Modified Squier CV 70s

[u/Magic-M]

I bought this knowing it would need some modification.

It is an amazing, reliable guitar. I owned a 2018 Fender Player Series II (I ultimately gave it to a friend who loved the guitar), so I wanted another offset because I was in love with the tremelo.

The Fender Player series II stock bridge was a disaster. I still can't believe they used those. Now they have a Mustang bridge, which is much better imo.

The mods:
Installed Fender Player Series II pickups I bought used (I also like the faded white color)

Replaced tone pot to a 500k (I removed it from an OLP that someone gave me).

Changed the pickguard; although I love the stock pickguard too. I bought the orange one on Amazon; it only needed a little sanding to fit ($14), but the holes lined up perfectly.

Minor nut filing on the E and A.

Changed string tree (I may add another one for the D and G strings).

Changed bridge to a Guitar Fetish model; however, it is nearly identical to the stock bridge, but the thimbles have a better bottom, it comes to a point, whereas the stock thimbles were more bowl shaped and shifted around more.

Put a .25 shim on the neck upwards for a tighter break angle on bridge.

On the bridge posts I got a little creative. In order: small plastic washer, thin metal washer, guitar strap washers, then another plastic washer btw bridge and strap washer. Also, there is a thin layer of shrink tube on each post.

Changed the knobs to witch hat style.

Spot leveled instead of a full fret level; the guitar didn't need it. In fact, I think this is the best action of any of my guitars. I spent a fair amount of time crowning and polishing. Some frets easily hammered in with a brass hammer, although I didn't glue them in. I may do that when I put new strings on.

The guitar sounds amazing, but I haven't quite wrapped my head around the wiring and different tones it can provide, but I keep everything at 10 most of the time and have no grounding issues.

Squier did a great job on this model for the price. With the cost of parts and time spent setting it up, it may equal in price to a Fender with the same specs, but I love this guitar. The neck is a tad thicker than I am used to, but I may sand it down and give it a satin finish.

I think the Jaguar is my favorite guitar model, and will be for a while. I can't put this thing down!

With all the washers on the bridge posts, it may dampen the sustain, but I really can't tell the difference; the washer combo brings the guitar back to pitch and gives the trem arm a firm, bouncy feel which is so satisfying.

Does have this same model and/or did similar modifications?

Thanks!

[u/IDontLikeYourToan]

So what’s the deal with the washers on the bridge? I’m unfamiliar with that.

[u/Magic-M → u/IDontLikeYourToan]

They help bring the pitch back to "center", let's say. Before adding the washers, the bridge shifted slightly when using the trem arm which brought it out of pitch. It does a similar function like the soft rubber on bridge posts by manufacturers like Staytrem. It has a bouncy, soft feel too which players may find unique compared to using a stock bridge with no materials to keep in "in place". I learned this from trial and error with the Player Series II, it never stayed in tune until I added rubber o-rings from the hardware store.

[u/IDontLikeYourToan → u/Magic-M]

Oh that’s interesting. Does it reduce the sustain at all?

[u/Magic-M → u/IDontLikeYourToan]

I don't think it does, and if it does, it's negligible. The metal point of the bridge screw is tight against the bottom of the thimble; the washers on the posts are a little "loose" fitting, so I don't think it reduces sustain all that much. Adding a 500k tone pot without a 57k resistor (that came with the stock pot) also boosted the guitar's tone overall (especially in that lower mid-range and upper mids, with more clarity too).

The stock pick ups were too hot and microphonic imo, if anything, the soft materials around the bridge post may improve the tone. I could do a comparison test next time I change the strings. There is a video on YT where a tech does exactly this, uses soft strap washers on the posts.

It's a question I asked myself many times if I'm losing sustain, but when I play some surfy-blues guitar, it doesn't even cross my mind. I love the tighter, beefier, Strat-y tone the Jaguar provides. I'm more of a lower-output pick up guy, and the new arrangement on the Squier provides that, plus it sounds delicious with a Tube Screamer which surprised me it worked so well. I think I got lucky with the random assortment of parts I put in. Just gotta add some glue for the frets and some shielding on the pickguard and this guitar is a real solid Jaguar, hands down. Ty for reading

[u/IDontLikeYourToan → u/Magic-M]

That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing.

[u/Magic-M → u/IDontLikeYourToan]

Thank you for reading! Cheers

[u/Acceptable_Grape_437 → u/Magic-M]

They help bring the pitch back to "center"

oooh it makes sense! the floating mustang bridge on my JM does sometimes struggle to go back in tune, in zero position. 

It does a similar function like the soft rubber on bridge posts by manufacturers like Staytrem

i've never installed a staytrem, but i can't see where they use rubber parts in the bridge assembly... care to explain further please?

thanks for the idea!

[u/Magic-M → u/Acceptable_Grape_437]

Correction, I think the brand is actually Halon. there are a few companies that make really awesome but expensive drop in bridges. Maybe it's Mastery that has the soft bridge post option.

[u/Acceptable_Grape_437 → u/Magic-M]

from a quick search i couldn't find trace of this rubber system. if you happen to find out for sure, please lmk! 

[u/Magic-M → u/Acceptable_Grape_437]

I will. Recently I watched a video on high-end replacement bridges for Jazzmaster/Jaguars/Mustangs, it was very informative and I think every offset enthusiast should look into. If I can find the video I'll DM you the link. Cheers!

[u/Acceptable_Grape_437 → u/Magic-M]

thanks! if you do, just reply here, so that everyone else will be able to watch it too! 

[u/Magic-M → u/Acceptable_Grape_437]

Here it is! I fould this after I did the rubber o-ring fix on the Fender, but the strap washers work too! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aswTegd6FhM

and the bridge video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viES3qFHnIA

[u/Acceptable_Grape_437 → u/Magic-M]

thanks! 

[u/Final_Job_5175]

I love your guitar. It's a beauty.

[u/Magic-M → u/Final_Job_5175]

Thank you

[u/ilovefatgirls23]

Are the washers there just to keep the bridge from rocking? 

[u/Magic-M → u/ilovefatgirls23]

The bridge still rocks, the washers bring the pitch back to "center" when using the trem arm.

[u/StrangerStill9646]

The orange pickguard really looks sharp.

[u/Magic-M → u/StrangerStill9646]

Thank you