Author Topic: CHEAP Telecasters (Read 8233 times)

indysmith · « **on:** November 14, 2007, 09:51:07 AM »

Been looking at squier teles. I don't get it.
The cheaper Affinity series have solid Alder bodies, and the more expensive standard series have nasty agathis bodies? what's the deal?
I'll go and try them both out when i have the time, but it seems a bit of a strange idea. maybe the specs are wrong?
The JHS 'Vintage' line of telecasters (TC200) series would be very tempting, but Poplar as a tonewood? i don't know.

At the moment if those specs are correct I really don't see how everyone doesn't just buy £100 affinity squiers, lol. Maybe they just plain suck.

Mr Ed · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2007, 10:12:02 AM »

When I was looking for new guitars, back before I got my Strat, I went and roadtested a few Teles in town... I can say, hand on heart, that the Squier Affinity I played felt just as sturdy and comfortable as the Mexican 72 Custom which in turn felt as sturdy as the US Standard that I played.

Squier are no longer, in my opinion, living in the Fender shadow - they're breaking out as very, very good guitars for a tiny outlay. Sure, you might wanna swap the pups out but if they're coming with a solid body and neck, you don't mind a little work do you?

You could buy a Squier Affinity, replace the pickups, tuners and bridge - maybe the electrics too if you needed too - and probably spend less than £250.

indysmith · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2007, 10:26:43 AM »

hmmm that sounds good! I'll go and have a play tomorrow

Mr Ed · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2007, 10:29:21 AM »

Just to make me look like a right kipper, you'll pick up a duff one now and it'll turn to sawdust in your hand. :lol:

That's why I've never understood why people blindly dismiss the "cheap" brands like with Mexican Fenders. Maybe the hit and miss rate is a little worse off than a US made one (I've never found that, tbh) but there's some gems to be found.

Twinfan · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2007, 11:11:44 AM »

I bought an Affinity Strat from a guy at work for £35 recently - the cheapest guitar I own! I had some upgrade bits lying around so I threw them on it. OK, it's no Custom Shop contender but it plays and sounds fine.

You can't argue with good cheap guitars!

Kilby · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2007, 11:20:10 AM »

The squire Teles are nice and the Mex teles are even niver.

However if the budget can stretch I would suggest looking at the Lite ash (far eastern version) which comes in about 320 quid from thomann and includes a set of duncans (sell them and recover some costs when upgrading).

Mr Ed · « **Reply #6 on:** November 14, 2007, 11:23:58 AM »

Quote from: Twinfan

I bought an Affinity Strat from a guy at work for £35 recently - the cheapest guitar I own! I had some upgrade bits lying around so I threw them on it. OK, it's no Custom Shop contender but it plays and sounds fine.

You can't argue with good cheap guitars!

£35!!! :o Frigging hell, that's an uber bargain.

Quote from: Kilby

The squire Teles are nice and the Mex teles are even niver.

However if the budget can stretch I would suggest looking at the Lite ash (far eastern version) which comes in about 320 quid from thomann and includes a set of duncans (sell them and recover some costs when upgrading).

I love the look of the Lite Ash ones but I just couldn't shake the feeling that something bad would happen. That guitar should cost twice what it does and it makes me very, very suspicious. I wonder if it was assembled by blind dogs?

Twinfan · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2007, 11:54:21 AM »

I preferred my Baja Tele to the Lite Ash I tried. Just seemed better finished and better quality all round for a very similar price.

hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2007, 12:38:44 PM »

Why not have an Avril Lavigne Signature?

badgermark · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2007, 01:33:51 PM »

Eeeeep I posted twice somehow. Ignore this and cast your eyes down a little.

badgermark · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2007, 01:34:16 PM »

I love my Mexican tele. In fact both my Fenders are mexi's and play and feel great. You really should upgrade the electrics though, it's their only real weakpoint.

Jonesy76 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2007, 02:58:15 PM »

My Lite Ash Tele was awesome, and the Duncans weren't too bad for a guitar straight out of the box.

I'm still gutted that a GAS attack kicked in and I sold that guitar :(
I need a new Tele myself sometime too

Mr Ed · « **Reply #12 on:** November 14, 2007, 03:47:52 PM »

I actually think that Avril guitar is a nice IDEA but so poorly executed.

Take off the stupid mark on the neck and put some dots on, take her scribble off the headstock and stick a hotter bucker in and I'll bum it's brains out.

hunter · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2007, 04:31:22 PM »

Quote from: Mr Ed

I actually think that Avril guitar is a nice IDEA but so poorly executed.

Take off the stupid mark on the neck and put some dots on, take her scribble off the headstock and stick a hotter bucker in and I'll bum it's brains out.

I like it as is, obviously it needs a Nailbomb though.

gwEm · « **Reply #14 on:** November 14, 2007, 04:38:44 PM »

avril plays much cooler guitars than that tele (sorry, couldn't resist)