Squier Black and Chrome Standard Stratocaster HSS

We have to deal with a replica Fender Stratocaster with the Fender brand.

It has a rather unusual look, since it is all black (body, pickups, tip of the rod and head vibrato) and chromium (rest of the hardware + shield mirror). Personally, I like.

The varnish is of good quality, but very sensitive to scratches and fingerprints, as the plate.

The maple neck is topped by a touch to 22 frets rosewood. It is very well done, which is not true of all parts of the guitar.

The body is agathis, a derivative inexpensive mahogany I think. It is very heavy and makes the guitar difficult to endure for long periods. Probably due to wood density which is made ...

The mechanical and vibrato are correct and no more. They hold relatively well as the agreement that does not make excessive bends and vibrato as not too many requests ... For my part, stem vibrato has the game after a year and a half of use only: the thread is a bit weak ...

Finally electronic side, the standard controls of a Start (Volume, Tone, Tone + 5-way switch) coupled to 2 single pickups (neck and middle) and a humbucker (bridge). All fairly low end, although no knob crackles since purchase. the switch does not pose a problem either.

[6] In summary, a guitar that looks good, but overall quality is relatively low, except for the handle.

UTILIZATION

The neck of the guitar is really his forte. It is well finished, comfortable, easy even. Not big, but not the end for a Start. It has a satin back, and well hooped sticks. For a beginner like me is ideal, or almost: a handle neutral and simple.

The ergonomics of this guitar is quite paradoxical. Let me explain: Initially, it's still a Stratocaster, designed and conceived for the comfort of game This is no exception to the rule, apart from its weight: it is indeed very heavy ! Blame it on a body whose wood is of poor quality ...

Access to acute not surprise a regular Stratocaster. It is relatively easy until 17 or 19th boxes. Beyond that, it is less obvious, but I have big hands, so it goes. Note nonetheless that should already know that I play properly before venturing too high. <img class="smiley" src="https://fr.audiofanzine.com/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt="mrgreen" />

[7] The ergonomics of this guitar is pretty good (Strat. ..), but marred by excessive weight.



SOUNDS

I play mainly Blues, Blues / Rock and some Hard Rock from time to time.

In Blues, it is very comfortable. The pickups are not very powerful and probably lack of character, but the sounds simple microphones are quite acceptable for this price, as in clean crunch. The humbucker is fat, but not very specific, limiting the heat of metalheads at least to seek this kind of sound.

An important point to note about the pickups: the volume difference between single and double. The latter being more powerful, means a clear difference when changing the selector. As a concrete example: it plays a part of a Crunch song on the humbucker, and staying on the same channel of the amp, it simply passes on the handle. It will be necessary to ajusterle volume to have something balanced.

I also find that the volume knob is sorely lacking in progressiveness.

For information, I play this guitar plugged into a Vox DA15. It&#39;s a small amp, but it is good for clean tones and bluesy crunch.

On saturated sounds frankly, it quickly reaches the limits of the bridge pickup. For AC / DC or Punk, it goes, but beyond that, it&#39;s really ugly, something like porridge sound that sizzles, blowing, and which is not defined at all.

It has a versatile instrument, but not excessive: exit jazz, metal exit! It is not meant to!

[8] The sound of blues / rock cool, but the heaviest is not really suitable.



OVERALL OPINION

This is my first electric guitar, which I have since October 2007. I tried some other guitars but this one really kick my question look.

I love the handle ergonomics Start and blues sounds, but frankly regrets his weight and keeping the agreement.

Paid 250 €, I do not regret my purchase, but in hindsight, I would not necessarily take this model. But the favorite has won over reason, then so be it. Furthermore, I did not really know what style of music I was addressing at the time of purchase. So I chose the versatility, and am not too badly off in the end, except for jazz, or the neck pickup is unsuited.

The value for money is OK, but I think we can find instruments whose quality workmanship and ergonomics are improved at that price.

[7] A proper guitar for beginners. Disappointing in some respects surprising in others. A bit cheap, really heavy, but with nice sounds, nice handle..