customer reviews
72 People rated this product :
8 out of 10
16 People wrote reviews
10 out of 10
"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
10 out of 10
"Squire out did themselve on this one"
Feature:
If you want features, don't buy a tele. If you want a solid guitar that performs and sounds great, then buy this guitar.
Quality:
For the money, you just can't beat it. In the past, I have payed much more for less. I guess with age and little experience, I have become less impressed with big brand names. I wanted a durable guitar that delivered the classic sound, and I found it with this Squire. It is very well made, and stays in tune even with hard struming and bending. With proper care, this Squire Tele will last you a long time. I haven't had mine long, but I expect to be playing it for many years to come.
Value:
Without question, the best value on the market that I have seen. This guitar could easily sell for $500 and still be a good deal. I couldn't be happier with my decision to purchase it. For $170 you can't go wrong.
Desirability:
I have always wanted to own a Tele, but didn't want to spend the money. When I saw this Squire Tele I thought I would take a chance, and I am very pleased that I did. It is very well made and when other musicians here it, they can't believe that it's not the real thing. Being a traditionalists, I was really attracted the butterscotch finish, and when I got it out of the box I was absolutely amazed by the beauty and craftmanship of this guitar. Squire out did themselve on this one.
Sound:
This guitar sounds great, and for the price you can't beat it. I play mostly traditional country with a little southern rock and blues mixed it, and this guitar really delivers the old style "twang" that tele's are famous for. It is perfect for a clean country sound, but also gives you a great classic/southern rock sound when distorted. The neck pickup has a great soft sound, but it is a little weak. I may consider upgrading the pickups in the future, but for now I am very happy with it as is. I was a little concerned with how the top-loading bridge would effect the sound, but it doesn't to be an issue at all.
Ease of Use:
I have played many different guitars over the years that cost hundreds more than this Squire, including some high end Fender Tele's, and this guitar is very comparable. It came ready to play right out of the box, and I did very little to achieve that classic Tele sound that I was aiming for. The neck is very fast, and very easy to play. The action is just right, and plays as good, if not better than much more expensive guitars. My brother has a collection of guitars ranging in price from $1000-3000, and very few of them outplay my Squire Tele, and none of them have that great Tele sound.
Support:
I haven't needed it.
Overall:
I love this guitar. I have always felt that you don't need to spend a fortune to get a quality insturment, and this Squire Tele is proof of that. All anyone with doubts has to do is play it and they will be sold. I never imagined that I would be getting such a great guitar when I purchased it, but this Tele has really impressed me. I would recommend it to any level of guitarist, from beginner to seasoned pro. So if you want to get ripped off and spend a fortune for a name then go buy a Les Paul, but if you want a quality guitar that plays and sounds great, then buy this Tele.
Submitted: 3/29/2007
Style of Music: Country, Southern Rock, Blues
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