Squire Affinity Telecasters...

iluvblackfrancis · November 3rd, 2003, 12:48 AM

As of now I have a few guitars, my main guitar being a CIJ 70's reissue Telecaster. For Christmas, I was thinking of asking for a guitar, a very cheap one though, to work on an experiment with. Right now, I'm between the Squire Affinity Tele, and an Epiphone Les Paul jr. I've played Squire Affinity Strats, and they were complete crap. Their necks felt like clay. Just awfull. I've heard good about Squire Teles though. Can anyone give me some info on them? Especially comparing them to the Squire Strats and the Fender Telecasters.
Thanks.

Baard · November 3rd, 2003, 01:55 AM

Had a maple neck, it was very slim, compared to the MIM 50´s classic, but had a nice feeling to it, anyway.. And it sounded good on the bridge pup, for clean. Overdriven it was too noizy and rattly. It was a toploader, 6 saddle bridge, a bit like the AS bridge, but lighter metal. The neck did not sound so good. I was suprised by the feel and the sound of the neck....It felt better than the price should indicate.

Baard

PVTele · November 3rd, 2003, 04:16 AM

I'd always go with the Squier Standard Tele rather than the Affinity. The Standard is a real Telecaster, sounds like a Telecaster, has a proper string-through bridge (6-saddle, which I like, but you could always change it later for a 3-barrel if you prefer), excellent pickups & hardware... read my review on WholeNote http://www.wholenote.com - look under Resources / Equipment / Guitars / Fender / Squier Standard Telecaster.

You can get a Standard Tele for $199-219 (according to finish) as opposed to $169 for the Affinity on Musician's Friend - IMHO that would be the best $30-odd you ever spent... my Std Tele is my favourite guitar ever - and I used to play a '58 Strat, so I know what a real Fender's like! I've had the guitar nearly a year now, and it just gets better and better. I could rave on all day... just read the review!

Colo Springs E · November 3rd, 2003, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PVTele

You can get a Standard Tele for $199-219 (according to finish) as opposed to $169 for the Affinity on Musician's Friend

Standard Teles NEW for $199-$219?!

Are you sure about that??

-Eric

PVTele · November 3rd, 2003, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colo Springs E

Standard Teles NEW for $199-$219?!

Are you sure about that??

-Eric

Squier Standard Teles, that is, Eric! (see subject headline...)

Rob DiStefano · November 3rd, 2003, 08:48 AM

Be aware that the current crop of Squire Tele's have 1-9/16" nut widths = narrow.

esquire_player52 · November 3rd, 2003, 09:23 AM

I bought one over the summer and i love it. I just don't like the color. It has a chip in the paint on the side of the guitar and they sold it to me for like 125. the reason i even looked at affinity though is because strings weren't through the body. I plan on one-day getting a bigsby and i wouldn't need them through the body. i like the narrow nut width its really easy to play and the action is really really low. the A string buzzes just a little on the 2nd fret but its no big deal and the G string rattles but you can't hear it unless your pickin. if i don't get a bigsby i wanna get some barrel style saddles i like those better anyway. But its the only guitar i play. dont even touch my other two anymore. if you wanna experiment then i would suggest buying an even cheaper guitar assuming by experiment you mean like drill holes and add pups.

PVTele · November 3rd, 2003, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Be aware that the current crop of Squire Tele's have 1-9/16" nut widths = narrow.

I like them like that, perhaps because I have long, thin fingers... but if you have chunky fingers you'd be advised to try one first, esp. if you do a lot of 1st position chord work.

Colo Springs E · November 3rd, 2003, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PVTele

Squier Standard Teles, that is, Eric! (see subject headline...)

oh okay, got it!

thrasher · November 3rd, 2003, 11:06 AM

I just bought a Squire Standard Tele (my first electric guitar

)
It's pretty good for the price, I think it would be a good one to fiddle with, like I'm probably going to do when I figure out what the #@&$ is going on

esquire_player52 · November 3rd, 2003, 11:26 AM

what colors do they come in?

PVTele · November 3rd, 2003, 02:05 PM

According to the Squier site:

(500)* 3-Color Sunburst *add $30.00,
(507)* Vintage Blonde *add $30.00,
(509) Candy Apple Red,
(565) Black Metallic,
(Polyurethane Finish)

...but they change them from time to time - mine's Midnight Wine (Fender Color Chart #75) and I've seen them in Sherwood Green (not on the current Fender Color Chart). The black metallic's very nice, and the blonde & sunburst look remarkably like the original article!

The hard poly finish on mine is excellent quality, and has stood up very well to use.

PVTele · November 3rd, 2003, 02:25 PM

I've just discovered it's Squier Color # 546 Sherwood Green Metallic... it's still an option for Strats, so you might well find a green Tele somewhere around if such a thing takes your fancy :?

thrasher · November 3rd, 2003, 02:44 PM

My Squier is called Blonde or something, it's like a beige kinda thing.

(You can see it in my avatar now

)

timgreene · November 3rd, 2003, 03:11 PM

Look at the butterscotch affinity, very nice guitar, light, and has a great neck.

Nut width is one MM, slimmer than standard, pretty minor.

Best 169.00 dollar guitar, ever and has the classic fender utilitarian, proletariat, working mans guitar feel.

The pickups are cheesy, but you said it will be a project guitar, right?

threejohntwo · November 3rd, 2003, 03:30 PM

Mine's Vintage Blonde... beige no yellow, wood grain shows faintly. Kinda cool, but since my last guitar was sunburst, and my son has 2 or 3 sunbursts, my wife is not enamored with this color. Picture located at: http://www.squierguitars.com/gear/gear.php?node_id=2246

sq · November 3rd, 2003, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Be aware that the current crop of Squire Tele's have 1-9/16" nut widths = narrow.

My Squier Fat Tele, which is now gone, measured with dial calipers, 1.575". That is why it is gone. Otherwise it was a wonderful guitar and I miss that part of it, but I chose to concentrate my energy on my Nashville.

Doc · November 3rd, 2003, 10:57 PM

Can't one just drop an aftermarket neck on them?

Dale

Erohver · November 4th, 2003, 06:01 PM

Hi there! This is my first post here. I'm a bassist 99% of the time and I've been known to noodle on my guitarist's Strat. I just bought a Butterscotch Blonde Squire Affinity Tele from a local shop and I love it! I couldn't justify spending $500 + for a guitar I'm not gonna' gig with. I just bought it to learn some chords and participate in the local jam sessions and feel it's a great guitar. I tuned it two days ago and it's still in tune!!!

I may replace the pickups soon but other than that, it's great!

Eric.

0le FUZZY · October 19th, 2005, 08:42 PM

Rather than start a new post I went back tew 2003 and drug this won up.

I gotta tell yew I'm a liddo worried about those of us hoo build Teles and Tele bodies.

I jes spent the afternoon checkin my new won out.

The body is made out of solid wood. Either Alder or Agithis I kant tell.

The bridge iss mag-a-nute-tick and bigger than a standard ashtray type. It could be fitted with an ashtray style but I cee no reason at this time tew dew sew.

A 5 hole blackguard fits jes fine.

The body iss watt I am worried about. With this Tele yew git Knott onlee a lite body but finished. An un-finished body from any of our frens here will cost as much as this complete Tele costs.

The neck issa liddo ruff around the edges but a liddo fine sandpaper onna fret ends wood solve that.

I now can wreck-o-mend this for anyone looking for a TELECASTER on a limited budget and rather than build yer own this won iss the way tew go. [*]The lead P/U iss at a different angle than standard but it looks tew me like an ashtray wood fit with sum hole fillin and mebby a slight route inna cavity.

One BIG suprise was the pots. They are very close tew the 50s outside dimensions. They are knott the tiny wons found on many MIJs and MIKs. Of course the switch iss the cheap plastic won.

Made in China they haff a slab board onna neck but it iss well dunn.

This (IMHO) iss the bess Tele ever made for the price and at jes unner 7 pounds yew git a TELECASTER lookin, playin and soundin guitar that kant be beat.

I am impressed !!

Please visit my page

telesteve · October 20th, 2005, 08:54 AM

I have a butterscotch blonde affinity Tele that I got from MF this summer. First, let me say that I have held (but not played) an Epi LP Jr., and it was very light and the fit and finish were a little rough.

My Tele is nicely finished, and plays great, the neck is almost worth the price. The string-through bridge doesn't seem to be a problem, I don't know how it could sustain any better, but more experienced players may know of other issues affected by this.

The most surprising thing to me is the absolute absence of any pickup hum when plugged in. I may have got a jewel, but my experience has been great. Just for background, I have always played LPs and one strat, which I could never get used to.

eire122 · October 20th, 2005, 09:04 AM

I just bought a Squire Fat Tele from ebay, string through bridge with a Bucker at the neck and a single at the bridge. The hardware is ok but the neck is good and the intonation is right on. The bridge pup sound a bit thin so I might replace it but for $200 bucks its a nice guitar.

teleman53 · October 20th, 2005, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire_player52

what colors do they come in?

look its my old screenname!

msteurbaut · October 20th, 2005, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timgreene

Look at the butterscotch affinity, very nice guitar, light, and has a great neck.

Nut width is one MM, slimmer than standard, pretty minor.

Best 169.00 dollar guitar, ever and has the classic fender utilitarian, proletariat, working mans guitar feel.

The pickups are cheesy, but you said it will be a project guitar, right?

I bought a butterscotch affinity for my daughter. It plays like butter, the neck and the action are perfect for her.

Caper · October 20th, 2005, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Rather than start a new post I went back tew 2003 and drug this won up.

Holy mackerel, you sure did blow the dust off this one.

Quote:

I now can wreck-o-mend this for anyone looking for a TELECASTER on a limited budget and rather than build yer own this won iss the way tew go.

I got caught up in this one, I spent roughly $900 US putting mine together.

Quote:

This (IMHO) iss the bess Tele ever made for the price and at jes unner 7 pounds yew git a TELECASTER lookin, playin and soundin guitar that kant be beat.

That endorsement will sell guitars.

November 3rd, 2003, 12:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
iluvblackfrancis Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: california Posts: 208	Squire Affinity Telecasters... As of now I have a few guitars, my main guitar being a CIJ 70's reissue Telecaster. For Christmas, I was thinking of asking for a guitar, a very cheap one though, to work on an experiment with. Right now, I'm between the Squire Affinity Tele, and an Epiphone Les Paul jr. I've played Squire Affinity Strats, and they were complete crap. Their necks felt like clay. Just awfull. I've heard good about Squire Teles though. Can anyone give me some info on them? Especially comparing them to the Squire Strats and the Fender Telecasters. Thanks. __________________ Take my hand, I'm shaking like milk.

November 3rd, 2003, 01:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Baard Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 668	The one I played Had a maple neck, it was very slim, compared to the MIM 50´s classic, but had a nice feeling to it, anyway.. And it sounded good on the bridge pup, for clean. Overdriven it was too noizy and rattly. It was a toploader, 6 saddle bridge, a bit like the AS bridge, but lighter metal. The neck did not sound so good. I was suprised by the feel and the sound of the neck....It felt better than the price should indicate. Baard __________________ All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

November 3rd, 2003, 04:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
PVTele Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Wool, Dorset, UK Posts: 282	Go for the Squier Standard Telecaster! I'd always go with the Squier Standard Tele rather than the Affinity. The Standard is a real Telecaster, sounds like a Telecaster, has a proper string-through bridge (6-saddle, which I like, but you could always change it later for a 3-barrel if you prefer), excellent pickups & hardware... read my review on WholeNote http://www.wholenote.com - look under Resources / Equipment / Guitars / Fender / Squier Standard Telecaster. You can get a Standard Tele for $199-219 (according to finish) as opposed to $169 for the Affinity on Musician's Friend - IMHO that would be the best $30-odd you ever spent... my Std Tele is my favourite guitar ever - and I used to play a '58 Strat, so I know what a real Fender's like! I've had the guitar nearly a year now, and it just gets better and better. I could rave on all day... just read the review! __________________ The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord - Isaiah 38:20

November 3rd, 2003, 09:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
esquire_player52 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 482	love mine I bought one over the summer and i love it. I just don't like the color. It has a chip in the paint on the side of the guitar and they sold it to me for like 125. the reason i even looked at affinity though is because strings weren't through the body. I plan on one-day getting a bigsby and i wouldn't need them through the body. i like the narrow nut width its really easy to play and the action is really really low. the A string buzzes just a little on the 2nd fret but its no big deal and the G string rattles but you can't hear it unless your pickin. if i don't get a bigsby i wanna get some barrel style saddles i like those better anyway. But its the only guitar i play. dont even touch my other two anymore. if you wanna experiment then i would suggest buying an even cheaper guitar assuming by experiment you mean like drill holes and add pups. __________________ let's let love give what it gives

November 3rd, 2003, 11:06 AM	#10 (permalink)
thrasher Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 587	I just bought a Squire Standard Tele (my first electric guitar ) It's pretty good for the price, I think it would be a good one to fiddle with, like I'm probably going to do when I figure out what the #@&$ is going on __________________ The people laughed till she said, "BURN!"

November 3rd, 2003, 08:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 62 Posts: 4,589	Be aware that the current crop of Squire Tele's have 1-9/16" nut widths = narrow.

November 3rd, 2003, 11:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
esquire_player52 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 482	colors? what colors do they come in? __________________ let's let love give what it gives

November 3rd, 2003, 02:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
PVTele Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Wool, Dorset, UK Posts: 282	Colors? According to the Squier site: (500)* 3-Color Sunburst add $30.00, (507) Vintage Blonde *add $30.00, (509) Candy Apple Red, (565) Black Metallic, (Polyurethane Finish) ...but they change them from time to time - mine's Midnight Wine (Fender Color Chart #75) and I've seen them in Sherwood Green (not on the current Fender Color Chart). The black metallic's very nice, and the blonde & sunburst look remarkably like the original article! The hard poly finish on mine is excellent quality, and has stood up very well to use. __________________ The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord - Isaiah 38:20

November 3rd, 2003, 02:25 PM	#13 (permalink)
PVTele Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Wool, Dorset, UK Posts: 282	Sherwood Green I've just discovered it's Squier Color # 546 Sherwood Green Metallic... it's still an option for Strats, so you might well find a green Tele somewhere around if such a thing takes your fancy :? __________________ The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord - Isaiah 38:20

November 3rd, 2003, 02:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
thrasher Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 587	My Squier is called Blonde or something, it's like a beige kinda thing. (You can see it in my avatar now )

November 3rd, 2003, 03:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
timgreene Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,238 10 Photos	Look at the butterscotch affinity, very nice guitar, light, and has a great neck. Nut width is one MM, slimmer than standard, pretty minor. Best 169.00 dollar guitar, ever and has the classic fender utilitarian, proletariat, working mans guitar feel. The pickups are cheesy, but you said it will be a project guitar, right?

November 3rd, 2003, 03:30 PM	#16 (permalink)
threejohntwo Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 137	Mine's Vintage Blonde... beige no yellow, wood grain shows faintly. Kinda cool, but since my last guitar was sunburst, and my son has 2 or 3 sunbursts, my wife is not enamored with this color. Picture located at: http://www.squierguitars.com/gear/gear.php?node_id=2246

November 3rd, 2003, 10:57 PM	#18 (permalink)
Doc Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: South Dakota Posts: 900	Can't one just drop an aftermarket neck on them? Dale

November 4th, 2003, 06:01 PM	#19 (permalink)
Erohver NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 6	Hi there! This is my first post here. I'm a bassist 99% of the time and I've been known to noodle on my guitarist's Strat. I just bought a Butterscotch Blonde Squire Affinity Tele from a local shop and I love it! I couldn't justify spending $500 + for a guitar I'm not gonna' gig with. I just bought it to learn some chords and participate in the local jam sessions and feel it's a great guitar. I tuned it two days ago and it's still in tune!!! I may replace the pickups soon but other than that, it's great! Eric.

October 19th, 2005, 08:42 PM	#20 (permalink)
0le FUZZY Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kolly-forn-knee-ya Posts: 10,001 6 Photos	The Squier Affinity Tele Rather than start a new post I went back tew 2003 and drug this won up. I gotta tell yew I'm a liddo worried about those of us hoo build Teles and Tele bodies. I jes spent the afternoon checkin my new won out. The body is made out of solid wood. Either Alder or Agithis I kant tell. The bridge iss mag-a-nute-tick and bigger than a standard ashtray type. It could be fitted with an ashtray style but I cee no reason at this time tew dew sew. A 5 hole blackguard fits jes fine. The body iss watt I am worried about. With this Tele yew git Knott onlee a lite body but finished. An un-finished body from any of our frens here will cost as much as this complete Tele costs. The neck issa liddo ruff around the edges but a liddo fine sandpaper onna fret ends wood solve that. I now can wreck-o-mend this for anyone looking for a TELECASTER on a limited budget and rather than build yer own this won iss the way tew go. []The lead P/U iss at a different angle than standard but it looks tew me like an ashtray wood fit with sum hole fillin and mebby a slight route inna cavity. One BIG* suprise was the pots. They are very close tew the 50s outside dimensions. They are knott the tiny wons found on many MIJs and MIKs. Of course the switch iss the cheap plastic won. Made in China they haff a slab board onna neck but it iss well dunn. This (IMHO) iss the bess Tele ever made for the price and at jes unner 7 pounds yew git a TELECASTER lookin, playin and soundin guitar that kant be beat. I am impressed !! Please visit my page

October 20th, 2005, 08:54 AM	#21 (permalink)
telesteve Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alabama Age: 47 Posts: 127	I have a butterscotch blonde affinity Tele that I got from MF this summer. First, let me say that I have held (but not played) an Epi LP Jr., and it was very light and the fit and finish were a little rough. My Tele is nicely finished, and plays great, the neck is almost worth the price. The string-through bridge doesn't seem to be a problem, I don't know how it could sustain any better, but more experienced players may know of other issues affected by this. The most surprising thing to me is the absolute absence of any pickup hum when plugged in. I may have got a jewel, but my experience has been great. Just for background, I have always played LPs and one strat, which I could never get used to.

October 20th, 2005, 09:04 AM	#22 (permalink)
eire122 TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston, Ma Age: 50 Posts: 68	Squire Fat Tele I just bought a Squire Fat Tele from ebay, string through bridge with a Bucker at the neck and a single at the bridge. The hardware is ok but the neck is good and the intonation is right on. The bridge pup sound a bit thin so I might replace it but for $200 bucks its a nice guitar.