Squier Strat vs Squier Bullet vs Squier Affinity Strat
- Thread starter kengster
- Start date
(I'll state the more important features)
Squier Standard Series:
-Agathis Body
-2 Point Floating Tremolo
-Pickups with Alnico 2 magnets
-22 Frets
Squier Affinity Series:
-Thinner body
-Alder body
-Vintage Tremolo
-21 Frets
Squier Bullet:
-Laminated hardwood body
-Fixed Bridge
-1 Humbucker at bridge
If you are planning to buy a squier guitar (strat) which you'll probably want to keep for a lifetime (or at least for a good period of time), go ahead and go for the standard series. Affinity series is fine, but I'll let the more experienced explain.
You might also want to consider other alternatives such as the SX Stratocaster which is available at Davis Guitars for $195 as a package (well worth it, though there are a bit of issues, read the review on SX SST-62 in the Guitar reviews section)
Squier Standard Series:
-Agathis Body
-2 Point Floating Tremolo
-Pickups with Alnico 2 magnets
-22 Frets
Squier Affinity Series:
-Thinner body
-Alder body
-Vintage Tremolo
-21 Frets
Squier Bullet:
-Laminated hardwood body
-Fixed Bridge
-1 Humbucker at bridge
If you are planning to buy a squier guitar (strat) which you'll probably want to keep for a lifetime (or at least for a good period of time), go ahead and go for the standard series. Affinity series is fine, but I'll let the more experienced explain.
You might also want to consider other alternatives such as the SX Stratocaster which is available at Davis Guitars for $195 as a package (well worth it, though there are a bit of issues, read the review on SX SST-62 in the Guitar reviews section)
subversion
Moderator
a good squire to start with would be the Standard model. if you can still find the fantastic California series, do grab one.
the affinity strat could have been better, strangely, the affinity basses fare better (tone/ feel-wise).
the affinity strat could have been better, strangely, the affinity basses fare better (tone/ feel-wise).
subversion
Moderator
these are chinese production, regional exclusive...
subversion
Moderator
as stated above... (my post).
Everdying
New member
@ harmonic, 43mm is actually standard on the fenders.
if not mistaken, the only 42mm necks on fenders are the vintage reissues, but of cos those have 7.25" radius fretboards.
california series also have very slim, you could say fast necks.
its cheaper mainly due to it using basswood, so if thats a turn-off for you, then just get the affinity.
of cos you have to go try them, i once tried 3 different california series.
1 of them had sharp fret edges sticking over the fretboard, another had uneven frets.
the 3rd one played ok tho
if not mistaken, the only 42mm necks on fenders are the vintage reissues, but of cos those have 7.25" radius fretboards.
california series also have very slim, you could say fast necks.
its cheaper mainly due to it using basswood, so if thats a turn-off for you, then just get the affinity.
of cos you have to go try them, i once tried 3 different california series.
1 of them had sharp fret edges sticking over the fretboard, another had uneven frets.
the 3rd one played ok tho
fgl
Well-known member
the calif tele i bot new had a "brand new" neck feel to it so I light sanded the edges as well as polished up the frets for a "played in" feel.
The pups gotta go sooner or later (probably sooner) but I've wired 500K pots to it for the time being with a .22 cap to get a slightly cleaner, brighter tone...
debuts at Fluid bar this friday .... lets see what happens...
The pups gotta go sooner or later (probably sooner) but I've wired 500K pots to it for the time being with a .22 cap to get a slightly cleaner, brighter tone...
debuts at Fluid bar this friday .... lets see what happens...
fgl
Well-known member
Used my California Series Squier Strat at Fluid last night...
1 day prior to the gig I changed the pots to ernie ball 500K pots .22 cap & gotoh 3 way selector... here's my verdict:
feel - after I "artificially seasoned" the neck edges and brought down the action to a relatively low setting, it was nice & smooth to play, easy access to even higher register frets. The 500K pots seems to bring out more clarity for the basswood body & rosewood fretboard as compared to the 250K stock pots...
Tone - stock picks were nice especially the neck pup for clean rhythm work BUT BOTH PUPS sucked and SQUEELED like a whinning pig when flat out with distortion. Hardly any feedback - just piercing MICROPHONIC squeels.
THE STOCK PICK UPS GOTTA GO....
Tuning heads - stayed in tune surprisingly well for Oriental made diecast types - but I may switch to locking grovers anyway...
Comfort - Im used to both strats & teles and this california series model was quite ok weight wise - a little heavier than my previous ash body teles but was easy on a tired body anyway even after 3 jumping "hot" sets...
VERDICT: I'm keeping this California Series Squier Tele but upgrading pups to hum cancelling types and using it for my country / retro session gigs..
1 day prior to the gig I changed the pots to ernie ball 500K pots .22 cap & gotoh 3 way selector... here's my verdict:
feel - after I "artificially seasoned" the neck edges and brought down the action to a relatively low setting, it was nice & smooth to play, easy access to even higher register frets. The 500K pots seems to bring out more clarity for the basswood body & rosewood fretboard as compared to the 250K stock pots...
Tone - stock picks were nice especially the neck pup for clean rhythm work BUT BOTH PUPS sucked and SQUEELED like a whinning pig when flat out with distortion. Hardly any feedback - just piercing MICROPHONIC squeels.
THE STOCK PICK UPS GOTTA GO....
Tuning heads - stayed in tune surprisingly well for Oriental made diecast types - but I may switch to locking grovers anyway...
Comfort - Im used to both strats & teles and this california series model was quite ok weight wise - a little heavier than my previous ash body teles but was easy on a tired body anyway even after 3 jumping "hot" sets...
VERDICT: I'm keeping this California Series Squier Tele but upgrading pups to hum cancelling types and using it for my country / retro session gigs..
fgl
Well-known member
bin4christ
New member
subversion: u mean they're made in china and only for sale in china ala fender jap? are they still selling them in china?
Erm..Why is standard more recommended when affinity has an alder body(helps in d sound quality) while a standard has an agathis body(very little or no help at all for d sound produced)...is it because of the pickups dat people are recommending each other to buy the standard? Coz i'm not considering bout the pickups as i'm planning to change them, hence which would be a better guess? affinity or standard? anyone?
