Squier Affinity Tele SH FMT CRT

So, contrary to the images here, this guitar does NOT have a skunk strip neck.
No biggie for functionality and a plain neck is ok in this price range, but images do not depict the version you get.

Other than that, it was well crafted and decently set up. The pickups, albeit ceramic, are just fine. I'll most likely change them since my drawer is full of decent pickups after all these years, but the stock one are not bad at all for the price paid. You can make great music without having to invest in replacement pickups.

Tuners are a tad sloppy, but they do the the job (so far, at least).

All in all, most definitely worth the asking price. It's actually kind of amazing how the manufacturing quality and finish of cheap guitars have improved the last few years. I think we can thank, among others, Thomann for this. With their Harley Benton guitars, they have shown us customers that we can get totally decent instruments for very little money. And that have forced also some of the old giants, such as Fender, to step up their game in that segment. Well done!

I bought it after watching the YouTube analysis from Alamo Music Center.
In fact I bought two of them to give one as a present to my brother.
And I can say they were right about the guitar...
...But there's one and only one thing that made me return this guitar: the mast finish.
In my opinion, Squier made one mistake here: instead of spending time and resources sticking a veneer on top of the body, they should've finished the mast.
Because the wood on the back was actually beautiful. It would have made the same aesthetic effect as the current veneer, and even a more authentic feeling.
I can't understand how they made this absurd decision to bring to the market a winner guitar with such a flaw that affects the playability so hugely.
Because the moment you grab it, you have the feeling it's a Quality Control miss. But no, they produce them like that.
The feeling if that you're grabbing a non finished instrument from the factory.
In fact, I could perfectly felt two points where the skunk strip clearly was higher than the maple around. Not just with the tip of my fingers, but with my palm. Incredible.
I don't know how this unprotected mast will behave in changing dry/moist, high temp./low temp. environments, but it gave me no confidence at all.
The rest is EXCELLENT FOR THE PRICE.
Aesthetics are impressive.
The joint between mast and body, perfect.
FRETS were almost perfect in height (some highs and lows), but rugged on the surface (not a problem) and a bit sharp on the edges (not dramatically).
The ceramic PICKUPS have quite high output. Not a vintage approach here. Not very clear and the humbucker is not splittable, but they work well.
The SUSTAIN unplugged is quite good: I compared them to a Jet Guitars JT-350 SH BK and the sustain was better in the Squier. Like substantialy better.
The electronics are quite decent and so are the tuners. For the price.
The cable jack worked well.
I must say that on one of the guitars there was a loose screw on one saddle. One of those tiny ones that adjust the saddle's height.
Would I recommend it?
If you own a workshop and can easily sand and paint the mast for free, get it. It's a beauty, and very confortable.

Ich spiele überwiegend zu Hause, und habe mir diese Gitarre ausgesucht um 1. bequemes Spielen im Sitzen auf dem Sofa zu ermöglichen und 2. um vielseitige Soundmöglichkeiten zu haben. Sie wiegt 3,7 Kg, durch das Shaping auf der Rückseite drückt nichts am Schnitzelfriedhof ;und im Stehen gespielt mit einem breiten Gurt ist das sehr angenehm. Die Verarbeitung und das Finish sind für diesen Preis Top! Oktavreinheit ab Werk passt ( wohl sehr selten). Sattelkerben perfekt, keine Nacharbeit nötig. Hals leicht konkav war mit dem mitgelieferten Inbus schnell korrigiert. Mechaniken: kein Spiel, Stimmung wird gut gehalten.
Bünde an den Kanten teilweise ganz leichter Grat, kaum zu spüren, leicht zu Korrigieren. Kein kratzen oder absterben des Tones beim Saiten ziehen.
Potis laufen satt, Dreiwegschalter ok. Humbucker ok Single Coil nicht so scharf und grell wie bei der Original Tele. Mittelstellung klingt ähnlich wie der Singlecoil am Hals einer Fender. Für mich für das Geld ein Tolles Teil, man könnte modifizieren, muss es aber nicht. Fretboard war trocken nach Behandlung mit Öl kam eine tolle Maserung zum Vorschein.
Wollte erst eine TE 52 holen, wegen des Gewichts und des Humbuckers und weil ich nicht unbedingt den Original Telesound brauche habe ich mich für die Affinity entschieden. Out of the Box mit wenigen Handgriffen nachbearbeitet, für mich ein tolles Instrument.