Avril Lavigne Telecaster Review

Avril Lavigne Telecaster guitar features the chart-topping Grammy® nominee's distinctive star logo inlayed at the fifth fret, with a checkerboard pickguard and Lavigne’s signature on the headstock.

Features:	9
Sound:	9
Action:	10
Reliability:	10
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	9.4
Users rating:	3.4
Comments:	84

Reviewed by: unregistered, on august 26, 2008

Price paid: C$ 219.99

Purchased from: Sherwood Music

Features: Indonisia made with 22 medium jumbo (I beleive) frets. Rosewood finger board on a maple neck with a basewood body. It' got a nice black finish with a white and black checkered pickgaurd and the standard tele body. It's a string through body bridgge more of a mix between a start and a tele bridge. It's got just a volume control and a 3-way selector. From first looks it looks to have just one humbucker however this is the main reason I bought this guitar it's actualy two single coils described as a dual-coil humbucking pickup so basicaly position one is bridge single coil and position 2 is both and position 3 is the single coil closer to the neck. It's got the Standard Squire hardware from there on though. Although some neat things there's only a star inley on the 5th fret with inleys ontop of the fretboard, a gold squire logo avrils signature on the headstock. However I did not buy this because it's Avril's guitar that's the last reason I'd buy it I bought it because the sound, action and looks not to mention price and quality are mind blowing. // 9

Sound: The sound is fenominal, this guitar sounds amazing no matter what pickup(s) your using. I feel it to be a highbrid of a tele sound although you don't get much of the twangy tele sound but it still sounds bright mixed with a hss Strat or a bullets sound, and you can get a really deep rich tone with a nice brightness to it, or just the brightness, or more of the deeper tone. Everything I've played on this guitar it has managed to sound great at. Punk, metal (I couldn't give it enough distortion it sounds clear with 2 distortions going), rock, hard rock, clasic rock, blues, whatever you want. It has a bit of hum when using a single coil but that's normal and expected. The tonal variety isn't a huge range but is in and of itself because it manages to sound bright like a tele does but can still have a nice thick rich tone, which sounds unbeleivable clean, and distorted no matter what pickup you use. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar was set up just how I liked it, ahven't changed the factory settings on any of my 3 squires (I own a bullet special strat, and a p-bass as well). The action is great, this is a guitar you can really let go on, I had more fun on this guitar then any I tested in two cities. However there's no inleys on the front of the fingerboard and never owning a Tele means inisialy it's a bit ahrder to play but when you get used to it or when you sit down it's amazing from when you first pick it up. The finish and guitar was flawless, not a single ding on it even from beign a test model but it's not a very desired guitar because of Who backs it. The pickups are extreamly close to the strings, closer then on any guitar I've ever seen but this hasn't proved to be a problem and might help with the brighter tone. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I changed the strap buttons with strap locks because you can't trust Fender strap buttons they're really horid when your strap ages however besides that I would defenitly use this at a concert. I don't know why people say Squire's are terible I happen to find the quality extreamly good for the price, I find no difference in a Fender and a Squrie I even prefer Squires over Mexican (Mexican is the key word) Fenders because they generaly have hotter pickups. This guitar I know will last however, I use a variety of guitars anyways and would bring all 5 of them giging if I could however for just a quick set I would bring just this one. // 10

Impression: I play whatever I feel like playing, my bands got some ska songs, some grunge, some punky-alternative stuff, I play everything from Avenged Sevenfold to Lamb Of God to Billy Talent to Led Zepplin to AC/DC to My Chem to Ludo, I think you get the point. I've been playing nearly 5 years and if this guitar were stolen I would be extreamly angry. Would I buy another though? maybe, I think I might get a custom built Fender Tele for my next one though because I like original guitars. I love it's pickups being able to choose between single coils and humbuckers was my main feature I looked for and this guitar was the cheapest I played and had it. I love it's looks, I love everything about it. I don't necesarily hate that it's an Avril Lavigne signature but being a guy I don't really like it however laugh all you want but when I start playing it blows peoples minds all the time. I compared this guitar to every Epiphone Les Paul in the tri-city, oh and every Ibanez, and also Mexican Fenders, along with others. I came to the conclusion Epiphones are the most god awful guitars on earth and Ibanez's are great for metal but I still liked the Tele more for them. I do wish it had a neck pickup the same as it's bridge one or a maple neck just to brighten it up a bit. However I wouldn't use the neck humbucker and it still sounds great. // 9

Comments

[fukkindoyle]

"however laugh all you want but when i start playing it blows peoples minds"?

i don't know about you, but usually when i hear people say they blow people's minds, i usually think one of two things. one: "shit this dude must be ****in reaaaal good to be that cocky." two: "shit man, this dude is playing an anvril lavigne SQUIER, he must be an *******."

That's all I really have to say about this review. Sounds like something I would never buy. No offense.

[banshee8831]

wish that fender was making mexican series of this.squie is sooo bad to play.

[Metetta]

This must be a joke.

[Serjem]

hey did you guys know squier's about to manufacture the new SERJEM'S TELEMASTER o yeah

[MrFlibble]

For all the negative comments this is going to get just because it says 'Avril Lavigne'... it actually is a good Telecaster, for the price. If only it had a neck pickup too, it would be easily the best Telecaster Squier make.

[51VH50]

dude. what are you 12??? seriously. review is terrible.

[justinrobbins7]

Consider this on my X-mas list.

[AStrangleHold]

I'd rather get the Deryck Whibley tele..

[Baz1211991]

Ha!That's so ridiculous! this made my day

[joker_thief]

save your money kids. get a real telecaster so people won't make fun of you on the playground.

[Blazn Blue]

I have 7 spelling errors and at least 3 run-on sentences in your first paragraph. Might want to use the spell check button.

[Blazn Blue]

And when I say have, I mean have found.

[emP]

"I came to the conclusion Epiphones are the most god awful guitars"

I am glad that your Avril Tele helped you to come to that conclusion.

/sarcasm

[Hemani Co]

The moment the word 'fenominal' caught my eye ...

[Benjabenja]

This review has to be a joke.

[blue_jello47]

now all the clever punk rocking rebels will have their mothers buy them one...

[Bellz06!]

i agree with alot of people above.. leave him alone though.. i ****ing hate avril with a passion but if he likes her and this guitar then so be it. I mean, lets face it.. in the end all this guitar is is a Fender Telecaster with a patterned pickguard, a star inlay, and a signature on the headstock

[supersonic23]

I could be wrong but has Avril ever played a guitar (Let alone this guitar) live, because last time I checked she doesn't.

[DieYouBastard]

This is so metal.

[xthpsgodx]

@supersonic23
She does play guitar occasionally live but I don't think she does on her albums.

[Homeslice91]

the avril tele is for girls who want to start guitar. their made in a shit factory in a 3rd world country so as to keep costs down. lacks a neck pickup so the coil tap is a bit pointless. And although epiphones are low range guitars they are handmade and are based on Gibsons. so god awful is a bit of a bold comment considering you own an avril lavign telecaster and own 5 squires rather than buyin 1 good strat.

[randyaintdead82]

ok so why does AVRIL FLIPPIN LAVINGE get a signature guitar when people from like Rush, Queensrhyche or Mastodon should have their own guitars

[GuitarPlayer716]

Come on, don't be so harsh. She has written soooo many great songs, like...well...there was that one...oh, wait, no she hasn't. Mostly because she doesn't write her own shit. This review is summed up by one word: FAIL!!!

[Kev91cass]

Fail, with a hint of racism "I even prefer Squires over Mexican (Mexican is the key word)"

[Robot99909]

Who cares if its an Avril Lavigne signature. I doubt Arvil had any input on the sound of the guitar. She probably vaguely described the design. If it sounds good and the price is low enough then thats it.

[Multiplayerjon]

lol she is pretty hot though xD

I think the design is cool... i don't know why she needs a signature guitar... she isn't a shreder... she a "Shredder" xD

[Multiplayerjon]

volume control and a 3-way selector.

Wait... so what's with the 3 way selector... what pickups are you gonna switch to?? soo stupid although it's a nice lookin guitar

[Multiplayerjon]

ya shoulda got a J5 tele...

[pyritmann]

haha i like how the guy who did review did it as unregistered probably cause he knew he was just gunna get flamed. haha, ya know tho, shes horrible now but back her day avril was one of the better things on the radio... not that that's saying much.

[Blackening]

why do bands like sturm und drang get an esp endorsement contract and avril larvigne an own signature model? lifes so not fair^^

[ohai its Alex]

Ive played one.
This is a bit over the top.
It does NOT deserve a 9.
IMO

[Eddie's'Waitor]

You prefered this shit to Ibanez ??!?!??

[Rugby Rocker]

banshee8831 :
wish that fender was making mexican series of this.squier is sooo bad to play.

i own a squier and it is just as good to play as my m8's custom schecter. nothing wrong with squiers.

[iTzMaTT]

Good luck playing this in public without losing a limb.

[~Shred Hero~]

You basically spent an extra $100 for a squier tele because it has her name on it.

[Symmetry4321]

For the love of god, it is a guitar, if somone else bought it i wouldn't give a crap, i'd jokingly rib them for all of 2 seconds then ask them to try it myself as from this review it sounds like a decent instrument

[LesZao]

I find this funny
"I even prefer Squires over Mexican (Mexican is the key word)"

I trust Mexicans alot more than Koreans.
Racist..

[MrFlibble]

~Shred Hero~ wrote:

You basically spent an extra $100 for a squier tele because it has her name on it.

Actually, it's a pretty special Tele. Squier don't do any others with a basswood body, and the split/hum/split pickup configuration is pretty unique too and actually, unlikey many special features signature guitars have, that would have quite a large effect on the tone (especially the classic Tele 'twang'), so you'd actually get some use out of it.

As I said before, if only it had a neck pickup, it'd be the best Tele that Squier make.



And don't be so ignorant to think that just because it has Avril's name on the headstock means it must be crap. If you got a Gibson Custom Shop VOS 1959 Les Paul, took a marker pen and wrote 'Britney Spears Signature Series Les Britney' on the headstock and painted it bright pink all over... would that make it play or sound bad?

[IamGod 666]

what pickup are you supposed to switch to?

[towlie-01]

What happend to virtuoso guitarists getting signature guitars!?
has the world gone mad!?
next meg white will have her own guitar range...
my god..

[Tyranus-3121]

something tells me a slightly literate employee of squier wrote this

[skvvisgaar]

Hmmm, seems like the reviewer is serious, though probably not very smart. a Yamaha tele copy has a 4 pc. alder body (not crappy basswood), 2 tele style pickups, a volume and a TONE KNOB (something every guitar needs, no exception), and it costs less than $220 if you buy one used (I got one for $50).

[blazerok]

well i dont think that its unfair that avril lavigne gets a signature electric guitar. you see, Avril have squier signature guitar, while malmsteen and J5 have great FENDER signature guitars. and for thos who don't have a signature guitar, maybe its because the guitar they are using is exactly what they wanted... no?

[metalskelly]

"The sound is fenominal"
He must not mean it because there is no f in phenomenal...

[SilverSpurs616]

Regardless of whether this guitar is great or not, what I feel to be most important is this-

Who the hell is gonna take you seriously when they see you're playing an Avril Lavinge model!?

[Th6r6a6sH]

Maybe she chose squier and this minimalist approach for a guitar because her sound is simple and cheap. Don't ever recall her smashing a guitar onstage, but she has a reason to now.

"This guitar SuX!!" SMASH!!

[washburn0c03]

k come on seriously? If this guitar wasn't made by squier and wasn't popularized by avril lavigne I would probably dig it simply because I've been looking for a sweet tele that isn't the same colour as my chicken noodle soup and I dig the checkers.

[nyeguitarist]

MrFlibble wrote:

~Shred Hero~ wrote:

You basically spent an extra $100 for a squier tele because it has her name on it.Actually, it's a pretty special Tele. Squier don't do any others with a basswood body, and the split/hum/split pickup configuration is pretty unique too and actually, unlikey many special features signature guitars have, that would have quite a large effect on the tone (especially the classic Tele 'twang'), so you'd actually get some use out of it.

As I said before, if only it had a neck pickup, it'd be the best Tele that Squier make.



And don't be so ignorant to think that just because it has Avril's name on the headstock means it must be crap. If you got a Gibson Custom Shop VOS 1959 Les Paul, took a marker pen and wrote 'Britney Spears Signature Series Les Britney' on the headstock and painted it bright pink all over... would that make it play or sound bad?

Yes

[tallicafan91]

randyaintdead82 wrote:

ok so why does AVRIL FLIPPIN LAVINGE get a signature guitar when people from like Rush, Queensrhyche or Mastodon should have their own guitars

exactly what I was going to ask... why does she have a signature guitar when she can barely play 3 chords???

[dsotm73]

Rugby Rocker wrote:

banshee8831 :
wish that fender was making mexican series of this.squier is sooo bad to play.
i own a squier and it is just as good to play as my m8's custom schecter. nothing wrong with squiers.

only some squiers are really awesome, and some just suck, theres no mid level, its either really good or really bad. but i agree with you, i have a squier and its just as good as a mid-high level fender. but some people just cant see past stereotypes.

[leadshadow]

You really think that your squire tele is better than ALL Ibanez? you're messed up dude.

[thereverendsoup]

randyaintdead82 wrote:

ok so why does AVRIL FLIPPIN LAVINGE get a signature guitar when people from like Rush, Queensrhyche or Mastodon should have their own guitars

It's a pretty safe bet that all of those guitarists are playing custom guitars. I know for a fact that the guitarists from Mastodon at least have played custom First Acts (for those who aren't aware, First Act also makes really high end custom guitars).

They just might not offer any of their custom guitars for sale. I know First Act for the most part seems to use their endorsements more to advertise the fact that you can get a really bitchin' guitar from them, rather than to actually sell copies of the guitars you see on stage when Mastodon or Converge or High on Fire or Priestbird or whoever is playin' 'em (hell, even Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick has one; it has six pickups!). And hell, if I had a custom guitar that ballin' made for me, I wouldn't want any chump on the street to be able to own one exactly like it, either!

But as for Avril having a signature guitar, it really doesn't take much these days. That dork from Green Day and those dudes from Blink 182 have signature gear, too. It's a matter of record sales. Something tells me the low price of this guitar has a lot to do with the fact that the only people who are going to have any interest in it are absolute beginner guitarists, probably mostly kids. Nothing wrong with that. I strongly doubt you'll ever actually see one onstage.

[guitaringnathan]

tallicafan91 wrote:

randyaintdead82 wrote:

ok so why does AVRIL FLIPPIN LAVINGE get a signature guitar when people from like Rush, Queensrhyche or Mastodon should have their own guitars

exactly what I was going to ask... why does she have a signature guitar when she can barely play 3 chords???

actually they do: alex lifeson from rush has signature guitar es-335 from gibson, dude from mastadon has a sig yamaha, and one guy from queensryche has signature peaveys while the other one has a custom esp.

im not trying to look annoying but i dont know why you're complaining.

[guitaringnathan]

quote]tallicafan91 wrote:

randyaintdead82 wrote:

ok so why does AVRIL FLIPPIN LAVINGE get a signature guitar when people from like Rush, Queensrhyche or Mastodon should have their own guitars

exactly what I was going to ask... why does she have a signature guitar when she can barely play 3 chords???[/quote]

actually they do: alex lifeson from rush has signature guitar es-335 from gibson, dude from mastadon has a sig yamaha, and one guy from queensryche has signature peaveys while the other one has a custom esp.

im not trying to look annoying but i dont know why you're complaining.

[guitaringnathan]

and its just a squire, not like a real fender or gibson or somethin (even though nothing wrong with squires if you mod em right)

[ripjoestrummer]

guitaringnathan wrote:

tallicafan91 wrote:

randyaintdead82 wrote:

ok so why does AVRIL FLIPPIN LAVINGE get a signature guitar when people from like Rush, Queensrhyche or Mastodon should have their own guitars

exactly what I was going to ask... why does she have a signature guitar when she can barely play 3 chords???

actually they do: alex lifeson from rush has signature guitar es-335 from gibson, dude from mastadon has a sig yamaha, and one guy from queensryche has signature peaveys while the other one has a custom esp.

im not trying to look annoying but i dont know why you're complaining.

I was going to say the exact same thing...only 5 minutes later

[Do Re Mi]

Rugby Rocker wrote:

banshee8831 :
wish that fender was making mexican series of this.squier is sooo bad to play.
i own a squier and it is just as good to play as my m8's custom schecter. nothing wrong with squiers.

Agreed. Squiers aren't terrible at all.

[Jfonzxxx]

I had a standard Squier strat, and thought it was pretty cool, until I got my Schecter c-1 xxx , the only thing bad about that guitar was the pick ups and now that i put SD blackouts on it...well my squier doesn't get much play anymore

[ironwolg]

wait....she plays guitar?
i'm not gonna knock an instrument before i try it, but i think my Truckster is probably better lol

[StratDune]

Ok. I like Squier. I like Tele. I hate Avril Lavigne.

Now, does this signature guitar means that slut only choose the colour design and all? or did she also contribute majorly on its specifications and sound? (I don't trust this fanboy's review) If its the former, then i don't think there's much problem. but if it's the latter, well...

Then again, how much does avril know about guitar sounds and specs :P

[Twofly]

hahahahahaha avril lavigne has her own telecaster model!!!!wtf is this world coming to?!

[MrFlibble]

I love how this guitar has been out for nigh-on a YEAR, and yet some people still can't believe it even exists... what's even more amazing is how many of you are dense enough to not realise the reason she has a signature guitar is because it'll sell well and make Squier more money. That's all it comes down to.

StratDune wrote:

Ok. I like Squier. I like Tele. I hate Avril Lavigne.

Now, does this signature guitar means that slut only choose the colour design and all? or did she also contribute majorly on its specifications and sound? (I don't trust this fanboy's review) If its the former, then i don't think there's much problem. but if it's the latter, well...

Then again, how much does avril know about guitar sounds and specs :P

Actually, she apparently knows quite a lot. At least, she knows enough that she's her own guitar tech.

Though as far as this guitar goes, I expect she contributed nothing at all. Squier knocked something together, she said OK, and away they went.

skvvisgaar wrote:

Hmmm, seems like the reviewer is serious, though probably not very smart. a Yamaha tele copy has a 4 pc. alder body (not crappy basswood), 2 tele style pickups, a volume and a TONE KNOB (something every guitar needs, no exception), and it costs less than $220 if you buy one used (I got one for $50).

Well, 1) Basswood isn't 'crappy', in terms of basic quality it's just as good as any alder, mahogany, ash or maple body. Especially in the late 70's, all the 80's and early 90's, basswood was very popular for guitar bodies for it's sonic quality, being between mahogany and alder, and for it's lighter weight.

As for tone knobs, no, not every guitar needs to have them. Many people prefer to have as few controls as possible, so the output from the guitar is as pure and full as possible. One of the most popular guitars ever, the Kramer super-Strats, often had just one angled bridge humbucker and one volume control.


If there's one thing I can't stand, it's pointless, baseless, ill-informed hate...

[seanie!]

I came to the conclusion Epiphones are the most god awful guitars on earth

But and Indonesian made Squier somehow scored a 9.4? This kid needs to learn what the hell he's talking about before trying to write a review.

[LambOfFoden]

AAAHAHAHAAAA. rediculous. why is this even on here? avril couldn't tune a guitar, much less come up with the input to make one. 'um, yah, it'd be totally kewl if we took this stock one and made it checkered like my sneakers, and i could just sign it over here, and yah. that'd work. totally.' and sorry kid, but its hard to justify saying you'd buy a custom tele (how many g's?$?$$) after this. if yur happy with that, you cant tell the difference.

[zeemonkey]

who wrote this review? a third grader?

[kop4]

avril lavigne signature guitar < ALL

[roketsox23]

MOSHPIT!!!

-that was a joke.

this cracks me up.

[BFun]

ummm... someone actually bought one of these??

[jack_demo]

i've played one of these in a music store in liverpool and as much as i'm not a fan of telecasters i'm an avril fan so just thought i'd have a go. and to be honest it's an ALRIGHT guitar. i wouldn't spend money on one, i'd get a gio ibanez or an epiphone instead but if you're a fan of tele's and avril by all means go and buy one. just don't expect it to be amazing because it isn't.

[guitar_hero999]

Twofly :
hahahahahaha avril lavigne has her own telecaster model!!!!wtf is this world coming to?!
POSTED: 08/27/2008 - 022 am / quote |

Thing Is.....She's Making money out of this.....are you?

[IKnowItsWrong]

I play better guitar then her ....
She doesn't deserve a guitar

[dannyboy1992]

id say the majority of people here are thinking because its avril lavignes custom guitar it must be shit

i mean what the hell is wrong with her having a custom guitar?

[big-boy-mike]

you know you can't really say anything about epiphone unless you actually own one. i have 3, a les paul, an SG, and an explorer, and they all rock, waaayyyyy better than some piece of shit squier from some shitty bint that can't make music. and a single humbucker? (face it, it's a humbucker) come on, get a life.

[big-boy-mike]

the second anyone sees you with that in public you will get killed and eaten.

[ReflectiveGold]

i bought this guitar recently.

and, i am the first to say, i hate the fact it is by avril lavigne. no way does she deserve a signature.

however, in comparison to my other guitars, it's a pretty solid piece. for a start, i think the chequered scratchplate is a really good touch, even if it does mark quite easily. also, i think the inlay is pretty cool, despite the fact it takes away the position markers. it does leave them on the side on the neck tho.

also, the humbucker is tapped, giving three choices of pickup sounds, which is more than enough. however, i think that if there was a neck pickup, this would be a brilliant guitar, rather than quite good.

the sound, as the reviewer said, can be ajusted to anything you like. personally, i play in rock and metal styles, and i find that this is more than adiqute for everything for chords to pinch harmonics.

but, however, as i have said, this guitar isnt brilliant, but, in a pinch is by far good enough for a first, second or even third guitar

[guitarfreak222]

Rugby Rocker wrote:

banshee8831 :
wish that fender was making mexican series of this.squier is sooo bad to play.
i own a squier and it is just as good to play as my m8's custom schecter. nothing wrong with squiers.

You're joking right? If you're not, obviously you know nothing about good guitars... lol

[The_lizard_king]

randyaintdead82 wrote:

ok so why does AVRIL FLIPPIN LAVINGE get a signature guitar when people from like Rush, Queensrhyche or Mastodon should have their own guitars

Geddy Lee also has a signature fender bass. I think it's a jazz bass but I could be wrong but he does have a signature.

[Levi79]

seriously, who gives a **** if it says avril lavigne on it, it looks ****ing sweet

[kevinego]

i like avril lol, and i dont mind the guitar, but i highly doubt it can pull off lamb of god really well like you said.. it might not be a great guitar but it's worth the price

[kevinego]

tallicafan91 wrote:

randyaintdead82 wrote:

ok so why does AVRIL FLIPPIN LAVINGE get a signature guitar when people from like Rush, Queensrhyche or Mastodon should have their own guitars

exactly what I was going to ask... why does she have a signature guitar when she can barely play 3 chords???

alex lifeson and geddy lee both have signature instruments

[kevinego]

Levi79 wrote:

seriously, who gives a **** if it says avril lavigne on it, it looks ****ing sweet

****ing right man, you can barely even see where it says avril on it

[Coldmystery]

So the Avril may not be my favorite guitar but it is freeking sweet. It has a great sound and feels pretty ok.

[Shovelhandle]

I got to say, to much hate on this review. Not a lot of intelligent responces. What kind of music are all you haters into, anyway?
The three way switch is used to control tone by selecting either one or both of the single poles (tapped humbucker).
It plays and sounds fine, pretty bright unless you compensate with the amp controls, then you can fatten the sound up some.
I doesn't look 'girly' at all. The signature is miniscule. It's black. wtf? I replaced the pickguard with a mint Esquire pickguard. As far as getting my ass kicked if I played one in public? Hehe, I do not think so.
People have had signature products of every friggin thing. Sports gear, music gear, clothes, products for children all the way to adults. It's no reason to get upset.

I've been playing since 1964 and have owned many, many great axes. Lots of Fenders and at least five US Telecasters. I don't have much money now so I play a Squire Strat and this Tele. Back when I was learning it was very, very difficult to find a guitar of this quality for this price, even back then!

Shovelhandle

[Mprinsje]

if it wasn't an avril guitar i would buy it...

and if it had a normal scratchplate