Squier Affinity Telecaster

Standard Chinese made Squier Affinity Telecaster- maple neck, blonde body. Looks authentic from a few yards away!

The usual single coil hum and some static when touching the scratchplate- no big deal..

But the overall sound is superb- a true wide Telecaster tone range- it can handle anything - jazz, blues, country, rock, jangle ...

Well set up and adjusted straight from the shop- no significant flaws.

Very well made for the price, although obviously the hardware is not up to US quality. The pickups are incredibly good, and the volume and tone controls work well.

Most Fender type guitars are tough enough for live work, and this one's no exception- although on the first gig I played just after I bought it new, the wind blew an outside blind at a seaside cafe where we were playing, and over it went- a small ding on the body- oh well, I bought it to use, not to polish, hoard or trade...

I do my own setup and maintenance etc- repairs etc not really an issue for a guitar this cheap

I have been playing most styles of guitar and bass in bands here in Australia for 45 years.

This guitar was $AUS275 (about $US 180) with a cardboard box- it's my main guitar, used with an old small Peavey amp

I wish I could have had one of these in 1965 when I joined my first band...

Made in China. Unsure of what year it was made. I purchased it 2-3 years ago brand new.
21 medium jumbo frets
3 position top hat switch, tone control and volume control
Unsure of the make and model of the pickups but are the standard factory fitted ones.
Passive electronics
Neck is maple and maple fretboard and body is alder.
The neck finish is a polyurethane finish.
The body style is standard telecaster body
Again standard tele bridge
basic tuners. not locking. They are good enough to keep it in tune for a while.
Neck is C shape and the fingerboard has a 9.5" radius
The only accessories i think was just an Alan key.
For what you pay it is quite reasonable. The electronics could be better but I guess as the saying goes "you get what you pay for".

I like to play a bit of this and a bit of that and I find that the Tele suits it perfectly.
I am using it with an old 10 watt Peavey amp. I also have a Pro Co Rat 2.
It isn't that noisy but it really depends on what sort of effects you're using. With my set up it isn't that bad just the usual, small, background hum on the single coil pickups by themselves.
The sound i get is pretty bright and colourful. With the right effects you can get great distortion sounds. It is also good for using it with clean sounds on the neck pickup. You get a nice mellow sound with that.
I really like the bridge pickup with my Rat 2 on the clean channel of the amp it breaks up really easily and gives that rhythm distortion that I love. I'm not so keen on the neck pickup since it just seems to dull and lifeless but It's alright using a clean sound.

Geez. It's hard to remember back to when I bought it. I can't recall doing any set up i think it was good to go but if I did need to do some set up it wouldn't have been much. I am not a professional guitar player and this is my first guitar so I don't know much about pickup adjustments but they sound fine. There aren't any flaws or things unaligned. It was all perfect when I bought it.

This guitar would be able to handle live playing. The hardware isn't that bad. It probably would last in live playing if it was treated with great care. The finish is fine and so are the strap buttons. What you would need to be careful of is some of the cheap parts like the jack input. The plastic piece that is held down by the nut on the jack has split and is hanging by a thread with the nut keeping it there. I think some of the things like this would need to be replaced with better quality ones but for what you pay it is good. But overall I would be able to depend on it with a few replacement parts that are worth a bit more money. I could use it on a gig without a back after this with no worries.
Another note on durability - i dropped the guitar a couple of months ago and the top edge of the body was bashed on a table leg and I have a couple of bit of paint that have chipped off but it's nothing major and adds to the authenticity. :-)

I haven't dealt with Fender customer support nor have I tried to get my guitar repaired. Simply because my chipped paint would cost almost as much to repair it as getting a new one. The guitar came with a 1 year limited warranty.

I have been playing basically since I got this guitar and as mentioned before I have a Pro Co Rat 2 and they go together fine. I probably would have asked more about the durability of the cheap parts. If it was stolen or lost I would most likely get a new one because I love the sound it gives me. As I said before I just love the bridge pickup and that would have to be my favourite feature. I hate the flimsy jack socket. I didn't really compare it to other guitars simply because my dad has a Fender Deluxe Series Nashville Tele and I absolutely love it! And the the closest thing I could get to it was in fact Squier's cheapest guitar but it stil is great! The only additional thing I wish it had was a middle pickup like the Nashville Telecaster and also better quality electronics.
All up this is a great beginners guitar and I would recommend it to anyone who can't afford anything more expensive. Like me!! :-)

Chinese Tele copy in butterscotch alder with maple neck / fretboard.
Excellent finish although, as stated before, 3 way switch very flimsy.

Very nice Tele sound through my Line6 Spider - a little hum but that`s the price paid for single coil P/ups.
Plenty of output (neck = 6.36k bridge = 6.30k)

Action and attention to detail were horrid however, I expected this since those Chinese factories typically charge around $30.00 a guitar and I bought this Tele as a donor guitar to improve.
Shop bought examples may have been tweaked but I bought mail order so this was new in box.
Action was approaching 1/4" at 12th fret and the strings fitted were ridiculously light to compensate.
Some of the frets were lower than the mean by around 0.010" - not a problem to me as the frets are the first thing I attack.
The truss rod nut was also out of alignment with the hole in the headstock so could not be removed for lubricating.

No opinion re. live playing - I`m a bass player but actual materials and hardware seem pretty good.
The strings fitted (proudly proclaimed as Fenders) were super light gauge and within 10 minutes of Tele-twanging, the thin E string went PING!!! oddly enough, not having snapped but un-twisted at the ball end - weird!!!

Not an issue - I work on my own guitars!

I`ve been playing for around 40 years and currently play bass (4 Warwicks including a custom shop Fortress and Warwick amplification).
Once it has been revamped (probably humbucker at neck a-la Albert Collins), it will probably end up on E-Bay to fund my next project.

Out of the box, even though this is a budget price guitar, without a good deal of attention, there is no way that this was a beginner`s guitar - Anyone considering a Squier Affinity would probably be wise to buy from a shop.

Butterscotch Blond and gorgeous. Top loading bridge, Nice satin finish neck, Standard tuning keys, Cheap tele pickups, Selector switch is garbage, broke the cheap plastic jack plate on the second day. The frets are nicely finished and the action was spot on with no buzzing at all. Walked out the door with no accessories. Slightlt thinner body than a regular Tele.

Bought to see if I liked the Tele as a whole. I played some pretty expensive Fender Teles the day I bought this guitar and this one played the best hands down. The sound was also very good. The pick ups were noisey but useable. I did change to Fender SCN noiseless pickups which enhanced this guitar ten fold. I also changed the tuners to locking tuners and added Strap locks. I will need to change the selector switch soon as the stock one sucks. The jack plate had to be changed to a metal one also. I love the fit and finish on this guitar and am very happy on my decision to purchase.

Well set up. Fit and finish were as good as it gets,far better than one would expect from this price range. Some of the parts such as the jack plate and selector switch could have been better quality. Noisy pickups, although most single coils are unless you have noiseless pickups. Nice butterscotch finish is flawless. I would like to see them go to string thru the body design.

This guitar seems to be built solid. I don't think that the top loading bridge will be too friendly to the ball ends of the strings, but that remains to be seen. I would not gig without a back up guitar.

none

Been playing 20 plus years and own or have owned many nice expensive guitars, this guitar is well worth the $169 I paid for it. With the new upgrades I made this guitar is a real player. Very fun and insprational. It is able to get sounds I can't get from my other guitars. Like I said before a string thru the body bridge would have been the icing on the cake.

Basic Telecaster...
Made in China...
Awesome Butterscotch finish...
3 way switch...
2 single coils...
Nice, thin, maple neck...
Not "string through body"...no big deal.
For the price.....OUTSTANDING!

I wanted a low cost Telecaster.
This fit the bill...
Pickups are slightly noisy...
They are single coils....so, expected.
In the middle position, the hum disappears!
Neck pickup sounds fantastic...
Great for jazz & blues.
Middle position is good for rhythm & chording.
Bridge pickup has plenty of Tele Twang!
Just a bit on the bright side.
With a little overdrive, this guitar sings!
I'm very satisfied with the sound.

Set up was PERFECT right off the rack!
No sharp fret ends...
After tuning it up, it STAYED in tune.
And I bend.....a LOT!
I found no flaws at all.

Seems extremely solid.
Everything was nice & tight.

Got it at Guitar Center....
They were having their Labor Day Sale...
Regular price was $169.99....
On sale for $149.99....
Plus, I had a $25 gift card...
So, I paid $135.00 for a great guitar!!!
Sales people were attentive but not obnoxious or overbearing.

Been playing for close to 30 years...
I have 6 electrics, 1 acoustic, & 3 basses...
I'd get another in a heartbeat.
Great Tele sound...for $135???
YES!

Made in China 2005.
Alder Body.
Maple neck medium C 9.5" radius, 21 medium jumbo frets.
Basic black with white pickguard.
Standard Die-Cast Tuners.
Nothing more to say - its a basic telecaster - just how they should be!

I had a sound gap that needed filling, this fits the bill perfectly.
Mainly blues and country style.
No idea what pickups are used in these models - the bridge is very powerfull, the neck is just how it should be. I must admit I thought that I would need to replace these, but so far they seem better than expected!

Shop bought. Don't know if the shop had done a setup on the guitar or if it was from the factory, but the action is very low, almost perfect for my style. No fret buzz at all.
The neck on this model is simply stunning a perfect satin finish, I did try a couple of others which seemed ok - it seems that you would need to go through some until you find one you like.

This would proberly withstand playing live, but as always never gig with any guitar on its own, no matter how much it costs.

The pickup switch does seem like it might eventually need to be replaced, but thats all really.

The finish is solid Polyurethane Finish, should be able to take a few knocks!

Never had to deal with them.

Would I buy another is lost or stolen? If I could find another one with a neck like this, then yes in a heartbeat!

I have been back playing now for a couple of years. I own a very nice vintage les paul style guitar, which has been around a bit (few dings here and there) circa 2000, but the tone this produces is amazing, also a Strat copy which has been totally striped down and is being rebuilt as a project.

The reason that I chose this guitar was simply that it sounded and felt perfect.

Initialy I went to Dawsons to check out the Farida range of guitars they are now selling.

The FTC-12 was the one I looked at, on the web site is looks quite good. Unfortunatly in person its quite different. The "blond" finish is too thick and sort of edges more to a full butterscotch look.

The biggest turn off though was the neck, it was like it had been dipped like a candle! The finish is way to thick. You would really have to strip the back of the neck to make it playable.

Added to that the pickups compared to the Squire seem thin and weak, possibly to vintage for modern standrds. You would definiatly have to replace them.

If they sorted the neck and pickups this guitar may be worth looking at, but as it is don't bother.

Bought new I think it is a 2007 China made.
It's a standard Tele with vintage feel, Artic White with maple neck and white pickguard.
Ten becouse it has all I need.

I need a '50 look guitar for playing in my new rock 'n' roll band. I love Fender sound (I owned other Fender guitars). The sound is decent, but I've bought it with the idea to replace the pu with a pair I owned, so no other money out of my pocket.

I've played it with a Fender HotRod deluxe, a Fender Champion 600 and a Fender Deluxe 90 Dsp. And always it sounds good. The neck pu is not the best think I've heard but you got a decent sound, the bridge pu is a bit sharp.

The Telecaster is a guitar mainly associated with Blues. Country and Rock 'n' Roll and this sound good for that kind of music.

Bought in a shop (I don't know if someone has set it), It was high playable when tested.
One at home, changed the strings, a short setup of the neck, the action & the pu height and I've played for a couple of hours with great fun.

The finish is very good for a cheap guitar, better than a more expensive one I've tried.

It's a Tele. Squier is a good brand.

No need.

I'm playing since 1970. I own a lot of guitar (Fender '79 Stratocaster, Fender '83 Telecaster, Ibanez Archtop, Acoustic Guild & Daion) ad use Fender amps (modded Blues Junior, modded Champion 600, stock Deluxe 90 dps) and I've found this guitar a great value for the price. It's light, sounds good even unplugged (night playing), has a great action.

I think you must try some in the shop before buy, Some are good and some are bad (It's Fender style). If it were first I cry then I run to the store to buy another. It's a very nice Telecaster. Got it!

Made & bought new in 2007. Butterscotch,,good looking guitar,,basic cheap Squier hardware. Nothing loose or broke yet, but hardware will have to be replaced sooner or later if I'm going keep the guitar playing well. But for right now,,,new,,I give it a 8 because it is a beatuful guitar. Ask next year,,,I may have a different opinion.

Suits my style,,which is blues & classic rock. Bridge pickup is strong & I'll probely keep it, but the neck pickup is a little weak & needs to be replaced. This Tele was bought only to see if I liked the Tele style body & looks. I do on both,,,it is well worth upgradeing. I play this Tele through a Boss GT-6 into a Rickenbacker TR-35 bass amp & all of that gives me more sound than the guitar was built for,,,so soundwise,,,I'm happy,,another 8 for this category.

Action was ok out of the box,,,but I had it set down closer to my 91 USA Strat. No flaws at all in the finish. Other revewers say the paint on the body chips easy,,,I'm not hard on guitars,,but I've only had this Tele for about 6 months & haven't played live or in a studio with it yet,,so all the paint is still there,,no chips, dings or dongs,,,only scratches on the pickguard. Setup was about a 7,,but I have had it reset & am now proud of this little Squier Tele. The hardware is a little on the ragged side,,but when I have the time & $$$,,,this will all change. The way this guitar is set up now,,I give it a 9.

Might survive live playing if you play soft rock meledys, but I'm not that guy. This guitar is really a show piece,,but right now,,out of the box,,,I wouldn't depend on this guitar. I just don't think it's tough enough to be around band people. Just play it at home or in a studio,,,don't trust it around people. They'll either steal it because it's so pretty,,or if it falls on the floor, it's break up like a ice cube. A cigarette in the headstock between the strings would probely set this insturment on fire.

I'll fix it myself,,lol,,,customer support doesn't even know I bought this guitar.

Been playing a long time & seeing this guitar is still new,,,,it sounds great. But how long is this going to last? The hardware is cheap,,,it has to go,,but seeing that I only bought this guitar to see if I liked a Tele style body, I may not do anything to it. I may just go ahead & get a USA tele & leave this one alone. Upgradeing would be the best thing to do I think because this guitar so far has impressed me & with new "real" hardware, a stronger neck pickup on it,,it would be just as good as a real Tele. Damn the paint chips,,release the hounds,,this overall rateing gets next to the best from me,,,a 9

Special Edition Affinity Telecaster in Butterscotch Blonde. Alder body, single ply black scratchplate (might go for a tortoiseshell here...Might not, though), maple neck, and maple fingerboard (with one, iddy biddy widdle birdseye. So it's technically "Birdseye maple"...I kid, I kid...). Another reviewer noted that an aged neck would have been sweet. I agree...
Body is a gnats thinner than the original, which my chiropractor likes. Okay, it's more like 1/4". No string through body either, but I don't care.
The selector is a piece of cr*p, and was bent when I got it out of the box.
I'm pretty amazed by this little gem. Finish is gorgeous (an aged neck would be nice), but it was $169!!! Frets are well dressed, and the neck is very playable.
The provided strings are junk (so what if they are Fender?). A new set of .10's and it was twang city.

Rating is a little weird here as it's for features. It's a 1951 design. No real features. It does feature a cr*p selector switch.

I was looking for that Tele sound as it was a hole in my arsenal (no jokes, please). I have an HH guitar (Schecter), a Strat (also a Squier Affinity - I guess I keep getting the good ones! That Strat is never leaving me...) and a bunch of acoustics and basses. There was one or two sounds that I just couldn't replicate. Those sounds seem to be Telecaster sounds. I have them now.
The Pups are not wonderful (what part of $169 is causing you concerns here?). I'll likely swap these for Bill Lawrence or Duncans later. When I'm good and ready...
Nice sound when not plugged in (always a good sign), and just punchy as h.e.double-hockeysticks when plugged in. I've been trying it with a little Epiphone Valve Junior. They are made for each other. $268.00 worth of sweet tone!

A little noisy, but that's part of the single coil mystique.
Bluesy on that front Pup, and delightfully Stax/Motown on the bridge.
The mix is a phenomenal rhythm thang.

Set up was first rate. Strings were not buono.
We'll see how well those magnets hold up to corrosion shall we?

Action is good, very playable out of the box (save the strings, and the selector switch). Nice finish. She's a pretty one.

This thing would stand up to an innings at Lords.
The selector switch might make it into next week, but that's nothing.
I don't gig anymore. However, since I got it I've considered it!

Hmmm.

Been playing for close to thirty years (mostly bass, though). Not a guitar player in the true sense of the word, but I get by.
If stolen....I'd hunt the bugger down and hit him with it.
Something I'd hate to lose.

As I mentioned before, I have an Affinity Strat that's a wonderful instrument (and better than a lot of Strats I've played - "real Fender" and otherwise). Squier have the ability to knock out some real nice guitars. This Tele is no exception.

The Tele was $169, so it's an amazing instrument for the money. My Strat was $99. Same thing. Just because you don't see the "real" brand name at the top doesn't mean it's not a good guitar.

Squier budget Tele, butterscotch Agathis body polyurethane finish, maple neck & seperate fingerboard, top load typical Chinese/Taiwan bridge, Schaller copy tuners standard Tele layout.

Tele sounds basically but with slightly inarticulate and a little noisy pickups. For those on a tight budget you do get the basics of a Tele sound. Twangy bridge, mellow neck and ringy centre position.

This guitar is superbly put together by the Chinese factory making the CY serial number instruments. They're on a very strict budget I would guess leading to serious compromises in the quality of some of the hardware notably the laughable selector switch, and the pickups cheaply made on plastic bobbins and a ceramic magnet slung underneath. Tuners not bad at all, bridge OK once you've filed down the adjusting screws. The woods used are just terrific, the fretwork good /excellent, intonation bang on and playability - top drawer.

The guitar itself will last for years, doubtful areas are the switch which I had to replace immediately and maybe tuners - we'll see.

Forget it!! it's run by Fender

Been teaching guitar playing, gigging for over 40 years. I love Yamaha guitars and hate Fender with a passion, only because they've had me over with some of the rubbish they sell for too much Moolah these days. I didn't want to like this little cheapy, but decided to gig with it just the once. Wow!! I have now installed Alnico pickups, a tortoiseshell scratchplate and a Yankee selector and this little darling is not going back out in the cold - I love it! it's a keeper alongside my ash Mike Stern tele and my high end Pacificas.