50's Classic MIM vs 50's Classic Vibe Squier

[Mark Davis]

Ive owned 2 50's Classic MIM's and 1 50's Classic Esquire all were great instruments. Here is how I compare these to the new 50's Classic Vibe Squier


Price 50's Classic MIM $700 with gigbag
50's Classic Vibe Squier $300 no bag or case

To make for less typing Im gonna call the Squier the CV for Classic Vibe and the 50's Classic MIM the MIM.

The CV is made in China the MIM is made in Mexico.

Tuners feel the same to me I know the MIM uses pings and Im assuming the CV uses pings too as they are also made in china.

Neck Both have a nice amber timt that simulates the look of an old Tele. MIM adjusts at the heel CV adjusts at the headstock

My MIM's were around .880-.900 at the nut the CV feels like its about .820-850 at the nut and the neck doesnt taper much.

MIM U shaped neck
CV C shaped neck

MIM polyester finish on the neck was thicker than the polyester on the CV.

Frets MIM Vintage sized frets CV Gibson sized frets lower and wider than the vintage style

Radius MIM 7.25 CV 9.5

Body MIM Ash white blonde finish on early models got darker around 2001-2 the CV is Vintage Blonde.and is a Pine body

Both use polyester the CV has a thinner finish.

MIM vintage style routes
CV Humbucker in the neck

Both use the 5 hole pickguard MIM is white CV is black

Pickups Single coil vintage style the MIM doesnt have a baseplate on the bridge pickup the CV has a baseplate like the old Teles.

The CV has a hotter fuller sounding bridge pickup than the MIM does which I always thought sounded sorta thin and harsh.

Not hearing much difference in the neck pickups both are real good not dark sounding.

Bridge MIM 3 saddle steel saddles CV 3 saddle brass saddles.

The CV bridge is void of any markings doesnt say Fender Squier or anything its plain the MIM looks more vintage with the shiny part on top and rougher near the bottom.

Knobs MIM domed easly 50's style CV flat mid 50's style.

You cant go wrong with either but the CV costing $300 new makes it the best bargin in the Fender lineup today.

Ask anyone here I WAS the biggest supporter of the 50's Classic MIM's from 1998 till 11 days ago when I got the CV Squier.

Even if they were the same price Id still get the CV its easier to play and the stock pickups sound better than the MIM.

[boris bubbanov]

Nice, straight shootin', a-political analysis.

Much obliged, doc.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Nice, straight shootin', a-political analysis.

Much obliged, doc.

Funny you said Doc cause thats my old handle when I ran a BBS system from 1982-1993 my BBS was The Clinic and I was Dr. Davis.

[Hiflyer]

Really exhaustive !!! Thanks.

[boris bubbanov]

If I can just get 4,000 posts some way, my Mom can tell everyone her son is a doctor.

I keep looking for these guitars in shops. I'm relieved in a sort of way that the neck is thin; I will have a guitar related reason not to buy (if 80 some guitars isn't enough not to buy more already.) .93 at the nut actually seems smaller to me.

[Spunky99]

Thanks Doc.....

That's how I like to see the reviews....no gushing like a schoolgirl...just straight factual comparison.
The technical differences don't make one Tele version better than another, just different.

Good one

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by Spunky99

Thanks Doc.....

That's how I like to see the reviews....no gushing like a schoolgirl...just straight factual comparison.
The technical differences don't make one Tele version better than another, just different.

Good one

Thanks Spunky I already did a gushing like a schoolgirl review a few days ago. LOL

[JamonHamon]

Mark...thanks so much...BUT now I have GAS!!!...

[Sidney Vicious]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Thanks Spunky I already did a gushing like a schoolgirl review a few days ago. LOL

Mark:

Great info. Some Q's:

Are the brass saddles and other bridge hardware the "same" in size, MIM to CV? I have run into small barrel brass saddles before and I wonder if the CV is similarly equiped.

Also, are the guitar dimensions the same? Will the MIM bridge plate etc fit on the CV?

[Controlo]

Originally Posted by Sidney Vicious

Mark:

Great info. Some Q's:

Are the brass saddles and other bridge hardware the "same" in size, MIM to CV? I have run into small barrel brass saddles before and I wonder if the CV is similarly equiped.

Also, are the guitar dimensions the same? Will the MIM bridge plate etc fit on the CV?

+1. is the hardware swappable?

the only thing i'm a little scared of is that the neck might be a little thin, width-wise. idk.

[e-merlin]

Looks like I'm still in the MIM camp. That 9.5" fretboard radius is a deal breaker.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by Sidney Vicious

Mark:

Great info. Some Q's:

Are the brass saddles and other bridge hardware the "same" in size, MIM to CV? I have run into small barrel brass saddles before and I wonder if the CV is similarly equiped.

Also, are the guitar dimensions the same? Will the MIM bridge plate etc fit on the CV?

The brass saddles do seem to be just a tad smaller around than 52ri brass saddles.

All the parts from a 50's Classic MIM or 52ri should fit without any probs at all.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by Controlo

+1. is the hardware swappable?

the only thing i'm a little scared of is that the neck might be a little thin, width-wise. idk.

The slightly thinner feel is the profile of the neck front to back not the width which feels fine and maybe even a little wider than the 50's MIM.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by e-merlin

Looks like I'm still in the MIM camp. That 9.5" fretboard radius is a deal breaker.

This really doesnt feel as flat as some 9.5 radius necks might feel cause the frets are so low it doesnt really feel any different to me than the 7.25 its super easy to play the easiest playing Tele Ive ever owned.

Try one in a store if you have the chance I bet these 9.5 wont bug ya cause I know exactly what you mean most 9.5's are a little harder to play around the first 3 frets this one isnt at all.

MY action is so low and the frets are low so just touching the strings makes them play no extra pressure needed to press them down.

[furrfurrfurr]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

The slightly thinner feel is the profile of the neck front to back not the width which feels fine and maybe even a little wider than the 50's MIM.

Mark,

would you recommend the CV over the 60's Classic?

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by furrfurrfurr

Mark,

would you recommend the CV over the 60's Classic?

No. Cause the 60's MIM sounds better stock.

But when you factor in the stupid low price of the CV it would be a hard choice but the 60's Classic MIM just sounds perfect to me.

Now if they make a 60's Classic Vibe Squier and its as good as the 50's Id have to buy one and see.

[furrfurrfurr]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

No. Cause the 60's MIM sounds better stock.

But when you factor in the stupid low price of the CV it would be a hard choice but the 60's Classic MIM just sounds perfect to me.

Now if they make a 60's Classic Vibe Squier and its as good as the 50's Id have to buy one and see.

thank you

[Controlo]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

The slightly thinner feel is the profile of the neck front to back not the width which feels fine and maybe even a little wider than the 50's MIM.

ok, sweet. thanks mark! i'm not even sure i'm into 'fatter feeling necks'

the neck on the baja that i played felt like a louisville slugger...

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by Controlo

ok, sweet. thanks mark! i'm not even sure i'm into 'fatter feeling necks'

the neck on the baja that i played felt like a louisville slugger...

The Bajas are a soft v this CV is a real c shaped neck which doesnt fill your hand so full like the Bajas and Nocasters and newer 52ri's.

The difference is in the shoulders of the neck more than the thickness its real rounded just like a C the other necks like the Nocaster are U shaped necks that have broader shoulders that really fill up your palm.

Its real easy to play in fact I can do stuff on it I cant do on my other guitars probably cause its got 9's and the action is so low its effortless to play. Its like Albert Kings Birthday party I can bend these strings to the moon! LOL

Your more than welcome to come over and try it out.

[lambchop]

Personally I prefer a vintage spec neck. So for me an MIM classic 50's neck on the Squier Classic Vibe body in theory should be perfect.

[Controlo]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

The Bajas are a soft v this CV is a real c shaped neck which doesnt fill your hand so full like the Bajas and Nocasters and newer 52ri's.

The difference is in the shoulders of the neck more than the thickness its real rounded just like a C the other necks like the Nocaster are U shaped necks that have broader shoulders that really fill up your palm.

Its real easy to play in fact I can do stuff on it I cant do on my other guitars probably cause its got 9's and the action is so low its effortless to play. Its like Albert Kings Birthday party I can bend these strings to the moon! LOL

Your more than welcome to come over and try it out.

thanks for all the info and the offer man. we should definitely meet up somewhere in the future. i'm sure i could learn a lot.

[Controlo]

btw. i remember when i had my '72 deluxe, i could bend the b string all the way up the bass. it was great!

[fernando]

thanks for that fantastic bias-free review, it's useful

[mistermullens]

Nice review, Mark. I got a fantastic Classic 50s Esquire about 3 weeks before the CV came out and I love it. I was curious as to how they compare. I haven't played a CV yet, but now having owned a lighter Tele, its going to be hard to go back. Isn't the general consensus that the CVs are heavy? Like 8lbs heavy? Also, is the finish on yours transparent like the Classic 50s?

[fernando]

what's the weight of your C 50s Esq ?

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by mistermullens

Nice review, Mark. I got a fantastic Classic 50s Esquire about 3 weeks before the CV came out and I love it. I was curious as to how they compare. I haven't played a CV yet, but now having owned a lighter Tele, its going to be hard to go back. Isn't the general consensus that the CVs are heavy? Like 8lbs heavy? Also, is the finish on yours transparent like the Classic 50s?

The 50's Classic MIM Esquire is awesome it has a little more solid feel than the CV and a bigger neck. The CV's seem to be around 8 lbs but they dont have a heaby unbalanced feel if that makes any sense.

My eyesight is too bad to see the grain here are the pics of mine if you can see some grain let me know cause I cant.

http://www.marcondo.com/marcondo/50'sVIBE/index.html

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

No. Cause the 60's MIM sounds better stock.

But when you factor in the stupid low price of the CV it would be a hard choice but the 60's Classic MIM just sounds perfect to me.

Now if they make a 60's Classic Vibe Squier and its as good as the 50's Id have to buy one and see.

Hey Mark, I'm glad to see that your love for the 60's Classic ain't gone ..... But you sure do your best to give me GAS for that Squier CV ..... Will you please stop now ?

[Scotland]

Looking at the back of the guitar I can see a fair amount of grain Mark.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

My eyesight is too bad to see the grain here are the pics of mine if you can see some grain let me know cause I cant.

http://www.marcondo.com/marcondo/50'sVIBE/index.html

I can see some grain in some of the pics - just enough not to call it Olympic White ...

I also discovered one thing I don't like about it (Thank God), and that was the THICK pickguard. A 1-ply pickguard should be THIN, and have straight edges ..... (Now I got a reason not to buy it ).

[OaklandA]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Now if they make a 60's Classic Vibe Squier and its as good as the 50's Id have to buy one and see.

Since the release of the 50's CV that has been my big question....why didn't they have a companion 60's version?? They did it with the Strats, so I wonder why not with the Tele's?

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by OaklandA

Since the release of the 50's CV that has been my big question....why didn't they have a companion 60's version?? They did it with the Strats, so I wonder why not with the Tele's?

I bet if the 50's CV sells good enough they will make a 60's version which Id rather have anyway but time will tell.


The CV Strats are also really good getting the same good rebiews as the Tele.

Squier did good on this Classic Vibe series I even like the BASS guitars and the Duosonic.

[Kevin Darty]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

I can see some grain in some of the pics - just enough not to call it Olympic White ...

I also discovered one thing I don't like about it (Thank God), and that was the THICK pickguard. A 1-ply pickguard should be THIN, and have straight edges ..... (Now I got a reason not to buy it ).

A pickguard is not an expensive upgrade though... I wouldn't call that a deal breaker.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by Kevin Darty

A pickguard is not an expensive upgrade though... I wouldn't call that a deal breaker.

No, but I need a reason ...

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

No, but I need a reason ...

Remember that thread a few weeks ago about my friend buying me a Tele this is what I had him get me so it didnt even cost me 1 cent.

Im lucky to have a bunch of good friends here in Bakersfield and on the net.

[yegbert]

Originally Posted by Sidney Vicious

Also, are the guitar dimensions the same? Will the MIM bridge plate etc fit on the CV?

It would be helpful to see a CV Tele body...

1) with the stock bridgeplate removed. All the Indonesian Cort Squier Teles I've had apart, had string through holes the same diameter all the way through the body; the same diameter as the ferrule body. I'm just curious whether they used a similar sloppy spec on this model.

2) with a bridge plate placed on the body at least in a trial fit, that is made the same as Fender's vintage-spec. A bridgeplate from an MIM Classic Series would fit the bill.

[mistermullens]

Originally Posted by fernando

what's the weight of your C 50s Esq ?

Under 7lbs. I don't have a digital scale so u don't know exactly.

[e-merlin]

Originally Posted by yegbert

It would be helpful to see a CV Tele body...

1) with the stock bridgeplate removed. All the Indonesian Cort Squier Teles I've had apart, had string through holes the same diameter all the way through the body; the same diameter as the ferrule body. I'm just curious whether they used a similar sloppy spec on this model.

Why is that sloppy? It has no effect on tone or looks. Makes sense on a less expensive model.

[Mark Davis]

This is the best bare body pic we have so far.

The string holes look like all the rest of the vintage style teles Ive seen.

[Spunky99]

I took the plunge tonight and swapped the pickups for Keystones.
I wanted to do an AB but with the difference in the output of the stock pickups, there will be some areas that are not easily heard unless I changed the amp settings to optimize each pickup set. So I left every setting the same on both tests...
I left the stock capacitor and jack, all the pots and switch so there would no other changes except the Schaller strap locks.

I spent 3 days getting the stock pickups adjusted for a few of my amp models so I need some time to get the new Pups adjusted as well.
I had the volume and tome maxed so I will do the same with the new Pups for recording too. I am finding that the new Pups have a lot more to offer as I get them dialed in for height. I'll post horrible and sloppy comparisons soon.

First the pictures of the guitar during the pickup swapout.
Here is the orange peal on the bridge I was talking about. It is hard to see in a photo so I circled it in red.


Bridge pickup has a nice copper bottom and no extra ground wire.


Here is the shielding and the stock neck pickup that is screwed down into the wood. I added a ground wire that sits on top of the body but under the shielding to get rid of the scratchy noise when I rub my fingers on the pickguard with both or the neck pickup selected.


Here are the stock electronics

[Spunky99]

Before


After