Guitar World Verdict
The Squier Classic Vibe series has rightfully earned a reputation for quality on a budget, and this Squier Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster SH is no different. There are a few expected compromises, but it sounds good, plays well, and most importantly, on this model, it has a Bigsby. If you want a combination of Classic Vibe value, Telecaster style, and Bigsby wobble, this guitar is a perfect fit.
Pros
- +
Bigsby on a budget.
- +
Excellent playability.
- +
A bridge pickup with plenty of Tele bite.
Cons
- -
A price close to full Fender territory.
- -
Some minor build issues.
- -
Neck pickup is a bit dark.
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What is it?
“Leo got it right the first time” - a phrase often used when talking about the Fender Telecaster. A bear bones, no frills guitar that is more versatile than it generally gets credit for, it’s a workhorse machine that’s all over guitar history, from Keith Richards to Slipknot's Jim Root. Given its widespread appeal, it is of little wonder that we see a number of different iterations of the Telecaster within Fender's budget brand, Squier. The Fender Squier Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster SH (bit of a mouthful) that I have in my hands is one of the latest additions to Squier's Classic Vibe series. However, this one comes with a welcome a twist - a Bigsby vibrato.
Having the Classic Vibe label means the bar is already set rather high. The range sits at the top end of Squire's budget-friendly guitars, remaining affordable but adding quality in exchange for the extra cost compared to the cheapest models.
Specs
- Launch price: $499.99/£469.99/€539.99
- Made: China
- Type: Six-string electric guitar
- Body: Poplar
- Neck: Maple / C
- Fingerboard: Indian Laurel
- Scale length: 9.5"/241.3mm
- Nut/width: Bone/1.65"/42mm
- Frets: 21
- Hardware: Vintage-style tuners, floating bridge with mustang saddles, Bigsby licensed B50 trem
- String spacing at bridge: 51mm
- Electrics: Fender designed alnico single coil bridge pickup, Fender designed alnico humbucker neck pickup, 3 way pickup selector
- Options: N/A
- Left-handed options: No
- Finishes: Lake Placid Blue (as reviewed), Aztec Gold
- Cases: No
- Contact: Fender
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★½
Whether you are a Bigsby fan or not, their classy aesthetic is undeniable. Add this to the Lake Placid Blue finish and double binding, and I’d challenge anyone to contest that this guitar is a looker. Our test model has a little crack in the finish by the neck joint, which obviously isn’t ideal, but could also just be a little bad luck on this specific guitar.
While I am pointing out small flaws, the jack socket has come a slightly loose, which is something I’ve seen happen on a few Tele’s in my time. An easy thing to tighten, but not a thing I would expect to happen so early on.
On the positive side, we have tuners that are reactive and stable, nice feeling tone and volume controls with a gnurled texture for plenty of grip (stopping short of the extreme, near-weaponised knurling present on the Ultra II Meteora), and a 3-way switch that moves with a satisfying clunk.
Bigsby Licensed trems have a bit of a reputation for getting in the way of tuning stability, and I have certainly played a few that lend credence to that opinion. There are, however, some things that can be done to get them to behave.
Fender claims that the choice of barrel saddles should result in more stability here, and it seems that this may indeed be the case. It’s not perfect by any means, but it is well within the realms of acceptable for the budget.
This Bigsby Licensed B50 is also a string-through design, eradicating that fiddliness that can be inherent in restringing a Bigsby of the usual wrap-around nature. This is a nice touch, and given that the guitar is likely to be purchased by those near the beginning of their guitar journey, it shows a real consideration for the target market.
No one likes to finish a gig with a strap mark across the shoulder courtesy of a hefty guitar, and that Bigsby does add some weight, but thankfully, we have a chambered body to compensate for this.
The downside is that it makes this guitar quite lively, and the clunk of the pickup selector is very noticeable through an amplifier. More problematically, however, so is the creek from the spring on the Bigsby as it's moved into a position for use. So you'll want to set it where it works for you before beginning to play, and leave it there. A little annoying, but nothing that can't be dealt with.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★½
Everything from SRV-style blues to expensive-sounding jazzy chords, it all flows off the fingers with ease
When I was starting out 20 years ago, the playability of some beginner guitars was often rough to say the least. Nowadays, if you are sticking with reputable brands, the quality on offer for a relatively low price is outstanding. Squire has kept up with that change, and the classic vibe series has a particular reputation for being great value in this regard.
This Squire Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster SH is no different. The frets are nicely finished, and the guitar arrived with a decent, buzz-free setup, sporting an action in the medium-low bracket, which happens to be my preference. Playing everything from SRV-style blues to expensive-sounding jazzy chords, it all flows off the fingers with ease.
It’s the usual 9.5” fretboard radius and C profile neck, so a fairly standard Fender Squier affair. It’s lacking the bougie features of more expensive guitars, like a compound radius and sculpted heel joint, but it does a good job with what it has, resulting in a machine that is playable beyond what the budget suggests.
The Bigsby is not as reactive as its more expensive counterparts and feels slightly clunky to use, but not to the extent that it gets in the way of that Bigsby-induced smile. It’s a little bit of clunkiness will be a worthwhile compromise for those looking for that Bigsby thing on a budget.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★☆
Often the area where cheaper guitars come under fire, the pickups are off to a good start as I select the bridge position and blast the Classic Vibe Tele Custom through my Hot Rod Deluxe and a Tube Screamer. It has a nice cut and suits a bit of gain, if a little on the brash side, so rolling off that tone control is a good idea.
The neck humbucker goes the other way in that it is quite a dark-sounding pickup. There is absolutely a place for this within smooth, creamy leads and darker rhythm sounds are often useful in keeping the guitar out of the way of vocals and other instruments in a busy live mix. However, in most scenarios, it's a touch muddy for my tastes.
With a clean tone, though, it does well in the context of some strummy accompaniment, providing a warm, dynamic sound that is easy to listen to. Combine it with the bridge humbucker in the middle position, and the guitar has some real Tele twang, great for a little chicken picking.
I roll the volume pot back to find it clean up beautifully for some very dynamic low-gain noodling
This middle position is also a lot of fun when things are gained up a bit. The two pickups complement each other as the low end of the neck pickup is compensated for by the cutting nature of the bridge, resulting in a full sound with plenty of bite.
The highlights of all of this, for me, however, are the way that the pickups clean up on the volume control. Starting with a healthy helping of gain from my staple overdrive pedals - a Blues Driver and Tube Screamer working together, I roll the volume pot back to find it clean up beautifully for some very dynamic low-gain noodling. Chucking on some delay from my MXR Carbon Copy, and that dynamic is supported by an ambience that is just downright addictive.
It’s worth mentioning that Squire Classic Vibes feature Fender-designed alnico pickups as opposed to the ceramic versions on cheaper Squiers and indeed the Fender Standards. There’s no right or wrong here, and both have their uses, but personally, I’ve always found the more expensive alnico magnets to be my preference for the type of playing one is likely to do on a Telecaster.
Verdict
It’s hard to go wrong with the Squire Classic Vibe series. Sure, there are a few cash-saving compromises, but for the money, they offer excellent value with a playability that punches above its weight, and this Squire Classic Vibe Telecaster SH follows suit. But there is an interesting dilemma here. The pricing is close to real Fender territory, so why not spend a little more and get that famous name on your headstock?
Well, at its core, the Squire Classic Vibe Custom Telescaster SH is a Classic Vibe Tele with a few tweaks, most notably the addition of the Bigsby Licensed B50 trem. And it’s this that’s the obvious selling point and the reason for the slightly raised price. Like most things in life, Bigsby’s are not free!
Excellent value with a playability that punches above its weight
So that is what it comes down to. Do you want a budget-friendly Bigsby-equipped Telecaster with all the playability and renowned value that comes with the Squire Classic Vibe series? If so, then this is a must-have guitar.
Guitar World verdict: The Squier Classic Vibe series has rightfully earned a reputation for quality on a budget, and this Squier Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster SH is no different. There are a few expected compromises, but it sounds good, plays well, and most importantly, on this model, it has a Bigsby. If you want a combination of Classic Vibe value, Telecaster style, and Bigsby wobble, this guitar is a perfect fit.
Test | Results | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build quality | A few minor issues here, but nothing that is a deal-breaker. | ★★★½ |
Playability | Here is where the value is. A guitar with playability well above its price range. | ★★★★½ |
Sounds | Some real cut in the bridge pickup, but the neck may be a little dark. | ★★★★☆ |
Overall | A very playable guitar, save a few minor issues with the build. Perfect if you are after a Bigsby on a budget. | ★★★★☆ |
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