A Review of the Fender Squier Affinity Series Telecaster Guitar

The Fender Telecaster has been the definitive instrument for electric guitar players looking for that twangy sound. It is the preferred guitar for many musicians playing country, rockabilly, and blues. There's nothing quite like the sound of a genuine Telecaster, but Squier, owned by Fender, is trying to come close with its Affinity Series Telecaster. It was made to emulate the classic look and sound of the Telecaster without breaking the bank. Let's take a closer look to see how well it does.

Features: The body of the Affinity Series Telecaster is solid, and made of alder wood. The pickguard on all three finishes is one ply white. If there's one thing that can be said about its looks, it's that they mirror those of a real Telecaster to a tee. That can be a good thing or a bad thing, as some musicians think their look is a little plain. The neck is bolted on the body, and is made out of maple. The fretboard is made of maple as well, and is glued onto the neck. It has 21 frets and black dot inlays. Additionally, the fact that it's made out of maple enhances its light look. The bridge of the guitar is copied from the vintage Fender, with a bridge plate and six saddles. All of the hardware, including the tuning heads, bridge, and control plate, are chrome. Electronically, the Affinity Series Telecaster has one volume and one tone control knobs with a selector switch. Also, it has two well distanced single coil pickups.

Playability: One problem I could see some people having with the Affinity Series Tele is that the bolt on neck makes it a little tough to reach the higher frets. On the plus side, the thin maple neck on this guitar is nice and fast. Also, it has a nicely balanced weight between the neck and body.

Sound: For a Squier brand guitar, the Affinity Series Telecaster really does deliver that nice twangy tone. It may take a little adjustment, but when played properly, it can hold its own against instruments many times its price. It was impressive to say the least. This, honestly, is a great guitar to buy as a project. As you grow in your musicianship, you can replace certain parts of the guitar to grow with you.

Overall: If you're a beginner musician, or looking for a cheap guitar to mess around and find some unique sounds with, the Fender Squier Affinity Series Telecaster is a very good choice. It's built well, reliable, and, surprisingly, it can deliver some great country, blues, and rockabilly sound. You can find the Affinity Series Telecaster in music stores for around $170.