Another Classic Vibe Convert

[auburn-grad]

I went to the Fayetteville GC (South of Atlanta) Friday and spend a few hours playing guitars. I was in the mood to pick up a secondary guitar (to my Gibson SG Standard) that I didnt have to worry about too much....like a tough/beater style guitar.

Since I wanted something that was durable and inexpensive, I mainly concentrated on the imports (this isnt a jab on MIA guitars, I just didnt want to spend a whole lot of money).

The guitars that I tested were:

PRS SE Single Cut Korina - $599
ESP LTD EC1000 - $499
Epiphone LPs - $499 - $700
MIM Teles and Strats - $499
CV Tele

To be honest, I have always loved Teles for there durability and simplicity, but I couldnt get past their ear-piercing twang (I am not a Country music fan)....

That being said....the Classic Vibe that I played SMOKED all of the other guitars in the list....the pickups are very 'mild' as far as Tele sounds go....the bridge has some high-end, but not nearly as much as other Teles...and the string seperation in the notes is awesome (even under heavy distortion)...and the neck pickup can get a very convincing strat sound.

Compared to the MIM Teles and the MIA standard Teles, the CV was a winner. I had to go to the 52 Reissue/Hot Rod and higher end Teles before the CV wasnt the clear winner (but those were 5-6 times more expensive).

I have always been a brand snob and I never thought I would own a Squier.....but, DAMN this thing is awesome.....and to top it off.....

IT ONLY COST ME $279........its the best $279 dolllars that I have ever spent.

I play through a JVM 205H into an Avatar 1x12 with a Warehouse G65 clone and this guitar is awesome through it.

WHile I was there, I bought a Seymour Duncal Lil 59 for the Tele Bridge but I dont think I will need it now......if anyone wants to buy it, send me a pm...

Here are a few pix......they really dont do it justice....the color is more blonde than white....and the grain pattern can be seen throught the paint and the grain is perfect (if you look closely at the picture of the back you can see it).....the neck and frets are fantastic too.

[A-Ro]

I messed around with one the other day myself. It's getting harder and harder to not grab one of these!

[auburn-grad]

..agreed.....let me mention another thing......those imports are really starting to do things right.....I was impressed with all of them...

[Edzio]

I think I played the exact same guitar this afternoon, only in Maryland! Same finish and everything. I was also highly impressed. I played MIM standards and even a few MIAs. The only one that was noticeably better to me was an American special. I liked the CV better than at least two American made standards that I tried. It's hard to pass up those CVs for the price.

[fishman919]

I agree with all of the above. However if you care about the color, I would definitely pick one up in person. I've seen two at different stores with a greenish tint. I compared one of the CV's to the same color American Special and the difference was obvious.

[puckhead]

welcome to the club.
I loved my CV tele so much, I picked up the next CV strat to hit the emporium.
Now I'm just trying to convince myself I don't need a thinline or duo-sonic