Fender Classic Vibe ‘60s Stratocaster

Super Guitar In Its Own Right, BUT there are other options (SEE EDIT) – First of all the usual question ask if this guitar is as good as one with the Fender name on the front of the headstock. My answer is unequivocal, no it is not. Nonetheless, it is an excellent guitar to have around and I think would easily stand up for even light local gigging duties. If you are an absolute beginner then maybe something below this model would be a better place to learn the ropes. If going on tour then save up and get the beef of something more (Player series if like strats would do that I think).

The guitar weighed in at a very similar weight to my higher end strats. Its metal hardware however is obviously of less mass than the higher-end ones, and thus upgrading that would just make it heavier. The wight must therefore come from the wood even though the actual guitar seems ever so slightly reduced in size under close inspection versus the higher end ones. I could just upgrade the pickups but I would be doing so with less metal mass to push the energy back into the strings, and it's thus not a rabbit hole I will likely go down. I have no clue how easy or not it is to get an upgraded trem system that would just drop into this one anyway, and I never looked as I don't care.

The cheaper wood (versus high end) means a more basic grain effect and whilst I gravitate there anyway, it's obviously subjective. The actual finish looks very well done. It continues to punch well above its weight. Lastly an unexpected almost flame on the rear of the body is a nice bit of bling as you pick it up, but the front is understated as I alluded to.

The very good news though is that there is really no need to change anything as it's a superb guitar in its own right. It is full size even if perhaps a mm here or there less under the really close scrutiny you only do when you first get it. I am not even totally sure on that point but the rear assembly did seem that tiny bit closer to the surface when I took the backplate off. Inconsequential stuff.

The fretboard is Indian Laurel and with a squirt of lemon oil looks like rosewood to any real-world casual look. Nice touch, IMO, as I am not a fan of the light looking fretboards unless they are maple. More importantly, it feels and plays as good as rosewood (the traditional wood choice).

Plastic knobs are cheapish if go tapping around, but feel and work fine if you don't go looking for it.

The nut is bone. Very nice robust touch for sound and strength.

Scratchplate feels and looks as good as any.

The back plate is off per the pic. I usually leave it that way.

Frets are very nice as they should be after a PLEK set-up. Any of these guitars have touched are pretty good anyway but the PLEK ensures perfect. I will leave others to argue how necessary a PLEK set-up is. As part of the package, I bought, I thought silly not to with my buying goals (nothing to do at all) in mind.

My buying decision was based on the above and wanting something that was set up to work perfectly off the bat with proven parts that last. I nearly went with another option elsewhere that would have been less than half the price. Above a now low price point, you really can pay a good a chunk for small upgrades. E.G. the full-on American Pro Fenderis more than X4 the price. Yes, it's "better" but not X4 better most would agree.

To this end, I went with Port Mac Guitars and took advantage of their full set up incl PLEK. YMMV but all guitars I have ever had needed some set-up on arrival, at least short of a custom shop one where it may be done as part of the price. I considered their set-up (GEniuS they call it) a good value proposition. There was a small issue but likely it would never have affected playability, and very importantly certainly nothing that would have hindered a beginner. What did stand out was the service getting it sorted. It was swift and nothing too much even at this price point - all done over the phone and an easy enough adjustment. Were it not for the service after I would have wanted to deduct a half star though. The guitar also came in the original manufacturer's box which is known to be excellent for transporting. In my experience, this is way above what usually happens - a safe place to buy from an all-around way. I did move one rear spring as it was working loose when playing (easy enough).

The necessary material changes from higher-end guitars to hit the price point are well thought out I think.

A highly recommended package to put on the list is my vote.

EDIT: Upon playing for a while now the shine has been knocked off a bit. The middle spring in the back needing to move to accommodate a still very standard term system height (or work loose) was OK. It took a while for tuning stability to appear and I am not used to that - I am still watching that as never thought about it before on any guitar. The tuning machines are now part of a warranty claim as they are so very stiff they are inclined to lurch if tuning on the fly. A different purchase but still a Classic Vibe was a Tele. The neck pocket seems to work fine but looks just not as well cut as I am used to. Maybe al a COVID period rush thing? Nonetheless in the budget end of town competition is fierce and at the price, these go for Squier needs to watch out some more because versus what I have / seen there are options. The CV bone nut is a nice touch and well-cut on the two I have (especially the plek one as would expect) but the hardware is short of outstanding in the budget end............... Explore a few options I would say......It's 2022 and machining has got real good across many makes.......

EDIT 2: In full fairness to Fender Squier the warranty issue was finalised in record time with the tuners simply being sent directly to me. I am pretty sure I could arrange to have a dealer fit them but plenty easy enough to just do here. Were I super picky they are not the very best but they seem to turn fine enough and no complaints at the price point here. I do still feel the trem system mass could be improved on at the price point and so it's a solid 4 stars that I can't quite stretch to 5 stars still (my review). Very very good guitar.