Customer Reviews

Squier by Fender Standard Stratocaster Maple, Candy Apple Red

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This guitar is a great value, not being a low end squier. To start off it looks just like a Fender Strat. The finish is shiny and durable, though it doesn't let the wood grain show through.

It actually sounds like a Strat, not quite as good as a Fender standred or American one but close. The pickups sound a little bit more sharp and pingy than a higher quality guitar. It's a great lead guitar. The pickups are slightly noisy, which is to be expected from any guitar with single coils, even more expensive Strats (though I am sure they would be less). The frets don't feel really nice, but this guitar is only $240 so I don't really care.

If you have a decent amp this guitar can play a variety of sounds, it's nice clean or with distortion. Good for rock, but it's a little weak for metal.

I'd also like to say that the Squier Classic Vibe strat, which is a high end squier, for $350 HAS the sound of an expensive guitar. It sounds better than the standred fender strat, which is made in mexico and costs $500. If you can afford it get that.

Otherwise this guitar is decent.

I needed a Strat, wanted 22 Frets and a 2 point trem (I like to float mine, unlike so many strat players). The guitar set up easily after a neck shim and an additional spring. Finish is OK, though in the right light you can see where the body was glued together even through the candy red finish. My only real complaint is the fretwork - worst fret job I've ever seen on any new guitar. I LOVE cheap guitars, and I've got a Danelectro, Agile, Epiphone, and a few Ibanez's, and they all have acceptable to wonderful fretwork. The first time I really went to town on the strat, the high E got caught up under the 22nd fret after a little excited strumming. Had to file it and tap it down with a brass hammer to make it useable. I've gigged with the guitar since, and had no issues. Pickups are super low output, so use a pedal/preamp if you need to push your amp. Tuning is rock solid stable even with floating the standard trem, though I attribute that to the way I set it up, your results may vary.

A nice entry level guitar, don't waste your money on the Fender Starcaster. The Esquire is a nice guitar to try out to see if you are serious about playing. The next step up would be the American Standard HSS. Ten times the guitar at four times the price. Opt for a nice quality amp and skip the cheap Fender amp. The middle price 15 watt amp is ample for home play.