Bill Alston

Squier Classic Vibe Series

Simon Neil Signature Stratocaster

These guitars are highly regarded as being great value for money and as an affordable way to get that vintage feel Fender guitar

I have owned a couple of these including a Simon Neil signature and they really do feel like a guitar that is double the price or more.They are made in China and all have Gold Logos and Vintage Style tuners making them relatively easy to indentify, below are some headstock photos illustrating this

A Thinline Telecaster and a Stratocaster

Details of the series from launch


2009 Catalogue
50s Stratocaster Maple Fretboard in two colour sunburst
60s Stratocaster with Rosewood Fretboard in three colour sunburst
50s Telecaster Maple Fretboard in Blonde
50s Duosonic Maple Fretboard in desert sand

2010 and 2011
50s Stratocaster Maple Fretboard in two colour sunburst added Lake Placid Blue and Olympic White
It says Rosewood Fretboard in the 2010 catalogue but in the 2011 catalogue only says Maple Fretboard The Rosewood is a catalogue misprint.
60s Stratocaster with Rosewood Fretboard in three colour sunburst added Candy Apple Red
Added a Thinline and a Custom to the Telecaster range both three colour sunburst
50s Duosonic Maple Fretboard in desert sand

2012 Catalogue
First left handed versions available. Stratocaster 50s in two colour sunburst with Maple Stratocaster 60s in three colour sunburst with Rosewood plus a Telecaster 50s in Butterscotch Blonde
50s Stratocaster Maple Fretboard Colours now two colour sunburst Olympic White Fiesta Red
60s Stratocaster with Rosewood Fretboard in three colour sunburst or Candy Apple Red
50s Telecaster Butterscotch Blonde and Vintage Blonde now the colour options
No Duosonic now discontinued.
This catalogue is the first appearance of the Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro) signature Strat. This is a variation on the CV 60s in Fiesta Red with a mint green pickguard and a mixture of Alnico 3 and 5 vintage style pickups. It may have been available earlier.

2013 Catalogue
No changes

2014 Catalogue
Added Stratocaster 50s 60th Anniversary model in Aztec Gold with gold hardware
At some point Lake Placid Blue 60s Classic Vibe Stratocaster with a matching headstock was introduced but isn't in any catalogue that I can find and isn't on the current UK website nor on the Squier USA website.See picture below



2015 from the UK website with MSRPs shown
A quick look around shows that retailers are charging a bit below MSRP but usually less than 10% lower but with the odd real bargain to be found.
Stratocaster 50s Now Available in 2 colour sunburst, Olympic White, Sherwood Green Metallic with a matching headstock now added. Left handed version unchanged £360.
Fiesta Red available on the USA website
Stratocaster 60s Three colour sunburst (left handed version available) £360 Candy Apple Red £420
Burgundy Mist with matching headstock available on USA website
Stratocaster 50s 60th Anniversary model in Aztec Gold still available £415
Telecaster 50s Butterscotch Blonde (Left handed version available) and Vintage Blonde both black pickguard both £360
Telecaster Custom Three colour Sunburst Rosewood neck, mint green pickguard £380
Telecaster Thinline Natural Finish white perloid pickguard Maple neck £405
New Model introduced in the previous year but not in 2014 catalogue Deluxe HSH Stratocaster Crimson Transparent White Pearl pickguard Rosewood neck 2 point bridge £445
Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro) signature Stratocaster £370

Specifications

Please click below for a pdf of brief specifications of CV models
CV Specifications