Build Your Own Clone Message Board

Hey everyone, I'm looking to get a new (cheap) tele for a backup guitar. I was planning on getting an Xaviere, but then my wife convinced me I shouldn't settle for something that's not exactly what I want and I can't seem to find the exact finish I want there. Anywho, I played a Squier classic vibe today, and I was quite impressed. Never thought I'd like a Squier, but it played beautifully. However, it's about $200 more than the Xaviere. So after that, I'm thoroughly confused and I'm coming to the experts. Give me a recommendation.
I want to keep it under $400, I want a rosewood fretboard and preferably something that will look nice if/when I decide to relic it and, of course, I want something that plays like a dream. That's not too much to ask is it?
I should mention I don't mind piecing something together (a neck here, a body there), but I'm no good at setting guitars up, so I'd have to figure paying somebody to do that into the price too.
Thanks in advance everyone!!

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These are beautiful necks.

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These are beautiful bodes.

Word up.

I am confused.....Your budget is $400 and the CV Squiers are $349 used and you liked it. Who cares if it $200 more than the Xavierre? Look at the Vintage Modified Squiers, too, $250-$300.

Oh boy. You tell me to get the cv then you give me the vintage modified to drool over?
At this rate I'll never pull the trigger

I have 3 VMs I love. How does that make you feel?

BAM!

But seriously, the Squier Vintage Vibe and other higher end series are awesome, in my opinion they are way better than mexican fenders....

I can't help you Beefy, but when the wifey says get something you really want......First let me make this face and again ....then stetch that budget my friend. Take her advice before she wises up I'm still waiting for mine to say something like that

Alright, I pulled the trigger on the squier, thanks to dcountry's advice. I actually found one on eBay for $300, so I still have a little left over to spend on some pedals or pickups
Thanks for the advice. I needed some third-party logic to just buy what I know I liked.

And TN, I already pushed my luck with the $400. I've been buttering her up for months to spend $200, and just happened to get some unexpected funds at the right time to cover the rest. If I can find myself a weekly gig, maybe I can convince her to let me get that original '72 thinline... Until then, I figure I'm on pace to have it in a measly 51 months! 2016, here I come!

You listened to me!?!?!?!?!?!! I was just kidding. I ain't never owed a Tele in my life. I hate 'em. I will punch any guy who plays a Tele in the neck. Man, you misunderstood my post.

Seriously, cool. Just don't hold me responsible if the one get sucks. BTW - Which one?

Everyone that asks for advice puts on a ridiculous $ limit. Move it up 2 or 3 hundred bucks and there are a slew of custom builders out there who will put together a much nicer guitar for you that you don't have to buy $300 worth of new pick-ups and parts for to get it right. You are gonna go there anyway when you think you can afford it so just save up and get it right the first time.

I ended up going with the classic vibe, butterscotch blonde. The one I've been secretly wanting this whole time.
And yes, I should have probably kept saving and just bought the ultimate one I wanted, but it's so much easier to justify upgrading $100 at a time than to explain why I spent $2400 on a guitar...

Who said $2400? I'm talking sub $1000. Look at Logan Custom Guitars. Bad ass builds and superb fret work etc. But, glad you got what you wanted.

So much honey and butterscotch. I feel sick from all the syrupy goodness right there. A bacon pick guard would be an instant heart attack, I think.