🎸 Butterscotch Reborn

That is the last photo I ever took with my Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster. Here's a throwback to my most used guitar in my life! Thank you CV50, you'll always be remembered!

Now to the main topic, the other guitar beside my CV Telecaster is my latest installment to my crew. Cutting to the chase, this is the Fender Standard Telecaster 2013 FSR Ash in Butterscotch Blonde. Chanced upon it on Carousell and just felt like it is the one to replace my Squier Classic Vibe. And it finally did!

These 2 pictures above is about the same guitar, but in different light conditions. Amazing! So yesterday evening, right after bookout, I headed over to Bedok to view the guitar. I was pleasantly surprised at it's condition given that it has been with the previous owner for 3 years. Hardware is all still shiny! He even included a sleek hardcase for me! Of course I bought it at his asking price of $800!

There are many things I love about this guitar more than my Squier Classic Vibe. The first and most important is the pickups. They are the vintage noiseless pickups from Fender and these noiseless pickups are amazing in my opinion (those are in my Stratocaster too!). Next is the tuners, no more vintage tuners, welcome modern tuners (this will make changing strings so much easier for me!).

Then there's the modern saddles. I don't really believe that brass saddles produces a more "authentic" Telecaster tone than the modern ones. What's the use of a "better tone" when the intonation is wrong? To me, brass saddles, although cool-looking, are a pain when it comes to fine tuning my guitar.

Lastly, the great thing about this guitar is the maple neck. I'm cool with the body being glossy and all, but the neck, I prefer satin necks. One thing the Squier CV50 failed to impress me is the neck looking cheap. Too much gloss for me, even at the back. On this FSR, the shade of the maple fretboard is warm enough for me, not too bright.

Of course, the only major preference a Squier Classic Vibe has is the price. The CV50 retails at such a low price point is something worth noting, since this FSR isn't really readily available, whereas the CV50 is always in the stores. Comparing quality wise, the Made In Mexico FSR Telecaster still holds better quality than the Squier Classic Vibe, in my opinion and feel. Due to the modern parts, there are more options for me to mod the FSR if I ever need it!

Hours after I bought the FSR, a buyer for my CV50 came over to my block to buy the CV50. He was very pleased with the condition of the guitar and I sold it to him at a price of $350. I'm making a huge loss from the original $569 I bought it for, but that's just how it works with buying brand new guitars! Now I have 2 Fender electrics, 1 Yamaha acoustic and 1 Yamaha bass! Clearly Fender and Yamaha each holds their own in the music industry!

Recently, I have been super busy with my SAF driving course. The camp is at Kaki Bukit, which takes me 4 hours of total travelling time everyday, which also leaves me with very little time at night. Weekends are usually packed with meetups with friends so I didn't really play my guitars for a long time already.

But on a happier note, I might be playing for the church soon, since the Chinese Adults Ministry have decided to let me join them in their worship band. My dream of 5 years is definitely come to fruition. With this new FSR Telecaster on board, I feel more than contented now.

Edwin Ang

17th March 2018

***Update as of 24th September 2018: The FSR Telecaster is no longer with me. It has been sold for $380 without the Vintage Noiseless pickups.