Squier Affinity vs Squire Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster

[valvestate]

Hi,

I'm mostly a Strat guy but I wanted to have just one Telecaster in my collection and mostly be using for some jams and sometimes Church band usage. I saw these nice Butterscotch color that I like that I'm considering to purchase.

Is it really worth the higher price tag that the CV 50s has knowing that I'll still be mostly using my Strat? I had a MIJ Fender Tele before that I really did not bond with due to lightweight, buzzes and also noisy on stage with its stock PUPs. I dunno if I will have the same experience with the Affinity model but of course, I also want to purchase that I will also be happy with and not waste my money.

Squier Affinity Telecaster 2022 model - $205

Squire Classic Vibe 50s - $345

Btw, the guy selling the CV 50s also somewhat willing to trade for my rare Korean made Ibanez SAS32FM which is fully modified. Not using that much but it has lots of memories and I think it is worth more than his Telecaster. What do you guys think?

Please advice. Thanks!

 

[Mimmo_CVC]

If you are not in a hurry, try to get a Squier CV MIC Tele, it should go for the same price as the one above (around 350$) and, to be more specific, a white blond with alnico3 pickups. IMHO of course... But I'll keep the Korean Ibanez too!

 

[dswo]

That Ibanez looks nicer than the CVs I've handled.

My impression of the difference between CV and Affinity:
- Pickups will be different. You might prefer one or the other.
- The CV tuners will feel smoother.
- The CV frets will be smoother.

There will be other differences, too, but I think those are the ones you'll notice when playing.

 

[jvin248]

.

I generally go after Affinity/Bullet Squiers for the cost (and lately, for cost, there are the Harley Bentons and Glarry and Eart and a few others with lower prices and some upgraded hardware). Fender has Squier carve necks too skinny, and often inconsistently, where I've found I like chunky necks -- so the clone brands do a better job copying the MIA Fenders and have become much more appealing for me if chasing price.

Once you get into the CV to MIJ models I prefer just getting a MIM Player Series (used for a lower price).

MIJs are risky due so many factory variations that most don't know how to spot fakes or partscasters -- so you think you have a MIJ but it's a MIJ neck on an Affinity loaded body.

I'd keep your Ibanez, maybe trade that for the MIM Tele.

When you get a Tele ... I'd wire it with a 4-way switch for series humbucking tones so you have a stealth Les Paul Junior.

So summarizing: if go low cost get a Harley Benton (TE-52 on Thomann) or Glarry (Amazon) and if reaching for mid-market get a used MIM Player Series.

.

 

[Boreas]

I have not had a "new" Affinity in my hands yet. The old ones were solid instruments, but usually required fret dressing prior to setup. Typically paler necks. You won't go wrong with either. Even Bullets are a solid instrument. Weak link in Bullets/Affinities is the selector switch, IMO.

 

[1 21 gigawatts]

The biggest difference between the Affinity and CV is the bridge. The CV is the only Squier with the vintage ashtray bridge. The newest Affinity (not the one shown) is string through and uses the MIM style bridge plate. This should allow for an ashtray swap which is not possible with the previous version of the Affinity or Bullet.

This may or may not be important to you, but it is probably the one thing that you can't change on a Squier tele if you get the "wrong" one.

 

[valvestate]

The biggest difference between the Affinity and CV is the bridge. The CV is the only Squier with the vintage ashtray bridge. The newest Affinity (not the one shown) is string through and uses the MIM style bridge plate. This should allow for an ashtray swap which is not possible with the previous version of the Affinity or Bullet.

This may or may not be important to you, but it is probably the one thing that you can't change on a Squier tele if you get the "wrong" one.

Are the 'ash tray' look much better or just aesthetics? I personally would like to have a more vintage look but then as long as the sound doesn't affect much in regular style bridge plate.

 

[valvestate]

.

I generally go after Affinity/Bullet Squiers for the cost (and lately, for cost, there are the Harley Bentons and Glarry and Eart and a few others with lower prices and some upgraded hardware). Fender has Squier carve necks too skinny, and often inconsistently, where I've found I like chunky necks -- so the clone brands do a better job copying the MIA Fenders and have become much more appealing for me if chasing price.

Once you get into the CV to MIJ models I prefer just getting a MIM Player Series (used for a lower price).

MIJs are risky due so many factory variations that most don't know how to spot fakes or partscasters -- so you think you have a MIJ but it's a MIJ neck on an Affinity loaded body.

I'd keep your Ibanez, maybe trade that for the MIM Tele.

When you get a Tele ... I'd wire it with a 4-way switch for series humbucking tones so you have a stealth Les Paul Junior.

So summarizing: if go low cost get a Harley Benton (TE-52 on Thomann) or Glarry (Amazon) and if reaching for mid-market get a used MIM Player Series.

.

Thank you.

yes, the MIJ I previously had feels really light and overall cheap. Total let down since I have an MIJ Stratocaster that can match any custom shop out there with near perfect setup and quality.

 

[ronzhd]

If it is within your budget, go with the CV. The affinity is not a bad guitar, they are a bit smaller over all in the body, width or thickness primarily. The electronics and the tuners are a bit better as well on the CV.

 

[Billy3]

Whatever you do.... keep the Ibanez.

 

[dougbgt6]

I bought an Affinity, I preferred the bridge, more comfortable under my hand once I'd swapped to shorter screws. Also I had a spare set of Classic Vibe pickups I'd tried on a partscaster. I put the CVs on the Affinity, the bridge pickup was different, but not much, difficult to choose, but I went with the CV. The neck pick up however was very much better, warmer, and both together a great tone.

CV pickups cost me £40, cost difference between the guitars, currently around £150.

And yes, the switch is a bit scratchy, but I can fix that, Grigsby is £17.

Doug

 

[danielreid27]

I'd keep your Ibanez /go with the CV
or

 

[Hodgo88]

Keep the Ibanez sell a Strat buy the CV

 

[1 21 gigawatts]

Are the 'ash tray' look much better or just aesthetics? I personally would like to have a more vintage look but then as long as the sound doesn't affect much in regular style bridge plate.

The 6 saddle bridge is arguably better (easier to intonate, more comfortable), but a vintage 3 barrel bridge is part of what make a Tele a Tele (in my opinion). A vintage bridge is a must-have for me.

Squier and Fender sell an awful lot of teles with modern style bridges though, so obviously, everyone doesn't share my opinion...

 

[bgmacaw]

This Indio Monoprice T-style has been pretty good for $60. After having it a while, I've been able to dial in the neck pickup where I like it better than I did in my initial impression of it.

As for the guitars you mentioned, the CV is a better overall guitar and has a more vintage feel and sound to it. I guess you'll have to decide how important that is to you since some people favor that while others either don't or don't care. I wouldn't trade away that Ibanez for a CV though.

 

[valvestate]

I found another one for $306 but this time it is a Made in China Classic Vibe. Seller said that it was originally Butterscotch color but it turned to cream over the years.

Is this much better? I kinda wanted the Butterscotch color ...

 

[valvestate]

This Indio Monoprice T-style has been pretty good for $60. After having it a while, I've been able to dial in the neck pickup where I like it better than I did in my initial impression of it.

View attachment 1052087


As for the guitars you mentioned, the CV is a better overall guitar and has a more vintage feel and sound to it. I guess you'll have to decide how important that is to you since some people favor that while others either don't or don't care. I wouldn't trade away that Ibanez for a CV though.

Thanks! Yeah, I figured and others also agree to just keep it for now, I don't think it is a fair trade

That guitar looks awesome!

 

[joe_cpwe]

My first Tele was Affinity and it was totally fine. I did put some Fender pickups in it which was nice, then pulled them and restored to stock when I sold it and bought a used 60s Baja Tele.

The Affinity is good gateway. Once you're hooked...you'll get a nicer one.

If going Classic Vibe, I also like the white 50s model with the alnico 3 pickups

 

[bender66]

The current Affinity necks felt like my Squier '51. On the fatter side, chunkier than my CV's.

 

[LutherBurger]

If the Affinity pictured is a 2022, it's a strange one. It appears to have an older model's sealed tuners, so it might also have the old, weird, difficult to string, top-loading bridge.

I'd look for a 2022 that was assembled with sealed spilt-shaft tuners, string-through body, and 4-screw bridge. Check the Affinity photos at Fender's website to see what I mean. (EDIT: I just looked at Fender's site myself, and the Affinity pictured there now has a Bullet-style 5-screw bridge instead of the MIM-style 4-screw bridge. I can't keep up with these changes.)

Oh... and keep the Ibanez