Anyone know Squier Affinity changes by year?

[Eric R Shelton]

So I got an Affinity P/J around 2015 and they sold for $179 USD at the time. Now, the cheapest one I can find is $299 but there are also changes. Fretboards in 2015 were rosewood, now they're maple. There's conflicting info on body wood being alder or poplar.

Specifically, I'd like some certainty about the paint/finish, if at all possible. Thanks for any answers you can provide!

 

[Clark Westfield]

I noticed the Squier 5 string Afinity is made in Indonesia, not China anymore.

To me that says something about being different.

 

[JW56789]

When it comes to Squier marketing, I'm convinced FMIC has a chimp throwing darts at a board.

Affinitys (back when there were classic vibe and vint modified pieces) used to be straight up beginner pieces. It seems like now they are going up market somewhat to replace those product lines to roughly be in line with those former products.

But who really knows.

Price increases via COVID, supply chain (your back order is in a container on a grounded Evergreen container ship somewhere . . . ), and inflation are going to be the norm for the forseeable future.

FWIW, I have three Indonesian Squiers from the last few years that are just fine for their price point, though they aren't Affinitys from that time period.