Fender Squier Telecaster

It's hard to pin down the exact year but as fas as I can find out and tell it's from the first year of Squier production. It's made in Japan with the tuners stamped "Fender Korea". The body is swamp-ash. Yes...solid....hulking swamp-ash. And on top of it all it's probably the heaviest chunk of swamp-ash I've ever played. It's just slightly lighter than a Les Paul. The neck is nice and big as well. Some players have have stated it's one of the largest they've played. Since I have big hands this makes it a definite bonus to me. The pickups were pretty standard. They were second rate at best. The bridge was the old style ashtray. The finish is a nice yellow-ish clear coat that is aging nicely and the neck is maple and is also aging beautifully.

I went through a time period of a few years of trying different pickups. All of them were decent but nothing really did it for me. All of them were pretty muddy and just didn't have the output the guitar needed. The last set I tried were EMGs and they were the magic bullet that did it. The guitar just sang in my hands after that. It's a little high-endy, but that's just the nature of Telecasters. A little EQ will usually fix this. It gets a big warm sound from metal to blues.

I bought the instrument used for $225 about 14 years ago. It was set up pretty decently. I had it set up just out of curiousity a few years later and was pleased with the results. I'm yet to need to adjust it since then. The finish is gorgeous and manages to show off the wood and enhance the overall pseudo-vintage look of it.

This guitar is a workhorse. I wish I had a dozen of them even though I'd only reasonable need 2 for just about every occasion i can think of. It's taken some serious hits and mishaps and still stays in tune. The finish is mellowing nicely as well on it. It's getting that nice butterscotch look on the neck and headstock. I'd readily gig it out without a backup. If I had to have only one guitar for a year and a half tour of playing every night this would be the one.

I've never dealt with Fender directly. I've heard good things about their customer support and horror stories as well.

This instrument is one of the first I ever owned. I now own a Clapton Strat, an Ibanez RG550, a RG7420 a Yamaha APX-4A acoustic and a Fender Mexican Strat and play through Line 6 amps. If this instrument were stolen I'd be crushed. It would be like losing a part of my body. Although this is a low-value Blue Book guitar I'd be reluctant to part with it for any amount of money. My loved ones have been instructed to have this instrument buried with me when I pass away, that's how much I love it.

Your run of the mill Tele really, it's just that I've got the one that's finished in purple metallic. Glamtastic. I love the way this looks, I'd marry it if it was alive. I haven't changed anything but I've fiddled around with the set up a bit and that's all. Nothing out of the ordinary. Tone knob, Volume knob, pickup switch, I leave them all where they are.

Sounds beautiful, I use the neck pickup mostly, it sounds so thick and warm. I used to love the bridge because of it's twang but I got bored of that. It makes me want to play it more just to get that sound out of it. My favorite sound, over my SG and Flying V.

Action was O.K, but a little high so I changed it. Pickups. Would you believe I played so hard the pickup came loose and fell back into the body? No flaws though. Perfect, even the inlays are straight. The Epiphone SG I bought had Dodgy inlays and that's just crap. The only major gripe is that the screws came loose on my pickup selector and it clicked and buzzed when I used it, but it was easily solved.

It seems sturdy enough. once you screw everything in tight enough. Body's strong, neck feels rigid. I would depend on this to a point yeah. I can't see it breaking. The electrics are fine, no sign of wear yet..

No idea.

My perfect guitar. I wish I had a million of them. Looks great, sounds perfect. I would give it a 10, but to really be perfect it would have to have a cut off switch, and be red glitter finish. I can't see myself changing to another guitar model now I know how good a tele is.

Brand new Indonesian (or Korean, I can't quite remember) telecaster. 22 frets, 3 pick ups, volume and tone controls. Dark green colour, haven't seen another one this colour anywhere sinse I bought it. I originally bought a Squier Tele Affinity which came with 10 Watt Amp, gig bad=g, strap, lead and strings but I sold the tele and bought this instead.

Very nice sound, even through a crap 10 Watt amp. Works very well with distortion and phaser pedals. Excellent for rhythm guitar.

Had some problems with the wiring, so it was sent back to Arbiter when I bought it, but had no problems sinse, even when it got soaked in a rain downpour at an outdoor gig. One small problem, pickup selector cover and tonw and volume knobs don't stay on too well, but I think this is just on my guitar. But everything else is fine.

Incredibly reliable. Never broken down on me when I've been playing. Has been dropped onto concrete, hit round drum kits, trod on, rained on everything! and still it works perfectly. Excellent finish. Have gigged a few times without backup and hasn't let me down.

Fixed the wiring very quickly and put a new back on, due to slight damage throught having to tape the cable to the back to get it to work

Excellent guitar for practise and gigging. Will last me a long time still. Isn't entirerly suitable for lead but a fantastic rhythm guitar.

The telecaster I am writing about here is a Korean made, VN serial #, basic model. It has the stock configurations and everything is in working order. I cannot be sure of the wood types involved but together it is heavier and sturdier than my Jazzmaster reissue which is Japanese. The six saddle bridge is convenient for action/intonation adjustment but I keep breaking strings so go figure...

Brilliant. The thing sounds brighter and fatter than my Jazzmaster(without duncans) and is now my 1st instrument in a roster of four. THe bridge pickup is super-bright and the neck one is quieter. This diversity makes the three position toggle even more versatile. I love its classic "Fender sound".

The action has been tricky and I need a professional setup. I bought it used after all. I am a little concerned about the neck width since I have long fingers. Another reviewer mentions that as well. But even with these subtle caveats the thing is brilliant.

It feels really solid. I am going to find out about playing out shortly but I expect the best. The only real concern I have is string breakage--which is almost random anyway.

So far not relevant.

All in all, I am proud of my decision to pick this up off eBay. Its a tele, its a Fender (pretty much in sound), and its cheap. Its solid, its pretty, and it beats a Jazzmaster Reissue. Compare at $400!

Made in '79 in Korea. 21 frets, regular Telecaster controls etc. Two single coil pickups - chrome at neck, black at bridge, six string saddles, wicked maple neck. Puke yellow paint on body with a few not-so-minor dings and nicks. The neck is one of the sweetest I have ever played on, smooth and small and round.

Well, it's good for pretty much any style of music. That's the beauty of telecasters. You want the punk rawk sound? set the amp's gain high, switch to the bridge pickup and make sure you have earplugs. something nice and mellow, perhaps? switch to the neck pickup, set the gain nice and low and get funky. The knobs have a nice sweep, lots and lots of range. Sounds excellent for being so cheap.

THe action is fine, no complaints. As I said, there are some fairly noticable dings and nicks, but what the hell, i bought it used for $250 canadian. I noticed in the store that the bridge pickup had a hell of a buzz (poorly grounded) but this guitar had obviously seen some abuse and i attribute it mostly to that. It was fixed in a matter of minutes. There may be a slight problem with the shielding/grounding of the bridge pickup.. it has cut out on me a bit but not too badly.

I would take this guitar to a gig without any worries. The paint might get a few more chips in it but so what? It seems solid enough. It is built solidly. THe neck is nice and straight. One could easily use this guitar as a club and not worry about it being harmed.

I should think this particular guitar is out of warranty.

I have been playing guitar for, uhhh.... approximately 11 years. I have a really wacky no-name guitar, an Aria Pro Knight Warrior II, a Jay Turser ES335, and a Hyundai bass modelled after the Fender Jazz bass. I play through a Marshall JCM900 combo amp. The Tele sounds BALLS through that amp. I have wanted to get a telecaster since playing my friend's Mexican-made beast, and when i saw this one in the store, i headed right over and started playing it. I compared it to an actual Fender in the same store ('99 Mexican made). THe Mexican was louder, maybe, but it sounded altogether more coarse and abrasive. Also, the neck on the Mexican was flatter and wider than the Squier, which I don't like. And the COLOUR! I have never seen one so digustingly yellow. My only concern is the potential problem with the shielding / grounding in the bridge pickup. That's something that can be fixed, though, and not an inherent flaw in the guitar's design.

I got a Fender Squire Telecaster year 2000 or 1999(s/n VN 609112) Korean made, new.
This appears to be a really good guitar for the money. I paid about $150. It has a black solid body, maple neck and fretboard, white pick guard, bolt on neck. I got it for my 14 year old son. After about a year of him playing with his garage band it has a few dents but the paint didnt come off where the dents are so I'd say the paint job is good(looked really nice when it was brand new). It has 2 pickups (not height adjustable), tone, volume and 3 way toggle pickup selector. Has 6 adjustable,spring loaded, saddles (both height and intonation adjustable), chrome tuners, the strap buttons have black felt pads under them (like shock absorbers)The headstock has 2 "T pegs" that hold the high E and A and the G and D strings. The truss rod hole is at the top of the neck accessable at the headstock. 21 frets with black fret mark dots on the fretboard up to 21 fret and on the side of the neck. The neck is "average" width and has a black stripe running from the head to the body on the back of the neck. Chrome knobs, toggle and knob plate, saddle, top pick up cover. Plastic nut is "off white".

The sound is twangy with bottom pickup selected and can be mellow depending on combination/tone selected. Very slight hum but not at all excessive. Tone and volume knobs work. Pickup selector works (after 1 1/2 years of abuse). 3 main concerns are that the input jack bezel "floats" in the hole at the bottom of the body (I think that is the way it supposed to be but the bezel may not supposed to be loose but a press fit in the hole in the body)and the frets are raised high off the fretboard so the neck fret board feels "lumpy"(not a "fretless wonder")when playing and sliding your fingers for chords and note changes, but the kid doesnt mind, he thinks its normal and maybe the high frets will last longer before they wear out. It needs to be retuned after 4 or 5 songs or heavy string bending.

I play blues/jazz , the kid plays grunge "dropped D" (nirvana, rage,) its a tele solid body, suits many styles. The action is fine(I spray the neck with a little "finger ease" string lubricant before playing). The finish on the neck makes the palm of my hand a little sweaty and my hand sticks to the neck a little. With string/finger lube or a little lemon oil this completely goes away. The strings are not too low or too high. No fret buzz. Set up with nickle wound 10's. Didn't notice any flaws (good quality control). This guitar has cheap components, tuners, "T pegs" are made of sheet metal (stamped), gloss black paint, white plastic pick guard has a black line border and has beveled edges. It looks nice "classy" (black and white like a tuxedo) and plays ok. I dont think Junior Brown would use this guitar but my kid likes it, plays it and is not ashamed to show it off to his buddys (isnt that what is part of owning a cool guitar?)

I think it will last long enough for the kid to decide that he wants a better guitar(that I dont have to buy for him). In the mean time it's fine instrument to learn on and gig with his garage buddys, and if it gets worn out or damaged through handling or banging around it wasnt alot of money and if something breaks replacement parts are easy to find (Fender). The height adjustment screws on the saddles are "side by side" (tandem) recessed "allen hex head" type. I put a little "lock-tite" on them because they vibrated a little and one of the two screws would back off a little , come loose, and vibrate. The lock-tite fixed that. I think this guitar would be ok as a "starter" or could be easily modified/upgraded. Sure you could "play out" with it. No broken strings after 1 1/2 years.

Fender

I play 30 years and have other guitars... Epiphone archtops, Mexico Strat, Aria, old Harmony archtop.. others. The kid about 3 years (guitar),he plays alto sax(8 years) in school bands (first seat in junior jazz) and is "a musician". He wanted a "Tele" (his own) guitar to learn how to play guitar but I didnt want to spend $1000 for an American Standard and didnt want "my" instruments to get beat up. He is very happy (and so am I) and recently he has started to play some more complicated stuff/jazz chords . I pick it up and play when he leaves it sitting out... not bad!!

dunno when it was made, but my girlfriend bought it for me in in 1989.
Pretty basic tele, two single coils, a crome one in the neck position, six bridge pieces, blonde body with white scratch plate.
Have changed to a fender made black scratch plate that a mate gave me.
i have been offered #400 for it by a collector, but i am keeping it for sentimental reasons.
it is korean made - serial number E1023054

big crunchy bright rhythm sound in the bridge position, fat bluesey sound in the neck pickup. use with a 1975 marshall jmp 100w mk2 and a 2000 jcm 2000dsl in series through 2x marshall 4x12 for a big fat defined sound. also use gibson sg.

spot on in every way, exept for split in body behind bridge caused by over exerted arguement with girlfriend.

leapt around stages all over the country with this one, have to gaffa the strap on to prevent embarassing situations.
never broke a string live.

second habd dealer, no customer support.

playing since 1982, also own gibson sg standard (black), mosrite ventures, eko thing (1960's jaguar lookalike in glittering blue).
Marshall jmp 100w mark 2, marshall jcm200dsl, sound city mark 3 100w, vox ac100.
I like it cos it a sturdy old beast that can take a beating.
the six bridge bits are better than the 3 you get on a fender imho.

check out the review from the guy who paid 400 Dutch Guilders.
Mine is exactly like it. 1983 SQ Serial #. Butterscotch, 3pc laminate Swamp Ash Body; Maple neck, . Its all original. I will not butcher this guitar. I will however over time choose just the right pickups.
Its in mint shape. Stock everything.

I give it a 9 cause its a JAP model, and it is just as good as any other US tele made. In fact the guitar tech who I took it to, said that they were american parts in it, that were shipped to Japan for assembly.

This is great for a nice rythym sound. The guitar tech (who builds guitars and makes his own nuts from catle bone soaked in linseed oil on a band-saw)said to try it with 11's on it instead of my usual 10's.
Man what a difference. Sound jumps right out, and has an inherent good sustain to it all by itself acoustically.

I use it with a Sans amp and a Marshall Valvestate vs265. Very pleased.

Guitar was made very well. In fact when the guitar tech went to set up intonation and frets, he told me he couldnt beleive how well the guitar got and stayed in tune for the 3 piece saddle; pat applied for bridge. He said for $270 canadian, you have a great guitar. Just as good as the japanese re-issues you would pay 800$ for.

I use this guitar with others for colour. would use a backup. all is pretty fenderish reliability.

Im not knowing....tank you veddy much!! Support?? what the hell are ya on??

been playing for 20years, and have a PRS Custom 24 w/bird abalone inlay,and a 10 top, Yamaha SA800(stole that one), and a Jap 86 60's Strat. The Tele is always needed in any guitarists arsenal. It was the original electric guitar, so in a way you should be proud to play one. Classic sound all around.

pretty basic guitar.Two single coils w/tone & volume control and three way switch.

WOW!! I play mostly rock/metel and this little {county style} guitar rocks.I have a digitech RP12 into a stereo power amp to a 4/12 cabinet.The pick ups do get noisy at high gain distortion but adjust the noise gate in the RP12 and PRESTO! you have a cheap guitar that kicks!

Good right out of the box.Put a tuner to it and it was ready to go.the neck feels good and the action is great.Nice glossy black finish.The finish on some of the hardware is not as good as the more expensive tele's but is still ok for the $99.99 that I paid.

Only had it a couple of days but I probibly have about 12 hours of playing on it already! Seems solid enough.I would play out with it.

n/a

Been playing for 12 years.If it were stolen I would get another one.This is the best cheap guitar I have ever had and I'm a sucker for cheap guitars.I have two Ibanez jem guitars and was lookin for something with out locking trem at a nice price.I found it in this little black fender squire tele:-)

This one was made in China in 1999(Affinity). It's a blonde classic tele with two single coil pickups.
Teles don't have alot of features. That doesn't mean it doesn't cover alot of ground. Look at Joe Strummer and Chrissy Hyne playing punk with it, or Albert Collins tearing up the blues on it, or James Burton doing some country pickin' on it, or Springsteen rockin' it.
The tuners are not of very good quality which I expected at this price.
This one has the features teles are supposed to have.

It definately has the tele sound. Chime-like and present, a precision sound. I play it through a black-face Bassman with a 72' Marshall cabinet with greenbacks, a super classic sound with this guitar. The pickups are single coil so they pick up alot of hum and RF which is normal for the single coil sound, it's a trade off. The only problem is the pickups are microphonic which I expected having lots of experience with cheap guitars. I plan to wax pot them to control it.

The set-up was incredible. I didn't expect much in this area considering the price, but it came ready to rock! I couldn't believe how perfect it was so I started taking it apart(I do this with most newly acquired things to see what makes it tick). Under the pickgaurd I noticed some imperfections in the body, it looked like a a stray drill bit hit the body a couple of times during routing of the body.

Seems like a sturdy instrument to me. The tuners could be better, but that was expected at this price. The pots seem like they will need replacing prior to high quality pots, but they work fine now. The jack is of poor quality, but that was expected too. I'll replace it with a good $2 switchcraft jack when the cheap one starts acting up.

I've been playing for over 12 years and I'm a semi-professional. I've always wanted a tele, but I'm a lefty and prefer old guitars. Needless to say, old lefty teles cost two arms and two legs so I've opted to keep my limbs. I saw the price on this blonde tele and couldn't believe it! I bought one for my girlfriend as a birthday present and to satisfy my curiosity. I bought it mail order unseen and the salesman knew of me and gave me a $20 discount, hence the price paid.
This is a classic looking tele no doubt. It sound really good, plays incredibly, and I am still am dumb-founded by the price! I feel guilty supporting sweat labor in China, but hey, I'm not a millionaire that can back up his ideals with money.
I think this is probably the cheapest Tele ever produced and it is classic in every way! Some of the parts are sub-standard and I'm sure the body is plywood, though I can't see it through the paint. Still, this is truly an amazing deal and I consider it a breakthrough in getting great quality guitars into the hands of the proletariat. What does $119 equal in the 60's anyway? I'm sure it's alot less than the guitars cost then. Granted, the woods aren't of the same quality, but the playability is just as good if not better.