Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Custom

When stock, it was pretty basic.

What year was it made? Where was is made? 2006 Made in India
How many frets? 22
Solid-Top? Laminated top? Solid
Which controls are given? 2 Tone 2 Volume 3 way toggle switch *mine is modified with a gain boost with mini toggle*
Pickup configuration?
Make and model of pickups? H/H I swapped out the bridge pickup with a Duncan Invader. The neck pickup is stock.
Active or Passive electronics? Passive for the most part... The boost requires a 9 volt.
Body and neck woods? Body is agathis. The neck is maple.
Finish? When stock it was black. Now, it's trans. blond.
Body style? Tele
Bridge style? Strat hardtail
Tuners? It came with fairly descent Grover copies so I let them be for now.
Neck/Scale? 25.5
Any included accessories? Nope... At least I didn't get any...

How does it suit your music style? I mainly play Alternative/Hard Rock for the band, Joey 9 Iron and The Putters ((Sorry for the shameless plug :P)) When stock it really didn't suit me at all...
What amps and effects are you using it with? Crate VTX 200S amp and use a Boss MT2, Danelecto Coolcat Drive and EHX Small Clone in my live pedalboard.
Is it noisy? It's really not that noisy... except when my distortion, drive or gain boost is on...
Rich/Full sound? Bright sound? When stock, it was WAY too bright... Odd for humbucker... Now, with the SH Invader, it's dark and has some nice mids... Thanks to the agathis body.
Likes and dislikes? First and foremost, the bridge pickup SUCKED! The tuning machines are good. Huge fan of the agathis sound, one of the reasons I bought it.

I'm giving it a 4 here because I had to modify it to get the exact sound i was after.

How well was the guitar set-up at the factory? (How was the action?)It was setup alright.... It appeared to be setup using some sort of a jig and not to the particular guitar... Needed a bit of work... No big deal...
How well were the pickups adjusted? The above comment answers this.
Properly bookmatched top? Properly routed bridge? N/A
Did the guitar contain any flaws? No huge flaws... What you would expect from Squire

An interesting note though. When I pulled the neck I noticed that it was drilled and fitted for 3 bolt system... I found this vary odd and don't understand why they would do this and use a 4 bolt pattern??

Will this guitar withstand live playing? It will and it has many times.
Does the hardware seem like it will last? Yes
Is the finish good enough to last, or does it seem thin and easy to wear off with lots of playing? The factory finish was vary thin. Something that should have taken me a solid day to sand off only took me 3 hrs.
Are the strap buttons solid? Yes so far.
Can you depend on it? 110% and I do
Would you use it on a gig without a backup? If I had to, I would feel pretty comfortable doing so. That said. I NEVER play a show without at least backup.

If you've dealt with the company, how helpful/friendly were they? I haven't dealt with them. Although, I should inquire about the unused 3 bold pattern in the neck. Just for curiosity's sake.
Ever try and get it repaired? Was it under warranty? No repairs needed. The WAS under warreaty until I laid it on the work bench. lol
How long is the warranty? It was a year i think??

I think a 5 is pretty neutral...

How long have you been playing? What other gear do you own? Playing for 13 years there about... Ibanez jumbo acoustic, late 90's Fender American standard Tele, 1990 BC Rich 12 string acoustic, Eastwood Ichiban, Early 80's Vantage Avenger, 1971 Traynor Guitarmate tube amp and my pride and joy.... a 1969 Left handed EKO Les Paul copy strung right hand ((First guitar I bought for myself))
Is there something you wish you had asked before buying this guitar? YES **How about not plugging me into that Marshall** lol Marshall stacks make anything sound like gold.
If it were stolen or lost, would you buy it again or get something else? I don't know... The whole thing, mods and all were done on an impulse the first time. I'm not sure if i would be able to get the same results... I might try something else, although I've since grown fond of teles....
What do you love about it? What do you hate? What is your favorite feature?
Loves: The agathis body. Nice maple neck
Hates: That bridge pickup!!! Didn't like the control knobs for some reason and replaced them. Sharp frets. The nut... don't care for plastic nuts... replaced it with one a friend of mine made from buffalo horn.
Did you compare it to other guitars? Which ones? Why did you choose this one? It's was bought as an impulse....
Anything you wish it had? Beefier bridge pickup, and a bone or graphite nut... but I wouldn't expect that on budget guitar...
Anything else you'd like to share? I bought this guitar to modify because all the other guitars I have a stock with the exception with the nuts and I wanted a nice player.... The guitar is a great guitar for the cash... For beginners and for more accomplished players that can't really afford big name guitars or like me for player that want to mod something...

Model Name Vintage Modified Telecaster?? Custom
Series Vintage Modified Series
Body Agathis
Neck Maple, C-Shape,
(Gloss Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard Maple, 7.25??? Radius (184 mm)
No. of Frets 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups 2 Chrome Covered Humbucking Pickups (Neck/Bridge)
Controls Volume 1. (Neck Pickup),
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),
Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup),
Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Pickup Switching 3-Position Toggle
Bridge 6-Saddle Strings-Thru-Body Tele Bridge
Machine Heads Standard Die-Cast Tuners
Hardware Chrome
Pickguard 3-Ply Black
Scale Length 25.5??? (648 mm)
Width at Nut 1.650??? (42 mm)
Unique Features Dot Inlays
Accessories None
Introduced 7/2003

This guitar is great for both lean and overdriven sounds.
Played through a 72' Fender Twin
I found it to have no noise at all.
Sound is not as sparkling as I'd like but it makes up in other places
Can do several diffent sounds
Only dislikes controls do not completely isolate each pu,this can be easliy remedy

Had no problems with factory setup
raised the pu's slightly
could not find any obvious flaws

I play in front of club audiences all the time and it holds up great
it's been very dependable

Haven't had to call

been playing 20+ years,i have other USA guitars but these Squiers are awesome, lets face it there inexpensive,what do you expect out of it. If you don't like something about it, change it. If it were stolen I'd buy another, I have 9 Squiers now.Buy one, you'll be suprised but don't expect a $1200 instrument.

Model Name Vintage Modified Telecaster?? Custom
Series Vintage Modified Series
Body Agathis ( and that is not india pine, idot !)
Neck Maple, C-Shape,
(Gloss Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard Maple, 7.25??? Radius (184 mm)
No. of Frets 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups 2 Chrome Covered Humbucking Pickups (Neck/Bridge)
Controls Volume 1. (Neck Pickup),
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),
Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup),
Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Pickup Switching 3-Position Toggle:
Bridge 6-Saddle Strings-Thru-Body Tele Bridge
Machine Heads Standard Die-Cast Tuners
Hardware Chrome
Pickguard 3-Ply Black
Scale Length 25.5??? (648 mm)
Width at Nut 1.650??? (42 mm)
Unique Features Dot Inlays
Accessories None
Introduced 7/2003

What others cosidered bright, was to muddy for me. changed the bridge pickup to a GFS vintage split coil and BOOM, much brighter sound

The guitar I recieved was set up just fine and needed nothing, If your super ANAL don't buy $200 guitar and expect $1200 !!!

Play it live on stage all the time, holds up great.

NA

I've been playing 20+ years and I am secure in my ability to play what ever guitar I get on stage with. Remember apples to apples here people, it costs $200 not $1200.If you can't get on stage and do your thing with a Squier then maybe it's not the guitar.............

Product: Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Custom

Black
(Polyester Finish)
Body Agathis
Neck Maple, C-Shape,
(Gloss Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard Maple, 7.25??? Radius (184 mm) Dot Inlays
No. of Frets 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups 2 Chrome Covered Humbucking Pickups (Neck/Bridge)
Controls Volume 1. (Neck Pickup),
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),
Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup),
Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Pickup Switching 3-Position Toggle:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups
Position 3. Neck Pickup
Bridge 6-Saddle Strings-Thru-Body Tele Bridge
Machine Heads Standard Die-Cast Tuners
Hardware Chrome
Pickguard 3-Ply Black
Scale Length 25.5??? (648 mm)
Width at Nut 1.650??? (42 mm)

From the previous write ups and my own experience, I think this is one that will divide opinion. That or they are extremely inconsistent.

I LOVE the sound on this one. The first thing everyone comments on is how rich it sounds. I've run it through an Epiphone Valve Junior and 100w Marshall (DSL - not mine) - the richness is always there. I've found the front and back pickups to be very distinct tonally. The front is voiced clearly rather than brightly. I was surprised at how bright the back pickup got - it gives my USA Tele Standard a run for it's money (as far as brightness, not character: the Standard wins hands down there). Overall a rich, full, warm sounding guitar that is a joy to play on clean settings and SOOO sweet with overdrive.

The frets hadn't been properly dressed when I got it. Although the ends were smoothed off there was noticeable overhang, particularly at the upper end of the neck.

I had it set up to my own specs anyway as I like fuller strings (Ernie Ball Power Slinky 11's) and a slightly higher than average action.

It was second hand, so I don't know how much Squier were responsible for the other aspects of the set up it had when I got it.

It's light, but it seems pretty robust. The finish seems quite thick and it's poly so it should last.

N/A

I've been playing 30+ years. Play the odd gig now and again. Have some involvement with a community music project. I'm not particular about style although my default setting is probably blues/rock'n'roll. I own:

Danelectro U2 (90's version)
American Standard Telecaster
Gretsch Electromatic Bo Diddley
Epiphone Zephyr Blues Deluxe
Squier Telecaster Special SH
Squier 20th Anniversary Strat
Antoria LP Junior Copy
Washburn Dreadnought
Washburn Parlour

Epiphone Valve Junior
Vox AC30
Marshall TSL 2000
Roland Microcube
Fender Bronco
Peavey Backstage 30


If I lost this I would absolutely replace it in a heartbeat (preferably with the heartbeat of the thief). I am completely in love with it's sound.

See the Fender website for pertinent info..these are made in India of Pine. The $.3 cents an hour labor shows up inthe lack of craftmanship in this shoddily made guitar..only someone who had never ownd a guitar befor would applaud this guitar

This and harsh...who ever heard of using Pine for a tonewood??? Only those making a fuitar for such a cheap price point in sweatshops acroos India employing children would. There is NO sheilding and the wiring would be comical if it wer'nt so dredfull. This guiats sounds like what it is ..mass produced for pennies on the dollar labor in sweatshops....The sound is too harsh and thin to be of any use to anyone except those who have nevere heard a guitar before.

Good luck here! Made in India...need I say more..Intonation is almost unatainble and those who tell you otherwise don't know what intonation is...Tuners are impoosible to keep in tune and the action buzzes across the board where it isn't 2 inches too high. Dead spots all over the neck

Pine ...well it burns wll..but has never (by anyone) ever been considered a tone wood. This guitar would be good for kindling and that's about it.

Where? From India? At this price point do you think Fender cares?

Don't believe the raters that tell you they AB'd it to this or that and have been playing for 30 years...it's much more likely they've been playing for 30 MINUTES. This a horrible guitar for the money..Save your cash for a MIM fender telecaster and get something that has some quality and more imposrtant some QUALITY CONTROL...pass on this hunk of junk a nd get areal guitar. Anyone recomending this has never played a guitar befor and is lying if they say they did.

2007 Model. Ubiquitous Les Paul configuration of H/H pickups, 3-way toggle for neck/both/bridge pickup selection, and each pickup has its own volume and tone control. Agathis body with maple neck and fingerboard, 22 medium jumbo frets, Black paint. Made in Indonesia.

Overall I like the sound of this guitar in stock condition so at this point I don't plan on upgrading any electronics. It doesn't sound like a Paul and it doesn't sound like a Tele, maybe something in between, which is what I was after in the first place. One strike against it is there isn't much difference in the neck pickup and bridge pickup sound wise, only a subtle boost in lows is all when going to the neck pickup. I will deducted two points for that.

Here is where the $199.00 budget price begins to show. Out of the box the action was too high and the intonation was off on every string. I have worked on guitar most of my life so for me it was a minor inconvenience. I grabbed my tools and my tuner and got busy. Immediately I ran into two issues that Fender/Squire needs to address (I hope their people might read this). First the bridge saddle length screws are too long. I had to pull the saddle back on the low E string to get the proper intonation and the screw tip actually reached the string before I had it set right. I had to clip 3/16 off the screw end to allow the saddle to move back far enough to get the intonation set right. Note that the saddle was almost as far back as it would go before intonation was correct on the low E. The rest of the strings didn't need to go back as far for intonation so the screw length was ok on them. Fender, I suggest using shorter screws on ALL saddles! Second issue is the bridge saddle height screws are too long as well, they are 3/8 and only need to be 1/4 (ordered). I was able to lower the string height down to where I like it but the screws tore the hide off my palm. OUCH! The fret ends were ok but not great. Everything else was in good shape. Because of the screw length blunder I give it a 5.

Only had it a few days but it feels pretty solid. I have a Squire Affinity Tele that has held up fine so I expect the same from this one.

Never dealt with the company.

Been playing for 30 years. I own all kinds of nice gear including American made Les Pauls, Strats and a custom built Jackson. For the money the Squire is an incredible value. I first purchased the Affinity series Tele and was very impressed. I am just as impressed with the Vintage Modified on construction and quality but I am disappointed that QC didn't discover the screw situation. I still recommend these guitars but remember you may have to tweak/modify slightly to get them just right.