Fender Original Or Squier?

[anaxcrosswords]

I can't decide. For a reasonably experienced guitarist given the opportunity to try both Telecaster versions, would they notice a big difference?

[The Builder]

The difference is mostly in the pickups. To an experienced pro or semi-pro player, there is all the difference in the world with the sound. Most players would consider the Squier sound to be nowhere near that of the Fender.

There's one Fender, but there are several quite different Squiers. Early Japanese and Korean ones were pretty good. Just don't go near the Chinese ones.

Try the fretboard as well..... compared to the Fender, is it flat or curved? That makes huge differences to the way you play.

[Hypognosis]

My inexpert ear tells me that I can barely tell what guitar is on a record beyond, generically, it's a Gibbo/Strat/Tel/other. I can't say that I can tell what name is on the headstock just by listening.

A somewhat facile argument but just to get across that your listeners will not know the difference and the name on the headstock only matters when people can see it. One of those is the prospective owner, of course and it may matter greatly to them. Consider this if you are buying it as a present for someone, who may be brand-conscious.

Lastly, there was a notorious period of poor quality control in US-made units, after a takeover. Some far-east built Squiers are considered better built, hence the answer to your question is not an unequivocal "non-Squier is better".

So, get them to try both *using an amp similar to what they own* and buy either on 'best feel' or on what the wallet dictates.

[anaxcrosswords]

It's a Japanese version, about 20 years old. Ebay wording can of course be taken with a generous pinch of salt, but the phrase used is 'plays beautifully'. Have to say it's in remarkably good condition though.

[The Builder]

Ah ........ mid 90s? Worth investigating. Fender went through a period where the US made models were actually inferior to the MIJ (made in japan) models.

Possibly from the renowned "Silver Series". Only the serial number will tell you exactly what it is. Easy enough to Google serial numbers if you can find out.

[anaxcrosswords]

Definitely MIJ early 90s - unfortunately from the pic of the headstock I can't quite make out the serial number.
Oh well, I'll find out tomorrow when it arrives ;)

[anaxcrosswords]

It arrived a day late but no worries (was only important it got here before the weekend). It's a beauty. I'm a bassist and it's the wrong way round for me, but just a strum over the strings tells me it'll have a superb amplified tone. I'm happy!

[karatant]

you may find it hard to tell a big dif in the two. those early md in jpn are renowned for build quality and sound, considered to be the best, in a class of their own. it may boil down to price difference. I know it would in my case ha ha ha . good luck and happy playing!