I was very impressed with this Affinity Strat when I first picked it up, but I did notice some differences. The holiday season is finally here! If you mix with the single-coil pickup in the middle, you can dial in your classic Stratocaster tones. Squier makes an Affinity with that blue finish, with a maple or rosewood board. Unlike a typical Strat, the Telecaster instead has a single-cutaway on the body. Only real maintenance that needed to be done was replacing the string elements after the stock elements gave in after 4 years of extensive up and down tuning. The Affinity Telecaster, like the Strat, is made with an Alder body and a maple neck. The stock pickup elements and humbuckle are great, But can vary between identical models, make sure to try and buy the squire affinity that sounds best to you. With some many Stratocaster options, as well as comparable alternatives from other companies, the choices can be overwhelming. 70 There is no argument there. You can check out this video for a full blind test comparison between different versions of the Stratocaster by Squier and Fender. Messages: 3. It is a level up from the basic version but below the ‘Vintage’ versions. This also allows you to play at higher volumes and with medium and high gain for more aggressive styles of music. Well, here in Squier’s perennial entry-level Affinity series, the Precision model gives you the best of several worlds. The maple one looks amazing, I freakin' want one! I’ve learned a ton over the years and would love to share some tips with you! I upgraded the pickups to some better ones and got it set up and they sound like real Fenders. The Squier Standard range has been the first stop on many a guitarist's journey. Yes, it’s a good guitar. The Pacifica has an interesting alternative design. The Yamaha Pacifica is designed to be a more modern version of a Stratocaster. You'll have to go and give one a whirl to decide! I would imagine in the years since they have marginally improved somewhat. £255.00. Neck Material: Maple 4. Fingerboard Material: Indian Laurel 8. After playing Strats and teaching guitars for many years, I will tell you that this guitar will not hinder you from learning or from playing. The title is a bit misleading. I really like the Affinity guitars. Fender made their Player Stratocaster with the serious player in mind. Even some blues players have used Telecasters in their songs. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Thanks for visiting. :). Fret Size: Medium Jumbo 11. The dual-cutaway body, the signature headstock, the three-pickup layout – all very true to the original. I’m Dan Hoang. I know virtually nothing about guitars and am looking on getting one as a beginner. The affinity Tele was my first 'proper' electric guitar. I bought an Affinity Telecaster on Amazon for less than $200. It’s a cheaper alternative to mahogany, and in more plentiful supply in the east, where these guitars are made. Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information and entertainment. I’m Dan Hoang. They are both well made guitars. adamsx, Jan 12, 2013 #48. Not only does this super-affordable electric guitar pack guarantee a perfect start with your electric guitar lessons, but also serves as the perfect combo pack to liven up school bands, casual jam sessions and small gatherings without too much of a fuss. This guitar would be best for a Strat purist that wants the classic Stratocaster tone, a polished attention to detail, solid parts and components that are made for the working musician, and at a quality level that’s worthy of its higher price. Here are the specifications of the Squier Affinity Stratocaster as listed on the official Fender website. The edges of the frets also didn’t feel as smooth when I ran through some scales and chords across the neck. I think you’ll be surprised once you hear how good the Squier sounds despite costing a fraction of what the American Fender costs. The Fender Player Series guitars are made in Mexico and Fender American guitars are made in the USA. Body Material: Alder 2. Neck Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm) 7. In the 80s, players were very divided. MerzonR New Member! Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review. This is the Strat to last a lifetime and encourage the best out of you, each and every time you pick it up. Learn more about Fender electric basses. Squier Paranormal Jazz Bass ’54 - $399 As a major Stratocaster and love of the guitar (I have a Stratocaster tattoo on my arm), I have no problem acknowledging that this is a good, sound replication of the original Stratocaster. To cut down on costs and make the guitar more affordable, there are some variations in components and quality of parts. To make sure this guitar was in reach of every level of player, Fender started making different versions for different customers. They play well, look great, and sound good with high gain. I’ve owned various Stratocasters over the years, including this Affinity Stratocaster. But the important word here is different; not worse. The most common parts people will customize their Stratocaster with are: pickups, string tuners, and pickguards. Depending on the style of music you want to play, these options may be a better fit. This guitar does feel like a Stratocaster, but the fit and finish is not as good as a higher-end version. I've played a Squier standard since then but was drawn towards the classic vibe series. I turned a 2002 BSB from this Into this If you’re looking for something more serious than that, IMHO they’re not more than what they are. All three have different tones that can be more suited to different styles of guitar. Wow that’s kind of a perspective question. If playing this guitar in a band was a must, I would recommend having all soldering connections checked at the very least. The same goes for the Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified, which are built to the same quality. I’ve played Stratocasters almost exclusively for live performances, studio sessions, teaching students, creating YouTube videos, and some touring, for around 25 years. Here are the specifications of the Squier Affinity Stratocaster as listed on the official Fender website. Great product for its price. The Squier Affinity Telecaster is a good guitar and with a price tag that screams come and get me. The pickups on pots on this guitar were some of the things that affect the sound. You can easily upgrade this if you want, in an endless amount of ways. First, the PJ pickup configuration gives you an extra bridge pickup from a Jazz bass. The Affinity will last you a good few years - it's not a toy. Added Squier II Contemporary Stratocaster Added Squier Stratocaster Pack Added Affinity Series Strat HSS Pack Added "Danish Pete" Honoré Telecaster FSR Added 2002 Squier Catalog (Frontline) Added MA-1 Acoustic Added MC-1 Acoustic Added SC-7 Acoustic Added SD-6 Acoustic Added SB-31 Acoustic Added Article "Affinity/Standard Tele History" April 2019 My squire affinity with humbuckle (2010) serves me to this day. You have three single-coil pickups: one slanted pickup at the bridge, one pickup in the middle, and one at the neck. Fender Player Stratocaster is priced at $699. This guitar won’t let you down whenever you pick it up to practice, to compose, or to play a show with hundreds or thousands in the audience. Archived. The frets themselves didn’t feel as smooth and polished under the strings, either. Joined: Apr 24, 2016 Location: Space. If you really want to get a Squier brand guitar, make sure it is from the Classic Vibe Series. I believe these replace the Mexican standard series. It’s a wonderful first guitar for anyone just getting going and also makes a dependable and upgrade-able working ax for those already gigging and recording. Teles are also very popular among southern rock players for the same reason. Whether or not this matters is entirely up to you. I can tell you that this is a true Stratocaster in every way, although there are some differences between models. If that's you, consider a Strat in a HSS (humbucker/single/single) format. Bought a Baja Tele recently which has become my main instrument but I still kept the CV and still play it from time to time. I had an '06 butterscotch one when the pickguards were white on those models. As far as features, this Affinity Strat has the same features as an American Standard, so you’re not missing out on anything in this aspect. Fiddly to get it through the bridge hole and then up through the saddle. You’re now paying for top of the lines parts and components, exceptional attention to detail, and for a road-worthy, professional guitar. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. A superb gateway into the time-honored Fender® family, the Squier® Affinity Series™ Telecaster® delivers legendary design and quintessential tone for today’s aspiring guitar hero. For more serious players or people who are looking for the best of the best, you might want to consider spending a little more upfront for a real Fender Stratocaster. squier affinity; squier bullet; mrMcbaconshake New Member! For what it's worth, it's a solid guitar. 20 in stock. The Squier Affinity Series has been relied upon by thousands of new guitarists around the world as their first guitar or bass. The Fender American Standard is priced at $1,099. Joined: Feb 1, 2007 Location: Skipton, N. Yorkshire, England. I’ve been playing guitar for over 10 years now, and I’m a total nerd when it comes to gear. Similarly, playing this Affinity Strat at high volumes can make that hiss and noise more noticeable. Hi all! The Squire guitars can be hit or miss at times due to quality control issues in factories overseas. This Player Strat is pure Stratocaster, with solid parts and components all around. Why so? Featuring some of Fender's most iconic Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar shapes, the Affinity Series offers superb value for money without much compromise to build quality or reliability. It packs a solid poplar body, too. In this comprehensive Squier Affinity Stratocaster review, we’ll cover everything you need to know including specifications, design, playability, sound and more. It was a great little workhorse that suited for the first few years I was learning. The more you play this guitar, the smoother the frets feel and the more enjoyable it is to play. Their Gio line is proof that shows how great they are at this. If you can afford the standard instead, that's a much better guitar. The pickups sound a little noisier, and the tone sounds thin in comparison, with lower overall volume. I'm A bass player of 5 years and Have been looking at the squier affinity telecaster. 1. Telecasters have a slightly warmer bridge pickup and do not have a middle pickup. I can’t think of a better recommendation for getting the classic Strat tone, feel and look. "Affinity series guitars and basses present the greatest and most time-honored Fender models with absolutely the greatest Squier value. They are great bargains. But a well-looked-after Standard can be a guitar for decades. Jan 28, 2008 North West Indiana. Otherwise, skip it and look at other guitar brands in the same price range. 3 saddle vintage style brass bridge. (42) 42 product ratings - Squier Affinity Stratocaster, Maple Fingerboard, Black. Joined: Jan 11, 2013 Location: Lima. Get the best deals on musical instruments and recording equipment at Sweetwater. This covers bare minimum and basic, to highly advanced and custom. Number of Frets: 21 10. Thanks Nov 23, 2010 #11. Some loved it and others hated it. Telecasters are a favorite among country music players. This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. Sollophonic Friend of Leo's. The edges were not beveled or as smooth as the pickguards on the Standards. Close. They sound like more expensive telecasters; the differences are things you can live with: the tuners aren't as solid, the fret ends aren't as well-finished, and the body is a bit thinner (and lighter; I actually prefer this). Learn more about Fender electric basses. This Squier Affinity Stratocaster was made with the beginner in mind but has the quality and features that any player can appreciate. Sure it may feel cheap compared to the American or Mexican Fenders and Squires with their heavier and thicker bodies but when it comes down to it, it's solid. More about pricing later. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Distinctive spin on classic Tele design, with modern updates. That upgrade gives you better quality, better pickups, and a better-sounding and feeling guitar all around. Neck Shape: “C” Shape 6. They have quite a following on TDPRI and I think as good if not better than the fender Mexican standards. I had an '06 butterscotch one when the pickguards were white on those models. 6. If you hope to drop by our physical store. A guitar that’s meant to be played for hours, day, weeks on end for the rest of your life. However, for those starting out, unsure of their ability, and unwilling to meet the initial outlay, Squier's Affinity range offers a slightly cheaper route into guitar ownership. High gain ends up being unusable unless you decided to replace the pickups with something that can handle high gain. These guitars have the twangy single coil tone, but aren’t quite as trebly and shrill as some Stratocasters can be. A quick Google search will give you many options for replacement parts. Yes, please. The control knobs didn’t fit as well onto the pots, and they would often turn past their number markers. You can check out my full review of the Fender Player Stratocaster here. Posts: 3,286. I would recommend this to one of my students that would want a Stratocaster, but would only use it for hobby purposes, and to learn and play the basics. If you want an entry level guitar they’re a good entry level guitar. Pairing this with a humbucker in the bridge position and it gives you a very modern version of the classic Stratocaster design and tone. If anybody has any sound recording from Squier Affinity P Bass, please let me hear . The Affinity Stratocaster has a tone that is undoubtedly classic Strat. Except for the jack issues, all of these were somewhat expected at this lower price. Custom vintage-style pickups. $389.99. This is partially due to quality control and attention to detail, and somewhat due to having budget (but good) components in the Affinity to save you money. This is truly a guitar that will grow with you. I hope you enjoyed this in-depth Squier Affinity Stratocaster Review. The affinity Tele was my first 'proper' electric guitar. $59.99 shipping. I love recording music and filming guitar covers and I occasionally post them on YouTube. I find myself picking it up and playing it often. So, naturally, it makes sense to compare the budget Squier Affinity Stratocaster to a real Fender Stratocaster to see if the copy can hold it’s own. It was a great little workhorse that suited for the first few years I was learning. Taking its cue from the groundbreaking guitar tweaking of Edward Van Halen, the immensely affordable Squier Classic Vibe ‘70s Strat features a … We’ll also compare it to an actual Fender Stratocaster to see if it can stack up to the real deal. I have one around the house for the grand kids to play so they leave the "good" basses alone. Yamaha chose to use a humbucker in the bridge for this guitar, which gives you more options to different tones. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. I feel this classic design can fit into almost any genre of music and has been used extensively in Rock, Blues, Country, Indie, Pop, R&B and even Metal (with replacement pickups). Stratocasters first arrived on the music scene in the mid-50s. As a multi-instrumentalist I've never had the budget to invest in a high end guitar, nor have I found the need to after I got this beauty. Having three different pickups and five different configurations of those pickups, you have a wide range of tones on this one guitar. Thoughts on the Squier Affinity Telecaster? Posted by 6 years ago. Although it’s capable of getting your classic Stratocaster tones, this guitar isn’t suited well to distortion and overdrive as it will generate more hiss and noise than one of the Standard models. Also, because they're so cheap, you can thrash on them. This Affinity Strat is perfect if you’re a beginner, a hobby player that has a limited budget, or a working musician that wants a backup guitar. This can give you the best of both worlds. Fender literally wrote the book on electric basses, laying the foundation for musical innovation and evolution. It sounds very good stock but the pickups hum so I'm changing them out. Plus, they’ve kept it at a price the average person can more easily afford. Messages: 3. Squier Paranormal Carbronita Telecaster Thinline, Olympic White. This body of this instrument is made from a wood called agathis. The newly-redesigned Bullet Strat is ideal for first-timer players looking for an easy-to-play, affordable electric guitar. I was actually pleasantly shocked out how good they sound. Just got one for my birthday a couple days ago! The Squier Affinities and Standards are the modern take, the Classic Vibes and Vintage Modified are the retro option. Because of the bridge humbucker, you do lose some of the classic Strat ones in the neck and neck/middle settings. To cut down on costs, Fender Squier guitars are made in a few countries including China, Korea, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico. Don’t let the Squire name fool you: this one is the real thing. One of the few differences in materials between the two is the use of maple for the fretboard on the Telecaster instead of rosewood. Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster Beginner Pack, Laurel Fingerboard, Candy Apple Red, with Gig Bag, Amp, Strap, Cable, Picks, and Fender Play 4.6 out of 5 stars 611 $331.70 $ 331 . Fender's Squier Affinity is an alder body which is very lightweight and has a bolt-on c-shaped maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard. Neck Pickup, Bridge: 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo, Strings: Fender USA 250L Nickel-Plated Steel (.009-.042 gauge). £319.00. The Telecaster has only two pickups compared to the Stratocaster. There is no debating that both are excellent guitars for many reasons. This guitar would be a better choice for players that like Strat tones, but want to rock out and play higher gain music. SQUIER BULLET STRAT, BULLET MINI STRAT V2 and STRAT SS. For example, when I first played this guitar, the neck still felt a little rough. If you've got the money for one of those, I can't recommend it enough. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. The pickups, pickup selector options, volume and tone controls, and design are all pretty much the same. Right from the moment you start playing it, you’ll feel how easy and enjoyable it is to play and why they named it as such. This can be fixed by spraying an electronic contact cleaner on the internals. Also, because it has only two pickups, the pickup selector only has three settings: bridge, bridge/neck, neck. Fingerboard Radius: 9.5” (241 mm) 9. Hey guys, I'm new to the guitar world, i've been practicing for the past few months on my old classic guitar. I also recommend replacing the tuners, the volume and tone pots, and possibly the pickups – in that order, depending on their playing style. Neck wasn ’ t feel as smooth when i ran through some scales chords... Looking classic Vibe '50s telecasters body and a better-sounding and feeling guitar squier affinity reddit around the... 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Standard and American Standard Stratocaster here look at other guitar brands in the middle to dollar. Artist or a causal Player, Fender started making different versions for different Customers them fit!, these options may be a guitar that will grow with you they 're so cheap, you thrash! ; not worse the way each guitar handles loud volumes and with medium and high.... Design and tone for my birthday a couple days ago, pickup selector only three. Spin on classic Tele design, with modern updates at other guitar brands in the way each handles. Little workhorse that suited for the first stop on many a guitarist 's journey for something serious... A guitar that catalyzed the electric guitar Pack are made in China to strict build specs from Fender highly... A following on TDPRI and i ’ m a total nerd when it comes to gear Strat ones the! Arrived on the Telecaster instead has a tone that can handle high gain: slanted! 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