Your thoughts on Squier...

[gh2masterwellalmost]

Looking at guitars, and I decided against the epiphone route - the feel of the SG I don't like and I don't like the LP shape, and I don't find its sound vertasile. So, I wanted to stick with the other of the main two (don't have a go me for that, there's just something about both Fenders and Gibsons which put em over and above other guitars), so I'm left with Fender.

But mexican strats/teles are still MEGA BUCKS for my budget, and as a guitar noob what is the point of paying £300+ for a mex strat/tele, when I've heard a decent Squier isn't that far off a mex strat. And that's what I've come to ask...

I've been looking at Squier Fat Strat or one of the more expensive Squier Strats (I know to stick away from the affinity series, they suck from what I hear), but how much bang for my buck am I getting with a decent Squier vs saving up for a mex strat...

[lithiumkc]

Save up... trust me... Mex strats are far better than any squier.

older model squiers are sometimes decent but most you find today are very meh. Average guitars at best, people just buy them for the brand name. You should find a guitar store near you and try out pretty much all the electrics you can until you find one that you like, theres all different shapes and widths and sizes of necks and really it all comes down to finding a guitar with a neck that feels good to play with.

[gh2masterwellalmost]

Save up... trust me... Mex strats are far better than any squier.

older model squiers are sometimes decent but most you find today are very meh. Average guitars at best, people just buy them for the brand name. You should find a guitar store near you and try out pretty much all the electrics you can until you find one that you like, theres all different shapes and widths and sizes of necks and really it all comes down to finding a guitar with a neck that feels good to play with.

£165 and £300 is big difference and I don't think at my skill I have the ability to appreciate the difference, what if I don't like playing guitar, I'd rather lose £165 and pick up my Halo 3 copy with the difference than lose £300 lol...

I suppose I just need to hear two I spose... But the reviews of the more expensive squiers have been good so its hard lol

[HPLabonte]

Honestly, I love the telecaster, incredible feel.

I have a Squire P-bass, great feel, but barely passable sound, probably gonna upgrade the pickups on that thing, it's a pretty good backup bass for my Dean!

[newwaytodie]

Squires are crap. If I had to go with a Fender it would be an american strat. Fenders knock off's are the worst of any guitar manufacturer. If you're going to get an entry level guitar go with this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dean-Vendetta-XM-Electric-Guitar?sku=512150

[tf5_bassist]

That Dean that Newwaytodie posted is pretty sweet, it's a good deal.

Ahh, the old Squire vs. sh!tty Fender debate.

Some mid- to high-end Squires will beat the pants off of a mex strat. As far as Fenders go, American-made's still the way to go, with Japanese being your second pick, Mexican being third, and Korean being your ultimate last-ditch resort. Your average Squire could range between just below Mexican to just below Japanese, so it's kind of a tough call. Really, the only way you can know for sure is by playing them out.

Coming back to an overall Strat issue, the Fat Strat. They're an okay stop-gap, however, a true dual-humbucker guitar will almost always stomp the crap out of a Fat Strat. In my old band, we had a Fat Strat, and we eventually got a Schecter Omen 6 (at the time, about 6 or 7 years ago, they were just around $400). Seriously, was a MUCH more versatile guitar than the strat, since the strat always had a weak sound, even when engaging that humbucker. It's not the only instrument I've noticed it on, either.

Which brings me back around to another suggestion, you may want to take a look at the Schecter lineup. The Omen 6 has been since discontinued I believe, however I think it was brought back for a limited amount of time, and you can score 'em around $230-ish last I saw. SEVERELY worth it, we put two years worth of intense abuse on that guitar, and it always sounded and played great. I like to call it "The $400 PRS". It has the same overall feel of a $3000 PRS, of course, not coming nearly close, duh. But it plays nearly as fast and effortlessly, and has a pretty close tone for being over $2000 cheaper, if that makes any sense at all. Basically, it's one of the closest instruments to a PRS that a poor person will ever have lol...

Give 'em a whirl.

[gh2masterwellalmost]

I know you're gonna have a go, but please... I need a Fender design instrument, and if not Fender then Squier. I like your suggestions, but Fender Look FTW

Thx for all your help - I would like to point out due to some parental sources I know a man who will set up the guitar for £40 cos of my Dad being mates with him - and this guy does professionals (no one you would have heard of, but for things like folk concerts and stuff he does it, and he's a legend).

The more expensive Squiers I have been told are better than mex strats, and it appears that sometimes they are, sometimes they're not. But, a Fat Strat or Deluxe Strat Squier means I can also pick up my copy of Halo 3 lol

So, I think I'll be buying either this:

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/12985

or

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/squier-standard-fat-strat/1319

or

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/squier-standard-stratocaster/1316

or

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/squier-/71268

If you only had THOSE to go for, what would it be? (I can afford all THIS VERY MINUTE LOL)

[cmg4894]

I almost bought a Squire today. I went into my local guitar shop to order picks (I use ones that I have to order) and the owner was showing me the new "high end" Squires. I was shocked by them. I played a traditional Strat. It has a really nice gloss neck and felt great. It sounded like a normal Start and for the price about $300 it is a steal. So I don't know if they are in England, but if you do you should check them out.

[gh2masterwellalmost]

I almost bought a Squire today. I went into my local guitar shop to order picks (I use ones that I have to order) and the owner was showing me the new "high end" Squires. I was shocked by them. I played a traditional Strat. It has a really nice gloss neck and felt great. It sounded like a normal Start and for the price about $300 it is a steal. So I don't know if they are in England, but if you do you should check them out.

You must have been playing a deluxe or standard strat

I know the one that is bashed and gives Squier the band name it gets is the Affinity series, around £50 ($100) cheaper than the more decent Squiers.

So... Standard Squier Strat or Standard Squier Fat Strat? Both same price...

[cmg4894]

You must have been playing a deluxe or standard strat

I know the one that is bashed and gives Squier the band name it gets is the Affinity series, around £50 ($100) cheaper than the more decent Squiers.

So... Standard Squier Strat or Standard Squier Fat Strat? Both same price...

I don't like the Fat Strat. It doesn't sound like a strat. It was a Vintage Modified strat in white.

[blue_dragonzero]

Squires are crap. If I had to go with a Fender it would be an american strat. Fenders knock off's are the worst of any guitar manufacturer. If you're going to get an entry level guitar go with this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dean-Vendetta-XM-Electric-Guitar?sku=512150

Squier is a brand of fender, not a knock off

btw The Bullet I have works pretty well. I can play Highway Star on it! And It sounds good for a 120$ guitar.

[Bakkster]

Unless you plan on performing, how it sounds doesn't matter nearly as much as how it plays and how well it's built. I'd also suggest getting an acoustic to learn on, since the higher action makes it more difficult. Then when you switch to electric you'll go "Oi! (or whatever you brits say ;) ) I can shred!".

So I'd buy anything that is made with quality wood and has a playable neck. It doesn't matter if it sounds crappy, since everyone sounds bad anyways when they start out. Then, once your instrument is holding you back from public performance you can upgrade. By then you'll probably have more money, or be willing to budget more towards music since you'll know that you like to play.

I'd suggest buying from a local guitar store, since you can actually see how well it plays and make sure that it is a quality instrument. Also, music store owners are usually really good about being honest with what they feel is the best guitar for your budget, especially if it's not a chain store. Ask one of them and you'll probably get a good answer, plus you can hear and feel exactly how good/bad it really is.

[gh2masterwellalmost]

Unless you plan on performing, how it sounds doesn't matter nearly as much as how it plays and how well it's built. I'd also suggest getting an acoustic to learn on, since the higher action makes it more difficult. Then when you switch to electric you'll go "Oi! (or whatever you brits say ;) ) I can shred!".

So I'd buy anything that is made with quality wood and has a playable neck. It doesn't matter if it sounds crappy, since everyone sounds bad anyways when they start out. Then, once your instrument is holding you back from public performance you can upgrade. By then you'll probably have more money, or be willing to budget more towards music since you'll know that you like to play.

I'd suggest buying from a local guitar store, since you can actually see how well it plays and make sure that it is a quality instrument. Also, music store owners are usually really good about being honest with what they feel is the best guitar for your budget, especially if it's not a chain store. Ask one of them and you'll probably get a good answer, plus you can hear and feel exactly how good/bad it really is.

Thanks for the advice, but I don't like the sound of an acoustic guitar. Hypocritical, considering I like Radiohead - but on its own, and the type of song I'm learning (because I'm not learning what this chord here is or this chord here etc., I'm just reading tabs and playing what I love).

I see what you mean from a guitar store. I'm not sure about in the USA, but the difference in shop and online is ridiculous - we're talking £120 difference on mex strats, £50 on squiers and considering I'm getting mine setup whatever, I think it'll be the case of "feel in shop buy on online".

Leaning towards Standard Squier Strat btw... or deluxe if I can get it cheap

[Bakkster]

Thanks for the advice, but I don't like the sound of an acoustic guitar. Hypocritical, considering I like Radiohead - but on its own, and the type of song I'm learning (because I'm not learning what this chord here is or this chord here etc., I'm just reading tabs and playing what I love).

Doesn't matter what you're playing: acoustic will make you a better player. Also remember that you need an amp if you want to hear your electric guitar. Otherwise you can't tell when you make mistakes or otherwise sound horrible; then when you do finally plug-in you play all over the place. In addition, cheap amps destroy tone.

I'd still say go acoustic first, but don't let me stop you from getting the electric. Just keep this in mind.

[gh2masterwellalmost]

Doesn't matter what you're playing: acoustic will make you a better player. Also remember that you need an amp if you want to hear your electric guitar. Otherwise you can't tell when you make mistakes or otherwise sound horrible; then when you do finally plug-in you play all over the place. In addition, cheap amps destroy tone.

I'd still say go acoustic first, but don't let me stop you from getting the electric. Just keep this in mind.

Well, reading the about.com guide (http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/aa071200a.htm) which will be a good source of info, it recommends electric, as the acoustic "has a steeper learning curve".

Amp wise, I'd either stick with a pocket 1 watt if I'm saving up for Mex Strat or if I get Squier I'll buy a Marshall 10 watt. For now, I'm playing just with headphones in my room.

[Bakkster]

Well, reading the about.com guide (http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/aa071200a.htm) which will be a good source of info, it recommends electric, as the acoustic "has a steeper learning curve".

Amp wise, I'd either stick with a pocket 1 watt if I'm saving up for Mex Strat or if I get Squier I'll buy a Marshall 10 watt. For now, I'm playing just with headphones in my room.

Yeah, that's the reason for doing acoustic first, IMO. Otherwise you'll always have trouble if you try to play an acoustic. Also, I've never liked about.com, especially when they just lift info from Wiki.

What are your headphones running off of now? What's your pre-amp? Again, don't worry about the plugged in sound if you are going to be playing it through a cheap amp. Why spend money on something you're not going to be able to take advantage of?

[tf5_bassist]

bakkster's totally right, playing acoustic makes you a better electric player. Don't get me wrong, I love my distortion pedals and effects, but it's just as fun to rock out on an acoustic. I've written my best material on an acoustic guitar, with an electric guitar in mind half the time. It puts you in a different mode of thought, more focused on quality and songwritting.

Eh, nothing I say is really going to convince you otherwise from how you think and feel, so I'll just say this: whatever you get, make sure it plays well, and feels good in your hands. When you get further along in your playing, then you'll be more critical of tone, style, speed, etc, when it actually makes sense to do so.

[newwaytodie]

Squier is a brand of fender, not a knock off


What I was trying to say was that Squier is an in-house knock-off; made for people who can't afford the real deal. I know it's a fender brand, but it's like a camaro compared to a corvette.

[gh2masterwellalmost]

What I was trying to say was that Squier is an in-house knock-off; made for people who can't afford the real deal. I know it's a fender brand, but it's like a camaro compared to a corvette.

I got the Squier Strat Special Pack anyway. It sounded lovely, and to my untrained ears the mex strat and squier special in the shop sounded ridiculously similar. The necks felt similar to.