Squier CV 70S STRAT HT HSS LRL MOC
The Squier CV 70S STRAT HT HSS LRL MOC offers a versatile pickup setup and useful player-focused specifications at a modest price. Allow time to check the setup and inspect the finish on arrival.
★★★☆☆ 3.3/5 · 3 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Squier CV 70S STRAT HT HSS LRL MOC review
The Squier CV 70S STRAT HT HSS LRL MOC is a hardtail electric guitar with a poplar body, maple neck, laurel fingerboard, and an HSS pickup layout. Listed at 355, it has been available since July 2025. The model's name identifies its place in Squier's Classic Vibe range, while its specifications focus on familiar Stratocaster-style controls and a fixed bridge.
Player feedback points to a guitar with appealing sounds and strong value, alongside a few details worth checking when it arrives. One owner liked its sound but said the body looked browner and showed less wood grain than the product photos suggested. Other comments mention good pickups and accurate intonation, but also dry-feeling fingerboard wood, uneven string action, oxidized strings, and fret ends that could be better finished. These are individual reports, not a guarantee that every instrument will have the same issues.
Body, finish, and hardware
The body is poplar, finished in Mocha, with no separate top. A three-ply black pickguard contrasts with the finish, and the hardware is nickel-plated. The visual impression may differ from photos: one buyer described the color as more brown than red and found the grain difficult to see. If the exact shade or visible grain is central to your choice, keep that report in mind rather than relying on photographs alone.
The fixed bridge has six saddles, strings routed through the body, and curved steel saddles. There is no tremolo system. That removes the moving bridge mechanism and gives the guitar a straightforward setup, although the available feedback does not establish how well the bridge holds tuning under different playing conditions. Vintage-style tuning machines drew a positive comment for smooth operation.
Neck and playing feel
The maple neck attaches to the body with bolts and has a C-shaped profile. Its laurel fingerboard has pearloid dot inlays, a 241 mm (9.5-inch) radius, and 21 narrow, tall frets. The scale is 648 mm (25.5 inches), and the nut measures 42 mm (1.650 inches) wide. A bone nut is specified.
One owner described the neck finish as glossy but not especially sticky. That same review found the action uneven from string to string and the fingerboard rather dry. Another player said the frets were not sharp, though they could have been finished more cleanly. These comments suggest a practical arrival check: inspect the fret ends, play across the neck, and assess the action before deciding whether a setup is needed. The reports do not show that every guitar requires adjustment.
HSS pickups and controls
The pickup configuration pairs a Fender-designed Alnico humbucker at the bridge with Fender-designed Alnico single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. A five-way switch selects the pickup combinations, with one master volume and two tone controls. An owner praised the pickups and described the selector as having a crisp, positive action.
The HSS layout offers a humbucker at the bridge and single coils in the other two positions, giving players distinct pickup choices from one guitar. The supplied feedback is favorable about the pickup sound, but does not provide detailed comparisons by genre, amplifier, or playing style. Your results will depend on those factors, as well as the guitar's setup and the rest of your rig.
What to check after delivery
The listed strings are nickel-plated steel in.009,.042 gauge. One buyer reported oxidized strings and said replacing them made a noticeable difference. Another planned to try a heavier gauge later, but that is a personal preference rather than a required change. Check the strings on arrival and replace them if their condition or feel is unsatisfactory.
The product listing specifies that neither a bag nor a case is included. One customer praised the delivery process and protective double-box packaging, but packaging and courier experiences can vary. The item number is 619701, and the sales unit is one piece.
Verdict
The Squier CV 70S STRAT HT HSS LRL MOC combines a fixed bridge, a familiar control layout, and an HSS pickup set in a Mocha-finished poplar body. The owner comments support its appeal as a versatile, good-value electric guitar, particularly for its pickups and smooth vintage-style tuners. They also make clear that finish appearance and setup quality deserve a close look. Check the body color against your expectations, inspect the frets and fingerboard, test the action, and look over the strings. At 355, it is worth considering if its specifications suit you and you are prepared to address any setup or string issues on your individual instrument.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- HSS pickup layout offers a bridge humbucker and two single-coil pickups, with a five-way selector.
- Bone nut, 21 narrow-tall frets, and a familiar C-shaped maple neck.
- Customers praise the pickup sound, smooth vintage-style tuners, and overall value.
What bugged me
- Some customer reports mention uneven string action, a dry fingerboard, and strings that needed replacing.
- The mocha finish may look browner and show less wood grain than product photos suggest.
- No tremolo, gig bag, or case is included.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
Well suited to beginners seeking a versatile first electric guitar, players who want a fixed bridge, and buyers looking for an affordable HSS setup. It also suits players prepared to check or adjust the setup after delivery.Look elsewhere if
Not a good fit for players who require a tremolo system or an included case. Buyers who expect the finish and visible wood grain to match product photos exactly may also want to inspect it in person first.Suggested level: Beginner
Specifications
- Color
- Mocha
- Body
- Poplar
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Laurel
- Frets
- 21
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickups
- HSS
- Tremolo
- None
- Incl. bag
- No
- Including case
- No
What other players say
Customer feedback is generally favorable about the sound, appearance, tuners, delivery, and value. One owner found the intonation accurate and the frets comfortable, but noted a dry fingerboard, uneven action, and oxidized strings. Another praised the guitar as a versatile choice for a beginner while advising buyers to check for factory defects. A separate comment cautioned that the mocha body may look browner and show less grain than pictured.
The pickups sound very good.
The action is a little uneven between the strings.
The body is more brown than red, and the wood grain is barely visible.
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Is this guitar suitable for a first electric guitar?
Yes. Its five-way pickup selector and HSS layout provide a range of tones, and customer feedback describes it as a good-value starting instrument. Inspect the setup when it arrives.
What pickup configuration does it use?
It has one Fender-designed Alnico humbucker at the bridge and two Fender-designed Alnico single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions.
Does it have a tremolo or come with a case?
No. It has a fixed, six-saddle string-through-body bridge, and neither a gig bag nor a case is included.
What should I check when the guitar arrives?
Check the string action and overall setup, inspect the finish, and assess the fingerboard condition and strings. One customer reported oxidized strings and replaced them.
Will the finish match the product photos?
Not necessarily. One customer said the body looked browner than expected and that the wood grain was less visible than in the photos.
The last word from the bench
This hardtail Squier pairs a bridge humbucker with two single-coil pickups, making it a flexible choice for players who want several familiar electric-guitar tones. The 25.5-inch scale, C-shaped maple neck, bone nut, and six-saddle string-through bridge provide a straightforward platform. Customer feedback is positive overall, though setup consistency, dry fingerboard wood, and the appearance of the finish are worth checking. At the listed price of 355, it represents good value if you are comfortable making or arranging a basic setup.
Hanging next to it
Squier CV 70S STRAT HT HSS LRL MOC
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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