Squier Classic Vibe 2019

[Lee Kirkham]

I think they are actually using the same machines that were on the early CV's … one of the hold overs for the new VM/CV marriage …

Not so, here is a comparison between the first edition (sonic blue) and the new edition (olympic white). I think the new version's tuners are the same they use on the Affinity series. Not my faves.

 

[CiaranQ]

Not so, here is a comparison between the first edition (sonic blue) and the new edition (olympic white). I think the new version's tuners are the same they use on the Affinity series. Not my faves.

View attachment 3295940

Yeah, they are cheapies. Given the keen price point, throw on a set of gotoh/hipshots. Problem solved!

They will hold tune enough in the interim though. It's not like they'll drop a semitone just by looking at them.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I think the CV series looks really nice. They are adding some nice appointments this time around. The narrow tall frets are a nice touch, and unique to this Squier line, I believe. The threaded bridge saddles, likewise. I wish they would have added one more classic color option, maybe something along the lines of Burgundy Mist Metallic or Shoreline Gold. Heck, I'd even go for a black with tort version.

The Indian Laurel isn't so bad, and yeah, with a little linseed oil you could probably darken it up a bit. It's certainly better looking than the Pau Ferro.

My only real deterrent with the new models are those tuners, simply horrible looking. I thought the previous CV tuners looked much better. I would HAVE to swap those out if I bought one.

On a separate note, I hope the 3-burst looks better in person. The inconsistent wood grain on the model they photographed looks horrible.

On another note, I like that they changed the "jazz bass" decal to look like the 70's stylized letters. Would LOVE if they did that with another "70's" CV P Bass!

Better looking than pau ferro? ... uh ... this is a highly subjective statement in my opinion ...

 

[soulman969]

There are a few differences between the original run and the new 2019.
The original run was made in China - the 2019's are made in Indonesia.
The original had basswood bodies - the 2019's are poplar.
The original had a high-mass bridge with brass saddles - the 2019's have the vintage fender bridge with threaded steel saddles.

I personally like the new bridge. In a way that you can upgrade it now much more easily to a BadAss or Gotoh or Hipshot The original run with the high-mass bridge was using wider screw-hole spacing than standard.

First things I noticed. If they had kept the original series as is the MSRP would have been $450 or more and in all likelihood the sales volume would have kept dropping further increasing their costs and eating into profits. Chinese mfg. lost it's viability.

They moved production to Indonesia and they appear to have cut some other costs and eliminated the rosewood board in order to reduce the price point. Basically an extension of the VM Series but with more original specs and appearance.

 

[mouthmw]

Precision Basses that have only 1 pickup!

CV P basses always had only one pickup. And besides, Fender/Squier doesn't really have a lot of PJ basses on offer. I don't get this point, I'm only quoting it because I've seen someone else mention this fact too. Yeah, like 90% of P basses out of Fender/Squier are one pickup configuration. What gives?

 

[Axstar]

I seriously doubt these are finished in lacquer.

Define lacquer! I'm not seeing the issue here. A gloss finish can be knocked back with fine steel wool.

 

[CiaranQ]

CV P basses always had only one pickup. And besides, Fender/Squier doesn't really have a lot of PJ basses on offer. I don't get this point, I'm only quoting it because I've seen someone else mention this fact too. Yeah, like 90% of P basses out of Fender/Squier are one pickup configuration. What gives?

Before the "new" CV series was launched at NAMM, find me a fretted Squier P that had only a split coil pickup, no bridge Jazz pickup.

EDIT - that isnt a CV 70's P which was kinda available, but only in dribs and drabs and sometimes in that FSR Seafoam at Guitar Center.

 

[soulman969]

I wonder if these will be the same quality as they're now being made in a different factory. Is it just rebranded Vintage Modified?

Too bad P bass got only 2 colors.. Daphne blue would have been cool like 60s Jazz got it.

My guess would be yes.

IMHO had Fender continued to build them in China using the original design and specs MSRP would have climbed to at least $450 and volume would have continued to drop hurting profits.

The originals always were just a little too good for the money and sometimes drew buyers away from MIM models. Now that they've boosted the price of MIMs and reduced the CVs to VM level but with more period correct specs and colors they've basically re-positioned both for better profitability.

 

[mouthmw]

Before the "new" CV series was launched at NAMM, find me a fretted Squier P that had only a split coil pickup, no bridge Jazz pickup.

EDIT - that isnt a CV 70's P which was kinda available, but only in dribs and drabs and sometimes in that FSR Seafoam at Guitar Center.

Yeah you have a point. Not that many Squier series anymore. VM had a PJ (except VM fretless), Affinity had a PJ config and there's nothing else besides the old CV line. I've always been pretty much looking at CV only when it came to Squiers so I guess I kind of missed the fact that most Squiers were PJs lol.

 

[FingerDub]

Define lacquer! I'm not seeing the issue here. A gloss finish can be knocked back with fine steel wool.

Because every new instrument owner wants to irreversibly alter a brand new bass that they purchase...gloss necks are another cheap manufacturing method simply marketed as "vintage"...

 

[Axstar]

Because every new instrument owner wants to irreversibly alter a brand new bass that they purchase...gloss necks are another cheap manufacturing method simply marketed as "vintage"...

Gloss is arguably harder to pull off evenly, especially if tinted, versus a satin finish.

 

[VincentGrim]

Is the VI 'really ' a bass due to its E to E tuning?

I'm gonna jump in here. I play bass VI and VI variants exclusively now. I gotta say, they're basses. They can do anything a standard tuned bass can do and, honestly, should be no less regarded as a bass than any other variety of six string bass.

Admittedly, the pickups in the Vintage Modified Bass VI are pretty weak. Here's to hoping that the classic vibe version corrects that issue. And hooooopefully they fixed the bridge. If so, I can see one of these in my future...

Not to shamelessly plug my band or anything, but check us out. I'm playing a Jazzmaster Bass VI in this track:

 

[marekgaw197]

As much as I love the looks of the olympic white precision and daphne blue jazz, I think they will be a downgrade to the MiC CV. The tuners, bridge and lack of thumb-rest suggest they had to make some cuts, however I'd prefer they sticked with the quality of the old CV - fingers crossed these are only my speculations

 

[soulman969]

Before the "new" CV series was launched at NAMM, find me a fretted Squier P that had only a split coil pickup, no bridge Jazz pickup.

EDIT - that isnt a CV 70's P which was kinda available, but only in dribs and drabs and sometimes in that FSR Seafoam at Guitar Center.

The original CV PBass and the Matt Freeman CV both have a single split coil pickup. Here's the Matt Freeman.

 

[LkS]

As much as I love the looks of the olympic white precision and daphne blue jazz, I think they will be a downgrade to the MiC CV. The tuners, bridge and lack of thumb-rest suggest they had to make some cuts, however I'd prefer they sticked with the quality of the old CV - fingers crossed these are only my speculations

I personally like the new bridge since you can upgrade to BAII (or Gotoh). You couldn't do that with the original MiC. The tuners too, you can upgrade that with out any problems. And you know ... the thumb rest ... who really uses that.
What I'm more worried about is the body material. I like basswood - Japanese Fenders have basswood (I guess not all basswoods are equal?). But that is just my preference.
Also the craftsmanship of the new models, that worries me more but I guess we will have to wait till we get these in our hands and see.

 

[CiaranQ]

The original CV PBass and the Matt Freeman CV both have a single split coil pickup. Here's the Matt Freeman.

View attachment 3296162

I know, but they have been discontinued for some time.

Anyway, we're splitting hairs. They have P basses now!

 

[Alex J]

The 70s pickup spacing on the jazz sends it right to the top of my wish list. Wonder how it stacks up against the Sire V7 vintage..

 

[soulman969]

I know, but they have been discontinued for some time.

Anyway, we're splitting hairs. They have P basses now!

Oh well ya' didn't say new!!

Ebay has a white Matt Freeman listed for only $840. He may be open to an offer though.

But yes, it's good Fender finally restored the classic original models to current production. I suspect genetically they have more VM DNA than original CV DNA but they also priced them $100 less than a MIC CV would have to list for now if they kept the specs the same and the mfg. in China.

I'm sure they'll be worth their price.

 

[InstantEctobass]

The Classic Vibe is back baby!

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You guys missed the fretless jazz! Me want Invalid Link Removed

Yes! But it's a shame. Indian Laurel on a fretless? The old one with Ebony were sexier. Plus they say "60s" when it has 70s pickup spacing lol. Why?

60s spacing it appears.

Nope, the new Squier CV 70s Jazz Bass has the proper 70s spacing, which is amazing.

 

[Marc valero]

5 string version as well!

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Nice that they made a 5