• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

NNTGD!

Ed Driscoll

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
4,691
This arrived from Sweetwater yesterday:

i-txpF67B-X2.jpg




i-WDCjKrq-X2.jpg


Back in 2019, I bought a Nashville-Tuned Taylor GS Mini from Sweetwater. After recording it on numerous tracks, I thought it would be great to have a Nashville-Tuned electric guitar as well. Last year, I bought a Lake Placid Blue Fender Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster as a travel guitar when we were staying in local Vrbo homes during peak lockdown. I was impressed by the build quality and the value for money. And I liked the 9.5 radius fretboard, which fits my hands more comfortably than the vintage-spec 7.25 radius.

This month, I asked my Sweetwater "sales engineer," if their custom shop could block the tremolo on a 6 pound, 13 ounce Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster, cut a new nut, and string it with D'Addario High-Strung Nashville electric guitar strings. Last night, I spent a few hours DI-ing guitar to add new parts to a few of my songs, and am looking forward to processing the sound in a variety of ways.

Here's the photo I texted my wife after FedEx arrived yesterday afternoon:

i-TknfXQN-X2.jpg

Paddington gives it two paws up!
 

ZZ Not

Active member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
744
HNGD! That is a very sharp looking Strat.

I have always had a Squier or two around but the Classic Vibe series really took it to another level for me. As you mentioned, it is the bang for the buck with that degree of quality. In the last year or so it has become more like a disease for me and I now I have a number of Squiers.

One of the more recent acquisitions is this '60s Squier CV Custom Esquire in LPB that I really like.

P1010001.JPGP1010010.JPG

Enjoy your Strat!
 

Ed Driscoll

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
4,691
HNGD! That is a very sharp looking Strat.

I have always had a Squier or two around but the Classic Vibe series really took it to another level for me. As you mentioned, it is the bang for the buck with that degree of quality. In the last year or so it has become more like a disease for me and I now I have a number of Squiers.

One of the more recent acquisitions is this '60s Squier CV Custom Esquire in LPB that I really like.

View attachment 14827View attachment 14828

Enjoy your Strat!
That Esquire looks sweet -- what do you think of it?
 

ZZ Not

Active member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
744
Well, trying to cover all my bases, I now have 5 Esquires. The one in the photos is a CME exclusive, as is a'50s CV in Butterscotch Blonde with a black guard. I also have the "regular" '50s CV in Vintage white. These 3 are all pretty much the same with mostly cosmetic differences, although the Blonde is said to have a pine body. Common to all those is what I would call a flattened C neck that is on the slender side and fortunately I can get along with most any neck profile. My MIM Esquire in transparent blonde has a fat neck that despite my small/medium hands is quite to my liking. The one that stands apart is a Fender USA 70th anniversary in LPB with a thick U shaped 7.25" radius maple neck with tall, narrow frets. It has a roasted pine body finished in nitro. The pickup is a Tim Shaw design with a full, fat tone. Nice hardshell is included.

That is not to say the Squiers sound or feel bad. I quite like them and they are well worth a dollar. They may only take you 3/4 of the way to the Fender but that is not bad for a 1/4 the price. Likewise the anniversary does not compare with the vintage Esquires I have heard but never played.

P1010022.JPGP1010002.JPGP1010030.JPGP1010003.JPG
 
Top