"Squier Affinity Telecaster: A Price/Quality Masterpiece!"
Feature:
Everything about this guitar is first rate, the machines, the frets. The selector switch needs to be contact-cleaned once in a while and I actually had to put in a small shim to help align the switch contacts once but I think they have 'worn in' now -- no problem. The only feature I sort of wish it had was the 'string-through', but doing that might even have resulted in TOO much high end...
Quality:
I rely heavily on my Affinity Telecaster, and it was love at first sight -- the Baltic blue finish was impeccably applied, the maple neck smooth and sensuous to the touch! I don't worry about it breaking, it handles the normal inevitable clashes with walls and tables and gravity quite well and there are, after five years now, no dings on the body! There is a tiny, unexplained little 1" groove on the back of the neck, as if someone had a hellacious thumbnail! I think of it as a rugged, dependable piece of gear that performs way, way better than you would expect for such a low price.
Value:
This guitar was one of the most intelligent purchases I ever made! It actually gave me some anxiety, to tell you the truth, because in the price vs. quality arena, the U.S. manufacturers are clearly being taken to school here, if you know what I mean....
Desirability:
Electric guitars are among the sexiest inventions of all time, to me, anyway -- they are a running Freudian nightmare, actually -- and my Affinity Telecaster, with its clean, sharp-edged look and its sheer functionality makes me proud to escort it onstage. (I'm proud to be seen with her!)
Sound:
This guitar will do anything you can imagine as a guitarist! It has outrageous! high end harmonics, but can sound like a straight-up acoustic on the front pickup too. It has miles of sustain, and a very broad spectrum of available tones. Super-clean when plugged directly into your amp (I use an old Peavey 160-watt combo amp driving a Black Widow 12), it works well with 9 out of 10 stomp boxes and multi-effects pedals too. I use it for live shows and in about half of the stuff my band records. My Affinity Tele is reliable and versatile to the max; the only caveats being that you must adjust the truss rod and string saddles accurately and patiently, and maintenance the guitar regularly (take good care of it!)I play classic rock, blues, doowop, covers, originals -- like I said, this axe does it all, I just love it. Baltic Blue.
Ease of Use:
The telecaster is inherently easy to use, it's practically 'stone-age' as electric guitars go. My Affinity is a true plug and play instrument. It stays in tune very well, once it has been 'played in'. It is as trouble-free as an electric guitar can be made. I would stress, however, that careful adjustment and maintenance are critical to all guitars, and this one is no exception.
Support:
No warranty problems, no shipping problems, nothing in this category came up at all, so by default they get an A!....
Overall:
A well made guitar can last a long, long time if it is loved and cared for. Let me put it this way: You remember B.B. King's guitar Lucille, and the burning building episode? I get it about that! If this guitar were lost or stolen, I'd buy another one...probably get the Arctic White this time, though, or the black one. I actually bought this one for my daughters, and they gave up on learning to play so I glommed it back from them, and it has been my main squeeze for five years roughly.
Submitted: 6/5/2007
Style of Music: Classic rock and roll mostly blues doowop originals
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"A true, classic Fender Telecaster!"
Feature:
I love the old-style 50's look with the modern features: good tuners, fully adjustable six-saddle bridge, medium-jumbo frets. I especially like the slimmer body - very comfortable to play. The top-loading bridge makes changing strings a breeze.
Quality:
Finish, hardware and components are all high quality. A very well-crafted guitar. The 'aged' blonde color (butterscotch) is very appealing and well done, with just the right amount of wood grain showing for a tasteful, elegant look. Fender obviously maintains tight quality control, even on its import line. A professional grade instrument.
Value:
The value is phenominal. It's a true, classic Fender instrument in every respect. For anyone to overlook the quality and value strictly due to the guitar being made in China and not in the US shows poor judgement, in my opinion.
Desirability:
I wanted a modern guitar with that 'vintage' look and a simple, basic design. This guitar had it all.
Sound:
A true Telecaster sound. Responsive, with that famous Fender 'twang', even at high volumes. Run through a Super Reverb amp, it's a classic combination. Good for blues, funk, rock and (naturally) country. It can even sound jazzy, with warmth and bite.
Support:
Only a one year warranty because of its budget status. Considering the level of quality, I doubt I'll ever have any problems as long as the guitar is properly treated and cared for.
Overall:
This guitar is now a cherished instrument, as much as all my others, maybe more so. It's a time-tested, classic design as evidenced by its continued popularity more than 50+ years after its initial debut.
Submitted: 8/4/2004
Style of Music: blues, rock, funk and country
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