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Post subject: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 2:43 pm
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Hi! This goes out to all the telecaster pickup nerds.

I've had a squier affinity tele with stock pickups for a couple of years - it was the one I started learning on. Since getting a Squier Jag last year, I've noticed the complete difference in sound quality between the two and am now thinking about buying new pickups in order to make it a better guitar. I'm also hoping to be gigging/recording soon. I dont want to sell it as I've grown to be attached to it. It's also covered in MSP and Arcade Fire stickers and completely chipped so is unsellable probably. I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to what pickups I should go for. I'm looking for good pickups for Dinosaur Jr. bridge style distortion and nice smooth neck sounds. I was also thinking about looking at wide ranges as humbuckers maybe a good idea for some variety (my Jaguar has standard single coils)

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 12:11 am
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Just a couple notes on the subject:

J.Mascis style sound isn't usually associated with Telecasters. Going that way might point to Jazzmaster pickups, but a Tele won't sound like a JM anyway.

But: DinoJr distortions don't come from the guitar alone, so maybe the "versatility" you mentioned is the answer. The Fender WRH-reissues are one option, but there's a wide range (pun intended) of options from other pup makers; some said to be closer to the original WRH's.

In versatility, I find the "soft side sounds" are the starting point - it's IMHO easier to "add dirt" than to "low key" an overly hot combination.

And, as usual, I have no recommendation on which pups to choose. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:56 am
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What amp do you use ?

Guitar tone is more than 50 % from the amp .

Low budget guitar will sound better in a good quality amp than a high end guitar in a low budget amp.

Other part of the tone is your finger .....


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:58 am
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Hi

Yes I was thinking of the Feel the Pain tone. I think for the album Without a Sound he predominantly used a tele.
WRH seem to be very popular on teles. Is it easy to calve out space for one them on a tele?


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:00 am
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That is true. I just have a Vox solid state practice amp. Although I am looking into a FSR Blues Junior


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:08 am
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SidneyFT wrote:
That is true. I just have a Vox solid state practice amp. Although I am looking into a FSR Blues Junior


Get a " real " before , Blues Junior is good start.


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:26 am
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If you are looking for same sound of your guitar heroes , you may start with same gear or something very close

Squier and Vox practice amp are far far away :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:30 am
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FSR = Fender Special Run. It is real with a Cannabis Rex cone


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:50 am
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SidneyFT wrote:
FSR = Fender Special Run. It is real with a Cannabis Rex cone


+1 , Look a very good amp :D


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:56 am
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lets hope so :^)


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 5:59 am
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SidneyFT wrote:
I was thinking of the Feel the Pain tone. I think for the album Without a Sound he predominantly used a tele.
WRH seem to be very popular on teles. Is it easy to calve out space for one them on a tele?

Have you seen the DJr Letterman 1994 performance - Mascis plays a regular (well, yeah, maybe... what I mean is, it's equipped with two single coils) Tele and that sound is still right there. Google something like "Mascis pedalboard" or "Mascis gear", and you get a list of the rig he uses.
But: he doesn't sound like that because of his equipment :wink:

On routing & assembling the new pickups: the difficulty and the end result of the job depends on your woodworking & electronic skills. If you have access and can use a router, and can read a wiring diagram & solder accordingly, it's doable. For a pro level job, you need a pro. Oh, an Affinity Tele probably has a thin body, so don't route thru it...

Instant edit: here's the video:


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 6:01 pm
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https://reverb.com/item/498952-new-squi ... a_7c498952

Is this guitar suitable to stick in two Texas Specials? Is it a good base for a project to experience the Tele sound? I bought this Squire Affinity tele today(July 22/15) as a project to swap out pickups and pots.
I already have genuine Les Pauls and a Lone Star American Strat so I don't care to spend for a genuine Telecaster.

This cheapy guitar plays very easy. The neck and fretboard is damned easy to play.

I can take this guitar back and get a refund

.Is this guitar suitable to stick in two Texas Specials? Is it a good base for a project to experience the Tele sound?


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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2015 4:36 pm
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The Fender Custom Shop Texas Specials don't fit the Squire bridge. Boy was that a huge time waste. I'm still trying to finish installing them by enlarging the holes. This is a pain in the $@!.
I had actually installed the pickups before soldering them in to make sure they fit but unless you snug the screws completely you won't know they don't fit. They miss fitting by a mm or two. I had already trimmed and soldered the pups so had to modify things to get them to fit. You can do this but it's a big job and should be avoided.

Fender Custom Shop Texas Specials do not fit the Squire Tele bridge plate!


Last edited by Zentar on Fri Jul 24, 2015 2:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 8:56 am
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The Squire Tele tuners are quite nice looking but they are junk and require frequent tuning. The strings off; you can wobble the poles(machine heads).
I have a sturdy set of slotted pole tuners from a MIA 1982 Squire Bullet I am going to swap out with these new imposters. I'd rate the new tuners the worst I've ever seen because of the wobbly machine heads. There is no excuse to sell a beginner guitar with wobbly tuners. No wonder new players quit.

I made the neck pickup into an adjustable height setup. It previously required removal of the pick guard to adjust.
I have the (Fender Custom Shop) Texas Specials almost done. The bridge pickup needs raising a tiny bit to equal the neck pickup. Or maybe I'll lower the neck pickup. I'll come back later and finish the job.


Last edited by Zentar on Sat Jul 25, 2015 7:31 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Changing pickups in Squier Affinity Tele
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 7:55 pm
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I agree with the amp change first.

When I got my Roadhouse Strat with Texas Specials and brought it home I was disappointed to find that it sounded worse through my cheap amp than my cheapest Squier did.

It wasn't until I got a decent amp that I was able to enjoy the Roadhouse.

And before you decide for sure on the Texas Specials, you might want to give the Tex-Mex a try. Not saying they're better but they deserve a try. They might give you more of the tone you are looking for. I like the Specials in Strats but when it comes to Teles the Tex-Mex just seems a better match to me. If you are at the store and see a Nashville Deluxe Tele hanging on the wall, it wouldn't hurt to plug it in and see if you like them.

But first the amp - your Jag will thank you too!


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