Squier CV 60s Thinline Tele MN NT

Squier CV 60s Thinline Tele MN NT review

At a listed price of 399, the Squier CV 60s Thinline Tele MN NT aims to deliver a familiar Telecaster voice in a lighter semi-hollow design. Its natural finish, pearloid pickguard, and visible F-shaped sound opening give it a distinct look, while the two single-coil pickups keep the layout straightforward. Player reports describe a guitar that can feel and sound far above its price, though setup quality and individual parts are not consistent across every example.

Construction and first impressions

The guitar has a semi-hollow body, a maple bolt-on neck, a maple fingerboard, and 21 narrow-tall frets. The listed scale is 648 mm, with a 42 mm nut width and a 241 mm fingerboard radius. A bone nut, three-saddle string-through-body bridge, vintage-style tuning machines, and nickel hardware round out the specification. The controls are simple: master volume, master tone, and a three-way toggle switch.

Owners frequently praise the finish, fretwork, and overall presentation. Several describe clean fret ends, a smooth playing surface, and a usable factory setup straight out of the box. Others report sharp fret edges, a poorly cut nut, uneven finish around the sound opening, or strings that needed attention. These differences make an in-person inspection or a prompt setup check worthwhile. The instrument is listed without a case or gig bag.

Its low weight is a recurring advantage. Players appreciate the comfort during long practice sessions, and some say the guitar is loud enough acoustically for quiet practice. That does not make it an acoustic substitute, but the semi-hollow body gives it more unplugged presence than a typical solid-body electric guitar. One tradeoff is balance: a few owners find that the neck can dip when playing standing up, so strap choice and playing position may matter.

Neck feel and playability

The C-shaped neck and glossy finish divide opinion. Many players find the profile comfortable for chords, bends, and blues phrasing. Some describe it as slim and easy to move around, while others prefer a thicker neck or dislike the tacky feel of a fully glossed back and fingerboard. That is a personal preference rather than a universal flaw, but it is worth considering if you favor a satin neck.

Reports on the factory setup are similarly mixed. Some instruments arrive with good action and intonation and need little adjustment. Others require work on neck relief, string height, fret polishing, or nut slots before they play cleanly. The three-saddle bridge also offers less individual adjustment than a bridge with six separate saddles. A careful setup can address many playability issues, but buyers should leave room in the budget for that possibility.

Sound and controls

The two Fender-designed Alnico single-coil pickups produce the bright, clear attack many players expect from a Telecaster. Clean tones are a particular strength: owners describe the bridge pickup as crisp and cutting, the neck pickup as smoother and rounder, and the middle position as a useful blend. The semi-hollow construction adds an airy quality for some players, though the basic character remains recognizably Telecaster-like.

Pickup output is a point of disagreement. Some owners find the pickups relatively quiet compared with other guitars, especially when moving into overdrive. That can mean raising the amp gain or adding a boost to keep levels consistent. Other players report satisfying results across clean, blues, and rock settings, including distorted tones. The guitar can handle more than country, but its clear, bright voice is the main attraction, not a thick humbucker-style sound.

The volume control also gets mixed feedback. Some players find it responsive, while others say its effect becomes noticeable in an uneven way or that the level drops quickly as they turn it down. There are reports of noisy or unreliable pots and toggle switches, as well as owners whose controls worked smoothly. Check the electronics across the full range when trying the guitar.

Verdict

The Squier CV 60s Thinline Tele MN NT is a compelling choice for players who want a lightweight guitar with classic Telecaster bite, clean articulation, and a distinctive semi-hollow look. Its comfortable neck and strong unplugged resonance add to its appeal. The main caveats are variable setup and component quality, modest pickup output for some rigs, and possible neck-dive when standing. It can suit a beginner who specifically wants this sound, but its focused character makes it less of an all-purpose first guitar than a higher-output, more versatile model. For players drawn to bright vintage-style tones, it offers a lot to like, provided they check the setup and controls on the individual instrument.