Squier CV Custom Tele BIGS SH PPG LPB

Squier CV Custom Tele BIGS SH PPG LPB review

The Squier CV Custom Tele BIGS SH PPG LPB pairs a familiar Telecaster-style layout with a neck humbucker and a Bigsby B50 vibrato. Finished in Lake Placid Blue, it makes a strong visual impression, but its appeal goes beyond the color. Player reports describe an instrument that arrived ready to play, with solid setup, useful sounds, and a vibrato that remained manageable in use.

The guitar has a poplar body and a bolt-on maple neck with a C-shaped profile. Its Indian laurel fingerboard carries pearloid dot inlays, a 9.5-inch radius, and 21 narrow-tall frets. The scale measures 25.5 inches, and the bone nut is 1.650 inches wide. A three-ply parchment pickguard and nickel hardware complete the vintage-inspired look. No case or gig bag is included.

Pickup layout and controls

The pickup combination is the defining practical feature. A Fender-designed Alnico single-coil pickup sits at the bridge, while a Fender-designed Alnico humbucker occupies the neck position. Master volume and tone controls keep the circuit straightforward, with a three-way toggle for selecting the bridge pickup, neck pickup, or both.

In player feedback, the bridge pickup delivered the sharp, cutting character associated with a Telecaster. The neck humbucker handled warmer jazz-style sounds, while the middle position offered a more balanced option for general use. One owner made a small height adjustment to the bridge pickup, but otherwise reported that the pickups worked well from the start. These are useful impressions rather than a guarantee of how the guitar will sound with every amplifier, playing style, or setup.

Bigsby feel and tuning

The Bigsby B50 adds gentle pitch movement without changing the basic Telecaster format. Owners described its action as smooth and easy to control. They also reported that the guitar stayed in tune reasonably well during vibrato use. Fresh strings can take time to settle, so the reported tuning stability should be understood as a real-world impression, not a promise that the instrument will never need tuning.

The bridge is a vintage-style floating design with Mustang string saddles. This combination gives the guitar its distinctive vibrato setup while retaining a familiar bridge-pickup sound. Players who mainly want firm, fixed-bridge behavior should consider whether a vibrato arm suits their technique. For players who enjoy adding subtle movement to chords or held notes, the Bigsby is a central part of the package.

Setup, finish, and playing comfort

Reports from owners were especially positive about the out-of-box setup. One experienced player, with decades of guitar use behind them, found the action, neck relief, and intonation in good shape. The instrument was playable immediately, with no fret buzz reported. Another owner praised the finish and setup, saying the guitar played cleanly without requiring adjustments. Individual instruments can vary, but these accounts suggest the tested examples were well prepared.

There is one comfort detail worth noting. A player found the glossy neck finish less comfortable during longer sessions and lightly altered it to make the surface feel less slick. That was a personal modification, not a factory feature or a necessary step for every player. Another owner mentioned that the guitar felt heavy enough to warrant using a wider strap. Since no weight specification is provided, that observation is best treated as a reason to try the instrument on a strap before buying.

The stock strings are nickel-plated steel in.009 to.042 gauge. One player planned to replace them based on personal preference, while another found the guitar enjoyable as delivered. Neither response points to a clear defect. String choice and feel are subjective, and the included set gives buyers a standard starting point.

Verdict

At a listed price of 475, the Squier CV Custom Tele BIGS SH PPG LPB offers a distinctive combination of Telecaster bridge bite, a warmer neck humbucker, and Bigsby vibrato. Its reported setup quality and smooth playing experience are particular strengths. The glossy neck finish and perceived weight may matter to some players, so those are worth checking in person when possible.

This model suits players who want classic Telecaster-style tones with a broader neck sound and expressive vibrato, all in a standout Lake Placid Blue finish. It comes without a case or bag, and player impressions cannot replace checking the individual instrument. Still, the available feedback points to a well-finished, ready-to-play guitar with a compelling feature set for its price.