Squier Contemporary Series Stratocaster - Indepth Review 

I appreciate that you called out "synthetic bone" for exactly what it is, plastic. But in fairness after a few beers I like to believe my Honda civic is actually a "synthetic Ferrari"😊

I've had all of those and I love them all. Best bang for your buck. I really like the contemporary Squier. I bought a new players series fender strat for 674 and was so disappointed in it I sent it back. I like to mod those man. Its easy and fun. You just can't go wrong with any of the contemporary series from squier.

I'm picking one of these up tomorrow for $180

I purchased a Squier Deluxe and Classic Vibe custom based off of your reviews and I have not been disappointed, looks like I will also be getting a Contemporary as well

great video!,i love my squire strats i have a few ive gotten and added mods to over the years,the other day my son showed me a white strat on fb market that he liked ,when i first looked at it i thought it was a real cheap kids model becasue of the white head stock so i looked them up and wound up going to buy it last night,the model i got is an hss with a different neck but it has F locking tuners on it,the guitar feels and sound amazing! i ended up giving my son the g&l legacy trib i bought myself last week and this one is now mine !,i scored,scored,scored the guitar,fender 10 amp,cables,strap,guitar stand for $100 holy crap did i get a deal!! and it wasnt a shady deal by any means,i love this guitar! and ive been a les paul guy for 30 years,had and sold atleast 15 gibsons and epis but ill keep this one forever!

I found the hottest pickup in the neck position and the lowest ohm in the bridge. I just reversed them, what a big difference. Check the ohms

Great review as always....you nit-pick every detail...I absolutely love that...those of us that have been playing for years know exactly what you’re saying!!!...rock on my brother!!!

I just want to say that under the pickgaurd they are all routed HSH and it's easy to change the pickgaurd. I load the pickgaurd before I change it.

Very informative description by Tony as usual but not enough playing. Lets hear the thing!

Nice, it has humbuckers. Must have a really powerful tone. Very good deal here, if you want something to start out with.

Great video Tony, would like to hear it in a band rehearsal..

I personally LOVE my left handed red metalic squier contemporary tele!!!!

I own 10 guitars1 Gibson acoustic, 1 1954 Silvertone f hole jazz box, 1 Gretch, 1 American Tele with a kill switch, 1 Gretch Baritone, 1 Yamaha Rv620 and my Squire exactly like the one featured here and. That is my overall go to!

Yes. Looking forward to the sound demo

Wish they did some contemperary Squires with 24 frets and the 2 pt trem.

This was incredibly helpful man. It's crazy how this video is 2 years old now, but this is still the closest thing to a charvel in this price bracket. Reminds me of something Jake E. Lee would play.

Oh....regarding the bridge: this particular design has been used on the Squier Standard Strat for quite some time and has made its way to the Deluxe, some of the Stagemasters/Showmasters and now the Contemporary series. It is called the "Synchronus" vibrato and is similar (but not identical) to the American Standard tremolo.

I actually own this exact make a model. Same exact color combination as well. I can 100% vouch that what you’ve said in this video is exactly true. I actually just plan on putting some Seymour Duncan pickups in mine and after that I’ll honestly have no reason to buy an actual Fender Stratocaster. This guitar plays and feels EXACTLY like a Stratocaster so with a pickup swap I’ll be ahead of the game. ALSO, I bought mine used for $175 so I got a STEAL! After putting in Seymour Duncan pickups in, I’ll still be ahead of the game 🤣 But yeah man, it’s a very nice guitar. Good review!

I have this guitar. Very happy with it!

Great comprehensive review! Thank you for taking the time to make the video.

great review and really honest, most of the reviews talk about sound of pickup and some cons and pros you speak more

Thanks for the great review. I have just ordered the HSS version as I prefer rosewood fingerboard.

Yes, please play the guitar in another video. I would like the link. Thx

Friends this Contemp Strat is nothing like a Charvel. I own a Charvel San Dimas and tried the Squier Contemp Strat in the store last week based on this review. The Charvel neck is on a another planet in terms of quality, can't compare the quality at all.

Great review! I just ordered one last night. Can't wait to play it!

Hi great review but yes, I would love to hear the guitar in action.

great review. Yes, I would like to hear the guitar.

Thanks, just picked up a blue HSS with rosewood neck. Nice..👍🐨🇦🇺

Well well, just bought one of these but with the HSS configuration, for 250euros yesterday. The guy i bought it from installed locking tuners, strap locks and replaced all the pickups with an assortements of Warman pickup (didnt knew about this cheap brand). Let me tell you its the best bang for the bucks i ever paid for a guitar. It truly sings and has a quality look and feel to it. I have more expensive guitars and this squier sounds even better... the only drawnback is the jack output who seems flimsy and the nut which can be better. But hey, we are talking about 20bucks upgrades! Its a really quality guitar, chinese guitar are getting so much better!!!

I constantly tell folks looking for the best value in a guitar. Squier! I have several that I have upgraded I would put up against most any other guitar.

you commented on the rear cover... but missed that it was an open slot instead of 6 holes... and that the 2 center screws are off set - that's usually a Fender part on the better Squiers - I've only seen them on V-Mod Series or Classic Vibe - I wish I had compared the rear guts and trem block to the cheaper Squiers - i also wish I had checked if thin body Squiers got shorter trem blocks

I have the Red one of this Model/Series I would like a better Nut but cant find the size in the self lubricating Nuts by Graphtech . I also would like a hotter affordable PUP for the Bridge position . Otherwise for the price I'm very happy and would recommend to anyone who's Intermediate or Pro level its that well built . I have 35 yrs experience and play exclusively 80's style Metal,Thrash, Glam , Hard Rock

Great review ! Very detailed. Thanks

Great video! I have to ask, a year later... do you still own it? I just ordered one used from GC. Thanks

Great in depth detailed review.

i really enjoy your review

I bought the guitar ! I have two dead spots high up the neck 2 high frets. and a grounding issue I need looked at uuuggg Squier ! Honestly i do love the guitar but I think they should be as cheap as the affinity or so I mean the QC is a total hit or miss. So only buy this used for a good price ❤️

Amazing review. I prefer you opinión much more than the playing, as there are too many variables in the audio chain. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing. Yes, I would like to hear it

Beautiful guitar ! Body width mate ?

Marten Barr of Jethro Tull use to buy a airline seat for his vinetage Les Paul.He concluded technology has made it possible to produce a quality inexpensive guitar.That was decades ago.The last time I saw him he played Fender Stat with humbuckers. I remove the back plate like Hendrix did on Strat style guitars.It makes string changing quicker. Sometimes you migh play in a seedy dive bar or for beer drinking friends.A expensive guitar is not ideal at those times.Traveling with a expensive guitar can also be worrisome.I bet that Squire would be perfect for such occasions. There are many types of plastic they call it imitation bone becase that type plastic is very hard.I bet the bridge nut is fine as is.

I liked that he just gave good information. playing guitar means nothing when you are hearing it through computer speakers. excellent video.

with the combination of arm in maple, body in poplar and ceramic pickups timbre not sound very keen no? I'm looking forward to buying one but I'm afraid ... Congratulations on the video and thank you if you can answer me.

Great Video, like it and like the Guitar as well :)

Thanks can u review the HSS

Have one love it!

Just purchased from Sweetwater! Jumbo frets, Unfinished wood..Yesss!!! Beautiful color. may put my Dimarzios in there :))))))

Hi, your work is excellent, I understand that this guitar is light, what is the weight? Is it true that this contemporary series are the lightest of the squier? I do not find much information, maybe you can help me.

Nice guitar, Tony!

Great review .. I think I need one .. haha Thanks !

It's refreshing to hear an honest review without some want-to-be-shredder riffing with too many effects cranked up on 11. Nice job!

Nice review, I saw that the contemporary necks are 12" compounded. Do you know the radius on the higher frets. Similar to Charvel SD? Thanks

Very interesting. Yes, disappointed not hear you play it! :D

Thanks for not playing the guitar, there are plenty of demos out there... Great review!

Anyone know if you could put a Floyd Rose in this guitar???

Have the black with gold sparkles, 349.99

between this one and a g&l legacy hss where should i aim? if i buy this strat, i can buy amplifier and some stompbox, but if i go for the g&l i can barely buy the guitar, its worth the buy? if i upgrade the mics in the future would it make a difference? thanks in advance

Hello I'm looking forward to buy my first electric guitar.... And I'm finding it difficult to choose between classic vibe 70's HSS and contemporary HSS.... Any insights on which one should I buy would bet very helpful... Thank you!!

I have one of these and great guitars for sure 😎

Do you know the details about the pickup routiing? Is it a swimming pool, a hss... Thanks

Curious to hear it. Do it. :-)

that was a really good run down Tony, thank you

Nice thorough review! Thanks! And I don't think you need to play the guitar. It's gonna sound different thru everybody else's rigs and hands anyway so IMHO that wouldn't tell us much.

Does anyone know if you could put single coils in it?

I freakin love that guitar....1v 1t and a 3-way...thats ALL you need to rock...the volume knob is down out of the way of my strumming hand...thats why I can’t play strats...all that stuff is in my way!!!!...yur right, it is like a charvel...i never thought of it that way before!!!!

🤣 “they should quit using that bullshit term and call it plastic”. Love it!

People see "Squier" on the headstock and are immediately skeptical. It's like there's this Catch22 when it comes to well-appointed, well-made low priced guitars. They really are good guitars, but in some cases (the Laguna brand comes to mind), they actually fail because people are not willing to accept that good guitars actually exist below $500.

Hi there, I am going to do some hardware upgrades on my Squier Contemporary Strat, pearl white, HSS rosewood board. I have found exactly what I want in all respects accept one. The nut. In your opinion, does this nut have a flat or round bottom? The neck is 12" radius I'm sure you know. Could you help me? I'm gonna put a Graph Tech Tusq but idk if I should use round or flat bottom. Thanks

first time here.thank you. subbed,liked.

How do these compare to the classic vibe guitars ?

I was going to get one of these - however Fender have changed the medium jumbo frets (which I love) to narrow tall frets (which I hate) in the specs on the Fender site - YYY?

I want one of these as like you said , it’s like a charvel with a regular modern strat type bridge . I had the slime green charve so cal but I don’t get on with Floyd bridges

Jacks on the top, me likey :)

Y me quedé esperando el sonido de la guitarra 😢

I have the black one

How are the pickups?

Nice and complete review. (You mentioned Canada there...I'm guessing you are from Montreal...) Anyway, i just bought a vintage MIJ Squire and thought maybe your video was one of those...can't seem to find a vintage review... I do not own a new guitar( i live in a guitar- rich country..go figure why...) and so i don't need to buy a made in Asia guitar...ever...and i would never ( maybe Vietnamese made 'cause they are Buddhists...). I do appreciate that kids have few resources and options

A... ? It's been a while since I gotting UTOBE videos from you some time now I Subscribe to your UTOBE videos and push like and ring the bell and write a comment . Troy Frost troyster 😎Cool Riffs

Rules - #1 AVOID ALL Affinity + Bullet Series for 1+5/8" Thin bodies #2 AVOID ALL "Strat" or "Tele"" decal gtrs for thin bodies -> -> LOOK for "Full Name" Stratocaster + Telecaster decals - OBV in ads on large headstocks - not so obv on Small headstocks but ANY small headstock is worth a closer look - obv there are no "Short Name" decal Jaguars, Mustangs, or Jazzmasters so see above... and see below for info on any Series etc ALL Standard Series have Full Name Decals, 1+3/4" THICK bodies, 22 fret striped necks, 3 ply guards, better hardware... plus 2 pin trems in later years - - ALL the Good Stuff just 1 step up from Affinity junk ALL Deluxe Series get ALL the Standard goodies but SMALL headstocks and a nearly bare wood finish... [ some have 3 Hot Rails - the Angled Humbucker beats any HSS or HH layout - rather obvious ] ALL VM or Vintage Modified get the good stuff BUT it has a thick yellow finish AND a mish mash of headstocks and decals like Tele's with Strat necks and Jazzmaster decals [ like Fender Pawn Shop ? ] ALL CV or Classic Vibe get the good stuff but like the VM it has the thick finish + the 6 Screw trem - some CV + VM get 21 frets or 1 ply guards or 3 way Tele saddles for vintage looks - -> -> -> older CVs got real Alder & Ash bodies - that is the secret to their great rep... and why the newer poplar bodies are a joke of sorts... -> -> I was a firm believer that ANY thick body was a huge leap forward - and they are... partly because they commit to better parts throughout... but under all that paint someone took a huge shortcut buy using Basswood, Agathis, or the lesser hardwoods - in other words you don't even have a 90's Fender Mex yet ! ! so.... once you get the thick body, striped neck and 2 pin trem of a Standard or Deluxe Series.... there is NOTHING to be gained by moving up the Squier ladder... unless you get a better wood body or a rare Set-Neck Squier [ seen Set Neck Tele Thinline + set neck F/R Stagemaster - both Standard Series ] -> -> SPEND the money on locking tuners and a loaded pickguard that you can use to move up the Fender Ladder instead ... Fender Korea to Mex to Hwy 1 to USA - speaking of pickups... if you have cheap Squiers the "Duncan Designed" stuff seems pretty hot... but you soon get sick of the tone... esp single coils - I've had DD's SSS HSS + HH plus 3 Hot Rails - the Hot Rails Deluxe is a Revelation in Angled Humbuckers and a disappointment in D/D - so easy to put an Angled humbucker in a Strat or Tele etc and change your World - tie the bridge into the neck tone control so there's no conflict - Master Tone wrecks the 2+4 tones [ I even had a Fender Mex "Blacktop" - HH with 5 way and split coils and you still get nothing ] ================================================================================= - and now to burn up some Internet Ink with handy Trivia + Project Squier info - Newer Affinty Series started getting Striped Necks... even at 21 frets they're a great part and usually found with mint frets - prob the only reason to buy Affinity... not because they're so bad, but because ANY other Squier with a THICK body is so much better for so little money.... new or used [ some Affinty Series decals on ball will rub off with alcohol - others are under lacquer into the wood ] - ALL "OBEY" graphic Squiers are Standard Series with 1+3/4" THICK bodies BUT a 1/8" graphic slab laid over the 1 5/8" Thin Affinity body - noticeably less sustain even with Duncan Designed pickups - they get 2 pin trems and unique "AGED IRON" hardware that's rough to the touch - they also get NO Pickguard bodies like any HM guitar and great striped necks - OBEY Tele's get a humbucker at the bridge [ so sad it wasn't SH /--II or //--II ] - LOOK for Standard Series with See-Thru finishes with 1 5/8" Maple or Mahogany bodies - a bit of a tradeoff - great wood but less of it - - might be the ticket if you want a lighter guitar - ONLY "Strat" decal Squier to get a 1 3/4" Thick body is Chinese with 3 ply guards - white or Pearloid - big hint is a SMALL headstock with no dark insert - some have striped necks - some are plain junk - you have to look on back for the dark stripe [ and make sure it's not a Bullet Series ] - note the pots are very stiff to turn - not spin like crackly 1st Gen China junk or Korean AVOID "MADE in China" = cheap China parts - - LOOK for CRAFTED in China = better foreign parts older Korean Squiers have great thick bodies - so-so plain necks + crappy wiring [ if they don't crackle they've been gutted or are newer era ] - newer "Fender Korea" & Fender China are cheap Squiers - nothing worthwhile other than the decal [ they started out as Fender decal'd Squiers for the Asian market only ] - AVOID Made in Japan "Strats" - horrible stuff [ the Great Japan Squiers are ALL "Stratocaster" decals ] - Made in USA Squiers are rare but have no Fender USA parts... and some have the odd 3 bolt neck [ I had the rarer 80's Fender USA with "Squier Series" decal at the tip of the headstock ball - no Fender Logo parts - all the chrome was plain - I'm guessing it was closest to an Early Mex - early Fender Mex's also came with the Squier Series decal at tip ] BUY Used - it's always worth what you paid... and if it's cheap wiring you will know ! [ use a multi-tester and a gtr cable to go thru the pickups - vol + tone on full - see what you get in ohms or mV - cheap pickups will all read the same - - good stuff is biased for diff loc'ns on the guitar - common cheap single coils will read 3-4 ohms while good stuff reads 5-6 - also I must stress that you try it unplugged - that's where you notice Resonance and Sustain [ I have yet to see a YT channel that tests or compares elec guitars unplugged... I would love to hear an Alder body Classic Vibe compared to a Poplar CV one

26:18 VERY TRU! Thanks!

You should start the video by playing the guitar a little bit

Lol funny!

Gosh damn it, from all the colors they could make, they chose worst colors for lefties

Sharp- looking but lousy ceramics. To upgrade to alnico doesn't make guitar worth it. It uus definitely not a great guitar.

Too much talk, play the thing.