I bought this as a used Amazon Warehouse product, so I wasn't expecting much. Really, I was curious and I thought I didn't have much to lose for the price. I've been playing guitar for 32 years. I'm not a professional, but I'd consider myself skilled and knowledgeable if I do say so myself. I figured I'd change whatever needed to be changed and I'd have a beater guitar that I could keep lying around and something I wouldn't have to worry about taking with me anywhere. I really did not expect it to be as nice as it is and I'm not changing anything (though I've changed the strings since I like 10s). The neck feels fine and comfortable. The body wood looks really pretty to me. I didn't know poplar looked so nice and it looks almost like mahogany. Mine appears to be a one-piece body, which I find strange and I would almost think there was a veneer if it weren't for the torso cut. I've payed several guitars $2000-$3000 and I'd say this plays at least 90% as well as those. The pickups actually sound decent. Maybe they aren't as clean and punchy as more expensive pickups, but they sound pleasant to my ear. Just know that they are single coils and there will be some noise, as is the case with all single coil pickups. The nut width is a little narrow (42mm) and the neck resembles an early '60s Strat if I'm not mistaken. I used to think I wanted a wider neck, but I've realized I don't care about that. The neck feels almost unfinished, but neck finish is another thing I've realized doesn't matter too much to me. The body is only 1-1/2" thick rather than the standard, 1-3/4", so it's a thin body, but I actually really like that. It makes accessing the highest frets easier, since the guitar's heel is also thinner. And from what I've heard, some of the original Telecasters in the '50s were actually also 1-1/2".
I'm amazed at the quality that is coming out of Chinese factories these days. It used to be that you really had to spend a lot to get any quality, but not anymore. I think that some people get snobby because they drift away from being a musician and become gear enthusiasts. Maybe they think they'll play better on a more expensive guitar, maybe they want to look like their idols. Also, some people get fixated on tone and don't realize that most listeners in a live setting don't care too much about your tone. And if tone is so important, to me the richest tone comes from an acoustic anyway. No offense to anyone, since I've definitely felt myself pulled in that direction too. I'm almost envious that beginners can start on such a good instrument these days.
If you are a beginner, know that you have to set up an electric guitar, even an expensive one. Look it up, but it means you have to adjust the action and intonation at the saddles. Also the neck relief might need to be adjusted with the truss rod, especially if you change string gauges. This is completely normal and if you are complaining about string buzz, 99% of the time you are just showing that you don't know anything about guitars. The nut is cheap plastic, but works adequately. Yeah, the frets are gritty, but that goes away and you can polish them if it bothers you that much. The frets do, however, seem to be a soft metal and there was already a little fret wear when I got it. I've leveled and crowned frets before, so I'm not put off by that. Also, there were no sharp or uneven frets or anything like that and I can lower the action as low as I want to, so it's been constructed to good tolerances. There are hairline neck pocket cracks, which I usually can't stand, but I'm OK with on a guitar at this price point. Maybe quality varies between individual instruments, but I got one that someone returned and I really like like it. I never in my life considered buying a Squire until I happened upon this Amazon page and never considered buying a guitar from Amazon either. Now I've since bought another (more expensive) guitar from Amazon and I can't believe how happy I am with them after disappointments (and stress) buying guitars from other websites that will remain nameless. In conclusion, there isn't much cheaper that a guitar can get and this is a good guitar for someone at any level, delivering a tremendous value.
Squier Affinity Series Deluxe Telecaster Electric Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Charcoal Frost Metallic, Laurel Fingerboard
4.5 | 709 ratings
Price: 279.99
Last update: 11-11-2024
About this item
Thin and lightweight body
Two Squier humbucking pickups
String-through-body bridge
Slim and comfortable “C”-shaped neck profile
Sealed die-cast tuning machines with split shafts
Two Squier humbucking pickups
String-through-body bridge
Slim and comfortable “C”-shaped neck profile
Sealed die-cast tuning machines with split shafts
Product information
| Item Weight | 9.4 pounds |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 44.4 x 14.75 x 4 inches |
| ASIN | B091BJ95SC |
| Item model number | 0378250569 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars
709 ratings
4.6 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #8,483 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #35 in Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | March 19, 2021 |
| Back Material | Poplar Wood |
| Body Material | Poplar |
| Color Name | Charcoal Frost Metallic |
| Fretboard Material | Laurel Wood |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | H-H |
| Scale Length | 25.5 |
| String Material | Nickel |
| Top Material | Maple Wood |
| Neck Material Type | Maple Wood |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Guitar Bridge System | Adjustable |
| Material Type | Poplar Wood, Laurel Wood, Maple Wood |
| Size | Full |
Top reviews from the United States
Groff
This Kinda Turned My World Upsidedown
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2022Samuel Langhorne
Unbelievably well made. In Indonesia.
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2024Kindle Customer
Great Guitar with Just A Few Problems
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2024Monty Manley
Great value at this price point
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024