It's always great to hear someone talk about guitars when you can hear in their voice, love of the instruments. Squier is making their best stuff ever!!
Thanks! Since a Squier was my first electric guitar, it's always been a favorite of mine. I'm not the first person to say this, but we are living in the golden age of guitars, especially when it comes to more affordable brands like Squier and Epiphone. They are building them better, and students now have a better chance of getting a quality instrument at an affordable price than when I first started playing. Thanks for watching!
The Squier line is better than ever. I'm a longtime player, almost 40 years, and my first guitar was a Squier strat. My newest guitar is also a Squier strat, but with an HSS configuration. It's much higher quality than the Squier I got in the mid 80s. I got it new for $160. It plays great, sounds great, and stays in tune. I'd recommend it to anyone from a beginner to a professional. The whole line punches well above its price point. For years I avoided Squiers, but after testing out a whole bunch of strats I decided this was the best value for the money and this guitar just clicked with me. It's just a damned solid guitar.
Agreed. The quality of the Squier line has always been solid. Plus, it seems Squier has the more interesting options with models and colors compared to the Fender MIM and MIA lines. I was told that Fender makes more money on Squier than Fender, so it would make sense to offer more in that brand. Thanks for watching!
My brother's first guitar in 1990-91 was a Squier II Strat with a bridge humbucker. Heaviest guitar ever. I own 3 myself including an Affinity Strat, an M-80 and a Contemporary Tele RH which is just the body and neck now as a parts caster platform. The roasted maple neck on that is EVERY bit as wonderful as the neck on my LP. The last 3-4 years of middle-"high end" Squiers has been fantastic as a platform. For example, as I got better at playing I'd keep upgrading my Affinity Strat and the body, neck, and bridge are still original and it plays wonderfully. Great video. Cheers.
Thanks for watching! Great to hear feedback on the roasted maple neck on the Contemporary series. I may have to hit the local music store and try out a few more Squiers and report back. They just keep knocking it out of the park with cool and unique models.
I had a silver series Strat in the late 80s early 90s that was awesome . I bought my daughter the blue Sonic Mustang for Christmas and she loves it , but Id love one of the Starcaster hollow bodies . I love that headstock .
A 12 string guitar?! Im barely getting by with six strings, I cant imagine the challenge it would be to know all the chords and notes for an instrument with double the amount of strings. Wow, there are some talented folks out there to play such a beast!
They aren't bad to play. The second set of strings are right next to the standard set, so the open chords aren't much tougher. The real time-consuming part is the string changes.
They're tuned in unison/ octave. It's like playing a 6-string but harder to bend hence worse for lead. Lovely natural chorus effect for chording and rhythm. Place a capo up above 5th fret for a very reasonable mandolin tone.
I just bought a Squier Mustang and went for a 2017 Bullet over a new Sonic because the basswood body is fully contoured and super light weight where as the Sonic is great but a slab body .and half a pound heavier [tho still light]
22:13 since Tom delonge is back to fender now and his new sig isnt a strat but a starcaster we are getting a MIM tom delonge starcaster!its one pickup one knob and it got leakead with preorders on an australian dealer.
Interesting, and I'm sure it will sell, but the Delonge version looks like it's going to be setup just like his Stratocasters, one volume knob and one high output pickup in the bridge. If you are into the CV versions, this probably isn't what you want. However, if you are interested in the Contemporary or upcoming EVH semi hollow models this might be more up your alley. Thanks for the information and thanks for watching!
I’m looking to start getting into modding my own guitars. Do you have any experience? I was wondering if you thought a Squier or possibly a Jet strat would be better. Maybe even Harley Benton?
Thanks for the comment Michael. I have experience in modding quite a few Squiers and I've owned a couple of Harley Benton guitars. I think modding these relatively inexpensive guitars is a good learning experience and changing out the hardware like the tuners, bridge and string trees will really help the tuning stability, which is one of the two big areas where student guitars tend to fall short. The Harley Benton line is interesting, but ultimately I didn't find them to be any better of a value compared to what we can get from Amazon, especially if you consider the international shipping from Thomann. I'm planning a follow up on this series going over the "Amazon" guitars like Donner, Eart, Glarry, etc.
They are perfect for modding to your own tastes . Leo Fender always planned his instruments , to be able to swap parts out or replace in the case of broken .
Thanks for your comment. As far as I can tell, Squier has no official "Standard" series anymore. Based on my research, they stopped offering a "Standard" line within the last ten years or so. The series that would come close would be the Affinity, but it will have a thinner body.
@@SapulpaGuitarAcademy When I bought my Squire Standard Strat in 99, it was the top of the line model, and was considered by many to be a better instrument that the Mexican Fender, except for the pickups/wiring. Loaned it to a friend to go on tour with, so he didn't have to take his first batch PRS out on the road with him. He didn't want to give it back, so he was going to buy me another one (after hounding him for a couple of years), and found out they didn't make that particular one anymore-it had the big 70's headstock. If you are lucky enough to still have one, don't part with it, unless you want to sell it to ME, of course. Pre 99/2000 Squires are high grade, then they kind of went down hill, then they came back around 2015, or so. Now the quality has gotten to the point to where it's stupid to buy a Fender, unless you are just a rich collector, because it's a realistically pro-grade instrument now, and all you need to do is drop a prewired pickguard in it, and go to work. IF you can find work, that is, because it's all gone.
Good point, especially with a new MIM Fender retails at over $1k. When I was younger I didn't have the $499 to buy the new MIM back in the 90s so I can't imagine how kids feel today.
Thanks for watching. Usually, import tax from one country to another plus the cost of shipping internationally can affect pricing like this. This can turn an "affordable" guitar into a mid priced guitar quickly and, as a result, make it difficult to compete. That's why Made In Japan guitars have a difficult time getting a foothold in the States due to the import taxes that have to be paid to bring in a guitar from Japan. It's almost an additional 10% added to the cost of the guitar, and that's just one instance.
@@SapulpaGuitarAcademy yeah, sadly I'm looking for a new guitar after moving and having to sell my old one, but here there are few options and they are very expensive A tele classic vibe costs around 800 usd
kinda bummed out you glossed over the sonic/bullet mustangs. in my opinion that's the ultimate student guitar. the slightly shorter 24" scale is more comfortable for smaller hands and bodies but it is big enough that adults and teenagers won't feel embarrassed playing like the minis.
Yeah, I think my bias against offset guitars is showing a little bit there. I ended up focusing more on the Stratocasters as that's what I see more of my students with also. Thanks for watching, and I really do appreciate the feedback.
Have a Squire series that I've be working on overtime, should I shield it? Tried Some Tony Hatch traditional, but not so pleased, higher output than the stock, but the articulation isn't there. Perhaps they need to be cranked up. They were only like I dunno 80 for the 3 singles, so I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. Guess I could try shielding, what the heck.
So, I have never shielded a Stratocaster personally, but apparently it's not a difficult process. I don't get too hung up on the infamous sixty cycle hum unless it's unusually loud, but I also play a lot on smaller practice amps during my lessons and those little guys are very forgiving sonically if you don't crank them too loud. With the pickups, are you referring to Tone Hatch out of Nebraska? I've never played their pickups before so I can't comment on them sonically, but I can tell you from experience that higher output pickups won't always generate a better result, especially in regards to articulation. Looking at their website it looks like they use a variety of Alnico magnets. If you made the switch from a ceramic Squier to say an Alnico II or III based magnet, it may sound a little darker. Whereas an Alnico V magnet may sound a little brighter, but this can also be influenced by the overall output in my experience. It could also come down to playing with the distance of the pickups to the strings. The closer the pickups are to the strings, the stronger the output, but it may come with a "muddier" sound, whereas if the strings are further away the sound may be brighter, but also weaker in sound. Thanks for watching and the feedback!
Thanks for your reply. Yeah it can be complicated for sure! I've played around with pick up height and now they're set low but, ho estly you really can't hear that much difference . I think it really comes down to volume and getting enough impedance to drive the pups, but I have to try and keep it down due to neighbors (as best I can anyway) you know how that goes.
It's always great to hear someone talk about guitars when you can hear in their voice, love of the instruments.
Squier is making their best stuff ever!!
Thanks! Since a Squier was my first electric guitar, it's always been a favorite of mine. I'm not the first person to say this, but we are living in the golden age of guitars, especially when it comes to more affordable brands like Squier and Epiphone. They are building them better, and students now have a better chance of getting a quality instrument at an affordable price than when I first started playing. Thanks for watching!
@@SapulpaGuitarAcademy 👍👍💯
The Squier line is better than ever. I'm a longtime player, almost 40 years, and my first guitar was a Squier strat. My newest guitar is also a Squier strat, but with an HSS configuration. It's much higher quality than the Squier I got in the mid 80s. I got it new for $160. It plays great, sounds great, and stays in tune. I'd recommend it to anyone from a beginner to a professional. The whole line punches well above its price point. For years I avoided Squiers, but after testing out a whole bunch of strats I decided this was the best value for the money and this guitar just clicked with me. It's just a damned solid guitar.
Agreed. The quality of the Squier line has always been solid. Plus, it seems Squier has the more interesting options with models and colors compared to the Fender MIM and MIA lines. I was told that Fender makes more money on Squier than Fender, so it would make sense to offer more in that brand. Thanks for watching!
My brother's first guitar in 1990-91 was a Squier II Strat with a bridge humbucker. Heaviest guitar ever. I own 3 myself including an Affinity Strat, an M-80 and a Contemporary Tele RH which is just the body and neck now as a parts caster platform. The roasted maple neck on that is EVERY bit as wonderful as the neck on my LP. The last 3-4 years of middle-"high end" Squiers has been fantastic as a platform. For example, as I got better at playing I'd keep upgrading my Affinity Strat and the body, neck, and bridge are still original and it plays wonderfully.
Great video. Cheers.
Thanks for watching! Great to hear feedback on the roasted maple neck on the Contemporary series. I may have to hit the local music store and try out a few more Squiers and report back. They just keep knocking it out of the park with cool and unique models.
I had a silver series Strat in the late 80s early 90s that was awesome . I bought my daughter the blue Sonic Mustang for Christmas and she loves it , but Id love one of the Starcaster hollow bodies . I love that headstock .
The contemporary Strat has an actual Floyd rose, you can even see the logo on it.
Good catch. The Ole Floyd Special at work.
Nice job, Sir. I'm not a big fan of Fender but thanks for mentioning it.
Thanks for watching! I appreciate the feedback.
Squire Baritone changed my life.
High end Squiers today are better than 90s MIMs and almost as good as today's Player Strats. And they look cooler.
Nice review, thanks! At some point though, I began to wonder what color you actually like, maybe black...😀
Thanks for watching Phil! Hey, I do like the white blonde Classic Vibe! That's a nice color. 😄
A 12 string guitar?! Im barely getting by with six strings, I cant imagine the challenge it would be to know all the chords and notes for an instrument with double the amount of strings. Wow, there are some talented folks out there to play such a beast!
They aren't bad to play. The second set of strings are right next to the standard set, so the open chords aren't much tougher. The real time-consuming part is the string changes.
The strings are so close they are perceived at fingertip as one string!! 👍 don't worry 😉
They're tuned in unison/ octave. It's like playing a 6-string but harder to bend hence worse for lead. Lovely natural chorus effect for chording and rhythm.
Place a capo up above 5th fret for a very reasonable mandolin tone.
I just bought a Squier Mustang and went for a 2017 Bullet over a new Sonic because the basswood body is fully contoured and super light weight where as the Sonic is great but a slab body .and half a pound heavier [tho still light]
Hello, I'm new to your UA-cam Channel. Thanks For Sharing 🎸🎶🎶
Thank you for watching! More of these "Let's Talk" videos will be coming up soon.
Fender should make a JACK PEARSON edition Squire
Great video!
Thanks for watching!
22:13 since Tom delonge is back to fender now and his new sig isnt a strat but a starcaster we are getting a MIM tom delonge starcaster!its one pickup one knob and it got leakead with preorders on an australian dealer.
Interesting, and I'm sure it will sell, but the Delonge version looks like it's going to be setup just like his Stratocasters, one volume knob and one high output pickup in the bridge. If you are into the CV versions, this probably isn't what you want. However, if you are interested in the Contemporary or upcoming EVH semi hollow models this might be more up your alley. Thanks for the information and thanks for watching!
@@SapulpaGuitarAcademy well luckily Im a blink 182 fan so this model will be right up my alley.much love from turkey!
I’m looking to start getting into modding my own guitars. Do you have any experience? I was wondering if you thought a Squier or possibly a Jet strat would be better. Maybe even Harley Benton?
Thanks for the comment Michael. I have experience in modding quite a few Squiers and I've owned a couple of Harley Benton guitars. I think modding these relatively inexpensive guitars is a good learning experience and changing out the hardware like the tuners, bridge and string trees will really help the tuning stability, which is one of the two big areas where student guitars tend to fall short. The Harley Benton line is interesting, but ultimately I didn't find them to be any better of a value compared to what we can get from Amazon, especially if you consider the international shipping from Thomann. I'm planning a follow up on this series going over the "Amazon" guitars like Donner, Eart, Glarry, etc.
They are perfect for modding to your own tastes . Leo Fender always planned his instruments , to be able to swap parts out or replace in the case of broken .
All guitars have issues and
imperfections.
Thank you. where does the standard fit in this series.
Thanks for your comment. As far as I can tell, Squier has no official "Standard" series anymore. Based on my research, they stopped offering a "Standard" line within the last ten years or so. The series that would come close would be the Affinity, but it will have a thinner body.
@@SapulpaGuitarAcademy When I bought my Squire Standard Strat in 99, it was the top of the line model, and was considered by many to be a better instrument that the Mexican Fender, except for the pickups/wiring. Loaned it to a friend to go on tour with, so he didn't have to take his first batch PRS out on the road with him.
He didn't want to give it back, so he was going to buy me another one (after hounding him for a couple of years), and found out they didn't make that particular one anymore-it had the big 70's headstock.
If you are lucky enough to still have one, don't part with it, unless you want to sell it to ME, of course.
Pre 99/2000 Squires are high grade, then they kind of went down hill, then they came back around 2015, or so.
Now the quality has gotten to the point to where it's stupid to buy a Fender, unless you are just a rich collector, because it's a realistically pro-grade instrument now, and all you need to do is drop a prewired pickguard in it, and go to work. IF you can find work, that is, because it's all gone.
Good point, especially with a new MIM Fender retails at over $1k. When I was younger I didn't have the $499 to buy the new MIM back in the 90s so I can't imagine how kids feel today.
here where I live, a sonic costs 400 usd and the minimum wage is 200 usd, so it should be more than a first guitar
Thanks for watching. Usually, import tax from one country to another plus the cost of shipping internationally can affect pricing like this. This can turn an "affordable" guitar into a mid priced guitar quickly and, as a result, make it difficult to compete. That's why Made In Japan guitars have a difficult time getting a foothold in the States due to the import taxes that have to be paid to bring in a guitar from Japan. It's almost an additional 10% added to the cost of the guitar, and that's just one instance.
@@SapulpaGuitarAcademy yeah, sadly
I'm looking for a new guitar after moving and having to sell my old one, but here there are few options and they are very expensive
A tele classic vibe costs around 800 usd
Wow, that's a tough price to pay. As much as I love the classic vibe series, it's definitely not an $800 guitar...at least right now.
kinda bummed out you glossed over the sonic/bullet mustangs. in my opinion that's the ultimate student guitar. the slightly shorter 24" scale is more comfortable for smaller hands and bodies but it is big enough that adults and teenagers won't feel embarrassed playing like the minis.
Yeah, I think my bias against offset guitars is showing a little bit there. I ended up focusing more on the Stratocasters as that's what I see more of my students with also. Thanks for watching, and I really do appreciate the feedback.
Have a Squire series that I've be working on overtime, should I shield it? Tried Some Tony Hatch traditional, but not so pleased, higher output than the stock, but the articulation isn't there. Perhaps they need to be cranked up. They were only like I dunno 80 for the 3 singles, so I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. Guess I could try shielding, what the heck.
So, I have never shielded a Stratocaster personally, but apparently it's not a difficult process. I don't get too hung up on the infamous sixty cycle hum unless it's unusually loud, but I also play a lot on smaller practice amps during my lessons and those little guys are very forgiving sonically if you don't crank them too loud. With the pickups, are you referring to Tone Hatch out of Nebraska? I've never played their pickups before so I can't comment on them sonically, but I can tell you from experience that higher output pickups won't always generate a better result, especially in regards to articulation. Looking at their website it looks like they use a variety of Alnico magnets. If you made the switch from a ceramic Squier to say an Alnico II or III based magnet, it may sound a little darker. Whereas an Alnico V magnet may sound a little brighter, but this can also be influenced by the overall output in my experience. It could also come down to playing with the distance of the pickups to the strings. The closer the pickups are to the strings, the stronger the output, but it may come with a "muddier" sound, whereas if the strings are further away the sound may be brighter, but also weaker in sound. Thanks for watching and the feedback!
Thanks for your reply. Yeah it can be complicated for sure! I've played around with pick up height and now they're set low but, ho estly you really can't hear that much difference . I think it really comes down to volume and getting enough impedance to drive the pups, but I have to try and keep it down due to neighbors (as best I can anyway) you know how that goes.
Can u check out JET guitars?
35:17 I have a Classic Vibe Starcaster but it has CuNiFe pickups not AlNiCo pickups.
I noticed that. Good catch. I don't remember if they've always had the wide range humbuckers, but that's a nice touch either way. Thanks for watching!
Like Sapulpa oklahoma?
Yes sir! Thanks for tuning in!