Squier Stratocaster Standard (1996) Bargain Pawn Shop Guitar
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2021
- Anyone who knows anything about the history of the Fender Squire Stratocaster Standard guitar knows that Squier make excellent guitars just as good as Fender and in some case better than Fender USA. Squier is owned by Fender.
#stratocaster #squier #fender #squire #strat
In order understand how this whole Fender Squier thing got turned around you need to know some facts and a little bit of history about how manufacturing and marketing works.
Leo Fender revolutionised guitar making by introducing the methods of assembly line mass production.
1. Standardisation of the guitar's dimensions, components and expected quality.
2. Secondly by the division of construction methods into simple processes and assembly tasks.
I bought this Squier stratocaster because it was a "standard" and as such it should conform to Leo Fenders original specs and it does.
It felt right immediately in the hand.
I knew it would be good.
So what is a standard and why do we need them?
The dictionary explains it as:-
Standard definition
"A level of quality or attainment. Similar quality level grade degree worth calibre merit excellence"
Or
"Something used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations.
Often used or accepted as normal or average. usual, typical, stock, customary, expected, established, set, fixed."
Why would anyone want a standard? Well it gives the public a sense of consistency, continuity and assurance.
Imagine if every doctor you visited did their own thing? We need standards that we can rely on.
This Fender Squire Standard Stratocaster was made in 1996 as a reissue based on the 1962 stratocaster specifications which are considered by many guitarist and Fender as the benchmark for excellence for this particular guitar model.
All of the elements of the classic strat were in place by 1962.
The more durable and wear resistant Rosewood fingerboards were introduced in 1959 as they are more comfortable and durable and didn't show the common wear patterns of maple fret boards.
1996 was also the 50th anniversary Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) and so making a great guitar for the event was no doubt at the forefront of the marketing peoples minds.
Electric guitar review 4:20
Fender Stratocaster Standard Specifications.
Body: Full size solid hard wood body (Alder or Ash)
Neck: Maple Shallow C Shape
Scale: 25.5"
Width 1 3/4" inch thick body is the standard stratocaster size
Neck width: 42mm (Neck made by Atlansia Guitars)
Fretboard Radius; 9.5"
Fretboard: Rosewood 22 frets (rolled edges)
Position Inlays: Perloid Dots
Ceramic pickups? (Upgraded Pig Iron by Iron Gear UK)
Swimming pool routing
Tuners: Wilkinson Deluxe Kluson (work well and stay in tune)
Safety feature tuning pegs devised by Leo Fender
Pickguard: 8 hole vintage, three ply,
This Strat weighs 8.5 pounds full size alder body (Strats vary in weight depending on density of wood used which is governed by where on the tree the wood came from. The top of the tree will have higher density wood)
Vintage 8 screw pickguard
Vintage floating bridge tremolo arm (vibrato)
Trem block full size (Zinc)
5 way switch, tone control on the bridge pickup.(A 62' strat would have a 3 way switch)
This Strats single coil pickups output ohms made by Iron Gear model type Pig Iron.
Neck 5.6
Neck + Middle 2.98
Middle 6.10
Middle + Bridge 3.08
Bridge 6.06
Staggered pole pieces on the pickups
This Stratocaster was made in 1996 in the Yako (pronounced Ya-Geh) plant in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and they make great instruments to this day. The neck was made by Atlansia Guitars.
Why did I put this Standard Stratocaster specification together? It was very difficult to nail down the original specs set out by Leo Fender as the company has changed hands a few times but by comparing two Standard Stratocasters from the same era made in different countries (Mexico & Taiwan) I came to this result.
Fender changed the name of the Standard Stratocaster to the Professional Stratocaster.
If you want an affordable standard stratocaster based on the original specs then look for a 1996 Fender Squire Stratocaster.
Here is the current offering from Squire on Amazon. You can support the channel by using this link.
amzn.to/3yUrDPq
Gear used in this video.
1996 Squire Stratocaster
HB20-R Amp
Watch the next video in this serious • Squier Standard Strato...
Thanks for reading and watching.
Great find I'd have bought that myself , I have a Yako telecaster and it's great, I can't fault it.
Hello John, yep the Ysko factory produced incredibly good stratocasters.
It would be good to see a review of their Telecasters. 🎶🎸😊👍🏼
Some of the 90s guitars are quite sought after. That one looks like a beauty!
Great video Michael, all the best, Simon 🔥🎸
It's turned into quite the detective hunt. Looks like I picked up another absolute gem. It just felt right as soon as I held it.
I took it apart to have a look see what was under the pickguard. A pleasant surprise but even more surprises were on the heel of the neck. I'm still confirming things but what a find! Amazing luck 🎼🎶🎸👍
Just bought my teenage son a used squier standard s-s-s. 2008 vintage in cherry sunburst. Really an affordable option for a lot of guitar. Full size, better pickups, rosewood and better tuners. Really a great option if you can find one. Atleast locally it was even cheaper than a base model new bullet.
Yep this is often the case with squier standards. You get a lot of guitar for very little money. Older guitars just have more appeal to me too.
I hope your son enjoys owning such a useful and tuneful piece of musical history. The design is in itself a piece of art.
Well done Ozmosis on a great choice of this timeless classic stratocaster. 🎶🎸😊👍
@@molometer thanks, definitely not a music guy myself (60's vintage cars are my kick) but he really is injoying it. I looked at it the same as any tool. To me there's nothing that kills a young person's desire more than something that just feels cheap and poorly made. Its like a good set of hand tools and a vintage car, you just naturally want to spend time with them because they are special and unique (even if its mainly in your own head)
Good point about thinking about it as a tool at that is exactly what it is. A very specialized tool.
You're right about having the right tool for the job.
I'm sure your son will enjoy it for many years to come. Good choice.
The standardization of these guitars by Leo Fender solved a lot of issues in build consistency wherever they are built. 🎼🎶🎸👍
@@molometer yeah like all things in life quality is what we should be looking for. I think people forget that a cheaper (used) option dosen't necessarily mean it lacks quality or care in its construction or capabilities. Paired it up with a fender mustang lt25 (if you haven't played on one really kinda impressive what that little bugger can do). Now as a parent of a young son learning to play im preparing for weeks of "smoke on the water" practice...... the pets are far less impressed than my wife and I are 😁
@@ozmosis0074 Haha yes smoke on the water is a classic rite of passage for any budding player.
Give the pets a treat or two 😂🎶🎸👍
Very good video Molometer.
Thanks Dennis, it's a beauty.
By the way you asked what guitar string gauges I used on the acoustic guitar. They were lightweight 10's 🎶🎸👍😋
@@molometer thanks a lot Molometer, good to know your opinions.
I got a black SSS Squier Standard Strat with a chrome pickguard and black headstock out of Cash Converters recently. As soon as I had it in my hands, I also said, "I'll take it!". Paid it up, got it home after a few months and put a set of Elixir 8 guage strings on it - wotta guitar!
I may not bother putting the spare Seymour Duncan Versa Hot Rails pickup loaded pickguard on it now.
I've also got a Mexican Fender Strat already and this 2004 Indonesian Squier plays just as well. Squier Standard, Squier Deluxe and Squier SE/VM guitars are all excellent beginner, intermediate and beyond guitars. I never pass one up if I see one on sale!
Yep it's one of those things that you know right away from the first touch that it's gonna be a great guitar. Congratulations on finding another Squire stratocaster gem.
They are much better than many more expensive guitars. 🎶🎸👍🏼
@@molometer Do I have multiple Squier Standard Telecasters modded with new Pots, Seymour Duncan pickups, six way selector switches and upgraded input jacks? I couldn't possibly say..... :-)
@@Ronno4691 😂😂🎶🎸👍🏼 I'm hunting the pawn shops for an old squire telecaster.
@@molometer Scotland has a plethora of 'pawn' shops selling old (and new) Squiers: my local one had two Classic Vibe Tele & Strat for sale and they even got reduced in price after a month! I snapped up the black/chrome Squier Strat I got even though there were two CV Squiers knocked down to £150.00 each!
@@Ronno4691 I spent two weeks in Scotland touring last month. 😎
My first time in possible one of the most beautiful countries I've ever visited and I've seen a few. Scotland is magnificent.
I should have checked the pawn shops but I was so busy taking in all the sights.
I'll be coming back for sure and will do the cities and pawn shops next time.
The classic vibes are a steal at £150. Well done on grabbing one. 🎶🎸👍🏼
I had my first guitar is Squire Bullet Strat S-S-S Light Creme color made of Basswood. Very lightweight and i loved it. Souds bad, but i should upgrade a pickups and it would solve everything (except hum shielding).
Its just a great guitar needing a few cheap tweaks.
Tin foil the pickguard and get some cheap alnico 5 pickups and it'll sound like any fender strat. Total cost $20 🎼🎶🎸👍
@@molometer Yes. I guess mine was the cheapest version. Something around 100-120 USD. Chinese. Brand new from a store. Something from 2007. By that time i was just learning what it is. But it was really comfortable and easy to play. I even had no amp at all and play through a Korg pedal and a home theater speaker. Then i got a VOX 10 inch hybrid combo, which was sound like an intensively pumped cardbox on steroids, an extreme lead XL, but i remember the neck shape of the guitar was the best for me. I was painted it with a marker, cause it was a light color. Was inspired by Nirvana and overall punk/grunge.
Squier suppliers make excellent necks. Very comfortable to play.
This neck was made in Taiwan by Atlansia as I mentioned in the video.
So when you think it's from 'China' it may well be from Taiwan.
To be totally honest most brands have most of their guitars made in China, Indonesia even Fender!
Unless it states made in America it's probably Chinese or some such.
They make great guitars and much cheaper.
@@molometer Yeah, i liked it. Then i bought Cort X-6 SuperStrat H-S-H made of Maple. With Tune-o-Matic (or Floyd Rose Tremolo, how it called) It has a different neck shape and i was not in love with it. But it was a great quality guitar with black glossy finish. Pretty heavy. The sound was more controlled and it had an options for split coiling and different tones. The Humbuckers was not bad, but not cool either. Called MightyMite. I just put a Seymour Duncan TB-6 in bridge. It was sounds amazing. Definately a best buy, that pickup. But i didn't like this guitar as a Squire. Then i get married, she had a baby and i decided to sell everything, cause i'm not played for a long time already. That's a whole story of my guitar xp. I would try a Tele if i will be buying something again. Which i may find pretty helpful now, cause i can record. Previously it was just useless and hanging in a a bag. I played very-very rare.
Cort make a lot of guitars for big brands as well.
That's the issue with some guitars. If they don't feel right they don't get played.
I like turning squires into partsocasters and upgrading pickups and tuners to make an awesome playing cheapo strat.
Yeah that's a common route for many squires but not for this one. It's an absolute gem. I had no idea when I bought it. I just liked the feel of it. Turns out it's a pretty rare and desirable Squire. 🎶🎸👍👌😋
Just reminded me of an old friend who used to buy old cars and put souped up engines in. Hot rodding old bangers! 😂😂👍
Suits you sir !
Hi Kim how's it going. This thing sounds great through the mooer. It's like Jimihendrix just stepped into the room 😂😂🎶🎸👍
@@molometer Hi Michael, without wishing to get the violins out, I'm having a tough time of it at the moment trying to get through throat cancer treatment but must add it's looking on the positive side 70/80 % recovery rate. Squire Stratocaster looks great and I feel sure you will pull some sounds out of it, maybe the tune to the film Local Hero. Take care mate and best wishes to you ! Kim.
@@TheKimgower Well Kim you sure do know how to look on the bright side.
70% - 80% is pretty good odds.
I know chemotherapy can be dreadful. I do hope you're managing it well? I know the cure can be overwhelming but hopefully it's working and you'll get through it.
Local hero is a great tune. I'll give it a whirl.
I could say something stupid like. Keep your head up! But you know. It is what it is. Keep in touch if you feel up to it. 😷😘👍
Michael
@@molometer Cheers Michael , If you do manage to do a clip of Local hero that would be great as it's one of my Favourite Films and the music just adds to it !
@@TheKimgower I'll have to learn it first and then practice it. 🎼🎶🎸😂
I'll give it a go 👍
I’m not so sure that’s a standard Stratocaster. The squier logo looks like a water slide decal. The body is full thickness like a standard. And the truss rod slot doesn’t have the rosewood in it. The term block is full thickness. It looks like a partscaster.
Yep the decals are a bit of a mystery. Based on the Fenders history at the time.
The neck is the key clue. Atlansia made great necks for Fenders during this period.
I think this was originally carrying a Fender logo which was removed and replaced with the Squire decal?
I mentioned in the video that Squire were more desirable in the Asian markets.
The Iron Gear Pig Iron (UK) pickups are great quality and of course aftermarket additions.
Whatever we call it. It's a great guitar. 🎶🎸😎👍🏼
Yes the Asian guitars were desirable at the time. My first squier Stratocaster was from Korea back in 1990. But do like your guitar.
@@michaelroberts1904 The Korean strats were very well made and are sought after today. Have you still got your guitar?