Squier Affinity or Fender MIM

[B.J.TELE]

To those who have owned, or may presently own both a Squier Affinity and Fender standard MIM tele. The Squier is a top loader, has a 1/4" thinner body, ceramic pickups,and slightly cheaper hardware and electronics. The Fender is string through body, has the full body thickness, slightly hotter ceramic pickups,and slightly upgraded hardware and electronics.

The Squier is street priced at $179.00 and the Fender at $499.00. Given a good model of each, is the $320.00 difference justifiable or worth it for the Fender: in sound; hardware; woods; craftsmanship etc.? Also, I've heard that the MIM's pickups can be inconsistent; is that true? Opinions on all this?! Thanks!

 

[Warm Gums]

The MIM is much closer to Fenders original design, The Affinity is a budget guitar that does a nice job of giving you a taste of Teledom. There is a noticible difference in finish quality, and "feel" between the two. Having said that I'm not a big fan of the MIM standards, I believe you can get a guitar that does a much better job of capturing the old school Fender feel and keep a few dollars in pocket..

For Fender product on a budget I would go for the middle ground and shoot for a Squier Standard;very much like a MIM standard for less money, much less money if you can find a clean used one. (probably less than a new Affinity) The Squier CV is also a great guitar that really nails the vintage Tele thing.

Another option especially if you prefer to have FENDER on the pointy end, would be a more upscale MIM offering, purchased second hand. I have a MIM Esquire that is a excellent guitar, I bought it used for the price of a new CV! If you prefer new, the extra $2-300 that such a guitar would cost new is IMHO money well spent, they really cop the feel of classic Fender production.
BTW..If you decide that the Affinity is the way to go, take a look at the SX offering from Rondo, some nice things there in that price range..

 

[portugal]

It all depends. If you're looking for a guitar to really last, I would go with the MIM. I had a Squire and the quality wasn't very good. Now, I have a 92 MIM Standard that I love.


If I were in your spot (which I was about a month ago) I would buy a MIM standard used. I picked mine up shipped for $250. So, do a little searching and I'm sure you can find a great deal!

 

[aunchaki]

I own both a Squier Affinity and a MIM Standard Tele. When deciding between the two, a lot depends on your desire (and ability) to tinker with guitars. Do you want to buy a guitar as leave it as "it is," or do you have a hankerin' to swap out switches, pots, pickups, etc...

Affinitys make great modding platforms. The necks are a tiny bit narrower at the nut, and some can't stand this. Frankly, I don't notice it. I play a variety of electric and acoustic instruments (4, 5, 6 & 12 stringed), each with a different neck. I don't really register the difference in my mind or fingers. Some disagree (and you are welcome to). I like my Affinity neck quite a bit. I've done a lot of my first guitar mods on my Affinity (taking a router to the body to add a P-90, electronics swaps, etc...).

I got my 1995 MIM used (with a pretty good "relic job" on it) for $119 at GC! With the thicker body, it's got more heft than my Affinity and I love the way it looks and plays. The Fender neck had been played so much by its previous owner that it needs new frets. I wanted a cool 1960s Mike Bloomfield look, so I found a Squier rosewood neck, which it sports to this day. I may try to re-fret the stock maple neck myself one day.

I'm a tinkerer, so I've swapped pickups and electronics on both Teles over the years. I'm about to make an Esquire out of my Affinity (just for a change).

So, my thoughts... I strongly suggest looking for a USED guitar. You can get a LOT more bang for your buck (and more mojo, too). Also, a good compromise between the Affinity and the MIM Standard is the Squier Standard Tele: full body thickness, nicer pickups, string-through body. I sometimes wish I'd found the extra $40 to get one of these instead of my Affinity (I was hooked by the butterscotch blond finish, which I'm planning on painting over now).

Think about what features you "really" prize, then weigh how hard or easy it is to upgrade to them later. Swapping electronics? Easy. Vintage bridge? Harder (if you have to drill holes). String-through body? Harder still. Get the guitar which has the feature you like that are HARDEST to add later.

Also, as will doubtless be mentioned, play them (if you have the luxury of local music stores). Your guitar may "pick you" instead of the other way around. It happened to me once. If it happens, GET THAT GUITAR.

If I were NOT interested in upgrading anything, I'd probably look for a used MIM on Craigslist. They can usually be found for $250-$300. If I were a modder, it's a toss-up. The Affinity starts as a great low-price instrument. It can be turned into an awesome player (with some time and money).

Good luck on your quest!

 

[Rolling Estonian]

The MIM over the last few years generally have been much better than the previous years. My general rule is buy the best product you can afford, this applies to not only guitars but pretty much anything.....

The Squires are okay, but for $179 you do get what you pay for. Pretty much every Affinity I've ever picked up has had some issues. Some less than others, but issues nonetheless.

Having said all of that, it's all about the individual guitar and how it sounds and feels to you. Some swear by their Squires, MIM's, MIA's etc.

Oh, MIM are easier to mod in that they're standard size and shape. The Affinity is a bit different.

Good luck and keep us posted.

M

 

[krispynoodlez]

You should be able to find a MIM on craigslist for around 250-300, this would be your best bet imo.. you'd have a great platform for upgrading (Fender parts, especially pickguards may not fit a Squier too well) and the older MIM's (pre 2005/6?) have alnico pickups, though you can easily swap those out as well (I recently bought a set of Am Std pickups including the delta tone "no load" pots for $15 off craigslist)

 

[electrablue]

I have a Squier Strat and MIM Strats and Teles. In my opinion, the quality of build and parts is better on the MIMs. I would go with the MIM.

 

[musicmatty]

One thing to keep in mind is this..the Squires other than the CV series, does not accept other bridges. Should you decide to go with a Vintage Bridge at some point, it won't happen without some BS surgery. Also, I believe there are other issues in regards to swapping out parts for other Fender parts..for some reason, they are not a standard fit...such as necks in such.

If you want a truly great Guitar that will accept Fender parts with ease and is every bit on par with any non Custom shop Fender axe..go for the Xavier guitar..even the stock pups are above the MIM stock ones. Not to say that you will like the pups on the Xavier, but you can replace them for any pups with the Mula you will be saving. Xavier has mucho more colour options with maple or rosewood necks than the Squires. If you can get over the Logo issue of whats on the headstock, than you are a wise guitar player. Don't buy into the propaganda that if you pay more you Get more...haven't we all been down that road of farse wisdom Check out this link..this axe is beautiful and it's a Bound body at that
http://www.guitarfetish.com/XV-835-Flamed-Maple-Solid-Woods-Fully-Bound_c_222.html

 

[LiamDalmon]

MIM any day of the week. Especially if you can get your hands on a used one. I'm not saying Affinitys are carp but the ones the kids I teach use aren't a patch on my MIM!

 

[viking]

If the choice is between those two models , no question that the MIM will be a lot more ready for serious use.
The Affinity as said , is a great modding platform.
Almost nothing fits from the normal vintage models , apart from the neck.
Nut is narrow , and if you have fat fingers like me ,its not easy to live with.
Bridge design cant be easily changed , and the bridge pu isnt as slanted as on the normal Teles.
Its no secret that I am very fond of my CV(C) Teles , so I will encourage you to check them out as well.....

 

[B.J.TELE]

Further insight on Squier.. Fender decision

Hey thanks for all the great tips and insight! It gives me a lot to think about. The Squier Standard did get my attention in the past but I brushed it by because it's only available with a rosewood neck(nothing wrong with that, but I'm big on complex chords and maple gives me the clarity). I have a MIM standard strat and compared it to the same finish and model of an American Standard strat and IMO they can have the extra $600.00 or so. Mine even felt heavier. I'm wondering if this crosses over to the tele line?

Keep those good tips coming! Thanks!

 

[FenderGuy53]

Absolute no brainer. MIM Standard. Game - Set - Match.

 

[robb3566]

Absolute no brainer. MIM Standard. Game - Set - Match.

Definitely. Especially a used MIM, because it's a Fender, and like someone said, you can pick them up regularly in the $250 range. They're well-made, solid guitars for the money.

The Affinity is the lowest end of the Squier line. Unless you're ready to do a lot of modding, I'd go with the Mexican Fender.

 

[oramac7891]

play em both. the right one will find you.

 

[ktwilli]

I had a Squier Protone, with the natural body and the red pearloid pick guard and the front humbucker. I let it go and wish I never did. It was a very good guitar. I also had the squier affinity and it had its charm also, I let it go and I do miss it also. Ill have to say that I liked the thinner body of the Affinity my back was very happy with it.

 

[mtjo62]

It isn't really a realistic comparison. The Standard, VM and CV series are closer. There is a reason you don't see many used Standards as most people keep them. There is much more bang for your buck in the entry level market, under $200, with the SX and Xavier Teles. These are known quantities.

 

[LeftyAl]

Like oramac7891 says the right one will find you I have an affinity $179 I'm satisfied with it I won't even change it If you really want an MIM you just look around You should be able to find one used

 

[LeftyAl]

AUNCHAKI don't paint that blonde tele give it to me!!!!! If the wood is nice I would never paint it.

 

[ADK Teleman]

I am sold on the MIMs....I so love my MIM Tele it is amazing! I will never get rid of this guitar!!!

 

[boris bubbanov]

The Squier is street priced at $179.00 and the Fender at $499.00.

You should check out used examples of either. The Affinity BSB should be found for $ 100 and the MIM for $ 250. I prefer the MIM.

In other words, don't you dare pay $ 500 for a MIM Standard it is not necessary. Not even in Canada is it necessary, btw.