Squier Affinity Series® Telecaster®, Maple Fingerboard, Black Pickguard, 3-Color Sunburst

Quick Product Summary

The Squier Affinity Series® Telecaster® in 3-Color Sunburst brings one of the world's most recognisable electric guitar designs into an accessible, player-friendly package. Its classic Sunburst finish, maple fingerboard and black pickguard give this version a particularly traditional Tele-inspired appearance, while the slim neck and modern hardware keep the playing experience straightforward.

A lightweight poplar body is paired with a maple neck and maple fingerboard, using a comfortable “C”-shaped profile, 9.5" radius and 21 medium-jumbo frets. This combination makes the Affinity Telecaster an excellent choice for beginners while still providing a familiar platform for experienced players looking for an affordable second guitar.

Two ceramic single-coil pickups deliver the clear attack and definition associated with the Telecaster format, with a three-way selector providing bridge, combined and neck pickup sounds. A six-saddle string-through-body bridge completes a practical specification suitable for lessons, home practice, rehearsals, recording and live playing.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Squier
Series	Affinity Series®
Model	Telecaster®
Finish	3-Color Sunburst
Fingerboard	Maple
Pickguard	3-Ply Black
Body	Poplar
Neck	Maple, “C” Shape
Pickups	Dual Ceramic Single-Coils
Bridge	6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Tele®
Condition	New
Main Appeal	Classic Telecaster styling with accessible modern playability
Best For	Beginners, developing players, indie, rock, blues, pop and country

What’s Included?

• Squier Affinity Series® Telecaster® in 3-Color Sunburst

✘ No Case or Gig Bag Included

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

As with the new guitars we sell, this Squier Affinity Series Telecaster is checked by the Fair Deal Music team before leaving the shop.

We assess the general playing condition, tuning hardware, pickup operation, controls, output and other key functions so that obvious issues can be identified before dispatch.

Guitar setups can naturally move slightly during delivery because of changes in temperature and humidity. Players also have individual preferences for string height, neck relief and overall playing feel, so a small adjustment after the guitar has acclimatised can occasionally be beneficial.

Why Choose The Squier Affinity Series Telecaster?

Classic Telecaster Styling

The combination of 3-Color Sunburst, maple fingerboard and black pickguard gives this Affinity Telecaster a timeless appearance inspired by some of Fender's most familiar solid-body designs. It is an especially strong option for players who want traditional Tele looks without moving immediately into a higher-priced instrument.

Slim, Comfortable Neck

The maple neck uses a slim “C”-shaped profile, while the 9.5" fingerboard radius and medium-jumbo frets provide a comfortable modern playing surface. It works equally well for open chords, barre chords, scales, bends and lead playing.

Two Useful Single-Coil Sounds

The ceramic bridge and neck pickups give the guitar two clearly different voices. The bridge position is brighter and more direct, while the neck pickup offers a smoother, rounder response. Selecting both pickups provides a balanced third sound that works particularly well for clean rhythm playing.

String-Through-Body Telecaster Bridge

The six-saddle string-through-body bridge provides individual adjustment for each string and keeps the familiar Telecaster fixed-bridge format simple to maintain.

Its fixed design is also particularly useful for beginners because there is no tremolo system to balance when changing strings or experimenting with tunings.

Squier Affinity Telecaster vs Popular Alternatives

Squier Affinity Telecaster vs Squier Sonic Telecaster

The Squier Sonic Telecaster sits lower in the range and is aimed primarily at players looking for the most affordable route into a Tele-style electric guitar. The Affinity is the stronger choice if you can stretch the budget further, particularly if the string-through-body bridge and overall step up in specification appeal.

Squier Affinity Telecaster vs Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster

The Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster moves further towards vintage-inspired construction, hardware and pickup voicing. Choose the Affinity for affordability, easy modern playability and everyday versatility; move towards the Classic Vibe if period styling and more traditional Telecaster appointments are higher priorities.

Squier Affinity Telecaster vs Affinity Telecaster Thinline

The Affinity Telecaster Thinline adds a chambered body and visible F-hole for a different aesthetic and construction approach. The standard Affinity Telecaster is better suited to players who want the straightforward solid-body Telecaster formula without semi-hollow-inspired elements.

Squier Affinity Telecaster vs Fender Player II Telecaster

The Fender Player II Telecaster represents a substantial upgrade, with higher-spec pickups, hardware and finishing details aimed towards players looking for their first full Fender-branded Telecaster. The Affinity remains the more sensible choice for beginners and budget-conscious players, while the Player II offers a logical future upgrade path.

Who Is The Squier Affinity Series Telecaster For?

The Affinity Telecaster is particularly well suited to someone choosing a first electric guitar. There is very little unnecessary complexity: the fixed bridge is simple, the controls are easy to understand and the slim neck provides an approachable playing experience.

Developing players can also get plenty from it as their technique progresses, while experienced guitarists may find it useful as an affordable backup instrument, home-recording guitar or platform for alternative tunings and modifications.

It is also a good transition for an acoustic guitarist moving into electric guitar for the first time, offering familiar full-scale dimensions without a complicated electronic layout.

Looking for advice on choosing your first electric guitar, Telecaster, practice amplifier or complete guitar setup? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in our Birmingham showroom.

Suitable Genres & Playing Styles

The Squier Affinity Telecaster is well suited to:

• Indie

• Alternative

• Rock

• Blues

• Country

• Pop

• Punk

• Funk

• Garage rock

• Singer-songwriter setups

• Rhythm guitar

• Clean electric guitar

• Overdriven lead playing

• Home recording

• Effects-based guitar rigs

The bright bridge pickup works particularly well when you want attack and note definition, while the neck pickup is useful for warmer clean sounds and smoother lead tones.

Maple vs Laurel Fingerboard Telecaster: Which Should You Choose?

The biggest practical reason to choose between the maple and Indian laurel Affinity Telecaster variants is personal preference in feel and appearance rather than expecting one material alone to completely transform the sound of the guitar.

The maple fingerboard gives this 3-Color Sunburst version a particularly classic Fender-inspired aesthetic, especially alongside the black pickguard. Players who prefer the look of a lighter fingerboard or want traditional dot markers set directly into maple are likely to favour this version. The laurel-fingerboard variants provide a darker visual contrast and may appeal more to players accustomed to rosewood-style fingerboards.

Story & Context

The Telecaster design developed during one of the most important periods in electric guitar history. Fender's early solid-body instruments at the beginning of the 1950s helped establish the practical bolt-on-neck construction and straightforward electronics that would become central to the company's identity.

The two-pickup Broadcaster appeared in 1950, followed by a brief transitional period before the Telecaster name became established in 1951. Its combination of a bolt-on maple neck, solid body, fixed bridge and two single-coil pickups created an instrument that was relatively straightforward to manufacture, maintain and use.

What is particularly remarkable is how little the fundamental concept needed to change. More than seven decades later, the familiar body shape, three-way pickup switching and master volume-and-tone arrangement remain highly relevant.

The Affinity Series adapts that established formula into an affordable modern instrument, allowing new players to experience the essential Telecaster layout without requiring the budget of Fender's more premium ranges.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	Squier
Model	Affinity Series® Telecaster®
Model Number	0378200502
Series	Affinity Series®
Colour	3-Color Sunburst
Orientation	Right-Handed
Body Shape	Telecaster®
Body Material	Poplar
Body Finish	Gloss Polyurethane
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	“C” Shape
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Finish	Satin Urethane with Gloss Urethane Headstock Face
Fingerboard Material	Maple
Fingerboard Radius	9.5" / 241 mm
Scale Length	25.5" / 648 mm
Number of Frets	21
Fret Size	Medium Jumbo
Nut Material	Synthetic Bone
Nut Width	1.650" / 42 mm
Position Inlays	Black Dot
Side Dots	Black
Bridge Pickup	Ceramic Single-Coil
Neck Pickup	Ceramic Single-Coil
Pickup Configuration	SS
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching	3-Position Blade
Bridge	6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Tele®
Tuning Machines	Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts
Hardware Finish	Chrome
Pickguard	3-Ply Black
Pickup Covers	Neck: Chrome; Bridge: Black
Control Knobs	Knurled Flat-Top
Strings	Nickel Plated Steel, .009–.042
Truss Rod	Head Adjust

Power Requirements

The Squier Affinity Series Telecaster uses passive pickups and requires no battery or external power supply.

Connect the guitar to a suitable guitar amplifier, audio interface, multi-effects processor or pedalboard using a standard ¼" instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The Squier Affinity Series Telecaster in 3-Color Sunburst is an excellent introduction to the Telecaster format, particularly for players who want the traditional visual combination of a Sunburst body, maple fingerboard and black pickguard.

It is simple enough for a beginner to understand immediately but versatile enough to remain useful as the player develops. The fixed string-through bridge, comfortable neck and straightforward dual-pickup electronics make it a particularly practical everyday electric guitar.

Best suited for: Beginners, developing players and guitarists looking for an affordable traditional-style Telecaster.

Customers usually upgrade from: Basic starter-pack electric guitars and entry-level instruments.

Most commonly paired with: Practice amplifier or modelling amp, instrument cable, strap, clip-on tuner, stand and protective gig bag.

Our tip: Don't overlook the middle pickup-selector position. Combining the bridge and neck pickups gives you a useful balanced tone that can work particularly well for clean chords, funkier rhythm parts and effects-heavy sounds.

Showroom feedback: The maple fingerboard and 3-Color Sunburst finish give this version a particularly classic Telecaster appearance. For beginners comparing different Affinity colours, the specification is strong enough that choosing the finish and fingerboard you genuinely prefer is often the best decision.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team has spent decades helping beginners, enthusiasts and experienced players choose instruments and equipment that genuinely suit their needs.

Whether you're buying your first electric guitar, putting together a complete beginner setup or upgrading an existing instrument, we're happy to offer practical advice before and after your purchase.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Secure online ordering

• A large Birmingham music showroom

• Decades of experience with both new and pre-owned guitars and musical equipment

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Squier Affinity Telecaster suitable for beginners?

Yes. Its comfortable neck, simple control layout and fixed bridge make it particularly straightforward for new players, while the full-size 25.5" scale means it remains useful as technique develops.

What difference does the maple fingerboard make?

The maple fingerboard gives this version a lighter, more traditional Fender-inspired appearance and has a smooth finished surface. Fingerboard choice is largely a matter of personal playing preference and aesthetics rather than something that should be considered in isolation when choosing the guitar.

What do the three pickup-selector positions do?

Position one selects the bridge pickup, position two combines the bridge and neck pickups, and position three selects the neck pickup. This gives you three distinct starting points without complicated controls.

Can the Affinity Telecaster handle distortion and overdrive?

Yes. The bridge pickup's direct attack and clarity work particularly well with overdrive and distortion, making the guitar useful for rock, punk, indie and alternative styles as well as cleaner traditional Telecaster sounds.

Can I use guitar pedals with it?

Yes. The passive output is compatible with conventional guitar pedals, multi-effects processors, pedalboards and amp-modelling equipment.

Can I record this guitar at home?

Yes. It can be connected to a suitable audio interface, guitar modeller or recording amplifier. You can also record a conventional guitar amplifier using a microphone.

Is the fixed bridge good for beginners?

Yes. A fixed bridge avoids the additional balancing and setup considerations associated with tremolo-equipped guitars, making restringing and routine maintenance relatively straightforward.

Can I change the factory .009–.042 strings?

Yes. Different gauges can be fitted to suit your playing preference. Moving significantly heavier or lighter may require adjustments to neck relief, action and intonation.

Is this guitar only suited to country music?

No. Although Telecasters have a famous association with country guitar, the design works extremely well for indie, rock, blues, punk, pop, funk, alternative music and many other styles.

Should I choose this or a Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster?

The Affinity is the stronger choice if affordability and straightforward modern playability are your priorities. A Classic Vibe is worth considering if you are prepared to spend more for vintage-inspired pickups, hardware, finishing and appointments.

The Squier Affinity Series Telecaster in 3-Color Sunburst combines one of electric guitar's most enduring designs with accessible modern playability. For a first Telecaster, a dependable second guitar or simply an affordable route into classic single-coil sounds, it is a strong all-round choice.

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