I am interested in buying a new tele, since i like the single coil sound and want some versatilty. How is a squier standard tele different tonally to the mexican or american ones? I am considering buying a squier tele to muck around on but i dont know if the indonesian ones or the chinese ones are better made. An owner at the local store said that the indonesian ones are more expensive. And I dont intend on spending lots on a tele. I went and tried 3 different teles from the store and I liked the necks on the Squier Standard teles the best, which is odd considering the other ones were 1000 dollars more expensive. What should I look out for?
Squier Teles compared to Fender Teles
- Thread starter Dills
- Start date
Bludave
New member
Re: Squier Teles compared to Fender Teles
The Squire series is essentially a beginners guitar. If you are a fairly accomplished player I don't think it will satisfy you. The bodies are made from some form of plywood. I would recommend going with either Mexican, or Japanese if money is a concern. Mexican Teles run about $300 to $350. Japanese run a lttle higher, but the electronics are a bit better. An American Tele IMO is better than all of them. They use much better Pots and switches. I have an MIA and a MIJ Tele. Both are very good, the MIA is really a better guitar.
The Squire series is essentially a beginners guitar. If you are a fairly accomplished player I don't think it will satisfy you. The bodies are made from some form of plywood. I would recommend going with either Mexican, or Japanese if money is a concern. Mexican Teles run about $300 to $350. Japanese run a lttle higher, but the electronics are a bit better. An American Tele IMO is better than all of them. They use much better Pots and switches. I have an MIA and a MIJ Tele. Both are very good, the MIA is really a better guitar.
drew_half_empty
Looking for Real Life
Re: Squier Teles compared to Fender Teles
highway 1 is the best value, american parts but assembled in mexico (who cares?)
but i do hafta agree about liking the neck on the squire ones best
check out the lite ash telecasters, the neck on them tends to be a little fatter
highway 1 is the best value, american parts but assembled in mexico (who cares?)
but i do hafta agree about liking the neck on the squire ones best
check out the lite ash telecasters, the neck on them tends to be a little fatter
Re: Squier Teles compared to Fender Teles
When I tried the Squier Tele I didnt really notice a difference in tone to the other models going through the same fender tube amp, and plus I like the feel of the neck. I have heard people say dont spend an extra 500 or 1000 on a american or mexican tele (over here in NZ they are about $500 for a squier) cause you cant really tell the differnence you might aswell get a squier for half the price. Plus the saddles on the squier werent those old vintage ones that the string wraps around the pole kind of thing, they looked like the saddles on a strat. I just want to get something that intonates well an feels right not what it says on the headstock.
When I tried the Squier Tele I didnt really notice a difference in tone to the other models going through the same fender tube amp, and plus I like the feel of the neck. I have heard people say dont spend an extra 500 or 1000 on a american or mexican tele (over here in NZ they are about $500 for a squier) cause you cant really tell the differnence you might aswell get a squier for half the price. Plus the saddles on the squier werent those old vintage ones that the string wraps around the pole kind of thing, they looked like the saddles on a strat. I just want to get something that intonates well an feels right not what it says on the headstock.
Re: Squier Teles compared to Fender Teles
I just ordered a Texas Hwy 1 Tele off one of the big mail order houses. It seemed to fit the bill for what I was looking for, but I'm thinking I have about a 50/50 chance of keeping it.
I've been hitting the local pawn shops looking for a nice Japanese Squier of old or maybe a MIM Tele for cheap. I had a lot of success doing that when i was looking for a beater strat.
Try the pawn shops. You can negotiate prices there. Never pay full price at a pawn shop unless they just don't know what they have.
I just ordered a Texas Hwy 1 Tele off one of the big mail order houses. It seemed to fit the bill for what I was looking for, but I'm thinking I have about a 50/50 chance of keeping it.
I've been hitting the local pawn shops looking for a nice Japanese Squier of old or maybe a MIM Tele for cheap. I had a lot of success doing that when i was looking for a beater strat.
Try the pawn shops. You can negotiate prices there. Never pay full price at a pawn shop unless they just don't know what they have.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Squier Teles compared to Fender Teles
MIJ 80's Squire Teles are excellantly constructed guitars. They do not have the string through body tho...the strings pass through the back of the bridge and so the string angle is not steep enough to seat the string firmly against the saddles. Plus there's some lost tone due to the cheaper method of anchoring the string. Plus the pickups are not so great.
Really, for $400 or so look for a used MIM James Burton. They have it all: string through body, great neck, 9 1/2" radius fingerboard, taller than vintage frets and very usable stock pickups.
Scott_F said:
MIJ 80's Squire Teles are excellantly constructed guitars. They do not have the string through body tho...the strings pass through the back of the bridge and so the string angle is not steep enough to seat the string firmly against the saddles. Plus there's some lost tone due to the cheaper method of anchoring the string. Plus the pickups are not so great.
Really, for $400 or so look for a used MIM James Burton. They have it all: string through body, great neck, 9 1/2" radius fingerboard, taller than vintage frets and very usable stock pickups.
Tom M
New member
Re: Squier Teles compared to Fender Teles
If you can't find any of the previously mentioned James Burton Teles, look at Guitar Centers for some super cheap Highway 1 Teles. They're smokin axes, and are at a great price if you find the right ones.
PS - That was a big nay on the Squiers. They're just not worth it. You'll want to upgrade later anyway.
If you can't find any of the previously mentioned James Burton Teles, look at Guitar Centers for some super cheap Highway 1 Teles. They're smokin axes, and are at a great price if you find the right ones.
PS - That was a big nay on the Squiers. They're just not worth it. You'll want to upgrade later anyway.
