Squier Standard Tele 1999 Translucent Red

This second hand electric guitar is in great condition

1999 model, Made in Indonesia

A couple of small and light dents on the bottom of the body , but otherwise great

The 1999 Squier Standard Telecaster is a budget-friendly version of the iconic Fender Telecaster, offering a mix of classic design, solid build quality, and versatile tones at an affordable price. Made during the late '90s and early 2000s, this model was part of Squier's Standard Series, which aimed to provide better materials and craftsmanship than the lower-end Affinity models.

Build Quality & Design

The 1999 Squier Standard Telecaster sticks to the traditional Tele shape, featuring:

• A solid agathis or alder body (depending on production run).
• A bolt-on maple neck with either a maple or rosewood fretboard.
• A vintage-style Tele bridge with six adjustable saddles (instead of the classic three-barrel setup).
• A thinner, slightly contoured body compared to Fender Teles, making it a bit more comfortable.

The craftsmanship is decent for a budget guitar, but some models may have rough fret edges or finish imperfections. That said, with a proper setup, these guitars can play just as smoothly as higher-end models.

Tone & Sound Quality

The 1999 Squier Standard Telecaster is equipped with ceramic single-coil pickups, which provide a bright, cutting tone but lack some of the warmth and clarity of Fender’s alnico pickups.

• Bridge Pickup – Snappy, twangy, and perfect for country, rock, and blues.
• Neck Pickup – Warmer and rounder but can sound a little muddy.
• Middle Position (Both Pickups) – A balanced, classic Tele rhythm tone.

The pickups have good clarity, but they can be harsh at higher volumes, especially with distortion. Many players eventually swap them out for higher-quality replacements for a more refined sound.

Playability & Comfort

One of the biggest strengths of the 1999 Squier Standard Telecaster is its comfortable neck. It has:

• A modern C-shaped profile, making it easy to play.
• Medium-jumbo frets for smooth bending and better note sustain.
• A 9.5” fretboard radius, offering a balance between chord comfort and lead playing.

The six-saddle bridge is a nice upgrade over the vintage-style three-barrel bridge, as it improves intonation. However, some players prefer the classic brass saddles for a more authentic Tele tone.

Hardware & Tuning Stability

The tuners are basic but functional, though they don’t hold tuning as well as Fender’s higher-end models. The electronics are decent, but the pots and switch feel cheaper compared to Fender’s.

Common upgrades include:

• Better tuners for more stable tuning.
• New pickups for improved tone and dynamics.
• Upgraded electronics (pots, switch, and jack) for reliability.

Pros:

• Classic Telecaster feel and look at an affordable price.
• Bright, twangy bridge pickup great for country and rock.
• Comfortable neck with smooth frets.
• Six-saddle bridge allows for better intonation than vintage models.
• Great modding platform for upgrades.

The 1999 Squier Standard Telecaster is a solid budget-friendly guitar that delivers a great Tele experience with a few minor drawbacks. While it may not match a Fender Telecaster in tone and feel, it plays well, looks great, and offers tons of potential for upgrades.

For beginners and budget-conscious players, this is a fantastic choice. And for those willing to swap out pickups and upgrade the hardware, it can easily compete with mid-range Fender models.