Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster - Funky 335 Alternative - Electric Guitar Review
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- Опубліковано 24 лип 2024
- This week we take a look at the 70's super-cool and funky STARCASTER. Designed to take on the mighty ES-335 this pointy alternative didn't really catch on so was it ahead of its time or just a bit rubbish?... we grabbed a Squier CV version to find out what it's like!
Time stamps:
0:00 play in & coming up
1:30 what's happening today?
2:40 about the guitar & what it's made of
5:06 bridge, tailpiece, & pickups
7:43 let's play something 1
9:01 let's weigh it
9:18 a problem occurs
10:34 hardware nerdery
12:35 under the hood
15:07 loose wiring investigation
16:48 have we fixed it?
19:39 neck profile & measurements
19:57 pickup outputs
20:32 let's plug in it and hear the pickups
22:20 let's play something 2
24:14 so what do we think
27:34 let's wrap it up
29:03 play out jam
Signal Chain Info:
Drive Pedals (when on): TC Spark / Big Muff
Amp: Vox AC15C1
Mics AKG C414 & SM57
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 into Protools
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#squier #guitar #starcaster #guitaraddict #theguitaristas #guitarist - Розваги
So nice to have some sweet, soulful, melodic guitar playing instead of the overly-processed shred that seems everywhere these days. Thank you.
Thanks for the kind words and support that's really appreciated! 🙏😎
everyone tries to solo like john mayer or eddie Van Halen haha ohh or Joe Bonamassa who is like the middle of the two styles haha
Thank you for not doing Eruption
The young fella from Alamo Music Centre also did some very nice playing on it.
I find myself less listening to reviews these days and just jamming along to the playing
Gotta say Colin, you’ve quickly become my favorite UA-cam guitarist...week after week, just awesome playing. Thanks for the inspiration.
Ah cheers man that’s really appreciated! 🙏☺️
I really enjoy the laid back nature of this channel, your playing is awesome, and the golden nuggets of information you share. Interesting guitar.
Thanks for another terrific Friday instalment, Professor. That Squier is a seriously cool guitar - I'm looking forward to the match up with the Gretsch, and the Epiphone in your semi hollow-body hit out.
Have a great weekend!
Really enjoyed seeing the process that you used to investigate the wiring issue ... a valuable and REAL demonstration of what can happen - and it makes your reviews reach the 'toppermost of the poppermost'
Great vid and review as always. Can't wait for the comparisons, don't be too down about the pickup loose wiring. Put it down to a fun session when you get time to pull it apart!
Just discovered this channel and loving it. Genuinely thorough and useful reviews. I love your style as well... Very relaxed and low key whilst entertaining and informative
Thanks man that's appreciated glad you found us! 😎👍
An island in crucial times - thanx for giving the peaceful entertainment to us - again as ever well done - staying with the channel! Cheers from Germany Thomas
Those Squier WRHB pickups have run of the mill size humbuckers with non magnetized pole pieces, no reflector plates and wax spacer to fit the larger cover. You have to get up to Vintera level before you get into similar to original WRHB size bobbins with the two side mounted non magnetized reflector plates, but still with non magnetized pole pieces. Then for true WRHB tone you have to get the original or reissued CuNiFe humbuckers with magnetized CuNiFe (rather than AlNiCo) pole pieces and the two non magnetized side reflector plates. You can check Scott Haskitt for the Vintera WRHB teardown and DylanTalksTone for the Squier/Player WRHB teardown.
I’ve been looking at the clock this morning waiting till noon for my weekly fix undoubtedly the best guitar channel on UTube
Dear "web-friend", it's always a pleasure to look at your videos. You're very natural, simple, clear and I love the way you play: vintage style with no reason to show off your skills. I love that. You're my number one Tube-Guitarist. Keep it rockin'! Cheers from Italy.
Great video Colin! I have the exact same Starcaster! I kind of have a love/hate relationship with the pickups. I’ve contemplated changing them but then I plug into an overdriven amp and it sounds killer. All in all a very fun guitar!
Love it! Shame about the wiring issue. I picked one up used about a year ago. It is no where near what it was when I bought it. Refined the top to natural, left the back black. Swapped out the pots, bridge and tailpiece. Couldn't get on with the neck so I swapped it out with a CBS ebony board one with more girth at the 12th. Great platform for mods for sure. Looking forward to the head to head. Great stuff as usual man !!
I have the Fender version and I think they are an excellent guitar. One of the best semi hollow bodies around. 👍🏻
I don’t think you get enough credit for your playing ability. You’ve got outstanding tone and touch
Thanks that's really appreciated! 🙏😊
I've been aware of this guitar for a number of years but I've always "swiped left" when I see it. Watching this video though has changed my mind about it and I now regard it as a serious 335 contender. I'm looking forward to your comparison with the Gretch and Epi video. Another well spent Friday Lunctime 30 mins.
loved the end-jam a lot! Thank you for starting my saturday morning like this.
Cheers David, have a great weekend! 😎👍
My experience with a pick-up going off is that it’s usually the switch, not the potentiometer wiring.
Great video again Colin. The wide pickups do sound nice. Looking forward to your video with your tele custom.
Fantastic review. Love it. Detailed, knowledgable, very informative. So fun, Wonderful tunes...
😁🙏
Great video been a little bit since I dropped by, but I couldn’t resist this since it’s one my favorite guitar styles. Your vids are always the most fun anyways, great Weekend Sir!
Cheers Steve, always appreciate the support! 😎👍
I was looking at one of these from the squire 40th anniversary CV selection and I never heard of it, so your review was as always very useful.
such a simple yet oh so sweet piece of music. Thanks Colin.
I'm not looking for a new guitar & semi hollows are not my thing anyway! I just really like your presentation you seem like a real person as opposed to someone attempting to sell me on something. Thanks for that & take care..
Hey Kerry , thanks for the kind words its really appreciated! 🙏😊
Hi Colin, in that situation I think I’d be dousing the selector switch in liberal amounts of contact cleaner before I warmed the soldering iron up!
In terms of other rivals to the 335 you might want to consider the Ibanez range, my AS 73 was just over £400 and I like it. Would be very interesting to see how it stacks up against the many options for affordable semi hollow guitars that are available now!
Hey Colin! Thanks for the video! I have the Squier Starcaster Classic Vibe (sunburst) and the Vintage Modified Strat HSS. They were both made in Indonesia and the fit and finish is incredibly good. They give the appearance of much more expensive guitars. Love them both! Thanks again, man!
Fantastic review. Your videos are a treat to watch.
Cheers Billy! 😎👍
I continue to not only love your videos, this one included, but that I actually seek out to search for them puts you in rarified air, mate. Rarified air. Much appreciated. For the price this beauty is yet another appealing Squier. And yeah, your right, I'd look for another color. Appreciate your point about strings hitting the back of the bridge too. Cheers.
Thanks David, your kind words and support is much appreciated! 😎👍
Awesome Video as always. Thankyou. I have found one of these local to me second hand, I am thinking of putting in an offer. Thanks for your Honest and Comprehensive Demo/Review/etc. Amazing Playing as always. Cheers
Something a little different. Love the Classic Vibe range. Those random electrical gremlins are V annoying had something similar on a G&L Telecaster, never really discovered what was causing it, just resoldered a few connections (although no obvious breaks) put it back together and it was fine again. Keep up the content. Cheers
Nice one again colin. Usual comprehensive review. Thanks. I enjoy it early on your tv channel.
Ah yes we managed a 12 hour head start this week for the VIP's on the other side! 😎👍
A great review, and the piece you played was such a welcome change from the usual twiddling one normally gets.
Cheers William! 😎👍
This is such an awesome channel! Cool playing, lots and lots of learning for my grey (green) matter and unbiased (i.e. not sponsored) review. Thank you !
Got this same one a few weeks ago and I'm in love 😍.. my new favorite guitar 🎸
Beautiful guitar. I think you'll find it holds its own...looking forward to the comparison...and lovely playing as always ;)
Hey man, thank you for this demo/repair/investigative video. Watching you pull that stuff out & brainstorm THEN put it all back together prolly would’ve had me doin’ a straight NYC POTTY MOUTH ATTACK within 30 seconds!!! I appreciate what you do so I subscribed & wanted to comment because I know it helps out! I’m looking forward to watching more videos, when I can find the time. Happy New Year either way!!!
Cheers man thanks for support and comment it’s appreciated! 😁👍
This is such a great, knowledgeable review. I appreciate that you went into the details with the guitar. Your playing is amazing as well, the best I’ve ever heard on a UA-cam review.
Thanks for the kind words that's very much appreciated! 🙏😊
These are wonderful guitars! I'd seen them around, and kindof stuck my nose up at them, but after finally playing one, I'm a fan! Perfect little alt rock guitar! I bet it would be great for jazz as well :)
Thanks Colin another lovely video. Those pickups sound great. Some vibrant colours would possibly tempt me.
Oy, Colin , I always enjoy your films and really enjoyed your playing this week.
Cheers Scott! 😎👍👍
Hey Colin mate. That is a really pretty guitar for sure, not really my style but I do like it. Great vid even with the wiring issue! lol Have a great weekend mate.
Definately appreciate the honest review Colin. I would think many reviewers would be happy to omit the pickup issue if they had already captured a reasonable amount of play.
First time here and I thought it was a bit of a breath of fresh air and it's more fun when something goes wrong. I'll subscribe happily. Thanks!
Cheers Tom, thanks for the kind words glad you found us! 😎👍
Hi Colin ,enjoyed the review ,ive got a classic vibe olympic white tele with wide range pups about 10 years ago they sound tidy , keep the great video's up 👍🎸
I am getting one on the same color Today. Can't wait!
Love your videos.. thanks for sharing your expertise!
Thanks for watching! 🙏😎
Hey Colin, great video again. My son has the Crafted in China Fender Claasic series Starcaster in Natural and that had a similar wiring/pick up fault too. I love the guitar as 335 alternative has a character all it’s own.
Keep up the great work 👌
I like this, that natural breakup tone sounds really nice. The wheight is a big deal to me as I tried a mim Fender Starcaster once in a local shop, and it was really heavy, probably above 4kg. So 3.4kg on this is like a good light tele. Dave Keuning in The Killers plays a Starcaster, so there’s a style reference. I think I’ll get one. Thanks for a good hang, I enjoy it!
Cheers man have a great weekend! 😎👍👍
Crazy detailed review. Amazing.
Alright geezer. Love watching your shows every thing is so relaxed you don’t ask for nothing only a like and subscribe not a lot to ask for. And I’ve actually learned a few bits and pieces watching you play. Love the breakdown of the guitars great to see what goes on in the inside loved the classic vibe videos. Got a few of them myself and they are great guitars for the price. Keep up the great work mate I always like to support local channels. They usually turn out to be the most interesting. Look forward to seeing more from you. All the best man. Take care. Colin. G. London 🎸🎸🎸😎👍🏻🥂
Cheers for the kind words and support… glad you found us! 😎👍👍
Thanks for another Friday treat & interesting , fun review . I looked at one last year but went with a Harley Benton 35 in cherry red that will be modded to death . I love the head stock on these & it is still on my list , so many guitars so little time 😁
I love mine. Only owned it for a month, but very impressed. The neck feels perfect to me.
Although this guitar isn't my cup of Earl Grey Colin's videos are always technically informative. I couldn't help but watch the whole thing. Excellent film quality too. Bravo, once again, Colin!
Thanks mate have a great weekend! 😎👍
@@theguitaristas I actually warmed up to the guitar thanks to your video, Colin. But I remain a Strat and SG guy.
Another great video!!!
I played Stratocasters for about forty years before Arthritis started to bother me. That 25.5" scale neck puts more tension on the strings than the 24.75" that Les Pauls use.
I had switched to Squier Strats after I tried one in a pawn shop next to a few Mexicasters. The Squier blew them away as far as fit and finish goes. And it was three times less money. (Notice I didn't say "cheaper"???)
It seems that before long the only thing separating American guitars from imports will be the price...😢
On a separate note, my money is on a problem with the switch for your intermittent neck pup!!!
Have a good week my man, see ya' next Friday if the Good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise!!!
Have you tried 8's on a Strat or Tele? Billy Gibbons swears by them.
I suffer from a neuro-degenerative disease that comes with a side of RA like arthritis. The last 6 years or so I’ve been using Open G. The lower tension and easier fingering makes a huge difference. If you choose to make the switch. Banjo lessons can be a huge help.😎
Another great one - thanks Colin!! Had a similar problem with a pickup cutting in and out on my Gretsch Streamliner. Was the switch - put in a new one and good from then on.
Super tasty licks starting around 7:40. Nice job mate
Cheers Tom! 😎👍👍
My nephew just bought one and he loves it. 👍🇨🇦
Always enjoyable review as usual.
Quite impressed by the pickups. They sounded pretty powerful. Be interested to see if they can provide that classic 335 blues tone.
Not particularly enamoured with the shape, but overall not a bad guitar for the money. I must admit that if it were mine, I'd be constantly waiting for that pickup to stop working every time I picked it up. Couldn't cope with that I'm afraid.
Keep up the great work Colin.
Cheers as always.
😊😎🎸🇺🇦
I had the same issue with my Rickenbacher 4003. It was the selector switch. It was simply dirty I cleaned it the contacts that is, and now it works fine. Good luck!
Hi Colin! I must say I like this guitar quite a lot. Original design, good sounding pickups and a maple neck in a semi-hollow all seem very promising. The possibly shabby electronics are not a deal-breaker for me, nothing that couldn't be fixed or replaced, the access seems quite decent here. Just the bolt-on construction looks strange to me on this type of guitar and turns me off a little. Cheers!
Good vid, it was nice to see a bit of the internals of the guitar. I have a 2020 Starcaster in natural finish, and mine has the same issue but with the bridge pickup. I assumed it was the switch, sometimes it doesn't seem to want to engage the pickup, but giving it a good wiggle usually sorts it out. Ideally, I'll replace the switch and the pots, which are also my other gripe, but other than that, it's huge fun to play and I love the way it sounds fuzzed up. The guitar has a much more trashy sound and vibe than my Ibanez AS93, which is sort of the other end of the E335 spectrum. Cheers.
Such tasty playing, old school musicianship, I loved it...Thank you
Cheers that's appreciated! 😁🙏
To quote Dokken, Colin “Just got Lucky” with that electrical gremlin. ⚡️
You had me singing along with a bit of REM to the video. Great Playing!
Cheers man! 😎👍
Hi Colin I'm a new subscriber to your channel and have to say I'm enjoying your videos very much I'm very much a fender & squier fan but enjoy learning about guitars in general
Cheers Chris, glad you found us man!... thanks for the kind words and support it's appreciated! 😎👍
Just got one at my local Sam Ash (King Of Prussia, PA) this past Thursday. I absolutely adore it. It's the sunburst one. I love playing it.
I love this visual and ergonomic design. Squier has the best game for gear generally. All very playable. Thanks!!
Thank you for your review on this guitar I was thinking of buying one But after watching this I think I'll hold off I really like this channel and all your honest reviews you do On guitars keep up the good work
Cheers Anthony! 😎👍
Interesting and informative video. Sharp looking guitar.
Love your way and Idea, lovely
Thanks so much that's appreciated! 😊
The beauty of wide range hums is the clarity like single coils but with the beef of a humbucker.
😎👍👍
Great review especially with the hiccups. Can't wait to see the full show with the Epi, Gretsch, and whatever else makes sense.
Love your videos. All the best.
Thanks Chris! 😎👍
Great video and playing as usual. 👍👍
Thanks that's appreciated 😎👍
Hi Colin!
My friend just bought this guitar as well, he bought his with the burst finish. I just finished doing a set up for him and it played real nicely. He had a set of the vintage locking tuners with a higher ratio so he had me swap those out. The few small things I did was I filed out the bottoms of his F holes for a cleaner look. I just had some minor nut filing to do only on the D-A and the low E string, the three treble side were already pretty spot on 🤙
Then I lowered his bridge a bit for a nicer action and that was about it! Incredible workmanship for that price range no doubt!
Thanks for the deep dive video, always fun to watch!
PS - I’m actually surprised you didn’t just go ahead and solder in a CTS pot while you had it pulled apart…. You were there already haha 😀
Anyhow, I hope it’ll keep working for you now of course!
Yes those wires and pots are typically a little lacked to be desired but I’m probably being too anal now too.
Cheers Thomas, maybe a good thing that I didn't just swap out the pot... so many people telling me it must be the switch! 🤣
@@theguitaristas I agree regarding the problem for sure. I meant to swap the pot out because they are usually kinda iffy at best and you had it pulled out already…..
Kind of a preventative maintenance but never mind, maybe your not planning to keep it for too long. 🤙
Almost bought one of those about a year ago. Bummed out about the wiring problem. Nice sounding guitar though. Thx for another great video. 🍻 Cheers
I have one of these guitars. Absolutely love it!
Cool channel keep up the good work take care my friend great reviews
Thanks Andy that’s appreciated 😎👍
Cool video. Last time my neck pickup did that, the switch just needed some contact cleaner luckily.
I caved in to your pleading, and hit the "LIKE" button.
😆👍
Nice demo of a very special guitar! Didn't know the story of Seth Lover
Got myself a black Fender Starcaster Modern Player series last weekend. Lovely guitar.
Seriously thought about getting one of these just before COVID rolled around. In fact the brown model is the one I was going for. Don't recall why I never followed through. I would think the selector switch is going bad. Thanks Colin. Watching from Texas. 🤠🎸
Loved the Everybody Hurts this week!
That was an interesting to have captured on video and I hope it’s just one of those weird one-off life things. May the neck pickup live long! Definitely was worth it to get a look under the hood.
Love the whole look and sound of that!! I’ve never seen that model, awesome!! Love the headstock!i think the brown is classy, the natural and candy apple red are two other great colors IMO
Great video! That headstock though...
Love the show keep making them and yes some times a new purchase can have the odd problem.
It’s not the end of the world if it’s not new
I thought the Starcaster sounded nice, kind of a similar sound to the thinline Telecasters that have the same wide range humbuckers, such as the Tele Deluxe or 72 Customs but mainly the Deluxes.
I made 2 Teles of my own nearly 10 years ago, a Cabronita and a Deluxe. Man I love both of those Teles, and they both play and feel great. When I was looking for the pickups & parts for the Deluxe, I came across an English pickup maker called Oil City Pickups, and after talking with Ash, the owner, he showed me his wide range humbuckers called Buccaneers after the guitarist in Johnny Kidd & The Pirates. I decided to buy those pickups, to me they sounded better than the others I listened to, were probably the best priced of the lot, plus they were made in England, which is unusual these days.
Back then though, even just 10 years ago, there weren't as many pickup companies as there are today, and wide range humbuckers are / were a specialised pickup and not standard by any means, and as such, there wasn't a massive choice to choose a good pair of wide range humbuckers from.
If you keep that Starcaster, keep your eyes open for a set of Oil City Buccaneers, they're excellent. Oil City do have a website but when I last looked a couple of years ago, they didn't have Buccaneers for general sale at the time but were available as a custom order.....that could have changed by now so just have a look on the Oil City website if you're interested mate 👍
I did like the look of them when squire re-released it at first, but then realised i didn't 😅 that original tele though!! Look forward to that one
I have this guitar and love it!, I replaced the rear bridge with ROLLER BRIDGE set up and 2 roller tree strings.
I played one in the natural finish at a local Music Go Round. Seemed like a pretty cool, unique guitar. Good tones. I couldn't justify buying an extra ES, but it was cool with the slender maple neck and brighter tones.
Absolutely appreciate that you take the time to create time stamps. 👏🤝 now we know why the guy decided to sell it 😂. Glad you could sort it out.
Cheers Tim… I still need to fix it properly! 🤣👍
Loved hearing the REM in there
Addictive Friday viewing. Great honest guitar review, I love the body shape, not so keen on the headstock and it being a bolt on.
Cheers Keith, have a great weekend mate! 😎👍
@@theguitaristas You too!
Great review (as ever) and interesting to see Fender/Squier doing something different but still traditional. I was looking at one in PMT music earlier today - only downside from me is the headstock - I think it looks "clumpy" (in person), probably not helped by the black bottom piece.
Wow, I had no clue Squire made anything like that. I love their vintage bass remakes. Still prefer my Stingray, but the jazz bass looks and sounds really good
I was real impressed with their Squier Paranormal 54 Jazz Bass, super cool, but just couldn't justify buying another bass.
One of the praise and worship guys was playing one at church today and I had to find out more about it. Thinking Squires have sharp frets but your copy looked pretty good. Going to look for the Epi ES335 comparison. Thanks.
Thanks f
or that, could listen to you talk guitar all day. From a little town in Errol NH
Cheers Bill that’s appreciated! 😎👍👍
Yeah...idk..if there was a fender guitar that I'd say was problematic, I'd say it was the Starcaster. And, unfortunately the headstock just looks too big to my eyes.
However, I loved your first jam and you seemed to be quite enjoying it on the outro. So, it did sound pretty good throughout. Perhaps it is a good 335 variant for the price. 😎
As always a solid review. I see them about quite a bit, so I may plug one in sometime in the near future.
Cheers Colin. 👍
An excellent review again, looking forward to the semi-hollow shootout. I’d wager an Ibanez Artcore would put up a good fight against a Gibson, Epiphone, or that Starcaster. Cheers sir!!