MIM standard tele vs. squier classic vibe tele

[dynasty32]

I already have a MIM strat, and it's a great guitar, and I want to own a tele, but the classic vibe tele looks really nice.

I bet the fender one plays better but the squier looks prettier. The neck's color and the vintage bridge and tuners looks really nice on the squier. Not to mention it's 100 dollars cheaper than the Fender.

 

[tele12]

I bet the fender one plays better but the squier looks prettier.

From the Squiers and MIM Standards I have played I have no reason to believe the Fender would play, or for that matter sound, any better than the Squier.

 

[GhostRider]

I own a CV and have played many MIM's, and I'll take the CV every time. I just like every thing about it better. The bridge, the pickups (Alnico III vs. ceramic). I also really like the feel of the CV neck as compared to the MIM Standard.

Personally, I believe it's a better guitar. That being said, the only way to know for sure for YOU is to play both and get whichever one you like the best.

 

[rhh7]

I have been looking for a used MIM Telecaster for a long time. Today I finally found one in "as new" condition at my local Fender dealer. It was priced $400.00 CAD. I was not impressed with it. In my opinion, it is not in the same class as my Classic Vibe, which I just purchased new for $345.00 CAD. Today I bought a Squier Affinity Telecaster for $195.00 CAD. I liked it more than the MIM. The toploading bridge appeals to me, and at this price I can afford to mod it a little in the future. YMMV!

 

[Greenwood]

Any other opinions on this?

 

[clapointe]

The CV Tele puts the MIM Teles to shame far as looks, feel and tone !!!! Now compared to the MIA Teles that's hit or miss ! Either it's a damn good tele or a dud !!! Either way you can't go wrong with the CV Tele .

 

[musicmatty]

Any other opinions on this?

First off, I don't own a Squire but I do have 3 MIM Teles and one is a Top Loader. I read many Many reviews and one just the other day about the Squires and I have also played the Squires just to check them out.

The CVs are a better deal than the MIM Teles, you will get more for your money becasue they are made in China and the labor cost is about a bag of rice a day for those workers..and no, I am not being funny. With that said, the quality is much more consistant than that of the American or MIM Teles..the Chinese are building those guitars as though their life depends on it and it probably does.

At the end of the day, the Squire is a Chinese made guitar with a Fender logo on it for endosement and thats the truth. What I don't like about the Squire CVs is this...there is only one option for colour for the Tele and just Two options for the Strat. If you want more options and a guitar that is just as good as the Squires but doesn't have the Fender logo on it for endorsement purposes, than I would recommend another brand that is Chinese also and these are catching on fast and they are even cheaper because they dont carry the Fender logo. I recently bought one and I can vouch that they are superb and if they were made here in the states, they would sell for at least $900. because of the difference in labor agreements here in the States.
Heres the link below and good luck. There are several pages of guitars to check out with Many Teles.

http://www.rondomusic.com/electricguitar-ss2.html

 

[rowdy27]

I got both. The Fender is built better & sounds better than the Vibe.The Squier parts are lame.

 

[clapointe]

I got both. The Fender is built better & sounds better than the Vibe.The Squier parts are lame.

 

[Greenwood]

Is it impossible to put Tele pickguards on The Squiers?

Besides that, it seems like the Squier Classic Vibes are a better deal. I mean I played a MIM Tele today and it sounded mediocre at best, and I'm sure there are amazing MIMs that cost a hundred bucks more than that one did.

Plus with the money saved with the Squier I can probably soup it up pretty nice in the future, with sound and personality past MIM quality.

I'll check it out.

 

[rowdy27]

Hey..pop the cover plate off the controls & have a look at the cheapo parts being used.

 

[Greenwood]

Does that really matter?

It isnt a car.

 

[clapointe]

Is it impossible to put Tele pickguards on The Squiers?

Besides that, it seems like the Squier Classic Vibes are a better deal. I mean I played a MIM Tele today and it sounded mediocre at best, and I'm sure there are amazing MIMs that cost a hundred bucks more than that one did.

Plus with the money saved with the Squier I can probably soup it up pretty nice in the future, with sound and personality past MIM quality.

I'll check it out.

+1 what he said !

 

[solly]

I'm almost afraid to go out and try one these CV Teles! I love my MIM, I got it for a great price , but it really sounds like these CV's are a helluva deal. Some will be put off by the Squier name, but being able to purchase a quality guitar at an affordable price is awesome.

 

[clapointe]

I'm almost afraid to go out and try one these CV Teles! I love my MIM, I got it for a great price , but it really sounds like these CV's are a helluva deal. Some will be put off by the Squier name, but being able to purchase a quality guitar at an affordable price is awesome.

Smart dude !

 

[musicmatty]

Hey..pop the cover plate off the controls & have a look at the cheapo parts being used.

**********************************************************
I don't think so, after market pots run about $4.25 on average..how much cheaper can you get than that to save? The 3 way shifter is not plastic that the hat sits on..how much more solid it does it have to be?

You don't have to cut corners to build a solid quality axe comming out of China..don't you know that there labor agreements and rights are nothing like here in the States that would dictate cost and price cutting.

The cost cutting here in the States is having a Tele made in Mexico for cheaper labor..{not as cheap as in China} and the fact that they use ceramic pups to cut cost. Quality pup alone, would add another $200. to the price tag if they did that.

The logic is here is wrong to assume that a $100. to $300. dollar guitar in China would be the same as a $100. to $300. dollar guitar produced here in the States. Theres no way they could ever produce a fairly decent guitar with cheap parts here in the States for a Fraction of that cost.

 

[slickschoppers]

yep,,,

I don't care what is under that plate... The Fact of the matter is you would have to TAKE THE PLATE OFF to tell the difference.

plain and simple, the classic vibe tele is one of the best tele's going.

it COMES with vintage brass saddles
vintage tuners
two good sounding pickups
simply awsome neck
great fret work.

nope, I don't see a reason to take the plate off to look,, why would I.. it sounds perfect, and plays absolutley beautifully. I don't plan to change a thing.... YEP,,, NOTHING.

if you like the vintage tele's... you can't go wrong with this guitar.

and did I mention the neck,, I like the neck on the classic vibe more than any of the satin finished mexicans I've picked up........ it is a personal preference but I LOVE the high gloss neck on the classic vibe.

There are better guitars made.... but they are more money,, and if you were not concerned about money you wouldn't limit yourself to mexicans and classic vibe.

here is what I would say,,, there IS ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT....go try them out..

Look at the classic vibe owners club post here on teh TDPRI.. Squier did something right or that list wouldn't be as long.

 

[Greenwood]

Sounds awesome guys, I'll have to check this out.


But anyways, like I asked, can you replace these pickguards with Tele pick guards?

 

[slickschoppers]

I'm pretty sure.

I know that there a few guys on here that have made esquires out of the CV's and I think they just used a vintage style esquire pickguard.

there are also alot of guys that have changed them out to white..

again, I'm pretty sure they just used replacement pickguards ment for a fender...

I'll search it quick,,

 

[boris bubbanov]

I already have a MIM strat, and it's a great guitar, and I want to own a tele, but the classic vibe tele looks really nice.

I bet the fender one plays better but the squier looks prettier. The neck's color and the vintage bridge and tuners looks really nice on the squier. Not to mention it's 100 dollars cheaper than the Fender.

Hmm.

Dynasty, you're accustomed to the look and feel of a MIM guitar. That's what you know; you selected one once because its aesthetic appeals to you and I predict the MIM Telecaster will "work" for you in the same way. But I don't know.

Don't be bullied into going downmarket from what you already have if you find the CV cheap. If anything, you should be looking for a higher price point MIM Telecaster, but lightly used and hence more easy to budget for. Better to have fewer nicer guitars over time, I think.

The MIM Std for 2009 has a gorgeous neck, the correct reference points all over the guitar for some primo upgrades if you so desire but every single component as is can be used for real world purposes as it is.