All user reviews for the Fender FSR Standard Stratocaster HH

Mod: #032-1602-565. Black Metallic/Maple/Poly Made in Indonesia.
Body: Agathis
Neck: C, 9.5 radius
22 med jumbo
Alnico single coils
Large '60s style headstock
Purchased about 2.5 years ago.

Purchased for $199.99 from Musicians Friend (Now $229.99) because I always wanted a Stratocaster. I was afraid I would be disappointed in a 'second line' guitar but it was all I could afford.

<a href="https://www.musiciansfriend.com/">https://www.musiciansfriend.com/</a>

Quality. Well dressed frets. Good set-up, right out of the box.

It'a a Fender!

Black Metallic paint job looks like its gloss black that just got dusty.
All Fender trems have sloppy arms.

Well made, but would like to see more mass in the block. Finish was flawless.

I would highly recommend this guitar to any beginning or intermediate player, or even an advanced player as a 'beater'. Would also recommend it for people who want a good foundation for modifications. While it is always possible to get a lemon in this price range, these tend to be excellent guitars. Indonesian made guitars seem to be a well kept secret. I have an acoustic made there and it's pretty good, too. My rating is, of course, based mostly on price. However this is one great guitar for any price. I think it's better than the MIM Strats.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I've been playing for nine years and play everything from rock to Gospel. I actually bought my Squier Strat two years ago, but I thought I'd submit a review for it now.

I was in Tillman Music in Rock Hill, SC when I found this guitar. I was really just looking around killing time with my dad and I saw it hanging there. At the time I was 19 and did a lot of Nirvana covers with my band. It was pearl white with a black pickguard, and it just screamed grunge. I bought it for $180 and even though my musical tastes have changed since my "grunge" days, have never regretted it.

First let me say this. There are a lot of negative things that people say about Squier guitar. "It's not a real Fender so it must be crap." Well, let me tell you that no, it isn't as good as a Fender Strat, but it's still a darn good guitar. This guitar is built better and has better hardware than the affinity (which is much cheaper feeling that the standard series). I love the feel and look of this guitar and two days ago I put Tex Mex Pickups in it and now the thing sounds like a $600 Fender, but I only have $250 invested.

Change the pickups as quick as you can. The guitar doesn't sound "bad" but is very thin sounding and the pickups are pretty noisy. This guitar should be professionally set up as well because I didn't like the factory set up. The sound is just "not quite there" in my opinion, but with my Tex mex pickups it sounds just as good as the real thing.

I've had people tell me that the Squier is cheaply made, but I just don't see it in the guitar I bought. My guitar of choice is higher end Ibanez, but this Squier is just as good. Even the soldering of the wires under the pickguard seem clean and solid.

No, it doesn't have the exact same radius's and whatnot as an American made Strat, but it feels just as good to me.

The bottom line is that if you are on a budget, with a set of pickups you can sound as good as you want. If you like the feel of a Squier then why not just upgrade what you feel comfortable playing. Someday I hope to own an American made Fender Strat, but until then, I'll rock out on my trusty Squier.

My rating is a 5. Is it the best guitar ever? Not by any stretch of the imagination. But it did get a 5 for what you get for the price and how easy it is to upgrade.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought me Arctic White Strat from Guitar, Amp and Keyboard (online store) in Merry Olde England. After buying an Epiphone Les Paul (a very nice guitar) I wanted to try a single-coil leccie and went for the one everybody goes for (there's a reason why they do). I paid £319 for it.

I wasn't sure whether to go for the Telecaster or Strat, but I thought "the history goes that the Tele came first then they brought out the Strat as an improvement", which kinda sold me. It was mainly because I'd get that extra pickup, hence more choice sound wise, so a bargain really. I was quite pleased when I found out I had made the right choice, as some of the sounds the Strat produces just make you smile... they're just simply gorgeous. It's smooth and silky (yeah, I know, I'm not reviewing a cigarette brand, lol) but also on the bridge pickup you get a nice dry, harder sound for rockier playing. Also, compaired to my Les Paul it's as light as a feather which really motivates you to practice more... and don't worry about plugging it in everytime you want to practice too, as it sounds fantastic aooustically (actually often I have to remind myself I've forked out all this dosh for an electric and go and plug it in to do it justice, lol).

Being really petty here.... that classic white Fender scratchplate makes seeing the strings a bit tricky when under strong lighting as their shadows are cast quite sharply making things confusing (but the better you get the less you look, so it doesn't become a problem after a while). Also when sitting down practicing I find that top arm can dig into your chest a bit. Well, there you go, that's it... yeah I am petty, lol

I really don't get guitar snobbery. You are not going to be sold a duff guitar by a big name brand like Fender... if you are, it's not on purpopse. This is built to the standard of any £300+ piece of electric equipment, which is professionally, solid, trustworthy and of a high quality for whatever reason the device was built for.... it's that simple. It looks beautiful, sounds beautiful and feels beautiful.

There's no genre you can't dip your toe into with this guitar. Whether you prefer to play light styles or rock. Something I once heard really struck a chord (pun not intended, lol) with me.... "I good guitarist can make his instrument sound any way he wants".... the Fender Strat is famed because it's versatile and easy to play. So buy it, you won't regret it :o)

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

i was looking for a upgrade on guitar because 1st i had a silver tone so i need another guitar to get the job done soo i went to music 123.com and i bought a fender standard strat for $350.00

i love the tone and the whammy bar and every thing about it

it broke down so fast and i have o go get it fixed the action way to high neck is'nt on straight and i get a nasty buzz

not sure what the body is made of but the neck is maple chrome hardwear whammy bar bridge 3 singal coil pickups one volume knob and 2 tone knobs 5 way switch

its a nice guitar if you treat it right and not do crazy pshyco shit with it

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I got this guitar in a trade, I had to give away a Ibanez 320QS quilted top decent guitar and my fresh at all SPX50D yamaha signal processor unit,from 1989, to be back having after several years hating a Fender Stratocaster guitar jimi like artic white color, about noisy pickups, he was using on the late 60s rosewood fretboard, I do not know about the body but the number it is M5069 Msde in Mexico

Mmmmm the balance is perfect so I gave to the unit a 10, the sound it is good in the pickups, so I install a little swith to have the 7 most common sounds for an strat, so I have 1 1-2 2 2-3 3 1-3 1-2-3 combinations

after unassembling the guitar, I found that the nut was not paralell the low E and high E so they will need at least one sixteen of inch to be balanced with the rest of the 2-3-4-5 strings, big mistake about the quality review team of fender, so I will have to replace the nut in the future, but the pickups are good with the exeption of the bridge pickup, so I have to replace with a very old blue lace sensor to have that clear sound I like, and the back strings cover they need to move the cut to change the strings at least one 3/8" in that way you will have access to the holes to restring the guitar.

Even with all the changes and adjusts I have to do the guitar is perfect, you know, if I need it, I have space to a humbucker pickup in the bridge so I will have HSS if I need it, the thing stay in tune after my personal setup. Paint is good with the imperfections they left in the space for pickups, they have to be a little clean, so the body and the fretboard are very good, Just think it is a made in mexico guitar so it will have some imperfections like a persian carpét, so if you do not watch it closely you will not see the imperfections as you do in a persian carpet

So I gave to the guitar a 9 but, they have to put a little more attention to the quality, so Fender have a lot of respect in the guitar busineess, so I think even any guitar if it is made overseas or whatever, they have to keep the quality standards USA models like so, the will sell a Fender stratocaster made whatever guitar but with the Fender Family Quality




This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought it at a local "Guitar Center."
I paid $300 for it, and a gig bag.
I loved the maple finish.

As mentioned, the "tiger striped,' maple top gives the guitar a stunning appearance.
The tone lasts for days. It has the feel of a seventies-Strat.

The action was high when I got it.
I'm used to playing the standard Fender Strat.
This one takes some getting used to for me.

The construction is awesome.

I'm very happy with my purchase.
The last guitar that I bought before this was also a Squier.

They're some of the best guitars on the market!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Bought it new through a local Fender dealer back in 1995.Waited 4 a long time but it was worth the wait!
I paid around 600eur 4 it back then!Ivory white color maple neck 3 sc pickups!

Since 1995 I changed quite a few things on my strat, but haven't considered selling it once!Built like crap but still sings now in 2004!

The neck joint sucks, wood quality is weak and cheap, I replaced the stock tuners w lockings, put a humbucker in the bridge pos., graphite saddles and nut!I love it now!!!

Built like shit but very dependable. Been through hell and back with me!I do not baby this guitar!

I love this instrument! This one is my first! I love it!I will play it until will stand playing!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this guitar because, well, I wanted a guitar that provided good sound and good quality without any complicated maintenance for a good price. I bought it in Brazil for about $550 bucks.

This guitar has a fast-action Maple neck that feels good when playing solos or just the average chords. After a while playing, your hands won't hurt, obviously depending on the kind of strings and their height.
The pickups are good and the hardware is great. Finishing is wonderful.

It did not come with a case.

The guitar is a bit heavy but it's one of the reasons why the sound is so good. The body is made out of poplar, which is used in all mexican Fender guitars. The pickups are the standard mexican which provide very good sound; this guitar has 1 volume and 2 tone controls and a 5 way switching. Comes with tremolo bridge and whammy bar. This guitar is beautiful, a lot of attention was paid to minor details like Fender logos and name on the bridge and tuners. Comes with Fender Super Bullets .009 .011 .016 .024 .032 .042

If you want a guitar to play at home, with friends, or at live gigs, this is your guitar: it looks good, feels good and sounds great. If you want to take it to the next step, upgrade your pickups. Maybe a Seymour Duncan single coil Humbucker will make all you Blink and Greenday players happier.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

i paid 250 bucks for this piece of crap at Musicians Friend. I bought this cuz my acoustic got stolen.

NOTHING

Everything. Add crappy pickups, a hard to play and slightly warped neck, tuners that lose its tune faster than cheetas and tone controls that hardly work, And you'll get A Squier Standard Stratocaster
Plus, there was an electrical short, adding a buzzing sound... Oh, speaking of buzzing,
you would need to squeeze the hell out of the frets to keep them from buzzing. And the action was reallly high

It was poor. The electrical short didn't help either

do NOT but this guitar, you will regret it for all eternity.

Maybe stock up some extra $$$ and buy a Gibson Voodoo V or something awesome like that.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this guitar in a music house in Mexico (my country) and it costed me around $460 dls.

I love this guitar, this is the second guitar I've bought and wow this guitars are amazing. I really love the model, this guitars are the one's you'd like to have on your living room as part of the decoration). Well I love almost everything in my strat, the neck is really smooth, the paintwork is amazing (I've played real hard on it and it has not a scratch), the folating tremolo is real something, the sound you get from it is very clean, well this are the kind of guitar you really love to play.

Maybe the tone and volume controls are a little cheap but well its not big deal.

Well the quality of the product is obvious, you can see it from the moment you enter the store and touch it, everything fits just in place and works just like it should.

Well I've been playing mi strat for about four months and it is awesome, I consider this guitar my daughter. Of you are considering buying a guitar really consider the strat you'll not regret it.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I had heard about Fender's great reputation with electric guitars I decided to buy a Standard Stratocaster.
This guitar was puchased 2 years ago at Guitar Center for 349$ but it still plays as good as it did when i took it home!!!

The sunburst finish on this guitar is great! I encourage more people to get this kind of finish. The pickups in the guitar sound great. It sounds good both distorted and clean. Playing leads and playing rythum this guitar sounds great.

I wish that they had just had the logo on the neck head and put the serial number and the other stuff on the back of the neck head. It would also be nice if the inlays were a bit nicer.

The sunburst finish is awsome like i said before but you just have to make sure it looks good before buying it because some of the sunbursh finished look kind of strange. To my knowledge the electonics are assembled right. There does not seem to be a defect in it

This guitar is great for beginners playing for just a month and for people who have been playing for a long time. I encourage everyone to buy this guitar

Thanks

P.S. ROCK ON!!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Bought in Oakville, Ontario for about $180 Canadian. My first electric guitar.

Not much. The single-coils sound quite good, and the Stratocaster five-way configuration gives substantial tonal variety. And since this is a cheap guitar, I can play it hard and wild without reservation.

The tremolo bridge started ripping out of the body after about two years. When I sold this guitar, the bridge stood out from the body at a nearly 30-degree angle, making palm muting impossible and tuning extremely unstable. The wiring on the socket was awful and required professional repair. The screws on the socket were misdrilled -- larger screws had to be procured to keep the socket immobile. The neck has rough edges and the string tension feels excessive. I bought this guitar to learn how to play electric, but it was so uninviting to play that I didn't really start playing electric until my first Gibson, which gave me the confidence to play lead, at which point I found more ways to use this guitar. But a beginner's guitar is supposed to make you want to play, and this one didn't. And in case you didn't know, Squiers have a "ghetto" reputation and plummet in value -- you'd be lucky to get $50 back (that's with case) upon selling it.

Poor. Maybe this guitar is better-built than those $79 no-name Strat copies, but it doesn't hold a candle to Epiphones, Ibanezes, and ESPs of similar price.

Some good sounds are available on this guitar, but playing it is like pulling teeth. I might use it in a punk way, playing rough and going crazy, but that's about it. If you want a Strat, I'd say pay a little more money and get a Mexican-made Fender Strat. At least they hold their value better.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bouhgt the guitar used from Music Go Round,
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, for ca. 200.

The three tone sunburst finish is gorgeous.
It looks flawless.
The sound is what you would expect from Fender guitars. It's rich in tone and sustain. It works well in any setting.
It has a Great clean sound as well as a "dirty" sound.

The pickups are modest.
They are medium output, with no uniqie qualities. However, they work fine with the rest of the guitar.

The Construction is first rate.

This is an awesome guitar.
It's affordable. It sounds fantastic.
No complaints.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I PURCHASED THIS GUITAR IN 1999 THROUGH MUSICIANS FRIENDS MUSIC MAGAZINE BECAUSE I NEEDED A GUITAR TO PRACTICE ON. AT THAT TIME, THIS GUITAR WAS $299.00 DOLLARS AND CAME WITH SEVERAL FREE GOODIES!

FIRST I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE APPEARANCE. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL MIDNIGHT BLUE COLOR WITH A MAPLE NECK AND FINGER BOARD THAT FEELS AS GOOD PLAYING AS ANY GUITAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. ALSO, THE TUNERS ON THE GUITAR ARE THE EXACT SAME ONE AS THE ONES ON MY AMERICAN TELE.WHEN I PLUGGED THE GUITAR UP I WAS AMAZED AT THE CLASSIC TELE TONES I WAS HEARING.

THE ONLY THING I COULD FIND THAT I DID NOT LIKE ABOUT THIS GUITAR WAS THE VOLUME AND TONE KNOBS. THEY ARE NOT VERY SMOOTH AND EVEN "SCRATCH" WHEN YOU TURN THEM. ALSO , THE PICK GUARD SCREWS WERE RUSTED WITHIN A MONTH OF PLAYING. THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC THAT MY AMERICAN TELECASTER DOES NOT HAVE,AND IVE PLAYED IT HARD DURING ALL OF OUR BANDS LIVE PERFORMANCES. THE STANDARD SERIES OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT HAVE STAINLESS STEEL HARDWARE.

ONCE AGAIN THE STANDARD SERIES TELECASTER PASTED THIS TEST WITH FLYING COLORS! AWESOME...DURING HEAVY PLAYING , THE GUITAR STAYS IN TUNE.I WAS REALLY SURPRISED ABOUT THE DURABILITY OF THE PAINT, AFTER IT ENDURED TWO FALLS FROM MY STRAP TO THE HARD STAGE...NOT EVEN A SCRATCH. I HAVE EVEN HEARD THAT THE PAINT JOBS ARE BETTER ON THE STANDARDS THAN THE AMERICAN MADES BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT AS MANY PAINT RESTRICTIONS IN MEXICO AS IN THE U.S.ALTHOUGH I DO NOT KNOW THAT TO BE FACT, IT MAKES SENSE.

I HAVE AN AMERICAN SERIES TELECASTER THAT I PLAY REGULAR AT GIGS, AND PURCHASED THE STANDARD SERIES TO PRACTICE ON TO PREVENT UNNESSASARY WEAR ON MY AMERICAN TELE. WOW! I WAS REALLY SURPRISED AT THE PLAYABILITY OF THE STANDARD SERIES AND EVEN PLAY IT NOW AT SOME OF MY GIGS. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS GUITAR FOR THE BEGINNER AS WELL AS THE PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN. AN EXCELLENT PIECE FOR THE MONEY!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com