Squier Classic Vibe 2019

[RumbleMan3]

I’m tossing up between a VM 70s Jazz Bass v in white, or a Classic vibe 70s jazz bass v in natural.

On one hand, I love the white on the VM, much more than the natural, but on the other hand I prefer the 70s pickup postitioning on the CV.

As an alternative, I was looking at the sire v7 vintage 5 string in white, as it is both white and has the 70s spacing, but its above my budget.

So I’m wondering what’s the general consensus on these two basses, the VM or the CV?

Thanks

 

[Oobly]

Hi guys, been a long time since I posted, but I figured I should share my tale.

I wanted a VM Jaguar and found one available to order online from a local store, so I ordered it. Three weeks later I ask them where it is and they let me know that it's not coming since they were discontinued. I look around online and find a store that lists the new CV version for pre-order, but discover that they're probably only going to be available around the end of the year / beginning of next year. I preorder one since it looks to be even better (on paper at least) than the VM one I originally ordered and I have a Chinese-made CV Strat that is simply beautiful, rolled frets, flawless construction. But I need a bass to practice on now.

So I check what else is available at the store I ordered the VM Jaguar from and notice the Indonesian-made CV P-bass, so I figure I'd put in the extra cash and get that since they're available immediately So I order it and collect it today.

Well... I'm seriously disappointed. The body is way too lightweight, the fretboard slab is thicker at the head end and thinner at the body end, the neck doesn't fit well in the pocket (gap on left side), there are finish problems on both sides of the neck pocket, there are sanding scratches on the neck and a paint chip missing under the finish. The nut is chipped at the exit of the D string slot. The frets are not rolled and have sharp edges, there are scratches and dings in the finish. There is glue on the fretboard by the neck pocket. The whole thing feels really cheap. This is not what I expect from a Classic Vibe bass! Especially when I compare it to my Chinese made CV Strat! Even the logo looks dull in comparison. It honestly feels cheaper and more poorly made than the Affinity instruments I have tried. I also don't like the look and feel of the Laurel fingerboard, but I think that could be sorted with some good fretboard oil.

So tomorrow it's going back to the shop.

What really concerns me now, though, is what to expect from the CV Jaguar when it finally arrives. Not sure whether to cancel the order or not... And what to get to tide me over for the meantime also. This has left a very bad taste in my mouth for these CV instruments and I'm worried that Fender are throwing away the good reputation they have built up for the CV brand. The Chinese-made CV's are amazing quality for the money, but it looks like these new Indonesian ones are not worthy of the CV name, unless I really got a "Friday afternoon just before closing" example.

 

[RumbleMan3]

I’ve only tried out of the new Classic vibe range, two 70s jazz basses.

Both alright. Not terrible. Not perfect. Kinda meh in comparison to the player series, which I decided to get instead. What I would have expected at the price point. It’s good yeah. But nothing special, when u compare it to even cheaper fenders there’s no comparison.

I can’t talk about Chinese CVs but I’ve tried two Chinese affinites and they are absolutely phenomenal. Probably the best value basses to exist. They don’t loook that great. It looks cheap materials, and a cheap looking sunburst. But none of it is put together poorly if that makes sense. Like it looks like cheap materials but they are literally put together flawlessly. They were much better QC when comparing to the previous Mexican standards, that I had one nearby. The Mexican uses nicer materials but it wasn’t put together as neatly.

However even the Mexican standard doesn’t compare to the quality of my player series. Not even close. But that’s just my personal experience.

If we are talking Squier, always try Chinese before anything else. Even the affinities. I don’t know how or why but they are just a different bass altogether.

 

[Oobly]

...

If we are talking Squier, always try Chinese before anything else. Even the affinities. I don’t know how or why but they are just a different bass altogether.

+1

Turns out I'm having a good day today. I did some serious searching and found a local store that still had a Chinese-made 70's CV P bass. So I ordered it, returned the 50's for a refund and bought it. What a difference!

The frets are nicely rolled, the body is a good weight, the finish is immaculate, the nut is cut well (although now it's "only" a synthetic bone one), everything fits snugly and it feels simply amazing. A little setup and it's good to go. I post some reference pics.. Note: there is one small "flaw". If you look closely at the left side of the neck pocket joint you can see a little blob of... something. Seems to be a drop of either glue or poly finish, but doesn't bother me. Overall, the quality of materials and manufacture are outstanding! Just like my CV Strat.

My advice, if you're interested in a CV model is to look for an older Chinese-made one (CGS serial numbers) and snap it up now, before they become too rare. IMHO they will become genuine "classics", not just Classic "vibe".



[EDIT] P.S. - I will not cancel my order for the Jaguar, will give it a chance and see what it's like when it arrives (maybe they've sorted the QC issues in Indo by then, maybe not..)[/EDIT]

 

[timendous]

I know that this is the 2019 CV thread, but I'm excited and I needed to share!

Today I picked up a 2009 CIC CV Jazz bass from a guy who was selling through facebook marketplace. There seems to be quite a few people who aren't able to identify these and don't know what they have. The guy told me he bought it a long time ago and played it only a few months when he was trying to join a band. It looks and feels brand new. The strings still have that new "zing". The plastic was still on the pick guard. Got it for a great price with a Fender SKB case. I am still in shock.

Needed the saddles adjusted and for some reason he didn't have the strings running through the string tree on the head stock. It plays and sounds sooooooo good.

Years ago I had one of the James Johnston models and I never really appreciated it. I forget why I sold or traded it but I always regretted it. This one is going to be with me for a very long time.

I'm excited. (I know I said that already, but it's very true)

Pics or it didn't happen!

 

[4sight]

I know that this is the 2019 CV thread, but I'm excited and I needed to share!

Today I picked up a 2009 CIC CV Jazz bass from a guy who was selling through facebook marketplace. There seems to be quite a few people who aren't able to identify these and don't know what they have. The guy told me he bought it a long time ago and played it only a few months when he was trying to join a band. It looks and feels brand new. The strings still have that new "zing". The plastic was still on the pick guard. Got it for a great price with a Fender SKB case. I am still in shock.

Needed the saddles adjusted and for some reason he didn't have the strings running through the string tree on the head stock. It plays and sounds sooooooo good.

Years ago I had one of the James Johnston models and I never really appreciated it. I forget why I sold or traded it but I always regretted it. This one is going to be with me for a very long time.

I'm excited. (I know I said that already, but it's very true)

Pics or it didn't happen!
View attachment 3544026 View attachment 3544027

Nice score! Those are fantastic basses, I much preferred mine over the MIM Fenders I had at the time. Oly White and tort Enjoy it!

 

[JohnDL]

I know that this is the 2019 CV thread, but I'm excited and I needed to share!

Today I picked up a 2009 CIC CV Jazz bass from a guy who was selling through facebook marketplace. There seems to be quite a few people who aren't able to identify these and don't know what they have. The guy told me he bought it a long time ago and played it only a few months when he was trying to join a band. It looks and feels brand new. The strings still have that new "zing". The plastic was still on the pick guard. Got it for a great price with a Fender SKB case. I am still in shock.

Needed the saddles adjusted and for some reason he didn't have the strings running through the string tree on the head stock. It plays and sounds sooooooo good.

Years ago I had one of the James Johnston models and I never really appreciated it. I forget why I sold or traded it but I always regretted it. This one is going to be with me for a very long time.

I'm excited. (I know I said that already, but it's very true)

Pics or it didn't happen!
View attachment 3544026 View attachment 3544027

Wow that's real nice. I bought the same CIC CV Jazz bass in Inca Silver about a month ago. After I'd adjusted the truss rod and saddles I got a beautifully low action. It's not in as new condition like your beauty but it is immaculate. I don't know what you think but I was amazed at the quality of the bass. The finish, the neck the machine heads everything really, it feels more like Fender than a Squier.

 

[timendous]

Wow that's real nice. I bought the same CIC CV Jazz bass in Inca Silver about a month ago. After I'd adjusted the truss rod and saddles I got a beautifully low action. It's not in as new condition like your beauty but it is immaculate. I don't know what you think but I was amazed at the quality of the bass. The finish, the neck the machine heads everything really, it feels more like Fender than a Squier.

Yeah it feels incredible. I might do a little more tweaking to see if I can get the action a little lower but I didn't want to be greedy right off the bat.

Quality, feel, sound, are all absolutely top notch. I've had some very nice, expensive basses. I'm not going to reignite the whole "this is better than that" debate, but simply say that this is an excellent bass. Not an "excellent for the money bass" but an all around excellent bass. I'm going to try to take some better glamour shots tomorrow.

 

[Stan_da_man]

I can’t talk about Chinese CVs but I’ve tried two Chinese affinites and they are absolutely phenomenal. Probably the best value basses to exist. They don’t loook that great. It looks cheap materials, and a cheap looking sunburst. But none of it is put together poorly if that makes sense. Like it looks like cheap materials but they are literally put together flawlessly. They were much better QC when comparing to the previous Mexican standards, that I had one nearby. The Mexican uses nicer materials but it wasn’t put together as neatly.

The Squier Affinity range is still Chinese made. Might be worth buying one, installing some decent pickups like Quarter Pounders and adding a decent bridge such as a Gotoh 201 or Badass II.

Would be Fender quality easily with some simple upgrades.

 

[RumbleMan3]

The Squier Affinity range is still Chinese made. Might be worth buying one, installing some decent pickups like Quarter Pounders and adding a decent bridge such as a Gotoh 201 or Badass II.

Would be Fender quality easily with some simple upgrades.

They’re perfectly giggable even without any mods. I still prefer the sound and look of the VM and new CV, with proper alnico pickups, but as far as QC goes Chinese is another league entirely. The pickups are still good enough for a beginner or a school or something to get some sweet rocking and grooving going on.

 

[JohnDL]

I mean, I have a Matt Freeman Precision that's GREAT, and a Player P bass that I bought online without trying before I got it.. if I could only keep one, it'd be the Player. The Freeman is an incredible instrument, especially for the money, but the Player is lighter, has better pots & tuners, a preferable neck finish (although that's opinion), and better fret work.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Freeman and it was my main gigging bass for years, but I played a few different Player Jags, Ps & Jazzes and they were all excellent too.

I had some good VMs, but none were as good as the MIM models, or CIC CVs. Will have to try out the new range. I have an Indonesian made Deluxe Dimension bass which is astonishingly good, though, so hopefully they live up to that.

Here's a picture of my 2014 MIC Classic Vibe ( sorry about the pickguard to all the tort haters) and my 1986 MIJ . Funnily enough I got these at the same time for the same price £280 each.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

The Squier Affinity range is still Chinese made. Might be worth buying one, installing some decent pickups like Quarter Pounders and adding a decent bridge such as a Gotoh 201 or Badass II.

Would be Fender quality easily with some simple upgrades.

The last time I visited GC, they had 2 Affinity Jazz V’s. They felt and played amazingly. Even the pickups weren’t that bad. Absolute best bang for the buck.
My opinion - new Alnico pickups and a Hipshot Kickass bridge - done.

 

[RumbleMan3]

The last time I visited GC, they had 2 Affinity Jazz V’s. They felt and played amazingly. Even the pickups weren’t that bad. Absolute best bang for the buck.
My opinion - new Alnico pickups and a Hipshot Kickass bridge - done.

Pretty much

However I would stay away from the sunburst, on any low cost Squier for that matter, as it often looks kinda cheap.

The headstock wood is a bit too light and bland looking for my taste. Could use a nice lacquer or tint to it.

And I don’t like how it’s a funny shape too. They should leave it standard fender bass headstock shape.

But apart from that they are killer basses

 

[RumbleMan3]

I was told the latest affinities are Indonesian.

Perhaps they could “afford” keeping their production in China while they move the Classic vibes to Indonesia?

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Pretty much

However I would stay away from the sunburst, on any low cost Squier for that matter, as it often looks kinda cheap.

The headstock wood is a bit too light and bland looking for my taste. Could use a nice lacquer or tint to it.

And I don’t like how it’s a funny shape too. They should leave it standard fender bass headstock shape.

But apart from that they are killer basses

That’s sort of nitpicking the details. Affinities are the lowest cost of the line, too.

I have an Affinity Sunburst body as part of my Fretless Frankenstein, and it looks ok. Sure, I’d like to get an ash body one day, but for now it sounds pretty good.

 

[WallaceSnr]

...............I have an Affinity Sunburst body as part of my Fretless Frankenstein, and it looks ok. Sure, I’d like to get an ash body one day, but for now it sounds pretty good.
View attachment 3545352

OMG! That looks like a weapon of war

 

[Hevy T]

That’s sort of nitpicking the details. Affinities are the lowest cost of the line, too.

I have an Affinity Sunburst body as part of my Fretless Frankenstein, and it looks ok. Sure, I’d like to get an ash body one day, but for now it sounds pretty good.

View attachment 3545352

that's frickin sweet!

 

[eastcoasteddie]

OMG! That looks like a weapon of war

Eastcoasteddie’s “Bass of War”...lol

 

[Oobly]

So... here's a juicy little bit of speculation: I've been looking at the serial numbers of the various new CV basses and turned up something interesting. The 60's P bass (like I purchased), 70's J bass, fretless J, 5-string J, Bass VI and both left handed models all appear to have "ICS" serial numbers, pointing to Cor-Tek (Cort) factory in Indonesia. The as-yet unreleased Jaguar, Mustang, 70's P bass and 50's P bass appear to have "ISS" serial numbers... Pointing to the Samick factory in Indonesia. This gives me hope that the Jaguar will have better QC than the other currently available CV models. Then again, the pictures of the back of the headstocks on the Fender site may not be telling the whole story, but it still gives me hope...

On the guitar side, the 50's and 60's strats show ISS numbers, the 70's strat shows ICS, in case anyone cares. Haven't checked the Teles.

I am super happy with my previous gen CIC CV 70's P bass ("CGS" serial no), but it also seems to have a slight anomaly. Mine came with a vintage style bridge (bent plate, steel saddles with groove) instead of the high mass with brass saddles. The store I got it from seems to advertise them like that, though ("4-Saddle Vintage-Style with Bridge Cover"), so it may simply be a regional thing? Will ask the store.

 

[Texican]

So... here's a juicy little bit of speculation: I've been looking at the serial numbers of the various new CV basses and turned up something interesting. The 60's P bass (like I purchased), 70's J bass, fretless J, 5-string J, Bass VI and both left handed models all appear to have "ICS" serial numbers, pointing to Cor-Tek (Cort) factory in Indonesia. The as-yet unreleased Jaguar, Mustang, 70's P bass and 50's P bass appear to have "ISS" serial numbers... Pointing to the Samick factory in Indonesia. This gives me hope that the Jaguar will have better QC than the other currently available CV models. Then again, the pictures of the back of the headstocks on the Fender site may not be telling the whole story, but it still gives me hope...

On the guitar side, the 50's and 60's strats show ISS numbers, the 70's strat shows ICS, in case anyone cares. Haven't checked the Teles.

I am super happy with my previous gen CIC CV 70's P bass ("CGS" serial no), but it also seems to have a slight anomaly. Mine came with a vintage style bridge (bent plate, steel saddles with groove) instead of the high mass with brass saddles. The store I got it from seems to advertise them like that, though ("4-Saddle Vintage-Style with Bridge Cover"), so it may simply be a regional thing? Will ask the store.

My CIC CV 70’s P bass (purchased new in December 2018) also has the bent plate with steel saddles. Not sure what gives...