Squier Affinity Tele Quality

[Trentcaster]

I have a Squier Tele Custom that I love, but I'm looking for a Tele that I can fit the traditional Tele bridge pickup in. The Affinity caught my eye because of the price, and the mostly positive reviews, but I wanted to ask the people that I'm sure would before making a decision.

My plan would probably be to put a Seymour Duncan Broadcaster in the bridge position, and a minihumbucker in the neck position...or possible turn it into an esquire.

Thanks for the help!

[BroadMaster]

Originally Posted by Trentcaster

I have a Squier Tele Custom that I love, but I'm looking for a Tele that I can fit the traditional Tele bridge pickup in. The Affinity caught my eye because of the price, and the mostly positive reviews, but I wanted to ask the people that I'm sure would before making a decision.

My plan would probably be to put a Seymour Duncan Broadcaster in the bridge position, and a minihumbucker in the neck position...or possible turn it into an esquire.

Thanks for the help!

WELCOME to the TDPRI!

Either would be a great mod. Go for it.

[Trentcaster]

Originally Posted by BroadMaster

WELCOME to the TDPRI!

Either would be a great mod. Go for it.

Thanks!

Yeah, the only thing I'm really worried about is fitting a vintage style bridge on it. I've not been able to tell how many screws the current bridge has and where they are.

[Doug Ferguson]

Welcome! The Affinity's are superb modding platforms. I've had mine going on 3 mos and am very happy with it. The neck and body are very good, the frets well set, and stock hardware fine. The stock P/U's are a little weak, but you're planning on changing them anyway. Your mod choices are excellent for this guitar, BTW. As long as you're "under the hood" you might as well repalce the pots, caps, wiring, jack, jack plate, and switch. I put CTS pots in mine, a traditional 3-way switch, heavier jack, and a metal jack plate. The stock plates are plastic and have a tendency to crack. I also darkened the neck to get rid of the blinding whiteness of Squire necks. One thing, try a few and buy the one you like. Watch out for fret sprouts and fret end burrs. In other words, this is not a guitar I'd buy online. Have a great time with your project!

[BroadMaster]

Originally Posted by Trentcaster

Thanks!

Yeah, the only thing I'm really worried about is fitting a vintage style bridge on it. I've not been able to tell how many screws the current bridge has and where they are.

Vintage bridge is a different screw pattern than affinity, IIRC. no matter, fill and drill, (but remember to measure twice, drill once)

[Doug Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Trentcaster

Thanks!

Yeah, the only thing I'm really worried about is fitting a vintage style bridge on it. I've not been able to tell how many screws the current bridge has and where they are.

I'm getting ready to install a vint. bridge today, just as soon as UPS (is supposed) to bring it. The stock bridge has 5 screws, two on top, three on the bottom. I'm going with a dual-load bridge to save having to drill and ferrule through-body stringing. I will tell you, no vint bridge is a drop in replacement. They are shorter and narrower than the stock ones. You will need to drill 5 mounting holes for the new bridge. Some other guys here have done the same or similar mods. You might try typing Squire bidge in the search on the homepage.

[Trentcaster]

Originally Posted by Doug Ferguson

Welcome! The Affinity's are superub modding platforms. I've had mine going on 3 mos and am very happy with it. The neck and body are very good, the frets well set, and stock hardware fine. The stock P/U's are a little weak, but you're planning on changing them anyway. Your mod choices are excellent for this guitar, BTW. As long as you're "under the hood" you might as well repalce the pots, caps, wiring, jack, jack plate, and switch. I put CTS pots in mine, a traditional 3-way switch, heavier jack, and a metal jack plate. The stock plates are plastic and have a tendency to crack. I also darkened the neck to get rid of the blinding whiteness of Squire necks. One thing, try a few and buy the one you like. Watch out for fret sprouts and fret end burrs. In other words, this is not a guitar I'd buy online. Have a great time with your project!

I was planning on pretty much gutting the electronics. I did the same on my Squier Tele Custom by replacing the pots and wiring. I'm glad to hear that the neck and frets don't have any serious problems. I'm not as skilled in doing anything remotely neck related as I'd like to be. Ha!

Originally Posted by BroadMaster

Vintage bridge is a different screw pattern than affinity, IIRC. no matter, fill and drill, (but remember to measure twice, drill once)

Will do! I've got wood filler that I'm using to do some serious mods to my Epiphone Wildkat (getting ridge of the Bigsby and putting a Les Paul Junior style bridge), so that shouldn't be too difficult.

Oh, by the way, that Wilkinson bridge you linked to is exactly the bridge I was planning on installing.

[Cyrithicus]

I've had mine for nearly two years, and I"ve changed the neck twice(by choice, not due to quality) changed the capacitor out, and added a 4-way switch.

I cant be happier, except maybe going back to the maple fretboard...

[wetland10]

I always chuckle when I read things like "it's a great guitar, just change the pickups, caps, jacks, pots, wiring, plates, and the switch)!

Just seems funny when thinking about getting a guitar, unless you want to purposely tinker with it, after al of those changes you would be better off with a MIM Fender.

Wayne

[Squier Esquire]

Originally Posted by Trentcaster

Thanks!

Yeah, the only thing I'm really worried about is fitting a vintage style bridge on it. I've not been able to tell how many screws the current bridge has and where they are.

You will have to drill new holes i did it to mine now i have 3 holes in back of the bridge

[bowlfreshener]

I don't know about the Affinity series, but I know the Standard series Tele body is already routed for a neck humbucker, but I don't know if you would be able to find a vintage style bridge that could drop-in easily and line up with all the ferrules/holes.

[Trentcaster]

Originally Posted by wetland10

I always chuckle when I read things like "it's a great guitar, just change the pickups, caps, jacks, pots, wiring, plates, and the switch)!

Just seems funny when thinking about getting a guitar, unless you want to purposely tinker with it, after al of those changes you would be better off with a MIM Fender.

Wayne

Well, when comes to guitars I can get for under $200, I always think of them as guitars to tinker with.

Originally Posted by bowlfreshener

I don't know about the Affinity series, but I know the Standard series Tele body is already routed for a neck humbucker, but I don't know if you would be able to find a vintage style bridge that could drop-in easily and line up with all the ferrules/holes.

I've looked at a few of these on ebay too. I didn't know they were already routed for a humbucker... Hmmmm...I might be leaning that direction. Less work...at least not routing anyway. I've still got the bridge issue...but that's at least something I have the tools to fix.

[Cyrithicus]

When I pulled mine apart it was a single rout.

[Trentcaster]

Originally Posted by Cyrithicus

When I pulled mine apart it was a single rout.

Back to square one then.

[Doug Ferguson]

Trent, I got the bridge on, and here's a shot of how it looks. (Also put a set of Kluson tuners on because I've always liked Kluson or Kluson-style tuners.) I filled in the stock bridge holes, then dabbed the dried filler with some Reranch Amber Burst I had left over from retoning the neck. It's not perfect; close to you can see the holes have been filled. But it's not noticable at first glance. I'll be giving it another pass anyway. (I'm a bit of a perfectionist .) Anyway, just wanted you to see what a vint-style bridge looked like on a Squire. Keep us posted on your project.

[Trentcaster]

Originally Posted by Doug Ferguson

Trent, I got the bridge on, and here's a shot of how it looks. (Also put a set of Kluson tuners on because I've always liked Kluson or Kluson-style tuners.) I filled in the stock bridge holes, then dabbed the dried filler with some Reranch Amber Burst I had left over from retoning the neck. It's not perfect; close to you can see the holes have been filled. But it's not noticable at first glance. I'll be giving it another pass anyway. (I'm a bit of a perfectionist .) Anyway, just wanted you to see what a vint-style bridge looked like on a Squire. Keep us posted on your project.

Thanks for the pictures! It's actually not as bad as I was expecting, so that's good.

I'll probably start a thread once I get my hands on a good Affinity or Standard.

[drewsblues]

Originally Posted by Doug Ferguson

...Also put a set of Kluson tuners on because I've always liked Kluson or Kluson-style tuners.

Hey there, Doug. Did you have to dowel the tuning peg holes on the headstock to get the Klusons in there? I'm planning on doing the same thing with a Squier Vintage Modified Thinline. Just wondering if it's a simple task (measure, measure, drill screwholes) or something more involved.

Thanks!

-- Drew