I take a look at the Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster, review each element, correct some set up issues and compare it side by side with my USA Strat.
@Talk to the hat. I bought one years ago, changed the pickups(the guitar engine)... Plays as good as any strat I've played, once it's set up to a high standard.
Tone's in your fingers..and a decent eq pedal..if the thing is set-up-able. Unless the pickups are totally rubbish. Which isn't the case these days with many cheap guitars. Glarry though might be an exception. No output on those pickups and not much I could do😮
As a 70 year old, if we'd had guitars of this quality, or even Bullet Strats, in my day as a teen-ager or young learner, rather than the really bad inexpensive guitars we had at the time, we'd have been ecstatic. Your Dad's Strat merely needed a set up.
So true, I have a nice little collection of midpriced guitars that are all amazing, I paid under $300 for my Squire and I went in planning on upgrading it, I just chose the neck and body I could live with and got a much nicer neck than I expected. The rest of my guitars are Epiphones and the quality on them has been outstanding also. This is the golden age of guitars.
I have squier that will blow you away, the NC vintage spec with heel adjust.. yup, of course completely upgraded but the base is a phenomenal platform,, have one loaded with Evans, can you say Jeff Healey...
I have a cheap used Squier, got it set up & new strings and it became my best guitar. Easy playability, lighter weight, very good guitar. I paid $200 for it.
All guitars need a set-up. If they had one in the factory, it was deliberately set higher than is desirable to have a good margin against buzzing after it travels to its destination. And the moment one changes string gauge, it needs re-doing anyway. Set-up out of the box is like saddle height on a new bike. Irrelevant.
Your right!. I tried a us strat in my shop, and I could tell straight away that it was to high in action!! Shops prefer selling guitars, and you will pay them for having a setup on it afterwards!.. The stats are a pain out of the box, no matter which country of origin!.
I passed up three Mexicasters in the pawnshop for an Affinity Strat. The Mexicasters had the sloppiest neck pockets I've ever seen but the Squier was bang on. I got the Squier for 1/4 of the price too!!! Alder body and a rosewood board. Stock pups replaced with Dragonfire Phat Screamers. I have no problems using it at gigs.
I have one of these that was given to me because one of the saddles had stripped it's threads. I fitted a mid priced set of saddles and spent some time setting it up correctly and it now plays wonderfully. Later I was given a set of mexican pickups and fitted those. For such a cheap guitar it plays so well that I have had several very decent guitarists ask me to let them know if I decide to sell it. I took it to Crimson Guitars where I built my very own guitar and several guys there who tried out my Squier really liked it. I was asked who did the setup and replied "me" I got a number of well done's and yet more offers to buy the guitar. As you can imagine that made me feel really good. :) The moral of this story - the stock setup is rubbish but if you know how to set it up or know someone who does it can make for a very decent guitar indeed.
Yeah im a noob and as a first guitar it's done well. Watched a lot of vids to learn how to do a setup. Locked down and dampened the thin trem and tuning has kept really well for years. No buzz with low action. Low weight. After learning the basics I can say the ceramic pickups sound nice.
I have a Squier Strat that I bought new in 1986. Still looks decent, plays just fine, and sounds good. I've also had a Squier Affinity Tele. It, too, looked decent, played fine after a setup, and sounded good. Based on my small sample size, it sounds like major flaws might be with the guitarist, not the guitar.
the 1986 Squier is a FujiGen. That Japanese factory is legendary itself. It produced guitars that would rival or oftentimes beat american strats of the time. depending on the model, that squer strat can worth quite a bit these days, as late 70s and early-mid 80s FujiGen just blew up in price.
youre getting mixed up 80's squiers were identical to stratocasters at the time just different logo sticker, honestly thats all, awesome jap quality back then
The 2021 Affinity Strat is a very nice guitar. On my model, the frets could use polishing and, if I was gigging, I'd replace the input jack. Both very simple tweaks. I like the 2 point bridge and slotted tuners, and I find tuning stability to be quite good. I also like the ceramic pickups. I love the thinner body which makes the guitar light and I love the neck. All in all, a great purchase. By way of comparison, I also own a Fender Eric Clapton Strat.
I bought one new in 2005. I played it for almost a decade. Absolutely loved it and considering getting another one. That being said; it will need a full set-up, probably some light fretwork, preloaded pickguard replacement, new tuners, and a bone nut...
Great video! Last week I found a black and white 2005 Affinity Squire Strat at a thrift store for $70. Loose jack plate, very dirty, ultra high action in the 3 to 10 fret range, terrible fret buzz above the 14th fret, awful sound. I cleaned it up (turns out it was basically unblemished), adjusted the truss rod, pickup heights, and bridge, reattached the jack, and adjusted the intonation. My intent was to sacrifice the guitar to learn more about set up, but it plays so well now that it will be a gift to my grandson. Looking for another “rescue.”
WARNING: DO NOT turn the truss rod nut a 1/2 a turn!!! At the most turn it a 1/4 or even better yet an 1/8 of turn at a time, check it, then readjust as needed.
Yes hopefully people will see from the video the adjustments I made were pretty small each time. if I said half a turn that’s my bad wording, not meant literally. cheers for highlighting before someone murders their guitar.
@@redmed10 I know but he said turn it a 1/2 turn & when you're doing a neck adjustment you always want to err on the side of caution. That is why I said turn it a 1/4 or even better yet an 1/8 of a turn at a time. ;)
@@AncientApparatus So are you saying if a total of a quarter turn is not enough you shouldn't ever turn it any more. Either live with it or get a new guitar?
@@redmed10 No I'm saying that any adjustment should be done with care & in small increments. You can always turn it a little more but if you turn it too much there's no going back if something breaks. That's true for fine tuning any kind of equipment. Hope that's mor clear.
The electronics on these have come a long way. My 2nd guitar ever (which I still have) is a 2000 Squier Affinity Strat. Electronics were horrible. Newer ones are way better. Build quality though is pretty good. I completely upgraded the electronics and put new tuners on it, and it is a good guitar. I have had hundreds of guitars cheap and $2000+ throughout the years and still love my Affinity Strat and use it live from time to time. Mine was one of the last Squier Affinity Strats made with Alder. I have Duncan STK singles, and a PRS humbucker with a HSS pickguard from another Squier, upgraded electronics, and Kluson vintage style tuners. Still love this guitar and it is the rare purple from that time period.
I love Squiers, I have a '72 Thinline Tele from the Classic Vibe series and my brother has a 60's Mustang from the Vintage Modified series and they both play and sound fantastic. I've never played an affinity I liked though. Back when I was just an acoustic player I thought I would try electric with my girlfriend at the time's affinity strat. It sounded so tinny, couldn't stay in tune for more than 2 minutes, and the fret ends were super sharp. My experience with that guitar seriously dissuaded me from trying electric for another 2 years after that when I finally bought my Classic Vibe.
As an owner of cheap to expensive guitars, squiers are phenomenal guitars. The wood is amazing, great body and necks. Amazing for beginners. Once you’re actually starting to play shows, then the tuners and pickups absolutely need upgrading on cheap models. Upgrade the tuners and pickups and you’re all set! Get a good set up on it and you’re golden. (Sharp fret edges can be shaved down by your local tech. That occurs with all guitars, cheap or expensive, depending on your climate)
Back in the '70s, the first thing to buy after a cheap guitar was a book on how to set it up. Nowadays, I meet players of all ages who have no idea how to change a set of strings, let alone adjust or maintain their instruments.
Superb video in the good British tradition of carefully explaining all issues. I own several squiers and MIM. Generally when I hear such A/B tests like yours the US Models usually sound more clearer, but in this case I'm confused and happy to own a Squier 😁
Thanks to Leo Fender's genius for creating the Stratocaster in an accessibly timeless configuration. The difference in production of United States made high quality pieces is detail and concentration spent in single units, as juxtaposed with the mass quick crafted ones overseas in Asia. Materials are fine quality but fastly turned out to markets. Once in awhile, a buyer would strike luck and pick a flawlessly made cheap priced strat that can hold it's own against a vintage original $3,500 - $7,000 and above holy piece no matter dexterity of the player!👍
Well done video, very informative. After changing all of the stock electronics which are sh!t also doing a pro setup and some serious fret massaging, my Squire Strat sounds and plays almost every bit as good as my American Standard!
The Indonesian made Squier's were better than the later Chinese, at least I think so. I have a killer Squier 2004 Standard Precision bass 4 string with additional jazz pickup and jazz neck. It is everything you would ever need or want in a passive bass.
Thanks Jules for the video. Another cost cutter on the Affinitys and the Bullets are the thinner bodies and because of that the neck can be raised more which means the saddles have to be raised. Maybe on your dads guitar the body may be normal thickness. I don't know what year they made them thinner. Would be interested to know what type you have.
I have set up dozens of Affinity Strats, at the shop. Both the china and indonesian models. They are not bad instruments, and setups were straight forward. Even $5000 guitars sometimes need neck relief adjustments, especially after changing string gauges. I personally hate the look of the over sized headstock, but the instruments are fine.
I have one very similar to that one. It's fine. The neck is very narrow....40mm I think which some people won't like but I find I prefer it to the slightly wider standard Fender neck. It has 9.5 radius fret board which I also like and prefer over anything flatter, and I like the big headstock....good enough for Trower and Hendrix, good enough for me.
The springs on the saddle screws are in the wrong place. They should be sandwiched between the saddle and the bridge plate. Not between the screw head and the plate.
Squiers are great, especially the Indonesian made ones. I’ve bought a few, set them up, and thrown some nice pickups in and they shine. IMO Squier (and Epiphone) have a similar spirit to early Fender and Gibson in terms of target demographics and ethos.
Thanks for a good review. I just bought one of these Squire Strats on Black Friday sale. It's going to be a project guitar to swap out the pickups and try out some custom made Strat pickups(Planet Tone) that I bought a few years ago that have been sitting around in my parts drawer. I fully expect the guitar will arrive badly in need of full setup, but like your Dad's guitar, will be perfectly fun to play after a setup and the pickup swap, allowing me to take it to places where you don't want to worry about your Fender Custom Shop Strat getting nicked. How did your Dad like the new and improved Squire after the setup?
My purchase last year of a 70s CV Strat made me a believer in Squier again. Its a dandy & I play it mpre than my MIM. My Bullet Strat from many years ago left a bit to be desired, but to be fair, I was re-learning guitar as an adult at the time, so in retrospect a lot of my issues with it were likely player-error.
I had an American strat once, several Mexican ones more than a few squire affinities and one squire bullet. The only one I don`t recommend is the bullet series, too many quality issues. On the Squire affinities the pickups come in at about 3.5K which is a little low. The other strats come in at about 5.5K. That`s why some people might recommend changing out the pickups but you don`t have to. I would recommend an HSS affinity and save the rest of your money for an amp. Spending 12 to 15 hundred for an American strat is an exercise in foolishness. Other than the pickups I mentioned there is no important difference,
Pick-up resistance is not an indication of quality nor output. Stronger ceramic magnets allow for fewer turns (lower resistance) and therefore more clarity. Besides, output level is no longer a necessity since modern amplifiers have a gain control which does nothing else but boosting the input.
I have an identical Affinity Strat from 2004 and it also had that gap under the strings and a bowed neck. The truss rod nut bottomed so I couldn't tighten it more, so I installed 3 thick nylon washers under the nut to get more adjustment range and then tightened it more. The neck angle wasn't good, now the upper frets buzzed, so I made a 2 mm thick angled maple shim plate wedge the size and shape of the neck pocket and installed it. Now the action is low and the neck is fine.
I got one of these, just like this Strat, sunburst and made in Indonesia. It's a 2014 Strat which I bought used. It plays well after all the simple setups. I'm actually a bass player, but I'll use it as a reserve at least in case one of my friends needs a guitar for a gig or special program.
Fitted mine with locking tuners genuine fender 5 way switch. Ernie Ball 11s and tusq nut and saddles. Plays like a dream. Mine came with 3 ply pickguard.
I have a '21 affinity hss strat and a '21 affinity tele. The strat is still stock but the tele has been upgraded with tex mex pickups and all new electronics including an s1 switch. Affinities have always been good guitars but the new generation of the line with the new appointments are even better imo and that's why I had to have one each hehe...
I have a 2021 Affinity ..i bought it to upgrade..but i had it set up first b4 I started the mod..It was great and lighter than a lot of other brands..good guitar for $229.00
Excellent review and comments. Wonderful guitar at the price point. I have several Affinity strats and teles along with American made guitars. I gig, record and noodle with the Squiers at the same rate as others. Easy upgrades if you want them. No real need to spend more unless you just want to. Thanks!
Cheers John, important for people to know they can really enjoy playing if all they have is Squier, and like you I still enjoy the squiers despite having the USA versions.
@theWARMJET HI! Just check that nothing interferes with the movement ; i.e. nut, string tree, snug tuners. Also check the six bridge screws, they should be installed about three ccw turns from touching the bridge plate. The bridge pivots on the screws. The most important thing however, is stretching the strings several times while keeping in tune at string installation and once or twice each time you play. The strings have no choice but to stay in tune because when in tune, the bridge rotates to this place naturally when released. Using the trem, it will return there. Check with another player or luthier if it's still out of tune after all these checks. Thanks!
Mine needed some relief to stop buzzing, but the one thing I noticed is that all my fret ends are perfectly round, not a hanger in the bunch, I was very surprised. It does need new hardware and electronics, the basic build is solid, just needs a full upgrade from nut to the bridge.
I think I actually like the sound of the Squier better than the more expensive piece (in this video at least, first review I'm watching so far), it sounds fuller to me where the fender sounds duller, more basey, which I can get from a pedal/amp. Not sure if that's something with your tone knobs or whatever they're called, and I also only played for a couple months, a couple months ago, on a guitar that hadn't seen maintenance or been played in a couple years. Great video too, very in depth, thank you.
This is one great guitar! When I got mine I installed a GraphTec Tusk Nut. Then I gave it a great Set Up just as I do with all my Guitars. Some times I put GraphTec saddles on them if need be. Then I restring them with #7 Dunlop Strings By Bily Gibbons...
Nice video and things are well explained. My thinking is no matter the price point with a different string gauge you would have the same issue. Also most guitar instructors recommend light gauge strings which are easier to play.
Good guitars if they are set up properly, and if tremolo system is lubricated it will hold tune just fine. Upgrades I would recommend are better tuners and completely replace the pick-ups, pots, and wiring. Add a treble bleed to the bridge pick up circuit when you do it. Long term, a better quality neck. Out of the box just make sure it's set up properly and they are a good guitar.
I played one of these recently that a young Lad owned. I thought it played well, with a decent neck too. A set of 100 quid Alnico pickups in it and a decent fret dress would make this a good beater guitar or back up.
I own 3 of those Fender Squier Affinity Series Stratocasters that were made in Indonesia back in the 2000s decade and I have to say that they play beautifully. To me, all 3 of them that I own sound way better than most of the current Fender Squier Stratocasters in general that are being built today. I even own a Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster from 2014 that was also made in Indonesia and it sounds great as well. Otherwise, the Fender Squier Stratocasters that were built way back in the 1980s all the way to the 2000s sound way better than the current models that are being put out today. By the way, all 3 Fender Squier Affinity Series Stratocasters that I own are secondhand as I bought them used in 3 different places.
Yes this is an older Affinity with Black Logo and some can be pretty good but they do not compare to the newer Affinitys with Gold Logo that we have currently. I have a Competition Orange one from 2018 w/rosewood and one of these guitars in your Video from 2019 w/laurel. Both are outstanding after being set up by my tech guy and i play the Affinitys more than the others. great modding platform. ... p.s. yeah that action is terrible on that one but I find most of the new Affinitys pretty dialed in. Fender Master Builder Ron Thorn swears by these now as a great guitar. The new ones. Both of mine are made in China. Same as my WONDERFUL J Mascis Jazzmaster.
I noticed that the springs on the bridge are installed backwards; springs are supposed to be right after the saddles. In here they are right on the head of the screw.
I just bought my 4th Squier Affinity Strat. EVERYTHING IS AMAZING about them. The only thing you need to do is smooth the fret ends and set it up. BOOM plays like a 1000 bucks!
I got and old 2000s-ish Squier bullet Strat used for £75 and even now that i have more than 15 guitars it is still in the top 3 of guitar I play the most, it has g string sustain than some custom shop fenders I have played.
I have a similar one, it was my second electric guitar, I got it after having an Ibanez Gio for 2 years, I needed some more versatile instrument than just 2 humbuckers, it is kinda amazing for less than 400 bucks second hand, it is tho very difficult at the beginning, the tremolo is basically useless, the tuners really cheap, it is really light with a weird balance and it is hell to calibrate, but if you take some care for it, and maybe invest some more money on it, you can get a really nice strat for less than 500 bucks, after playing for almost 8 years I can really appreciate it in comparison to my 89' Fender Strat.
I have an Affinity. It was part of a Monster Energy Drink display in a grocery store and was offered to me by the GM of the grocery store. Had a setup done on it and it's plays amazing. I don't think you could buy a better sub 200 dollar guitar brand new.
It hit or miss, I have bought the sunburst strat like the one in the video twice as my first one was stolen, the first one was what I expected for the price nothing amazing and the pots and switch weren't great, the second one I only purchased again because of a sale and I had some extra cash, this one was quite a surprise, it had that wonderful low end and chimey highs and that perfect breakup distortion when my amp was pushed, same amp, same model guitar, same player, quite a difference in tone, what's up with that?
I'm going to have to agree with a lot of these comments. I've been playing guitar for 35 years and I've had some really expensive beautiful guitars. But such in life things happen and I had to get rid of 3 of my American strats and a couple of my Gibson Les pauls. So to replace them. I bought squire affinity Stratocaster and a squier affinity telecaster. With a few minor adjustments and setup I think they play really nice. I really love the neck on them they're smooth and I've never had an issue with them going out of tune. Now don't get me wrong they're not an american-made strat or an american-made telecaster but I think they're pretty decent guitar. I'm old now and my gigging days are over but I would have no problem going on stage with one and rocking out. If you truly don't like the sound of the pickup it's very easy to switch them out. I changed the pickups on my Stratocaster and my telecaster and I'm very pleased with the way it sounds now. I just don't understand why people hate on squier guitars. I think they're a decent guitar for the price and you can always upgrade them for a few dollars more. That's just my opinion.
I bought one in 2015, at the time they where made out of alder with rosewood fingerboard, these days they are poplar? and some weird synthetic wood for the fretboard, yet cost upward of 500 bucks.
Its a fantastic guitar ,if you set it right and polish the frets and round the neck a little. My fellow guitarrist has a US strat and is often amazed in how good mine sounds. Ive pkayed it for 4 years, make sure you get the one made in Indonesia with the gold logo.
Thanks for this video. I bought a similar inexpensive package many, many years ago so I could finally try to play on an electric guitar. The guitar itself seemed to do what I wanted and appropriate for my level of play. However, it's only when I recently bought a new amp that I discovered how really bad the package one was. That made a huge difference. Now I will check my guitar to see what adjustments it needs. Thanks again.
I bought a fender Squier about two weeks ago. The only thing I’m going to replace is the bridge. So I took the back off and I seen a very flimsy bridge so I’m going to replace it with a real fender bridge and that’s all I’m going to do to mine, Yep plays perfect. It’ll play a lot better with a new bridge. Other than that I love my guitar. I wouldn’t take nothing for it. It’s beautiful and I agree with you. Squires are a pretty damn good guitar for the money. Thanks for the video. Have a good evening.👍🏼👍🏼🎸😎😄
I have a 2002 squire affinity strat it plays great, stays in tune and sounds perfectly ok. When I took it for a set up my local luthier/tech who plays a 2k+ PRS, wanted to buy my SAS after he had had it for a week or so, as he said he loved playing it. He wasn,'t similarly impressed with my peerless built Epiphone casino, Korean 96 built Les Paul, Vintage relic'd PGM LP, Epiphone custom shop 335 iced tea. So I don't know ? Do you? Nb I bought it on a whim and paid £50 for the SAS, the lowest figure I have ever paid for a guitar. I love playing it and will never sell it. It's a lovely red too.
I have a Squier Strat affinity from 2000 and I gotta say it plays so well. I have a gibson les paul and a fender tele yet I more often than not reach for the affinity. Maybe it was very well set up at the shop where I bought it. But wow ..the sound can be bright/sparkly/glassy right down to deep and dirty. To save my fingers (i play a lot) i play with 9' strings. The guitar, even with such light strings, stays in tune so well. And i would say I'm quite heavy handed. Perhaps i just got lucky I don't know. But mine plays like a beaut. I play through a Boss GT6 and an HH IC100 amp.
I agree with Grant, Stevie Ray Vaughan would sound incredible with just about any guitar he happens to pickup. The biggest difference between novice, entry level or player guitars is longevity, durability, and intonation. The player guitars are made to be taken on the road and take a beating. The lower level guitars may have some problems with intonation and with staying tuned.
Your Squier sounds good enuf that I don't want a Fender. You have a nice amp you're a good player who chose riffs pleasing to me. I'm a poor player-my lot in life. I bo't my 4th Affinity strat today, they're 40 to 80 bucks Cdn on Kijiji pending on condition. Terrific Squier value!!!! I refinish them and set them up to play like Fender. You've just proven that I'm on the right track here. Thanks for it.
great review ,,,i actually own this very guitar ...just chucked it in a drawer ..and played my SG - but may dig it out now....ps. your voice tone and accent very much remind me of justin hawkins ....whose new channel i really dig ....haha. cheers
Bought myself a Squier Aff. Tele 21/21 - Dream Setup out of the Box - Only the Neck Pickup isn't that great, but that can be optimized with Height I think - just an advanced beginner over here - did a little Sound check if anybody wants to hear the Tele on a Fender LT25 🙏🏼🤘🏻
@@misterknightowlandco being muffled and unuseable? had 2 other Teles now and nope, the Neck PU on the Squier Aff is absolute Crap, tried different Heights, its now crooked so the Bassside is almost in the Body - otherwise its like the Middle Positionen with the Tone Knob turned down to -25 😂
I have an HSS Affinity Strat, an intonation screw got lost, and the pickup selector makes ugly sounds when switching. If you're getting and Affinity Strat or any guitar, make sure to check the quality of it. Play it and see if there's any problems you don't wanna run into.
It's good to know that heavier strings cause the neck to bow. I personally prefer 9s and lighter strings generally anyways so I'll just stick to playing lights. I'm gonna pick this guitar up soon, it'll be my first electric! I'm very much considering the HH version as well. I keep looking at the different Squiers but I just... don't like the Classic Vibe. I honestly just want a Squier version of the Player series, and this seems closest in terms of feel.
My affinity strat had a superbly clean sound. But when I installed Fender's top pickups, distortion was very noticeable. Higher output, slightly broader freq. range, but the sawtooth distortion ruined the clean sound. I dumped it!
I started out playing on one of these, I actually recommend people start out on these, because their not expensive, it’s a well respected design, and their easy to play, and you can make modifications on them easily, and if you quit then it really didn’t cost you a lot of money.
I’ve been playing over twenty years and have several expensive guitars. Never a Strat. Lately I’ve been really interested in the single coil and decided I wanted a Strat. My wife just bought me a Squier Affinity Strat and mine is super sweet. Sounds great and plays like a dream. Nice fretwork. I love it.
Is it fairly light? From what I can gather online, I haven’t played one yet, the Affinity’s are lighter than the Classic Vibe’s or Bullets. I really prefer a lightweight electric.
