Squier Vint. Thinline Mod'd 'F'-HOLE? 2 KINDS?

tonetime · June 14th, 2008, 06:27 AM

I've found pictures that show this guitar with two different types of 'F'-hole.

Which is the one on the market?... BOTH? Are there different batches of each? Which kind does everyone seem to have? I kind of prefer the older style Hole from the '69 version.

I'd like to get this Squier, but I want to know what I"m getting if I order off the Net. MF shows BOTH versions of the 'F'-Hole in their pictures above. Will the real one please stand up...

Anyone know the story behind this?

tonetime · June 14th, 2008, 06:32 AM

Another with the 'modified' F-Hole...

I've also seen pictures of the Black ones with both kinds of Hole.

Very strange...

beep.click · June 14th, 2008, 08:16 AM

FWIW -- Mine has the rounded holes (rather than the elongated ones). Bought it about a year ago.

jwells393 · June 14th, 2008, 09:46 AM

Don't have a clear answer for you. Before they came out with the Vintage Modified Thinline, all Squier semi-hollow Telecasters had a different F-hole design. At the time I thought it was to distinguish Squiers from Fenders.

When the Vintage Modified Thinline first came out we saw the stock photo of the Shoreline Gold guitar with the Fender F-hole. Other colors had the Squier F-hole. At the time I thought the one with the Fender hole was a prototype and that production models had the Squier hole. Then I started to see a few of the Shoreline Gold guitars with the Fender hole for sale and a couple of members here posted pictures of their Shoreline Gold Thinlines with the Fender hole.

Here's my theory.............. Initially a limited number of guitars were mistakenly built with the Fender F-hole. When Fender realized this they ordered the change. I think any newly manufactured Vintage Modified Thinline is going to have the Squier F-hole.

The only way you can be assured you're getting the guitar with the Fender F-hole is to see a picture of the actual guitar you are buying. Can't do that with a large company like Musician's Friend.

I recently broke my "buy no more guitars" rule when I saw one on eBay with the Fender F-hole.

......

drgonzo2 · June 14th, 2008, 10:13 AM

I agree with Jack. My shoreline gold example came from the first batch into the UK, and has the Fender f-hole. I'm glad it is now, as the squier f-hole leaves me cold...

... G

jwells393 · June 14th, 2008, 10:38 AM

The Fender F-hole is a very elegant design and is without a doubt the best looking F-hole on any guitar and compliments the Telecaster perfectly.

One of the worst F-hole designs is on the G&L ASAT. It appears they designed it so as to eliminate the need to stock another pickguard......... unbelievably bad design.

......

......but as bad as that is they've even done something worse.

.....

tonetime · June 15th, 2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

The Fender F-hole is a very elegant design and is without a doubt the best looking F-hole on any guitar and compliments the Telecaster perfectly.

One of the worst F-hole designs is on the G&L ASAT. It appears they designed it so as to eliminate the need to stock another pickguard......... unbelievably bad design.

......

......but as bad as that is they've even done something worse.

.....

Thanks for the info, everyone...

They should have just stuck with the Fender '69 soundhole.

As strange as the Strat looks with the F-hole, I'd like to see Fender or Squier put one on the Jazzmaster/Jag body.

jwells393 · June 15th, 2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

I'd like to see Fender or Squier put one on the Jazzmaster/Jag body.

That could actually work...... even without a pickguard change although a slight pickguard modification might look better.

......

TELE_BLUES · June 15th, 2008, 08:55 PM

Semi hollow jazz or jag,i like that idea.I have great birdeye/rosewood a24-3/4" scale strat neck doing nothing hmmm

TG · June 16th, 2008, 12:13 PM

I've just ordered one from Thomann. It'll presumably have the Squier-style hole, but I'm getting a black one so it doesn't really matter.

tonetime · June 16th, 2008, 03:18 PM

Nice Jag/Jazzster renderings. I think it would defintely work with those models.

Found a few more of the ShoreGold teles (below) that don't look too bad with the Squier soundhole, especially if not compared directly to the older Roger Rossmeisl design. I think I could live with either one at this point, or get one of each in the Gold, and either one in Black (put a black pickguard on the black one for that late '70s Fender look). They're cheap enough to own more than one.

Did Roger Rossmeisl design the '72 thinline? It doesn't look like something he had a direct hand in.

alexpigment · June 16th, 2008, 06:57 PM

jwells: your jazzmaster mockup made me just shed a tear. i'm speechless. can you build one of those for me???!?!!?!?!!

The_Mickster · June 19th, 2008, 09:02 PM

I just purchased a freshly stocked Squier VMT Thinline (Crafted in China) from my local Fender dealer. It has the elongated style of f-hole. The serial number is CY0803XXXX. I wonder if comparing serial numbers might shed more light on this f-hole design mystery?

Mick

jwells393 · June 19th, 2008, 09:22 PM

Mine with the Fender style F-hole has a CY0705XXXX serial number.

Edit: Corrected serial number mistake.

drgonzo2 · June 19th, 2008, 09:26 PM

CY0706XXXX here, Fender f-holes. Perhaps it's a production difference between factories?

... G

beep.click · June 19th, 2008, 10:15 PM

FWIW:

cy0703xxxx -- "modified" (rounded) f-holes

JDRNoPro · June 19th, 2008, 11:29 PM

I read this thread a couple of days ago and it piqued my interest as I have had some thoughts about building/adding a thinline to the herd........

Had a meeting out of town today that provided an opportunity to peruse a couple of shops after I got done, and lo and behold one had a new shoreline gold Squier thinline. Looked and felt pretty nice but I really didn't have time to plug it in and play it. Noticed it had the Fender style elongated F hole, though - hmmm.............

Some questions:

- How are the electronics on these vintage modified Squiers, i.e., are the stock pickups any good? Anyone know what type of pots & switch?

- If I remember correctly, these have a shorter 24.75" scale vs. the standard 25.5". Would a standard length fender neck bolt on, if one wanted to switch to maple at some point? I realize that the intonation would be off, but unless I'm mistaken the saddles should only have to be moved back around a quarter of an inch or thereabouts to compensate for the overall longer neck/scale length. Is there that much adjustment available with the stock bridge/saddle setup?

- Anyone know if this Squier thinline body is true to Fender thinline dimensions?

Shop had it marked $279, which I think is the standard "street" price. I have to go back there again next week and may need to take a closer look.

Thanks.

Jim

jwells393 · June 20th, 2008, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Would a standard length fender neck bolt on, if one wanted to switch to maple at some point?

I think it would. I think this was covered in a Tele-Tech thread. Think Crowden did the neck switch.

JDRNoPro · June 20th, 2008, 04:14 AM

Thanks, Jack - I'll search that.

Jim

tonetime · July 16th, 2008, 02:05 PM

So I got around to picking up one of these off Ebay - a listing with a picture of the actual guitar. I opted for one with the Rossmeisl F-hole.

Nice axe, very happy with it for the price. I tend not to do mods on guitars beyond pickguards or knobs, but this one doesn't need anything done. Would have liked a glossy neck. Also wish the inside wasn't painted black, since I like the wood-grain and aroma to be in there. The rosewood board is fairly light in color, not as dark as in the pictures.

Now they just have to put out a '60s Vibe or SSH with a rosewood board, which I'm partial to. Thanks, Squier!

jwells393 · July 16th, 2008, 03:32 PM

Tonetime............ welcome to the VMT Rossmeisl F-hole Club. If you get chance, could you post a picture of the underside of the control plate. I bought mine on eBay and the in the listing the seller said he swapped the pickups. I'm wondering if my switch and pots are stock.

tonetime · July 18th, 2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

Tonetime............ welcome to the VMT Rossmeisl F-hole Club. If you get chance, could you post a picture of the underside of the control plate. I bought mine on eBay and the in the listing the seller said he swapped the pickups. I'm wondering if my switch and pots are stock.

Hey Jwells,

I did get your requested look under the gearshift - didn't remove the strings, so only got a little lift on the guard. Color of the rubbery tip parts by the pots is a dark jade green, which doesn't show up in the photo well.

I wouldn't be surprised if this Tele model is being made using disparate parts within it at different plants, seeing as they've got the 2 F-Holes going already. So what's stock on yours could be different on mine.

orly · September 19th, 2008, 08:37 AM

Got mine today from Thomann with Fender's f-hole

Perfect action out of the box.

June 14th, 2008, 06:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
tonetime TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NC Posts: 29	Squier Vint. Thinline Mod'd 'F'-HOLE? 2 KINDS? I've found pictures that show this guitar with two different types of 'F'-hole. Which is the one on the market?... BOTH? Are there different batches of each? Which kind does everyone seem to have? I kind of prefer the older style Hole from the '69 version. I'd like to get this Squier, but I want to know what I"m getting if I order off the Net. MF shows BOTH versions of the 'F'-Hole in their pictures above. Will the real one please stand up... Anyone know the story behind this?

June 14th, 2008, 08:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
beep.click Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 1,966	FWIW -- Mine has the rounded holes (rather than the elongated ones). Bought it about a year ago. __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

June 14th, 2008, 09:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,242 101 Photos	Don't have a clear answer for you. Before they came out with the Vintage Modified Thinline, all Squier semi-hollow Telecasters had a different F-hole design. At the time I thought it was to distinguish Squiers from Fenders. When the Vintage Modified Thinline first came out we saw the stock photo of the Shoreline Gold guitar with the Fender F-hole. Other colors had the Squier F-hole. At the time I thought the one with the Fender hole was a prototype and that production models had the Squier hole. Then I started to see a few of the Shoreline Gold guitars with the Fender hole for sale and a couple of members here posted pictures of their Shoreline Gold Thinlines with the Fender hole. Here's my theory.............. Initially a limited number of guitars were mistakenly built with the Fender F-hole. When Fender realized this they ordered the change. I think any newly manufactured Vintage Modified Thinline is going to have the Squier F-hole. The only way you can be assured you're getting the guitar with the Fender F-hole is to see a picture of the actual guitar you are buying. Can't do that with a large company like Musician's Friend. I recently broke my "buy no more guitars" rule when I saw one on eBay with the Fender F-hole. ...... __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

June 14th, 2008, 10:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,242 101 Photos	The Fender F-hole is a very elegant design and is without a doubt the best looking F-hole on any guitar and compliments the Telecaster perfectly. One of the worst F-hole designs is on the G&L ASAT. It appears they designed it so as to eliminate the need to stock another pickguard......... unbelievably bad design. ...... ......but as bad as that is they've even done something worse. ..... __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

June 16th, 2008, 06:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
alexpigment Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin TX Posts: 333	jwells: your jazzmaster mockup made me just shed a tear. i'm speechless. can you build one of those for me???!?!!?!?!! __________________ 72 Tele Deluxe RI walnut, Powerhouse Strat LPB, Palomino V32, Pathfinder 15

June 14th, 2008, 06:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
tonetime TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NC Posts: 29	Another with the 'modified' F-Hole... I've also seen pictures of the Black ones with both kinds of Hole. Very strange...

June 14th, 2008, 10:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
drgonzo2 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Daventry, U.K. Age: 34 Posts: 34	I agree with Jack. My shoreline gold example came from the first batch into the UK, and has the Fender f-hole. I'm glad it is now, as the squier f-hole leaves me cold... ... G

June 15th, 2008, 08:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
TELE_BLUES Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: ROCKCHESTER,NEW YORK Posts: 464 34 Photos	Semi hollow jazz or jag,i like that idea.I have great birdeye/rosewood a24-3/4" scale strat neck doing nothing hmmm

June 16th, 2008, 12:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
TG Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Beside a bog in the west of Ireland Age: 47 Posts: 4,486 7 Photos	I've just ordered one from Thomann. It'll presumably have the Squier-style hole, but I'm getting a black one so it doesn't really matter.

June 16th, 2008, 03:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
tonetime TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NC Posts: 29	Nice Jag/Jazzster renderings. I think it would defintely work with those models. Found a few more of the ShoreGold teles (below) that don't look too bad with the Squier soundhole, especially if not compared directly to the older Roger Rossmeisl design. I think I could live with either one at this point, or get one of each in the Gold, and either one in Black (put a black pickguard on the black one for that late '70s Fender look). They're cheap enough to own more than one. Did Roger Rossmeisl design the '72 thinline? It doesn't look like something he had a direct hand in.

June 19th, 2008, 09:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
The_Mickster NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 2	I just purchased a freshly stocked Squier VMT Thinline (Crafted in China) from my local Fender dealer. It has the elongated style of f-hole. The serial number is CY0803XXXX. I wonder if comparing serial numbers might shed more light on this f-hole design mystery? Mick Last edited by The_Mickster; June 20th, 2008 at 04:06 PM.

June 19th, 2008, 09:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,242 101 Photos	Mine with the Fender style F-hole has a CY0705XXXX serial number. Edit: Corrected serial number mistake. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

June 19th, 2008, 09:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
drgonzo2 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Daventry, U.K. Age: 34 Posts: 34	CY0706XXXX here, Fender f-holes. Perhaps it's a production difference between factories? ... G

June 19th, 2008, 10:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
beep.click Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 1,966	FWIW: cy0703xxxx -- "modified" (rounded) f-holes __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

June 19th, 2008, 11:29 PM	#17 (permalink)
JDRNoPro Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Orrington, ME Age: 58 Posts: 431 1 Photos	I read this thread a couple of days ago and it piqued my interest as I have had some thoughts about building/adding a thinline to the herd........ Had a meeting out of town today that provided an opportunity to peruse a couple of shops after I got done, and lo and behold one had a new shoreline gold Squier thinline. Looked and felt pretty nice but I really didn't have time to plug it in and play it. Noticed it had the Fender style elongated F hole, though - hmmm............. Some questions: - How are the electronics on these vintage modified Squiers, i.e., are the stock pickups any good? Anyone know what type of pots & switch? - If I remember correctly, these have a shorter 24.75" scale vs. the standard 25.5". Would a standard length fender neck bolt on, if one wanted to switch to maple at some point? I realize that the intonation would be off, but unless I'm mistaken the saddles should only have to be moved back around a quarter of an inch or thereabouts to compensate for the overall longer neck/scale length. Is there that much adjustment available with the stock bridge/saddle setup? - Anyone know if this Squier thinline body is true to Fender thinline dimensions? Shop had it marked $279, which I think is the standard "street" price. I have to go back there again next week and may need to take a closer look. Thanks. Jim __________________ Reflection upon my playing is a reminder to keep my regular job..........pays better but not nearly as enjoyable!!

June 20th, 2008, 04:14 AM	#19 (permalink)
JDRNoPro Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Orrington, ME Age: 58 Posts: 431 1 Photos	Thanks, Jack - I'll search that. Jim __________________ Reflection upon my playing is a reminder to keep my regular job..........pays better but not nearly as enjoyable!!

July 16th, 2008, 02:05 PM	#20 (permalink)
tonetime TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NC Posts: 29	So I got around to picking up one of these off Ebay - a listing with a picture of the actual guitar. I opted for one with the Rossmeisl F-hole. Nice axe, very happy with it for the price. I tend not to do mods on guitars beyond pickguards or knobs, but this one doesn't need anything done. Would have liked a glossy neck. Also wish the inside wasn't painted black, since I like the wood-grain and aroma to be in there. The rosewood board is fairly light in color, not as dark as in the pictures. Now they just have to put out a '60s Vibe or SSH with a rosewood board, which I'm partial to. Thanks, Squier!

July 16th, 2008, 03:32 PM	#21 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,242 101 Photos	Tonetime............ welcome to the VMT Rossmeisl F-hole Club. If you get chance, could you post a picture of the underside of the control plate. I bought mine on eBay and the in the listing the seller said he swapped the pickups. I'm wondering if my switch and pots are stock. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

September 19th, 2008, 08:37 AM	#23 (permalink)
orly NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: France Age: 30 Posts: 5	Got mine today from Thomann with Fender's f-hole Perfect action out of the box.