I was a working bassist for many years and played in 2 US Navy bands but I do play a little guitar but only basic stuff. I bought a Squier Tele Custom to practice on and have a blast with it. In any case, a friend of mine who owns many American made guitars including an American made Tele. He played it and loved it! When I told him what I paid for it, his jaw dropped! I still think he beleives I was lying to him. It is drop dead gorgeous and finely crafted. He asked me who set it up for me. I said it arrived in the box with the factory setup like that. He was shocked a second time. All that for 250 clams and it sounds far better to me than my friend's American made Les Paul-I kid you not. Now everyone will think I'm crazy!