This Telecaster was made in China.
It has almost all the characteristics of a Telecaster Vintage:

* Mechanical "vintage"
* 3 brass saddles
* Tinted maple neck and varnishes "old"
* Vintage style logo
* 2 custom vintage pickups alnic Squier Telecaster with this exclusive 3
* String through-
The handle is a C-section thin enough and not too thick (for my taste).
And that is unprecedented in Squier (and almost everywhere else too), the body is pine! As the first Fender Esquire you it seems ...

Caractérisque level, nothing to do with a Mexican Standard and is significantly higher than a Classic 50 (no brass saddles and pickups blah).

In summary, the equipment is excellent and the overall finish for exceptional Squier!

UTILIZATION

The handle is a real treat! The frets are well finished. The varnish is fast. This handle is largely in my Fender Start Classic 50.
Potentiometers inspire confidence by being firm enough.
on the other hand, is rapidly turning the strings of origins that are more than overcooked spaghetti strings. Unless you like this ... I prefer the 10-46 as taking to a minimum. Moreover, with the 10-46, the intonation is almost perfect despite the three bridges.

Question overall usability, it's a Telecaster. No need to return it ...
It's not as comfortable as a Start (no bevels), but it's still good.

Clearly, nothing to say special issue use. It is a Telecaster, which is used as well as any Tele quality.

SOUNDS

I play mostly Blues and Rock. A Telecaster is therefore not inappropriate for this use, quite the contrary
I use a Hiwatt Custom 50 + some analog effects and my RP350.

Originally, there are direct his Telecaster - that "twang" is quite sharp and quite bright. What's the Telecaster!
However, with the strings of origin (the light no doubt), it lacks a little low. But with the 10-46, the balance is very good.
Compared to a Standard Telecaster US is generally a bit less punchy. But it is much less aggressive (in a good sense) from the US which I find too gaudy and lacking body in the treble. On this point, the Classic Vibe Telecaster surpasses comfortable. I would say even when out fishing a bit more than the standard Tele US, the Squier and this sounds much better and more vintage!
Now compared to a Tele 52 'is not as hot and sharp. But with a change of proper microphones, one must approach it a lot. In fact, I ordered the set of microphones Fender 52 'for my Telecaster. I was editing this notice after the change ...

However, I hesitated a bit before considering changing the pickups. Because of origin, it sounds really 100% Telecaster! This is not the case for other Squier ...
The change in micro is not a requirement for good sound.
However, I recommend changing the saddle for Graph Tech Tusq PQ-5000. This significantly improves the nut (more precision and punch). In fact, I replaced all the frets of my guitar by Graph Tech. What better every time!

- Updated 14/02/2009 -

so I asked a few days ago the pickups Fender Vintage (Kit 52 &#39. Well, I'm pretty disappointed. To the point that I prefer the microphones origins ... true!
With the Fender 52 ', the sound is barely too medium and twang! Although the neck pickup is more punchy than the original VC, but it stops there.
The pickups sound origins definitely more "Telecaster" the 52 'mounted on the Classic Vibe ...
But I did not stay on this "failure", I asked two GFS pickups:

reproduce the 50 'to the bridge and vintage repro for the handle.
And then, magic .... This is exactly the sound I wanted Telecaster:
A very pronounced twang on the bridge position with brilliant and sharp-edged devoid of aggressiveness. Powerful bass not too round. The intermediate position is the typical sound Telecaster 2 position with more fishing and dug a little more midrange.
As for the neck pickup, it is halfway between the sound of a Start neck pickup and that of a Tele. The bass is strong enough and not too round, the medium is more accentuated than usually encountered on a Tele. The end is sharp and precise with lots of body.
Now, my Telecaster with GFS is perfect. Especially since I asked a four-position switch, which puts both pickups in series - perfect for sending the sauce ...

My theory on the bad deal Classic Vibe Tele / Fender 52 pickups' is that it is a matter of violin making. Besides, I do not see where that could come if! For a Tele 52 ', these pickups sound. This is not the case at all on the CV Tele. Violin making sure to make a difference. Not that the Squier violin making is disgusting, quite the contrary. Rather than pine VC does not worth the 52 'in my humble opinion of non-expert in violin making. But with the GFS, great!

OVERALL OPINION

Compared with its big sisters of Mexican and US origne, it takes them a candle!
It explodes the Mexican all series except the Baja. And it sounds better than the standard US. As for the finish, nothing to envy Fender - from all sources!!
If you look at the price, about € 310, it's even a case. No need to bleed you for a Fender Mex or USD. I was eyeing that first the side of the Baja, I regret the savings by purchasing this Squier.
Do not have prejudice against Squier regarding the Classic Vibe series. But if you still have doubts, run a try in the store, your decision will change ... the risk of out with this beautiful Telecaster under the arm