The Affinity Telecaster is the workhorse of the Squier lineup. Two single-coil pickups, a 3-way switch, and a solid build -- it's the Telecaster formula distilled to its essentials. The bridge pickup bites and cuts for country picking and rock riffs, the neck pickup warms up for jazz chords and bluesy leads, and the blended middle position is surprisingly useful for clean rhythm work.

Compared to the Bullet and Sonic series, the Affinity steps up the overall quality of the hardware and construction in ways you can feel. The neck is slightly more refined, the tuners hold better, and the ceramic pickups have a bit more clarity and output. It's a genuine step toward a gigging-quality instrument. The Telecaster is maybe the most versatile electric guitar design ever made, and the Affinity version proves you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy it.