A Squier Worth Having F.O.M.O. For? // Squier 40th Anniversary Vintage Edition Telecaster Review

Currently a lot of stores worldwide are having the Squier 40th Anniversary guitars on a big sale, for almost half off the original price. I'm trying out the Vintage Edition of its telecaster, to see if it's worth spending less on a guitar you might not really need. And maybe you'll see this video later and you just want to know if these guitars are worth it.
To hear my original music, check out the links down below:
My band 'Nighthawker'
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My side project 'Steven Anthony Band'
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[@IamMusicNerd]

I really like the Vintage version over the gold version. I got a new one on the Labor Day sale for $300 and it is a great guitar to travel with and not worry about scratching it up. It’s been rock solid for me so far.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

The gold versions don't do it for me either. Happy to hear you've got a good one!

[@GraemeCampbellMusic]

I've got one (in blonde) and I love it. I did get a set up done, my tuners are all fine, and let it settle in with much playing over the last couple of months. Its a great guitar. I agree about the neck pickup but I've had some success by lowering the bass side a littlr bit, and depedning how you dial the amp in, its actually not too bad sound wise.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Glad to hear you've had some better luck! The blonde ones look cool as well 🙂

[@jc-drive]

I own a 40th tele but the gold edition. Completely subscribe to this review. I swapped the pickups on mine with a pair of unexpensive Wilkinson s and it's a huge difference. Now comes the funny part... I installed the cv pickups in an affinity tele I got really cheap and I love them there...

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

If I would've kept this guitar, I planned to put a Firebird pickup in the neck and a Texas Special in the bridge. Squiers are really cool, but in my experience they're kind of hit and miss. I'm glad yours worked out for you! 🙂

[@seanzinger]

I’ve played these before too. Agree with pretty much everything you said. Biggest pros are the broken in feel and look.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Agreed. If the quality control would've been better, I could've lived with those pikcups, as I would've swapped them anyways. If someone picks up a good one, it could potentially be a fun project guitar.

[@petarkosovic6455]

That sounds great. I think players always define clarity with quality. Lower the bass side of the pickup, kick in more presence. That's it.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I think that's rightly so. Clarity makes sure you can actually hear intervals of a chord, or just get through a mix. I'd rather have a clear sound guitar that I can mud up for effect than the other way around. Changing amp settings is not the solution if there is no clarity at the source. Besides that: if I have to change amp settings for one single guitar, that is not s good sign for me. With my other guitars (including telecasters) I can do everything I need with the knobs on the guitar, without having to change amp settings. To me that's part of what makes a guitar good. And I'm not saying these are bad perse, but the neck pickup is too muddy.

[@hauxon]

I got the gold Sherwood Green Tele. The only complaint I have about it is weight, I wish it was a little bit lighter. The neck on mine is good. It is of course very different neck from what’s on your guitar. Neck is bound, block inlays, Indian Laurel fretboard. Just an awesome neck. I didn’t find the pickups awful but put a set of Monty’s DP51 in it and now it sings. I also fitted brass saddles. Many don’t like the gold looks but I love how mine looks and that neck is what makes it special.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

What matters most is that it works for you! A different example of this same guitar might've been much better for me, but Squiers tend to be a bit inconsistent. I bought back my Squier Esquire that I loved but stupidely sold, while this Squier didn't do it for me.

[@anthonypanneton923]

Nice looking Tele. Artec (S.Korea) makes a very good and inexpensive tele neck pickup with 1/4" pole pieces. its a direct fit replacement, and they sound great - clear and bright with strong output. I have them on two of my Teles, and the neck position on those is my favorite setting. sometimes a loose tuner can be tightened up if you can get inside it (without destroying it first). I don't mind working on a guitar if it didn't cost much, but Squiers usually costs about 2x what they're really worth. (which is probably why they're "on sale"...) You can get a decent guitar without the Squier name for 1/2 the price. Or you can in the US, anyway. The other day I was looking at a listing for a Tele clone (no name) from China (US seller) - new in box, w/unpadded gigbag and 3m instrument cable = $65. not the same quality level as Squier, but for $65 they make good project guitars. sometimes. but sometimes they end up as just a collection of spare parts.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I think it has to do with the Squier Classic Vibe 60s Custom Esquire I've had up until recently. That was a really good guitar right of the bat, that I upgraded into a great guitar. If this guitar good in that ballpark, it would've been a no-brainer. As I know Squier makes such guitars, I don't want to settle for one that's just okay for the price and hope the feeling changes after upgrading.

[@andrewhamson435]

bro i work at a guitar store, these things are crazy. stand up to the player series EASILY in my eyes, in sound & feel

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Yeah but I'm not to keen on the Player series either. But I'm sure if you've got one of these without QC issues they're good, especially after a pickup swap.

[@rickylakemusic]

I got a red 40th anniversary tele. Had to put on compensated brass barrel saddles. And it needs a fret level. One of the tuners seems wonky. Cannot get low action cause of fret unevenness. Buzzes like crazy. Gonna take the neck pick up out of the tone circuit to make it brighter. Got my particular tele from the samick factory not the cort factory. Reads IS on back of headstock. To me, the neck is chunky and even more so closer to the body. With all that, gonna get one more red one from the samick factory as a back up. I like this little axe.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Sounds like you've put a lot of work in yours!

[@greenfly1264]

I recently bought one. £250 fell in love with its looks. Always wanted a Tele, I've had two American Standard and a Mexican. Never got on with them . One Standards saddle screws were eroded I noticed on first play went they collapsed .So gave this Tele a last chance aGot a Samick model from Thommon. Not a mark on the body or neck perfect finish on frets. I find the neck pick up acceptable, I find playing over the back pick up area improves things, mixes great on middle position. Only problem I had was the jack input kept loosening off. I replaced the washer with a star washer and its now perfect. You must have either got a exceptionallly bad guitar or I've got an exceptionally good one. 👍🏻

[@davelisapaly6750]

Got one from Thomann from round 300 and the setup was almost perfect aside from the intonation. neck pickup could be better but the bridge is capable enough for all kinds of music. The neck is the best thing for me with how neat and smooth it is. It's better than my 2005's Gibson LP Faded for sure.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Got the one from the video for the same price from Thomann as well. Sounds like you received a better one. I could've lived (or rather swapped) the neck pickup if it didn't have so many other issues. But I'm sure that if you managed to get one without too many issues, these can be great guitars for the money, especially with some upgrades.

[@vincentbuccieri9305]

I Found a Used , Already Modified Version , And I Love the Way it Sounds and Plays , And Ive Been Playing Longer than You Have Been Alive, And I Have Owned Many Telecasters From Pre CBS ,to a Recent Deluxe with a Solid Rosewood Neck and Two Humbuckers, And I Actually Like the Way this Modified Version Sounds and Plays Better that the American Deluxe , So they Must have Put a Really Good Set of Pickups In!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I'm sure with some modifications that his has every potential to be a great guitar. I've tried and owned plenty Squiers that were great, some with and some even without (major) upgrades. But these guitars are hit and miss. I've also played plenty of Squiers from the sams line that just didn't play and/or sound great. Unfortunately the one in this video fell more in the latter camp. But great that you managed to get a hold of on of those good ones!

[@vincentbuccieri9305]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar Yes Every Guitar is an Individual , I Worked for Stinburger Back in the 90's as a Builder and Manager, And Know How Finicky Builds Can Be , I Never Buy a Guitar Without Inspecting and Playing it, Unless there is No Other Way!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@vincentbuccieri9305 luckily a lot of stores have 30 day return policies these days. There aren't many guitar stores around anymore where I live and the one there are don't have a lot of different stock, so there's often a lot of stuff you can't try. So then you're stuck with the luck of the draw and sometimes you get something great, sometimes you get a dog, often it's something in between. But Squiers have been really hit or miss. Some really punch above their weight, but too often the lack of some good quality control holds their guitars back in my humble opinion.

[@vincentbuccieri9305]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar I Am Very Lucky I am Surrounded by Guitar Stores in Danbury CT

[@Choupifr]

Had mine for 289€ without the upgrades :). This tele is pretty unique with its satin finish, modern C neck and metallic pickguard so i have not much alternatives in the fender / squier lineup for the same price. I swapped pickups for nocaster 51 and bridge for the gotoh with compensated saddles out of the box. Some days later i swapped tuners for gotohs locking ones and installed a 4way switch. Now iam very satisfied with it. Sounds great, plays great and look inspiring to me :)

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I'm sure with those upgrades that will be an awesome guitar! But QC at Squier is also hit and miss, and I think I ended up on the wrong end of that spectrum.

[@Choupifr]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar . Pickup and bridge remplacement was mandatory. Fretwork still not the best i have seen but i can leave with it. The quality of theses squier are also very series dependant. I have also a squier contemporary tele that come from China factory and its by far the best tele i own and owned. Insanely good construction for a sub 400€ guitar.

[@jasonstacey8577]

These guitars are great ,absolute steel for £250 .

[@jasonstacey8577]

Hi did The Tuners drop straight in with no drilling?

[@Choupifr]

@@jasonstacey8577 Gotoh SD91-05M MG-T Locking 6L N, no drilling at all.

[@oldasrocks9121]

Got the Vintage sunburst Strat for $265US, vendors are clearing out their inventory. May grab a Tele too. Fender said they'd only be made for 2022 so once they're gone they're gone. Strat has plastic pickup bobbins, an aluminum pickguard and is pretty dark. I'm guessing the Tele has pickups of similar cost. If the bridge has a brass grounding plate swap it out for steel, often that's enough to bring it around. A Tonerider set could easily get you where you want to be. For less than $300 I don't mind the work. Bought mine with a specific project in mind, noiseless pickups with 9v active mid-boost electronics, but any set of US Bootstrap or Tone Hatch handwounds will make these working instruments. When they're gone they're gone ...

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

You could definitely get a worse guitar for more money, but I've had Squiers that were a lot better, that's why this one disappointed me. Recently sold their limited edition Esquire Custom I had, and that one was great for only 70 bucks more.

[@TooPunkToBeAPodcast]

Dont know about the teles, but i got the vintage edition strat, and its really great. No finish issues and good frets. Sounds really great. The trem system in the back isnt the best but ive made it work. Overall insane value of a guitar

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

The strats looked really cool, thought about getting one as well.

[@lengross4126]

I was excited when I saw that Fender direct was selling them for around $340 last Christmas so I picked one up. The first thing I noticed was the setup was horrible out of the box. Extremely high action to deal with. I also thought the pickups were not nearly as good as on my 2010 Classic Vibe Tele. To me it sounded like a $140 Harley Benton guitar. I also sent mine back.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I've also had Classic Vibes that were a lot better than this. And I've also recently bought from Fender directly and was shocked how bad the guitar was shipped to me. Not only terrible packaging, but the neck wasn't even screwed on properly.

[@lazvt8469]

Grabbed two lefty CV50's this year for grins....dropped Fralins in one....Lollars in another....brass comp'd saddles...a few bad tuners....one had 'sitar nut'....otherwise...WONDERFUL sounding...play/feel very decent. Prefer my CV's to my new Pro II.... I'm indeed grinning now. True...neck pups are muddy (brighten up a bit when you disconnect it from the tone pot).

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I've have nothing against Squiers in general, had good to great ones. Just ordered a CV 70s tele custom last friday on a cyber week sale. The one from this video just wasn't a good one.

[@lazvt8469]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar No, I get it...got my son a CV60's baritone last year...perfect, except, again...a poorly cut nut at high E. Why they miss this issue so often is beyond me.

[@danpritchett5617]

I got the glossy black and gold one. Love mine!

[@BertfromBelgium]

i just bought the last one in stock in Bax music Belgium

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Let me know how you like it! Bax don't usually check their guitars, so I hope Squier did the proper work on yours.

[@philcal2000]

I just received mine a vintage blonde weighing in at 7lb 7onces ... i don't know what some people are on about , a guitar of this quality would of cost me 3 months wages in the late 70s early 80s, the cheap ones of that era were crap. The price was the reason that stopped me learning to play. Yes Steven you are spoilt and very lucky and so am i to be living in this world of tech. All i will be doing is changing the pots , 3 way switch and output jack because they are not the best $60 Australian will sort it out... almost forgot brass compensated saddles at next string change... $20

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Of course I wasn't alive in that decade, so I can't compare. But lower priced guitars weren't this good on average when I started playing guitar in the 00s either. But these Squiers vary heavily in both weight and quality. Seems like you got a good one.

[@philcal2000]

thanks for you're reply , my Kids tell me to get stuffed too in a nice way. But getting back to guitar quality the main change that has improved these cheaper ones over the last 30-40 years is CNC machines , once you get the first one right then they are all the same . same goes for cars as an example... Yes I think I got a good (better} one ,at least with the weight but you would have a better ear than me because you would have thousands of hours more than me invested in your craft... anyway keep rocking@@StevenAnthonyGuitar

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

I got a strat, great guitar. Now they are hard to find.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Yeah maybe I should've tried the strat of the jazzmaster of these series. It was a tough choice, where I ended up with a guitar that I didn't fully like.

[@Gaslight.Guitar]

It looks cool though. Too bad you were not inspired by it. Seems to be a great deal with these models.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I might've just gotten a lemon. From what I've read they tend to vary in quality and weight, but it seems I'm not the only one who wasn't impressed by the pickups. I think the Jazzmaster or Stratocaster from that range might be a better pick.

[@andrewhamson435]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitarsomeone i work with got a tele that just happens to be a prisitine example i guess, same finish as urs

[@julssmith3743]

I have that same guitar and it's awesome. The price is ridiculous for the quality of the guitar. It inspires me and I spend hours and hours playing non-stop. This guitar has a lot of soul, but you have to play it alternatively, looking for new rhythms that are not the typical and boring old classics. Rock n' Roll is dead.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@julssmith3743 ah there's my problem, I played too much dad rock on it! Too bad I missed out on a great guitar by simply not playing it as creatively as you did 😪

[@Gaslight.Guitar]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar 😂😂😂😂

[@trinityflow]

All the reviews I have heard for these telecasters sound out of tune. That is the biggest issue to me. Mine had issues too and I put 11’s on and that helps allot. I do think it is a great guitar for the price. The pickups are fine even the neck though I rarely use them on teles. I am all about the tele bridge pickups. I do think you are being too picky. The neck and frets on mine are excellent. I also did a intonation and truss adjustment and was really easy.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Yeah I'm sure some work helps, and I bring all new guitars to my luthier, which makes a big difference. Maybe I've been picky about this onez but my biggest gripe is that I simply played better Squiers than this. Had their 60s Custom Esquire up until recently and that one was a lot better, so then it's harder to except these kind of shortcomings from one of their guitars that was supposed to be a more expensive model.

[@bartboop]

Dude you are so dead on with everything I have heard. I bought mine used after the original owner changed the pick-guard, the bridge saddles to brass, custom set up, with fret dressing. The neck pickup is crap, and the guitar is so very heavy.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

If I remember mine was fairly light... unless I mention something else in the video of course, I'm not sure at this point. But that's also a big inconsistency at Squier. I owned a 60s Esquire Custom which was 3kg, but I tried some that were 5kg. I've experienced that with several Squiers of the exact same model and it's a huge difference in weight.

[@bartboop]

Mine is red and weighs 9lbs plus.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@bartboop yeah that's a bit too heavy for a telecaster in my opinion, although they come in a lot heavier as well. I think a tele should be between 7 and 8 pounds, or at least that's why I prefer them, especially when they're right in the middle of that.