Squier

Squier Affinity Telecaster Deluxe

Ranked #12 in Electric Guitars

304 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

The default "just grab a Squier" purchase, damned with faint praise by its own advocates and outclassed by the Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster, the Squier the specialists actually rank.

Consolidated from 12 cited sources across 10 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

11 positive sources
1 mixed source

See the sources

Flagged as a product to avoid

2 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.

"Decent-sounding" is the ceiling of its own coverage, and it is not the Squier the specialists actually rank. The Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster is the one MusicRadar names its best Stratocaster and is the Squier worth stretching for instead.
Flagged 10 September 2026

"Decent-sounding" is the ceiling of its own coverage, and it is not the Squier the specialists actually rank. The Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster is the one MusicRadar names its best Stratocaster and is the Squier worth stretching for instead.
Flagged 10 September 2026
No specific endorsement or criticism; merely mentioned in passing.
Flagged 6 August 2026

Why the boards include products to avoid

Check price

Pros & cons

✓ Decent-sounding and reliable
✓ Solid build
✓ Reliable hardware
✓ Warranty covers most parts
✓ Full-size Tele feel

✗ Coverage of it is lukewarm at best
✗ Not the Squier the specialists actually rank

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.

Evidence 1 article, 9 video reviews and 2 community sources

11 positive sources

F Facebook Patrick Hernandez · owner

These are amazing for the price. The weak spot is the pickups and pots as usual. So I swapped out the white guard, added M-Tone P90's, upgraded the pots to CTS 500k, added some "binding" (it's just pinstriping tape for some fun) and some brass saddles and she's come up really well. The neck on these is amazing.

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Fender Fender · 4.1M subscribers · Jul 2021

With fresh colors and an expanded range of models – plus thinner, lighter bodies and upgraded pickups – the new Squier Affinity Series is the perfect entry into the Fender family. Watch as Dan Ellis explores the exciting features from the Squier Affinity Telecaster models.

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The Blogging Musician Adam Harkus · reviewer · Feb 2026

I love this guitar. It came with no expectations and rapidly became not only my #1 guitar, but the best I’ve ever owned. Is it the most expensive? No. Does it feature the best hardware? No. Is it constructed with the finest woods? No.

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N Stuff Music N Stuff Music · 59.8K subscribers · Aug 2021

A superb gateway into the time-honored Fender family, the Squier Affinity Series Telecaster Deluxe delivers legendary design and quintessential tone for today’s aspiring guitar hero. This Tele features several player-friendly refinements such as a thin and lightweight body, a slim and comfortable “C”-shaped neck profile, a string-through-body hardtail bridge for optimal body resonance and sealed die-cast tuning machines with split shafts for smooth, accurate tuning and easy restringing. Loaded with two Squier humbucking pickups with individual volume and tone controls for genre-defying sonic variety, this model is ready to accompany any player at any stage.

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Tony Lee Glenn Tony Lee Glenn · 51.7K subscribers · Jul 2022

The construction, playability and sound are superior for a guitar in this price range.

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Sloppy Joe's Shred Shack Sloppy Joe's Shred Shack · 6.5K subscribers · Oct 2020

Is this my favorite guitar that I've played? No, it is not. But, it is a good guitar and a lot of value for your money. Hey there guys, this is Joe with Sloppy Joe's Shred Shack and today we are going to be taking a look at the Squier Affinity Series Telecaster. Let's see what I think about this thing.

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Sloppy Joe's Shred Shack Sloppy Joe's Shred Shack · 6.5K subscribers · Oct 2025

So, there's a few little changes that I really like that they did with this.

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One More Guitar One More Guitar · 5.9K subscribers · Sept 2021

This Guitar is WAY Better Than I Expected!

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Bass and Treble Bass and Treble · 2.8K subscribers · Jun 2023

With its comfortable playability and stylish design, it's the perfect choice for guitar enthusiasts looking for exceptional value and performance.

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Music Fun with Denny Music Fun with Denny · 2.5K subscribers · Jan 2024

I have always liked the sound of a Fender guitar and with the mods I've done to this one, it not only sounds good but looks great too and that is what inspired this series of videos on this guitar.

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Matt Dunn Matt Dunn · 707 subscribers · Nov 2021

As part of Fender and Squier's incredible run of releases, the Affinity Telecaster Deluxe brings dual humbucker Tele tones to a sub-$300 price tag. For everything from Foo Fighters to The Clash, this Affinity Tele is definitely best suited for rock-adjacent genres of music.

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1 mixed source

F Facebook Facebook post

The Squier Affinity Series is a budget-friendly entry point that plays well out of the box but often benefits from a basic setup and minor upgrades. Players consistently say it’s great for beginners and modders, though quality can be hit-or-miss depending on year and factory.

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