Anyone played the new Squier VM Mustang yet?

jcb3030 · Post by **jcb3030** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 4:54 pm

I'd have to buy one online so I'd like to hear from anyone who has played one first.

Anyone have one or played one in a store?

SKC Willie · Post by **SKC Willie** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:08 pm

Here is a really good thread: http://www.shortscale.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=47442

you'll probably get more/better info reading through and asking questions in there than making your own thread. I haven't watched that thread too closely but people seem to enjoy the Jags.

jcb3030 · Post by **jcb3030** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:12 pm

I read that entire thread. There are some mentions of the Mustang but no real reviews of how it plays.

I wanted to start a new thread about the Mustang specifically because that other thread is about 3 guitars - it's trying to cover too much. If the admins want to kill this thread they can.

jcb3030 · Post by **jcb3030** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:17 pm

BTW, everyone probably knows this...but there is a gigantic 120+ page thread over at OSG on the new VM Squiers. Even that thread only has a few mentions how the Mustang plays.

I think the Mustang is in short supply compared to the Jag and Jazzmaster.

http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... =6&t=56657

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:52 pm

Getting mine tomorrow !!! Will report back in the evening...

Here's some pics my mate took of it:

Mattsican · Post by **Mattsican** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:56 pm

im waiting for the same thing on the Mustang. I lurk the SS thread every day for news and ive been thru about 40 pages of the OSG and its just boring deets like. Someone needs to balls deep that thing and film/photograph all of its dirty details.

Mattsican · Post by **Mattsican** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:56 pm

othomas2 wrote:Getting mine tomorrow !!! Will report back in the evening...

Here's some pics my mate took of it:

way to post as im typing my message about us needing pics

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:30 pm

Mattsican wrote:im waiting for the same thing on the Mustang. I lurk the SS thread every day for news and ive been thru about 40 pages of the OSG and its just boring deets like. Someone needs to balls deep that thing and film/photograph all of its dirty details.

Ditto... 'cept I don't visit OSG

Very interested to hear some reviews of the Mustang.

othomas2 wrote:Getting mine tomorrow !!! Will report back in the evening...

Can't wait!!

brainfur · Post by **brainfur** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:35 pm

i am also eager to hear 'bout the mustang...

George · Post by **George** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:39 pm

Our hopes rest on othomas2

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:11 pm

Aside from the Squier you tube video, and a real photo mustang on a french website this is all I've found so far....to wet your appetite:

Quote KentUK: OSG

I collected my Vintage White Mustang on Thursday. I haven't played the Jazzmasters or Jaguars, so I can't compare, but I like the Mustang so far. I like the range of tones it has and I haven't been able to put it down for four days. I also agree with what's been said before about the stock strings being a little on the light side.

There is no rear contour like the Strats have - it's a slab body. The Vintage White is quite creamy and banana-like. I've taken a pic of it on a piece of white paper so you can hopefully get an idea:

jcb3030 · Post by **jcb3030** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 1:58 am

Where's the sauce? We need a review...

**Edit: Sorry, just realized you were in London**

xrleroyx · Post by **xrleroyx** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 2:08 pm

If these play decent, I'd be tempted to pick one up. I'm glad the mustang is being offered at a student price model like it originally was.

Mattsican · Post by **Mattsican** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 4:37 pm

xrleroyx wrote:If these play decent, I'd be tempted to pick one up. I'm glad the mustang is being offered at a student price model like it originally was.

With multiple work bonuses and an extra payday in August i'm definitely picking ones of these up.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:38 pm

So I got the mustang today.... and overall I'm pretty impressed.

I wanted to take some better day light photos but I've only just got home, so bulb lighting it is. Didn't dwell too much on composition as a result etc....

Anyways, going to repeat a lot of what others have said already, especially from the offset camp.

The strings are dire.... I've never seen string in such dire shape. Windings coming loose, random kinks and bends... perhaps this is where they saved the money. I replaced them with my usual Elixir 11s and was much improved.

When I plugged it in it seemed noisier than expected... I took the guard off pre-restring and investigated further, hence the lack of pickguard screws. I think by shuffling the guard on and off as you do I managed to lose a solder joint, so I re-soldered that wire up and pondered some more. I compared it with 2 other mustangs in the shop, one was very quiet and the other like mine. I'm still trying to decipher whether it is an issue or not. Shame mine wasn't the quiet one is all I'm thinking. I plugged it just now and compared with my japanese jag and there' just about on par noise-wise. Gaining distance from the amp sure helped of course. I personally think there is build differences between models, and some will just be quieter than others.... more conductive paint etc. The guitar seems to be grounded properly, from what I can fatham. Either way I'll be outing the bridge pickup with a mini humbucker so I can investigate further then.

Again, during all this I took the time to shim the neck. In between the neck and joint, there was a lot of little wood shavings, which had consequently indented one another. Not really issue, but kind of makes me wonder how quickly they do actually put these together.

The finish is really nice, I love the Pale Sonic Blue, however some of the edge body curves in one area is just slightly flattened off. Again no biggy. and a little patchy around the neck, but very minimal.

When taking of the guard the screw holes are splitting the paint up a lot in and around the hole. Quite common for base wood I believe, the same happened on my Jagstang.

Everyone seems to be complaining about the tort but I think it's fine, doesn't really bother me that much. It could be improved of course, but no one has perfected the modern tort anyways, so Squier has done good.

The switches are recessed which is nice result, ala Cobain Stang.

Got to say I'm really impressed with the fretwork, I was expected this to be the biggest down side judging by some of VMs but it play nice without any chocking. They could do with a polish or just a lot of playing.

The fretboard as mentioned yt just about everyone needed the Lemon oil treatment.

Control seems little low to the butt of the guitars aesthetically, and maybe not enough of a spike on the guard, but purely cosmetic of course.

Eventually I'll probably change the nut, never liked Squiers nuts... very soft and plasticy but I'll give it a chance.

Pickups, sound nice... like I said earlier I would prefer the bridge humbucker, but for you more traditional Mustang players I think you'll like them.

Trem and bridge feel good also. Bridge required some adjustment of course... with the shim the strings can come very close if not touch the saddle screw / rear of the bridge if you're no careful, but shouldn't cause issue with some attention.

Errr..... what haven't I covered ?

Oh yeah, big surprise for me was the neck was quite chunky !!! Not what i usually like but feels nice on my hands at least. I'm sure it could put a few off perhaps. Jags and jazzys more tradition in that respect. Or perhaps a '65 era mustang do have a chunkier neck, I don't know ?

So that about it. Sorry for the hap-hazzard ramplings but it's been a very looooooong day and I'm really very tired.

For what you pay it's a killer guitar, really great. Originally I was going to buy all models too but I think I'm going to stick with the one and enjoy it for what it is. I have a Japanese jag and original Jazzmaster, so this fits in nicely to the mix... and price point wise. Personally there seems to be shallowness in sound that exists with many Squiers; a lack of depth... that you wont find with a higher spec guitar, but it sure is a lot of fun. It's a keeper I reckon !!

I'm sure there will be more observations as time goes on as I've only just got the thing.

Any Qs, fire away. Good night. ZZZZZZzzzzzzz

jcb3030 · Post by **jcb3030** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:20 am

Thanks for that thorough review. Overall sounds sweet for $300.

Sorry about the noise. Think you just got a bad Apple?

The pickups are decent?

What mini bucker are you swapping in? The neck pup you are leaving stock?

How is the bridge? I don't use the trem.

Do you like the color or do wish you got a different one?

Post by **Mike** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:56 am

Very cool, glad you're liking it and it looks fantastic.

Mustangs aren't big beefy guitars, so part of it might you just getting used to the fact it's not a Jaguar with singlesized humbuckers...

Noirie. · Post by **Noirie.** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:24 am

Nice one Owen. That looks lush

George · Post by **George** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:38 am

At last a decent review! Would love to hear a quick demo stock though.

Looks like one of these is on the list now.

speedfish · Post by **speedfish** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:39 pm

Errr..... what haven't I covered ?

Oh yeah, big surprise for me was the neck was quite chunky !!! Not what i usually like but feels nice on my hands at least. I'm sure it could put a few off perhaps. Jags and jazzys more tradition in that respect. Or perhaps a '65 era mustang do have a chunkier neck, I don't know ?

Any Qs, fire away. Good night. ZZZZZZzzzzzzz

Did the neck arrive straight and flat? Did you have to adjust the truss rod?

Thanks for the review.