Squier Classic Vibe or SX Strat?

[rolilohse]

In a recent GAS attack I noticed that there is a lack of Strats in my household. So to put things right I must buy one and decide between one of these:

- Squier Classic Vibe:



Here in Germany they are € 300. They are very decent looking , seem to be well made and obviously they sound fairly good.

- SX Strat:



They are € 115 incl. shipping here in Europe. Other than the ones Rondo sells they have a headstock that is pretty close to the Fender ones. I would mod this Strat heavily: New tuners, pickups, electronics, nut, and so on. Recently I made all these mods to my SX Tele (Kluson tuner, Fender CS Nocasters, bone nut, Alpha pots, Mallory caps) and the Tele turned to be a really great guitar - not only for the money.

With all these mods the SX will be € 250 - not a big difference to the Squier. The question is: Can a SX be modded in that way that it sounds as good or even better than a CV?

Here are the pros and cons of each instrument (from my point of view):

Squier (unmodded):

- Good guitar [+]
- A little pricier than SX [-]
- Ugly pickguard on the 60's [-]


SX (modded):

- Nice neck shape (baseball) [+]
- Having much fun modding the guitar [+]
- Kind of custom made [+]
- Sound [?-]

So what shall I do?

Roland

[jmaul]

I haven't played an SX, but the CV neck shape felt FANTASTIC to me. It was pretty much identical to my MIJ '62 RI other than the fretboard contour and fret size.

I'd vote for the CV. Personally, I'd take a tortoise guard over a mint any day. Also, I think the resale would be much easier/better priced on a CV if you ever ended up going down that road.

The only negs I can give the CV:
- new strings to 10's (do the nut while you are at it)
- trem block is pitiful and could stand an upgrade.

Both of these would be true with the SX as well.

[Faraldi]

I own a CV tele and an SX Tele that I tried to upgrade to make it better.

Get the CV strat and you will NEVER be sorry about that decision.

[Goluphi]

Never played the SX, but I really dig the Classic Vibe Strats I've played!

[Stuco]

Get the CV. SX's are nice for the money, but it will never be as good as the squier is out of the box. I've owned both btw.

[fadingcaptain]

Depends on the neck you want, also. What are the specs on the Squier neck?
I think the Squier also has alnico pups, which I would upgrade for the SX.

[saladin]

SX without question + you get the proper headstock in Europe!

[bullitt]

Played a CV Strat and it was awesome,but your choice.

[rattus77]

Get the CV its far superior than the SX. I own an CV 60S changed the pickgaurd to a parchment. Great neck pups etc you wont regret buying it.

[rhh7]

I would get the Classic Vibe. If you want to mod a cheaper Strat, the Squier Bullet is a better platform than the SX, IMO.

[Steve G]

CV!! by far.

[KevinV]

Another vote for the CV. I've got the 50's model and it's great. It's staying stock too...nothing needs messed with on this thing.

[flyingbanana]

CV CV CV

The only neg thing I've read about it is...was there anything neg about it?

Oh yeah, like someone above said...better resale value, better pickups by far (cv 50's has alnico III, 60's has alnico 5's) and killer deal for 349 bucks.

[Will Chen]

Personally, I prefer the SX chunky neck profile to anything Squier puts out and even a great many Fenders. Is it a better quality guitar than the Squier CV. No. But it all comes down to the neck for me and SX makes some great feeling necks IMHO. I have an Sx SST57 Stop Tail which is dead stock and I love that little guy!

[Telepatio]

Another vote for the CV 50's. Great guitar.