In this build guide we're looking at pickup swaps and other possible upgrades for the Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster. We're using the '50s model - with the butterscotch coloring - as our specific example. However, these upgrades could also apply to other Telecasters in the Classic Vibe series.
These guitars are great candidates for pickup upgrades because they cut costs through parts, but generally have a good tonewood foundation.
This particular guitar uses pine and maple for the body and neck.
First we'll look at a pickup upgrade we recommend, then go into some other swap options that you may or may not want to include.
Pickup Upgrade and Other Parts
Gear | PART | RATE | BROWSE |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Squier Classic Vibe '50s Tele | n/a | |
![]() | Fender Gen 4 Noiseless Tele Set | n/a | |
![]() | Fender 3-Saddle American Vintage | n/a | |
![]() | n/a | ||
![]() | Fender Locking Tuning Machines for Strat or Tele | n/a |

A graphic for our Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster upgrade with pickups and all additional parts recommended.
The Guitar Base: Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster
As we've already mentioned, the Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster is our base model for this particular upgrade.
The guitar has a pine body and maple neck, but lacks quality in the pickup and hardware department. If you have a Classic Vibe Tele you like, these are some great ways to give it an injection of quality and longevity.

The '50s version of the Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster is a great upgrade/pickup-swap candidate.
Even if you just do pickups and the bridge swap, you'll go a long way towards improving the quality of this instrument and making it a more serious guitar.
Pricing from Multiple Vendors
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Price History
Price History for Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster - Butterscotch Blonde
Statistics
Current Price | $429.99 | June 1, 2023 |
Highest Price | $459.99 | January 4, 2023 |
Lowest Price | $339.99 | September 6, 2022 |
Last price changes
$429.99 | January 18, 2023 |
$459.99 | January 4, 2023 |
$419.99 | December 14, 2022 |
$367.99 | December 9, 2022 |
$344.99 | November 30, 2022 |
Pickup Set: Fender Gen 4 Noiseless Set
There are a lot of Telecaster pickup sets we could recommend here, but we're a big fan of the Fender Gen 4 Noiseless set designed for Telecasters.
Cheap Squiers guitars - and even some Fender models - can have serious problems with noise and excess hum. These pickups will likely eliminate that problem (or keep it from occurring in the future), while also dramatically improving your tone quality.

The Gen 4 Noiseless pickup set by Fender will help cut down on excess noise and give you a significant tone upgrade.
The pickup swap is easy to do with a soldering gun, though we do recommend taking pictures of the existing wiring connection in the Telecaster before you take the original pickups out. This will give you a helpful reference point, just in case there is some ambiguity with the new set.
If this is the only part of our build guide you implement, it should be well worth the effort as the Gen 4 pickup set is a high-end option used in expensive Fender guitars.
Pricing from Multiple Vendors
Set a Price Alert
Price History
Price History for Fender Gen 4 Noiseless Telecaster Tele Pickup Set (used)
Statistics
Current Price | $139.00 | June 1, 2023 |
Highest Price | $139.00 | June 14, 2022 |
Lowest Price | $139.00 | June 14, 2022 |
Last price changes
$139.00 | June 14, 2022 |
Vintage Bridge Swap
This classic vibe Telecaster uses the Vintage Tele bridge design, which we'd recommend replacing with the Fender version of the same model.

Get the Fender patented vintage Tele bridge to replace the stock bridge already on the Classic Vibe Tele.
You can see this bridge uses the same four-screw setup with three saddles, which will save you from having to drill any new holes into the Telecaster's body.
Pots and Switch
We'd consider this an optional swap, but certainly worthwhile if you want to keep the Squier Tele long term.
Cheaper guitars like the Classic Vibe series typically use very cheap interior electronics, including pots and jacks. That's why jacks will often slip out and fail in these guitars, requiring repair.
To avoid this, we'd recommend the Emerson Tele kit, which comes with two pots, the three way switch and the jack.

The Emerson Tele kit with two pots, a jack, and three-way selector switch.
Installation will be similar to changing the pickups out, but again, just be sure to take a picture of the existing connections before you pull them out for replacement.
Tuning Machines
With the new bridge, you'll be able to significantly improve tuning stability with the Fender Locking tuning machines, which can be used on Telecasters or Stratocasters.

An easy upgrade that will help tuning stability.
Conclusion
To round out your upgrade, we'd throw in a set of Elixir electric strings. Assuming you've done all these upgrades, you've improved tone, noise reduction, longevity, tuning stability, and overall value for a guitar that didn't cost a ton of money to begin with.
Are all the upgrades worth it?
I think it depends on how long you want to keep the Squier. If you really like it and you don't want to spend the $700 to $800 it could cost for a new Fender Telecaster, this is a good way to bring the Fender experience to your Squier Tele for around $300 or less.
We'd break it down into three tiers:
- Basic upgrade: Pickups and bridge
- Mid-level upgrade: Pickups, bridge, and electronics
- High-level upgrade: Pickups, bridge, electronics, tuning machines, and new strings
Whichever option suits you, we think it will give you a far better experience with your Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster.
Your Questions
Do you have questions about the upgrade process with this guitar?
Or maybe you just want to share your upgrade story.
Either way, feel free to jump into the comments section below. We'll check it out and help out as best we can.
Build Details
- Guitar: Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster
- Pickup Configuration: SS
- Bridge Single Coil: Fender Gen 4 Noiseless (Tele bridge)
- Neck Single Coil: Fender Gen 4 Noiseless (Tele neck)
Hi,
I would like to change the 3 saddles bridge of my Squier Telecaster Classic Vibe 60’S Thinline guitar, by a 6 saddles bridge, likethe Bridge – Gotoh, GTC201, Modern, for Telecaster? Thank you for your answer.
Hey Herve – what’s your question? Looks like any of those should work.
hi,
Thanks I have since found the answer.
I just wanted to upgrade from a 3 saddle bridge to a modern 6 saddle bridge, so I just wanted to know if Gotoh GTC201 was compatible to do that.
Thank you
Hi,
I don’t speak English, I use the Deepl translator, I hope to make myself understood.
Do you know which Tuning Machines I can put on the Classic Vibe ‘ 60s Thinline ?
Thanks
These should work. They require a 10mm hole. https://www.amazon.com/Grover-305C6-Rotomatic-Tuners-line/dp/B002TLLCR8/ref=sr_1_21
Hi,
Thank you very much !!
Having put a set of Fender locking tuners onto a Squier, I can say the process is anything but easy. The posts are about a millimeter or two shorter on Squiers and drilling the new holes so close is an absolute chore. Doable, but be prepared. Luckily the tuners themselves cover most muck-ups around the holes. haha
Thanks for sharing, Mike. This is helpful information. Maybe better luck with Gotoh?
Will other tele models pickguards fit the classic vibe 50’s tele? Thanks
Hey Thomas – yes, they should. The pickguards should all be the same size as long as they’re shaped for a Tele.