Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Custom Electric Guitar, with Maple Fingerboard
As part of the Vintage Modified series, this Squier offers an affordable version of one of the all-time great Telecaster releases.
Overall User Ratings (based on 7 ratings)
Submitted January 29, 2015 by Matt N in Sacramento, CA
"A+ Quality and Value"
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A few years back my Japanese Tele Custom was stolen and I've been pining for a replacement ever since. I was very impressed with the Vintage Modified Jaguar that Squier put out, so when I saw that they had one of these I snapped it right up. It really is like having my old friend back! Another shout out to whoever is responsible for the vintage modified series. Great quality, great pickups, just be prepared to do a set up. If you're an experienced player you'll want it set up, and (IMO) should know how to do one. If you're not an experienced player it won't matter so much, but if it does, it's time to learn how to set up your guitar; (intonation, truss, & action) it's all over youtube. It should be said though that after I adjusted the intonation, truss, and action I needed to level the frets and take down the nut a bit, which is not a job for the beginner. If i didn't know how to do it myself, I would have sent it back and tried my luck with another one because it's such a nice guitar. I'd like to believe that the high 3rd fret was a fluke. I'll give it 4 stars because of the high fret.
Sound
It sounds like a Tele should, every bit as good as my Japanese Custom sounded. The Duncan designed bridge pickup nails it.
Features
I love Telecasters, and this guitar delivers the Tele sound with the versatility of a Les Paul's tone and volume controls. The tone nobs are very useful and give you a very useable tone gradient.
Ease of Use
It is obvious that care was taken by the designers to provide quality, useable tone circuitry. After setting up the guitar it is very playable. The neck looks and feels nice.
Quality
The guitar looks beautiful, and seems to be made of quality woods and components. There is nothing on this guitar that looks flimsy or like it will break any time soon. The only problem with the guitar was the high 3rd fret. If increased quality control in this area meant higher prices, I think I would choose the DIY fret job option.
Value
I don't know how they made a guitar of this quality with a price this low. I hope the factory workers are happy. Maybe I'll visit Indonesia sometime and talk to one of them. I'll get some clove cigarettes too.
Manufacturer Support
I did not try to contact the company.
The Wow Factor
Of course I could make good music without it, but I love the concept of offering tried and true classic designs for very reasonable prices. If this were my only guitar, it would be a very useful versatile musical tool. It's a great looking, great sounding instrument that has brought Squier up in my estimation as a brand.
Musical Background:
Guitar player 30 years, bands and recording
Musical Style:
Rock, Indie, Emo, Lo Fi
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Submitted September 1, 2018 by Mark R. Garner in Metairie, LA
"Another Satisfied Owner"
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
You can add me to the list of satisfied purchasers of this guitar. Owning 3 other Squier models (2 Standard Strats & VM Jaguar "PJ" bass), I know Squier instruments offer a high value-to-cost ratio. I have two Fender "Teles", a 1976 Standard and 2017 MiM Baja 60's model, both great guitars, but I couldn't resist the temptation when a blemished model showed up at zZounds. I didn't have a Tele with a humbucker. Now I do.
Sound
When I placed my order I anticipated changing the bridge pickup. I still may in the future but it isn't a priority. The bridge pickup sounds really good, suprisingly good. It's bright and has that classic Tele jangle but isn't overly bright. The neck pickup is a moderate output Alnico 5 humbucker that balances nicely with the single coil bridge pup. On its own it is rather subdued sounding but not muddy at all. Run this axe through an MXR Distortion + and be prepared to hear where the true strength of this guitar lies. ROCK! I play with my pickup selector in the middle position about 99% of the time and the blend of the single and double coil pickups makes for a very full sound.
Features
The absolute Number One "top" feature that makes this model of Tele so desirable is that unlike the standard Tele models, this one has individual controls for each pickup. (The Tele Deluxe also has dual controls but the twin humbucker configuration is less versatile than the Custom model.) I also really like having the pickup selector on the upper bout - not that I use it all that much. The maple neck appears to be a single piece of wood. It's slim and the fretboard is silky smooth for bends.
Ease of Use
A maple necked Tele is one of the easiest and smoothest playing guitars out there. Having individual control over the pickups makes it very easy to dial the perfect sound for any style of music, except death metal. For that I recommend the Squier 'Hello Kitty' Strat (Ha-ha!). The one thing this guitar required was a major adjustment to the bridge saddles. The intonation was so far off I needed a star chart of Alpha Centauri to get my bearings.
Quality
For the cost, the Squier "VM" series offers an exceptional value. The frets appear level with no overly sharp edges. The tuning keys and the bridge appear well made but can always be upgraded later. The body is constructed of Basswood which yields a lightweight instrument with a really smooth tone that offers both "light" & "shade". (My '76 Tele' is an old school slab of ash and weighs about 50 pounds, the Squier is much easier on my 54 year old shoulders.) One thing about Basswood is that it isn't a very hard wood so the screw holes are very easily stripped. If you install strap locks, be prepared to employ the "Elmer's Glue & toothpick" technique after removing the stock strap buttons.
Value
Value... I have purchased several "blemished" models from zZounds. In several cases, this one included, I couldn't find any blemishes. I suspect the previous owner didn't know how to properly set up a guitar. The strings were set far lower than I've ever seen on a 'fresh from the factory' instrument and buzzed all over like a swarm of Louisiana mosquitoes. After raising the strings and setting the intonation, I had one heck of guitar. The 15% "blemished" discount only made it an even better value.
Manufacturer Support
I've never had a problem with any Squier (or Fender) product so I can't comment here.
The Wow Factor
Wow factor... The '3 Color Sunburst' looks beautiful, the ultra versatile pickups and controls configuration offers a multitude of great sounds, and the price couldn't be beat. Wow! Also... Extra "WOW!!" credit is given for the wonderful symmetry in the construction of my guitar. The body is obviously made of several pieces of basswood but the center piece is the exact same width as the bridge. With the slightly varied grain of each piece this center piece really stands out. I dont know if this the case with all the Tele Customs but it only makes a nice looking guitar look nicer. "Wow", again.
Musical Background:
Former semi-pro now a stay-at-home jammer.
Musical Style:
Rock, rock & rock with an emphasis on mid 60's British psychedelic, Beatles, Yardbirds & Pink Floyd.
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Submitted October 16, 2017 by Lloyd M in Mtn view, MO
"Great tele"
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I bought a scratch and dent model. One chip on the edge just below where your arm rests. I sanded it smooth, now it looks like a relic'd tele. I love this guitar. Neck is fast and smooth. I lowered the action a little and put super slinkies on it. The pickup combination with the two vol and two tone controls give this guitar a lot of flexability. From strat to tele and in between. And its got a powerful punch. Highly recommend it.havent used support.
Musical Background:
Church praise team, home, local jams.
Musical Style:
Gospel, blues, jazz, country, etc
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Submitted April 27, 2017 by Don Alves in Taunton, MA
"Awesome Vintage Modified Telecaster"
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I am very satisfied with this telecaster. I looked at many Fender Telecasters and finally decided on this one. Many guitarists that buy tele's modify it when they get it. But this Vintage Modified has already been updated in my book and was done buy professionals. So that is another reason that I chose this particular model. love it and d use it for recordings. You can't go wrong with choosing zZounds for your musical purchases.
Musical Background:
Been playing for fifty years. Keyboard, organ,guitar and bass. Gigs and studio recording.
Musical Style:
I love Blues, Jazz and Country.
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Submitted January 6, 2016 by a customer from gmail.com
"Vintage Moded Tele Custom Great"
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the guitar is sounds and plays great lot better than expected. definitely worth the buy
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Submitted October 8, 2015 by John F in Sarasota, FL
"Squier Blemished Vintage modified Tele Custom tri burst"
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I have been playing guitar over forty years starting in 1967. I have been lucky enough to buy a pre cbs blonde tele that I played in Temple/ Waco and Austin Texas over fifteen years. And since have bought and sold many different Fenders along the way. Always modified the less expensive finds to scream or send out melodious tone through a good tube amp with a decent Alnico speaker, Two weeks ago I was looking through an email add on specials through zz and went back to my favorite area to browse which is fender guitars and lately Squiers made in Indonesia. I ran across a Vintage Modded Tele Custom tri burst blemished at a severally discounted price and the last one. It was late and I passed on a similar deal a year before and started reading all the stellar reviews throughout the year. I charged the guitar and it came in three days today. It sounds beautiful through my deluxe reverb amp. I was prepared to change out the pickups, but they sound wonderful . The neck humbucker is not muddy and has claean to crunch if you want it . The bridge pickup cuts right through the mix with a nice searing sustain that is just killer. I searched for a blemish and asked my wife to help me. I cant find a blemish. This guitar is getting a nice case next week and will be cherished for what years I have left. Thank you Fender and ZZounds. I will always check your site first for anything I might need in the future.
Musical Background:
Playing guitar for over forty years
Musical Style:
Rock, country and minimal blues.
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Submitted November 1, 2015 by John Fellabaum in Sarsota, FL
"Great Tele Purchase"
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I would like to let everyone know I have owned over five telecasters in my sixty years of life and never a strat. I have played strats but I am a tele guy. I owned a pre cbs tele for the first portion of my life until I had to sell it in Austin at thirty two. This most recent purchase of a Squier modified tele custom blemished is the best guitar purchse I have made since the pre cbs tele. It came in a well packed box polished and the action low, neck straight , no buzzes and not one blemish I or any of my friends can find. It sounds wonderful plugged into my fender deluxe reverb with an OCD 4 overdrive and a ditto loop. That's all I use now. My amp does have a alnico weber 12" speaker as a mod , but the guitar is straight from zZounds. I recommend you keep zZounds at your fingers touch on your computer when pricing musical equipment , because you may find yourself purchasing a beautiful instrument for a third less than what you expected and receiving a keeper like I have. I hope everyone receives as much joy from playing music as I have through life. Have fun.
Musical Background:
I have been playing 36 years off and on. About four years in bands before turning 24. Later for relaxation and personal enjoymen
Musical Style:
Rock, light blues, minor country early.
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