Squier CV 60s Mustang LRL SNB

Squier CV 60s Mustang LRL SNB review

The Squier CV 60s Mustang LRL SNB is a short-scale electric guitar in Sonic Blue, part of the Classic Vibe series. It pairs a poplar body with a bolt-on maple neck and an Indian laurel fingerboard. The listed price is 422, and the model has been available since March 2019. Its Mustang proportions, tortoiseshell pickguard, and compact 610 mm scale give it a distinct feel from a standard-scale electric guitar.

Owner experiences point to a familiar pattern for this price range: an appealing instrument with strong tonal character, but one that may need a careful setup and some attention to finish details. Several players report a comfortable neck and enjoyable playability after adjustment. Others received examples with dry fingerboards, rough fret ends, or tuning problems. Those differences make an in-person inspection useful when possible, or a thorough setup a sensible part of the purchase.

Construction and feel

The maple neck has a C profile and a 41.9 mm bone nut. Its 22 narrow-tall frets and 241 mm fingerboard radius are suited to a compact, familiar playing surface. Players accustomed to wider or lower frets may need time to adjust, though one owner found the transition straightforward. Reports on fret finishing vary. Some describe clean, smooth fretwork; others mention fret ends that could use more rounding or polishing.

The finish also appears to vary between individual guitars. Owners praise the saturated blue color and attractive overall look, while some note small marks, dull patches, glue residue, or uneven lacquer. One player describes a dry fingerboard that needed repeated oiling before it looked healthy. These are not universal complaints, but they are worth checking when the instrument arrives. The included specification lists no case or gig bag.

Sound and controls

Two Fender-designed Alnico single-coil pickups deliver the bright, clear character owners expect from a Mustang. Players describe the sound as lively and distinctive, with clean tones that work well for surf, indie, blues, country, and roots-oriented parts. Light overdrive and heavier effects are also part of the guitar's appeal. Some reviewers find the bridge pickup sharp or the distorted sound less focused than the clean tone, so expectations and amplifier settings matter.

The controls comprise a master volume, a master tone, and a three-way switch. Some owners value the Mustang-style switching for its additional pickup combinations, including an out-of-phase sound. The guitar also has a four-ply tortoiseshell pickguard and nickel-plated hardware. Reports of pickup noise are mixed. One owner calls the guitar noisy and recommends shielding, while others are satisfied with the stock electronics. Shielding may be worth considering if hum becomes distracting in your setup.

Bridge, tuning, and setup

The floating bridge works with a Dynamic Vibrato tailpiece. It is a central part of the Mustang design, but owner reports on tuning stability differ. Some players say the guitar stays in tune through extended sessions; others describe frequent retuning, especially after using the vibrato. String installation, nut friction, bridge adjustment, and the setup of the vibrato can all affect the result. The tremolo arm may also call for a light touch rather than aggressive use.

Some owners have improved stability by fixing the bridge and vibrato in place. One also rotated the bridge to reduce strings contacting the rear plate and to make the intonation screws easier to reach. These are individual modifications, not requirements for every guitar. The bridge design can make intonation less direct than on a fixed-bridge instrument, and the string height may need attention. A setup can include relief, action, intonation, pickup height, and inspection of the string slots at the nut.

The factory strings are listed as.009 to.042. Several players prefer.010-gauge strings on the short scale, but changing gauge may require widening the nut slots. That work should be done carefully to avoid creating new tuning or string-height problems. A competent guitar technician can handle it if you do not have experience with nut adjustments.

Verdict

The Squier CV 60s Mustang LRL SNB offers a recognizable Mustang sound, comfortable short-scale feel, and striking Sonic Blue appearance. Its stock pickups earn strong praise from many owners, and the guitar can be a rewarding choice for players drawn to its particular character. The caveat is consistency: fret finishing, fingerboard condition, tuning stability, and setup quality vary in the reports. Buyers comfortable with basic adjustments may find the work manageable. If you expect a flawless, ready-to-play instrument straight from the box, inspect it carefully or budget for a professional setup.