Why I'm selling my Squier Thinline Telecaster after a few weeks. Just not loving it.

Hey all.
Before I get into what this video is about this is obviously entirely subjective, I've decided to sell my Fender Special Run Squier Classic Vibe Thinline Telecaster that I got from Andertons a few weeks ago.
I gave it a really good run out and eventually decided that for me the guitar just isn't right. I go into detail in the video about why but in essence the combination of the semi hollow body combined with the underpowered pickups just cause the guitar to both feel and sound too light.
This is no reflection on Fender or Andertons (who specced the guitar) but it's just a really clear case of the aesthetic of an instrument can be completely ideal in your eyes (which this really was for me) but ultimately that's irrelevant if you can't get the sounds you want out of it.
Thx for watching and feel free to tell me you love the sound of the guitar and that I'm bonkers below!
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[@michaelgriffith6641]

I had the classic Vibe 60s Thinline Telecaster, sold it a couple weeks ago. Absolutely loves the way it played and felt. I knew if I kept it, it would get a bridge humbucker and bridge plate, saddles and eventually better tuners. It was a beautiful guitar as it was the natural finish with sparkley pick guard. Awesome beginner guitar, not for me. Have a great day.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the comment. Yeah I loved the aesthetic and feel of the guitar too. It just wasn’t for me unfortunately

[@chaskiandcie]

Hello there, thank you for your videos. I hesitated for a while between the black and blonde version. Finally went to the blonde, 'cause I thought it was pine as advertised : lol nope, both are Nato. Anyway, it was my second thinline, the first one was a Vintage Modified that I sold 'cause I couldn't pass the frets quality : it seemed cheap The Classic Vibe CME was way better, so I sold the VM. I normally play on RI52 telecasters, so to have good comparison between plain and thinline telecasters, I put 11's strings, Fender Original Vintage pickups, and brass saddles : it opened up a lot, had more definition, more midrange, the bridge was really cool, but the neck pickup was still lacking something I couldn't my finger on. I tried boutique pickups : still the same problem. And I loved the look of the Thinline, but hated the neck pick up where it normally is my all time favourite pickup. So I had to look for a solution. After a while, going back and forth between plain and thinline, I knew what was that I (the guitar) was missing : the attack. Obviously, it lacks also midrange, but it can be tweeked with pedals and amps setting, but there's no way you can create attack : it's all about the construction : that semi-hollowness changes the tone of the guitar. The secret to use these guitars is to play it through british amps, not american scooped amps ;) Once I knew, I kept it for a while, but finally sold it last month 'cause I just have to many guitars, so I only save the ones I truly play. Though I sometimes miss it, and I know I'll be buying a new CME, or a another Thinline in the future, 'cause they are good guitars, inspiring, but you gotta be aware that you are not getting the same attack as a normal telecaster : same family, but not the same guitar ;)

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the lengthy comment. Appreciated. Yeah I gotta say I just couldn’t bond with it. It just had no authority. I have the 72 thinline and a lot of other semi hollow guitars so I’m just replaced it with the 72 custom classic vibe. Much better guitar.

[@abominablemusic]

some sort of HB tele is on my hit list - interesting to hear you didn't get on with this, as you say, looks great. The 40th anniversary Squiers take my fancy, but perhaps the same issues lie in these too?

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. So a tele with a HB in the neck is a beautiful thing. It’s such a versatile guitar. I wouldn’t be out off by this guitar. To be honest I think the guitar was mainly affected by the thin-line construction matched with a the low output pickups. The 40th anniversary squires look really great.

[@MushroomsMythologyandMedicine]

I know a year old, but did this model have the shorter scale? I believe it does and that might be why you couldn't the tone you were looking for (from what I've read the shorter length in scale creates a different tone).

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the comment. No, regular scale. 25.5 inches. I don’t think fender make a short scale tele. Mainly the mustang and Jaguar. A few others like the Coronado and tornado might be too but I’m not too sure.

[@mralgebro]

If I lived in the UK I would have bought this based on looks for sure. I have a squier CV 60s thinline with the red ish finish. I use it as a living room noodler. Haha😁 Plugged in it's not my favorite but it plays great and stays in tune.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey Sean. Thx for the comment. I was the same bought it cause it looked so killer. Just couldn’t get on with it’s sound.

[@Plaw01]

Its not you. I had one and felt exactly the same. I then bought the Classic Vibe 70s Thinline with the humbuckers and felt the same about that as well. Neither didnt really float my boat and I couldnt say why. Was just missing something. Sold them both for a Fender Mex Tele which absolutely rocks.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

I have an old 90s jap 72 thinline and I love it but that’s an entirely different thing to the classic vibe stuff. It’s mad how divisive this video is a lot of people think I’m completely wrong about it. But guitar is such a personal thing I guess. 🤷‍♂️

[@satyarisingsanctuary]

I tuned mine to open G, with a compression and EQ pedals, and it works for me.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the comment. It’s completely a subjective thing. I knew after a short time this guitar wasn’t for me. But that in no way means it’s not for everyone.

[@BudgetPedalChap]

Sometimes these things happen and the guitar you expect to live just doesn't fit with you the way it should. I always thought I'd be a Les Paul player, but buckers just lack the definition of single coils to my ear and so I reach for the strat or tele more

[@TheGuitarEffect]

That’s it exactly man. I’m sure some people out there love this guitar. I just didn’t like it at all. Have you tried a LP with P90s?

[@BudgetPedalChap]

@@TheGuitarEffect I've got an SG copy with p90s which is pretty nice and tbf I do own a couple.of Gibsons even still, but I reach for the singles way more

[@TheGuitarEffect]

I probably reach for them evenly I’d say. I have an old Orville LP from the 90s that is very open sounding. Lovely top end sparkle to it. Has that tele on steroids thing going on. Fabulous guitar.only LP I’ll ever need I’d say. Had a p90 SG special before. Really regret selling it.

[@voiceofexperience]

Now, THAT I can fully understand lol! In fact, I don't know of any way in which Les Pauls DON'T suck.

[@davisworth5114]

Sounds nice.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Thx. Just wasn’t for me.

[@regandunn4850]

I loved my one

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey Regan. Thx for the comment. Yeah like I get that. It’s a totally subjective thing. I just never didn’t bond with a tele before which is why I felt this video was worth making.

[@colinpumpernickel2605]

I have the cheapest tele from Harley Benton. At £80 it was a no brainer. I have a 1985 Japanese Fender but it's been neglected over the years and needs work I can't handle. I'd love to see your opinion of the HB TE 52. I put new strings on, lowered the action, and love it. I have more expensive guitars but the tele is my go to guitar now. It's a bit frustrating really.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

You know it’s interesting I’ve been looking at the cabronita style tele from Harley Benton for a while it looks really great. I’ve never payed a HB guitar. Not through snobbery or anything like that. I’m not into snobbery at all. Just never came across one I wanted. I have that white Mex 60s tele for standard tele sounds and that’s the reason I don’t try other teles. I must review a HB guitar on the channel.

[@colinpumpernickel2605]

@@TheGuitarEffect I look forward to seeing that. Cheers.

[@eugenedevere7687]

Its biggest selling points. Lightness. A joy after toting lead heavy Strats. 'Twangy' sound. Even more 'twangy' than Fender and non Thinline Teles. Alnica PUs. Matches any Fender Tele. The finish. Amazingly good. Price. At £300 a no brainer if you are strapped for cash. I wanted to try a Squier, a Telecaster (having tried other people's) and a Thinline so decided to kill 3 birds with one stone, not expecting much. I own 2 Strats, a Gibson Les Paul, a Dean V and I can honestly say that (at home) I do not play them much any more. I only play this Squier Thinline Tele. I shit you not. I was once an American Strat snob of the worst kind. Not any more. Squiers have SOARED in quality.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey Eugene. Thx for the comment man. Always welcome. So I totally agree about squiers they are amazing guitars. So much better than they have ever been and the range and prices are very attractive. I just didn’t like this particular one at all. Too light, no authority in its delivery. I moved mine on. But that’s totally a personal thing other folk could absolutely love it. I totally get that

[@docalex0]

Had the same guitar. I built a mahogany solid body tele with a Squier tele deluxe CV neck. Sounded way better so I sold the thin line

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey thx for the comment. I also built a mahogany tele with a squier custom tele neck! Mad. I still have it. Input a P90 in the neck and a P90 in the bridge. It’s a cracking guitar.

[@bkmeahan]

I've got a Squier classic vibe thinline deluxe and it is probably tied as my least favorite guitar to play. The sad thing is it plays really well but I'm always chasing the tone and can never quite get it dialed in so I only play it maybe a day or two every couple of months. I have a classic vibe jazzmaster that I absolutely love and I have other tele style guitars that I love. It's a beautiful guitar and I just can't bring myself to sell it. I have other guitars that only sound good with one of my amps but not the others but not this one. May take it to the guitar shop and try it with amps to see if I can find one that I like with it.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the comment. I think the semi hollow nature had a huge part to play in my not bonding with their guitar but at the same time as I mentioned in the video I also have a 25 year old dual WRH thinline and it’s a beautiful sounding guitar. But then Wide Range Humbuckers are much beefier pickups so I think both of the points you make are extremely valid.

[@wherzmaslipperz3111]

It could be the pine body creating that airiness you refer to..and neckdive. Ive the butterscotch Squire thinline..Pine body and very light. Initially it annoyed me especially the tuners , which were crap but after changing them to gotoh vintage, Ive come around to giving it a little more respect . The neck is well made for sure.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the comment. Yeah I did think the body was very light even for a thinline. I’ve long since replaced it. Just wasn’t for me.

[@medicocreguitarist4206]

I'm actually modding mine but I still don't know if I'll ever get used to the neck dive. That's my biggest complaint.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

It’s sooooo weird for a tele to neck dive right? That was the thing that really ripped me over the edge. I just couldn’t deal with it.

[@marinepilot5723]

Put a bigsby on it! Problem solved LOL

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Ha! Good plan. Apparently you can actually buy weights to put in the control cavity to stop neck dive. Saw it somewhere before.

[@medicocreguitarist4206]

@@marinepilot5723 that would be so cool.

[@eugenedevere7687]

Basic Physics. One end is now lighter therefore - durr - the neck is now heavier. I expected that before purchase. Why didn't you?

[@nevillegreg1]

Sounded nice to me.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey Neville. Just never sat with me unfortunately. I sold it a while back.

[@eternalforce116]

I sold mine too. I'd been dying for a thinthine tele and didn't wanna bust the bank. I just didn't gel with it for some reason. I probably could have tried modding it more to tailor it, but ultimately decided to move it on. It is certainly a looker which is what initially sold me on it.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey Paul. Thx for the comment. That’s interesting. Any idea on what it was specifically that stopped you from getting on with it?

[@aycarumble]

it probably just had a bad capacitor, what they do is transmit AC sound in conjunction with the resistance i.e the tone and volume pots, forming an RC circuit, so a badly made pot track, a failing capacitor or even a slightly dry solder joint can and will affect the range of frequencies. Its a dark art in many ways since very little analog research has progressed through the digital age. for instance most electrical trained people think that sound waves operate in a single plane. Whereas the peaks and troughs of a guitar string vibrating are more likely to actually be a spiral waveform The solution get some advice from a pickup maker based on your pickup impedance in ohms if you had just fitted one of those russian oil filled capacitors of the correct capacitance it would have completely changed the character of the guitars presence by letting the mids through rather than what you were experiencing which likely was your hearing only a small range of frequencies around whatever component failure point was in that thinline's circuit. Gibson knew about this and developed the humbucker idea and a switched capacitor value setting control like on BB Kings Lucille, so as different frequency ranges of the guitars output could be dialled in according to the venue`.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Wow! Thx for the very informed comment! I know little or nothing about electronics! In true guitar player style I sold this guitar and am now two guitars in from it!

[@aycarumble]

Hi Rob, yes I've changed guitars many times, currently working on my own telecaster build and am having similar pickup frequency range issues to that thin sound you had on a Tele Thinline. Only I am using a P90 in the neck position and have the opposite issue it's just too strong in the mids with my capacitor / resistor (RC) passive tone control circuit setup. don't It's a complicated subject, so most people as I have done swap out the guitar for one they like better. on top of that, the resulting sound from different tone pot and capacitor values are complex to define.electrical As a result of the complexity and nuance of what we individually want to hear from our guitars, Capacitive

[@pharmerdavid1432]

I have a used 2011 Squire CV thinline (mahogany body), upgraded with Texas Special pickups and "Nashvillized" with a stratocaster pickup in the middle with 5-way switch. The pickups make a huge difference, drastically improving the tone. It weighs 7 pounds even, and is balanced. The frets were too low for my liking, so rather than have new frets installed which costs as much as a neck - I bought a "Professional" maple neck, which is much more comfortable with its "deep C" profile. Now it's a telecaster I like, although about $1,000- at this point. ANYways, if you find the stock pickups weak, some TS pickups will cure that problem!

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Thx for the comment David. That sounds like a great guitar. I’ve since sold mine. I didn’t really feel that I wanted to upgrade it. I replaced it instead.

[@martynharveythepoet5114]

I have to say, I bought the other model that Andertons specced around this time, to be an alternative to the bound model you have there. Mine was a "FSR" specced by Andertons and I was hoping that, based on the Andertons recommendation and video, it would be exactly what I'd been looking for: A thinline with two single-coils instead of the Wide-Range humbuckers in the 72 thinlines. I was really disappointed! (It was the "butterscotch" FSR thinline with the slightly roasted maple neck). It sounded awful - and, like you, I've been playing for decades and have a collection of decent Squier and Fender Teles, so I think I know what I'm talking about on this. the neck was lovely - quite chunky (but I like that) and beautiful fretwork. The setup was dreadful but, that's to be expected, and easily fixed. However, it just sounded "cheap"! Not what Andertons were claiming! The bridge was cheap and badly finished and, opening the guitar up, I found that the pickups were not only really badly made but the PU mounting bolts had been SNIPPED off with bolt cutters, so had really sharp ends, which (luckily) were hidden away in the PUP cavity. I replaced the PUs with an Iron Gear and a Highway One I had hanging around and this improved it immensely. I also swapped the stock bridge for a Wilkinson Brass Saddled thing but... it still sounded cheap and twangy (not the right twangy... more "brittle" and "colourless"). All in all, I think that Fender/Andertons were trying to push out a guitar that had massive "aesthetic appeal" but which cut corners on the stuff that matters - like Pups and fitting screws that were so long someone took some Tin Snips to them!!! Interestingly, when you watch the video which featured both your guitar and mine, Danish Pete hardly plays the Butterscotch one at all - and says very little about it... a telling review!!!

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey Martyn. Thx for the comment. I must say I wholeheartedly agree with you. It was one of the finest looking budget guitars I’ve ever seen but cheap is the right word unfortunately. For whatever reason it just had absolutely no authority or power. In any PU position. Which is exactly the opposite of what I expect when I pick up any tele. I considered changing the pickups too but eventually just went for the squier 72 custom. Which is OK. Not bad but not amazing. Needs a new neck wide range humbucker .

[@bluestrat92]

It’s the pickups. The bridge is an ear bleeder and neck is stale and flat. It needs pickups that are bright, midrange and compressed. Or route it for an alnico 2 pro humbucker in the neck. I’m fighting the pickups right now.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the comment. Yeah the pickups weren’t right (I don’t have mine anymore) but overall I just found it too light and airy. Just didn’t feel like a tele. And not in a new cool interesting way. Just didn’t work for me as a guitar.

[@bluestrat92]

@@TheGuitarEffect hey, thanks for replying. I changed the bridge to a real fender with fat bensonite compensated brass saddles. It beefed up the guitar’s sound. I’m putting thick broadcaster-style pickups with a compressed mid-focused neck and open mid-focused bridge. I get the light, almost sounding more like an acoustic guitar, vibe. But I know pickups and wood. Guitar also need a fret polish, the nut needs to be rounded, and the thin poly overspray needs to be removed in the neck pocket. Once that’s, done it’s as a good as one that 2k. These Squiers for me are a dump the hardware and have someone spend the time on the final fit and finish. Good luck with your journey. I enjoy your videos.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the reply. I just don’t have the time to invest in that kind of modification. The other thing is those kind of mods never get included in the resale value of the guitar and I have about 7 that I would never sell everything else comes and goes. I really prefer guitars that just work off the shelf. I got a Yamaha Revstar recently and it’s an astonishingly good guitar for the money.

[@bluestrat92]

@@TheGuitarEffect I keep all my guitars. Squiers to me have zero resale value. I like customizing. Although, I’m finding concerning quality issues with mine now.

[@crisjohnalvarez6036]

Hey man, If you dont have the guitar volume at 10, but instead keep it half or lower an increase the volume on your amp, the acoustic qualities become pronounced and the point of the semi hallow guitar becomes apparent. Even joe bonamassa playing live that his doing in his 335

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the comment. So I completely get what you are saying. There is a bloom to notes with rolled back volume on all guitars and it does indeed amplify the semi character. But I just didn’t bond with this guitar unfortunately so I no longer have it.

[@danilolimas]

Just like me with the Gibson Les Paul. It didnt last 1 year on my set. Les pauls are just not for me.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey Danilo thx for the comment. Yeah that’s kind of it. If they don’t speak to you then they don’t speak to you pretty simple really.

[@pugforce8315]

Wish i could gel with mine. Love the look but i just can’t get the sounds i want easily. Not one of those plug and play guitars for sure

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey Pugforce. I must say you’re the first person to just straight up agree with me on this. Just shows how completely subjective all of this is. Yeah it was massively disappointing. What a beautiful looking guitar. Just didn’t like the sound at all. Which was such an awful shame.

[@zonne193]

Thanks for posting this video, i have the same experience. For me this video came a few days too late. Five days ago i bought a second hand Thine Line Tele (Classic Vibe) with natural finish and a maple neck. After some cleaning and adjusting there was a brand new and great looking guitar! I love the looks of that guitar. Unplugged it sounded okay for me, but as soon as i plugged it in i did't like the sound. Maybe its sounds better with a pickup upgrade but i won't take that chance.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the comment. Yeah that’s the other version that Andertons did as a special run. Interesting you had the same experience. It’s crazy how a guitar can look so good but sound so underwhelming.

[@johnnorth9355]

Can't argue with this - In my mind Thinlines' need the very best pups which the Squire ones are not.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey John. Thx for the comment. Yeah I reckon the lack of mid range caused by the hollow section of the body has a fairly profound effect on the tone.

[@hodshonf]

just ordered a Sherwood Green Thinline from Fender - first negative review i've seen of these neck dive isn't an issue for me the solid teles are simply too heavy - some weigh more than my Precision Bass i mod most of my Squiers we shall see

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the comment. First thing I’ll say is my negative review of this guitar is just that. MY negative review. It doesn’t mean anyone else should or needs to feel the same way. At the same time I bought the guitar with my own money so I’m completely unbiased on its suitability for me personally. I felt it was too light feeling and sounding and as a result lacked authority. Lots of other folks have said they have this guitar and really love it. It’s totally subjective.

[@hodshonf]

@@TheGuitarEffect thanks for the response - it definitely comes down to preference/playing style from what i've heard, it has a nice Bill Frisell thing going, which is exactly what i'm looking for with that, i'll probably upgrade the pups to Lindy Fralin Vintage Single Coils and swap out the bridge for compensated or 6 saddle. like you said, it looks great - we certainly agree about that. i just bought a Squier CV Limited Edition Precision bass (2022) - the Indonesian factory is putting out great quality. but i'll open the up sherwood green thinline this week and check for any of the quality issues i've read in the comments. nice channel, by the way - NEW SUBSCRIBER! thanks for the work!

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Ah thx man. Really appreciate the sub. Personally I just do t have the time to do pickup upgrades so if I buy a guitar I want it to work as it is. Really is a phenomenal looking guitar.

[@hodshonf]

@@TheGuitarEffect i'll probably swap in a rosewood strat neck too - that's how wacky i get. i design and build guitars and basses - so, it's a thing. honestly, i just want that Sherwood Green Thinline body cheers!

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Ah yeah building custom guitars is fun I’ve a tele and strat I built from parts. Just don’t have the time these days.

[@frankbyrne4306]

I'll buy it?

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey Frank. Long since sold I’m afraid. Thx for the comment though.

[@voiceofexperience]

When I was a boy my father got me a dog that I never bonded with either. It was a "sausage dog", so perhaps it just didn't have enough "authority" for me...

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hi Jeffrey. That’s it entirely though. It’s subjective. I did say in the video people that play a different type of music may well like it.

[@MyTwangyGuitar]

4:14 That guitar sounds great.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the comment. I’m sure it sounds great to loads of people. IRS entirely subjective. I totally realise that, I just don’t like it at all.

[@ozflyer1]

Its a squier.... what did you expect for the money?? The pickups are crap in all of them.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Thx for the comment. I’ve played loads of squiers where the pickups were perfectly acceptable. I think these were specifically made to be hollow sounding. Which is a think like, just not my thing.

[@nacienlos70]

Nahh... You change pickups and you woukd have been fine

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey. Nope. Just didn’t like the guitar. End of.

[@eugenedevere7687]

Disagree with nearly all you said.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Go you!

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Put 500k pots in.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Not a bad plan. But I don’t have the guitar anymore.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Excellent idea - I may do that too!

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

@@pharmerdavid1432 It brings the pickups to life.

[@fadge4105]

Yeah man, it sounds s%$#.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Ha! Fair enough. I wouldn’t go that far but thx for the comment regardless

[@joen3992]

Every Squire I owned or played in the last 20 years...sounded cheap. I owned an original 1983 Squire JV Strat with 3 bolt neck and U shaped neck...that came to life with any amp. Someone stole that battle axe. To this day, I refuse to play or own a Squire. They are just garbage guitars.

[@TheGuitarEffect]

Hey Joe. Thx for the comment. I know those JV Squires I had a strat a few years ago that I really regret selling. They’re fantastic. I kind of disagree about all squiers being bad though. I just got the classic vibe 72 Custom Tele and it’s excellent. I also played a gold 60th anniversary squire strat once that was very impressive. But guitars are a very personal thing. If you think they’re all garbage than they are for you.

[@damienalvarez2957]

Affinity range is dumpster fire trash. Otherwise I gotta disagree, too. I’ve played many a fine Squier.

[@generaljj577]

I bought my son an Affinity Tele. think it plays and sounds great

[@TheGuitarEffect]

I’ve not really ever had a good experience with an affinity. They are beginner guitars in my opinion.

[@Thomas-xs2kq]

Jack Pearson will not agree!