a_k_watson's Metal Music Gear Setup

This review is of a 2018 Classic Vibe '50s with a two-tone sunburst alder body produced in the China Grand Reward factory. Specifications vary from the successor crafted in Indonesia.

This version of the long running Classic Vibe '50s series is quite simply excellent value for money.

In the absence of a Fender Classic Series '50s Stratocaster to compare Fender Mexico to Squier China Grand Reward, the closest comparison I can make is with my Fender Classic Player Baja Telecaster, which was pitched at the higher prices accompanying the Fender decal on made in Mexico models.

The Stratocaster body appears to be made of four pieces of unspecified alder, which is the same number of pieces as the ash bodied Baja Telecaster. The four pieces are fairly well matched in terms of grain and finish and do not stand out.

In terms of the quality control and feeling in the hand, the Squier feels at least as good to me, if not better, than the Mexican Fender. You could honestly change the decal and convince me that the Classic Vibe is part of the made in Mexico Classic Series.

Forums report that the stock AlNiCo III pickups are very similar to the Tonerider Surfari TRS5 AlNiCo III set (possibly produced in the same factory). Surfari are voiced around the earliest ash bodied Stratocaster pickups (starting in 1954). Literally the only tweak I ever contemplate would to be add some more zing and trebly bite (more associated with AlNiCo V pickups) - that would have perhaps put the rating up to five stars.

Aside from the decal, the more critical traditionalist may note that the guitar does not attempt to be a particular year but to instead impart the vibe of '50s models by mixing elements of earliest AlNiCo III pickups (from 1954, changing to V by late 1956 ), with alder body (from mid-1956), a post late-1956 "butterfly" style string tree (a conspicuous difference from the round string retainer of this model's crafted in Indonesia nyatoh bodied successor), and the convenience of a modern fingerboard radius and frets.

It could have said Fender instead of Squier on the headstock and many may not have been any the wiser. An amazing instrument for the price.