Squier Affinity Stratocaster (Good Affordable Guitar?) 

Check out the review I did of the Squier Classic Vibe Strat: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GwYX72SfXq4.html Check out more gear reviews here: ru-vid.com/group/PLNaLwTdlpQNFGz5Eesm0Ey_pDAL1F5y21

Him: this doesn't sound good Me a noob:👁👄👁

The Squire line - both guitar and bass - seems great for beginners, but also players looking for an affordable and reliable instrument they can keep for some years if they want. Great video!

Bought one in 2011, and it's still playing strong. It's fantastic. Love it. Great look, great tone. I'd say with 100% certainty, I got my $200 worth from it.

I've been using this for 10 years. It's worth every cent.

Most definitely have had my eye on this guitar. I've been playing acoustic for a while but really want to try my hand at the electric guitar and this one seems like a good starter. Thanks for the awesome video!

As far as sound goes, it sounds exactly like my fender strat. That's really impressive!

Yes, The Animals! My dad used to play that all the time on his acoustic when I was young. It's the song that made me want to pick up the guitar.

I like how you mention the looks because I think it's important as a begginer to feel kind of attracted to the instrument for more comfortability

I’m watching this after I bought one sooooo hopefully he likes it😂

I could literally watch and listen to Elmo all day long. Literally.

This is the old model now. The new Affinities from 2021 are massively upgraded and don't have narrow necks anymore.

I think it's great that you pointed out a lot of things that a beginner would need to know . Great video. Very nice playing BTW.

Dude...your playing is incredible. Hypnotic.

Those guitars go for between 200 and 230 without tax in the usa. Id save up for a 300 to 500 new or used guitar. Great video as always.

Just bought a 2005 affinity strat for $90. Looking forward to modding it up. Thanks for the recommendations.

It’s a great guitar when it’s set up right. I’m getting one next. I’ve been playing for years.

A minor, its a hell of drug. And it's got at tight grip on my man Elmo

I got the same guitar but surf green for my birthday last year. I love it. Great Video!

Brilliant understanding of dynamics mate. I'm looking at one of these right now. I had to sell my Double Fat Deluxe because of hard times and now I have to buy a cheaper guitar. Your video was very informative and answered all of my questions. Bravo.

I think it's a great value for the money. An Alder body plus Anico V single coil pickups. That's really nice for $200....especially the Race Red. If you can't afford a Fender, this is a great second choice.

HI Elmo I love your channel your playing is outstanding to my ears Keep doing what you're doing thanks i appreciate your opinion you have swayed me on a few great guitars i have a Black metallic Squier for 2001 it's a Beast

I was just about to buy this guitar when I found this video, great content keep up the good work!

Have been learning with new Affinity through a Champion 20 for 6 months now but has still been an enjoyable process. Just trying to focus on learning and playing. Can always go up in quality from here but so far its been fine experience for the money. The plexi amp definitely gives it another level also so perhaps an upgrade before the guitar in future.

This was my first guitar and I hated it until I played it through something other than the 10 watt amp it came with. Now it's had all the typical Strat upgrades and plays as well as any strat

I got a Squier Affinity Stratocaster in 1997 (I believe the first year of the Affinity series) and it was quite a different beast. First, a full sized body, not the slimmer versions now from Squier, a small headstock, a 12" fretboard radius. Over the years I've modded it out drastically, better tuners, a bone nut, new pickups, pots, pickup selector switch, bent steel saddles, a full sized steel block and for the hell of it, a mint green pickguard. So now, it's essentially a partscaster, but it originally was a nice guitar to begin with. One thing, originally, when I first got it, you could get pinch harmonics all up and down the neck quite easily. Had it set up professionally and that went away. Have never been able to get it back.

Thanks for all your demos Elmo. I really enjoy it when you test those whammy bars, you are a master at it :)

I got a affinity strat, 2 years ago it has great tone great for funk I guess I was lucky with the one I received 👍

I'm a Gibson guy, I have one and a couple Epiphones. I bought a black one for $150 marked down because of some light scratches on the body. I also picked up a loaded red tortoise pickguard with ( hopefully upgraded) pickups, and new output jack and ferrule. They all come in two days. Might add some new tuners as well. Seems like a decent guitar.

I've had a HSS natural finish one for 5 years, I like the flatter neck radius and it stays in tune quite nicely. I'm about to upgrade the pickups to a set of Seymour Duncans for even better sound. Overall, I found this a great axe for the money.

I bought one second hand the other day and its a pretty good guitar

Just bought a 2000 Affinity Strat, excited !

I've had at least 5 affinity strats, all black with white pick guards, I'm still looking for a sunburst one.

Hah, I want this guitar because Jimmy from the movie Sunshine Barry and the Disco Worms plays it.

I really enjoyed the content and how above and beyond you went. New subscriber here man. Keep up the great work!

My 04 squier is still my favorite, I’ve had several fenders come and go but my first Strat is still with me

You really know what you are talking about, motivation is a very important thing...playing a guitar or any other instrument! Thank you. Cheers!

Really liked your break down on what to look for to ensure a guitar is in good condition. Plus I think your other advice was very good an helpful. Thanks a lot for the video!

Affinity series strats are roughly 230 in the states, can be had for as low as $70 used on Craigslist or the FB marketplace.

I’ve got a squier and it’s an amazing guitar plays amazing sounds amazing bought a fender player series after 1 year of playing amazing guitar as well off course tunning stability is better etc but still I love my squier and it’s an amazing guitar for the price I’m going to keep it forever amazing guitar :)

I have a squier strato Affinity I love it but dream on a telecaster by fender

I suggest you try one of those affinity series indonesian made. That is definitely a big difference.

Just bought this for my little brother (huge CCR fan). Thank you very much for the review

I had one of these as my first guitar in '99, nothing wrong with it really and I regret getting rid of it(gave it in trade to get a bigger amp).It was a beautiful looking guitar in white too.

At last I finished the hesitation and today I've ordered an Affinity. Although that is a two single coils and humbucker mixed. This video was a great help to me to decide and choose it. Another option was an Ibanez GRG 140. Anyhow, couple of days and it will be mine. Telling the truth my wife does hunch nothing yet, but I hope I can stay in my house after the guitar arrives to me:-)

I just bought a Mini Squier and it has a great, great sound, its a real ringer, but it does not want to stay in tune so I'm going to get some better tuners. I understand why Jack Pearson( A Real Pro ) uses these Squier's as his main guitars.

Well I finally bought one exactly like this second hand about a month ago and got a good deal on it. I recently had a very thorough professional setup done on it, I mean every little thing possible and while I was at it I had fender tex mex pickups and bournes pots put in and it's playing like a real strat now. It sounds great, the pickups it came with weren't terrible at all but the new ones are just amazing, especially with the better tone controls. The next step will be a tusq nut fer sure and I might put on new tuners but the ones it comes with actually hold tuning really well so I'm not sure yet. I don't use the wigglestick at all and have the bridge down tight so that helps with stability too and if I do change tuners I might go for the vintage style because I love how they look. And who knows, maybe a better bridge and block too just because I can! These guitars are pretty decent just the way they come although often need a little tlc but that's to be expected in this price range, and they're awesome modding platforms because the bodies and necks are quite nice. All in I'm at right around $450 invested so far and it plays and sounds like twice that much and I've got exactly the ingredients that I want. I let a buddy play it the other day and he was incredulous that it's a squier at all, he said it felt and sounded better than his mim standard. I couldn't be happier with it!

This is amazing! This is helping me lots pick my first guitar!!!

I have an Affinity HSS out of a set with a Fender 15 Amp. I started guitar playing with this set last year. The Amp is trash, but the Affinity is quite well for the money. But I also needed some time to tune the neck and string adjustment. Of course it´s not the best guitar on the market, but it´s not bad either. I compared it with a friend´s Fender Mexico Strat. The differences were not really big. Last week I got a brand new Epiphone Les Paul Modern and here I see - or better I hear the difference (the Epiphone was nearly perfect directly out of the box). But it´s 200,- Euros vs 700,- Euros. Now I like playing with both guitars and I´m really happy with this two. If you have completely no idea what to buy, take a good measure of time and go into a good guitar shop.

I don't have any problem with the frets sticking out at all I have about three years don't seem to have problem I have been playing for 48 years singer guitar player I the last guitar I got was from Amazon LYX telecaster 109 dollars it great even has telecaster vintage bridge I love it great sound finished maple neck

i dunno but you didn't actually reviewed the guitar, you teach me how to everything guitar i think hahaha

Great review my friend, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm after a strat/squire to add to my collection. Bit sick of humbuckers and they don't really give that Yngwie tone at all.

Great review. Some really great tidbits of information. Did not know noise can be cancelled by using 2 pickups at the same time. Helped me understand why humbuckers have less noise. Wood not readily available anymore? A reflection of what we are doing to our planet.

you should try the 2003 squire Strat by fender Affinity Series sunburst made in China with the black logo

It sounds like you have a Humidity issue with the guitar. It should be around 45-50%. That should help with getting the guitar back in shape.

I just found one of these in a GC for 80 bucks. Dirty, dings but playable. I wanted one something to customize. So I'm excited to start. I mean a playable instrument for under 100. I'll take it

Got one for 81 bucks , looking forward to playing it once it arrives

I like that funky sound you do I used to be able to do that when I was younger now that I'm alot older it's tough plus I haven't played that much I which it makes it worse

My fav among the squier series !!

I have exactly same looking affinity, really great guitar for it's price! At least my version. First time when i test it i would not believe how nice it is to play and how it sounds. It has 500k pots so very bright as strat, but use guitar vol and tone knops, like try vol on 7 with bridge and you get more traditional strat bridge tone more like if you had 250k pot.

The Squire Affinity Strat HSS configuration runs about $ 200

You literally sound great on any guitar lol

Love your videos, Elmo ! I'm hoping, some day, to make a cheap guitar sound as good as you can. Peace, friend.

Come on Elmo, you could dive bomb any guitar and it might go out of tune. Your playing is amazing and thank you for the video.

One guy is offering me this guitar for 20 Euro.... LoL I will give him 30 now. Some drunk keeps it in the garage, i am surprised that he even know what a guitar is... Guitar Condition, 11/10. He will get drunk today for sure on my account :) I know about guitars a lot but, Thanks man, awesome accurate vid.

I found one used for $100 ... is this a good deal ?. Thank you very much for sharing this video. Awesome playing..

Awesome video dude! I'm thinking of buying this guitar! Btw took way too long to realize that you are finnish, loistavaa työtä!

I bought this guitar 🎸 but I very beginner. you are fantastic

I have a bullet tele. I like it a lot. The neck is as good as my 1000.00 tele. I like it better actually.

Great guitars. Great action. Great tone. Plays just like a Fender. Just put a strip of duct tape over "Squier" and write "Findur". If the elitists can't handle the humor you know you've won. And you saved hundreds of dollars. #itisnottheguitaritistheguitarist

For a beginner guitarist, I would suggest budgeting, saving a bit and getting the best guitar and amp that you can comfortably afford. It's worth it if you are serious about learning to play. You'll be more creative and have more fun if you like your gear. 🤘🏻

What are the differences beetwen Affinity and Bullets?

buy this one, fire it up with Texas Special Pickups and you're good to go

Some time ago I bought a Squier contemporary strat. Ok, it's a bit more expensive (about 350Eu) but that one is sublime ( I adjusted it in the store before I bought it, so may be a bit of cheating 😉). But it plays great, it is defintely comparable with my guitars of 2000 euros. You should check out this one. Btw great vid Elmo

Looking for a upgrade for my Yamaha Pacifica and feeling the Stevie ray blues feel rn

I have black Affinity from 2000 that I bought new. I've replaced the electrics, pickups (Texas Special clones), pickguard and the entire tremolo assembly. I even managed to find a 38mm solid steel block so I can get rid of the lightweight one in there. Love that guitar!

I see you’re still replying to/liking comments (which is amazing btw), so I’d just like to ask: how did it hold up? Did you give it away?

Hi Nice video. I have started to play my electric guitar Shaftsbury gold style gibson lead guitar which i purchased early 80s which i didnt appreacate at the time and was put in the wardrobe till now it has been serviced a year ago i run a boss me80 as i only like the sound of the 60s Shadow it sounds good But was wondering if i would get a better sound with a strat style guitar like you was reviewing. Kind regards

Great video! Thanks for the content, subbed!

So im planning to get this guitar as my first guitar. Does the size of the neck matter? Should i get a full size?

My first electric guitar was one exactly like that, but made in Indonesia in 1999. I bought it used for, 100 euros with a 30-watt Behringer amp. It's really well made and the finish is incredibly good and the sound quite nice. The higher frets were rather worn, and I tried to fix them by myself (sending it to a luthier is not worth it). The result was not bad at all, so I still play it from time to time. The only thing is that I wish it had one fret more.

I just got that one

I adjusted the truss rod it was to tight when got had to take some of the tention off the neck it was fine after that no problem just have to loosen the truss rod

Just picked one of these today for $90 CAD, these are normally $200 used here

I dont know bout you man... My squier is perfect like i had no issues with it and I've been playing it for about 2 years

hey! old vid ik but im hoping to get my first electric guitar and the only two options i have are either a bullet strat or an affinity strat. Do u think I should pay the extra money for an affinity?

9:27 - rather than adjusting the truss rod to fix fret buzz, wouldn't it be better to keep a low action and find the individual frets which are buzzing and file them down? For example, you play frets 3, 4, 5 and you find it's not buzzing at 4 or 5 but at position 3, would you file fret 4 down since it's the one in front of fret 3?

Aloha Elmo I have this guitar with symor Duncan jb junior picup. I love her!! What do you think about line 6 spider v30 mkii amp?

Hey Elmo, I have a question. To a beginner who primarily wants to play pop and NOT metal, would you recommend the affinity strat, tele, or something else?

I have the same guitar my guitar is left handed there great

Strange when the music store sells the guitar it is way to low make it buzz to much

Great video. Thanks

Great playing excellent

Those economy picking runs at 12:40 onwards were amazing

Hi, thank you for this post it really helps a beginner like me. I have small hands and have adapted to a classical accoustic guitar, and others with big necks but, I love my Breedlove Concertina, made in Bend, OR, which is a smaller accoustic and the neck is too. Do you think this one would be a good electric guitar for a chick like me? I love the look and colors on this model and have heard electric is easier to play. I appreciate your wisdom and time Thanks, Roxan in OR.

i've been an acoustic player for about 4 years now and a little while ago, i purchased a squier bullet stratocaster since it was significantly cheaper than an affinity, any thoughts about the guitar or smth?

I have exactly the same guitar!

I just bought the affinity strat in slick silver.but its getting a mojotone HHS quiet coil loaded pickguard,locking tuners,tusq nut and string tree's.hopefully the neck doesnt have too many setup issues(as its coming from sweetwater).should be a great axe after the upgrades.just gotta pray it was a decently dressed neck from china.its always hit and miss on these squires.i have a 2000 affinity tele thats fantastic.20 years later and it needs some fret dressing and a new nut now.probably just throw a fender or mighty might neck on it.

I recently purchased an affinity telecaster and a stratocaster and I modified them and tweaked them and they both play and sound great. All I modified was the tuner's. Locking tuner's on both. New noiseless pickups on the tele, a new tremolo on the strat and shielded the cavities on both guitars. They are 2 of my best guitars now.

I have 2003 affinity