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I ended up playing with it for like 20 minutes, through a Blues Jr. The neck felt really, really comfortable and the pickups sounded great. So crisp and clear and twangy. I'm not the hugest fan of the really thick, plastic-feeling polyurethane finish on guitars like this, but since it's an inexpensive instrument I wouldn't feel bad sanding down the neck and oiling it for a smoother feel. The hardware felt solid. There are some fun things I could do with it, like install a concentric pot to add a tone control, or put in TV Jones pickups if I get a deal on them. I think I'm probably going to have to buy it, but I wonder also how the Bigsby-equipped one feels.

okay thanks for listening

Niiice. Squiers are nice.

nice nice nice

On the Classic Vibe line Squiers I've played, the plastic feeling neck was definitely off-putting, which is a shame since they're otherwise damned nice.

On the Bigsby Cabronita, I've seen a review that said the tone difference from neck to bridge pickup was jarring without a tone control -- just a volume knob and a switch. I want the Bigsby, too, but I imagine two Fidelitrons on a switch would provide a more manageable range of variation.

A Micro Mesh kit or steel wool (better yet synthetic steel wool) will easily correct that glossy neck issue.

Gone Fission wrote:On the Classic Vibe line Squiers I've played, the plastic feeling neck was definitely off-putting, which is a shame since they're otherwise damned nice.

On the Bigsby Cabronita, I've seen a review that said the tone difference from neck to bridge pickup was jarring without a tone control -- just a volume knob and a switch. I want the Bigsby, too, but I imagine two Fidelitrons on a switch would provide a more manageable range of variation.

That's why I went with the VM tele custom. It's actually an unfinished neck, and I love it.

Gone Fission wrote:On the Classic Vibe line Squiers I've played, the plastic feeling neck was definitely off-putting, which is a shame since they're otherwise damned nice.

On the Bigsby Cabronita, I've seen a review that said the tone difference from neck to bridge pickup was jarring without a tone control -- just a volume knob and a switch. I want the Bigsby, too, but I imagine two Fidelitrons on a switch would provide a more manageable range of variation.

Yeah I agree, it would be perfect to me if it were dual Fidel Castrotrons and a Bigsby.

Holy Schnikes wrote:A Micro Mesh kit or steel wool (better yet synthetic steel wool) will easily correct that glossy neck issue.

For sure. I've never had a guitar with a finished maple neck... when people rub out the finish, do they typically do it to the fingerboard as well?

Usually leave the fingerboard in tact from those I've seen. The Micro Mesh will actually retain gloss appearance in the end but give a smooth satin feel. The rest will give you both satin look AND feel.

Oh that's interesting. Probably best to use the Micro Mesh then, to give the neck a uniform appearance.

friendship wrote:Oh that's interesting. Probably best to use the Micro Mesh then, to give the neck a uniform appearance.

I think so.

I have a CS '58 Jazzmaster with a maple neck and board. It came with a "light relic" finish plus "sanded and oiled" neck. It feels great but I much prefer the look of the Micro Mesh I've used on other stuff I own. Like you mentioned, uniform appearance but a really nice feel. It's simple to do also, took me about 15-20min on my Tele neck. Gonna do my Bass VI next I'm thinking.

If I did the synthetic steel wool thing again I'd probably remove the tuners to do the entire neck and headstock so everything matched.

I've got a Squier VM Tele Deluxe that had the same plastic feeling, sticky maple neck. Took some super-fine steel wool to it and it plays much better now. Just faster and more comfy all around.
It takes maybe 30 minutes once you take the strings and neck off, rub it down, and put everything back on. Highly recommend doing it for anything with a glossy neck.

I have ridiculous amounts of gas for another cabronita tele. Unfortunately, they don't seem to want to do a production model single pickup version with just a volume and tone. It makes me sad cause I would think it would be cheaper and easier to make.

Well I just ordered it using a Black Metal Friday discount. eep!

Update I got this today. Played it for two hours nonstop when I got home. The pickups sound so good. You get a crisp, biting top end and piano like tones from the really low notes like you might with a Telecaster, but it's warm and full sounding like a humbucker and is noiseless. It's very articulate and sounds great with all kinds of fuzz.

Down the line it might be worth it to replace the cheap bridge and tuners.

Well that sounds really awesome. I'm going to have to try one with a Bigsby...