Squier Affinity Telecaster MN 3-Color Sunburst

Highly recommended for beginners and advanced players, the strings are 9-42 then changed to 10-46 D Addario
A super sound, I am very satisfied this electric guitar is worth a purchase recommendation.

I thought about it for a long time, but in the end it should be a Squier Affinity Telecaster, in Lake Placid Blue to break out of the usual sunburst color scheme. Today the guitar arrived and here are my first impressions.

Well packed to avoid damage in transit. Like the product photos at Kirstein, the Telecaster is "Made in Indonesia". With the guitar comes the usual Allen keys for the truss rod and the string tabs on the bridge. There is also a very general instruction manual in English and Spanish, but not specific to this Telecaster model.

I was particularly surprised, however, because in addition to the usual quality assurance tag, there was one hanging from the neck of the guitar with the title "California Proposition 65 Warning. Cancer and reproductive harm." Have I now brought a bio-weapon into my house? A little googling then shows that this "warning label" is probably pasted on everything that complies with plastic and may be marketed in California. There is probably no actual health hazard associated with it.

Next, I wanted to attach the Fender guitar strap that I had ordered, which was initially impossible. Only when cih had enlarged the slots in the guitar strap a little with the carpet knife I could attach it. Measuring slide out and look what's going on: The Squier Affinity Telecaster has strap pins with 15mm diameter, all my other guitars have only 14mm diameter here, and the one millimeter difference probably makes it.

Then visual inspection, the frets are well flush with the neck, so you don't tear your fingers open when you ride along the neck. The string action is 2.25mm in the factory setting, which seems a bit high to me and maybe the truss rod needs to be adjusted better. Nothing you wouldn't do sooner or later anyway.

The weight of the guitar with strap is at 3.19kg, so not too heavy. Thanks to the cutout on the body for the guitarist's curves, it is easy to play. The neck with its C-profile feels very good and due to the satin-like surface you won't stick to the neck with sweaty fingers in the current heat. The bridge is well adjusted, no Allen screws sticking out the top and irritating the right hand. What is a little suboptimal: The 3-way switch is in the bridge position very close to the volume knob, I would have liked a little more distance, but maybe that has to be so close to a Telecaster.

The sound of the guitar is good. Sure, for the price you don't get great pickups and especially the neck pickup is not the greatest I've ever heard. But that was already clear to me after watching many YouTube reviews of the guitar. For the price you get a good Tele sound and if that is not enough you can always use the guitar as a basis for modding. The look of the instrument is very nice, the slightly metallic shimmering Lake Placid Blue is a real eye-catcher. Clear buy recommendation for all who want to have a good and affordable Telecaster.

Since I know the Strat from Fender Squier and also like these models very much, I thought that I take the offer from Kirstein
and just order the Affinity Tele. The is offered as a left-handed model yes rarer.
When it arrived after a few days, super packaged with me, I was but out of the house. ;-)
Such an excellent quality I did not expect. Even the ceramic pickups are better than I thought.pots and toggle switches work flawlessly.
All around a really great guitar for this price. Highly recommended.

First time delivery very fast and well packaged!
To the guitar it is well made and well adjusted from the factory! Lest play well! The sound is also very good! One thing about the pictures and the offer the guitar is made in China and not Indonesia as in the picture it is also with from 2020 but 2021 but that is not so tragic! But what was very surprising is the color it is much paler as in the pictures and the orang I also miss! But otherwise a beautiful guitar!

Bridge inlay a little too high. This is why the notes of the first 2 frets sound wrong.
Switch for pickup loose contact.
The guitar is ok for the price.