My Classic Vibe 50's 2tone Strat - Page 2

The Tig · 02-22-2010, 12:22 AM

I never liked the mega-thick white pickguard mine came with. After looking around for 8 hole pickguards (didn't want to drill too many holes for the 11 hole), I liked what Warmoth had to offer.

While one screw hole near the switch didn't line up, the rest of the holes matched perfectly. Also, the Warmoth pickguard was shielded only at the pots/switch cavity area, while the stock was also shielded around the pickups.

I wanted to keep it looking classic, but not look like anything else I've seen lately. Vintage Pearl is the color name.

Before:

After: (The flash doesn't do the new pickguard justice)

Duo Gent · 02-22-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Tig

I never liked the mega-thick white pickguard mine came with. After looking around for 8 hole pickguards (didn't want to drill too many holes for the 11 hole), I liked what Warmoth had to offer.

While one screw hole near the switch didn't line up, the rest of the holes matched perfectly. Also, the Warmoth pickguard was shielded only at the pots/switch cavity area, while the stock was also shielded around the pickups.

I wanted to keep it looking classic, but not look like anything else I've seen lately. Vintage Pearl is the color name.

I like it! I bookmarked their site for future use.

Hugh · 02-23-2010, 04:58 AM

The CV's look nice stock or with the changes above. Esp, the 2 tone bursts

All that is left of my CV 50's is the neck, body, jack plate, tuners and neck plate. I took the CV 60's guard off and rebuilt it completely.
-CTS 250k audio taper pots
-Callaham aluminum shield plate(full guard)
-Switchcraft switch and jack
- Orange Drop .047uf tone cap
-Klein S6 pups

The aluminum shield plate eliminated the need for the ground straps pot to pot, and also eliminated the need to ground the cavity shield paint lug to the volume pot. Huge drop in noise.

Also replaced the strap buttons with vintage style ones off a '75 Bronco, and replaced the CV string tree with the one off the Bronco. I simply don't trust the CV string tree screw. If you take yours off, you will see why. Not many threads holding it to the head, way too short. The Bronco screw is longer and larger diameter and much more secure.

Last upgrade is the Callaham Mexican Standard trem assembly. Every component is superior in quality vs the CV trem. Even the metal of spring claw itself. Ground wire to the claw was a snap. I gave it a good yank, and the claw's metal holds solder well.

I thought it was going to be a snap to throw it together and have it in the hands of a heck of a strat player at a blues jam so I could stand back and hear it in the mix, but the plan of a 3 hr. wirings/set-up turned to 3 weeks lol. After many noob boo-boos, I finally got it right.

May swap necks with the CV 60's later on, just for curiosity.

But they are killer guitars stock, that's for sure.

Malikon · 02-23-2010, 04:16 PM

that's gorgeous man, I'm not a fan of tortoise guards but it looks really cool next to the maple neck.

Hugh · 02-24-2010, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malikon

that's gorgeous man, I'm not a fan of tortoise guards but it looks really cool next to the maple neck.

Thx, I just don't like white guards except on certain solid colors. I've got to rebuild my CV 60's now, so I'll probably get another tort for it.

Question for you

Now that you've had the CV 50's a few months now, has the initial appeal wore a bit, or do you love it more than the day you got it ?

Hugh · 02-24-2010, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Tig

I never liked the mega-thick white pickguard mine came with. After looking around for 8 hole pickguards (didn't want to drill too many holes for the 11 hole), I liked what Warmoth had to offer.

While one screw hole near the switch didn't line up, the rest of the holes matched perfectly. Also, the Warmoth pickguard was shielded only at the pots/switch cavity area, while the stock was also shielded around the pickups.

I wanted to keep it looking classic, but not look like anything else I've seen lately. Vintage Pearl is the color name.

Before:

After: (The flash doesn't do the new pickguard justice)

Are the pup covers, knobs, and switch tip the stock ones ? If so, that guard certainly removes the visual impact of the stock covers and knobs not matching.

It just blends it all together nicely. Gives the whole guitar move vintage vibe.

The Tig · 02-24-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Are the pup covers, knobs, and switch tip the stock ones ? If so, that guard certainly removes the visual impact of the stock covers and knobs not matching.

It just blends it all together nicely. Gives the whole guitar move vintage vibe.

Yes, the knobs and covers are all stock. Only the pick guard and strings have been changed. I thought of going with a parchment color guard, but didn't want it to look too monochromatic. I like the aged look the guard has versus the white pearl brightness.

I think the only other mod's will be a new trem assembly. I like everything else, and can't justify putting too much money into a $350 Squier, no matter how nice they are built!

Hugh · 02-24-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Tig

Yes, the knobs and covers are all stock. Only the pick guard and strings have been changed. I thought of going with a parchment color guard, but didn't want it to look too monochromatic. I like the aged look the guard has versus the white pearl brightness.

I think the only other mod's will be a new trem assembly. I like everything else, and can't justify putting too much money into a $350 Squier, no matter how nice they are built!

Yes, they are fine stock. I got mine used via trade in and went nuts. I've got about 525 bucks or so in mine now. Callaham trem, Klein pups, and all parts on the guard upgraded including a shield plate.

I can always swap everything over to a MIM if I find a nice one later.

cv50 · 02-26-2010, 11:36 PM

Anybody know what pickup covers, knobs & switch tip will fit this/ I would like to change mine to white to match pickguard. Has anybody changed the trem block & what works for this? Thanks!

Epinez · 02-27-2010, 02:58 AM

pickup knobs/covers are standard strat size.

There are a couple options for a block - you can go for the cheap ones at GFS. Or at Strat-Talk member "celtarock" (i think) makes some nice ones for the CV (perfect fit).

cv50 · 02-27-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epinez

pickup knobs/covers are standard strat size.

There are a couple options for a block - you can go for the cheap ones at GFS. Or at Strat-Talk member "celtarock" (i think) makes some nice ones for the CV (perfect fit).

Thanks! Btw would the knobs, switch tip, be metric & pickup covers standard or tall?

Malikon · 02-27-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

T
Question for you

Now that you've had the CV 50's a few months now, has the initial appeal wore a bit, or do you love it more than the day you got it ?

It's still my favorite guitar to play. I'll even walk past the cases going into my living room and just reach over and touch the case it's in as I go by it.

The feel of it, the sound of it, everything about it I'm crazy about. Even the case it's in seems to give it more mojo. I know everybody has a different feeling for different guitars, some people hate the poly neck and like the feel of a satin finish or even sanded down to wood. But for me this guitar is the greatest and I couldn't understand why everyone wouldn't want one.

When I sit down with it it just completely disappears. No fighting, nothing digging in, sweet tones and singing sustain, it's everything I could want in a guitar. I've probably had it maybe half a year or so, give or take, and I still feel like I'm in the honeymoon phase or something. I just don't get tired of it and everytime I open the case to take it out I get that giddy, "Day-Um that's a nice guitar!" feeling.

Only problem I've had with it is I treat it too nice, I can't seem to bang it around and treat it like my normal guitars. But I think part of that is because to me this one is as close as I'm going to get to owning a "real" 57 Strat, so I try to take care of it.

Hugh · 02-28-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malikon

It's still my favorite guitar to play. I'll even walk past the cases going into my living room and just reach over and touch the case it's in as I go by it.

The feel of it, the sound of it, everything about it I'm crazy about. Even the case it's in seems to give it more mojo. I know everybody has a different feeling for different guitars, some people hate the poly neck and like the feel of a satin finish or even sanded down to wood. But for me this guitar is the greatest and I couldn't understand why everyone wouldn't want one.

When I sit down with it it just completely disappears. No fighting, nothing digging in, sweet tones and singing sustain, it's everything I could want in a guitar. I've probably had it maybe half a year or so, give or take, and I still feel like I'm in the honeymoon phase or something. I just don't get tired of it and everytime I open the case to take it out I get that giddy, "Day-Um that's a nice guitar!" feeling.

Only problem I've had with it is I treat it too nice, I can't seem to bang it around and treat it like my normal guitars. But I think part of that is because to me this one is as close as I'm going to get to owning a "real" 57 Strat, so I try to take care of it.

Good deal. I don't mind the poly neck, but the poly on the fretboard bugs me a little. I like the look of the maple board, but I'm thinking of putting the 60's neck on my 50's body. Either way, I have no regrets buying both of them.

They are indeed killer bang for the buck

korean_squires89 · 09-02-2010, 05:47 PM

are there 250k pots in the 50's CV strat?

TwoMartinMan · 09-03-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by korean_squires89

are there 250k pots in the 50's CV strat?

Yes. Here's a link to the spec sheet.
http://www.squierguitars.com/pdf/current/Strat/Classic%20Vibe%2050's%20Strat-%20Service.pdf

slashsnakepit15 · 09-04-2010, 11:31 PM

I got a CV 60s and I had to get a new neck pickup because it didnt work. The pickup the repair shop ordered from Fender wasn't creme, and the repair man said they had NO creme covers in the shop. Fender said they didn't have any that fit either. Someones BSing somewhere... Okay are all pickup covers the same? or is there much variation, I measured 52mm from the center of E pole piece to e pole piece. Also, if i wanted to change all hardware to gold, what kind spacing hardware do I need?

tjnugent · 09-05-2010, 02:23 AM

I have the 50's and 60's Classic Vibe Tele, now I need to start buying the CV Strats. The CV Series are the best that Squier make. I love these guitars

tjnugent · 09-05-2010, 02:26 AM

I am with Malikon and don't care to much for the tortoise pickguards. I think the tortoise looks amazing on this guitar. Perhaps, it is for situations that it adds to the look instead of taking away from it. The pickguard makes the guiter look like a million bucks. Fantastic.

Zman · 09-05-2010, 10:04 AM

When I first purchased my CV50s it felt really close to the MIA, so I took a set of calipers and measured them. I think the factory must have used the MIA as a template. It is exactly the same measurements in body and neck. I measured them in about dozen places. The vintage tinted neck is what makes the guitar though.
I for one like the aged pickup look, and I might add that some guys go as far as sitting their pickup covers in a jar of tea over a couple of days to get that look.