New CV 50s Strat

StratGeezer

Squier Talker
Apr 4, 2014
4
Valencia, Spain
Howdy, all! Now that I've gotten settled into my new home here in Spain, I joined a few musician-oriented FB groups to see what sort of musical mischief was available in these here parts. Turns out that Valencia is like a Spanish version of Austin, TX - musicians of all skill levels, genres and tattoo density are all over the place! (Probably doesn't hurt that the esteemed Berklee College of Music has a campus here...) Lots of great music clubs offering all sorts of fantastic bands and solo players. The first person with whom I connected is an adorable (sweet and sexy - can you ask for more?) woman from Italy who has big dreams of being a professional singer. Through her I met a talented local guitarist who has a couple of loosely-formed bands here in town of which my Italian friend and I are now interchangeable parts.

Moving past the prologue, I wanted a relatively inexpensive axe for playing out in crowded bars here in the city, especially on "open mic" night where one finds the very best form of mayhem. Taking advantage of holiday season sales, I picked up a very nice CV 50s Strat in 2-tone sunburst. It arrived factory fresh with a pretty decent setup (other than the fret ends, which need some attention). It really has a very workable variety of tones, the tuners (other than the low E) are tight and acceptable for now (I'll be looking into some upgrades once my ship comes in and the balance of my gear arrives from the States), and the neck is very comfortable. The finish of both the body and neck are flawless (I'll post more pics this weekend).

I've already played out with it once and have been very pleased with the results (though the video came out awful and is not suitable for sharing). The ability to learn from and share with the many talented musicians here in the city has already enriched my charmed life beyond expectations. It's easy to feel grateful when things are going so well. Peace! AAB546FA-795C-43F2-A1A7-5E06C331E527.jpeg
 

painter33

Squier Talker
Jun 29, 2010
85
Delaware
I wonder when they started using aged white knobs and covers, because when the new CV Strats were first introduced they were pure white.
I’m visually “offended” (ha!) by mismatched plastics - guard, covers, knobs. All white or all aged (my two Squier Affinities, ‘96/‘97, both have aged very nicely and evenly, except under the knobs, of course) but bright white and aged - ugh! There’s a neck, a body, and the plastics, so why introduce visual clutter? It would be akin to some chrome, some gold, and black hardware. I get the original aging due to styrene, but what Fender has wrought, to my eye, is painful.
 

CV50sFan90

Squier-Nut
Oct 10, 2020
512
Minnesota
I’m visually “offended” (ha!) by mismatched plastics - guard, covers, knobs. All white or all aged (my two Squier Affinities, ‘96/‘97, both have aged very nicely and evenly, except under the knobs, of course) but bright white and aged - ugh! There’s a neck, a body, and the plastics, so why introduce visual clutter? It would be akin to some chrome, some gold, and black hardware. I get the original aging due to styrene, but what Fender has wrought, to my eye, is painful.
I can understand & appreciate that. The cream plastics on my Strat aren't quite true to the aged originals, but I think they go well with the brown/gold pearl guard: IMG_20230128_073846076.jpg
 

DougMen

Squier-Axpert
Jun 8, 2017
10,962
Honolulu, HI
I’m visually “offended” (ha!) by mismatched plastics - guard, covers, knobs. All white or all aged (my two Squier Affinities, ‘96/‘97, both have aged very nicely and evenly, except under the knobs, of course) but bright white and aged - ugh! There’s a neck, a body, and the plastics, so why introduce visual clutter? It would be akin to some chrome, some gold, and black hardware. I get the original aging due to styrene, but what Fender has wrought, to my eye, is painful.
If you look at photos of Strats from the 50s, you'll see that a lot of them look like that, because the knobs and covers have darkened over the decades, but the PGs haven't.
vintage-1954-fender-stratocaster-electr-8rTbfTK.jpg 1954-stratocaster.jpg
 

sidewalk_surfer

Squier Talker
Mar 17, 2016
47
I have a 2012 Affinity. It sat in the corner of our living room for a few years when I wasn't playing it. Due to that, the two tone knobs and pickup covers have aged to quite a yellowish color, yet the volume knob did not, I actually dig the yellowed look a bit more than the pristine white... so I need to find an 'aged' volume to match them. LOL
v/r,
jason
 


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