The new Squier CV Late 50s Jazzmaster: A quality offset at an affordable price.
A classic '50s style Jazzmaster on a budget
The hugely popular Squier Classic Vibe series has a new member, the Squier CV Late 50s Jazzmaster model. So if you are looking for a budget-priced offset model, these lower-end Fender models could be perfect for the job.
Squier Classic Vibe Late 50s Jazzmaster
Fender has been slowly adding more and more Squier Classic Vibe models over the past few years. It’s a great way to pick up one of the company’s classic models at a more wallet-friendly price point. Although the prices have been slowly creeping up on these every year, so they aren’t quite the bargain that they once were.
Based on the original offset guitar design, these new Squier CV Late 50s Jazzmaster models offer players the look of the originals, albeit with a few cutbacks to keep the prices down.
The ’50s look
You get a choice of a 2-tone sunburst or a white blonde finish. Both come with a gold anodised pickguard and black plastics. The pickups are “Fender Designed” Alnico single-coils and should be similar to an original Jazzmaster pickup, and not P-90s in disguise, which you often get with some budget offset models.
Specifications
The model features a poplar body and a bolt-on maple neck, with an Indian Laurel fretboard and a C-profile, and a 9.5″ radius. The originals would have been alder or ash, depending on the finish, though I suspect you won’t notice too much difference with the poplar body. However, having owned a few Classic Vibe models, their interpretation of a C-profile neck is often pretty thin and anaemic, so they will not have the feel of an original.
It does have the standard Volume, Tone and three-way toggle switch, plus an independent ‘Rhythm Circuit, so at least the wiring is what you would expect from a Jazzmaster. Overall, this looks like a decent offset model and, if you like that vintage look, is worth checking out.
More Information on Fender
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