Squier Classic Vibe 60's Jazzmaster - A Review

[zaffa]

2. The new Mustang style bridge seems like a solid upgrade over the previous style. Even with the 9/42 strings, and no shim, it was far less buzzy than the VM's. 2 1/16" (52mm) string spacing should keep the strings off the edge of the board. Verified it's a real 9.5" radius.

Having in mind the radius and string spacing of the new bridge, do you think a Staytrem or similar upgrade is still needed, ie would it bring any improvement in comparison to stock?

[jonnyrocket]

2. The new Mustang style bridge seems like a solid upgrade over the previous style. Even with the 9/42 strings, and no shim, it was far less buzzy than the VM's. 2 1/16" (52mm) string spacing should keep the strings off the edge of the board. Verified it's a real 9.5" radius.

Having in mind the radius and string spacing of the new bridge, do you think a Staytrem or similar upgrade is still needed, ie would it bring any improvement in comparison to stock?

I have this guitar and I am also curious to find out if the Staytrem would be any improvement over the stock bridge. I have never used a Staytrem and I haven't played other Jazzmasters either. So far the stock bridge seems great and the guitar stays in tune quite well even with heavy trem use!

[redchapterjubilee]

I have Mustang bridges on all but one of my JM's and they work fine for me. I do have a Staytrem on one of my JM's and it is a much nicer design, like the Mustang taken to its logical design conclusion. I have not felt the desire to "upgrade" to Staytrem on my Classic Vibe. Mine needs attention to the nut more desperately than a new bridge.

[Bradley-Jazz]

I have Mustang bridges on all but one of my JM's and they work fine for me. I do have a Staytrem on one of my JM's and it is a much nicer design, like the Mustang taken to its logical design conclusion. I have not felt the desire to "upgrade" to Staytrem on my Classic Vibe. Mine needs attention to the nut more desperately than a new bridge.

I would agree with this entirely - I have Staytrems on all my offsets and they are great. However, they only replaced one decent Mustang bridge, that on my Vintera Mustang, and that was to adjust the string spacing, not because the bridge had any other particular problems.

[Shadoweclipse13]

I haven't taken my CV JM apart, but I was wondering if anyone knew if the neck pockets had an angle routed in or if they were flat?

[manwithtitties]

I haven't taken my CV JM apart, but I was wondering if anyone knew if the neck pockets had an angle routed in or if they were flat?

Cv jag was flat, but with a tiny sandpaper shim out of the factory.

[Shadoweclipse13]

I haven't taken my CV JM apart, but I was wondering if anyone knew if the neck pockets had an angle routed in or if they were flat?

Cv jag was flat, but with a tiny sandpaper shim out of the factory.

Interesting. Thanks for the reply. I was considering getting some Stew-Mac shims just in case I need them when I finally do a setup. Maybe I still will.

[jonnyrocket]

I haven't taken my CV JM apart, but I was wondering if anyone knew if the neck pockets had an angle routed in or if they were flat?

My Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster has a flat neck pocket. I ended up using a 1 degree shim from Stew Mac and it worked really well. I got the three pack and tried each individual one as well as all the possible combinations of stacking them together. Finally settled on 1 degree but .75 worked well too! I did upgrade the vibrato to an AVRI and the guitar stays in tune so well and no string slipping at all!

cheers,
Jon

[Shadoweclipse13]

I haven't taken my CV JM apart, but I was wondering if anyone knew if the neck pockets had an angle routed in or if they were flat?

My Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster has a flat neck pocket. I ended up using a 1 degree shim from Stew Mac and it worked really well. I got the three pack and tried each individual one as well as all the possible combinations of stacking them together. Finally settled on 1 degree but .75 worked well too! I did upgrade the vibrato to an AVRI and the guitar stays in tune so well and no string slipping at all!

cheers,
Jon

Thanks for the information Jon!!

[grampy_grumps]

Great review. Where is that unpainted offset body from?

[Sonichris]

That body was made by me at Texas Toast Guitars. We don't make them anymore.