Anybody have any info on the new Squire Tele Custom?

[s_brink]

This looks like a fun project guitar for $200. Looks like the old Tele Deluxe, even though they are calling it a Custom.

Doesn't look like the same HB pickups as the ones in the Thinlines, and I'm guessing the body isn't countoured like the old ones at that low a price.

I really haven't played too many Squires off the rack. Heard a few good things about some of the models, but I'm not sure about 'overall' quality and playability marks for the line.

I was thinking with maybe a switchout of at least the bridge pu, this might be a fun little rocker.

Any thoughts?

[Oskar]

and I'm not yet convinced they are that good of a deal. Outside of the bodies, which I thought looked great there was little else to be excited about. The necks looked very cheap, unfinished, and didn't feel very smooth, the frets were not finished off and felt rough on the edges. The tone controls felt loose, and the control switch was so thin it would bend with the slightest movement. They also didn't stay in tune very well. The pickups were okay, but nothing special. I thought the MIM pickups were far superior. I suppose for the price you could get a pretty nice, finished body and then add what you want, but then you would be getting into some serious money after replacing everything. I don't know. I have yet to see many guitars made in either China, Indonesia, or India that I felt were worth the money. Personally I would spend a bit more and get a much better guitar that you could really play and enjoy. I think as a first guitar for someone it wouldn't be bad, but I would never use it as a real player. Just my 2 cents worth.

[s_brink]

Originally Posted by Oskar

and I'm not yet convinced they are that good of a deal.

I was kinda worried about. The price was just too low.

Always seems like I have a gig or two a month that I just don't wanna take the 'good' guitars to. Sept. is a couple hours with the band at a Juvenile Diabetes Research benefit. More than happy to lend my time to the cause, but it's an afternoon outside with kids and clowns and animals and and and ...

Would like to have a Tele like that that would sound and play 'good enough' to get me by.

[Oskar]

My post is purely subjective. There are a number of players here who have found the Squires to be decent guitars. You may play one and feel it's worth the money, especially for gigs that you may be concerned about taking you nicer gits. As I said, for me personally, the Squires don't do much at all.

[buglecorps]

It depends on what you are looking for..while I have played Squires that fit Oskars description, It hasn't been lately (the ones made in the mid '90s were quite bad, and contained all those problems and more!) most of the ones I have checked recently were quite good; given the price point I feel the under $200 models are exceptional... of course like most guitars there can be quite a bit of difference from one to another. I have the budget "Bullet" and it is quite solid, with excellent fret work, firm/solid controls, and a resonable sound. Over the years I have owned many US made guitars..the current Squire is not on the same level, but IS a line of decent playing, good sounding guitars, for very little $$...Intonation on Strats can be a problem..but hardware is much improved, and with a bit of tweaking, the trem is fine for light use..hard tail stuff seems to stay well intune for most purposes..I have played the new "custom" and it is quite a nice guitar, it would make a excellent back up or "chicken screen gig" guitar for a semi pro, and it would be fine for most amateur players as a # 1..I wouldn't buy it planning to do a lot of work..I would agree if you feel the need to spend $4-500 you might as well move up to a $4-500 guitar.

[telefreak]

I would imagine that the quality controll isn't too strict on Squres, you'll get good ones and bad ones. Remember, it wasn't too long ago that Mex Fenders were hit and miss for quality

[Chrismeyer]

the Squires I've played recently have been pretty cool. I want to try one of those BAD! For $200.00,you couldn't go wrong!
There's a post about someone getting a Affinity tele in butterscotch,and he seems to love it.
I say go for it!And tell us the results!

[falar47]

I played one of these at the store but I had just played the mex thinline.The squire felt like a 200$ guitar...

[NashTele]

I played one at a store here in nashville. It sounds and feels great for the money. They had a $200.00 price on it. The quality was good. The funny thing is that I just put it down and was saying that it was the best buy in the house and then this guy picks it up and buys it!

[s_brink]

Originally Posted by NashTele

I played one at a store here in nashville.

What store was that? I'm 'up the road' in Memphis. Was it a GC-type chain?

I checked the catalogs online, and everyone is out of stock. Wasn't sure if the Tele had come out yet, or was just sold out.

Much as a dislike the big chains, it sounds like I better try a few rather than buy one blind of the web.

[rusticman]

i think this new squire is totally cool. and i'm gonna get one as soon as possible. whit a good setup and some tweaking you can make most guitars playable and sound good. i need a cheap humbucker tele and this one is perfect for me.