SQUIER 40th ANNIVERSARY TELECASTER DEMO & REVIEW

This is a follow-up to my unboxing video, taking a closer look at the 40th Anniversary Telecaster.
0:00 Intro graphic and opening sounds
0:16 Description
1:03 Chicken pickin' lick
1:06 Pickup comparison (chords)
1:26 Pickup comparison (single notes)
1:43 Pros - what I like
2:04 Volume swells and "wah-wah" with the tone control
2:22 Neck feel
2:49 Pickup concerns
3:18 Pickups update - what I found when I gigged with this guitar
3:40 Back to the show; prices and final conclusion
4:16 Outro with some distortion
4:34 Credits and gear used

[@TheSloppyGuitarist]

I just got this very same guitar today. Wow, what a neck! And the guitar is quite light. Both pickups are slightly microphonic on mine, but I'm not a gigging guy so I won't be playing at volumes that will cause enough vibration/feedback to matter. I've become a bit of a 'teleholic' recently, selling off my 'other' guitars to buy just Tele's.. 😁 The G&L ASAT is still my #1 pick but I think this 40th Anniversary is a definite 2nd. Great playing btw, Dave. Cheers from Australia... PS: Oh yes, I too use the BOSS Katana 50 Mk1. Recently on the clean channel with a Joyo American Sound pedal in front of it. Getting some lovely Fender'ish tones from it ;)

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

If you don't use too much gain on your amp, the guitar should be fine even with the microphonic pickups. The neck is nice, isn't it?

[@IamtheActionman]

I own a 40th Strat in Sonic blue. You're review is not of a Strat but I think you're right on the money

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

I was thinking of buying a 40th Anniversary Strat. Worth it or not?

[@IamtheActionman]

@@anotherheadlessdemo Crazy good for the money. The fit and finish is very good and highly recommend them.

[@Mike_S_Swift]

I was getting parts together to build a Baja Tele. My nephew bought the 40th anniversary Tele like yours. I had put my custom shop 62’ fender pickups and a four way switch in a cheap Indio so he could see if he wanted to do that in his 40th. Wow what a difference. Sounds great. When I went to get more custom shop 62’s the Post office somehow lost the shipment. I settled on pure vintage 64’s and am almost done putting the Baja together along with the s1 switch to get out of phase tones. Almost all fender parts except the body. I like your videos very much. Keep on keeping on!

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

Thank you! I have some replacement pickups for this that I haven't installed yet. I'll have to do a comparison video. :)

[@Mike_S_Swift]

You can get a Fender four way switch for about 25$. Easy mod and in fourth position the two pickups are in series. Just have to isolate the ground from neck cover and run a new ground wire from the cover. Think you’d like it. 😊

[@ragnadrabinowitz7629]

on amazon prime day those were being sold for $289. i was really tempted! i did buy the 40th anniversary vintage series jazzmaster, which i like very much.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

I'd love to play a 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster. Chris Buck has a video featuring one and he thought it was a great guitar.

[@seconduser1809]

Beautiful looking guitar. My local music store has one so I was able to see it in person. Love the wood and the finish. I only tried it in un-amplified so don't know about microphonic rear pickup, but as far as fit and finish and playability comfort, I love it.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

I didn't realize how microphonic the pickup was until I was playing in a live situation, and not just into a computer. Weird.

[@Guitarrobb1969]

Thanks for an honest review, David! I've had my eye on these Telecasters since they were introduced, and I think your review may have pushed me over the edge to break down and purchase one! I really like the design and the satin finishes of these instruments. If they are as good as many of the other guitars that Squier has been manufacturing recently, then the value of owning one is fantastic! This is especially good, considering the price difference between these and the Telecasters that are supposed to be of greater quality being currently released within the Fender Player, Vintera or American series guitars! 😊👍👍🎸🎶✨️

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

Squiers have gotten so much better. That said, there are things about my two Teles (Road Worn and Vintera) that really make them a notch or two above a Squier. Same with my Fender Strat. My Classic Vibe Strat just isn't as good. I still like this Tele though!

[@edmoss2020]

Great demo

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

Thank you!

[@Brian_Vallejo]

Squier is killing with these 40th anniversary models! How interesting that you mentioned the Fender Vintera series. I bought the 40th Anni. Jazzmaster and I much prefer it to my Vintera JM. Only thing I don't care for is the aged chrome hardware, otherwise I love it.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

I'd like to play a properly setup 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster so I can compare it to the two Squiers I have (JMJM and CVJM). That has gotten some rave reviews as well.

[@congerscott6064]

I am seriously considering getting this guitar, I don't play out ( I'm strictly a home hobbyist player ) so I'm going to leave it all stock, great review, thank you 👍.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

Good choice!

[@robertbennett6418]

Thanks ... Nice review. This is probably my next tele. Not a fan of the ash tray bridge but I can live with it. I prefer the individual bridge saddles. Better tuning and intonation. Like the NATO wood finish. Thanks again.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

Thank you! You can always get compensated saddles for a vintage bridge. I've never used them, but that are supposed to work pretty well.

[@leer.2137]

thanks, helpful

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

You're welcome!

[@greenfly1264]

I just bought one of those. I heard in many reviews that the neck pick up is muddy. I think its true to vintage, the muting can be raised for balance. My Samick model has no microphonic problems as yet. As for the muddying criticism from some reviews, its part of its tonal range and great from blending in middle postion . I recommend any one who wants to hear the full colour of a telecaster listen to Danny Gatton a track called Nitpicking shows its not mud its warm honey when used as skillfully as this master shows. Danny Gatton, check him.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

Danny Gatton was an incredible player and inspired me to buy my first Telecaster. I've had a number of Telecasters with a much brighter sounding neck pickup. My Vintera does and my Road Worn not so much.

[@1965niles]

Your last name is my first Ha Ha Love that finish on that tele

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

Some people assume it's my first name! Pretty funny.

[@lazvt8469]

I bought two CV50's teles and with brass saddles and better pups (stock are decent...bridge especially) you end up with a GREAT guitar. The Fralin Blues Special and Lollar Special T's really make mine sing! My Pro II is a nice guitar....but tonal wise....it's inferior to my CV's with Fralin/Lollar. The neck pup was VASTLY improved in particular with the upgrades. Stock was very dull indeed. I also remove neck pup from the tone pot...really spiced the neck pup up even before adding the custom pups.

[@J.D....]

Do you the special T or the blues specials?

[@lazvt8469]

@@J.D.... Both. Got TWO CV50's. Bridge sound about the same...the Lollar neck is thicker, more open...nicer frankly.

[@user-dv5yt9yc9x]

The guitar has a very good tone.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

I agree. For the most part I'm happy with the tone I'm getting.

[@sexypekk]

I just picked one up today, I had similar feedback about the pickups to what you said originally. The neck sounds dull but the bridge I couldn't tell too much difference. Trying to figure out if I should upgrade the pickups and to what. I want a bit more clarity on the neck. It sounds a bit muffled. I also think the volume is so much lower on the neck pickup that it's hard to hear what's going on. It does feel absolutely amazing to play though. I love this neck. I compared in shop to a Player and American Professional II and this one felt the best.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

I think this is a perfect guitar for modding. I have two Fender Tele pickups I'll be swapping for the stock at some point.

[@fabiostinco]

muito linda!

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

It is a pretty guitar!

[@user-wl4rv7pi4h]

Nice review. Would you recommend this for a near intermediate player who wants only 1 electric guitar?

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

Absolutely. It's a fun guitar to play and the build quality is really good.

[@user-wl4rv7pi4h]

Thanks for the reply. I've been on the fence with an electric guitar. The strat, jazzmaster, tele. I want to stay in Fender family. It's on sale for $545.09 here in Canada. Seems reasonable for the tele.

[@rickylakemusic]

In which factory was your guitar made? you can tell by the first two letters in the serial. IC or IS? supposedly the IS designation means a better made axe. I wish to get one of these but it's a crap shoot as to which factory will have made the bought-online-unseen-until-unboxing axe. I have attempted to insure I get a IS axe but so far all the dealers say it's boxed up and no way to check...

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

It's an IS. :)

[@TerryChimes123]

A touch of Roy Buchanan there.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

He knew all the Tele tricks!

[@ranman58635]

All good but are the frets exactly where they should be? I've noticed that classic vibe does this. Frets not set well.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

I haven't noticed that about this guitar, although there are a couple of frets that are slightly high. Not a big deal and par for the course for an inexpensive guitar.

[@Woody103]

Played a couple today fretwork was absolutely perfect really blown away 0 sharp ends and frets where they should be

[@Brad143]

Hi,do you have any issue with this 40th anniversary model .

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

Yes. As I mentioned the review, I was having trouble with the bridge pickup being too microphonic. Unless you are playing with very little gain, it's almost impossible to gig with. Apparently, not all of these Teles have that problem.

[@candrabalimirage]

Like #1st...Thanks for your video

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

Thank you too!

[@alafenetre81]

What about the weight? Is it heavy? Thank you.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

7lbs 10oz. It's a little lighter than my two Fender Teles.

[@LeeMichael-2517]

Great video! Thanks. How can I contact you?

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

What do you need to contact me about?

[@LeeMichael-2517]

@@anotherheadlessdemo I would like to invite you to review the Fesley guitar!

[@alafenetre81]

Uncompensated saddles. That means you're not playing in tune after the 8th or 10th fret.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

I have four Telecasters and none of them have compensated saddles. There are ways to intonate these; it's a just a bit of a pain to do.

[@EdibleDeodorant]

Well tempered musical standards imposed over hundreds of years. That means you're not playing in tune ever.

[@Mychordchronicles]

are you new to Telecasters?

[@MrSilver666]

Just got one … Man , just way too heavy in weight for me .. plays ok , but people should be informed how much this weighs .

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

What does yours weigh? I've been gigging with my J Mascis which is about 8.5 lbs. (approx) and my Teles are anywhere between 7.2 and 7.9 lbs.

[@MrSilver666]

@@anotherheadlessdemo hiya, just weighed that baby elephant of mine …. 11.3 lbs !!! I read they should be between 7.3 - 8,7 lbs …. but 11.3 ! ? ( I bought it unseen , 2nd hand so can’t return ) darn

[@dennisdavis6960]

Just received mine from musicians friend. Don't do it. Ordered mine and should have received a email saying it was shipped. Two days later contacted them because I had heard nothing. They email me then and said it would be here tomorrow. It arrived. Was supposed to be factory packed but was a repack. One strip of tape on the top and bottom flaps. Bubbled wrapped very poorly with some paper stuffed around it. I could reach in through the top and pull the guitar out. The guitar had a big chunk on the back side next to binding knock out. The tuners are cheap trash and the neck pickup sucks. They said that this was in stock but they shipped it out of New Orleans guitar center. Their shipping clerk should be fired. Looked like a seven year old packed the box. As for it being in stock in the warehouse as the Web site said. It will not be in stock till March 2024 for dakota red. Looks like new management has done nothing for musicians friend. Big disappointment. I will never order from them again. Beware.

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

I'd stick with Sweetwater when it comes to buying guitars and accessories. Even though this was under the dollar amount for their 55-point inspection, it was packed well.

[@thedude4594]

Sounds like you cry like this about everything