I just purchased an 04 China made deluxe standard, and can't believe what a great guitar it is. I'll be swapping out the tuning keys and the pots, switch etc. The pickups will stay...
Excellent review. I'm not a Strat guy but this color is very sharp and the sound of those Alnico single coils is amazing. If close your eyes and just listen, you'd never guess this was
Thank you for the kind words! I really digged this guitar for the price and the finish is beaitiful. I think the pickups have really good tone but I wished they had a bit more output. Other than that, great axe for the price.
@@RafsGearReviews Have you tried setting the pickups to 1/4 inch from the heavier strings and maybe a little less on the treble side? Might be the problem ... set them while holding down the respective string at its highest fret, the one right next to the pickups.
Yes, the FMT Sienna Sunburst that I see on line (HSS) is the Affinity series that have ceramic pups and a thinner body. Also the humbucker bridge is a two wire so cannot be split to single coil. Don't understand why Squier (and Fender) do that, most people buying a Strat want the versatility of high output humbucker pup AND the classic twang of a single coil pup. Even the Fender Player HSS does not split the bridge, although that is a four wire bucker, so can be split with a toggle or S1 push/pull switch 👍.
Too bad they don't make it around here. All they offer is the squier standard in the amber burst. Sharp color but it's crsppy. Agathis body, not alder and the pups are not alnico. Hang onto to yours. That's special.
Don Lessnau I’m in Australia and I just picked one up second hand in perfect condition / it’s a tobacco sunburst flame maple top ( 2004 build) Indonesia.. its great
Don, all the new Indonesian made Strat Standard models come with Alnico PUPs. I have a 2015 model and it comes with Alnico 3s. There is nothing wrong with the Agathis body. Don't let anyone convince you that Alder sounds better. Where do you live that you are getting all this wrong information about the Standards?
@@ToddSauve Agreed. I have a 2008 Indonesian Standard, I know it has Alnico pups, but not sure which ones; I thought they were Alnico V but you may be right about Alnico III (they seem to have a lower output than my Chinese Standard). Nothing wrong with Agathis body, I have 2018 Chinese Standard that I understand has an Agathis body (hardness 730lbf midway between Alder 650blf and Mahogany 900blf). It has Alnico V pups and sounds great (clear/bright clean & distorted). Having both the Indonesian & Chinese Standard I can confirm there are some differences. Indonesian: Bridge pivot pillars are two part; black Allen key inner pillars that screw into serrated metal outer pillars pressed into the body (as per this video) Vs Chinese plated single piece slot head pillar screwed directly into the body. Indonesia: Pup pole piece height different, much higher on G string (this might be due to Alnico III Vs Alnico V). Indonesian seems warmer lower output, Chinese seems brighter higher output...I prefer the crispness of the Chinese. Indonesian: Skunk Stripe on back of maple neck with Rosewood fretboard Vs no stripe on Chinese version. Skunk stripe usually required to insert the truss rod on a ONE piece maple neck, not where a Rosewood fretboard is added after. The Indonesian seems to have Skunk stripe by default (common neck whether fretboard will be rosewood or maple). Tuners and string trees slightly different (not significant). Rosewood fretboard on 2008 Indonesian Vs Indian Laurel on 2018 Chinese (not significant). Curiously, the Indonesian version continued in parallel with the Chinese version but having different build standards. Seems that the Indonesian Standard did not run much after 2017, and the Chinese much after 2018. Just ordered a 2017 Indonesian with a gorgeous FMT for a very good price 😂.
Hey there. I'm thinking about getting this very guitar because of the alnico vs Ceramic pups in the MIM Strats and the finish on this guitar is also only on a MIM model but then I'd have to change the pups (I despise Ceramic pups too damn bright but I want this finish.) The name on the headstock is not relevant. My question is do you know exactly what kind of Alnico magnets this guitar has? Alnico 2 or 3 or 4 or 5? So on and so fourth. I'm extremely in preference of Al. 5 pups so if this guitar has them or even alnico 2 will be picking one of these up.
Hey man, It's tough to answer that as I sold this some time back but If I had to guess, they felt like low output Alnico V's. That being said the top end lacked a bit so I feel that if you were to get one and keep the pickups you might want to upgrade some of the electronics on it. If you can get a Mexican strat I would recommend you do that, though I understand your gripe about ceramics (I actually enjoy them on an HSS configuration though 😅) so you would do well to check out the new Player's series, as that might be more like what you're looking for. They have a model in cherry sunburst with 3 single coil alnico pickups, upgraded 2 point trem, 22 frets, C shaped neck with a 9.5 radius like this Squier Deluxe and the Fender Spaguetti logo (which I think looks great). The neck and fretboard have no clear coat on them and feel pretty smooth. The only downfall for you might be that they put a black pickguard on the flame maple cherry sunburst but everything else seems to be what you're looking for. If that's not an option the Squier's still solid but do consider that electronics upgrade on it. Cheers and thanks for watching!
I have an '09 Cherry Sunburst (no flame top). Agree with the reviewer, pickups are so-so, the guitar plays very well. The great thing about strats is the ease of dropping a loaded pickguard if you want to change.
I have a 2015 Indonesian Squier Stratocaster Standard and it has Alnico 3 pickups. I think that is what all the recent ones use. Also, all the recent Standard models use the two point trem system, not the old six screw system.
I checked it out with Fender customer service and they gave me all the specs for my individual Squier Strat according to its serial number via email. You should just drop them an email and they'll send you all your specs right down to the nth degree, too!
I just purchased an 04 China made deluxe standard, and can't believe what a great guitar it is. I'll be swapping out the tuning keys and the pots, switch etc.
The pickups will stay...
That was a rocking jam session!
Excellent review. I'm not a Strat guy but this color is very sharp and the sound of those Alnico single coils is amazing. If close your eyes and just listen, you'd never guess this was
Thank you for the kind words! I really digged this guitar for the price and the finish is beaitiful. I think the pickups have really good tone but I wished they had a bit more output. Other than that, great axe for the price.
@@RafsGearReviews Have you tried setting the pickups to 1/4 inch from the heavier strings and maybe a little less on the treble side? Might be the problem ... set them while holding down the respective string at its highest fret, the one right next to the pickups.
The new FMT Sienna Sunburst is actually a step down it has 21 frets and the maple fretboard doesn’t match as well as this rosewood.
Yes, the FMT Sienna Sunburst that I see on line (HSS) is the Affinity series that have ceramic pups and a thinner body. Also the humbucker bridge is a two wire so cannot be split to single coil. Don't understand why Squier (and Fender) do that, most people buying a Strat want the versatility of high output humbucker pup AND the classic twang of a single coil pup. Even the Fender Player HSS does not split the bridge, although that is a four wire bucker, so can be split with a toggle or S1 push/pull switch 👍.
Like it, Made in Indonesia ❤️
is this guitar discontinued?
Too bad they don't make it around here. All they offer is the squier standard in the amber burst. Sharp color but it's crsppy. Agathis body, not alder and the pups are not alnico. Hang onto to yours. That's special.
Don Lessnau I’m in Australia and I just picked one up second hand in perfect condition / it’s a tobacco sunburst flame maple top ( 2004 build) Indonesia.. its great
Don, all the new Indonesian made Strat Standard models come with Alnico PUPs. I have a 2015 model and it comes with Alnico 3s. There is nothing wrong with the Agathis body. Don't let anyone convince you that Alder sounds better. Where do you live that you are getting all this wrong information about the Standards?
@@ToddSauve Agreed. I have a 2008 Indonesian Standard, I know it has Alnico pups, but not sure which ones; I thought they were Alnico V but you may be right about Alnico III (they seem to have a lower output than my Chinese Standard). Nothing wrong with Agathis body, I have 2018 Chinese Standard that I understand has an Agathis body (hardness 730lbf midway between Alder 650blf and Mahogany 900blf). It has Alnico V pups and sounds great (clear/bright clean & distorted). Having both the Indonesian & Chinese Standard I can confirm there are some differences. Indonesian: Bridge pivot pillars are two part; black Allen key inner pillars that screw into serrated metal outer pillars pressed into the body (as per this video) Vs Chinese plated single piece slot head pillar screwed directly into the body.
Indonesia: Pup pole piece height different, much higher on G string (this might be due to Alnico III Vs Alnico V). Indonesian seems warmer lower output, Chinese seems brighter higher output...I prefer the crispness of the Chinese.
Indonesian: Skunk Stripe on back of maple neck with Rosewood fretboard Vs no stripe on Chinese version. Skunk stripe usually required to insert the truss rod on a ONE piece maple neck, not where a Rosewood fretboard is added after. The Indonesian seems to have Skunk stripe by default (common neck whether fretboard will be rosewood or maple).
Tuners and string trees slightly different (not significant).
Rosewood fretboard on 2008 Indonesian Vs Indian Laurel on 2018 Chinese (not significant).
Curiously, the Indonesian version continued in parallel with the Chinese version but having different build standards. Seems that the Indonesian Standard did not run much after 2017, and the Chinese much after 2018. Just ordered a 2017 Indonesian with a gorgeous FMT for a very good price 😂.
That great sound guitar!!
Thanks!
Are the pickups Alnico III magnets? Or V?
Pretty sure they're alnico III's
@@RafsGearReviews Thanks but how are you pretty sure? Did someone tell you or did you read it somewhere?
@@donlessnau3983 based on what I researched most of them came with Alnico III's (somebody had asked a similar question in this vid).
@@RafsGearReviews Thanks a lot. Big help.
Hey there. I'm thinking about getting this very guitar because of the alnico vs Ceramic pups in the MIM Strats and the finish on this guitar is also only on a MIM model but then I'd have to change the pups (I despise Ceramic pups too damn bright but I want this finish.) The name on the headstock is not relevant. My question is do you know exactly what kind of Alnico magnets this guitar has? Alnico 2 or 3 or 4 or 5? So on and so fourth. I'm extremely in preference of Al. 5 pups so if this guitar has them or even alnico 2 will be picking one of these up.
Hey man, It's tough to answer that as I sold this some time back but If I had to guess, they felt like low output Alnico V's. That being said the top end lacked a bit so I feel that if you were to get one and keep the pickups you might want to upgrade some of the electronics on it. If you can get a Mexican strat I would recommend you do that, though I understand your gripe about ceramics (I actually enjoy them on an HSS configuration though 😅) so you would do well to check out the new Player's series, as that might be more like what you're looking for. They have a model in cherry sunburst with 3 single coil alnico pickups, upgraded 2 point trem, 22 frets, C shaped neck with a 9.5 radius like this Squier Deluxe and the Fender Spaguetti logo (which I think looks great). The neck and fretboard have no clear coat on them and feel pretty smooth. The only downfall for you might be that they put a black pickguard on the flame maple cherry sunburst but everything else seems to be what you're looking for. If that's not an option the Squier's still solid but do consider that electronics upgrade on it. Cheers and thanks for watching!
I have an '09 Cherry Sunburst (no flame top). Agree with the reviewer, pickups are so-so, the guitar plays very well. The great thing about strats is the ease of dropping a loaded pickguard if you want to change.
I have a 2015 Indonesian Squier Stratocaster Standard and it has Alnico 3 pickups. I think that is what all the recent ones use. Also, all the recent Standard models use the two point trem system, not the old six screw system.
@@ToddSauve This sounds about right! I believe mine was a 2015 as well.
I checked it out with Fender customer service and they gave me all the specs for my individual Squier Strat according to its serial number via email. You should just drop them an email and they'll send you all your specs right down to the nth degree, too!
This is standard, not deluxe right?
It is a deluxe FMT though everything is pretty much the same as the Standard with the exception of the flame top.