In this article, we will look at the overview of Squier affinity telecaster. The famous guitar catalyzed the electric guitar industry to become what it is today. The Squier Affinity Telecaster was the stepping stone made by Fender to get into the hands of hundreds of millions of people worldwide and it’s easily one of the top 3 best selling guitars on earth today.
The original telecaster has an iconic reputation for being a guitar that “anyone can afford.” When Leo Fender made it in 1948 he didn’t want a guitar made for the absolute elite, he wanted a guitar anyone could afford so more people could learn to play it, hence its name “Telecaster” with “Tele” being short for the telephone.
The Squier Tele is one of the best starter guitars for any new guitar player. This is the third generation telecaster that has been out of production since 1983 but has been reborn by Squier. The previous two Squier telecasters have basically rehashed fenders with cheaper pickups and hardware but this is the first time the Squier Telecaster has been picked up by Fender.
The affinity series of guitars are made by Squier to be cost-effective alternatives for guitar players on a budget. The affinity series of guitars is what the Squier Stratocaster was to the Fender Stratocaster, it’s an affordable product built to the specifications of an already established model, in this case, the telecaster.
The Squier Affinity series is a range of guitars that have been designed for beginners. The telecaster is a traditional solid body electric guitar with several signature features. It has 6 strings, 22 fret necks, 1 single-coil pickup, and a standard string spacing for the strings. These are all standard features for any electric guitar, but they are a bit different from other electric guitars out there.
The guitars of the Squier affinity series are built with high-quality components, making them affordable while also being durable and stable. The body is built with basswood which gives the guitar a more premium feel. The neck of the guitar is constructed with maple, making it very stable and hardy.
The back of the neck is made from rosewood, which makes it very smooth and easy to play while also giving a good amount of stability for chords. The body provides a square shape, which allows the guitar to be slightly wider than normal guitars, but still slim enough to fit in any case.
Features of Squier affinity telecaster:
Model:
Affinity Telecaster – electric guitar
Body style:
Single cutaway solid-body electric guitar with basswood tonewoods, 2-piece maple neck, bolt-on neck joint and rosewood fretboard
Body wood:
Basswood & Quilted Maple body (thickness 1 .6″)
Body finish:
Gloss Polyester body finish over gloss polyester neck finish (maple models) or white body and satin neck finish (mahogany models)
Neck material:
Maple 3-pc. & Rosewood fingerboard on maple models and maple & Rosewood fingerboard mahogany models
Neck width at the nut:
1.650″ / 42.05mm
Neck width at 12th fret:
2.000″/ 50.80mm
A number of frets:
22 medium jumbo frets
Fret size:
Tall nickel-silver fret wire
Nut material:
Synthetic bone nut with Telecaster string spacing for proper intonation
Scale length:
25.5″/64.8cm
Fully compensated body:
No
Bridge:
Tune-o-Matic String thru body Tele bridge, 4 brass saddles Reverse headstock with string mute function, black painted top hat cover selector switch (on maple & mahogany models), 2) Volume & (3) Tone control lever position controls. 1) Bridge plate.
Neck pickup:
Barely shielded, synchronized Fender/Alnico V neck pickup with nickel cover, adjustable pole pieces and 3-position blade switch.
Squier Affinity Series Telecaster Specifications:
Body:
The Affinity Series Telecaster has an iconic body shape out of a single piece of alder wood that has been hand-carved and finished.
Neck:
The single piece of alder wood is bolted to a three-bolt maple neck which fastens with an Allen wrench. The rosewood fretboard is made of a compressed laminate, is 9.5″ wide, and has 21 medium jumbo frets. A 10-inch fingerboard radius ensures optimal playability at any angle.
Frets:
21 medium jumbo frets, with a 10″ fingerboard radius
Scale:
25.5″ (648 mm)
Bridge:
A vintage-style tremolo bridge with vintage-style nickel tuners. They have a 6-saddle string tree and the six machine heads are threaded for 4 bolts on each side.
Pickups:
Two single-coils P/U at the neck and one single-coil P/U at the bridge, each synchronized with individual single volume control.
Hardware:
The guitar has a vintage-style Stratocaster-style output jack.
Electronic:
3-way pickup switching. Master volume and master tone controls.
Strings:
NPS (.009-1/2)
Amp:
None (needs a special amp).
Alternatives:
Squier Affinity Telecaster Bass, Squier Affinity Telecaster HH, Squier Affinity Telecaster, Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS
Price:
$149.99 USD
Colours:
Olympic White, Black, Brown Sunburst
Electronics Configuration:
The individual single-coil pickups are synchronized with individual tone control knobs. They also have a master volume knob. The digital tuner that is built into the guitar allows for easy tuning on stage or in the studio with the built-in side mount jack.
Pros of Squier affinity telecaster:
1. Solid alder body
2. Maple neck
3. 22-fret rosewood fingerboard
4. Tuning pegs and strings
5. 5-way selector switch
6. Standard Telecaster bridge
Cons of Squier affinity telecaster:
1. Limited tonal variety with single-coil pickups
2. Strings sometimes slip out of the nut when you change strings
3. Fret ends are sharp and unfinished, they need to be sanded down smooth for a better feel when playing
4. The action on the fretboard is pretty high
5. The pickup selector switch is too close to the top strap button, it is hard to quickly change between pickups during a song.
Overall Ratings and reviews:
The Squier affinity telecaster has an overall rating of 8/10 which is good. This guitar is best suitable If you are able to find this model for a good price, it’s a very good starter guitar. If you are more experienced and don’t mind buying replacement parts, then this guitar has potential to be modified into something much better.
Most users of this guitar were very satisfied, but there are a few who felt that the instrument wasn’t worth the money spent.
This guitar is not really meant for novices, since it doesn’t come with an acoustic soundhole, if you don’t know how to play any instruments. For some people this might be a benefit, as they will learn to play on their own.
For guitar players who want a simple electric guitar to learn on and practice, this model has potential. It is a good cheap beginner guitar for people who are looking to enter the world of music.
Conclusion:
Overall, this series is designed to cater for those who have been playing for several years, but still want to keep things fun and affordable. The Squier Affinity series offers a lot of options that can be easily customized yet still retain the budget-friendly price tag.
This affordable instrument is one of the best guitars for beginners and beginners alike. For those who have never played before or have been playing for some time but want an inexpensive alternative, this could be a good option. It’s great for home practice and taking to your parents’ house to play with them on occasion since it won’t break the bank if it gets damaged. It’s also good for those who think they do not need much power in their guitar.
Also, read: Best DIY Acoustic Guitar Kits – Top 11 Choices of June 2021
FAQs:
Where are Squier affinity telecasters made?
All Squier affinity telecasters are made in Indonesia and China.
• Does Squier affinity telecaster have a vibrato arm?
No, there is no vibrato arm on the Squier affinity telecaster.
• What’s the switch for?
The switch can be used to turn the pickup on and off for each position. All you need to do is move it up or down whenever you want that setting.
• Does squier affinity telecaster come with guitar pick?
No, it does not. But the plectrum is made of good quality plastic so it will last a long time.
• Which picks do you have?
All squier affinity telecasters come with a pair of standard picks.
• Where can I get replacement parts for the squier affinity telecaster?
All parts are available on the internet if you have questions or want to order. You may never have to go ask for pick up parts.
• Do you have any recommendations for a squier affinity telecaster?
Yes, if you want good sound out of your guitar, look no further than squier affinity telecasters .
• Where can I find high quality squier affinity telecasters?
You can find the highest quality squier affinity telecaster on eBay .
• Are the controls reliable?
Yes, they are very reliable.
• What are some good uses for squier affinity telecaster?
Squier affinity telecasters are used by professionals and amateurs alike.
