cliffenstein
New member
Guitar Center Used Gear had a listing for a "Used Squier 2010s Stratocaster Solid Body Electric Guitar Black" that I recognized as a VM70's Strat by the accompanying photo for just $79.99. I jumped on it, feeling the deal was too good to pass up. The next morning I received an email from the store manager letting me know that the wrong pic had been uploaded and then asked if I wanted to buy the one they intended to list (an HSS Affinity). I said no thanks. A few minutes later I emailed the manager back to let them know that I understand mistakes happen, but they really should honor the deal as originally pictured considering the guitar had been posted long enough to have the price reduced from $89.99 to $79.99. He agreed with me and then followed up to say that, unfortunately, the guitar pictured had already been sold and asked if I’d be okay with him locating another VM70’s within the GC network and that he’d honor the $79.99 price and overnight it to me for free. Of course I agreed to that. I then looked on the GC Used site and saw two more listed for $219.99. I sent him the link to one that was in a city relatively close to him. This one was in excellent condition and was a 2016 model. He made all the arrangements and sent the guitar.
The guitar arrived in what can honestly be best described as new condition. There wasn’t a single blemish, scratch or even fingerprint to be found. Both the pickguard and the tremolo cover both still had the thin plastic covering on them.
Since I only had $79.99 into this fine looking guitar, I decided it would be fun to completely upgrade it into an instrument I would be happy to gig with.
I upgraded the pot metal bridge and small block to a Fender Standard big block unit.
I had a Seymour Duncan JB Jr that was gifted to me from a friend that I decided to use. I didn't feel upgrading the middle or neck pickups was warranted. Actually, the bridge pickup doesn't need upgrading at all either, I just really like SD's single coil size humbuckers.
I took the guitar to a skilled guitar tech I’m friends with. He enlarged the pickguard knob holes to 3/8”, upgraded the mini pots to full size 250k CTS, the import pickup selector switch to Fender USA and replaced the output jack with a Switchcraft one. He also converted the wiring to a volume with single tone layout per my preference. The stock flimsy little .022uf cap broke while working on things so he replaced it with a brand new large size .047 orange drop cap.
He then properly cut the nut to handle 11 gauge strings, popped on Fender pickup covers and knobs, adjusted the neck and set up the intonation and action.
I picked up a black 3/8” hole plug from Lowe’s on the way home to complete things with and popped it in.
Total monies spent: $163.76 (includes all tax...there were no shipping charges for anything), breakdown as follows:
Guitar $84.23
Fender big block bridge $28.87
Straplocks $13.95
Parts $25.56
Labor $10 (friend deal!)
3/8” hole plug $1.15
The guitar now feels, plays and sounds as good as my 2013 Fender Japan Limited Edition '54 Stratocaster. This VM70’s wasn’t junk to begin with, but at the price I got it for, I figured it wasn’t a losing proposition to really make it all it could be.
FYI: The tuners are made by Ping and need no upgrading. The nut is the same synthetic bone that Fender uses on it's MIM and American offerings, so no desire to upgrade there either.
I don't have the best caliper, but the most accurate neck measurements I could get are as follows:
.846" at first fret (21.5 mm)
.905" at 12th fret (23 mm)
That's very similar to Fender Standard neck, but it's a C instead of a Modern C so it has a bit more shoulders to it. It's got smoother fretboard edges than MIM Standards though (almost rolled)...very comfortable.
Oh...and the fretwork is impeccable!
PICS:
The guitar arrived in what can honestly be best described as new condition. There wasn’t a single blemish, scratch or even fingerprint to be found. Both the pickguard and the tremolo cover both still had the thin plastic covering on them.
Since I only had $79.99 into this fine looking guitar, I decided it would be fun to completely upgrade it into an instrument I would be happy to gig with.
I upgraded the pot metal bridge and small block to a Fender Standard big block unit.
I had a Seymour Duncan JB Jr that was gifted to me from a friend that I decided to use. I didn't feel upgrading the middle or neck pickups was warranted. Actually, the bridge pickup doesn't need upgrading at all either, I just really like SD's single coil size humbuckers.
I took the guitar to a skilled guitar tech I’m friends with. He enlarged the pickguard knob holes to 3/8”, upgraded the mini pots to full size 250k CTS, the import pickup selector switch to Fender USA and replaced the output jack with a Switchcraft one. He also converted the wiring to a volume with single tone layout per my preference. The stock flimsy little .022uf cap broke while working on things so he replaced it with a brand new large size .047 orange drop cap.
He then properly cut the nut to handle 11 gauge strings, popped on Fender pickup covers and knobs, adjusted the neck and set up the intonation and action.
I picked up a black 3/8” hole plug from Lowe’s on the way home to complete things with and popped it in.
Total monies spent: $163.76 (includes all tax...there were no shipping charges for anything), breakdown as follows:
Guitar $84.23
Fender big block bridge $28.87
Straplocks $13.95
Parts $25.56
Labor $10 (friend deal!)
3/8” hole plug $1.15
The guitar now feels, plays and sounds as good as my 2013 Fender Japan Limited Edition '54 Stratocaster. This VM70’s wasn’t junk to begin with, but at the price I got it for, I figured it wasn’t a losing proposition to really make it all it could be.
FYI: The tuners are made by Ping and need no upgrading. The nut is the same synthetic bone that Fender uses on it's MIM and American offerings, so no desire to upgrade there either.
I don't have the best caliper, but the most accurate neck measurements I could get are as follows:
.846" at first fret (21.5 mm)
.905" at 12th fret (23 mm)
That's very similar to Fender Standard neck, but it's a C instead of a Modern C so it has a bit more shoulders to it. It's got smoother fretboard edges than MIM Standards though (almost rolled)...very comfortable.
Oh...and the fretwork is impeccable!
PICS:
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