Comparing the Affinity Telecaster to The Classic Vibe 50's Tele, Fender Squire Tele

[@whiskeytangofoxtrot9403]

2022 update affinity tele. Olympic white, Laurel FB, through body 4 hole bridge, flush ferrules, skunk stripe, truss rod cap, decent medium jumbo frets, nice fit and finish, set screw knobs, decent / solid selector switch, 3 ply pick guard. Mine was made in china. Very nice guitar especially for someone with a love of playing and a lower budget.

[@Zoso981]

I just bought a 2016 Classic Vibe 50's Tele. I had heard stories that these were great guitars, but now that I've had time to really play it, I'd have to agree. I also own the Fender Jimmy Page Dragon Tele ($1400) and this Squier holds its own against it.

[@ChasesWKshop]

Awesome bud! Yea I was totally blown away by the quality of the classic vibes. Hope to have a Bender in mine soon. Thanks for the comment bud!

[@markreddoch6047]

I know I’m late but I’m old enough to remember when chalkboards were black.

[@ChasesWKshop]

Haha, I am not. But I do remember green chalkboards.

[@markreddoch6047]

@@ChasesWKshop I am a retired principal and by the time I retired they were all white marker boards!

[@ChasesWKshop]

@@markreddoch6047 awesome! Thanks for your work. When I graduated they were all whiteboards. Now they’re like digital computer monitors. It’s weird.

[@judokaMike]

Original blackboards were slate. Truly black!

[@jgia1562]

Good video....Great playing!!! I'd like to know that little diddy you are playing that was some nice picking! I picked up a thinline classic vibe which I love....I may upgrade the pick ups down the line but they are just fine for right now. Keep up the good work!

[@ChasesWKshop]

Sweet, the pickups are pretty good sounding stock. I’ve thought about building a set for it. Glad you like the channel and thanks for the kind words.

[@gsuderman]

Great video! I own several US made guitars, Strat Amer Std and a G&L ASAT, etc. so I feel I know what a good guitar feels and sounds like. Bought a used Butterscotch CV 4 years ago and it is now my #1 guitar. Replaced ALL the electronics EXCEPT the pickups. CTS pots, CRL Switch, cloth pushback wire and a Switchcraft output jack. In my opinion the guitar sounds much better. Fuller as if more signal is getting to the amp. In fact it sounds SO much better I don't feel the need to switch out the pickups! LOL Now some people think that there shouldn't be any difference in sound, but the original electronics are pure garbage. Guitar Player recently commented on a guitar review that the US made parts contributed to a better signal path. Anyway, cost about $50USD and an afternoon of soldering and here we are. In addition, I didn't care for the amount of finish on the back of the neck so went to Home Depot and bought some furniture stripping pads. These are MUCH more aggressive than sanding sponges and really went to town on the back of the neck. So much so that it looks like the guitar has had a million hours of play on it, all relic'd. I prefer the feel and it was a cheap mod. Let me know if anyone tries this.

[@tonyhahn9481]

Interesting comparison! Some specs on the Affinity are different from what I own, a 2021 Affinity tele. Mine got glossy finish on the front of the headstock, truss rod access painted black, skunk stripe behind the neck, and belly cut at the back of the body. The only significant differences for me I'd say ; string thru body, and mine got split shaft tuner that I don't have to worry about end of the strings sticking out, poking around. The rest are pretty much similar with plastic nut, laurel FB, etc. I assume yours might be 2020 or earlier release. Totally agree that Affinity requires some setup. But once you get it right, it's really fun to play.

[@theblytonian3906]

Fender keep altering the build specs of their Affinity and Bullet lines in recent years. Suspect it down to origin of each -i.e. China or Indonesia, terms/specs of contract and contracted OEM (who) for the series at the time.

[@Azeefied]

That was a really great video. Very informative, and your thoughts were nicely laid out. Keep it coming. Subscribed.

[@ChasesWKshop]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the channel!

[@flux1968]

I have a Squier Affinity. I agree with what you say about paying more to upgrade the guitar than it's worth but... I also have a Fender Moder Player Tele as my main guitar. I use the Squier now as my "project guitar" that I learn to do my own setups and make mods with. I put more money into the guitar than I paid for it, but I consider that "tuition" for learning how to swap out electronics, solder/de-solder cables, do my own setups. I recommend playing the Affinity until people can get a bettee guitar, then keeping the Affinity as a backup or as a learning tool.

[@thomasellis4604]

Could you explain why a gloss neck would be different than another type? Great video btw. Ty

[@ChasesWKshop]

Some people prefer a sanded neck because a glossed neck can be sticky when you play. Like when you slide up or down the neck your hand has a tendency to stick to the back of the neck on a gloss finish and not on a non gloss finish. I’ve never had it be that big of an issue though so I guess it’s just personal preference. I do like the feel of a sanded neck though.

[@ChasesWKshop]

Thanks for the kind words too bud! Welcome to the channel.

[@thomasellis4604]

@@ChasesWKshop man, thank you for replying. What pickups were you planning on putting in the vibe?

[@ChasesWKshop]

I really don’t know man. The ones in it sound pretty dang good. I usually either build my own or use loller pickups. Fixing to install a b Bender into it so the plans on the pups may change lol.

[@mikequinlivan8842]

I bought a classic vibe tele the first year they made them (can’t remember the year. 2016?) It’s the best guitar I’ve ever had. I’ve played more expensive, USA made guitars. I dunno…I just love the CV!

[@TreborsTreble]

I'm not sure why Squire makes the differences between their lineup such a mystery. You would think that would be a selling point, a reason, why you would wan't one instead of the other. I did research before I made my purchase, and couldn't find any different. All they ever list in the specs are : number of frets, tonewood on the body and neck, the type of pickups and I don't mean alnico or ceramic, I mean single coil vs humbucker, and the tell you it has a 3 way selector switch. In other words, they don't tell you anything.. After all of that work I put in, like watching countless KZbin reviews, I bought a used one that still had film from the factory on the pic plate. I don't even know if it's a bullet, affinity, or something else. So the only difference I found was money, and I know the difference when it comes to price.

[@ChasesWKshop]

I know bud. There are many differences in them. They seem to confuse specs with options in my opinion. Hope I was able to help you out.

[@BladeDoomer86]

Having owned both, CV all the way.. I modded my Affinity, but still, the CV comes pretty much perfect as is, no need to change anything really. Both need a proper setup obviously. Pickups on Affinity are NOT good.

[@ChasesWKshop]

Yes the classic vibes are the ticket if you’re looking for an all around great guitar out of the box.

[@edwilkinson4388]

Would you say that even when switching the affinity pickups to higher quality ones, the guitar still isn't as good as the classic vibe? I'm considering adding some fender pickups to an affinity but would the classic vibe be a better choice?

[@BladeDoomer86]

@@edwilkinson4388 It's the overall feeling of the neck and the electronics.. The guitar really feels much cheaper in the hands.. It's just not worth the trouble.. I changed all the electros and put better pickups. Sound wise it's amazing, but you can't change the "cheapness" feeling lol

[@ChasesWKshop]

@@edwilkinson4388 yes I’d say the classic vibe is an all around better choice if it’s in your budget. Even the pickups on the classic vibe sound really good. Enough so that I don’t plan on changing them.

[@edwilkinson4388]

@@BladeDoomer86 thanks for helping my decide! The classic vibe has a kickass sound with the stock pickups

[@bluwng]

Fender has been producing these instruments for almost 100 years they are very good at doing things correct. Their process have been perfected. I disagree withe nut at least on Fender/Squier products.

[@WillieDuitt1]

When I went to school the boards were black, but I have seen the green ones.

[@stevelankford7087]

New sub for the channel my friend. Here is a little rundown on my herd. 90’s Fender US Tele, Cv butterscotch Tele, Cv Esquire Tele. I’m sure without looking at all the comments here most people are favorable to Cv, I love mine and can’t say that I’m done buying them I really love them. I don’t feel the need to do much at all to them, although a few upgrades here and there won’t hurt. I’m it sure if I bought another if it would be a 40th anniversary black or the satin finish 40th anniversary. Anyway for the money they are just very hard to deny,imho.

[@ChasesWKshop]

Awesome man! Glad you like the channel. I love the guitar. I currently have it disassembled installing a b bender into it if I can find time haha.

[@noreply-mp]

This is an excellent review. Thank you bruvva. Wish I saw this earlier before purchsing my classic vibe! I still made the right choice anyway LUL

[@ChasesWKshop]

Thanks bud! Glad you enjoyed it!! Welcome to the channel.

[@toledo2983]

congrats very good video style, very competent person, useable infos.

[@ChasesWKshop]

Thanks, glad to help you out!

[@rickroberts9182]

My 2010 CV was made in China and had brass saddles. I installed a fishman piezo bridge and preamp and regularly gig with this guitar. Great instrument. I did replace the pickups but didn't notice a huge difference in sound but the clarity on the tex specials was a bit better.

[@ChasesWKshop]

Sweet, I heard a few others talk about the differences between the China and Indonesia makes. The one in the video is made in Indonesia. Yes the pickups that come stock are really nice. I’ve thought about building some or changing them out but I like the way they sound so I dunno haha. Thanks for the comment bud!

[@charlesharper7292]

Just got my Squire Strat O Sonic. Came with a graphite nut.

[@KeithTaylorPhoto]

What do you mean when you say install a “bender?”

[@ChasesWKshop]

Hey bud, I build B and G Bender kits for guitars. It’s basically a mechanism that bends the b or g string up a half or whole step. I’ve got some videos on it or you can search brad paisley b Bender and you’ll see what it does. Hope this helps bud.

[@bassmana2z686]

Thanks for the great content.

[@ChasesWKshop]

You’re welcome bud!

[@whhitestallion]

You’re under par for views. Solid stuff here. Don’t stop

[@ChasesWKshop]

Thanks, glad you like the channel!

[@anamarsstudio]

Deciding between the Squier by Fender Affinity Series Telecaster Deluxe, Maple fingerboard, Black (literal Amazon name) and the SQUIER Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe, Maple Fingerboard, Black This is going to be my first electric guitar and I mostly want something durable, but I need something as lightweight as possible, due to my disability, also as small as possible. Would you recommend I spend a little more in the second model, or get the cheaper one? Or is there another model you would recommend, I would want it to be in the 300-500 range.

[@ChasesWKshop]

Hey, thanks for the question, as a first guitar the first one would be great. The deluxe models are really nice. As far as the weight, my buddy has one and they’re not too heavy. The pine body classic vibes are heavy. Do you already have an amp for the guitar?

[@anamarsstudio]

@@ChasesWKshop hi! thank you so much for replying, I sadly just saw this but I did end up buying that first guitar. It'll get here in a few weeks but I hope it was the best choice, thank you! And I haven't gotten an amp yet, I'm actually going to use one my brother has for a while until I get my own.

[@ChasesWKshop]

Awesome!

[@nathaniel7186]

The school I attended had blackboards and greenboards. It was a dirt poor rural school district.

[@sober-southoftheborderever3591]

There is no way to compare. The Vintage Vibe is much better, however more expensive. However, a Affinity is a great guitar to play around, take to the gig, etc. And with a quality very decent for the price. I had both in my life, actually more than one of both. I am 72.

[@rchydrozz751]

If you have to, save up to get the CV. Its better all around. Not much difference between the CV and low end Fender.

[@cmmnsenserules4339]

A better quality knob.....now that's important to have a good knob.

[@michaelgustat9277]

Blackboards WERE green.

[@williamhaynie4229]

​@440 6PACK Blackboards were originally black. They were made from slate. I graduated in 67 and they were still black then. The green painted ones came later, for what I would imagine were a cheaper price and availability of materials.

[@BrianGay57]

@@williamhaynie4229 Yep! Black slate was the original material.

[@manonbassguitar]

CV’s are pine bodies.

[@Xcorgi]

You forgot to mention that the Affinity has a press wood body while the CV has a solid pine body.

[@ChasesWKshop]

Ahh didn’t know that. Thanks for the info bud. I knew the CV was solid pine but wasn’t sure about the affinity. Thanks!

[@anthonygonzalez8684]

cheap but sound decent when set up.

[@s.geo.7639]

Affinity for sure. Ceramic bar magnets better.. more gain. Classic vibe..awful thick poli. Fake tonerider pups awful. Both guitars 9.25 radius and that sucks.. so flatten the neck.. or get a 22 fret neck..better.

[@voiceofexperience]

Buys a $200 guitar. Spends video talking about "skimping". Dude...

[@ChasesWKshop]

You must have missed the part where I said, “it’s not my guitar” 😂.

[@tonyharley5230]

Old Affinity. New model much better with thicker neck.

[@neilkorsgaard]

Don't make tour kids play in with scratchy frets and a bad nut😢

[@theblytonian3906]

Let me save everyone 14 minutes of their life. Outside the continental USA, both are overpriced thanks to Fender's price gouging and overall profit margin marketing strategy. If you're watching this, price is quite apparently a consideration in your interest/purchasing triage. Of the two, the Classic Vibe is the better guitar both in build and to play, but also at twice the price. Nevertheless it is the amateur/small gigging player sweet point of the Fender/Squier Tele line up. Considering the price, the pickups fitted to the CV are very ordinary. Of course, those buying a CV Tele must really want ONLY a Tele. For beginners just wanting a first guitar -not Tele specific, or intermediates in the same 'which guitar?' quandary, there is simply far better buying available.

[@travisbond4218]

He's a baby😂

[@bakkels]

Generic review being generic. Be sure to like and subscrive.