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Homeside · April 30th, 2012, 10:28 AM

Hi there,

Returning to the guitar after a 20 year gap playing other instruments and am stuck for which tele to settle for to get back into the groove.

The Affinity is very affordable, but I do worry about the build quality.
I like the Classic Vibe 50 a lot, especially for the glossy thick neck, but hate its insipid finishes. They look so thin and I fear they will wear off in a jiffy.
The Made In Mexico is OK; a solid workhorse unit, but quite expensive down-under (cheapest new is about $700 USD!)
Then there's the Fender Modern Player series; really well made pieces. However the pickups on both models (Plus and Thinline), although awesome sounding, just don't seem regulation telecaster enough, but I can be convinced otherwise.
Finally on the short list is the Squier Vintage Modified Thinline; a semi-acoustic like the Modern Player, but with standard tele pickups. Yumm!

I was almost ready to pull the trigger on that last one in shoreline gold, but am unsure if its shorter rosewood neck (24.75" as opposed to 25.5") is going to affect the "telecaster sound".

Any advice would be welcome.

Cheers!

Andy Summers · April 30th, 2012, 10:32 AM

You cant go wrong with the CVs.

Andy Summers · April 30th, 2012, 10:34 AM

Also, may I recommend the Squier Custom with P90s..My friend has one, and its beautiful to look at and a pleasure to play. And the sound is fantastic...This may fall in your category of "not regulation telecaster enough", but I would highly recommend it.

DannyBigShots · April 30th, 2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Summers

You cant go wrong with the CVs.

+1

caferacer · April 30th, 2012, 10:39 AM

find a good used standard MIM if you can before settling for a squire
the squires are nice if you can't find a Fender at your price point though
and you could always trade it in on a Fender later

Homeside · April 30th, 2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Summers

Also, may I recommend the Squier Custom with P90s..My friend has one, and its beautiful to look at and a pleasure to play. And the sound is fantastic...This may fall in your category of "not regulation telecaster enough", but I would highly recommend it.

Hey, nice. Looks like a solid-body version of the Fender Modern Player Thinline.

Andy Summers · April 30th, 2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeside

Hey, nice. Looks like a solid-body version of the Fender Modern Player Thinline.

Yeah...and Squier or not...its a wonderful guitar. Im thinking of getting one myself..

Homeside · April 30th, 2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caferacer

find a good used standard MIM if you can before settling for a squire
the squires are nice if you can't find a Fender at your price point though
and you could always trade it in on a Fender later

Unfortunately, here in Sydney good used MIM's are almost as expensive, or even more so, than brand new. Go figure...

Homeside · April 30th, 2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Summers

Yeah...and Squier or not...its a wonderful guitar. Im thinking of getting one myself..

Must admit the P90's are great sounding.

Homeside · April 30th, 2012, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Summers

You cant go wrong with the CVs.

Don't misunderstand me. I think these are great value for money, but the finishes are a turn off.

gwjensen · April 30th, 2012, 10:59 AM

Nothing wrong with used. More bang for your buck in many cases. CV's are great guitars. I have two myself. I prefer the the pups in the CV50 over the CV50 BSB (A3s vs A5s). I find the necks are very much on the thin side. As for the finish, it seems to be on there pretty thick. Too thick, really. I took a fine grit sanding pad to buff down the gloss for a satin finish. Big improvement, IMO.

Andy Summers · April 30th, 2012, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeside

Don't misunderstand me. I think these are great value for money, but the finishes are a turn off.

You gotta go with what you like..how about a CV Custom

Homeside · April 30th, 2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Summers

You gotta go with what you like..how about a CV Custom

I like the look of the binding. Classy.

Andy Summers · April 30th, 2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeside

I like the look of the binding. Classy.

And they are VERY nice!!

Homeside · April 30th, 2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwjensen

Nothing wrong with used. More bang for your buck in many cases. CV's are great guitars. I have two myself. I prefer the the pups in the CV50 over the CV50 BSB (A3s vs A5s). I find the necks are very much on the thin side. As for the finish, it seems to be on there pretty thick. Too thick, really. I took a fine grit sanding pad to buff down the gloss for a satin finish. Big improvement, IMO.

Must agree with your assessment of the CV 50s. The Vintage Blonde sounded and looked way better than the BSB.

Homeside · April 30th, 2012, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Summers

And they are VERY nice!!

Thanks, I'll try and track one down to check it out.

Andy Summers · April 30th, 2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeside

Thanks, I'll try and track one down to check it out.

Nice!! keep us posted

Homeside · April 30th, 2012, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Summers

Nice!! keep us posted

Will do if I find one. Need to see that mint green pickguard up close and personal.

Homeside · April 30th, 2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyBigShots

+1

I think I may agree in the end...

Mike_LA · April 30th, 2012, 11:33 AM

Well, I own over 20 instruments and once I got my CVC I put alll of them back in the closet and bought another CVC. Now they are the only ones I play everyday. I HATE stuff from China, poorly built, arrives broken, but Fender always made inexpensive stuff and they got it right on these. If they are too expensive where you are try ebay perhaps.
Best of luck

April 30th, 2012, 10:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Homeside TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 37	Help me choose an axe! Hi there, Returning to the guitar after a 20 year gap playing other instruments and am stuck for which tele to settle for to get back into the groove. The Affinity is very affordable, but I do worry about the build quality. I like the Classic Vibe 50 a lot, especially for the glossy thick neck, but hate its insipid finishes. They look so thin and I fear they will wear off in a jiffy. The Made In Mexico is OK; a solid workhorse unit, but quite expensive down-under (cheapest new is about $700 USD!) Then there's the Fender Modern Player series; really well made pieces. However the pickups on both models (Plus and Thinline), although awesome sounding, just don't seem regulation telecaster enough, but I can be convinced otherwise. Finally on the short list is the Squier Vintage Modified Thinline; a semi-acoustic like the Modern Player, but with standard tele pickups. Yumm! I was almost ready to pull the trigger on that last one in shoreline gold, but am unsure if its shorter rosewood neck (24.75" as opposed to 25.5") is going to affect the "telecaster sound". Any advice would be welcome. Cheers! __________________ Fender. It's all good!

April 30th, 2012, 10:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
caferacer Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: phila pa Posts: 1,125	find a good used standard MIM if you can before settling for a squire the squires are nice if you can't find a Fender at your price point though and you could always trade it in on a Fender later __________________ four on the floor, and a fifth in my hand gonna ROCK&ROLL ya to the promised land

April 30th, 2012, 11:33 AM	#20 (permalink)
Mike_LA Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Just past 11 on the Dial Posts: 598	Well, I own over 20 instruments and once I got my CVC I put alll of them back in the closet and bought another CVC. Now they are the only ones I play everyday. I HATE stuff from China, poorly built, arrives broken, but Fender always made inexpensive stuff and they got it right on these. If they are too expensive where you are try ebay perhaps. Best of luck __________________ Too Many Guitars, Too Little Time . . .

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Forum Sponsor Sponsored posting Join Date: March, 2003 Location: Forum HQ Posts: N/A	Sponsored by...

April 30th, 2012, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
Andy Summers Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT Age: 41 Posts: 2,488	You cant go wrong with the CVs.

April 30th, 2012, 10:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
Andy Summers Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT Age: 41 Posts: 2,488	Also, may I recommend the Squier Custom with P90s..My friend has one, and its beautiful to look at and a pleasure to play. And the sound is fantastic...This may fall in your category of "not regulation telecaster enough", but I would highly recommend it.

April 30th, 2012, 10:59 AM	#11 (permalink)
gwjensen Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Springfield Virginia Posts: 1,139	Nothing wrong with used. More bang for your buck in many cases. CV's are great guitars. I have two myself. I prefer the the pups in the CV50 over the CV50 BSB (A3s vs A5s). I find the necks are very much on the thin side. As for the finish, it seems to be on there pretty thick. Too thick, really. I took a fine grit sanding pad to buff down the gloss for a satin finish. Big improvement, IMO.

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