So...should i buy a LTD Custom Shop Esquier Relic?

[Bunky]

Just curious if this is very versatile, could it do Dave Edmundsy stuff? Are they capable of rythm parts? The guy is asking 2200 firm.

Maybe I should just get a 52 ri and keep the extra dough for other toys?

 

[Mark Davis]

Just get a used 50's Classic or CV50's and make it into an Esquire.

You will have even more $$ left over.

CS Fenders arent worth what they charge. A 52ri or an MIM 50's Classic with some mods is just as good.

 

[Bunky]

That'a good idea, but i'm looking for something with all the little touches something that won't need work or lose value from modding.

 

[JackStraw]

Just buy everyone in the world a CV50 or a CVC and all of our problems will be solved. With all due respect Mr.Davis, there are actually people who have less than zero interest in owning a Squire anything.

 

[paulvcarter]

Yes buy it if you can, one great guitar gives endless pleasure.

 

[superbadj]

Just buy everyone in the world a CV50 or a CVC and all of our problems will be solved. With all due respect Mr.Davis, there are actually people who have less than zero interest in owning a Squire anything.

Rather than slamming Mark's suggestion, why don't you either answer the OP's question or offer an alternative of your own?

 

[Guitar Rat]

Just curious if this is very versatile, could it do Dave Edmundsy stuff? Are they capable of rythm parts? The guy is asking 2200 firm.

Maybe I should just get a 52 ri and keep the extra dough for other toys?

Have you played an Esquire before? You can get a lot of rhythm and lead tones out of them judging by how you pick and work the controls, but it's a different playing style than a Tele, and not for everyone. A 52RI, used or new, is going to be cheaper than the Custom Shop Esquire and is an extremely good, versatile Tele, much beloved around here. That said, both guitars can do rockabilly tones along the lines of Edmunds' material (though I thought he was more a 335 guy).

So, if the Esquire is what you've always wanted, go check it out and take it home if it's "it". But don't feel like this is your only chance to get a great Tele that gets you to the same place.

 

[Mark Davis]

Just buy everyone in the world a CV50 or a CVC and all of our problems will be solved. With all due respect Mr.Davis, there are actually people who have less than zero interest in owning a Squire anything.

Thats why I offered the MIM 50's Classic or 50'a Esquire as an option.

Just cause you dont like Squiers doesnt mean everyone doesnt like them.

There are over 1000 happy owners just here at this forum of CV50's so they are ALL wrong?

 

[fenderpeet]

I have a 52RI and I have a custom shop 59 esquire RI. Never touched the 52 anymore. The custom shop esquire gave so much more playing pleasure, feel, and tone. IMHO of course. As said by another member. When you use the controls, and you fingers and the way you play, you get great tones out of it. The CS guitar has so much more compaired to the 52RI. So I'd say, if you can afford the CS go for it, I think it is worth the extra every bit of it.

 

[Bunky]

THanks for the info guys, big help. I decided to bite the bullet on the Esquire. I think it will help me strip down all the BS of G.A.S and let me focus on my playing technique and working with what i've got in my hands. Plus it looks gnarly.

Can you tell more about the "rhythm" tones available? I can't see it getting very thick...(for a bridge on a tele). Also what is the 1st position usable for?

 

[Del Pickup]

I converted my old MIJ tele to an Esquire earlier this year and I feel that's it more playable now than it ever was with a neck pup in there. I certainly play it more nowadays than when it was a tele.

I seldom found a use for any of the neck pups that I tried in there whereas now, with the Eldred wiring I have three distinct tones to choose from and they all get used.

As for rhythm tones I'd suggest that the middle position would be the one to use for these where there's a bit more body to the tone if you roll back the tone knob.

I've never played an esquire with the traditional wiring for the 1st position so I can't comment on that but I would definitely recommend the Eldred wiring to make that a very useable tone. It's probably my favourite tone from this guitar.

 

[spook69]

Dave Edmundsy stuff? Are they capable of rythm parts?

Depends on the player ...... LoL.

The custom shop produces some nice looking guitars, especially the reliced ones that I would love, but how many guitars does one need?

My 50's MIM Esquire is great, with pleanty of fender rasping tone.

The forward position on the selector produces a muddy bass tone which was great to fill out the sound of the band that I was playing with at the time when there was no bass player.

That was what Leo originally designed that selector position for.

Most players don't have a use for it now days, so I suppose I am one of the few that has used it for it's original designed intent.

Don' for get to post pics of your git when it arrives!!

 

[yangounet]

yes buy!

 

[burntfrijoles]

Rather than slamming Mark's suggestion, why don't you either answer the OP's question or offer an alternative of your own?

Okay, I will.

You simply can't compare a CS product to a cheap CV guitar period. To suggest a MIM or Squier product is comparable is laughable.

I have a CS 50's NOS and it is beyond fine. I have a CS 60's NOS, vintage white with RW board on order and can't wait.

If you've got the coin, do it. You won't be sorry.

 

[mellecaster]

OR....just get the 52RI and Convert it.

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[vanguard]

Just get a used 50's Classic or CV50's and make it into an Esquire.

You will have even more $$ left over.

CS Fenders arent worth what they charge. A 52ri or an MIM 50's Classic with some mods is just as good.

Okay, I will.

You simply can't compare a CS product to a cheap CV guitar period. To suggest a MIM or Squier product is comparable is laughable.

I have a CS 50's NOS and it is beyond fine. I have a CS 60's NOS, vintage white with RW board on order and can't wait.

If you've got the coin, do it. You won't be sorry.

i'm gonna have to agree. i respect mark, but the notion that you "just mod a 50's classic or squier and it's just as good" really is ridiculous, and a slap in the face of the fine craftsmen at the fender custom shop.

i can speak with experience here. pictured is my modded squier CV50 next to my custom shop NOS nocaster:

the squier was set up by me with premium glendale saddles, a fred stuart blackguard bridge pickup and premium electronic components as found in the nocaster. the squier is a great guitar; hell it's a KILLER guitar. i auditioned at least 15 CV50/60's before i settled on the one i have - it's the cream of that crop. but it will NEVER touch a good '52ri, and even suggesting it approaches the pictured NOS nocaster is laughable. from wood quality, pickups quality, attention to every detail, the amazing finish, super-solid feel, and finally the out-of-this-world sonic performance; the nocaster and CV50 should NEVER be compared - it's insulting to both instruments and their intended niches.

mark, you're a great, helpful guy but your posts here serve only to denigrate your credibility and bring your fanatical support of the CV line into question. you're just reaching too far here. . .

 

[KCJonez]

I actually tried an esquire today for the first time. It was a custom shop at cosmo music just north of toronto. I loved it. Really light and housing a pickup with serious punch. Too expensive though (about $3500 canadian). If you can afford the $2200, I'd give it serious consideration. The custom shops are really expensive, but I think they're really nice instruments.