CV70s Strat p/u?

[driver8]

What alnicos does the CV70s strat have? The 50s are A3, I believe, the 60s A5, but I can't find info for the 70s.

How is the quality of the 70s? I've heard it's not as good as the 50s & 60s, and apparently the price used to be lower to reflect that? They're all $399 now, though - so are the 70s improved, or did Fender just jack up the price? Or am I wrong that they were ever cheaper (read that on some forum, forget where exactly).

 

[SpeedKing]

There used to be two distinct model lines. From China you had the CVs 50s and 60s then mainly from Indonesia you had the VM (Vintage Modified) 70s which were indeed a cheaper model line.

Differences were the 50s and 60s were closer to the instruments they copied both in materials and details (CVs have alder bodies whereas VMs were basswood, VMs should be 3 bolt really like the old '80s Japanese SQs or if not shouldn't have a skunk. The VM had flat pole pups whereas the CVs are vintage accurate staggered.... etc, etc.) but the quality of both in terms of fit and finish was extremely high so the VMs were seen as an even better deal.

The main difference though was the pups with VMs having higher output Duncan Designed Alnico's (not sure whether 3s or 5s) and the CVs having either Alnico 3 or 5 depending upon which model... the 50's or 60's. The Special Edition Simon Neil CV60 had a mix of both sets! These were reported as being produced to basically the same spec as Tonerider pups of the time and were one of the reasons along with quality materials and great workmanship the original CVs were so revered.

The new line of CVs is made in both nations now and is about the equivalent of the old VM with non traditional body woods and PF or IL in place of rosewood. No differences at all in build quality or fit and finish between them now as far as I know and there really wasn't before with the VMs. The biggest change to sound though is in the pups as all 3 (50's, 60's and 70's) now use Fender designed pups. As to whether they are same from model to model now I don't know (nor what type of magnets are used). At the lower price point for the 50s and 60s now though I'd guess probably the answer is yes.

 

[driver8]

Great info, thanks. There's absolutely nothing I can find online as far as which alnicos are in the 70s, I might have to just contact Fender. I'm guessing the A5s, but you never know.

>Hmm, they might be A2s. This guy says the 50s and 70s use the same exact pickup, and the sound samples do in fact sound almost identical. He says he has another video where he fully reviews each one, going to check that out. 50s pickups in a large headstock 70s, intriguing

 

[DougMen]

The new CV Strats all have the new Fender designed alnico pickups, which I assume are A5, since that's the most common, and that's what they sound like to me. FWIW, I've owned several of each of the previous CV 50s and 60s Strats, and, as good as they were, they didn't compare to my MIA ones, and I sold them. I now have the CV 70s one, and it still isn't as good as my American ones, but, IMO, it's a lot closer. I even tried a set of the Tonerider style CV 60s pickups in it, and I ended up putting the stock pickups back in, because they sound better to me, absolutely nailing the classic Strat tone and feel more than many more expensive pickups. The frets on all the new CV guitars also have the narrow tall frets, same as on Am Pro guitars, which makes them play better IMO, compared to the medium jumbos on the earlier CV guitars. One last note- I'm a firm believer in tonewoods, and Alder/RW, but I detect no difference in sound quality from the Poplar/IL combination on my new CV 70s Strat.

 

[driver8]

The new CV Strats all have the new Fender designed alnico pickups, which I assume are A5, since that's the most common, and that's what they sound like to me. FWIW, I've owned several of each of the previous CV 50s and 60s Strats, and, as good as they were, they didn't compare to my MIA ones, and I sold them. I now have the CV 70s one, and it still isn't as good as my American ones, but, IMO, it's a lot closer. I even tried a set of the Tonerider style CV 60s pickups in it, and I ended up putting the stock pickups back in, because they sound better to me, absolutely nailing the classic Strat tone and feel more than many more expensive pickups. The frets on all the new CV guitars also have the narrow tall frets, same as on Am Pro guitars, which makes them play better IMO, compared to the medium jumbos on the earlier CV guitars. One last note- I'm a firm believer in tonewoods, and Alder/RW, but I detect no difference in sound quality from the Poplar/IL combination on my new CV 70s Strat.

That's interesting that the 70s with the poplar is closest to the MIA, I definitely wouldn't have expected that. I wouldn't have expected the Fender pickups to sound better than the Toneriders, either. That's firming up my decision to go with the 70s. Thanks for the info and clarifying that the Fender-designed pickups are the same magnets in all now. I guess that makes that part of deciding easier (and cheaper for Fender, lol).

 

[DougMen]

That's interesting that the 70s with the poplar is closest to the MIA, I definitely wouldn't have expected that. I wouldn't have expected the Fender pickups to sound better than the Toneriders, either. That's firming up my decision to go with the 70s. Thanks for the info and clarifying that the Fender-designed pickups are the same magnets in all now. I guess that makes that part of deciding easier (and cheaper for Fender, lol).

Just remember that those are my opinion, and not everyone agrees with me. So, it's possible that you also may or may not agree with me. That being said, some members here have also gotten the newer CV Strats, and none of them have been disappointed in them, however, I think some of them have replaced the stock pickups with Fender 57/62s and PV 65s. If you have somewhere that you can go try it, that's obviously the best idea, since everyone is different. If that's not possible, and you buy online, just make sure you get it from a dealer that will allow you to return it if not satisfied. I'd hate for you to be disappointed in it after my glowing review, and if you didn't love it as much as me, and couldn't return it, I'd feel really guilty, lol.

 

[driver8]

Just remember that those are my opinion, and not everyone agrees with me. So, it's possible that you also may or may not agree with me. That being said, some members here have also gotten the newer CV Strats, and none of them have been disappointed in them, however, I think some of them have replaced the stock pickups with Fender 57/62s and PV 65s. If you have somewhere that you can go try it, that's obviously the best idea, since everyone is different. If that's not possible, and you buy online, just make sure you get it from a dealer that will allow you to return it if not satisfied. I'd hate for you to be disappointed in it after my glowing review, and if you didn't love it as much as me, and couldn't return it, I'd feel really guilty, lol.

Haha, I know what you mean, but don't worry about it. I tend to mull everything over x10 before buying anything, and try to do as much due diligence and testing as possible. When something doesn't pan out, it's like Zeppelin says, nobody's fault but mine. ;-) So it's great to have different opinions to take into consideration, appreciate the input.

 

[oldman]

I have a Chinese 60's CV and a new Indonesian 70's. I've had my share of Chinese CV Sqiuer Strats and Teles.

I believe the quality and workmanship of the early Chinese CV's is the best. I never really felt the need to do anything to any of those models. Especially the necks, they always felt great with really nice attention spent on the fret ends.

When I received my Indonesian 70's Strat, I was disappointed. The fret ends were sharp, the truss rod was way out of adjustment, and the intonation was not even close. The pickups however, really sounded pretty darn good.

Over the years I've learned how to do a set up and how to dress and smooth fret ends. I have the right tools.

I spent about 2 hours on it (70's Strat), and it is now one of my favorite guitars, the neck is awesome. I also put a loaded TexMex pickguard in (I just love those pickups) but the stock pickups were really good.

I've played a few current CV Squiers at a shop and they all felt better than mine (when I received). I think the quality control is not as tight as it used to be. To me they are still a real bargain even if you have to tweak some things.

 

[drewcp]

The older CV 50s and CV 60s strats had unique pickups. The current run of 50s and 60s Squier CV strats both have the same pickups. VM 70s had Duncan designed pickups, and I suspect the current CV70s pups are the same as the current 50s/60s guitars, but haven't seen confirmation yet.

 

[DougMen]

The older CV 50s and CV 60s strats had unique pickups. The current run of 50s and 60s Squier CV strats both have the same pickups. VM 70s had Duncan designed pickups, and I suspect the current CV70s pups are the same as the current 50s/60s guitars, but haven't seen confirmation yet.

All the current CV Strats use the same pickups, whether 50s, 60s, or 70s ones. It's the same with the the current CV Teles. Both 50s Teles and the 60s CVC all use the same pickups. There's no longer different pickups in the 50s vs. 60s versions of either Strats or Teles.

 

[drewcp]

All the current CV Strats use the same pickups, whether 50s, 60s, or 70s ones. It's the same with the the current CV Teles. Both 50s Teles and the 60s CVC all use the same pickups. There's no longer different pickups in the 50s vs. 60s versions of either Strats or Teles.

Thanks for the verification. I knew it was true of the current 50s and 60s Strats but haven't run into any pics yet of the current 70s CVs

 

[mlcorey]

What alnicos does the CV70s strat have? The 50s are A3, I believe, the 60s A5, but I can't find info for the 70s.

How is the quality of the 70s? I've heard it's not as good as the 50s & 60s, and apparently the price used to be lower to reflect that? They're all $399 now, though - so are the 70s improved, or did Fender just jack up the price? Or am I wrong that they were ever cheaper (read that on some forum, forget where exactly).

I've got one. The guitar is fine. The pickups are so-so. I've had to wait to change them because of supply problems (Covid, of course). If you buy one, plan on doing a setup. The neck is a bit chunky, but it's a 70's style so you have to expect that. It plays well, and is light bvecause of the poplar body.

 

[DougMen]

I've got one. The guitar is fine. The pickups are so-so. I've had to wait to change them because of supply problems (Covid, of course). If you buy one, plan on doing a setup. The neck is a bit chunky, but it's a 70's style so you have to expect that. It plays well, and is light bvecause of the poplar body.

You think the neck is chunky? What are you used to, toothpick necks?

 

[BluesForDan]

I bought a 2020 CV50 Esquire and a CV70 Stratocaster (actually on my second, the first had a manufacturing defect on the fingerboard, first I've seen in about 12-15 CV necks that I've had over the years.) I will need to look at the pickups again at the next string change to see what they are. But they both needed good fret polishing and the fingerboards themselves feel less smooth than the CV necks I got 10-15 years ago.

The electronics sound fine to me. The pots on the Esquire were full size made in Korea. I haven't looked at the strat yet. I almost did it today but other stuff intervened.

 

[DougMen]

Here's pics I got from Ebay and the Stratosphere of the new CV50s, CV60s, and CV70s Pickups. They are identical, with the neck pickups marked PTP1011-1 EG5-ADWH-F, the middle marked PTP-1014-1 EG5-ADWH-M, and the bridge pickup marked PTP-1049 EG5-ADWH-R, on all 3 sets. The WH means white covers, the F, M, and R mean front, middle, and rear, and I'm guessing the EG5 means Alnico 5, but I could be wrong about that, since on the previous CV pickups designed by Tonerider, both Tonerider and Squier gave the A3 ones a 5 model number, and the A5 ones a 3 model number, in the case of Squier the A3 were called STA5, and the A5 ones were called STA3. But, in spite of that, at least we know that all three use the same pickups, we just don't know if they're A3 or A5. But, I think we can safely assume that they're one or the other, and not A2. The 1st pic is the 50s, the 2nd pic is the 60s, and the 3rd pic is the 70s.

 

[DougMen]

Here's a pic where it's easier to see the labels on them

 

[BluesForDan]

does it look like the CV50 loaded pickguard have a different selector switch than the CV60 and 70? It looks more like the traditional semi-circular form than the rectangular boxes of the latter two.

 

[DougMen]

does it look like the CV50 loaded pickguard have a different selector switch than the CV60 and 70? It looks more like the traditional semi-circular form than the rectangular boxes of the latter two.

That one is one where I got the pic off of Ebay, not from the Stratosphere, so the seller may have replaced the switch, which is probably the case, since that one doesn't have the zip-tie on the wiring like the others have, and especially from the messy solder on the back of the pots, 'cause they don't look like that coming from the factory.

 

[BluesForDan]

That one is one where I got the pic off of Ebay, not from the Stratosphere, so the seller may have replaced the switch, which is probably the case, since that one doesn't have the zip-tie on the wiring like the others have, and especially from the messy solder on the back of the pots, 'cause they don't look like that coming from the factory.

ah, excellent observation

 

[DougMen]

ah, excellent observation

That volume pot, with all that solder on it, looks like one of my Strats that I've tried half a dozen different pickups in, and haven't cleaned all the extra solder off the pot with solder wick or a solder sucker where I connected the pickup's ground wires.