I just picked up a used one at Guitar Center today for $330. You can't beat that price. I think the prior owner changed out the bridge with a top loader type and it has 6 rollers instead of three. Sweet!! Great review!
I got that exact model at a store in CT and I love it. The twang of the bridge setting alone justifies the purchase. A guitar-knowledgable friend of mine said that an Esquire has more twang than a Tele because having just a single pickup means there is no magnetic pull from another pickup that would make the tone slightly less pure. Not sure if that's true but in any case the guitar is fun and comfortable to play and looks and sounds way more expensive than it is. I also have a Stratocaster and an Epiphone Casino--both of those axes are very versatile tone-wise, so having a less versatile Esquire makes it an effective tool in my arsenal.
So I have a friend that is doing a refinish job on a telecaster style guitar for me. I have decided that I really wanted to go with an esquire style, so we are doing just that. We are looking at the cocked wah mod in the place of the dark mode. With the tone control in the middle position, I think I can get the rhythm tones that I need, and a wide open back position, which is wired straight to the output jack, should give me some wonderful lead tones. It will not be my only guitar, but it will definitely share the duty with my semi hollow
I have a vintage white one from Sweetwater, and the build quality is incredible. Nice grain and stain on the neck. I bought it mostly for the "novelty" of it.
Very cool. I think at that price it is cool to have one for the “novelty” of it. Truthfully I would not grab it running out the door for a gig, but definitely fun to play.
I just got mine, yesterday. And I gotta say it is such a nice guitar! Feels great, plays great, sounds great and just look so cool in BTB with a black pg. Really glad I got one!
I love my 2020 Esquire. Mine weighs in at 9 pounds! I like the neck although i would prefer a chunkier one but it feel great. Sounds awesome too! I like single coils but not their mains hum so i plan to put in a hot rails. I mostly play metal rhythm style anyways. Id like to try it with a power conditioner to take out the mains hum before i get the Seymour installed. Love classic vibe series especially the 50s models. I would like to have seen a late 50s p bass with the split pickup and the more common layout kinda like fenders vintera 50s p bass. Sometimes you get figured woods on these squiers too!
The bridge position is brighter than the middle, if only slightly. That’s like the true twang right there. I’m about to build me an Esquire, but I’m gonna do the eldred mod on mine for the “neck”’position. Don’t have much use for that dark and muffled tone.
You can easily build them with fender parts a neck and body for like the same price. And you can do things like use locking tuners and your choice of pickups or even 4 way switching for a little extra. People forget esquires are stuuuuupid easy to build. I've built 3 so far.