Squier Sonic Esquire H, Laurel Fingerboard, Black Pickguard, Ultraviolet

The Esquire is the original Fender solid-body -- predating even the Telecaster -- and this Sonic version puts a modern spin on it with a single humbucking pickup and an eye-catching Ultraviolet finish. One pickup might seem limiting, but it's actually liberating. There's no pickup selector to fuss with; you just plug in and play.

The humbucker delivers a thick, warm tone that handles rock, punk, and grunge with ease, while the tone knob lets you roll off highs for jazzier territory or crank it for cutting lead tones. The slim C neck and lightweight body make it a comfortable daily player, and the simplified electronics mean there's less to go wrong. If you appreciate stripped-down instruments that force you to focus on your playing rather than tweaking knobs, the Sonic Esquire H is refreshingly straightforward.