Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster, : that pine body thing: how's it working out?

[Hastings]

Surely some people here will own that guitar, the blonde thing. I'm wondering how the pine bodies are behaving. It is likely Indonesian pine, and there are countless varieties of pine, so te exact species in un-knowable, and who cares? So, is that body any different at all to any other Tele you know? Does it seem to resonate as well as other Teles?
Thanks for any info.

 

[TeleTucson]

Mine is a heavy, dense, hard pine. If you don't like a heavy guitar, this is not for you. However, after retrofitting a few of the components, including adding a Fender American Standard neck because that's what I like, it is absolutely one of my favorites despite owning several stock Fender made-in-USA models. Regarding "resonating", I'll confess that I'm a physicist and know that when the body resonates it is robbing the string of energy that could sustain to continue electrically feeding the pickups - it is not an acoustic guitar.

 

[Monoprice99]

If this is the pine you are referring to, it's harder species of pine than most on average. No wonder the Squier CV fares well in guitar comparisons. And the price point is a durable & reliable instrument that will endure for decades. Impressive spec across the board for Squier.

Sumatran Pine | The Wood Database (Softwood)

www.wood-database.com

 

[VintageSG]

Mine certainly doesn't misbehave. It's a 2018 Chinese model.
I attribute its wonderful sounds more to the fantastic pickups fitted at the factory than the wood the body's made from.
Looks good, sounds good, is a joy to play.

 

[hemingway]

Mine is a heavy, dense, hard pine. If you don't like a heavy guitar, this is not for you. However, after retrofitting a few of the components, including adding a Fender American Standard neck because that's what I like, it is absolutely one of my favorites despite owning several stock Fender made-in-USA models. Regarding "resonating", I'll confess that I'm a physicist and know that when the body resonates it is robbing the string of energy that could sustain to continue electrically feeding the pickups - it is not an acoustic guitar.

Indeed.

A lot of guitarists I've spoken to use the word "resonance" as if it's some kind of magic quality, akin to sounding alive or airy: i.e., they don't actually know what the word means.

I suppose this isn't hard to understand as, in its non-scientific sense, resonance can mean many other things, including significance, depth, etc.

But for guitars, yes, it just means physical movement.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

If this is the pine you are referring to, it's harder species of pine than most on average. No wonder the Squier CV fares well in guitar comparisons. And the price point is a durable & reliable instrument that will endure for decades. Impressive spec across the board for Squier.

Sumatran Pine | The Wood Database (Softwood)

www.wood-database.com

I just got ( about a month ago) this 2018 Squier CV '50's Strat,
that is spec'd as Pine ( only in the 2-tone Sunburst finish)

Hard to tell in photos, but pretty nice wood grain, not too heavy, and 5 gigs in ( R&R, blues, Dead), it sounds fantastic.

 

[sadfield]

I'll confess that I'm a physicist and know that when the body resonates it is robbing the string of energy that could sustain to continue electrically feeding the pickups - it is not an acoustic guitar.

But then the pickup must also be moving in relationship to the string. Perhaps, why wood, design and construction all appear to make a difference. And your bridge and nut are then vibrating, which means that the string is nolonger statically held at each end, which must also affect its position in relation to the pickup.

 

[msalama]

I owned a 2017 CV '50s MN Tele with a pine body, and it was heavy as hell. That wasn't a problem persay, but the bugger having frets soft as tin was. Burned through them in a year, and promptly floated it downstream!

But yeah, a nice guitar in itself, the hardware just left a lot to be desired...

 

[TeleTucson]

But then the pickup must also be moving in relationship to the string. Perhaps, why wood, design and construction all appear to make a difference. And your bridge and nut are then vibrating, which means that the string is nolonger statically held at each end, which must also affect its position in relation to the pickup.View attachment 1274098

Yes, it's called microphonics and can contribute to feedback problems. With regard to string vibration transduction to electrical signal from your pickup, a string vibration amplitude is mm-scale, while pickup vibration amplitudes are dramatically, dramatically lower. But maybe still enough to explode your mind, apparently.

 

[robt57]

Got this in 2007, a 5.8 lb craigslist $45.00 CV body. Guy had a nice light body made. Warmoth fat back stainless 6105 fretted neck on sale $156.00, winter wipe on poly. Pair of pulled Floral RI Tele PUPs left from a guys upgrade I did, he said keep them. finished weight is 8.1 lb. I have lots of Teles including few US and too many I made myself. Just traded a Kotzen out. The guy played this and tried to talk me out of it.

I play this most, it is my #1. It actually annoys me a few hour toss together guitar is so good when I have 10-15 hour builds frankly. It is humbling..

Don't over think it.

 

[TeleBackelaer]

Warmoth fat back stainless 6105 fretted neck on sale $156.00

Wow, that's a steal!

OT: I've got a 2013 Chinese one. I don't know what kind of pine it is, but it's quite resonant and has a very nice wood grain. Mine isn't that heavy btw, very much average weight.
Lovely guitars but I'm with Msalama: the frets wear very, very fast. Pots and switch might be cheaper as well but I don't notice: they work perfectly. I actually love the very gradual taper on both volume and tone. And the stock pickups are excellent as well.

 

[Alamo]

Bought this light weight CV50s in 2008. it's stock except for the scratch plate, heavy knurled knobs and electro socket.
still love my number one. no complaints

 

[985plowboy]

I’m a long time self professed MIA guitar snob, but this guitar has forced me to expand my thinking.
Bought a used, bone stock Indonesian CV 50’s on a whim about 10 months back. Gave it a new set of EB 10’s and a basic setup.
It’s been my #1 gigging electric.
No issues whatsoever.
I highly recommend it.

 

[Matt Sarad]

Well, I replaced the original neck with a MIM Rosewood. Yesterday I bought the Duncan Hot Tele pickups from Craigslist.
$250+$199+120
I guess it's only money.

 

[Boreas]

I have a 2021 CV 50s Esquire that feels like a cement block. I wasn't expecting "pine" to be so dense. It plays and sounds great, but for anyone concerned with weight, be afraid - be very afraid.

 

[robt57]

I have a 2021 CV 50s Esquire that feels like a cement block. I wasn't expecting "pine" to be so dense. It plays and sounds great, but for anyone concerned with weight, be afraid - be very afraid.

Just like Ash, weights can be all over the place to the extreme, not seen this with alder personally. I have a AM 70th Esquire roasted pine that is 7.0 lb on the nose. My 5.8 lb CV body parts caster is a great sounding guitar, up there with most of my +dozen or more. The 70th Ani Equire is up there in my tone and response top couple. Does that mean it will be someone else's? Only one way to find out.

Start out how I did here long ago. Arlo's pine escapades got me started and it stuck immediately and ongoing +15 years now. Search for his piney tracks, both Strat and Tele.

 

[archetype]

My CV 50s Tele is fine. When I pick it up, it a Telecaster to me.

 

[The Angle]

Mine's from 2008, and it's holding up just fine. Not particularly heavy, ~7.25 lb. I really like the neck and I love the tone, the neck pickup especially. It sounds a bit different from any of my other Teles, in a good way.

 

[tintag27]

I bought mine new in 2010 - Crafted in China. Weight 8lb. Cost less than £250. It's never been gigged, but I never had a problem with fret wear - or the jack socket! Changed up the electrics and installed 4-way switching, that's it, done.
I'm not a collector - I have one telecaster and this is it

 

[StratDal]

Mine's from 2008, and it's holding up just fine. Not particularly heavy, ~7.25 lb. I really like the neck and I love the tone, the neck pickup especially. It sounds a bit different from any of my other Teles, in a good way.

View attachment 1276726

Mine too! Cheers!