Squier Classic Vibe 2019

[Woodyrson]

The WD shipment was delayed by a day, so I just got them in and installed today.

Visually and in-hand, they certainly don't seem to be inherently higher quality than the stock machines. The gears are still very light construction. However, the alignment of the gears with the screws is fantastic. Full engagement. The reason my stock ones were shearing is that the gears on all but one of the machines were just barely engaging the screw, which led to a lot of slipping, which led to shearing.

As far as installing goes, they are not quite 100% drop in. The pegs and the ferrules are just slightly larger in diameter. Enough that the WD peg wouldn't fit through the stock ferrule. So I had to pull all the ferrules and install the ones from WD. The screw holes for tuners lined up about as well as could be expected. The existing holes in the headstock weren't perfectly centered in the WD tuner holes, but the screws went in fine with no resistance.

They have worked out quite well so far. I'm perfectly happy with the purchase.

A couple things to note, however. The WD machines do not come with any sort of grease or lubricant pre-applied. They definitely need it because they can get squeaky. The WD machines are also not available in nickel, so I had to go for chrome. I mentioned in my earlier impressions that the nickel plated hardware looked more like chrome to me and that I couldn't really see the coppery undertones that nickel typically has. Well, side by side with these WD chrome tuners, you can absolutely tell a difference. If that's something that might bother you, I'd look elsewhere if you need to change yours out.

 

[InstantEctobass]

The WD shipment was delayed by a day, so I just got them in and installed today.

Visually and in-hand, they certainly don't seem to be inherently higher quality than the stock machines. The gears are still very light construction. However, the alignment of the gears with the screws is fantastic. Full engagement. The reason my stock ones were shearing is that the gears on all but one of the machines were just barely engaging the screw, which led to a lot of slipping, which led to shearing.

As far as installing goes, they are not quite 100% drop in. The pegs and the ferrules are just slightly larger in diameter. Enough that the WD peg wouldn't fit through the stock ferrule. So I had to pull all the ferrules and install the ones from WD. The screw holes for tuners lined up about as well as could be expected. The existing holes in the headstock weren't perfectly centered in the WD tuner holes, but the screws went in fine with no resistance.

They have worked out quite well so far. I'm perfectly happy with the purchase.

A couple things to note, however. The WD machines do not come with any sort of grease or lubricant pre-applied. They definitely need it because they can get squeaky. The WD machines are also not available in nickel, so I had to go for chrome. I mentioned in my earlier impressions that the nickel plated hardware looked more like chrome to me and that I couldn't really see the coppery undertones that nickel typically has. Well, side by side with these WD chrome tuners, you can absolutely tell a difference. If that's something that might bother you, I'd look elsewhere if you need to change yours out.

Thanks for the feedback, folk. Would you mind sharing some front and back pictures? Thanks again!

 

[Woodyrson]

Thanks for the feedback, folk. Would you mind sharing some front and back pictures? Thanks again!

 

[Eds1158533]

I recently got a good deal on a used like-new CV P-bass in white - but I have the same problem and the A-string tuner is stripped. I was considering these Gotoh's instead of WD since everything I've gotten from Gotoh has been really good and reasonably priced. Anybody have any experience with these tuners?

 

[Andy Skuse]

Hey everyone, I'm currently waiting for my order of a Squier Classic Vibes 70's black Jazz bass to be shipped, and after reading through this thread I am seeing several mentions that the body is made of Poplar. But the website currently says "Soft Maple" (see pic). Is the website out-of-date or ? Thanks!

 

[WallaceSnr]

which website?

 

[Hevy T]

Hey everyone, I'm currently waiting for my order of a Squier Classic Vibes 70's black Jazz bass to be shipped, and after reading through this thread I am seeing several mentions that the body is made of Poplar. But the website currently says "Soft Maple" (see pic). Is the website out-of-date or ? Thanks!

My knowledge is that only the natural finish is soft maple

 

[Andy Skuse]

which website?

The Fender U.S. website. Link is below, but don't be surprised if it redirects to the main Fender home page.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[selfwareluggage]

Hey everyone, I'm currently waiting for my order of a Squier Classic Vibes 70's black Jazz bass to be shipped, and after reading through this thread I am seeing several mentions that the body is made of Poplar. But the website currently says "Soft Maple" (see pic). Is the website out-of-date or ? Thanks!

The natural finish is the only one that is built with soft maple. For whatever reason the black and sunburst one are made of poplar.

 

[Andy Skuse]

Thanks guys. I've not read a lot of good things about poplar as a tone wood, the word "bland" was used in one description. But I played the sunburst model before I placed my order, and it sounded great to my ears. Hoping I get a notification email next week from the music store

 

[HelpImaRock]

Thanks guys. I've not read a lot of good things about poplar as a tone wood, the word "bland" was used in one description. But I played the sunburst model before I placed my order, and it sounded great to my ears. Hoping I get a notification email next week from the music store

"Tonewood" is a relatively ridiculous concept. Fender originally used ash because it was cheap, and moved to alder because it was cheaper. I played a poplar bodied MIM Precision for years. It was a great bass.

 

[ruju]

Thanks guys. I've not read a lot of good things about poplar as a tone wood, the word "bland" was used in one description. But I played the sunburst model before I placed my order, and it sounded great to my ears. Hoping I get a notification email next week from the music store

Nothing wrong with Poplar.. enjoy the bass and don't worry too much about what's under the paint

 

[Winton]

I’m just discovering this thread and I’m getting a serious bass boner here.

I’m kinda bummed they’re not remaking the CV 70s Precision. I played one at Guitar Center this summer and was blown away simply from the feel of the neck and sound of that thing. Biggest regret not buying it.

 

[InstantEctobass]

I’m just discovering this thread and I’m getting a serious bass boner here.

I’m kinda bummed they’re not remaking the CV 70s Precision. I played one at Guitar Center this summer and was blown away simply from the feel of the neck and sound of that thing. Biggest regret not buying it.

That's where you wrong. There's two : a black and a walnut one! Both with maple fingerboards!!!

 

[Winton]

That's where you wrong. There's two : a black and a walnut one! Both with maple fingerboards!!!

Nice.
OP’s original post didn’t include it so I thought it wasn’t part of the rerelease.

Cheers

 

[InstantEctobass]

Nice.
OP’s original post didn’t include it so I thought it wasn’t part of the rerelease.

Cheers

They have been released this summer !

 

[Richard IV]

OP’s original post didn’t include it so I thought it wasn’t part of the rerelease.

Actually, the new CV 70s P basses are different. They lack the bridge cover and tug bar, their bodies are nato instead of basswood, and they're made in Indonesia instead of China. They also sell for $50 less. I guess Fender wanted a little more space between the Squier CV and its own MIM.

 

[Winton]

Actually, the new CV 70s P basses are different. They lack the bridge cover and tug bar, their bodies are nato instead of basswood, and they're made in Indonesia instead of China. They also sell for $50 less. I guess Fender wanted a little more space between the Squier CV and its own MIM.

Interesting. I'm wondering how different the new model is to the China made one.
I just recently bought a used Squier CV 70s Pbass made in China, thankfully. They're very hard to come by in Japan so I'm glad I got a hold of one!

 

[ruju]

Interesting. I'm wondering how different the new model is to the China made one.
I just recently bought a used Squier CV 70s Pbass made in China, thankfully. They're very hard to come by in Japan so I'm glad I got a hold of one!

I previously had a 70s p and a 60s jazz. I really liked them but let them go within a year. Recently picked up a 2019 CV jazz and contrary to a few others experiences i find this Indonesian made CV to be fantastic.
The little details..
First off the neck has rolled edges, and the fret work is nice and smooth.
Anyhow small thing I noticed was the pickup covers have soft rounded edges..
Fit and finish are absolutely flawless.
The regular vintage style bridge with threaded saddles really adds to an authentic vibe of an era.
The volume and tone knobs are different to the mic jazz I had. The 2019 version knobs are slightly fatter, smotther to the touch and have a set screw lock.
It's these details as a whole that make this bass more in line to a classic Vibe than the two previous versions. The classic Vibe and the vintages modified.
In my opinion the new CV series is improved over two previous lines. Two which were already great and gave the Squier brand a huge lift.

 

[interpol129]

Recently picked up a 2019 CV jazz and contrary to a few others experiences i find this Indonesian made CV to be fantastic

Sorry, but i dont believe you. How could it be good, new cv basses made of poplar wood. I saw new model of squier jaguar bass on sweetwater and its made of nato wood. Such a shame to squier, even cheap affinities was made of maple.