Fender 0373450526 Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Squier Telecaster electric guitar is one of the company's most popular and well-regarded models within their extensive line of affordable instruments. As a sub-brand of Fender, Squier produces lower-priced versions of classic Fender designs like the Telecaster to make these iconic guitars accessible to beginners and budget-minded players.

The Squier Telecaster offers much of the same style, sound and feel of its more expensive Fender counterparts at a fraction of the cost. This allows new guitarists to experience the distinctive twang and bright tone of a Tele without breaking the bank. It's an ideal choice for someone looking to learn on a genuine single-coil equipped Telecaster-style guitar. While made with cheaper components and labor, the Squier Telecaster maintains the fundamental Telecaster look, vibe and versatilty that has made this one of the most recognizable and popular electric guitar models over the past seven decades.

Construction & Hardware

The Fender Squire Telecaster features solid construction with quality hardware considering its beginner-friendly price point.

Body

The body is made of solid alder which provides balanced tone and good sustain. Alder is a lightweight wood that helps keep the overall weight down without sacrificing durability. The smooth polyurethane finish offers protection for the wood.

Neck

The neck is crafted from maple, a dense wood that provides stability for the longer scale 25.5” neck. It has a modern “C” profile that is comfortable for most playing styles. The gloss neck finish allows for fast playability.

Fretboard

The fretboard is rosewood which complements the bright snap of the alder body. It has 21 medium jumbo frets for smooth playability throughout the neck. The 9.5” radius helps give it a slick feel. The hardware on the Fender Squire Telecaster is high quality considering the affordable price point. It features die-cast tuning machines that hold tune well and a six-saddle string-through-body bridge for solid intonation. The pickups are alnico magnet single-coils that produce the classic Tele tone. Overall, the hardware complements the solid construction of the body and neck. For guitarists looking for a quality instrument on a budget, the Fender Squire Telecaster delivers. The Cordoba C1M-CE is another great beginner electric guitar option worth considering. The Cordoba brand is known for their classical and nylon-string acoustic guitars, but they also produce quality entry-level electrics. The C1M-CE has a mahogany body and maple neck for balanced tone with good presence across the tonal spectrum. It comes equipped with dual humbucker pickups, unlike the single-coils on the Telecaster. This gives it a warmer, thicker sound that handles distortion well. The hardware includes die-cast tuners, a Tune-O-Matic bridge, and chrome hardware. At around the same price point as the Squire Tele, the Cordoba C1M-CE is another solid choice for new guitarists looking for their first electric. Both guitars have excellent construction quality and hardware for their low cost. The differences come down to tonewoods, pickup configuration, and aesthetics. The Telecaster has the classic Tele twang, while the Cordoba offers more warmth and thickness. Choosing between them comes down to the sound profile you prefer. Either way, you can't go wrong with these quality entry-level electric guitars.

Sound & Tone

The Fender Squire Telecaster guitar delivers the characteristic bright and cutting tone that Telecasters are known for. The combination of the solid alder body and maple neck gives this guitar a crisp, snappy sound with bell-like highs and tight low end.

Strummed chordwork sounds clear and defined. The bridge single coil pickup provides that twangy snap associated with country, rockabilly, and classic rock guitar tones. The neck pickup rounds out the tone with increased warmth while still retaining Tele-style clarity.

The maple fingerboard adds brightness that complements the distinctive Tele tone. This guitar excels at clean tones across various genres from country to funk, but also takes pedals and distortion well for more driven sounds. It's not quite as beefy sounding as a Stratocaster, but has an old-school charm and quack that has cemented the Telecaster as an iconic electric guitar sound.

Overall, the Squire Telecaster lives up to the traditional Tele tone - bright, crisp, and cutting. It's an extremely versatile guitar thanks to that signature snap and chime. The Fender CD-60S 961596221 is another great electric guitar option with a rich, resonant sound. The mahogany neck and laminated mahogany body produce warm, smooth tones that are balanced and articulate. This is an affordable acoustic-electric guitar that sounds fantastic plugged in or unplugged. It has a classic dreadnought shape that projects loudly with sustain. The Fishman electronics accurately convey both the guitar's acoustic tone and amplified sound. With its traditional design and Fishman Presys preamp, the Fender CD-60S 961596221 captures the essence of a natural acoustic guitar tone when plugged in while remaining easy to play.

Playability

The Telecasters are known for their comfortable and fast playing feel, thanks to the thin and nicely contoured "C"-shaped neck profile. The neck is made of maple wood, adding brightness and resonance.

The 25.5" scale length along with the narrow 1.65" nut width facilitates chord changes and intricate soloing. The medium jumbo frets are neatly finished, providing a smooth surface for bends and slides.

The fingerboard radius measures 9.5", which strikes a balance between vintage curvature and a flatter modern feel. This allows easy forming of chords while still permitting effortless bends on the treble strings.

Overall, the playability ranks high for this price range, with a slim neck and quality fretwork that make the Telecaster a joy to play. The smooth neck, comfortable contours, and fast feel contribute to the renowned playability Telecasters are known for.

Electronics

The electronics on this Telecaster are solid but basic, as expected for a budget model aimed at beginners and students.

Pickups

It comes equipped with two standard single-coil Telecaster pickups, which provide the classic bright, twangy tone the Telecaster is known for. The pickups are serviceable but don't have the richness or harmonic complexity of higher-end models. Still, they deliver the quintessential Tele tone that works great for country, blues, rock, and more.

Controls

The control setup is simple, with just a 3-way pickup selector switch and one volume and one tone knob. The electronics are easy to understand and provide adequate tone-shaping capability. Don't expect advanced controls, coil-splitting, or switching options on this entry-level model.

Wiring

The wiring seems decent enough on this model. There's no audible hum or buzzing, and the soldering looks clean. As with any guitar in this price range, a wiring upgrade could bring about some subtle tone and reliability improvements, but it's by no means necessary. The stock wiring performs just fine.

Quality & Reliability

The Fender Squire Telecaster delivers solid reliability and quality, especially considering its budget-friendly price point. The guitar features decent hardware that should hold up well under regular use.

The tuning machines work smoothly and hold tune properly. The chrome hardware appears durable without any cheap plastic parts. The neck joint is solid and allows stable tuning.

The craftsmanship is respectable for an affordable import model. The fit and finish may not match higher-end American-made Telecasters, but Squire delivers consistent build quality. The neck is straight and free of any worrisome twists. Fret ends are smooth and unlikely to cause discomfort.

Some buyers report minor cosmetic flaws like uneven paint lines, but these do not affect playability. The wood construction feels sturdy, not flimsy. Owners say the Telecaster continues performing well after years of enjoyable playing.

While not built to vintage specifications, the Squire Telecaster should satisfy players looking for a reliable, well-made guitar at a budget price point. The quality stands above other guitars in this range.

Value & Cost

When it comes to value, the Fender 0373450526 provides a lot of electric guitar for the money. Though not the cheapest Squier model available, it occupies a sweet spot in Fender's budget guitar lineup.

At around $200, this Telecaster sits below Fender's famous Made-in-Mexico guitars which can run $400 and above. The 0373450526 gives beginners, students, and budget-conscious players a more affordable way to get into the iconic Tele sound and style.

Compared to even cheaper Squier Affinity models, this Telecaster adds some appreciated upgrades like the satin finished neck, Alnico pickups, and comfortable C-shaped neck profile. These features help it punch above its low price point.

Of course more expensive Fender models use higher grade components, electronics, and craftsmanship. But for a budget model, the 0373450526 manages to capture much of the Telecaster vibe and tone. It's a great value purchase for new players or a solid backup guitar for more experienced musicians.

When weighing cost, this Squier hits a sweet spot between the ultra-cheap guitars and the American-made stratosphere. It brings venerable Fender style and sound to the working musician on a budget.

Comparison to Other Models

The Squier Affinity Telecaster holds up well compared to American-made Fender Telecasters, which can cost 2-4x more. Here's how it stacks up:

• Hardware & Construction - The Squier Affinity uses lower cost hardware and materials, like die-cast tuning machines instead of vintage-style tuning pegs and a laurel fingerboard instead of rosewood or maple. However, the construction quality is still solid for the price.

• Pickups & Electronics - The Affinity comes with standard single-coil Telecaster pickups that provide classic Tele twang and bite. However, American Telecasters offer premium pickups and electronics for superior warmth and clarity.

• Playability - With its C-shaped neck, the Affinity plays smoothly. Yet American Telecasters gain an advantage with rolled fingerboard edges and finely tuned neck shapes for buttery playability.

• Reliability - The Affinity holds tune and intonation quite well for a budget guitar. But American Telecasters win out with higher grade components that maintain their integrity over years of playing.

• Value - At around $200, the Affinity provides amazing value as a playable, great sounding Telecaster. However, American Telecasters justify their premium pricing with upgraded components, finer craftsmanship, and road-tested reliability.

While not at the level of its American-made counterparts, the Squier Affinity Telecaster punches above its weight class compared to Fender's premium models, making it an excellent choice for new players.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Classic Fender design and styling at an entry-level price
• Smooth vintage-style neck for comfortable playing
• Versatile Telecaster tone from dual single-coil pickups
• Available in a variety of stylish finishes
• Quality components for the price

Cons

• Cheaper hardware and electronics than American Telecasters
• Lacks some premium features like advanced switching options
• Basic unbranded gig bag included, not a hardshell case
• Stock pickups may need upgrading for more discerning players
• Some cost-cutting measures compared to pricier Fender models

The Squire Telecaster offers the iconic Fender style and sound at a budget-friendly price point. For beginners and intermediate players, it provides a solid foundation for honing technique and experimenting with classic Tele tones. More advanced guitarists may want upgraded components, but overall it represents good value for a starter electric guitar.

Conclusion

The Squire Telecaster Electric Guitar is an excellent option for beginner and intermediate guitarists looking for an affordable, well-made instrument. While it may lack some of the premium appointments and finer details of a more expensive Fender model, it delivers on the core fundamentals of great Tele tone and playability.

The quality hardware, electronics and construction allow this guitar to produce classic Tele twang and bite. It's comfortable to play thanks to the smooth neck, quality fretwork and lightweight body. The multiple tone knobs provide tonal versatility, while the pickups and electronics are clear and responsive.

For the price, the Squire Tele is tough to beat. It represents an outstanding value for a guitar that can keep up with live performances and studio work. Though the pickups and hardware could be higher grade, they perform admirably and don't detract much for the intended skill level and budgets.

In summary, the Squire Telecaster is wholeheartedly recommended as an affordable Tele-style guitar that looks, sounds and plays far above its humble price tag. It's an ideal choice as a starter instrument that also has the capability to stick with a guitarist for many years of playing and performing. For tone, comfort and construction that belies the budget-friendly cost, the Squire Telecaster is a winner.