Squier CV 60s Strat 3-SB

Squier CV 60s Strat 3-SB review

The Squier CV 60s Strat 3-SB is a sunburst, three-pickup electric guitar with a traditional Stratocaster layout and vintage-inspired hardware. Its listed price is $409. Buyer feedback points to a strong combination of appearance, classic single-coil sounds, and solid construction for the money. The main caveat is setup: several owners needed to adjust the neck, string height, intonation, or tremolo before the guitar felt ready to play.

Reviews vary in their experience of the factory setup. Some buyers describe a playable instrument straight from the box, while others report a neck that was too bowed, high strings, or a stiff or blocked tremolo. That spread makes a basic inspection and setup a sensible expectation, rather than a guarantee that every example will need the same work.

Construction and vintage details

The body finish is listed as three-color sunburst, with a three-ply parchment pickguard and nickel-plated hardware. The specifications name both nyatoh and nato for the body, so the supplied information is inconsistent on that point. The neck is maple, with an Indian laurel fingerboard, pearloid dot inlays, and a satin or tinted look that owners often compliment. The neck attaches to the body with bolts.

The C-shaped neck has a 241 mm (9.49-inch) fingerboard radius and a 42 mm (1.65-inch) nut width. Its 648 mm (25.51-inch) scale is the familiar full-length Stratocaster format. There are 21 narrow, tall frets. One owner found the neck comfortable and the fret ends smooth, while another disliked the neck shape and the feel of its lacquered back. Neck feel is personal, so trying one in person is worthwhile if a slick finish or a specific profile matters to you.

Several buyers praise the finish and overall fit, calling the guitar attractive and well put together. Others mention that the sunburst can look darker or show less visible wood grain than product photos suggest. The instrument has no included gig bag or case, so factor in a separate purchase if you need protection for transport.

Pickups and controls

Three Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups provide the expected bright, clear Stratocaster character. A five-way selector covers the usual pickup combinations, with one master volume control and two tone controls. Owners describe the sound as balanced and recognizably Strat-like, with enough range for different styles. Several particularly appreciate the bridge pickup's usability, including with some gain, without finding it excessively sharp.

One tone control is wired to affect the bridge pickup, a detail that receives specific praise in the feedback. That gives players a way to soften the bridge position without changing pickups. Reports on the controls are generally positive, although one owner noted that the potentiometers did not have the even, refined feel of those on more expensive guitars. They were described as quiet in operation.

Tremolo and tuning stability

The six-saddle synchronized tremolo uses vintage-style hardware, alongside vintage-style tuning machines. Owners report that the guitar can hold its tuning well, including with tremolo use, once properly adjusted. The tremolo may arrive unusually stiff or blocked, however. One buyer loosened its two rear-cavity screws, while others made their own adjustments before using the arm. The tremolo block is described as thinner than the one on a standard Stratocaster, but one reviewer found it performed its job.

The factory strings are Fender 250L nickel-plated steel, in a.009 to.042 gauge. Some owners changed strings during their setup, including one who switched to a mixed.009 to.046 set. A change of string gauge can affect neck relief and tremolo balance, so check the setup again after changing strings.

What to expect after unboxing

Owner experiences suggest checking neck relief, string height, intonation, and tremolo tension before judging the guitar's playability. Some buyers completed those adjustments quickly and found the instrument straightforward to set up. Others reported more substantial fret or hardware issues, so quality control is not described uniformly across every review. If you are new to guitar setup, a technician can handle the initial adjustments.

At its listed $409 price, the Squier CV 60s Strat 3-SB suits players who want a vintage-style Stratocaster layout and classic single-coil tones without moving to a higher-priced Fender model. The finish, neck appearance, and bridge-pickup sound are recurring strengths in owner feedback. It is also a plausible first electric guitar, provided you are prepared for a possible setup session and do not expect a case in the box.

Bottom line: The Squier CV 60s Strat 3-SB offers a convincing traditional sound and appealing vintage details for its price. Its biggest qualification is the variable factory setup. Check the individual instrument carefully, or budget for professional adjustment, and judge the neck feel for yourself.