Fender Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster SSH Guitar Review

The Fender Telecaster, along with other classics like the Les Paul and Strat, has been at the forefront of popular lines of guitars for decades. One reason it's been able to do this so well is that it can maintain a classic look and feel, and meanwhile have the ability to upgrade electronics and playability. In essence the instrument stays true to its roots and reinvents itself simultaneously. One example of this is the Fender Squier Vintage Telecaster SSH electric guitar. Let's take a closer look to see how well it combines the classic form with high quality function.

Features: The body of the Fender Squier Vintage Tele is made of Indian Red Cedar. For Squier brand instruments, this is definitely a rarity. It will give you a bit of a different sound from other guitars made of alder or basswood. There are two finishes available, one being ebony with a white plastic pickguard, the other being stark white with a black colored pickguard. The neck is made of solid maple, and is bolted onto the body. The fretboard is maple as well and has twenty one medium jumbo frets with black dot inlays for position markers. All of the hardware, including the tuning heads, bridge, and electronics plate, is made of chrome. And, on the white finish version, the hardware is black chrome. Personally, that seemed like a pretty cool look. Electronically, the guitar has two Duncan Designed single coil Stack pickups in the bridge and middle position. In the neck position, there is a Mini Humbucker pickup. These combine for a very interesting combination of sound and style.

Playability: For many musicians, it is generally agreed upon the the Telecaster neck is among the best offered by fender. The Squier Vintage Telecaster is no exception. The neck is smooth and fast, and feels extremely comfortable in your hands. The trade-off, however, is that the body's cutaway design isn't quite as good for higher fret access. But all in all, this guitar is easy and fun to play.

Sound: The Squier Vintage Telecaster's pickups are what really make it unique compared to other Squier instruments. The bridge position single coil pickup gives you the twangy sound you're likely looking for in the Telecaster brand. The middle pickup, though it generally sounds a little weaker, offers more Stratocaster-like tones. And the humbucker in the neck positions puts out an almost Gibson-like crunch. It's definitely not the sound you'd normally expect from a Squier guitar.

Overall: For the unique combination of its very own style and sound, I am certainly a fan of the Fender Squier Vintage Telecaster SSH. There just aren't many on the market like this one. You can find the Vintage Tele in music stores for about $300.