I have the Squier Affinity Series FSR Telecaster Electric Guitar, Lake Placid Blue, Maple Fingerboard 250.00 USD ,or something, & the cheaper version is like 199.00 ,but it isn't string though the body hence maybe cheaper? I dunno . Anyway it is true in my opinion that which ever one we buy, it's best to change out the pickups ....the stock pick ups in my opinion sound OK, but nothing impressive. There are higher end models in the series that come with the AlNiCos in that 450.00 USD price range..