Fender Squier Affinity Series Telecaster

Don't need to go into this one, you know what a Telecaster comes equipped with. Don't you?

I originally bought this for my Grandson at Christmas, however, when I got it home and played it, I went back and bought him a Squire Strat. I don't like Strat's so this whole thing worked for everybody. I played it thru my 64' BF Super Reverb and besides the nosy single coils, I loved that vintage sound, when cranked it takes you way back Daddy-o!!!

Well the MI China logo really fooled me when I played this at the store! I thought about changing the PU's but I'm keeping the originals in for now. Too much fun with these anyway. The finish is Butterscotch with the pale unfinised maple neck. The action was low, set up was good and played fine right out of the box! The old Squire bridge helps the old tone sound too.

Appears to be bullet proof. Very Solid! Very tuff!

Never had to deal with the Reps....

Have been playing for 30 years plus. Currently gigging with my band. I haven't used this guitar yet, but have been using it at rehersals and is really fun to play. I have a Custom Shop 52' re-issue and will semi retire it to keep it safe.... for the money, I would buy another for invitory before they stop making these. A truly great value!!

Typical Telecaster stuff. You already know the features or you wouldn't be looking at this. Telecasters are the epitomy of less is more!!!!!

I have been playing for 9 years now, I play a wide variety of music from Classical to Jazz and this thing does them all. The neck pick up is dreamy as anything with a lovely bell like hypnotic tone and the back one comes up and kicks you in the ass with it's high powered twang!!!!!

Action was nigh on perfect when I got it months ago and still is now, I may take it for proffesional set up to make sure theres nothing more I can get out of it though. The paint job is lovely and the neck feels like the nicest I have played on any guitar, let alone one at this price, and I have played Fender Deluxes and all the Les Paul variations that you can think of!!!!!

I'd gig with it without question, it's all solid, reliable and just beautiful!!!!!

N/A!!!!!

As I said, I've been playing a long time, this is without doubt the nicest electric I have ever owned (and played to be honest), there is no excuse for not getting one of these beaties, don't be a snob, you don't have to pay #1000's for a vintage when there is something this perfect for #150. Get one in , even if you have guitars falling out of your ass, these are amazing. I won't be suprised when the discontinue this line, it's a vintage in the making believe me. So stop reading this and order one while you still can!!!!!

It's a chinese made butterscotch tele with a maple neck...I think it's really pretty...the black pickguard and the butterscotch combo looks fantastic.

Well i would like to modify the guitar later on, but somehow when I plugged it on my 62 Airline (montgomery ward which i put a vintage 30 celestion)it had this nasty, gritty vomit midrange sound that i love. I don't really care about the neck pickup, but by some reason the bridge pick-up doesn't sound tinny at all ( it really rocks). I think I will just replace the neck with a stock fender strat pick up. For now, I will keep it the way it is and make some ears bleed.
I play a lot of country, blues and jazz...so it really fits what i play...I kinda just cop it some Jimmy Bryant licks if i play a bit of Jazz..

it was perfect out of the box...

the guitar looks really sturdy...I think i can wack it on our singer's head and it will be still in tune. the real test would be if I would demolish my drummers drum kit with it and still remain intact then it's good with me.

never dealt with any of those peeps... if it's broke i just fix it myself.

been playing for 15 yrs...and I am really happy with this guitar...I am not much of a vintage snob, but I will play anything that is wood with strings on it. The stranger sound I can get off the guitar ...the better...

This is a 2003 Affinity Squire Telecaster in butterscotch blonde . New at Guitar Center. I special ordered it(you get a free setup)bought a tweed case for 50 bucks too. Made in China, they stick it on the neck like they are proud of it , and when you check one out you will understand why. 21 frets, med jumbo.( They feel a little smaller than a med jumbo fret to me.) They are straight installed well, needs dressing though, the ends are a little rough. It is an alder body and 1/4 inch thinner than a standard tele. The paint is a butterscotch color, but darker than the real 52 reissue.Polyurithane finish. It looks beautiful to me. I use to own a 1972 telcaster, I love teles. I can't keep my yes off of it , sitting in the living room. I own several other guitars priced well over $2000.00, but I really do like this guitar. It's not my Les Payul but I like it very much.The pickups will be replaced with Lyndy Fralin Pickups, his office is less than a mile away and I love his pickups. They are about the best.The stock pickups are to bright sounding and not enough tone for me. The electronics are cheap. I will replace all of that withvintage spec controls. I was going all the way with replacing the bridge and the neck but after reading the review below. I have decided to skip those upgrades.
The tunning keys work well, stay in tune. I do not like the plastic nut and probably will have that replaced and the neck dressed and guitar setup.
The neck works it is straight feels nice it is a two piece maple neck. I miss the skunk strip but we are talking about an $170.00 axe.The neck feels good though, It sports a 9.25 " radius. Width at the nut is 1.61". It fits my hand well. I give it a 9 because I am replaceing the pickups and the flimsy electronic switch.

Over all for the price again. The guitar stock sounds nice. I would practice with it. To gig I am puting in the Fralin Pickups. Oh yes I will gig with it... I may one day upgrade the neck and bridge. This is kinda like a cool looking project guitar to me. To get a guitar this nice looking and be able to replace the pickups , You get a great guitar for the money.

I took the guitar apart when I got home. I put tens Diadarios on it, The finish is great. I do not like the plastic nut and will replace it. I had to raise the pickups some and I need a wrench to adjust the action, the neck is straight and the curvature is correct. The bridge works well, after reading the reveiw from the gentlman below, I have decided not to drill holes in the axe and put on the vintage bridge. He has a good reveiw, read it also.ACtion was not bad, I will reset it, better than the action on some american teles in the stores.

I would and will gig with it after upgrading the pickups and some of the electronics and have it setup well with a new nut ( the current one works fine, I just want a bone nut)Give it an 8 because of the flimsy electronic switch.

Have delt with Fender in the past w/o any complaints.

I am forty, play in two reggae bands, have been playing since 9th grade. I have owned 8 guitars. This one is great for the money BUY ONE. You will like it. I can leave it out anywerer w/o the worry of it getting messed up , I practice more .I would buy another. I compared it to the vintage reissue, for the low cost , this was the answer for me. They need bettter picups and a good setup job with 10 strings and your good to jam out with it. Again it is not my Les Paul but I love it.

This is a Butterscotch Squier Affinity Telecaster, crafted in China, purchased from Musician's Friend. Ok, I'll be critical and compare it to my '52. If you're in a hurry and want a judgement from me up front...BUY IT. NOW! Excellent beginner, fine backup for an advanced player with a few, cheap mods. My rating numbers are for those you'd expect on a $170 guitar.

BODY
I'm a sucker for black guards and butterscotch. The color is way oranger than the reissue, but it works. The alder grain pattern on the 3 piece body is striking. It could easily pass for ash. They trimmed about a quarter-inch off the thickness. Result: guitar weighs the same as the reissue, 7lbs. I don't miss the quarter-inch. I'd rather have a lighter guit than a thicker body. The top-loading bridge plate is acceptable. BTW, for you other vintage, 3 saddle bridge snobs out there, this guit resonates and sustains as well as my '52. I'm keeping it as is. I do prefer vintage, however. Neck pocket looks tight and right.

ELECTRONICS
I bought this knowing full well that the p/ups would be swapped out for some Duncans I had (JD bridge and Alnico ll Pro neck) waiting in the wings. Actually. The stock (ceramic) p/ups were OK except they got too bright at higher volumes. Pots were smooth but the selector switch was real flimsy. I ended up replacing everything in that rout, including the plate, which is so thin that you can twist it. The jack plate is a little disappointing but functional. A regular Fender 3 pos switch JUST fits in the shallower rout.

NECK
I couldn't ask for a nicer 2-piece maple neck on a $170 guit. Perhaps a little pale in color. Some use brown shoe polish for tinting. I'll keep it pale. Some earlier Squiers I've seen in stores had sharp fret ends. These are very satisfactory but not as well dressed as the '52. The FB edge is not as well-turned as '52 but acceptable. No uneven frets anywhere. I like the '52's Kluson tuners way more but these stay in tune. Strings: came with 9's (Fender 250) but changed to 10's (Everly's).
I should note that the FB is 1 mm thinner than my '52. I'm a medium hand size and it's just fine. Beware if you have big meathooks. The neck's thickness and shape is very similar to the '52. The nut is fitted perfectly and works just fine for me. No skunk stripe.

I've A/B'd this modded guit it to my '52 Result: no perceivable difference in tone, sustain. Real nice. I play country, blues and rock. Mostly clean, some OD.
It was very close before mods. Slightly brighter at volume.

I'm thinking this guitar was last setup somewhere in China. If so, the setup and action are excellent right out of the box.
The poly coat is not as thick as a '52, which is a good thing. Compared to the '52 ri, the neck feels like bare wood. It's not really, but you get the point.
The Chinese are knocking out some very fine guitars (I never thought I'd say that). Some of the hardware is cheap. Overall fit & finish is better than some American factories. Peavey, for one. I know. I have a 6 yr old Reactor (tele clone). Definitly on par with MIM. Just don't expect the quality of a $1200 '52 ri. I'm beginning to think that the '52 is slightly overpriced.

The body is a little thinner but if you had to hit someone upside the head, the results would be the same as the reissue: DOA

It's a Tele, but I wouldn't gig this w/o first swapping p/ups and that switch.

Ooops, one week old and I've already voided the warranty.

I have a two-year old AV '52 RI Tele and I wanted another tele for the occasional open-mike, use at my workplace and for using in the studio beside my bedroom: the family room. I'm mostly a hobbyist. If you have an extra set of p/ups with no where to go and you're GASing...this would work.
I had been looking for something either new or used with more vintage features like a MIM 50's Tele, a Muddy or a Highway 1. I just didn't want to spend that much for a second guitar.
I have a peavey clone tele to use as a back-up but just can't shoulder it's 10 pounds for more than 5-10 minutes.
I like this tele. I do like my '52 better. Oh yeah, if'n you already have the '52, the Squier will fit in the vintage case! If not, you'll need a gig bag.
Take the word of a geezer: buy it before it's discontinued.

When I got it 22nd hand from a music shop, it had standard Tele layout - 2 pups, three way switch selector and...er...that's about it, which is one of the things that makes the Tele a great guitar! I don't know the year but I do know that it's one heavy beast. It's black with a white scratch plate. Some of the supplied gear is a bit ropey and I didn't buy this guitar for it's amazing features so somewhere in the middle of that it scores a 7!

Sounds like a Tele. What can I say. However, I have had it modified. The pick ups are not too bad but die when you throw distortion or a lot of gain at it (apparantly this can be overcome by spraying sealant (like damp start for cars) on the pups but I never tried it). They are also quite low frequency and hum like demons. Also the machne heads are utter rubbish. Swing your body 45 degrees when you are playing and it's like you've hit the wang bar (which doesn't exist on a standard Tele!) With the mods (new pick ups and machine heads) it sounds ever so slightly short of a classic Tele (but about a quarter of the price!) Score without modification - 6 With modifications - 9.

No flaws - all bog standard stuff. Set up was from the shop I bought it from so was fabulous.

You could drag this thing to hell and back and it would still play as normal - it's a Tele! (It'd give Old Nick a few bumps and bruises on the way too!)

I never gig without a backup - and that would be the same no matter what I was playing - but that's more to do with breaking strings than doubts about the guitar.

No idea

I have been playing 20 years plus and am semi-pro. With all factory built guitars, just occasionally you are going to get a gem, one that plays like a dream. And, for me, this is the one. As soon as I picked it up it felt right and played beautifully. As I said, the weak points are the pick ups and the machine heads. So...there's now a Rio Grande vintage tallboy on the neck and a Seymour Duncan vintage in the bridge. And a set of standard Gotoh machine heads. The Rio Grande pup was 2nd hand and all that lot cost #135.00 - the guitar cost #100 so for #235 I have something that looks, feels, plays and sounds like a #850 USA Tele. It does not quite have the sustain of the USA models but this is barely noticeable. I have no qualms gigging or recording with this guitar and I love it. I put it through a pre 1995 Fender Twin and the sound'd cut your balls off! I use this is in my main band and sometimes when I dep. I would never use this guitar for heavy rock or metal - Teles just aren't made for that. And I don't play it anyway! I have four electric guitars in total (the other three are much more pricy) and this is my favourite.

Other reviews can tell you the features.

I do not own this guitar. My friend owns one, and I play it alot. Anyway, the guitar is GREAT for the price. I am a country/rock player and it suits that style fine. My friend plays his through a Rogue 50 watt amp. It sound good, except for a little buzz. I like this guitar.(Not as good as my Gibson).LOL.

I heard this guitar pretty early on, and it was great. It has some cheap parts, but alot of guitars do. The pickup selector was noisy, and the pickups as well. The finish is fine.

My friend plays this Tele in our band, and it is great. Great for lead. It has a spanky sound like a real Tele. The finish is fine, like I said. Strap buttons are OK, but, I wouldnt really trust a Squier button. My buddie has played this guitar everyday (for many, many hours), and it has held up fine. Alot of times, it will spend the night on an old guitar stand. It is played outside. It is hauled around. It has been borrowed. My friend wouldnt gig without a backup. He has a Ibanez(which is more exspensive), and he always ends up with a Tele in his hands. He would die if this guitar was lost.

N/A

My buddie has been playing for four years. He owns a Rogue 50 watt amp, a Ibanez?, and a Yamaha acoustic. Out of all those he loves his tele the best. However, my Gibson could kick its ass! lol. kidding.

Mine's a chinese-made squier, fairly recent, year not known. 21 frets, volume and tone controls, 3-way selector that's more of a 2-way, 2 stock pickups, black body, white plate, tele body, that's all i can say for that. i don't know much about it.

number of features is standard tele i guess, but the bottom line is the neck pickup is utter crap, which makes the left and middle selector switch sound the same, which is also crap. bridge pickup is decent, depending on music style. tone knob is fine, but i wish it went higher. the most frustrating one is the volume knob though. half of the time (on different amps), it won't change the actual volume. it'll either take distortion off for some reason or kill the bass. it makes no sense.

basically, the number of features is fine, the the features themselves are very problematic.

I try to play hardcore stuff (metal, aggressive punk,) with this guitar, and all i have to say is : THIS IS NOT A METAL GUITAR. not by the looks, but by the sound. clean, it sounds great for the most part, but turn on distortion and you'll realize your little metal-head brain made a big mistake spending 350 canadian for this. it lacks a lot of treble, though the bass is a-plenty. it's fine for other styles, but for aggressive stuff it's terrible. i use a small 20watt Hiwatt amp and a Mega distortion boss pedal, but i've tried it on at least 5 other amps with similar results. I'd say it's okay for blues, rock, slow things and others, but not metal. oh god not metal.

but the biggest problem is the noise the bridge pickup emits. i jam in a metal band, and the guitar won't stop screaming when i try to put the volume even remotely high when i'm in the same room as other guitars. i know it's not the pedal or the amps, i've tried different combinations and it always comes up. and the background noise is so bad sometimes i can't hear myself speak. basically, the pickups are utter shiznuts.

there was only once that i found it sounded good, but it was on an old expensive jazz amp of high quality that nobody will ever afford anyway.

the actual layout and esthetics of the thing look fine, although the bridge is alot too high (which i haven't changed, cuz it's good practice for the fingers). fingerstains on the fretboard are annoying, but what the hell can i do about those anyway. overall, its looks are fine, and the knobs turn like knobs should turn.

DO NOT PLAY LIVE WITH THIS UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO. it has trouble with high sounds and it can't compare to any other guitars. the fretboard is getting stained a bit, but i've played this for about a year so it's understandable. it does last fine, i guess, but i wouldn't use it explicitely for a gig. though maybe AS a backup it'd be fine, considering what type of music you play. i guess it's durable, but not necessarily reliable.

i don't talk to other people unless i really have to. and i didn't talk to fender.

I've had this for one year, and a bit more. in the music store it sounded great, and i especially liked the button layout (no buttons in the way of my palm-mutes), but a few months in it started having problems when i started playing more seriously. i got into metal and found it was terrible compared to all the other guitars. basically, it's okay for beginners or single practice or with no distortion, although i guess you could get better sound by tweaking (A LOT). BUT FOR GOD'S SAKE, DON'T PLAY METAL WITH THIS.

Duh. It's a tele, everyone else has extensively listed the features, so I won't go on. The only differences between the Affinity and the Standard series is the top load bridge, and plastic plate output jack instead of a traditional STB bridge, and tele input cup. It's bare-bones, but then again so are all teles, so there you go. Gotta rate it 9 for simplicity.

In case you were wondering, it is indeed an Alder body (check the Fender 2003 Catalogue if you don't believe me). And FYI, all Fender bodies are machined in Corona and sent to their perspective factories, although sometimes they contract Samick to do their parts for their overseas guitars.

Before I modded mine, the sound was acceptable. Very reminscent of a Tele. Squier pickups however, are not the nicest ones. They will suit beginers and anyone who doesn't want to spend $200 more on a MIM tele. I however, replaced them. They are fairly succeptable to 60 cycle hum because of the strange ground wiring, but they are single coils, and single coils hum. I never keep the stock pickups on my guitars/basses, but I'm very picky.

Once I put .10's on it, Fretbuzz said goodbye. The pickups were fine. The intonation was slightly off, but then again, for $170 I didn't expect it to be perfect. If there is a flaw to this guitar it is the thin finish. It will chip easily, but if you tape care of your guitar, it will last you. No major flaws in the frets or the nut. The frets were actually leveled very well, and had no sharp edges.

The tuners on this guitar are actually very good. Granted replacements would be better, I've seen far worse tuners on guitars of this price range ::cough::epiphone::cough:: Strap buttons haven't failed me yet. As I mentioned above, the finish is slightly fragile, but treat your guitar with care and you'll be fine.

No idea. But it's Fender....I've heard horror stories, and I've heard success stories. You be the judge.

My only grievances with this guitar is the cheap plastic pickguard (for which, for a reason that eludes my sense of logic, doesn't match up with standard mounting holes for other tele pickguards) and the top load bridge which makes string changes slightly annoying. I can live with it though. I've had this guitar for a year, and I like it alot. I heavily modded mine though and now it sounds even better, I get 7 distinct tones out of mine and it's an amazing guitar. Some people will look down their nose at you for having a Squier, but nuts to them. I used to be one of them too, but this guitar converted me. I started playing bass on a Squier Bass from 99, this guitar was an '01 model I believe, and since then Fender has revamped the Squier line even more and I have no doubts that the newer guitars are far more competitive in terms of price/value than was previously thought. Anyways, my '99 Squier bass sucked. My Tele however is a fine guitar that plays amazing, sounded good, but now sounds better, and with a new pickguard looks cool too.

The newer Squiers are excellent beginner-midlevel guitars, although I would still be wary of ordering over the internet. I still recomend you go out and play extensively with the actual guitar you plan on buying as their quality control is still a little shaky. But there are gems out there that play great. With a nice setup, you're good to go.

Standard Tele so ill give it ten. Has two single coil pick-ups, one volume, one tone. Body is probably made out of Alder, Rosewood fretboard.

I love the sound of the clean neck pick-up, sounds almost acoustic. Really great. THe bridge pickup is good for rock. Only prob is some buzz i get from the 1st and sometimes third positions when i have put some gain to it.

Action was a lil high, so i easily lowered that. Also i brought the pickups a lil closer to the string. The finish is blue, and beware, chips easily, very easily. The tuners really suck. They are not smooth at all when adjusting the tuning and there is a lil clamp for the high e and b strings to hold them down that can mess up your tuning

I have had this for three years, my first guitar. It has had only one problem. The volume knob fell off. So wrapped a layer of duct tape around the potentiometer and stuck it back on. Now it is snug. This guitar plays surprisingly well. I really love it

dunno

This guitar is soooo awesome for the price. It plays awesome, In the three years i have had it, ive progressed in my playing ability. This song is great for rhythm but I can play summer song by joe satriani with ease on this guitar. Awesome starter guitar.