I have one of the first year Squire 50s Classic Vibe black guard telecasters. It compares well to my 1967 Fender Telecaster. The Square classic vibe telecasters punch well above their price point. As always your review, and your playing were both great!
I generally regard Squiers as modification platforms that have colors, features or pickup configurations that are interesting, but which have pickups that I’m likely to consider replacing. The guitars themselves tend to be better than the pickups, I agree. I have my eye on a few Squiers. The “problem” is I don’t need any new guitar of any kind, and I already have five Teles with various features, pickup configurations or mods that make them both keepers as well as unique-sounding from each other. If I didn’t have any Fender Tele, I’d consider this one, but also because I didn’t have a Tele, my ears would be somewhat less likely to hear the deficiencies on a certain level. It’s a fine guitar to get started down the T-style guitar road. Well-played and I hope the video inspires both beginners and the modification crowd. Ps: Great Demo of those upgraded pickups. I’d buy those!
Hi Leonard, great video, I bought a squire 50s esquire classic vibe used a few years ago and done the same as you I up graded the bridge for a vintage style with brass saddles I also switched out the machine heads for vintage style fender type and stuck in an old Tex Mex pickup I had lying around, what a difference it made turned it into a great guitar, considering the only Esquire I could could buy at that time was a custom shop the upgrades were my only option, it’s the only squire I’ve ever own and I love it , great guitar to mod just don’t go nuts try pick up used parts that would be my advice to anyone thinking of doing the same, take care ✌️🧷🎸
Great video, Leonard! I have a few fairly vintage Squiers and I like and play all of them. But I do love Seymour Duncan pickups, so I might have to do some research! Great licks, man! thanks again!! 😎
Thanks so much. There’s no shortage of great pickups. I used Duncans for this demo simply because they’re always reliably good, even if perhaps not everyone’s idea of exceptional. And they’re readily available, especially on the used market, making them a good choice for upgrading an inexpensive guitar.
Great video. I actually converted a Squier FSR to an Esquire with the Seymore Duncan broadcaster bridge pickup. Lol and I put the brass saddle bridge on as well.
Good video man. As you said Classic Vibe is not vintage correct. I still have 3 CV Teles and I have done the hardware and electronic upgrades plus the neck work. Yes its worth it to me, I'm not trying to resale these because they are keepers. They play and sound perfect for me.
Thanks. Yes, as stated, I wouldn’t either. But some really enjoy this sort of thing. And if you buy everything used, you can come out okay. But yeah, I would either buy something I like as is, and these days that can be done even at that price point, or buy parts and put something together from the ground up.
The two pickup sets honestly didn't sound all that different to me (even with the Fender bridge). The difference was most noticible in the neck position with the Duncan having a lot more clarity. But to me, the other two positions did not sound different enough to want to upgrade my pickups. For now, I am happy with the stock pickups in the Classic Vibe Tele.
That’s great if they work for you. One thing that doesn’t translate is the much improved dynamic response with the Duncans. I tend to automatically compensate with my playing. It’s completely subconscious but it does tend to minimize differences. Thanks so much for watching.
I’ll probably to that one eventually. Keep in mind it is an $800 guitar. Not really in the category with today’s featured Squier. Thanks so much for watching.
Throwing another $300+ at the Squier, I strongly agree with your G&L Tribute ASAT comment, or the AIO/Wolf TC1. Both are ready to play out of the carton and run around $500.
Yes, if I were shopping in that price range I’d definitely go for something that doesn’t require much additional. But, there are those who buy to mod, and a well built Squier isn’t a bad platform, so it’s good to know what the options are. Thanks so much for watching.
I have a Squier CV 50s Tele and I'm about to swap out the pickups. The stock ones sound great in my home studio, but I did a gig this week and found them a bit lifeless, shrill and tinny, and in all honesty, quite disappointing when they had to compete in a live band context and fight for space in the mix with real drums. Great video and super playing as always.
Another great video Len. I have a CV 50's Strat in lefty. To my ear it has far superior sounding pickups then my American Standard. They're period correct for sure. We both know all this stuff is entirely subjective. I liked the way your CV Tele sounded with either pickup my friend. That said, I love SD pickups a lot in almost any guitar. Cheers Blues Brother
Thank you my friend. Yes, this stuff is all completely subjective. I found the Broadcaster set to have a very similar basic vintage character, but with a bit more depth and better dynamics. That said, I tend to compensate with my touch for whatever it is I’m playing. Thanks so much for tuning in.
Lefty here also with 2 CV50s....pups are good...but found neck a touch muddy. One now has Fralins, the other Lollars and now they BOTH sound better than my Tele Pro2 (which I sold). If you keep pups stock, consider removing tone pot from neck pup...really clears up and improves output nicely. YT vids never do tone justice.... This vid is 100% on the money!!
I liked this video a lot! You sound like Freddie King. I enjoy when you play a lot. You are such a good blues guitar player! Greetings from Quebec City, Canada!
Nice! The pickups really improved the sound. I wonder how it would sound with Custom Shop Nocaster pickups? Those are probably my favorite sounding Tele pickups.
HI Leonard, my problem is I'm Left Handed and it's VERY hard now days to find them at a good price. Most companies charge a premium no matter what brand you buy. The Squire Classic Vibe Tele is a very nice guitar but I find the same problem with it as the Fenders, most are way over 7 lbs. Most, at least Left Handed ones are closer to 8 and high ozs. Don';t know why these guitars are so heavy?? Great Vid please keep up the Good Work! Love your Channel and Content!!! Cheers from Salem, Oh.
Yeah, you lefties get the short end on both choice and often price as well. It has improved but I imagine it’s still tough to always find what you want. Back when some of my influences were playing, they had to flip over right handed guitars so it’s better now, but still not ideal. I’ve sound the weight of Squiers to be all over the place, which makes sense. They’re built pretty well but I’m sure the wood isn’t all that carefully selected. So they vary pretty wildly. In any case, best of luck my friend and thanks for watching.
Cool guitar! I’ve got the butterscotch blonde one. I’ve had it for 4 years, and although I love the feel of playing it, I’d say the downfall is the heavy weight of the guitar and the high gloss on the back of the neck. The neck pocket and nut aren’t the tidiest, but the fretwork is very good. I think the pickups and hardware included are actually really good… Overall it’s a great playing guitar
It was pretty easy to set up to play well. Upgrading and modding just appeals to some, so I tried to give some perspective. Thanks so much for watching.
I just got a classic vibe in a trade so I am starting at zero dollars. I and going to drop in a Billy gibbons SD red devil pick up in it. Do you really like the fender bridge?
The brass saddles are a small part of the classic sound, but if the stock bridge doesn’t give you any problems I’d say stick with it, the sonic difference is probably minimal. I had one in the parts bin so why not? The pickups are the biggest improvement.
It’s not so much that they sound “bad”, per se. But compared to the Duncans, or any number of higher quality pickups, they have less depth of tone and are significantly less dynamic. It’s probably a little deceptive because I tend to automatically compensate when playing, a product of experience, so the difference may not be quite as apparent. And the Broadcaster set is actually similar in overall character, they just have way more of it. Thanks so much for watching.
I have one of the first year Squire 50s Classic Vibe black guard telecasters. It compares well to my 1967 Fender Telecaster. The Square classic vibe telecasters punch well above their price point. As always your review, and your playing were both great!
Thank you my friend. Appreciated.
The upgrades do improve the sound and great video. The only new guitars I bought were the first two, after that it has been always used gear.
With all the gazillions of guitars out there, used is a great way to go if you shop carefully. Thanks so much for watching.
I generally regard Squiers as modification platforms that have colors, features or pickup configurations that are interesting, but which have pickups that I’m likely to consider replacing. The guitars themselves tend to be better than the pickups, I agree.
I have my eye on a few Squiers. The “problem” is I don’t need any new guitar of any kind, and I already have five Teles with various features, pickup configurations or mods that make them both keepers as well as unique-sounding from each other.
If I didn’t have any Fender Tele, I’d consider this one, but also because I didn’t have a Tele, my ears would be somewhat less likely to hear the deficiencies on a certain level.
It’s a fine guitar to get started down the T-style guitar road. Well-played and I hope the video inspires both beginners and the modification crowd.
Ps: Great Demo of those upgraded pickups. I’d buy those!
Thanks so much. I really appreciate you following my channel. All the best.
Brother, love your playing and honesty about the Squire Tele.
UPS bringing mine tomorrow.
Nice. I hope you love it.
Hi Leonard, great video, I bought a squire 50s esquire classic vibe used a few years ago and done the same as you I up graded the bridge for a vintage style with brass saddles I also switched out the machine heads for vintage style fender type and stuck in an old Tex Mex pickup I had lying around, what a difference it made turned it into a great guitar, considering the only Esquire I could could buy at that time was a custom shop the upgrades were my only option, it’s the only squire I’ve ever own and I love it , great guitar to mod just don’t go nuts try pick up used parts that would be my advice to anyone thinking of doing the same, take care ✌️🧷🎸
Thanks so much. That’s great. It’s especially nice when you can utilize parts you already have.
I'm keeping mine the way it is.
Great video. I think the sound is much improved. Great playing as always. Thanks, Leonard.
And thank you so much for following my channel.
Great video, Leonard! I have a few fairly vintage Squiers and I like and play all of them. But I do love Seymour Duncan pickups, so I might have to do some research! Great licks, man! thanks again!! 😎
Thanks so much. There’s no shortage of great pickups. I used Duncans for this demo simply because they’re always reliably good, even if perhaps not everyone’s idea of exceptional. And they’re readily available, especially on the used market, making them a good choice for upgrading an inexpensive guitar.
Great pickups - worthy of your playing! 👍
Thanks so much.
Great video. I actually converted a Squier FSR to an Esquire with the Seymore Duncan broadcaster bridge pickup. Lol and I put the brass saddle bridge on as well.
Nice, I bet that sounds really good. Thanks so much for watching.
@@leonardgriffieblues5845 it definitely sounds classic lol
Good video man. As you said Classic Vibe is not vintage correct. I still have 3 CV Teles and I have done the hardware and electronic upgrades plus the neck work. Yes its worth it to me, I'm not trying to resale these because they are keepers. They play and sound perfect for me.
That’s exactly the right attitude.
I like your honesty, for me, I wouldn't spend the money on upgrades
Thanks. Yes, as stated, I wouldn’t either. But some really enjoy this sort of thing. And if you buy everything used, you can come out okay. But yeah, I would either buy something I like as is, and these days that can be done even at that price point, or buy parts and put something together from the ground up.
Clean look and great tone.
Thank you my friend.
Thx once again for a great review and demo!! Super Hit Licks!
Thanks. 😎
The two pickup sets honestly didn't sound all that different to me (even with the Fender bridge). The difference was most noticible in the neck position with the Duncan having a lot more clarity. But to me, the other two positions did not sound different enough to want to upgrade my pickups. For now, I am happy with the stock pickups in the Classic Vibe Tele.
That’s great if they work for you.
One thing that doesn’t translate is the much improved dynamic response with the Duncans. I tend to automatically compensate with my playing. It’s completely subconscious but it does tend to minimize differences. Thanks so much for watching.
Compressed audio on UA-cam. I can still hear the stockers sounded thin. Less mid and bottom end. Probably easier to hear in person.
The new Player 2 seems nice.
I’ll probably to that one eventually. Keep in mind it is an $800 guitar. Not really in the category with today’s featured Squier. Thanks so much for watching.
Throwing another $300+ at the Squier, I strongly agree with your G&L Tribute ASAT comment, or the AIO/Wolf TC1. Both are ready to play out of the carton and run around $500.
Yes, if I were shopping in that price range I’d definitely go for something that doesn’t require much additional. But, there are those who buy to mod, and a well built Squier isn’t a bad platform, so it’s good to know what the options are. Thanks so much for watching.
I have a Squier CV 50s Tele and I'm about to swap out the pickups. The stock ones sound great in my home studio, but I did a gig this week and found them a bit lifeless, shrill and tinny, and in all honesty, quite disappointing when they had to compete in a live band context and fight for space in the mix with real drums. Great video and super playing as always.
@@JonnyDee123 Thank you my friend. Yes, the right pickups should make a big difference.
Another great video Len. I have a CV 50's Strat in lefty. To my ear it has far superior sounding pickups then my American Standard. They're period correct for sure. We both know all this stuff is entirely subjective. I liked the way your CV Tele sounded with either pickup my friend. That said, I love SD pickups a lot in almost any guitar. Cheers Blues Brother
Thank you my friend. Yes, this stuff is all completely subjective. I found the Broadcaster set to have a very similar basic vintage character, but with a bit more depth and better dynamics. That said, I tend to compensate with my touch for whatever it is I’m playing. Thanks so much for tuning in.
@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Thanks for another great video sir. You're really great at this stuff and one hella player too. Cheers
Lefty here also with 2 CV50s....pups are good...but found neck a touch muddy. One now has Fralins, the other Lollars and now they BOTH sound better than my Tele Pro2 (which I sold). If you keep pups stock, consider removing tone pot from neck pup...really clears up and improves output nicely. YT vids never do tone justice.... This vid is 100% on the money!!
I liked this video a lot! You sound like Freddie King. I enjoy when you play a lot. You are such a good blues guitar player! Greetings from Quebec City, Canada!
Thanks so much. That’s not surprising. While I have many influences, Freddie is right up near the top. Very happy you enjoy my channel.
Nice! The pickups really improved the sound. I wonder how it would sound with Custom Shop Nocaster pickups? Those are probably my favorite sounding Tele pickups.
No reason those wouldn’t sound great. Thanks for watching.
HI Leonard, my problem is I'm Left Handed and it's VERY hard now days to find them at a good price. Most companies charge a premium no matter what brand you buy. The Squire Classic Vibe Tele is a very nice guitar but I find the same problem with it as the Fenders, most are way over 7 lbs. Most, at least Left Handed ones are closer to 8 and high ozs. Don';t know why these guitars are so heavy?? Great Vid please keep up the Good Work! Love your Channel and Content!!! Cheers from Salem, Oh.
Yeah, you lefties get the short end on both choice and often price as well. It has improved but I imagine it’s still tough to always find what you want. Back when some of my influences were playing, they had to flip over right handed guitars so it’s better now, but still not ideal.
I’ve sound the weight of Squiers to be all over the place, which makes sense. They’re built pretty well but I’m sure the wood isn’t all that carefully selected. So they vary pretty wildly. In any case, best of luck my friend and thanks for watching.
Cool guitar! I’ve got the butterscotch blonde one. I’ve had it for 4 years, and although I love the feel of playing it, I’d say the downfall is the heavy weight of the guitar and the high gloss on the back of the neck. The neck pocket and nut aren’t the tidiest, but the fretwork is very good. I think the pickups and hardware included are actually really good… Overall it’s a great playing guitar
It was pretty easy to set up to play well. Upgrading and modding just appeals to some, so I tried to give some perspective. Thanks so much for watching.
Where do you get your hats? I was inspired to buy a pork pie hat after watching you. Oh, nice guitar playing too!
Thanks. I just buy them when I find one I like. An online search should yield a lot of choices.
I just got a classic vibe in a trade so I am starting at zero dollars. I and going to drop in a Billy gibbons SD red devil pick up in it. Do you really like the fender bridge?
The brass saddles are a small part of the classic sound, but if the stock bridge doesn’t give you any problems I’d say stick with it, the sonic difference is probably minimal. I had one in the parts bin so why not? The pickups are the biggest improvement.
Every guitar talks when you play it. Even with standard PUs.
Thank you my friend.
groovy shirt
😎
I'm more interested in how this Squier sounds with Fender pickups.
This set is designed to specifically sound like an early 50s model, so I felt it quite appropriate. Obviously there are endless choices.
@@leonardgriffieblues5845, I agree, but this set might be an upgrade for some Fenders as well, not just for a "cheap" guitar ;)
Thx once again for a great review and demo!! Super Hit Licks!
That would be Hot Licks😆😆
Maybe hit licks would equal hot licks. (I have no idea what I’m talking about).
Didnt get how the stock pickups sounds bad, To me it sounds classy more like a vintage tele.
It’s not so much that they sound “bad”, per se. But compared to the Duncans, or any number of higher quality pickups, they have less depth of tone and are significantly less dynamic. It’s probably a little deceptive because I tend to automatically compensate when playing, a product of experience, so the difference may not be quite as apparent. And the Broadcaster set is actually similar in overall character, they just have way more of it. Thanks so much for watching.
If you buy a G&L ASAT or Sire T3 in the first place, you have saved time and money, and end up with a better guitar in the end.
True, and for those of us who don’t buy with modding in mind, it’s definitely the way to go.