Squier CV 50s Strat MN BK

Review: Squier CV 50s Strat MN BK

The Squier CV 50s Strat MN BK is a black, vintage-style electric guitar with a maple neck and fingerboard, three Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups, and a synchronized tremolo. It has been available since October 2019, and its listed price is 385. The specification sheet identifies the body as both nyatoh and nato, so the exact body wood is not consistent across the supplied information. There is no top layer, and neither a bag nor a case is included.

Owner feedback points to a guitar that often arrives ready to play, with some variation between individual instruments. Several buyers describe a clean finish, well-seated hardware, comfortable neck, and good factory setup. Others report fret buzz, bridge noise, or finish flaws that required adjustment, exchange, or return. The practical takeaway is to check the setup and inspect the instrument on arrival rather than assume every example will be identical.

Neck, dimensions, and setup

The maple neck has a C-shaped profile and a maple fingerboard with black dot inlays. It is attached with a bolt-on joint. The scale length is 648 mm, or 25.51 inches, and the nut is 42 mm wide, with a bone nut. The fingerboard radius is 241 mm, or 9.49 inches. There are 21 narrow, tall frets.

Players commonly describe the neck as comfortable, including one buyer who found it manageable for a nine-year-old. That is a useful indication of its feel, not a guarantee that it will suit every player's hands. Other owners praise the action and fretwork, and some say their guitar needed little more than tuning before playing. However, reports of persistent low-string buzz and bridge rattling show why a quick setup check matters. If lowering the action brings on unwanted noise, a technician can assess the relief, fret condition, bridge, and intonation.

Three-pickup layout and controls

The three alnico single-coil pickups feed a master volume control and two tone controls. A five-way switch selects the pickup combinations, giving the instrument a range of familiar single-coil voices. Owners describe the neck position as warm, the bridge position as brighter, and the switch settings as clearly differentiated. Several are pleased with the classic Strat-style sound, while one buyer felt the bridge pickup was the first part they would upgrade.

Expect the usual single-coil character rather than a high-output humbucker sound. For clean parts and blues-oriented playing, owner impressions are broadly positive. The guitar has also been used with modeling software and different amplifiers, suggesting it can cover more than one basic setting. Results depend on the amplifier and playing style, and a pickup change is a personal modification, not a requirement for enjoying the guitar.

Tremolo and hardware

The bridge is a six-saddle, vintage-style synchronized tremolo. The supplied strings are Fender 250 NPS, gauge.009 to.042. Hardware is nickel, the tuners are vintage-style, and the pickguard is a single-ply white design. Players switching from a locking tremolo may need time to adjust to the subtler feel of this bridge. One owner also found the guitar heavier than expected, although no weight is specified in the supplied details.

Tuning stability is the clearest recurring concern in the user reports. Some owners say the guitar holds tune well, while another found the tuners disappointing and anticipated replacing them later. A separate report mentions a hard nut. Before changing parts, check string installation, stretching, nut slots, and tremolo setup. The available feedback does not establish that every guitar will have tuning trouble, but it makes these sensible points to inspect.

Build quality and value

Many buyers describe accurate assembly, tidy paint, and strong value for the price. One long-term owner reports years of frequent use without disappointment, while several beginners and returning players recommend the model for its comfortable feel and recognizable sound. There are also isolated reports of paint defects, fret noise, and rattling. Those accounts are a reminder that quality impressions can vary between units, particularly when setup and inspection are part of the purchase decision.

The Squier CV 50s Strat MN BK makes sense for a beginner, an advancing player, or someone looking for a traditional three-single-coil guitar without moving to a more expensive model. Its core appeal is a familiar control layout, a maple neck and fingerboard, and a range of usable pickup positions. The main caveats are the inconsistent setup reports, possible tuner or nut attention, and the lack of an included bag or case. Inspect it carefully, make any needed setup adjustments, and judge the pickups before budgeting for upgrades. At its listed price of 385, owners generally see a solid, playable instrument, with the proviso that individual examples deserve a close check.