I'm bummed today after reading the spec for a lot of Squier models on the Fender website. I've never played a strat or tele made from basswood. I have basswood guitars but they're metal with names like Ibanz and Schecter. Does a basswood strat have quack? Does a basswood tele have twang? I don't know because I don't want either made from basswood. I even have guitar with a body made from poplar. The VW guitar First Act made as a give away with Volkswagon cars some years back. I like, for the $70 I paid for it with it's custom strap and made to fit that guitar gig back all with VW monograms. It's unique and I wouldn't have paid $449 for it.
My favorites are Affinity Strats made of Alder and Standard Strat made of Agathis. Each with the Rosewood fretboards. I like the Strats from 2002 (20th Anniversary models) to 2008, and Stagemasters and Double Fat Telecaster Deluxes from 2001. I like the 2002 through 2008 models because I can get them for $25 to $75 in great shape. The Stagemasters and Double Fat Telecaster Deluxes from 2001 are a different story. Nice ones do surface for good prices but more than not for a good example you will have to step up and pay.
The Jim Root Tele is mahogany, the John 5 Tele is Alder, and the J Mascis Jazzmaster is basswood. Each is $499 at the top of the Squier tower. Everything below is made from: Basswood, laminated maple, poplar, soft maple, pine, or nato.