Це відео не доступне.
Перепрошуємо.
Squier Strat Battle (Affinity vs Made In Korea)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 19 кві 2020
- Squier Strat Battle (Affinity vs Made In Korea)
Should you get a new guitar or a second hand one? This is what I'll look at today, by comparing a Squier Affinity Stratocaster to a Made in Korea 1991 Squier Strat. I've reviewed this particular Affinity earlier (link below), so this is not a review of either as such. It's more of a comparison, with the idea of trying to establish if it's better to get a second hand budget guitar or a new one that's affordable. Both these Squires cost 200 euros (roughly the same in USD), but one is almost 30 years older, so what's the difference.
Many people seem to think that the Stratocaster by Squier is the best guitar to start with, at least judging by the popularity of the guitar. Even some pros have been known to use a Squier from time to time (Jeff Healey springs to mind). So let's take a look at what might be one of the most popular guitars ever. Enjoy!
Check out my review of the Squier Affinity: • Squier Affinity Strato...
Check out the links below if you want to help the channel:
My Patreon page for music and exclusives: / elmojk
The gear I most often use (the links are affiliate links): redir.love/thocf/r8ctceq3i1
Budget gear I recommend: redir.love/thocf/r9mtambedi
(Not so) budget gear I recommend: redir.love/thocf/cib9pttb93
Check out my music on Bandcamp: elmojk.bandcamp.com
For official website (and lessons), visit elmojk.com
Check out my music on Spotify: spoti.fi/2VnLgMs
Facebook: / elmojk
Instagram: / elmojkarjalainen
Twitter: / elmokarjalainen
Check out more gear videos here: ua-cam.com/play/PLNaLwTdlpQNFt5yZFJRiFtoHtPJm6bX-N.html
I have 2 Korean 1994’s. They both feel, play and sound like the real thing. I also have a 2019 Affinity and feels like a cheap toy.
For real! That was my exact thought when I picked up a newer affinity used feels like a toy … sold it the next day
Ive had a korean strat for a really long time and decided to upgrade the pick ups to Fender original 57/62 . Im using it primarily for recording R&B style music and am running DI through a neve 1073 clone by BAE. I'm feeling a little disappointed and thinking maybe I could have went with better pick ups but also not sure if using an amp would be better. Do you have some advice on how to get a better sound? I would imagine a real strat would sound better than this.
If i am not mistaken, the early 90s to around 2001 they were made in Korea by Samick. They used Alder for the body and, even Samick made their own strats with a different headstock shape. They are sought after actually, since Squier uses cheaper woods.
They are the real thing, just affordable 😂
Sir im planning to buy a second fender strat made in korea. Can i ask for advise what are the redflags?
I just acquired a 1989 silver label Squire Korean made Stratocaster and it has Wilkinson pickups in it and a David Gilmour mod switch and it plays and sounds incredible.
I have a mid 90's korean strat. It's really really good. They used vacuum ply bodies. Meaning they can be up to 7 pieces, then sandwiched with a thin veneer ply on both sides thru a vacumm press . even though they used this process to cut costs, for some reason they sound amazing.
Agreed the necks are awesome
I used to work for a company that emptied houses from hoarders. And i found an old squier there. Went to the shop, got it fixed and started playing. I love that thing so much.
I replaced damaged pots and selectors on 2 early 90s Japanese Squier Statocasters. That's the only drawback with them. It's a fairly easy job.
The crackle in the pots can robably be removed by using DEOXIT. Amazing on switches and pots. Also all my amp dials and switches. Has stopped the noise in most of my used guitars.
That literally helped me make up my mind. Thanks for the comparison!
Glad I could help!
Great video! You looked more comfortable playing the Korean strat. The sound also seemed richer on the Korean.
My 1994 Japanese Squier Stratocaster Silver Series is every bit Fender, bar logo. It has a 1950 Strat body profile, comfortable neck and old school, very solid Gotoh tuners. Not sure what equally good, Japan made brand new Strat would cost nowadays, but definitely not the princely £200 I've paid for it.
Secondhand all the way. 🙋🏼♂️
I would prefer the Korean one.
Me too.
Got a squier standard stratocaster some years ago for 180€. Someone had already done a very good scalloping job on it and changed the neck and bridge pickups to DiMarzio YJM's. I had it further customized (by a luthier) by having the frets changed to evo gold fretwire, locking tuners... a gotoh bridge etc. I know I'm never, ever going to get my money back by selling it so I also had the headstock customized with a logo of my own and my signature of course!
Ended up selling my 2014 YJM Strat that I had bought brand new only a year earlier. The squier had become a better guitar to play and I really had other uses for the money. Some people get mad about "In your dreams a squier is better than an American made stratocaster!" but they haven't played my squier. They wouldn't even *know* it's a squier unless I told them, because of the mods.
Well said. In the end, what sounds best to YOUR EARS is what matters (as well as the playability of the instrument I guess).
Cool bananas :)
I got a late recommendation on your video on my yt feed. I'm using my mid 90's korean squier strat for quite sometime now. I upgraded all of the electronics and pick ups with american 60th anniversary (1954) fender and it plays like a dream
I love tweaking guitars I buy, from cheap to mid level. I got HB TE52 sanded the neck from 52 kind of baseball bat to soft V without laquer finish, bare wood super fine sanded. it became an instrument with high end pickups and brass saddles. I love it.Great fun all together
I came for the comparison and amazed by the player! It was amazing!
Thanks!
I always advise to buy second hand guitars. Spend $500 on a used guitar, and get maybe $800-$1000 value. By that time, guitars have likely had fret dressing and upgrades.
But relic is more cheaper
Even though the Korean model has a massive gap in the neck pocket I would buy that guitar!
I have an 84 Japanese made Squier Telecaster that I bought new, I went to the store fully intending to buy a Fender Telecaster but all 3 they had in stock had issues and so the salesman gave me a Squier to try, I had never even heard of Squier and could not understand why a better sounding better built same model guitar would be much cheaper than the Fender, but I bought it anyway, it is my favourite guitar.
I have heard that early Japanese Squier models came with Fender hardware, mine hasn't but the bridge and tuners are very good quality, much better than what modern versions come with.
bought 2 new Epiphones within 3 weeks from local shop, both 650$ basses. exchanged then returned the second. bought a used made in Korea 2005 viola bass and a 96 60th year anniversary MIK strat. each for the same amount of the far less superior brand new Indonesian guitars. very happy with the path i chose
I picked up a Samick SVE-130 (SSS Strat) because it was cheap €100. The Samick is made in Korea with an Alder body, hard maple neck (12" Radius) and i compared it to my 2014 Squier Bullet Strat. For some reason, the Samick just feels like quality, it even sounds so much better than the Squier, despite Ceramic pickups and mini pots (just like the Squier). I swapped the electronics between the two, and for another strange reason, the Samick electronics in the Squier sound absolutely horrible (literally drop in the scratch plate). I guess the difference would be the woods used. I had it stored for many months and i just took it out recently and for some reason, i am really really liking it. It is up for sale, but now i am reconsidering keeping it and selling the bullet instead. But yeah, these older guitars have something in them.....can not be explained. The Samick Strat also is just a small bit heavier (again im guessing it has to do with Alder Body vs Basswood).
Those Korean strat were gtreat guitars even the plywood body ones.
Going by your thoughts on these two guitars I would go with the older strat. You are correct as well about new guitars. In 2017 I bought a guitar and in 2019 as well both new. 2017 guitar has only one real issue a that’s a dead string so to speak. 2019 guitar, now fret ends need to be filed. Input jack needed some miner care. Truss rob need tweaking and the cover for the guts is so tight screws can be in or out and it s not going too fall off. I bought both without the option of playing either. Moral of my story is play any instrument first or expect problems at the very least. Elmo great video!
Spot on.
Hey man nice demo , I have an 89 Korean with a maple neck the only mod is a coil tapped bucker in the bridge people write them off as junk but it sustains longer than my epi lp standard ... I’m waffling but what I’m saying is they are awesome “ players” guitars
Yeah, they are pretty good. Especially for the price.
There's just something about the sound of fender pickups after they reach 20 and 30 years old you just can't get in a new one.
I started playing in January. Bought 170€ Samick strat from 1993 and it feels fine. There is some minor worn on the finish but that kind a stuff doesn't really matter to me.
Yep, you can find real bargains on the second hand market.
I was about to buy a Squire Affinity, good thing I saw this video, I'm going to pick up a 95 Squire instead and probably upgrade it in the future.
Given the quality of those guitars you probably won't need any upgrades, especially 1980s or early 1990s when they still used to make good Squiers.
Or check 1970-80s Japanese lawsuit Strats if you don't mind the non-Fender/Squier logo. Great quality instruments, rivalled real Fenders back in the day, and cost very little to buy.
That MIK Squier sells in the states for around $400
I bought an affinity tele, did the fretwork and upgraded pickups, stock I didnt like it but with those upgrades I love it
Cool :)
What about the 90s japanese strats? In comparation with this new affinity
@@AccióndeCasinoconFelipe way better than these affinity.
wow. my '91 Korean (bought new) has worn frets, lost switch cap, missing whammy bar (i might have it somewhere) AND it has the same cracks at body/neck because it slips easily out of guitar straps... there's also a dent at the very top of the neck from when it fell, neck first. i'm still disappointed about that even though it happened way back in 91.
mine is the same as this one, except there is no seperate fingerboard, it's all maple neck.
I bought a second hand Kramer Pacer Vintage from E-bay about a month ago. It was described as excellent condition so I paid and it was delivered with faulty electronics and terrible buzzing when plugged in. Unfortunately it's lockdown now in the UK so all guitar shops are closed so I can't get it fixed 😌. The neck is so comfortable otherwise I'd have sent it back.
That sucks. Good to hear the neck's nice though.
@@MrPolevaulter Yeah man, sometimes people can be such assholes and sell something knowing there's something wrong.
It'll be fixed, just need to wait now until the shops are open 👍🏻🤘
Unfortunately with how hit and miss quality control is with budget guitars, its a bit of a lottery buying a brand new guitar that doesn't have issues these days. Become friends with a guitar technician as its an invaluable source of advice and info. :)
Yep :)
I think Fender has created competition with Squier Japan and Korea in-house and for us consumers that is only good, even if Fender has had Squier guitars manufactured in China and Indonesia in recent years. I myself have a Strat 50s Classic Vibe and I am very satisfied with it, even if the quality is not quite as good as Fender USA.
Cool!
Sold... ( The 1995 MIK near me)
Squier JV & SQ series ( 80's MIJ) are the best! Silver series - Classic Vibes & Deluxe are good mid-range instruments.
Going to try out a Classic Vibe soon.
Don't forget Pro Tones!
Im here coz tomorrow i'll pick up my squire made in korea, they sell for canadian 250 is it okay?
Probably. Is it? :)
I'm gonna buck the trend here and say in terms of tone I think the newer Squier swung it, but of course if it feels horrendous then it's not the one. Excellent playing on the video!
When you've played enough guitars over the years you can usually tell if you've picked up a good one within the first 5 minutes. Cost isn't the point. I own a £119 Squier Bullet HH Mustang which plays amazingly well, sounds great, written loads of songs on it. Because it spoke to me when I demo'd it. Whereas a few months later I tried a Fender Jazzmaster Ultra Series with a beautiful plasma burst finish and although the workmanship was top notch the thing just didn't have the mojo of any other guitars I own.
Deciding which guitars have "mojo" and what exactly that means is very much down to the player and all part of the journey. Does a guitar inspire you, make you more creative and free to unleash ideas inside your mind?
Absolutely :)
I traded a couple of old vinyl LPs for an barely used Affinity Strat (for my daughter) and after filing the fret ends and giving it a proper setup and descent strings it is not that bad. But yeah, in this price range, it's a hit and miss, save up for a better guitar I say too! The pots and the toggleswitch will need replacements soon, they are absolutely of no quality at all. All this said, there is an even cheper range of Squire strats - the Bullet range. I have not dared to give them a try, but perhaps you could compare one of those to the Affinityas a followu-up video? They are an incredible $80€ cheaper than the Affinity strats... I have no idea how that is even possible.
I've thought about it. Going for a Classic Vibe first though.
You blow my mind! You could put 6 strings on a 2 by 4 & shred the crap out of it! Cheers from LBC 🎶🎸😎
Cheers :)
great review , i had a affinity tele it was a load of rubbish one of the worst guitars i have had it had the same problem with the frets sticking out , i am thinking about buying harley benton strat , they are cheap could you review one of them .
Thanks! Maybe at some point.
harley benton rocks
aren't HB's just as trash if not worse - speaking of quality check control ? for the same price range? that's what I heard at least, theyre huge hit or misses too, so I'm kind of undecided now. Was thinking of a yamaha pacifica 120h / 112v, but im not sure lol. It sucks saving up for a budget guitar to then be told by everyone its trash and you should save up for mid tier stuff. But i dont know what to pick tho, lol.
My first guitar was affinity Telecaster and it was great !
@@MD-cq4np no, the current ones are better and better !
But if you can get a classic vibe for 250 euro secondhand then thats the way to go !
Korean squire seems very powerfull.....nice raw sound
What stomp box did you use for the overdrive?
I forget, but I always say which one I use in the videos. Probably Fender Yngwie Overdrive.
Im not sure if you celebrate 4/20 so to speak. But this video, posted on 4/20/20, certainly has some 4/20 humor in it. Stoner shred, sounds fun right!
4/20?
I Picked up a few Leo Jaymz Strarts and a Few Grote Tele Types one Solid and, One F-Hole Type. They are both nicer than any Squier I tried a Rogue Rocketeer and is made in the Same Factory as Squire But has Hotter H S S pick-ups for about $75.00 Cheaper and the Leo Jaymz $150.00 with a Union Jack Paint Job and the Has a Skull & Bones Paint Job. All 4 of these are Value Buys Compared to Newer Squire's!
Cool bananas :)
The headstock alone decides it for me let alone the tone. Not sure where my Squire came from as no country of origin just 0070480445 as a serial number. It's a beauty in sunburst and best of all has the small headstock ! Much as I lust after an original Fender (with maple neck) my skill levels just don't justify it :( .
Doesn't just wanting it justify it? :)
@@MrPolevaulter If I followed that rule I would be bankrupt :-).
I have a Korean Squier Stratocaster S9 = made by Samick in 1989. Bought it new in 1991 and played it ever since.
Over the years I replaced the vintage string tree's by roller ones. After cracking sounds in the pots I replaced all electronics and put Fender Texas specials in it.
Bridge saddles were corroded and not anymore adjustable for intonation and replaced it bij new fender saddles.
So after 30 years of duty the frets are worn out and deserved a re-fret.
Here the instrument in action:
ua-cam.com/video/DnVdnknYjb0/v-deo.html
I'm planning on buying a Squier Affinity Strat because I love 2 tone sunburst. However I am skeptical about how much work it will need.
Don't bother!
Save up and get something a bit more expensive, or something second hand. With luck you might get a good one, but it's very much hit and miss in that price range.
The classic vibe are freaking great, get used if you can find one they don't go up for sale often they're just that good and the new cheap Gretsch stream line are freaking amazing too, I've got both and won't sell ever !
Proud owner of a 95’ korean squier strat!
Too bad I’m unable to tell the tonewood of the body.
most likely plywood - but as the comments say this isn't necessarily a bad thing :)
Mine is 96 and that year they went to alder
Ich kann in Deinem Gesicht sehen was Du wirklich meinst. Wer ein gutes Gehör hat, der merkt schon beim Anspielen der Gitarren, schon so richtig, welche Distanz zwischen den Gitarren besteht. Die neue Squier Affinity klingt tatsächlich wie eine Gitarre, und für jemandem der sich nicht darüber hinaus mit seiner Seele Gitarren verschrieben hat, ist sie ein tüchtiges Werkzeug, über die etwas schlampige Verarbeitung mal hinweg gesehen...aber irgendwie...es fehlt ihr die Geilheit.
Die gebrauchte Koreanische ist bereits vom Verarbeitungsmaterial her zum Teil besser, siehe alleine das Griffbrett, das mit hochwertigerem Holz besetzt ist. Aber es ist der Ton. Der Sound ist griffiger bei der alten, obwohl der von der neuen auch gut klingt. Was auch immer Squier gerade auf dieser Preisschiene produziert, und so gut man es auch geschafft hat heute mit minderwertigerem Material als früher respektable Qualität zu schaffen, vergleichbare Standard Modelle aus der Vergangenheit sind wohl eindeutig mit erfreulicherer Soundwiedergabe, meine Meinung. Ich sehe heute einen ordentlichen Qualitätsverlust der wohl den hohen Rohstoffpreisen geschuldet ist...
Hi Elmo and dudes watching, please help
i don't know if you'll see this but quick question
I want to buy my first ever guitar 🎸
And a guy is selling 2 used Squiers and im not not sure which one to get
Both are squier strats, i dont know how to play so i cant really get "a feel for it" one is an affinity for €225, and the other one is a M Model, made in Korea for €275, i know to test both, but still not sure if the difference is worth the extra €50
If nothing feels bad on the Affinity, then that's probably fine.
@@MrPolevaulter thanks for the quick response, i really appreciate it
I got a 2020 CY squire cyclone and with new pups it feels almost as good as my 2007 mim strat. Unfortunately it was made with an Indian laurel fingerboard because of the rosewood ban and it's an ugly light color. Maybe I can stain it lol
I had a squier made in korea 1995, I regret that I sold it :(
Sorry to hear.
Excelente, cual es la canción del minuto 9:25
I'll See The Light by Yngwie Malmsteen.
i like the new one better but i dont know how it feels
Not nice :D
my 94 MIK strat sounds and plays phenomenal over time i changed the pickups and electronics to usa stuff its my fav guitar out of my many others. All the new squires are made like garbage even higher end guitars now a days and there double the money. I sent back quite a few guitars so far the main reason is the fake crap they use on the neck not real rosewood Gibson is now doing this also that's balls. And that's why in this video he says it dont feel like a real guitar mainly. That's my opinion
the 91 korean squier has a plywood body,not that means it will sound bad,but a lot of dudes dont like ply bodys,the affinity will have alder body,but the neck on the korean will be better
Mine is 92 Korean Squier Stratocaster and it is not ply wood, my 1989 Korean Squier Stratocaster also white was a ply wood and it didn't resonate like this one with real wood body.
The 87 korean squier e7 and e10 are solid body ash. Got an 87 tele and she's a dream
@@auntjenifer7774 e7/e10 serials korea squiers were made at young chang from 1987-1989 (solid wood)
S serial Squier IIs 1989 (laminate wood) samik
S serial squiers 1990-1995 (laminate wood) samik
V and VN serial squiers 1990-1995 (laminate wood) Vester
C and Cn serial squiers 1990-1995 (laminate wood) cort
KV 1996-1998 Squiers (solid wood) vester
kC 1996-1998 Squiers (solid wood) Cort
What about the weight of those guitars; the weight of the Korean vs the Affinity?
Dunno
I found a 1996 Made in China, Yako (Taiwan) Squire 50th anniversary. should I get it for 80/100$ ?!
Well for that price you won't lose much if it isn't any good.
Get an American Pro they are awesome you wont regret the money. Unless you have one
@@7Roeth well I got a used american standard for 800$👍🏻
@@bilalnachabeh good, i think anyone that plays a lot deserves a good American one. They are the best ones i believe. Ive tried many different ones.
They're excellent, far beyond a later Squire, pickups are great as is.
Hi Elmo! How are you?
Is possibile try for us a most hard pedal Joyo Poket Metal? For very guitarist Is a pedal most similari at George Linch sound.
Can you try for us this pedal? 😀👍👍
I'm well thanks! Maybe. I haven't thought about it to be honest. No promises, but I will look into it.
@@MrPolevaulter i understand...
I have a 96 made in Korea squier with the exact same volume issue of crackle haha XD 🤣 I just call it character haha
:D
I didnt like either one at high gain in this video. Lower gain was ok.
The Affinity sounds like six (weak) individual strings attached to a couple of slabs of timber.
Too much shred needs to play srv
Something like that.
I need to play what I want.
The pickups suck, and that's hard to do with alnico's.
e10 1987 are the best korean squires someone give me one and its me favourite 🎸😉
Which ones taller?
Dunno.
Korean plywood guitars ill pass
Ill take a old school squier thats not worn over an affinity any day.
Yep.
Squire Affinity - rear of headstock should say "Crafted in China - lol".
:D
Just my 2 cents but one would be better off with a Harley Benton in the same price range.
fuck, you can play
Thanks!