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Almost was NGD! Strat - 50s CV vs Mexican

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msteeln

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Was ready to walk out with a Strat today, hoping our best little guitar store still had the very sweet looking/feeling/playing/sounding CV I checked out last month. Alas, they had another which didn't look as choice, and the entire bottom of the fretboard had rough fret ends. Pass :messedup:
They will have a new shipment of CVs in soon.

However, they have a 6 yr. old used but clean basic SSS Mexican Strat, off white, with real nice glossy maple fretboard/neck, and all is swell, a good one.

Both @ $350, and obviously it is my first hand decision on which one is it for me.
If I had to choose today between these two examples, I'm leaning towards the Mex.
That said, in checking what is/was available on Ebay, similar Mex's can go for much less than $300, w/case.
And, after seeing the 50th Anni. Shoreline gold beauty that went for $535 recently..., I may have to stifle my impatience.

So, for those who have extensive experience with both and know the good, bad, and the ugly of the hardware and overall sound/playability on each model at their optimum, I ask which is preferable to you.

I've been set on the CV for a year, but am getting cold feet now, at least until the new shipment arrives.
 
I personally love my MIM 60th, but have not really played a CV. Of the CV's my choice is the 60s, but that is because the pups, and sound, seem closer to mine with the tex mex pups. But if you are going for used MIM, I would not go 6 years old but would go for an '06 or later with the very substantial improvements to the line. Better shielding, heavier trem block, and some other things. In today's economy, I have seen really nice '06 and later used MIM's going for a lot less than $350. That is the way I would go.
 
SVL is right. The 06 and newer Mexicans are pretty nice. Most complaints are about the pickups and we all know how to fix that issue. So if you can find a newer used Mexi you might be pretty happy. I've played several that felt really nice, had good sustain and playability. The ones I really liked had nicer pickups in them already than the stock ceramics FWIW.
 
and I consider my 60th Tex Mex pups to be among those, so if you can find a good used 60th, that is a good move too, though a good standard MIM with pup upgrade, or even with not, will do you well.

Tex Mex pup description:

These overwound vintage style Strat pickups offer increased output, sparkling highs and a very nice warm tone while retaining your favorite vintage Strat characteristics. Constructed with Alnico 5 magnets and polysol magnet wire and featuring a reverse wound/reverse polarity middle pickup for hum canceling in positions 2 & 4, these pickups scorch. OEM on the Jimmy Vaughan Stratocaster. Available in white only.
 
I would agree with SVL. I have both the CV50s and have owned several MIM Strats. I agree 100% on the 60th, and the fact that there were upgrades in the 2006 models. The pickups in the older ones are ceramic and some consider them harsh. A good deal on a Jimmie Vaughn, 60th, or even a Deluxe Players Strat. They are really nice as well with the Vintage noiseless, and the extra pickup switch. Don't get me wrong I really like the CV50s and I think it is the best Squier to come along in many years. I would check the local online buy/sell. Right now you can get a lot of guitar for 350 there.
The only standard MIM I owned was back a while and it was quite nice but it had a rosewood board and I like the maple. It was my first "new" guitar since my 1968 SG that I bought in 1969, and it created a monster. Since then I have bought and sold 20 to 25 guitars. I currently own 9 Strats, 7 of which are maple boards. Keep looking, there are a lot of "motivated sellers" out there. If you are looking at dealers you will probably pay 30 to 40% more than private. I have made some killer deals lately on our local Kijjiji.
 
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Here is my 2ents.

1st off I have not played the classic vibe 50's or 60's.
I have played the Classic Vibe Duo-Sonic ‘50s its nice guitar just not for me.

I do own an 06 MIM Stratocaster and I love the guitar well made feels great in hands and is my practice AXE 75% of the time. I own the Limited Edition Stratocaster with Direct-Mount Pickups far from your normal Strat setup but is a real good guitar worth every penny I spent on it $385.00 USD.
The only change I plain on making to is some hot vintage noiseless pickups.

I have also played MIM 07 to 09 and have liked what I saw and felt MIM may mean to some folks a lesser grade of guitar but not from what I have seen.

So I think if you find a good deal on a 06 MIM or later like everyone else has stated you'll find yourself with a every nice axe you'll enjoy for years to come.

Happy Hunting,

Maxi...................
 
So, a minty 50th Anniversary Strat @ $500-ish, considering the aformentioned upgrades to the more recent Mex models, would be less preferable?
How would a 50th Anni compare to a 10 year old mint Mex Custom. I had a MC and am still bummed I had to cut it loose. And I see the older Anni's come up fairly regularly at decnt prices.
 
Now I think you are talking different animals. Are you referring to a 50th Anniversary MIA (made in America) Strat? If you are and you can get one for 500 bucks I would do so. What I thought we were comparing was a Classic Vibe 50s, compared to an older Mexican Strat. Remember there were specific 50th Anniversary models,as well as strats that were made in the year of the 50th Annivesary. They are not the same animal.
Things have escalated since the original 350 dollar MIM. LOL.
 
oops...

Sorry to make it foggy, yes, the 50th Anni's I'm referring to are Mexican and have been going for 500ish. I can imagine the US Anni's are WAY more!
 
msteeln said:
Sorry to make it foggy, yes, the 50th Anni's I'm referring to are Mexican and have been going for 500ish. I can imagine the US Anni's are WAY more!
Click to expand...

Yes they are I Just picked this one up , found it on ebay / a Brand New 2004 50th anniversary american Strat . Came with everything tags etc.
they retailed for $1595.00 in 2004 and this guy wouldnt budge on that price ,i just got it and had it set up and it is very nice guitar. Yes i am a lefty.
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Just food for thought, but last year I scored not one, but two Fender Roadhouse MIA Strats, and paid $575 for each, including a nice hardshell case for each, and they both came with straplocks and leather straps.
Very well made guitars, play great, and sound great.
If you can bide your time and watch for a deal, you'll find something worth the money. :)
 
Yesss, those look nice. But only the MIM RHs are hitting the bay @ $500 currently.
 
Nearly two agonizing months later...

...the trigger has been pulled!
After being determined to get a Squier Strat for over a year, I started going against my mind set and thinking the Fender logo would be preferred. Funny how snob-ism can sway, but since I had the $ and I really found the Classic Player 50s to be even more to my liking, I switched my focus and started searching for one. Found a Surf Green w/molded hard case on ebay and missed it to a buyer that got it for a great $475. Lucky me!
Actually, I lost out a few times on very good deals for these.
In my sadness, I stumbled upon this http://cgi.ebay.com/wseBay/SAPl.dll?ViewItem&item=280415516860
Just got the mailing address and tomorrow morning $610.00 will be sent. Not too shabby, eh?
Hoping NGD will be before Friday next week! Sure, I could have gotten two used CVs for that price, but I have a feeling this guitar will bring me more than twice the enjoyment. At least that's my mantra for now. A Shoreline Gold Strat with a beautifully figured neck has been a dream forever, and now it's just around the corner. I'm lucky the guitar was listed in a less than optimum way so it wasn't as obvious as other CP50s and that I didn't succomb to the depression and buy a nice used Agile 3100 LP that was listed for much less. Maybe later...
 
Nice guitar: My 60th Anni in blizzard Pearl has a highly figured neck as well.
That gold looks really nice. The pearl guard really looks good as well.
It looks brand new. Now a nice tweed fender case would go nicely with that guitar.
 
:cool: Thanx, ZMAN & sunvalleylaw. Until the champagne...:beer: will do!
I'm still kinda shocked that they offer the gold on these guitars, but like the earlier custom MIMs, they've cut loose with some classic shades.
I'm sure this will at least equal my long gone '95 Shell Pink w/rosewood CMIM w/Texas Specials & Fat-O-Caster that I loved. I was stoked that the seller changed the bland one ply pick guard to something sexier, and think it fits in well, helping to offset the gold without standing out too much.
They call the finish on these CPs a 'thin skin poly', as opposed to the bullet-proof polyesters. Not sure how that translates to a more resonate body as supposedly the vintage nitro finishes help produce, but if Clapton and Beck are happy with their new poly Strats, then I ain't worrying!

Another selling point on these is having a re-worked PU switch that now gives you the neck and bridge combo, which is where I always leave mine. So maybe no need to ring up deaf-eddie.
Plus the formerly unique to the Fullerton Custom Shop 'two point' vibrato should be a winner.
It would be nice to have a guitar that I don't want/need to mod.
 
Nice guitar, m. It'll be interesting to see if yours has the "CS '69 Abigail Yarra" pickups or the "'69 Custom" versions.

Except for Custom Shop guitars and other one offs, all strats have had poly finishes since 1966 (American Vintages have a poly undercoat). This includes all the new strats JH played.
 
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I built a strat with those abbey's scalloped a 70's;neck added graphtech nut saddles and trees and mated it with a mim fender body all fender us internals, mint green p.g. it is sweet!:french

Nice strat by the way mstein:drool
 
Very nice, msteeln! No doubt that's the one that's been waiting for you! :applause
 
Big thanx, guy's!

markb, that's how I look it at all. Things often do work out in the end, and now that the search is over, this should be a nice new chapter.

I think these 50s models have what's termed '57/'62s for PUs. Interesting tho about the Abi's.
 
Reading the stat sheet and reviews on these, it's safe to that they will be collectables.
The (arguably)best of the past mixed well with a load of todays inovations (without changing the vintage look) makes for a killer combo. And as with the Squier CVs, I can't believe Fender is/are? building these. What a great time to be alive!
I do feel extremely fortunate to be getting this guitar and I hope I'm selling it short with my impressions = :dude

ZMAN, should the entire electronics be totally compromised, for me, no biggie. I've got a bunch of mods aching to be employed. And the cosmetic changes that have been made were already in my mind as possilities since the 'aged' parts looked quite funky to some owners and many pickguards had a bulge at the top edge. Maybe thats why these swaps were done here.
I did consider these things but didn't really care. Then neck and body alone are worth more than I paid.

BTW, anybody have a proper FatHead brass sustaining plate you're willing to part with?
 
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Congrats, these are great guitars, I have the 60's version with the AY pickups. Classic players Mexican models are up there with the best of todays strats for me.
 
The 60s seemed to lack the chiming highs of the 50s and focused more on the mids from my meager listening experience. Where do you see it with your's? Was that a preferrence?

The 70s look equally cool.

One thing that sealed the deal in my mind is the seller's pictures show the guitar's PU selector in the #4 position, which on this model has been reworked to allow the neck and bridge combo. I never use anything else!
 
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I have the 2006 Fender Frontline. There is a little bit of a write up, but no specs. I saw another review, and it said they came the 57/62 pickups. Also unlike most of the MIM deluxe series it has a 9.5 redius instead of the 12.
I am pretty sure they came with a Fender gig bag but you can get them fairly cheap. I would get one of the Fender tweed cases for it. I have two they really set the guitar off. Pictures are a must, when you get her!
 
markb said:
Oops on the AY pickups. 57/62s are nice.
Click to expand...

Agreed. The 57/62 pickups are my second favorite vintage style strat pickup. They sound great. My favorite is the Duncan Alnico Pro Strat II. The Duncan APS is only a tad warmer than the 57/62, so the 57/62 is a very close second.
 

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