Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

Made 2008, 21 frets, bolt on maple neck, 2-tone tobaccco, c profile, yahda yahda

I have only played strats on occasion and my main guitar is a 1970s Gibson custom SG. I am enjoying the tones extracted from this strat. The pups provide a warm, rounded tone with plenty of that strat bounce and liveliness, especially on the middle/bridge mix. I have played it thru a Fender Pro Junior and piece of crap amp too. No complaints on sound - the pups are very quiet but sensitive making for some full and easily pinched harmonics.Sure they can't produce that fat and monstrous SG neck humbucker punch but that's not what I bought it for. The two guitars complement each other well on sound expanding my pallet of sounds for recording for a mere $300

The action is surprisingly good - the high frets (which seemed ridiculously high after the worn down, already low frets of the SG) allow for effortless bends. I don't find the almost plastic like finish on the neck sticky as did another reviewer and I live in Thailand where the weather is hot and humid.

Now the negatives - minor fret buzz has been a regular annoyance and truss rod adjustment won't do it. Initially I lowered the action just a little but had to set it back to medium to address the buzz. I don't think it it a fret dressing issue because the buzz changes from fret to fret with the weather and with string changes.It is only minor but on the 6th E, after the 12th fret buzz is audible playing clean and this is unsatisfactory. I had the luthier where I bought it have a look and he couldn't do more than I had. This has killed my love buzz for this guitar, even though he thought I was being pedantic. My SG has no idea what fret buzz is and never has and its subjected to the same dramatic changes in weather we get here.

Another negative - I like 11s (it came with 9s) and the springs couldn't handle it and I had to replace them.

The seams in the body aren't so well matched and you can quickly identify the seam.

Apart from these issues the finish is better on many MIM strats I've played and defiitely the best of what Squier offers.

As mentioned I needed to rip the second rate springs out of the back but they are probably fine if you play with 9s. Too early to judge the longevity of the hardware. The jack socket needs regular tightening. It doesn't feel as solidly made as the SG but for $300 bucks....The vibrato bar doesn't fit snugly. The finish will outlast me I'm sure

No experience

I feel like I have been a little hard on this fine young axe but wanted to be realistic. It is good value for money and I enjoy playing it a lot. I am a perfectionist by nature which is a curse and so I resent the little things I've talked about and comparing it to my SG worth several times the cost of this guitar is not fair. But to be honest, I would not want to give it up at all and I would feel limited by the sound and feel of the SG now. I would like to compare it with the Fender Classic Series MIM. Great guitar for the money but I wonder if QC is becoming an issue now their rep seems established and they are pumping them out of the factory?

Made in China,classic vibe series by Squier.Maple neck with Alder body,vintage style small block tremolo, Alnico 5 single coil PUPS.
typical strat specs 9.5 radius fingerboard with medium frets , and very light weight.
Do not be fooled by "Made in China" , manufacturing in that country is top notch now, I lived in Shanghai 3 years ago and they are well up to par with the west , amazing city.

The sound of these is great , very old school strat sound with a sparkle to the tone.One of the best sounding Strats I've owned in over 35 years.Pick ups are relatively quiet due to good shielding.I wired the tone control from the middle PUP to the bridge PUP so as to be able to roll off the treble a bit when using the bridge position.

Beyond excellent craftsmanship, best fret job I have ever seen on any Fender made anywhere.PUPS were a bit low outta the box but not by much,truss rod needed a quarter turn .Action is great no buzzing or fretting out.Not a single flaw that I could find on these beauties.Fit and finish = top notch.

A very Solid made instrument in all respects.Used at a gig last weekend , totally dependable.

have never needed Fender support in over 35 years.

I have been playing for 40+ years , and can honestly say this is one great Strat , no matter the brand or the country of origin.I own 3 other American standard Fender strats and a Tele ,and this one plays and sounds as good as any of them.Only wish I have is that the pickguard was thinner but for $299. this is one of those "you can't pass up " deals.

THIS ONE WAS MADE IN CHINA & HAS A MAPLE NECK & IS A 2 TONE BURST IN COLOR. ALL I CAN SAY IS I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH THIS AX. IT PLAYS & LOOKS BETTER, THAN SEVERAL AMERICAN FENDERS NOT TO MENTION THE MEX ONES I HAVE OWNED OVER A 35 YEAR SPAN. JUST GRAB ONE & I PROMISE YOU WON'T BE SORRY, I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT THIS AX & I AM VERY CHOOZY ARTIST.

SOUNDS AS GOOD AS ANY FENDER INCLUDING THE HIGH END STUFF.

JUST PERFECT, I HAVE NOT HAD A GUITAR I DID NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO EXCEPT THIS BABY

ONLY HAVE OWNED IT FOR A MONTH BUT IT LOOKS DURABLE

DO NOT LET A NEW ONE GET AWAY, FABULOUS PRICE