When Squier releases baritone guitars, guitarists tend to get a little… excited. Maybe it’s because a baritone is that perfect ‘other’ electric – ideal for laying thicc overdubs or the occasional doom track – but previous offerings have attracted huge cult followings, not least the Vintage Modified Baritone Jazzmaster, which at one point was selling upwards of $2,000 on the used market.
All of which explains why we’re stoked that Fender is releasing a new Squier baritone for 2022, the Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster.
Unlike the Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster or 2012’s HSS Fender Blacktop Telecaster Baritone, this Classic Vibe model is built to a traditional Telecaster spec, with the obligatory 27” scale length to handle those lower tunings.
Aesthetically, the model nods to Tele builds of the ’60s, with a double-bound body and ’60s-inspired ‘Custom Telecaster’ headstock markings, while its maple neck is a classic C shape with vintage-tint gloss finish, complete with 9.5”-radius laurel fingerboard and narrow-tall frets.
Pickups are Fender-Designed alnico single coils – no word on the output of these just yet – while the bridge is a vintage-style, string-through-body Tele design with barrel saddles.
This being a Squier, the price is attractive enough at $499 to snap it up as a secret studio weapon, and you get a choice of Black and 3-Color Sunburst finishes, too.
The Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster is one of several big Squier launches today – the company has also unveiled a raft of new 40th Anniversary models, celebrating 40 years of guitar-building under the brand.
Head over to our Fender news hub for all the latest on the company’s 2022 releases.
