Fender Baja Tele vs Squier Classic Vibe 50's Tele

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:40 am

I'm thinking of getting another tele and I know the Fender Baja Tele's and Squier Classic Vibe Tele's are highly regarded. Just wondering how they compare with each other, primarily to work out if it's worth spending the extra on the Baja. I'm primarily interested in the Squier Classic Vibe 50's Tele, the one with the maple neck - as I like the maple neck on my US Standard Tele. Can anyone help?

George · Post by **George** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:57 am

cv neck has a slimmer profile and nut compared to the baja. smaller neck in general. the pickups are also weak and shitty so you will want to change them, unless you get the white 50s model specifically, because that has a great set of overwound alnico 3s in them

baja is a lot of money by comparison. its nice but im not overly amazed by them, people say they are the best off the shelf tele fender are offering.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:16 pm

I'm interested in the Squier CV butterscotch 50's model really, does it have different pickups to the white one? That seems a bit odd as they are the same model.

xHJYMx · Post by **xHJYMx** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:45 pm

I can't answer on whether they have different pickups, but I can tell you that the white one sounds really good. Bought mine dirt cheap from some guy who claimed it was "broken beyond repair", turns out the cable to the output jack had disconnected.

Something to consider though is that although it is really good for a Squier, there are little things that keeps reminding you it is the cheaper alternative. The semi-see-through paint feels cheap, the lacquer on the side of the neck where i sometimes hit when strumming is being worn off, and although it might be in my head I'm pretty sure the skunk-stripe on the back of the neck is painted on.

BearBoy · Post by **BearBoy** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:52 pm

There's a 60s Baja Tele now with a slimmer neck. Rosewood fret board though.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:56 pm

My US Standard Tele has a maple fingerboard and a chunkier neck than my strat, i'd like something that is similar. Apparently it's a 'C' or 'Modern C' shaped neck, what does the 50's Squier CV have?

George · Post by **George** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:06 pm

johnnyseven wrote:My US Standard Tele has a maple fingerboard and a chunkier neck than my strat, i'd like something that is similar. Apparently it's a 'C' or 'Modern C' shaped neck, what does the 50's Squier CV have?

narrower nut than your average strat, and slim C profile

johnnyseven wrote:I'm interested in the Squier CV butterscotch 50's model really, does it have different pickups to the white one? That seems a bit odd as they are the same model.

yes
white one has trt2
all others trt1

http://www.tonerider.com/tele

trt1 is not very good imo. trt2 is fantastic.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:16 pm

Cheers. Looking at photos, I think the white one looks better - maybe i'll go for that one. I think it would be best to try one out first though to see if i'd get on with the neck.

gusman2x · Post by **gusman2x** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:31 pm

I'd be tempted by the coxon Telecaster

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/fender-graham-c ... onde/51673

George · Post by **George** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:33 pm

yeah if you want a chunky neck you might be disappointed, but i like them a lot, for the price especially.

sunshiner · Post by **sunshiner** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:55 pm

There are reviews that some of the CV teles are heavier than others. Yellow pine is in general heavy material, it was said that the first run was lighter due to the selection, latter models are heavier.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:04 pm

gusman2x wrote:I'd be tempted by the coxon Telecaster

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/fender-graham-c ... onde/51673

Thanks for this, but i'm really after a maple board.

Re the weight and neck, I guess i'd better try before buying.

Thanks for all comments.

George · Post by **George** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:11 pm

sunshiner wrote:There are reviews that some of the CV teles are heavier than others. Yellow pine is in general heavy material, it was said that the first run was lighter due to the selection, latter models are heavier.

this is the same for all guitars really

aen · Post by **aen** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:12 pm

These days I would almost always choose the Squier and upgrade pieces. I played with a fella who had the white Squier 50's thing, and it was great! The only downside was that it was quieter than his other guitars.

sunshiner · Post by **sunshiner** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:25 pm

George wrote:
sunshiner wrote:There are reviews that some of the CV teles are heavier than others. Yellow pine is in general heavy material, it was said that the first run was lighter due to the selection, latter models are heavier.

this is the same for all guitars really

Yellow pine usually weights not the same as alder, ash and basswood. I made the body of yellow pine and it was twice as heavy as my Squier's basswood strat body. Pine can be very heavy, so my advice, if they don't have as good selectin as they used to, then it is better to play and to check the guitar before before bying

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:01 pm

I own the squier classic vibe 50s that's all 52 style and when I went into the store to buy a Baja (had the money for the fender, left with the squier), I still picked the cv tele over that one. 5/5 for me. Tried selling it a couple times but just couldn't do it.

Maybe I just tried an eh baja that day but i just couldn't put the squier one down. Sounded and played better. I love mine. So imo save yourself a few bucks and go with the squier or just try em both before you buy.

gusman2x · Post by **gusman2x** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:04 pm

See i tried a butterscotch cv and was totally underwhelmed. I didn't feel like it was on the same planet as the jmjm and the cv duo sonic. In all liklieness, it was probably a dud.

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:10 pm

I've tried a few of the Squier ones. They are great quality for the coin but for just about the same price as a new one you'll get a second hand Baja and the Baja is just better. Perfect neck, extra switching options are ace (I don't care what the haters say) fit and finish are also perfect.

Plus you won't need to upgrade ANYTHING.

speedfish · Post by **speedfish** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:24 am

johnnyseven wrote:I'm interested in the Squier CV butterscotch 50's model really, does it have different pickups to the white one? That seems a bit odd as they are the same model.

Alnico 5 on the butterscotch blonde and Alnico III on the vintage blonde. I have the white one. Many thanks to everyone here who sang it's praises.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 9:01 am

+1 vote for a second hand Baja Telecaster

They're really fantastic guitars, mine was a real peach.