All user reviews for the Squier Affinity Stratocaster [1997-2020]

Fender's Squier Stratocaster is a student level guitar that is designed to be a very cheap alternative to the Fender Stratocaster. It's got the same look and all, with many of the same features, but of course not made with the same quality parts. The Fender Squier Stratocaster that I have was made in Indonesia, and has three single coil pick ups. It's got a five way pick up selector, as well as an overall volume knob and two tone knobs for two of the pick ups. It's also got a whammy bar on it.

UTILIZATION

Playing the Fender Squier Stratocaster deifnitely isn't the most pleasant instrument to play, but I wouldn't say that it's unplayable at all. It certainly doesn't feel like a real Stratocaster, but if you're just getting started it will more times than not be adequate. In terms of using the pick ups, it's a pretty straight forward set up so I don't think that users will have any issues there. Getting a nice sound is a relative thing here...

SOUNDS

The Fender Squier Stratocaster has on okay sound, but certainly isn't anything to write home about. Being that this is an absolute beginners guitar, you really can't complain too much about the sound, as you should know what you're getting into with a Squier. It's a shadow of the sound that a real Japanese, American, or Mexican Stratocaster is, but I guess it really isn't fair to compare the two. The tone won't matter too much if you're just get started, as it sounds good enough where you can hear what you're doing.

OVERALL OPINION

While I definitely wouldn't recommend the Fender Squier Stratocaster to anyone other than a beginner, for a beginner's guitar it does the trick. I wouldn't say that you're getting the most bang for your buck with a starter's guitar here, as you'll definitely be paying a bit for the name. I haven't used this guitar seriously in a long time, as it was my first guitar and I didn't end up using it for all that long. I would definitely look into some other guitars if you're looking to get your first one, but the Fender Squire Strat isn't an outlandish choice for new players.

(Originally written by Amandine29/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
- Guitar made in China

- 21 frets, HSS pickup combination with 5-way toggle switch, two tone and one volume control

- Vintage-type tremolo bridge

- Fairly slim neck

UTILIZATION

- The neck is quite pleasant and slim but I prefer XJ frets

- Access to the upper frets is only average but you'll get used to it...

- Very light and comfortable guitar

- It's quite impossible to tune this guitar. Even if you don't use the tremolo bridge (you'd better not) the guitar never stays in tune... Perhaps I'm too demanding regarding tuning!

The guitar produces too much fret noise but it goes away if you adjust the string action.

- I could never get the sound I was looking for

SOUNDS

- This Squier is good enough for music style

- I played it with an Amp in a Can and my computer, or unplugged

- The sound has no character, no personality

OVERALL OPINION

- Currently I don't have a guitar anymore but someone gave it to me a few weeks ago

- The neck is ok... It's quite different from the Dean and Gibson guitars I usually play.

- Considering the price you can't really expect too much from this guitar but they should at least install reliable machine heads...

- Considering I didn't buy it, I would choose it again (better a Squier than no guitar at all) but I don't recommend it to beginners. You'd better buy a Fender Classic Series (although they don't go for the same price).