Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster Custom - Review

In recent years Squier (by Fender) series guitars, although aimed mainly at the budget and entry level market, has come of age with offerings more suitable for more discernable musicians.

The latest offering from Squier gives us the Classic Vibe range, which is a take on classic instruments of the 50s and 60s but with practical modern specifications.

The instrument we are reviewing is a 60s Classic Vibe Telecaster Custom in a traditional 3 colour sunburst. It sports a proper alder body which is double bound, complemented by a mint green pickguard.

The vintage gloss amber tint maple neck has a separate rosewood fingerboard with 21 medium-jumbo frets for easy bends and sports a modern 9.5" radius. The neck size certainly feels just right and comfortable to play and the vintage tint gives it an expensive vintage look.

To complete the vintage feature set vintage-style slot in tuners are used, plus a threaded three-saddled bridge. On the electronics front a set of alnico V single-coil pickups provides sounds from sparkly tele on the bridge pickup to nice rhythm on both, and the usual warm jazzy tone on the neck pickup.

The pickups are low to medium output (similar to my original 60s Telecaster actually) and although this is historically accurate maybe a pair of higher output pickups maybe have given a higher output sound and more practicality. Then again one can't really fault the sound of this instrument as an authentic 60s reproduction.

The pickguard also seems to be of a soft rubbery material instead of harder plastic but again no major issue.

Generally the instrument is very well built with no discernable flaws and good work on the electronics and hardware. The paint job is well executed with no over spray even on the binding. It would certainly fool many musicians into thinking it was a Mexican or Japanese Fender if the logo were changed on the headstock.

Obviously time will tell if the instrument is worthy and stands up to regular use but so far my opinion is that of a well-made guitar for very little outlay.

By Ernest H Slade