It makes all the sense in the world to pick up a Stratocaster, and many players love them enough to never venture towards anything else over the course of their entire lives. This guitar would be a better choice for fans of Vai and Satriani, or for players that want a more modern and aggressive version of a Strat. Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster - Hard Tail - Laurel Fingerboard - Sonic Gray 4.5 out of 5 stars 26. Except for the jack issues, all of these were somewhat expected at this lower price. How would you like to be able to enjoy playing on a Fender Stratocaster, without having to spend over a grand to get one? Unlike a typical Strat, the Telecaster instead has a single-cutaway on the body. Nut Material: Synthetic Bone 12. Also, because it has only two pickups, the pickup selector only has three settings: bridge, bridge/neck, neck. Body and neck Fender created this guitar when they realized there was a … Add to Wish List. Body Material: Alder 2. Adored for its timeless looks and versatile electronics, Squier Stratocaster guitars are inexpensive alternatives that still possess the essential Strat features. Colour Options RRP: $489.00. All three have different tones that can be more suited to different styles of guitar. As I noted, to make this guitar more affordable some parts and components had to change. You’re now paying for top of the lines parts and components, exceptional attention to detail, and for a road-worthy, professional guitar. $179.99. This is the Strat to last a lifetime and encourage the best out of you, each and every time you pick it up. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster - 2-Color Sunburst Bundle with Gig Bag, Tuner, Strap, Picks, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD 4.7 out of 5 stars 202. This guitar, when played often and maintained, will last for many, many years of playing. In order not to exclude the needs of families or even individuals with tighter budgets, Fender offers guitars in the Squier range, where instruments are made with slightly less high-end parts or specs in order to offer a lower total price. Although it’s capable of getting your classic Stratocaster tones, this guitar isn’t suited well to distortion and overdrive as it will generate more hiss and noise than one of the Standard models. The pickguard was a simple, cut plastic shape. $359.00. The white pickguard and chrome hardware is standard across every variation, giving some nice visual contrast. However, it still may not be for everyone, so I would suggest you check out some of these other Squier Affinity Stratocaster alternatives. You’ll also find signature models from the guitarists of Slipknot and Marilyn Manson. The flame top on this guitar gives you a very beautiful finish that is very modern and stylish. Read more. In the 80s, players were very divided. The Squier Bullet strat is a fantastic example of just how far the famous company has managed to stretch their production dollars even with a strict limit on the final value. The main difference is quality, consistency, and attention to detail. You can easily upgrade this if you want, in an endless amount of ways. Play Guitar Notes - Guitar and gear reviews. This Affinity Strat is perfect if you’re a beginner, a hobby player that has a limited budget, or a working musician that wants a backup guitar. The Fender American Standard is priced at $1,099. Replacing the pots altogether in a common upgrade and another option if you plan on playing for more than hobby purposes. The Squire Standard Strat at a Glance: Squier Standard Stratocaster. Retro Replica Guitar Amplifier High Fidelity / My Amp Audio Portable Speaker V1E. The slightly-sharpened cutaway horns give it a more aggressive and interesting look. This covers bare minimum and basic, to highly advanced and custom. When put into practice, the guitar, fortunately, does have it where it counts; it plays great and it sounds wonderful when plugged into a cranked up amp. If you’ve made it this far into this Squier Affinity Stratocaster review, then by now you probably already have a good idea of whether or not it’s the right choice for you. Neck Finish: Satin Urethane 5. The dual-cutaway body, the signature headstock, the three-pickup layout – all very true to the original. You can check out my full review of the Fender Player Stratocaster here. Differences: Squier Strat vs the Fender Strat. Body Finish: Polyurethane 3. This guitar would be best for a Strat purist that wants the classic Stratocaster tone, a polished attention to detail, solid parts and components that are made for the working musician, and at a quality level that’s worthy of its higher price. Between the Stratocaster and Telecaster, players always have their favorites. Just because it isn’t a regular Strat, don’t dismiss the Squier until you have had a chance to check it out. Other options New and used from $199.99. The frets themselves didn’t feel as smooth and polished under the strings, either. It would be uncomfortable to learn on a guitar with widely spaced out jumbo or extra jumbo frets. Fender made their Player Stratocaster with the serious player in mind. The tuner knobs felt very delicate like they could break easily. It also gives a little more resistance overall, keeping your hands steady while also allowing you to build up your stamina. Opt for the latter if you intend to play any sort of heavier music. Until the introduction of the Fender Squier series, Fender had never produced low-priced guitars based on the Stratocaster … The Pacifica is still a favorite today among players of various styles. There is no argument there. Free P&P . Telecasters are a favorite among country music players. Fingerboard Radius: 9.5” (241 mm) 9. Whether or not this matters is entirely up to you. So this is a great guitar to start with, and upgrade and you grow in your guitar journey. With so many options for third party parts and components, there is no doubt that Stratocasters are the most customized guitars in music. The volume and tone pots work well but can start to sound scratchy after normal use. After playing Strats and teaching guitars for many years, I will tell you that this guitar will not hinder you from learning or from playing. This guitar was a favorite among certain rock and metal bands in the 80s. Few would argue that this is a great, versatile guitar all around. I had to take them off and slightly widen the pot’s arm spacing to get them to fit correctly. Squier is owned by Fender and produces affordable versions of their guitars that are manufactured overseas. Before the Fender Squier line of guitars was introduced in 1982, Fender made cheaper guitars such as the Fender Lead series at its plant in Fullerton, California. The edges were not beveled or as smooth as the pickguards on the Standards. The pickups sound a little noisier, and the tone sounds thin in comparison, with lower overall volume. Only 9 left in stock - order soon. This can give you the best of both worlds. £3.09. For example, when I first played this guitar, the neck still felt a little rough. As a major Stratocaster and love of the guitar (I have a Stratocaster tattoo on my arm), I have no problem acknowledging that this is a good, sound replication of the original Stratocaster. Squier Strat vs Fender Strat - General Criteria. The pickups, pickup selector options, volume and tone controls, and design are all pretty much the same. Free P&P. I’ve learned a ton over the years and would love to share some tips with you! £3.09. In this comprehensive Squier Affinity Stratocaster review, we’ll cover everything you need to know including specifications, design, playability, sound and more. For instance, bullet starts are often included in bundles with practice amps, gig bags, and accessory packs. Here are the specifications of the Squier Affinity Stratocaster as listed on the official Fender website. Fender literally wrote the book on electric basses, laying the foundation for musical innovation and evolution. This also allows you to play at higher volumes and with medium and high gain for more aggressive styles of music. 6MM Tremolo Arm Whammy Bar Fit for Fender Stratocaster Squier Strat WIth Tips. Apples and oranges come to mind. Learn more about Fender electric basses. It is possible to get higher string tension and better sound quality when playing. They’re medium sized here, lending themselves well to the “beginner guitar” intent of this instrument. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top "horn" shape for balance. The Affinity Stratocaster has a tone that is undoubtedly classic Strat. Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster Electric Guitar has a balanced tone and can hold any tune for quite a whole. From a distance, it’s fairly difficult to tell these models apart from a pricier Fender model. With some many Stratocaster options, as well as comparable alternatives from other companies, the choices can be overwhelming. As expected, this sounds like a Stratocaster in every way. This particular Gio has the dual-cutaway styling of a Stratocaster but in a more modern package. If you mix with the single-coil pickup in the middle, you can dial in your classic Stratocaster tones. Although it doesn’t feel unstable or substandard in any way, the Affinity feels lighter and less “tight” than the Fender. Number of Frets: 21 10. The Telecaster has only two pickups compared to the Stratocaster. Trus… I also recommend replacing the tuners, the volume and tone pots, and possibly the pickups – in that order, depending on their playing style. You’ll also see a big difference in the way each guitar handles loud volumes and higher gain/distortion/overdrive settings. Replicating the classic Fender designs you love, Squier offer the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jaguar, Jazzmaster and Mustang models. Right from the moment you start playing it, you’ll feel how easy and enjoyable it is to play and why they named it as such. The edges of the frets also didn’t feel as smooth when I ran through some scales and chords across the neck. I’ve owned various Stratocasters over the years, including this Affinity Stratocaster. There are also a few different styles to choose from on the actual guitar itself. Depending on what variation you decide to go with, you may have to pay just a bit more. Depending on where you buy from, one of those options may actually make for a better total value. Since then, they have have been wildly popular in all styles of music. There are a number of different options to choose from when it comes to the finish. I’m Dan Hoang. Like any guitar, the more time you put into playing it, the more playable it gets. The more you play this guitar, the smoother the frets feel and the more enjoyable it is to play. This is truly a guitar that will grow with you. Telecasters have a slightly warmer bridge pickup and do not have a middle pickup. Using the #2 and #4 positions on the pickup selector can help remove some of the hiss and noise since those positions use two pickups together which helps to cancel out noise. A great benefit with Stratocasters is how much you can customize them. Even some blues players have used Telecasters in their songs. This guitar will give you some great classic Strat tones with a different look and feel. If they planned to use it in a band, I would recommend the Fender Player or higher, due to quality and consistency, which affects reliability. Their Stratocaster models are also known for being immensely versatile, lending way to amazing blues licks, as well as some of the most memorable hard rock and jazz solos. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Here are the specifications of the Squier Affinity Stratocaster as listed on the official Fender website. For more serious players or people who are looking for the best of the best, you might want to consider spending a little more upfront for a real Fender Stratocaster. I feel this classic design can fit into almost any genre of music and has been used extensively in Rock, Blues, Country, Indie, Pop, R&B and even Metal (with replacement pickups). Almost gone. Fender Stratocaster Player Series from Mexico Expansion of Squier models and ranges. I love recording music and filming guitar covers and I occasionally post them on YouTube. Add to Wish List. The Fender Player and Fender American Standard have not only a higher level of quality but are very consistent. Compared to the Standard Stratocaster, the electronics on this Affinity Stratocaster are noticeable lower in volume, while adding more noise into your tone. Plus, they’ve kept it at a price the average person can more easily afford. Ibanez knows how to make great guitars at a great price. Dual humbuckers give you a solid, thick tone that can handle any level of gain you feel like using. As a premier electric guitar brand, Fender is highly recognizable and seen as a go-to whenever up and coming guitarists are choosing their first electric model. Overall, it’s a very well-rounded guitar for beginners and would make for an excellent first guitar. I believe this is a fair price for the guitar, still a great value, and for a great product. I’ve been playing guitar for over 10 years now, and I’m a total nerd when it comes to gear. 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