I just bought a 2016 Classic Vibe 50's Tele. I had heard stories that these were great guitars, but now that I've had time to really play it, I'd have to agree. I also own the Fender Jimmy Page Dragon Tele ($1400) and this Squier holds its own against it.

2022 update affinity tele. Olympic white, Laurel FB, through body 4 hole bridge, flush ferrules, skunk stripe, truss rod cap, decent medium jumbo frets, nice fit and finish, set screw knobs, decent / solid selector switch, 3 ply pick guard. Mine was made in china. Very nice guitar especially for someone with a love of playing and a lower budget.

I know I’m late but I’m old enough to remember when chalkboards were black.

Just Bought the Classic Vibe 70’s deluxe telecaster in olympic white What a beauty!

I have a Squier Affinity. I agree with what you say about paying more to upgrade the guitar than it's worth but... I also have a Fender Moder Player Tele as my main guitar. I use the Squier now as my "project guitar" that I learn to do my own setups and make mods with. I put more money into the guitar than I paid for it, but I consider that "tuition" for learning how to swap out electronics, solder/de-solder cables, do my own setups. I recommend playing the Affinity until people can get a bettee guitar, then keeping the Affinity as a backup or as a learning tool.

I bought a classic vibe tele the first year they made them (can’t remember the year. 2016?) It’s the best guitar I’ve ever had. I’ve played more expensive, USA made guitars. I dunno…I just love the CV!

Interesting comparison! Some specs on the Affinity are different from what I own, a 2021 Affinity tele. Mine got glossy finish on the front of the headstock, truss rod access painted black, skunk stripe behind the neck, and belly cut at the back of the body. The only significant differences for me I'd say ; string thru body, and mine got split shaft tuner that I don't have to worry about end of the strings sticking out, poking around. The rest are pretty much similar with plastic nut, laurel FB, etc. I assume yours might be 2020 or earlier release. Totally agree that Affinity requires some setup. But once you get it right, it's really fun to play.

My 2010 CV was made in China and had brass saddles. I installed a fishman piezo bridge and preamp and regularly gig with this guitar. Great instrument. I did replace the pickups but didn't notice a huge difference in sound but the clarity on the tex specials was a bit better.

I'm not sure why Squire makes the differences between their lineup such a mystery. You would think that would be a selling point, a reason, why you would wan't one instead of the other. I did research before I made my purchase, and couldn't find any different. All they ever list in the specs are : number of frets, tonewood on the body and neck, the type of pickups and I don't mean alnico or ceramic, I mean single coil vs humbucker, and the tell you it has a 3 way selector switch. In other words, they don't tell you anything.. After all of that work I put in, like watching countless KZfaq reviews, I bought a used one that still had film from the factory on the pic plate. I don't even know if it's a bullet, affinity, or something else. So the only difference I found was money, and I know the difference when it comes to price.

Great video! I own several US made guitars, Strat Amer Std and a G&L ASAT, etc. so I feel I know what a good guitar feels and sounds like. Bought a used Butterscotch CV 4 years ago and it is now my #1 guitar. Replaced ALL the electronics EXCEPT the pickups. CTS pots, CRL Switch, cloth pushback wire and a Switchcraft output jack. In my opinion the guitar sounds much better. Fuller as if more signal is getting to the amp. In fact it sounds SO much better I don't feel the need to switch out the pickups! LOL Now some people think that there shouldn't be any difference in sound, but the original electronics are pure garbage. Guitar Player recently commented on a guitar review that the US made parts contributed to a better signal path. Anyway, cost about $50USD and an afternoon of soldering and here we are. In addition, I didn't care for the amount of finish on the back of the neck so went to Home Depot and bought some furniture stripping pads. These are MUCH more aggressive than sanding sponges and really went to town on the back of the neck. So much so that it looks like the guitar has had a million hours of play on it, all relic'd. I prefer the feel and it was a cheap mod. Let me know if anyone tries this.

Having owned both, CV all the way.. I modded my Affinity, but still, the CV comes pretty much perfect as is, no need to change anything really. Both need a proper setup obviously. Pickups on Affinity are NOT good.

That was a really great video. Very informative, and your thoughts were nicely laid out. Keep it coming. Subscribed.

Good video....Great playing!!! I'd like to know that little diddy you are playing that was some nice picking! I picked up a thinline classic vibe which I love....I may upgrade the pick ups down the line but they are just fine for right now. Keep up the good work!

The school I attended had blackboards and greenboards. It was a dirt poor rural school district.

This is an excellent review. Thank you bruvva. Wish I saw this earlier before purchsing my classic vibe! I still made the right choice anyway LUL

You’re under par for views. Solid stuff here. Don’t stop

New sub for the channel my friend. Here is a little rundown on my herd. 90’s Fender US Tele, Cv butterscotch Tele, Cv Esquire Tele. I’m sure without looking at all the comments here most people are favorable to Cv, I love mine and can’t say that I’m done buying them I really love them. I don’t feel the need to do much at all to them, although a few upgrades here and there won’t hurt. I’m it sure if I bought another if it would be a 40th anniversary black or the satin finish 40th anniversary. Anyway for the money they are just very hard to deny,imho.

When I went to school the boards were black, but I have seen the green ones.

Thanks for the great content.

congrats very good video style, very competent person, useable infos.

There is no way to compare. The Vintage Vibe is much better, however more expensive. However, a Affinity is a great guitar to play around, take to the gig, etc. And with a quality very decent for the price. I had both in my life, actually more than one of both. I am 72.

Blackboards WERE green.

Could you explain why a gloss neck would be different than another type? Great video btw. Ty

Just got my Squire Strat O Sonic. Came with a graphite nut.

What do you mean when you say install a “bender?”

A better quality knob.....now that's important to have a good knob.

You forgot to mention that the Affinity has a press wood body while the CV has a solid pine body.

If you have to, save up to get the CV. Its better all around. Not much difference between the CV and low end Fender.

CV’s are pine bodies.

Deciding between the Squier by Fender Affinity Series Telecaster Deluxe, Maple fingerboard, Black (literal Amazon name) and the SQUIER Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe, Maple Fingerboard, Black This is going to be my first electric guitar and I mostly want something durable, but I need something as lightweight as possible, due to my disability, also as small as possible. Would you recommend I spend a little more in the second model, or get the cheaper one? Or is there another model you would recommend, I would want it to be in the 300-500 range.

cheap but sound decent when set up.

Buys a $200 guitar. Spends video talking about "skimping". Dude...

Affinity for sure. Ceramic bar magnets better.. more gain. Classic vibe..awful thick poli. Fake tonerider pups awful. Both guitars 9.25 radius and that sucks.. so flatten the neck.. or get a 22 fret neck..better.

Old Affinity. New model much better with thicker neck.

He's a baby😂

Don't make tour kids play in with scratchy frets and a bad nut😢

Let me save everyone 14 minutes of their life. Outside the continental USA, both are overpriced thanks to Fender's price gouging and overall profit margin marketing strategy. If you're watching this, price is quite apparently a consideration in your interest/purchasing triage. Of the two, the Classic Vibe is the better guitar both in build and to play, but also at twice the price. Nevertheless it is the amateur/small gigging player sweet point of the Fender/Squier Tele line up. Considering the price, the pickups fitted to the CV are very ordinary. Of course, those buying a CV Tele must really want ONLY a Tele. For beginners just wanting a first guitar -not Tele specific, or intermediates in the same 'which guitar?' quandary, there is simply far better buying available.

Generic review being generic. Be sure to like and subscrive.