Need advice for buying Tele!

[skiprehab]

Hello all, a newbie here!

I have been offered a Squier Telecaster which is made in Japan circa 1993-1994. Owner didn't know what wood the body is. Asking price is 450€.

Do you think this is a fair deal?

The guitar itself is a real beauty, white body, tortoise pickguard and maple neck. Propably with original pickups and tuners.

I've heard that those Squiers which were made in Japan in 90's are better than some Fenders, is this true?

Or would Squier Classic Vibe Tele '50s be a better bang for buck, it costs 311€ ?

Thanks in advance, Skip

[Geraint Jones]

Hi Skip 450 euro seems a lot for a Squier , you could get a used MiM Tele for the same price , the CV Teles are supposed to be great although I quite fancied the Tele Custom which as 255 euro from thomann.

[duhvoodooman]

I'm certainly very, very pleased with the CV 50's Tele I bought recently. Just an incredible value for the money, I think. 450€ for a used Squier Tele seems awfully high.

[birv2]

I'm not an expert on the prices, but if you look up those Japanese Squiers on ebay, they go for pretty high. You're right, they are generally considered amazing instruments.

You might try asking this question in the Squier subforum over at the Fender Forum. There are some people who hang out there who seem to know these things.

[drunkinminer]

Another place to try is www.tdpri.com. These are guys who know their Teles.

[thearabianmage]

. . . 255 euro from thomann.

I don't know, but I've only heard negative things about Thomann, and price-wise they are way more expensive than other websites (255 euro is £216+£20 int'l shipping whereas on gak.co.uk a Tele Custom is £179+£10 domestic shipping)

450 euro is about £380, and for £20 more, you could get a new Fender tele or countless other good-quality Tele copies:

http://www.themusicking.co.uk/the-52-tele-inspired-guitar-vintage-milk-white-

http://www.themusicking.co.uk/vintage-tc200-telecaster-style-guitar

http://www.fretmusic.co.uk/spear-rt-101-electric-guitar-pr-17750.html

http://www.musicianscentre.com/shine-telecaster-style-electric-guitar-in-black-aka-wf140-50si30r.html

And for £380, you could buy all the parts to build a very nice tele here:

www.axesrus.com

Hope that helps! :AOK

[Miami-Ace]

:dance I have three Telecasters: A made in Mexico Fender Deluxe Blackout with three pickups, which I feel is a great guitar, even at about 600 U.S. dollars. I also have a new, made in China Squier Classic Vibe Tele, which is a stupendous bargain for about 350 U.S. $, and is an excellent guitar overall. My third Tele is a butterscotch blonde made in China Squier Affinity which goes for about $180. Obviously, it is not in the same class as the first two, but it's a rather nice starter electric guitar (which, for me, it was).

Now, I hope that these comparisons help you put that Japanese Squier Tele in perspective: The Blackout Tele has more tonal range than either the Japanese or Classic Vibe Tele ... but the difference in price makes the Classic Vibe a great bargain. I doubt that the used Japanese Tele will be noticeably better than a Classic Vibe ... perhaps a new CV will even be the better player ... for less cash.

Good luck in your Telecaster Quest!