Squier CV 70s Strat HSS LRL WAL

Squier CV 70s Strat HSS LRL WAL review

The Squier CV 70s Strat HSS LRL WAL is a Classic Vibe-series electric guitar with a poplar body, maple neck, Indian laurel fingerboard, and a walnut finish. Its pickup layout combines a Fender-designed Alnico humbucker at the bridge with two Fender-designed Alnico single-coils in the middle and neck positions. That gives the familiar Strat-style control layout a bridge pickup suited to a thicker, higher-output sound, while retaining two single-coils for other tones.

The model has been available since March 2019. Its listed price is $399. The specifications include a 25.5-inch scale, 21 narrow-tall frets, a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, and a 1.65-inch nut width. The neck has a C profile and is bolted to the body. Pearloid dot inlays mark the fingerboard, and a three-ply black pickguard completes the look.

Construction and appearance

Owners often describe the finish and general workmanship as strong for the price. Several report smooth edges, a comfortable neck, and a guitar that feels well assembled. One player compared the neck favorably with a Japanese-made Jazzmaster from 1994, while others found it easy to play after a brief setup. These are individual impressions, and the reports do not point to one uniform experience with every example.

The walnut color is worth checking carefully before buying. Buyers who expected the reddish-brown shade shown in some product photos say their guitars looked much darker in person, closer to dark brown or chocolate. Others found the finish especially attractive. The disagreement appears to be about color preference and expectations, rather than a consistent finish flaw.

There are also reports of minor cosmetic or setup issues. One owner found scratches on the protective film covering the pickguard, with a few marks still visible after removing it. Another needed to raise tone knobs that rubbed against the body. These are not issues reported by everyone, but they underline why a quick inspection after delivery is sensible.

Pickups and controls

The HSS configuration is the central practical feature. A five-way switch selects the pickup combinations, while the master volume and two tone controls provide basic adjustments. Tone 1 controls the neck pickup; Tone 2 controls the bridge and middle pickups. Owners who liked the stock pickups describe them as enjoyable and versatile, with usable clean sounds and the ability to move toward mild distortion through picking technique. Sound judgments vary, as they do with any guitar, and some players prefer to change pickups for heavier styles.

One owner found the pickups less clear and bright than expected, while several others praised their sound and output. That difference may reflect setup, amplifier settings, playing style, or personal taste. The available feedback supports a modest conclusion: the stock Alnico pickups satisfy many buyers, but they will not match every player's preferred sound without adjustment.

Playability and setup

Setup quality is the most inconsistent part of the ownership reports. Some guitars arrived tuned, intonated, and ready to play, with no fret buzz. Other owners needed to make adjustments, including lowering the nut slots, correcting string alignment, raising tone controls, or addressing fret and string-resonance problems. One player reported a low E string producing an unwanted sitar-like resonance because its nut slot was too deep. Another found a couple of frets slightly raised.

These accounts do not establish that the guitar has a widespread defect, but they do make a careful setup check worthwhile. Confirm that each open string rings cleanly, the frets do not buzz under normal playing, and the strings stay properly aligned over the pickups and fingerboard. If anything seems wrong, a qualified guitar technician can identify whether it needs a straightforward adjustment or further work.

The guitar has a six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo and vintage-style tuning machines. Some owners like the traditional tuner design, while one report mentions crackling from a tuning peg despite the guitar holding pitch. No bag or case is included.

Verdict

At $399, the Squier CV 70s Strat HSS LRL WAL offers a clear combination of a classic Strat-style layout and a bridge humbucker. Positive reports highlight its comfortable neck, appealing finish, and capable stock pickups. The darker-than-expected walnut color and uneven setup experiences deserve attention, particularly for first-time buyers who may not be comfortable making adjustments themselves.

For players who want an HSS guitar with a vintage-inspired appearance and are prepared to check the setup, this Squier has a persuasive feature set for the price. It is less convincing as a guaranteed ready-to-play purchase, since owner experiences range from flawless out-of-box setups to guitars needing professional attention.