Sorry for no pics yet everyone.

I had the amp completely apart the other day but I'd forgotten to take my camera with me (it's home is at my church right now). The amp cleaned up well, and the tubes seem to be in good condition. I have a feeling the filter caps are feeling their age though. The amp hums VERY little when the master is kept bellow 8, but when cranked, you stop playing and hum ramps up over the next 10 seconds.

Preamp tubes seem to be in good working order. One channel seems SLIGHTLY lower in gain than the others, so that tube might be a little weak, or it could just be an off value cap or resistor in it's circuit since they're all separate until the reverb circuit.

The amp doesn't quite seem loud enough for 60 watts rms, but I also haven't plugged it into my 4x12 yet. I can't seem to drive the input hard enough to get the preamp distorting, but the power amp starts to overdrive rather early, and by the time you reach 10 it's approaching EVH brown sound territory of massive output tube gain.

Once I get some base recordings of it how it is I'm going to start fiddling with the preamp gain values in a channel to see what I can do off the bat. I just hope the filter caps survive.

I'm looking at buying both a new Reverb and Tremolo...

The Verbzilla and the Line-6 tap tremolo interest me due to their variety...as does the Holy Stain.

With the tremolo, I'm wanting a basic textured verb; but in all honesty -- I'd really like to have the option of mimicking the rotovibe sound.

I play The Black Keys, The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, Zeppelin, The Stones, Hendrix and other various 60/70s tunes.

No, I'm thinking about cracking it open.

My volume through the headphones stays at 1-3 even if its turned up to 10. The sound cracks and pops, there is a large delay when switching amp models, and the tuner only reads in frequencies.

I hadn't used it for about 2 years -- so I'm wondering if the dust has built up so much that it's affecting something internally; or it simply needs an update...

I've tried several difference cables, but my cable quality ranges from low end, to average. I don't own any great cables.

I'm thinking of switching to one of the x3 models, but I'd like to get this thing in good working condition first.

That's kinda funny GoofyDawg, I must be your alter ego. I listen to a TON of metal but really love playing old blues stuff.

Thanks for that GoofyDawg.

Got my utilities bill in last week and boy has it been a cold Winter here in Scotland (apologies to folk from Colarado and other REAL COLD places in the USA) so this new bright star in the sky in the shape of the Squire CV Tele is a welcome arrival.
Much to think over before decision time. On the theme of no frills music...............

If you haven't given an ear to The Wrens (why are USA Indie groups so underrated in their own country?) try this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unzN5oLwZdw

and then plugged in:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE7IMHRjbeQ&feature=related

People like us who just like playing guitars and fought the record labels to doit their way.

From Wiki.

"Following a gig at University of London Union in London in March 2006, The Guardian declared: "On this form the Wrens are surely one of the best live bands in the world."[1]"

bodee,

First off, thanks for the warm regards!

In answer to your question, the Tribute ASAT rocks. I've played a few of those over the past year, and they're extremely well-made, and great-sounding and -playing instruments (I actually want to pick up a Tribute Comanche to replace my Strat).

But that said, the CV Tele is also a fantastic guitar. I would put it up against any Tele - even some MIA's I've played - that's how great it sounds.

What it will boil down to is actually playing them side-by-side if you can. I really like the ASAT, but I do feel that you get much more bang for the buck with the CV Tele.

Besides, you might consider this: For a little over the cost of a single Tribute ASAT, you could get both a CV Tele 50's AND a CV Tele Thinline or CV Custom. With the 50's you get that rich pine tone that I've been raving about; with the Thinline, you get yet another distinctive, but brighter tone (yeah, it's semi-hollow, but it's a bit brighter); and with the Custom, you get a more classic Tele sound from the alder body. I've played all three, and love them all, but of course, I dug the 50's enough to purchase it. To me it is the most versatile guitar in my stable.

Something to think about... :)

Hi GoofyDawg,

Just visited your review, good stuff and I admire your playing. As you may or may not know I am in the market for a Tele. (See Thread for Bodee)
Do you think this Squire is in the same league as the G&L Tribute ASAT Special?

I know it is really hard to compare guitars but I am on a budget and I must say your review of this guitar and the comments from the other guys have impressed me.

Great idea! I'll do that now... :)

Nice score, Gollum! Would love to hear some clips once you've dug into it. I can totally relate to what you're going through musically. I've been getting into that mindset myself. While I don't do metal, what I've been listening to a lot as of late is the old blues stuff; not that I want to necessarily play it, but listening to the arrangements. It's raw and bare, and full of emotion.

A classic from Bad Company - Sweet Lil' Sister: a quick look at the way i play the elements of this great tune.....thanks for watching!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49zI9kD_NQM