Yes! And the pickups are actually really good — at least on the Jazz basses.
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Squier Classic Vibe 2019
- Thread starter LkS
- Start date
I'm one of those old dogs who remembers when the Squier line was introduced in the 80's. They were price-pointed at beginners and novices. I never gave them a second look.
Last year I tried all the various Fenders at my local shop, looking for a back-up for my (real) 1974 Jazz. Couldn't find anything that didn't feel 'too new', cold, or heavy. I decided to try a Squier and there it was- that warm, light, smooth, resonant feel I was used to in my old J-Bass. I knew I'd own a Squier soon.
Today I closed the deal on a 2020 ISS-serial Surf Green CV70's P. I read somewhere, I think on this long thread, that the CV70's are arguably as good as a real 70's Fender. As a lifelong 74 Jazz player, I have to concur.
In the 70's Fender pretty much hit their low point, with the preponderance of bulky instruments with super thick poly finishes, and super heavy bodies. As the years went by and people started getting 'vintage' prices for them, guys who remembered those guitars from back in the day, thought that was pretty funny. That said, the 70's were my time, and I cant help but dig the Classic Vibe line. At the store I compared a CV70's J-Bass (Cort), to two CV70's P-Basses (Samick). The Samick was more to my taste, feel-wise, so I went with a P-Bass. It's really well made too. I'm keeping it stock. Played great right off the shelf, didn't even need a set up. It also seems a bit more svelte, dimension-ally, than a real 70's. In a good way. It's only 8lbs 3ozs. Its fun to play.
Last year I tried all the various Fenders at my local shop, looking for a back-up for my (real) 1974 Jazz. Couldn't find anything that didn't feel 'too new', cold, or heavy. I decided to try a Squier and there it was- that warm, light, smooth, resonant feel I was used to in my old J-Bass. I knew I'd own a Squier soon.
Today I closed the deal on a 2020 ISS-serial Surf Green CV70's P. I read somewhere, I think on this long thread, that the CV70's are arguably as good as a real 70's Fender. As a lifelong 74 Jazz player, I have to concur.
In the 70's Fender pretty much hit their low point, with the preponderance of bulky instruments with super thick poly finishes, and super heavy bodies. As the years went by and people started getting 'vintage' prices for them, guys who remembered those guitars from back in the day, thought that was pretty funny. That said, the 70's were my time, and I cant help but dig the Classic Vibe line. At the store I compared a CV70's J-Bass (Cort), to two CV70's P-Basses (Samick). The Samick was more to my taste, feel-wise, so I went with a P-Bass. It's really well made too. I'm keeping it stock. Played great right off the shelf, didn't even need a set up. It also seems a bit more svelte, dimension-ally, than a real 70's. In a good way. It's only 8lbs 3ozs. Its fun to play.
My ICSD20 (think the D means Fender special run) CV 70s and its gorgeously flamed and color mismatched neck.
Got it for 2/3rds the price as B-stock cause of a single, practically invisible nick on the back of the body.
The neck is something explicit, and this coming from a guy who loves his satin Strat. Buuut I think I will change the neck for one of the older CV necks cause the color really bugs me. It would work great on a black one, but I don't think it works on a natural.
Got it for 2/3rds the price as B-stock cause of a single, practically invisible nick on the back of the body.
The neck is something explicit, and this coming from a guy who loves his satin Strat. Buuut I think I will change the neck for one of the older CV necks cause the color really bugs me. It would work great on a black one, but I don't think it works on a natural.
Looks pretty good from here. The black blocks accentuate the black pickguard and the maple neck compliments the natural body as well. You know, feng shui and all that.
Yeah I love the simple natural/black color scheme, I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. But in any case, as lovely as the neck is, these new CV 70s have a vintage tint finish, which, again, would look great on a black body, but just looks a bit out of place to me on a natural. Still feels and looks amazing, though.
Revisit Indonesia CV50P in white blonde couple weeks ago, this one sound bigger , higher output and a bit better QC compare to my Feb 2020 Sunburst CV50P. But still cant get match to the China CV QC.
Few sharp fret end , high A string nut slot , dirty fret wire, notable body paint polished circular sign, unsmooth saddle screws and loose feeling tone pot. Luckly the Cheap stock tuning machine hold tune well, well fret work without fret buzz with my prefer low action , rock steady neck and No factory crook bridge assembly.
Few sharp fret end , high A string nut slot , dirty fret wire, notable body paint polished circular sign, unsmooth saddle screws and loose feeling tone pot. Luckly the Cheap stock tuning machine hold tune well, well fret work without fret buzz with my prefer low action , rock steady neck and No factory crook bridge assembly.
Well…the CVs were just a little too good for the price weren’t they?
For me the Chinese CVs kinda put the whole MIM product line into question - with the question being: Is having ‘Fender’ instead of ‘Squier’ on the headstock worth an additional $500?
To the "audience", ..Yes.
T$
A black 70’s p-bass “demo” landed on my door step today. 24 hours to wait...
Hello everyone I'm new to the Squier land ,but not fenders...
Can someone explain the differences between these two, and which would be better? thx
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Fender Musical Instruments - Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass, Maple Fingerboard, Left-Handed - Black
Can someone explain the differences between these two, and which would be better? thx
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Fender Musical Instruments - Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass, Maple Fingerboard, Left-Handed - Black
I have a older VM JB 70’s with the Duncan Designed pups and it’s a nice well made bass. Imo better than later ones without the Duncan’s. The quite thin neck with stock tuners has been rock stable so far after 7 years of steady use.
However, the body is maple and weighs a ton so if weight is an issue for you then you may wish to check out the CV 70’s that you referenced as I believe the body is made from poplar like my CV60’s P which is much lighter than maple and is supposed to be tonally similar to Alder which seems to be true. They should share the same electronics, body size, and neck specs.
If you want to try a current production lefty Squier with a laurel board instead there’s also the CV60’s P. Never mind the naysayers regarding the Laurel. It sounds good and oils up well.
There was also the VM60’s Jazz with fender designed pups, a basswood body in burst, and rosewood board with a glossy neck produced from ‘13 till ‘18. These are worth a look if you can find one. I rented one for awhile and later regretted not buying it. Very comfortable player. Shoulda bought it lol.
Also, check the serial #. Serials starting with ISS are IMO better than ICS ones.
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More like "to the other bass players in the audience". The average non-musician can barely distinguish between a bass and a regular guitar, let alone between various brands.
ISS = Indonesian Sammick Squier
ICS = Indonesian Cortek Squier
I think 50s are made by Sammick, baiscally, the better ones... with still crappy tuners.
ICS = Indonesian Cortek Squier
I think 50s are made by Sammick, baiscally, the better ones... with still crappy tuners.
Cort-built Squiers have their serial # start with ICS as per my ‘19 CV60’s P.
Samick-built Squiers have their serials start with ISS.
Samicks are reputed to be better.
Thanks for the feedback.
It is an ISS serial number, in the tobacco sunburst, with the stock white pickguard.
I've read that the bodies on these Indo CV 50's are poplar, I think pine was also mentioned somewhere.
There are different kinds of poplar.
Tulip Poplar/Yellow Poplar from the eastern United States is harder and heavier than the White Poplar/Silver Poplar from Europe and Asia.
I would be very happy if it is the heavier harder Poplar variety.
I know lots of folks are happy with light basswood bodies, I'm not a fan of really soft basswood and not a fan of too light bodies that tend to make neck diver basses.
It is an ISS serial number, in the tobacco sunburst, with the stock white pickguard.
I've read that the bodies on these Indo CV 50's are poplar, I think pine was also mentioned somewhere.
There are different kinds of poplar.
Tulip Poplar/Yellow Poplar from the eastern United States is harder and heavier than the White Poplar/Silver Poplar from Europe and Asia.
I would be very happy if it is the heavier harder Poplar variety.
I know lots of folks are happy with light basswood bodies, I'm not a fan of really soft basswood and not a fan of too light bodies that tend to make neck diver basses.
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I have one of the Olympic White Precision basses. All I did to mine is replace the tuners with Pre-CBS style reverse tuners, and put the bridge and pickup covers on. Everything else is stock, and it plays and sounds just fine to me. I may at some point decide to replace the pick up in it. But right now, the stock pup is just fine.
My CV60 P has a poplar body and so does my EBMM Stingray. Neither has balance issues and hardware doesn’t strip like crazy like some on basswood bodies do (ie Ibanez). Seems to be a win to me.
So, yours is Indonesian made?
I have a number of USA Peavey basses that have poplar bodies and they are great.
My 1985 Guild Pilot has a poplar body and that bass is awesome.
My 2003 EBMM SUB Bass has a poplar body and also a great bass.
I have no problem with good poplar at all.
My Squier VM Precision (72 Tele) Bass, the body is basswood with veneer front and back...
gotta be real careful with screws or you will strip them out
I have a number of USA Peavey basses that have poplar bodies and they are great.
My 1985 Guild Pilot has a poplar body and that bass is awesome.
My 2003 EBMM SUB Bass has a poplar body and also a great bass.
I have no problem with good poplar at all.
My Squier VM Precision (72 Tele) Bass, the body is basswood with veneer front and back...
gotta be real careful with screws or you will strip them out
No worry about poplar or bass wood thing, all indo made Squier bass body wood are low grade wood even how FMIC name them. My previous 2012~2016 china CV60P/60J has basswood, and 50P has Pine. The thick poly paint on bass body are secure enough to protect the soft body.
Both my CV60J and 50P weight around 10lbs, and 60P 9lbs, no neck dive issue at all.
I change the pickups and pickguard on my 60P bass more than 10 times,never meet strip problem.
My current indo CV50P has poplar , when i knock the body, she has more resonance than china 50P pine body .
Does it means Pine are solid than poplar ?
