Fender Squier Obey HS Telecaster Review

The Fender Telecaster Series of instruments can often be described as traditional. For decades now, the Telecaster has been a standby for blues, country, and slide guitarists. And without much demand for anything new, they have more or less stayed the same for all this time. But, in an effort to give the Telecaster a much-needed update, The Fender Squier Obey Telecaster HS is now offered. It has the basic essence of a Telecaster, but also an attitude all its own. Let's take a closer look at what the Obey Telecaster HS has to offer.

Features: The body of the Squier Obey Telecaster HS is made of solid Agathis wood. The finish, however, is what makes it the updated version I mentioned before. Skateboard designer and artist Sheppard Fairey was hired to make a punk, graffiti style design for the body of the Obey Telecaster. And, in many musicians' opinion, he did well. The neck of the guitar is bolted into the body and made of maple. It also has a rosewood fretboard with twenty two medium frets and pearloid dot inlays. All of the hardware, including the tuning heads, bridge, and control knob plate, are unfinished. This gives them a rusted, worn look that goes very well with the alternative Fairey designed finish. The electronics on the Squier Obey Telecaster HS include one single coil Alnico pickup, one Duncan Designed humbucker, one volume and one tone control knobs, and a three way selector switch. Also, in an effort to add to the worn look of the Telecaster HS, the back and sides of the body are antiqued. It contributes a nice relic effect to the visual of the body.

Playability: The Squier Obey Telecaster HS has all the necessary qualities that make the Telecaster known as an easy instrument to play. Out of the box, it's generally agreed that the guitar is put together well with a fine attention to detail and finish. The action, or string height from the fretboard, is low enough to play without destroying your fingers. Also, the body has a deep cutaway that makes it easy to play on the higher frets, even though the neck is bolted on.

Sound: The unique combination of an Alnico single coil pickup in the neck position and a Duncan Designed humbucker in the bridge position means that the Obey Telecaster HS is a bit more versatile than most Squier Telecaster models. The single coil delivers the twang musicians look for in a Tele, and the humbucker provides a fatter tone for a more varied musical arsenal.

Overall: The Fender Squier Obey Telecaster HS is a great all around guitar for those looking for a classic sound and more unique look. It is one of the better and more original guitars that the Squier line has to offer. You can find the Obey Tele HS in music stores for around $250.