoyment out of it. It's definitely a better built instrument, but yes, no one listening would care.
I agree I have a strat classic vibe 50s it ok but it is wonkie and buzzes alot. I’ve adjusted the truss rod etc but it’s never perfect
i prefer the Fender Tele. Just something in the fullness & warmth speaks to me.
Me too, but the Classic Vibe sounds great (IMHO) too. Thinner certainly.
Something else that matters to some is resale value. I have a 1994 Fender MIM PBass. I gave $125 for it several years ago. The day after I bought it, I was offered what it cost nee in 94. I still have it but I'm offered $$ for it regularly. The Squier isn't going to hold the value like that. That doesn't matter to everyone, but to many it does. Just like my Jeep Wrangler and Harley. If I ever sell, I know I'll come out on top.
Yes, that's true. The Fender sticker means something today ... 10 years from now, not 100% sure. But definitely true today.
When all is said and done, go for the real thing especially if you are a gigging guitarist, I have three 1979 Les Paul deluxes and gigging with them to this day, I have never even had to take the truss rod covers off of those guitars ! I sold a grotty strat full of 60 buzz way back, when Id spent the extra dollars on the Les Pauls I never looked back, it's stupid to purchase cheap guitars and then spend lots of dollars modifying the dopey things, spend the extra, your audiences will love to listen to what you are doing and you will feel great and produce great music by having a decent guitar on your shoulders
I love ❤️ that classic vibe the best , I want one. 😊
I like both I can tell the difference between them but its not enough to make me pay the extra money but both are very good sounding guitars
You do a good review I got square mustang sounds good I did put #10 strings on I will get another squire maybe a paranormal
Thanks!
I'd like to see the same comparison between the 50"s modified v an American tele if thTs possible ?
I can't do it, because I don't have the guitars you're talking about. But it's a good idea.
Thanks. Today I watched several Squier Tele reviews and fully expected to NOT hear that much difference between the two -- certainly not enough to justify $600+. However, aside from the better neck (subjective) and tuners on the Vintera, the sound, in every case, was just fuller, richer, and punchier from the Vintera.
Now, depending on one's needs, I could see where the Squier would be just fine. And if the difference had been in the thousands, vs hundreds, I could definitely see leaning towards the Squier. But as you said, over the course of years, decades, or a lifetime, the Vintera seems to justify the cost because it brings the best bang for the buck to the table. (Although I could probably live without the extra switch on the vol control.) Just my 2 cents.
It makes sense. It's definitely a personal decision based on cash availability, needs, and so forth.
@@MarkZabel 💯 And skill set. I think too often some people think getting a better guitar is going to make them better. It's an illusion. OTOH, I've heard Justin Johnson play a 3 string shovel guitar that will blow away a lot of other guitars and guitar players, because he's a real artist. Still, if a guitar has action that's suited for slide, and the tuners won't stay in tune, then that's different. But the Squier is a fine guitar. It's just that the Vintera is more refined.
low end punch in the fender is nice!!!
I would be happy with any of these even if the Fender wins. Nice playing and video. 👌
Thanks, and I agree!
The fender sounds more rich and complex. Love my Machias. Squire is worthy and in the family...
Great vid ! Where did you get the bridge spec (a2 a3 mix and overwound) I can’t find anything, just A3 vintage style on every site, no output specs either. Just sold a cv, for a this Daphne vintera mod. Quality of cv is outstanding for the money, or maybe the fender is overpriced ? It was the neck for me on vintera mod, great shape and the satin is sooo nice. The player was really good, in between price, but a modern not vintage appointments.
Thanks! I'm not sure where I found that spec. Maybe it was watching a Vintera video from Fender. Wish I could remember, but I don't. Sorry. Thanks for watching!
@@MarkZabel Thinking about it, the standard vintera had A3 bridge and a2 neck. Anyhow, a great comparison video, thanks.
I have a Squire affinity ...less than 300 bucks. I put locking tuners ,a new bridge a Graphtec nut, and a good set up and I'll put that up against a fender anyday.
I like the CV on all the tones.
Thanks for your comment! Interesting. It's definitely more treble ... one man's "ice pick" is another man's "cuts through the mix". I like the CV tones too, but not as much.
The Fender has a bit more mid and treble presence, and the extra wiring variations are all usable sounds. I get your preference
Both are totally usable guitars for sure. For me, the extra spend is worth it. Not for everyone though, I'm sure.