Squire Classic Vibe vs Fender MIM

funkadelic · 2014-04-29T18:38:55+00:00

Hi. Got myself a Cort Yorktown jazz box to compliment my Schecter. Bought an Ibanez SA120 but I then realised I want that 2nd position neck+middle pickup of...

Squire Classic Vibe vs Fender MIM

Psean

Chocklit_Thunda wrote: The MIM have ceramic pickups that come off as hotter but if you're gonna switch pickups anyway then this shouldn't matter.

'scuse the slight hijack :-[
Have the MIMs always had ceramics? I'm interested to find out what mine has (98-99 model)
Thanks

Chocklit_Thunda

Psean wrote:
Chocklit_Thunda wrote: The MIM have ceramic pickups that come off as hotter but if you're gonna switch pickups anyway then this shouldn't matter.
'scuse the slight hijack :-[
Have the MIMs always had ceramics? I'm interested to find out what mine has (98-99 model)
Thanks

I'm not entirely sure. I have seen some MIM pickups that were alnico but I don't know when they were from. I do know the newer ones do use the ceramic mags. It's different from my squier in that it's 2 ceramic mags on either side of the polepiece like a p90 while the squier has one ceramic on the bottom.
Best bet is just to open her up when you next restring her and have a look. If it's got any bar magnet configuration on the bottom of the pickup then it's ceramic.
Not a bad thing per se but just not vintage correct. I make the ceramics work in my squier and my cort.

Psean

Chocklit_Thunda wrote:
Psean wrote:
Chocklit_Thunda wrote: The MIM have ceramic pickups that come off as hotter but if you're gonna switch pickups anyway then this shouldn't matter.
'scuse the slight hijack :-[
Have the MIMs always had ceramics? I'm interested to find out what mine has (98-99 model)
Thanks

I'm not entirely sure. I have seen some MIM pickups that were alnico but I don't know when they were from. I do know the newer ones do use the ceramic mags. It's different from my squier in that it's 2 ceramic mags on either side of the polepiece like a p90 while the squier has one ceramic on the bottom.
Best bet is just to open her up when you next restring her and have a look. If it's got any bar magnet configuration on the bottom of the pickup then it's ceramic.
Not a bad thing per se but just not vintage correct. I make the ceramics work in my squier and my cort.

Yup. It's got a pair of bars per pickup. Always worked for me. Although I've been considering swapping the bridge pup out for a while now for something fatter sounding (not necessarily hotter though).

Thanks Choklit

Now, back to the OP...

singemonkey

I played some CV Squiers year before last. They felt like cheap, budget guitars. I don't get the hype. MIMs still feel like Fenders.

funkadelic

So I took too long to decide and missed the deal. However all the talk about necks and pickups made me think. I'm not that technical so will speak in plain language. Lol!

The reason I chose a Schecter was because of the feel of the neck. Granted I tested a Schecter demon with seymour duncan styled actives. I liked the wide neck and powerful pickups. Ended up with the Omen Extreme 6 Special coz I couldn't get a demon by the time I had the cash. Compared to the Schecter the Ibanez SA120 neck is extremely narrow. The pickups are also hot so not as much different from the Schecter as I hoped.

So the Fender need to have a similar neck to the Schecter but with less hot pickups. Toegther with the Cort I'll be set for life...I think.

PS: How does Vintage V6 Strats stack up against the Squier C V or Fender Mex? That could also be an option I suppose.

AlanRatcliffe

singemonkey wrote: I played some CV Squiers year before last. They felt like cheap, budget guitars. I don't get the hype. MIMs still feel like Fenders.

I had exactly the same experience.

Keira-WitherKay

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
singemonkey wrote: I played some CV Squiers year before last. They felt like cheap, budget guitars. I don't get the hype. MIMs still feel like Fenders.
I had exactly the same experience.

absolutely agree ... never understood why they get so much love and they sure not cheap either

Norman86

Considering we dont necessarily have the new model years guitars and are comparing old ones to new ones... not entirely a fair comparison eh?

IceCreamMan

in modern times its kinda difficult to completely cock up a guitar build ,,,,so its down to materials used,,,,
'
me, I would pick a lower end fender over a higher end squier each an every time...but that's the way I roll..preferring reputable brands to lesser brands....I know I know I am shallow...... with the proviso that the quality is of course suitably on par.

Banditman

I have to agree with singemonkey, Keira and Alan. At R2500-3000 clean used they're great buys. They're nice guitars, but definitely budget. The plastics aren't in the same class, and the overall feel is cheaper. I'd snap one up for R2500 as a backup, but for R5000 I think I'd rather shop around for a tidy MIM. Nice, but not in the same class.

Vintage make decent guitars. If their Strats are as good as the V100s, they're worth considering.

IceCreamMan

Looking at my post above made in May of 2014 i have to cringe a little. I think i was a snob then, the beauty of the internet.

Anyway, reason for my resurrecting this thread is that today i popped into Andertons and went specifically to look at a white strat so i can pretend i am jimi but mucking aorund and wasting the sales ppls time i happened to see a Squier Classic Vibe 50's tele in butterscotch and maple. I have never owned a tele much less played one. So i pick up this guitar and lo and behold its actually a thing of beauty, well made, excellent frets, everything in its place. They also had a MiM player tele in lefty so kinda played the 2 (not plugged in i am too kak to play plugged in in that shop. (the calibre of player is generally superlative being Andertons) . Well, long story short i kinda preferred the Custom Vibe 50's. It just felt better. and its 200 quid cheaper. Made in indonesia this is a couple of pay grades above the bullet variety or affinity varieties.

Anyone else got a custom vibe? comments? should i pull the trigger ?

V8

IceCreamMan comments? should i pull the trigger ?

Only played CV strats - they were all great. Seen a few CV tele's and they looked legit.

I'd have a CV over a MIM. Plus in the CV strats, they had alinco pups vs the ceramics of the MIM's. This might have changed since I last checked (The rumour mill claimed they used a version of Toneriders in the CV strats)

Edit: I think I hate you just a little for getting to hang out @ Anderton's 😛 . And Rabea/Chappers/Captain all love the CV's...just sayin'

IceCreamMan

It’s a cool store. Not big but they use the space really well. A lot of high end stuff but lil lefty stuff. Never seen the captain there.

as there are music academies in town and some schools of music the store is always full of hot shit guitarists an working musos. Occasionally a semi famous face might pop in.

My sons school has 2 pro level recording studios. Brings tears to my eyes the kit they have. My son however is doing academic courses an not music.

Not bought the axe yet just checking eBay an marketplace before pulling the trigger. That CV is top class. It’s jaw dropping good for the price of around 310. Made in Cort factory I reckon.

IceCreamMan

So after scouring Andertons and marketplace etc etc etc this tele popped up 2 nd hand. its pristine and i immediately pull the trigger. Mex player series but it plays like butter. Princely sum of 349 pounds (new around 550) which is a lotta loot if you think about it but having not bought a guitar since 2013 i am entitled to. First Tele and first maple neck ...plays like butter.... and the tone through my Blackstar (of all amps) is heavenly

V8

IceCreamMan Nyce! I keep forgetting you are a lefty 😁

So the CV's are all that people say they are? That doesn't look at all played either!

Of course it had to be butterscotch. Reddit loves Butterscotch tele's...and Boss Katana's.

nick_D01

really pretty acquisition @IceCreamMan . in my humble opinion the outlay you went on it is'nt steep. thats very little pounds to have all in one place for a Fender. especially if you see what prices back here are for things. btw do you know if the Captain and Chapman is still manning their Youtube channel? I seen a couple vids drop recently with 2 other dudes in it that I did'nt recognise.

IceCreamMan

yeah, i got lucky with this one popping up second hand. As to the captain and chapman...i aint ever seen the captain in the store but used to se chapman on the odd occasion. Now with lock down who knows whats going on.

V8, i was thoroughly impressed with the CV's and would have bought one had this mex not popped up on my radar.

V8

IceCreamMan Fair enough, 350 squids (what looks like unplayed) that's a bargain. Wondering if the pups are ceramic or Alinco on the Mex tele's thesedays?

Personally I'm totally fine with ceramics - but Im a lofi luddite that way. Hope all is otherwise well w/you and the fam in the UK.

IceCreamMan

Thanks V8 , all good. been working from home since march and have decided to only work from home now. commuting into london is a mission of note, expensive and time consuming. Yeah, all going well. Summer is sposed to be here but i think we had it last week for 2 days. Other than that all good. Andersons just recently reopened but not been yet...maybe some great specials to move stock coming up.