The Tele image you posted appears to be the Squier Affinity series Jeff. It's a 6 saddle top loading flat plate bridge on a thinner body with a narrower nut and slimmer section all satin neck of flatter radius. Top loading excepted, all good features AFAIC.

I'm no snob, but is that the model you intend to buy as you mentioned "classic Tele"? The Classic Vibe is actually a MIM Tele series Fender do under the Squier branding, along with a Classic Series under the Fender branding, so I wasn't sure whether you were referring to the classic Tele look, Classic, or Classic Vibe, the latter often contracted to just Classic when people are referring to it. They're quite different in many respects, including price.

Personally of the Squiers I prefer the lighter slimmer Indonesian built Squier Affinity neck profile with my own PUP mods, the exception being the top loading body vs string through, although that's no biggie to live with. I quite like the (satin) maple fingerboard on mine, but you should try the urethane finished vs satin fingerboards before you buy. They feel quite different as do the differing fingerboard radii of the models. Of course, all Fender/Squier models are much cheaper in the USA, so you're fortunate to have that plethora of choice.[br][br]"Tools at my disposal" is essentially my reasoning and rationalisation too, along with the learning and famil experience. Although I could try each type in the shop, one doesn't really know a guitar, aircraft, bike, car, weapon, ..wife = ] ...until handling them every day becoming thoroughly familiar and comfortable with their idiosyncrasies and individual signature characteristics.

No Gretch or Rick here yet though. Unlikely I'll see ownership of either in this lifetime. Their prices are a bit too steep for this hobbyist. I do OTOH have a [u]persistent[/u] hankering to try one of these which I've had for quite some time now, which very much might end up being realised onto a hanger in my studio sometime next year -if they're still available.