@@hnlkituphi mate, I had a big issue about leep on tune with my duo HS mim 2021, a good friend show me the fix, you have adjust a little the truss rod, in my case I released a little de tross rod, making the strings slinkier or soft tension, its try an error exercise, but that fixed and improve the tone of this grreat guitar.
Wow! I can't believe they brought back the "Duosonic" model. I bought and still have a 1963 Duosonic with a sunburst finish from Guitar center in 2003 for $400. They didn't know what they had, so I took advantage and bought it. I think my rent was a week late that month, but anyway this guitar is absolutely fantastic and is in mint condition. I took the neck off and it is initialed and dated. The pickups have such a warm tone that is very hard to replicate. Anyway, these old Duosonics can go for $4k. I wish I had the original case. Great video by the way. I wanted to buy a new one to have with my old one, and you helped me out a lot!
Took my son guitar shopping in January 2019 and he settled on the Mustang. We found the 3-way switch worked intermittently on 3 of 4 guitars tested, first the floor model, then two others brand new out of the box in GC. The 4th one seemed okay and we bought it. But I ordered a new switch for about $7 that night. After changing them out I took the original apart to find it was like something out of a cheap toy. The only other change I made was to roll the fretboard edges and smooth the fret ends. I agree with everything in the video; this is a great guitar for the $. My son loves it, I love the price and I'm not complaining, just sharing. Thank you Squier! I highly recommend the Mustang. With a little elbow grease and a $7 switch, you can make it a little greater. Hope this helps.
Just bought a Bullet Mustang yesterday and LOVE it. Was wondering if I should have spent more for a higher priced model even though the Mustang checked all the boxes for me, but no, it's great. Didn't need to spend another penny.
You are right about the Squier Mustang HH neck, it has a 12" radius like a Les Paul instead of the more standard 9.5" radius typical of Fender. I was considering upgrading to a more expensive Fender Mustang, Jaguar or Duosonic, but I don't want to give up the 12" radius on the cheaper HH. And I don't want the problems that come with the vintage style Mustang or Jag bridges. Squire has a winner with this cheap, great playing Mustang. It even has the tummy cut that is missing on some of the Fender Mustangs. Love it for what it is, and laugh at all the money that stayed in your account.
You are absolutely correct. I want a fender still, but even stock I will keep this bullet in rotation, it has it's on tone in a way too, the scale, radius, all just works for me
Two things are amazing right now: 1. How obscenely expensive American made guitars are right now, and... 2. How remarkably playable and good looking cheap guitars are right now. Draw your own conclusions.
I fucking agree. What's annoying in the occasional elitist in the bar throwing shame on you because your guitar's headstock has a less prestigious name. It's so fucking tiresome.
Now being older at 38, i more humble and being able to hear more with my ears, instead of my eyes, i completely agree. A few years ago i would have been ashamed of having an Indonesian Squier, now i love them with my ears. Asians are putting us to shame with awsome guitars. Mu bullet Telecaster blows any Mexican or American out of the water as far as sound and feel. And my fsr mustang is a heavy metal machine that sounds and plays better than my US made Gibson SG Faded special. It's insane.
I basically entirely credit Fender and Squire for it. Squire is becoming a league of its own in guitars, specifically in a way that we haven’t ever really seen before. I have the Classic Vibe 70s P bass and I love it. I also ordered the bullet mustang tonight and I’m freaking stoked to get it.
@@justincasas9967 you are going to love it. It plays amazingly but you might have to touch up your fret ends. No biggie. Keep us updated on how it turns out. What color did you get?
I have that Fender Duo Sonic HS Pau Ferro. High end feel, 3 completely different sounds on the switch, all beautiful, amazing feel. I'm modding it up but it's a great player still!
You have to realise its a bullet though, which isn't something that would affect Fender's own lines (ahem ahem pre-2019 Classic Vibe series). Also the pickups on them are slightly underpowered, and the variation of quality and tones are large. But compared to others in its range its one of the best out there, which of course means that Fender will get to earn more. At least that's what I think
I played one of those mustang hh at a guitar center. The frets def needed some rounding and polishing and the fretboard was bone dry. But for 150 new it’s a shockingly amazing sounding guitar even stock if you have a decent setup. I’m really tall and have big hands but I didn’t have problem playing this super short scale tiny guitar. It is awesome!
I have the Bullet Mustang and I gotta say, I don't think it's worth the extra $350. I've never played a Duo-Sonic but it's hard to imagine it justifying that price gap. I highly recommend the Bullet.
I just bought the Surf Green Bullet Mustang and though I paid more than you, they are $170ish now. It is still far and away worth the price. I am very surprised as to how good it was right out of the box.
The rounded top of the Mustang's pick guard was the deciding factor for me between these two. Just grabbed a surf green Squire last week and will hopefully grab a Duo Sonic sometime in the next year.
Duo over the bullet. I do believe both have useable sounds, not every guitar neets to sound the same. Expecially when creating your own sound and music. 👍
I think the single coils on the Sonic give the guitar a much more twang and retro sound, the Bullet sound more modern, different at least, its got a voice on its own
22bti if you go your whole life and never play an expensive guitar, you’ll always like how the cheap ones feel. I’ve never picked up a guitar worth more than $400 and I mod the hell out of my $100 babies. I just ordered the mustang in surf green. Plan on dropping gfs dream 90s in it when I get the chance. Also knowing how to set up a guitar helps a ton
I think the main thing I took away from this is that the guitars don't sound THAT different. I think the biggest thing I noticed was the Mustang handling distortion better and the Duo Sonic handling effects better. I would probably get 3-4 Mustangs and lose/break them in varying lengths of time.
Thanks for the comparison. New Sonic Mustang (either SS or HH) is £140, get a lot of love. Then this Duo-Sonic is a 'proper Fender', better materials and more tone options, best of both worlds, (ss and sh) but comes in at £629, so 4.5x the price. Assuming better longevity on the duo-sonic but is it worth the extra money in your opinion?
Pau Ferro is technically a rosewood, there are a good deal of rosewoods. The only rosewoods that are being banned are the endangered species. Pau ferro is just the alternative to the endangered Brazilian rosewood.
@@powbobs Depends, if carefully selected, you can find some pau-ferro pieces that look a lot like Brazilian rosewood. But it seems Fender doesn't care, most of times.
I was recently in Guitar Center and looked at several Bullet Mustangs and they just felt like cheap guitars. The fretboards just weren't well dressed. My opinions may be colored by having a had a 78 Fender Mustang I got in 1981 when I was 17, and my recently acquired Fender Mustang 90. The '78 was difficult to keep in tune due to that goofy vibrato but the Mustang 90 stays in tune nicely after I added a spacer beneath the E/B string tree. I only have seven Fender guitars (4 Strats, 3 Teles & a Mustang 90) so I'm looking to add the HS Duo Sonic to my stable.
I’ve had the mustang for a few yrs , I put a pearloid pickguard on it and different knobs , she’s a player ❤ so light to ! Great on a old injured back like mine
I got the Duo Sonic about the same time that you did this video. Stock PUs are great, but I changed the Humbucker for a JB, just because is the sound I'm used to, love the neck PU. And I just got a Squier last week. Thinking of changing the PUs to singles. Both great guitars.
I enjoy your reviews! I have a Fender duo sonic and the bullet mustang. Best bet is get both! The bullet is super fun to play with the flat radius, just refinish the neck.
@@richarddaradar6173 I haven't tried. I know strats are typically pretty good tuned down. Idk if that has anything to do with their scale length, which is quite a bit different from the mustang.
Amer Aldabagh I do like those. My first fender bass had the same look as that Jazzmaster. But I was mainly suggesting the Affinity because I haven’t seen anyone do a review of it and Ryan basically has the mustang version. It’d be cool to see them compared.
Throwing in my opinion, I think both are cool. The thing is that the fender seems overpriced and the squier sounds a bit rough. I'd buy the squier and modify it. Would save a ton of money since a really good mustang can get quite expensive
I have an early 70s mustang and when I picked up the bullet in the store yesterday the body seemed unusually long, but I’m guessing it’s just an illusion due to that fixed bridge. I may go back and grab it.
the one behind you, I have the squire duo sonic, black. I have the same fender one you are playing! Then the squire classic vibe style. And musicmaster 1978 bass and 6 string. Then a 1979 lead II, very similar. 🤙👍🤙👍🙏
That $150 Squier Mustang certainly doesn't sound cheap - Made in Indonesia, I think, is better-made than in China. That Fender Duo Sonic HS with coil tap is a great, versatile guitar. You know? I'd keep it, even with the funky stuff in the finish (for the $100 savings). The worn areas are almost invisible, unless you point them out in just the right light. Over time, the two guitars I loved playing the most were finished in colors I hated. As they say, "Beauty is more than skin deep." Say, f- - k it, and keep it....flaws 'n' all. BTW, I enjoy your style and content of your videos :)
Hello, I still do not know very well what is the difference between these two and a vm, I really like the bullet green, but I do not know very well if it is recommended, thank you and greetings! : D
Jesus P - The most important thing is to see both guitars, feel and inspect each, play them both. Do you have a friend who play's well? Bring that person with you when you start looking. If both seem to be about the same, go with the one that costs less and enjoy it. (What's a "vm"?)
Hello, I have the Squier Cyclone which looks like the Fender Duo-Sonic, could you give me your expert opinion on this guitar because there are little information on it please ? I already have the Squier Bullet Mustang HH ... (sorry for my poor english)
I got to play both of these today as well as many others. The Duo sonic hs and ss just felt right to me, really liked the neck and sound. The Bullet did not do near as much for me. Thanks for the comparison!
The blue Bullet Mustang looks better in your videos than it does hanging in stores. I’m getting a Surf Green Bullet Mustang next week, and I’m excited to put some time in on a short scale.
I was actually really tempted to get a used 90s duo sonic. For one, it was $250 and sounded good and felt good. HOWEVER, it had bad fret buzz, the pickup selector was somewhat not working, and the jack would make a “click” when you moved it. I only had a budget of $250, and it could have been $50 to $100 in new parts and time, so on my end I didn’t have the time to put in the money, but it’s a good idea for those who want a fender and a project.
Always been a big fan of Duo Sonic's, and have noted that most I have seen,- like the HS version you have, and the SS anodized gaurd model, - seem to employ above average materials.As you say, very different, but both great necks,- I like both, but the " baseball bat" on the original is part of it's charm.Originally, the DS was supposed to be a student model, but I think the neck thickness was a nod towards its adoption by Surf bands, which were used to them . I suspect the whole market is drifting towards the 10/12" compound radius, and the day will come that 9 1/2 will become rare; either are fine with me. On even an economy instrument, the flat finish, ugly, Squier headstocks are hideous.( Someone ought to produce a aftermarket sticker that covers the whole mess in one go.)Since I build a lot of Casters, it rarely survives long in my house.Dig the utilitarian, practical ,attitude towards gear, judging it by overall value and application. Peace.
Like your videos as you stick to just the facts needed for decisions instead of endless details that don't make the cut. The other one is how you handle those possible squabbles over who is right about personal preferences this way or that way this or that, that; usually getting into the weeds just waste time over personal preferences. Very practical and intelligent behavior on your part. The last thing coming from acoustic world wanting to dip into electric world thinking about the fret board 9.5 verses 12 inch radius. Maybe in this video or maybe another you mentioned that The Mustang is perhaps better when moving from acoustic to electric. Also you seem pretty fond of the Mustang so any chance on video about moving it to a coil split situation in the future. Also how to select or think about pickups with regard to acoustic sounding ability out of the electric guitar. Thanks!
I don’t know how you managed to make that squier mustang sounds so small but to each their own. That guitar easily gives me huge tones, maybe try it with a soldano plug-in? Those particular squier mustang designs are in my opinion one of these he most solid out. I play that squier more than my suhr modern, Gibson sg, musicman jp6 and fender Jaguar custom. The neck profile, radius and fret size is just soo perfect.
I own the squire and I am thinking of upgrading to the duo sonic mainly because I believe it will last for way longer because my squier I have owned for over a year and fretting the strings seems to sound dead as in the sound of the strings and it is not holding tuning very well...
Have you ever tried G&L Tribute Fallout? I was kind of torn between that and the Duo-Sonic HS but I think I might go with the G&L because of the 25.5" scale and maple fingerboard which comes with the Sonic Blue model. And it doesn't hurt that they are a bit cheaper.
It's ALL about the 24" scale length that make the Mustang and DuoSonic magical! Why get the same old 25 1/2" Fender scale? You probably have three already!
The mustang probably has cheap ceramic bar magnets in the pickups. Those could be easily swapped for alnico 5 that would give a brighter more vintage tone.
I feel that Fender humbuckers sound more clear than the Epiphone and Gibson humbuckers. Fender hummies definately don't sound like single coils but they are closer to the clarity of a singlecoil. I don't like humbuckers im general since i prefer tone over power, But i would like to have the sound of that Squier.
The Duo Sonic has a 7.5" radius on the fret board. That is the only thing that I don't care for about this guitar. My fingers kept tripping over the G-string on fast runs. Took a little getting used to. Totally agree about the humbucker. It has a somewhat unique sound for a humbucker. It's got a lot of that upper mid end cut, and a nice harmonic quality. Slightly hot, but not too high output. This is best sounding coil tapped humbucker I've heard. It actually has that single coil sparkle you expect from.a Fender!
+Miika T Ah man, I am confused now. I swear the Guitar Center website said 7.5", but when I went back to check just now, it did say 9.5". Either they had a typo they fixed, which is common, or my old man memory/vision failed me. Either way I apologize, but now I can't figure out why my G-string seems so high. When I had seen 7.5, I thought that explained it.
Not to sound like a snob, but I'd actually prefer the Duo Sonic in this case :P Sounds very warn, clean and beautiful. I actually bought the Squire Vintage Modified Mustang 3 days ago and I'm super happy with it, and it has also been the subject of eye candy for my sister who is interested in starting playing the guitar too. Lend my Mustang to her and she really prefer the feel of the neck of it in comparison with the classic strat and Jazzmaster that I have. So I've actually told her that she could get one of these Bullet Mustangs but she isn't too happy about the color choices, so I hope they will turn up in Surf Green or something more fun. Why they couldn't release the Bullet in red is also mind boggling to me, the Bullet strats are so popular and these Mustangs seems to be almost as equally popular. Maybe they will offer them in different colors once they are confident that people like them? Anyway, great video man :)
oh and great video. Looking at the sonic but you really seemed to like that squire and its dirt cheap. Would you say the squire would be better suited for metal and faster playin?
Amazon had that Bullet Mustang down to $139.99, so I just ordered one about an hour ago. Funny thing, right after I ordered it, it went back up to $149.99. Their normal price is $179.99.
I'm not sure what amplifier that you are using but I think that using bigger PIO cap's can brighten up The Tone of The Mustang some to the point of sweetness. It's a little dark but full sounds. The amplifier and speakers play a major role in output tone's. Just going to Eminence Speaker's from Celeston makes a huge difference. Fender has a tendency to use small cap's to flatten out the sounds. I understand why Fender Used 12 and not 9 degrees on The Mustang because of the 5 th. String low output issues with 9 degree fretboards on Jaguar and Mustang guitars. I know that if you play a Old Jag or Mustang guitar you have to deal with the 5 th. String uneven outputs. It's something that has kept me from buying Vintage Fenders over the years. All of the Old one's have a 5 th. String output problem and Even The Telecaster has the same problem but can be improved with a better bridge pick up. The answer is playing around the 5th. String or somewhere in-between the two different degrees. I'm guessing that if you get a vintage Fender or Mustang made with a slightly off 9 degrees more towards 10 or 10 and 1/2 that it will play much better than the one's At 9 degrees. They didn't have CNC machines back then and a Luther finished off the fretboard and frets and some were better than others. It all came down to that. Now they have CNC machines and can make the wood almost perfect. But still the margin of error and assembly can make it great or lousy. I'm just not a fan of 9 degree fretboards.
I've only had this guitar for under a week and for some reason it sounds far more twangy than the one i tried in the shop. Could that be because of the strings being new and metallic. Its sounds way to sharp and metallic. And if it is the strings is there a way of speeding up the aging process
Ibanez TSA15h & Princeton Reverb RI, pelican noiseworks 50/50 (dod 250 clone), Big ear NYC ELLE reverb, Cascade fathead mics into a zoom H6 field recorder. the whole thing is mixed in Final Cut Pro.
I do almost no EQ in demos (I roll off the lows under 80hz) and I don't put compression on the guitar because i want to represent what I hear in the room.
Kellen The melon Yes, assuming weezer uses fender style of guitars, but really the most important thing with tone is your hands/technique. Good luck and have fun with you musical endeavors
I feel like Weezer is more about that cranked Marshall amp sound than specific guitars since they jump back and forward between Fender guitars with single coil, p90, and humbuckers as well as Gibsons with varying pickups. So yeah, this could work for the weezer sound if you have the right kind of distortion. If you can't afford a Marshall tube amp, maybe get a super clean amp (like a fender amp) and use one of many Marshall distortion/gain pedals out there in the world.
Yeaaah, It would work quite good on that kind of music, and taking advantage you're young, Say "Squier" instead of "Squire" when talking about the brand
you can buy 3 of them and still have money left over! after publishing i had the thought that the squire would make an excellent gig back up for the duo sonic. It's almost too good of an idea.
The mustang is great, I recently bought one in Olympic white and I can’t stop playing it and even just looking at it
Do you have issues with it staying in tune?
@@hnlkitup mine has problems, not too bad though
I have one in surf green. Mine has no problems staying in tune
@@hnlkitup I didn't have problems with it staying in tune but I replaced them with sperzel tuners .
@@hnlkituphi mate, I had a big issue about leep on tune with my duo HS mim 2021, a good friend show me the fix, you have adjust a little the truss rod, in my case I released a little de tross rod, making the strings slinkier or soft tension, its try an error exercise, but that fixed and improve the tone of this grreat guitar.
I have this blue bullet mustang guitar and am fully satisfied with it. For the price unbeatable.
Wow! I can't believe they brought back the "Duosonic" model. I bought and still have a 1963 Duosonic with a sunburst finish from Guitar center in 2003 for $400. They didn't know what they had, so I took advantage and bought it. I think my rent was a week late that month, but anyway this guitar is absolutely fantastic and is in mint condition. I took the neck off and it is initialed and dated. The pickups have such a warm tone that is very hard to replicate. Anyway, these old Duosonics can go for $4k. I wish I had the original case. Great video by the way. I wanted to buy a new one to have with my old one, and you helped me out a lot!
Took my son guitar shopping in January 2019 and he settled on the Mustang. We found the 3-way switch worked intermittently on 3 of 4 guitars tested, first the floor model, then two others brand new out of the box in GC. The 4th one seemed okay and we bought it. But I ordered a new switch for about $7 that night. After changing them out I took the original apart to find it was like something out of a cheap toy. The only other change I made was to roll the fretboard edges and smooth the fret ends.
I agree with everything in the video; this is a great guitar for the $. My son loves it, I love the price and I'm not complaining, just sharing. Thank you Squier! I highly recommend the Mustang. With a little elbow grease and a $7 switch, you can make it a little greater. Hope this helps.
Surprisingly the Squier also sounds nice when it's played clean.
Thats right.I play the Mustang 98% clean. Its a very good Sound for my 60's Band
@@willybilly51 have you thought about buying the squire 60s classic vibe mustang i think it would fit well
Just bought a Bullet Mustang yesterday and LOVE it. Was wondering if I should have spent more for a higher priced model even though the Mustang checked all the boxes for me, but no, it's great. Didn't need to spend another penny.
You are right about the Squier Mustang HH neck, it has a 12" radius like a Les Paul instead of the more standard 9.5" radius typical of Fender. I was considering upgrading to a more expensive Fender Mustang, Jaguar or Duosonic, but I don't want to give up the 12" radius on the cheaper HH. And I don't want the problems that come with the vintage style Mustang or Jag bridges. Squire has a winner with this cheap, great playing Mustang. It even has the tummy cut that is missing on some of the Fender Mustangs. Love it for what it is, and laugh at all the money that stayed in your account.
You are absolutely correct. I want a fender still, but even stock I will keep this bullet in rotation, it has it's on tone in a way too, the scale, radius, all just works for me
Gotta say, man, love the perpetual positive attitude in your videos. Keep it up!
Two things are amazing right now:
1. How obscenely expensive American made guitars are right now, and...
2. How remarkably playable and good looking cheap guitars are right now.
Draw your own conclusions.
I fucking agree. What's annoying in the occasional elitist in the bar throwing shame on you because your guitar's headstock has a less prestigious name.
It's so fucking tiresome.
Now being older at 38, i more humble and being able to hear more with my ears, instead of my eyes, i completely agree. A few years ago i would have been ashamed of having an Indonesian Squier, now i love them with my ears. Asians are putting us to shame with awsome guitars. Mu bullet Telecaster blows any Mexican or American out of the water as far as sound and feel. And my fsr mustang is a heavy metal machine that sounds and plays better than my US made Gibson SG Faded special. It's insane.
I basically entirely credit Fender and Squire for it. Squire is becoming a league of its own in guitars, specifically in a way that we haven’t ever really seen before. I have the Classic Vibe 70s P bass and I love it. I also ordered the bullet mustang tonight and I’m freaking stoked to get it.
@@justincasas9967 you are going to love it. It plays amazingly but you might have to touch up your fret ends. No biggie. Keep us updated on how it turns out. What color did you get?
Russian Bot yeah man my Indonesia vintage modified strat is almost as good as my Japanese e series strat. I think I keep forever ☺
I have that Fender Duo Sonic HS Pau Ferro. High end feel, 3 completely different sounds on the switch, all beautiful, amazing feel. I'm modding it up but it's a great player still!
Thanks for this review. I'm torn between these two & can't believe I found a comparison considering they aren't very popular.
Both are great . The Squier is dirt cheap $ and a fantastic player. I fear they will kill the Mustang or raise the price point.
1 year later, still the same price!
You have to realise its a bullet though, which isn't something that would affect Fender's own lines (ahem ahem pre-2019 Classic Vibe series). Also the pickups on them are slightly underpowered, and the variation of quality and tones are large.
But compared to others in its range its one of the best out there, which of course means that Fender will get to earn more.
At least that's what I think
Well they killed the duo sonic and mustang
2 years later and still kicking
Update: the Mustang Bullet got raised from $140 to $170
I played one of those mustang hh at a guitar center. The frets def needed some rounding and polishing and the fretboard was bone dry. But for 150 new it’s a shockingly amazing sounding guitar even stock if you have a decent setup. I’m really tall and have big hands but I didn’t have problem playing this super short scale tiny guitar. It is awesome!
This guitar is great at making general sounds.
Mine does general, captain and Lt. Sounds
That’s the quotable line of the piece.
I just ordered a Squier Surf Green limited edition Mustang.....for 129 dollars. Can't beat that with a stick in each hand.
Any difference between that limited addition which is 130 and the new edition ones that are 180 (like the one that comes in sonic grey)
I bought the mustang. Good guitar. Great price. Do not miss it anymore.
Dang in three years the duo sonic went from 499 to 679. These prices are getting ridiculous
799 now...
Damn y'all ain't ready for the 849 current price tag on it
@@TOFASJR Yeah, what the hell. That is an insane price increase. Makes me not want to buy :(
@@haikat4 likewise, it just keeps going up :/
Must be no trees left in Indochina at this stage.
I have the Bullet Mustang and I gotta say, I don't think it's worth the extra $350. I've never played a Duo-Sonic but it's hard to imagine it justifying that price gap. I highly recommend the Bullet.
I've been playing for 50 years and I love the smooth satin neck on my new Mustang HH. Thanks for the comparison !
Man, mine looks like it never had any finish on it. Is yours like that?
I just bought the Surf Green Bullet Mustang and though I paid more than you, they are $170ish now. It is still far and away worth the price. I am very surprised as to how good it was right out of the box.
Oh hell yes! I’ve been looking forward to this one. Two guitars I’ve been interested in getting eventually.
The rounded top of the Mustang's pick guard was the deciding factor for me between these two. Just grabbed a surf green Squire last week and will hopefully grab a Duo Sonic sometime in the next year.
The wife got a sea foam green mustang last night. Thanks for your reviews. It looks great.
Both certainly better than the SL! Thanks for the video lad!
by far!
Damn it! lol
definitely by far
The SL is a steaming turd.
Duo over the bullet.
I do believe both have useable sounds, not every guitar neets to sound the same. Expecially when creating your own sound and music. 👍
I think the single coils on the Sonic give the guitar a much more twang and retro sound, the Bullet sound more modern, different at least, its got a voice on its own
These Duo-Sonic reviews are making me to want to buy mine back!!
Just ordered a surf pearl hs Duosonic, wanted one for ages finally went for it. Can't wait for it to arrive.
The Mustang is so nice! I love it.
Get a mustang, switch the pickups
No need too they sound good. It's a matter of preference I guess
The pick ups in the Mustang for the price are fine. Depends what you want to play I guess.
planning to upgrade my bullet mustang, im planning to put p90s on it
I actually love how the pickups sound. I am usually one to change pups on squiers. Not this one.
22bti if you go your whole life and never play an expensive guitar, you’ll always like how the cheap ones feel. I’ve never picked up a guitar worth more than $400 and I mod the hell out of my $100 babies. I just ordered the mustang in surf green. Plan on dropping gfs dream 90s in it when I get the chance. Also knowing how to set up a guitar helps a ton
I have a Squire Duo-Sonic classic vibe and I love it.
Ryan,
excellent review. thank you. i was wondering the comparison...well done.
Great tunes too. re
I think the main thing I took away from this is that the guitars don't sound THAT different. I think the biggest thing I noticed was the Mustang handling distortion better and the Duo Sonic handling effects better. I would probably get 3-4 Mustangs and lose/break them in varying lengths of time.
love the squier bullet mustang, I've got one, love the pickups, the only reason why I'd change pickups is because I'd want coil splits
Have you checked that you can't modify them? Just wondering. Quite a few cheap pickups have all four wires coming out...
Thanks for the comparison. New Sonic Mustang (either SS or HH) is £140, get a lot of love. Then this Duo-Sonic is a 'proper Fender', better materials and more tone options, best of both worlds, (ss and sh) but comes in at £629, so 4.5x the price. Assuming better longevity on the duo-sonic but is it worth the extra money in your opinion?
I bought the cheap one. Has a good QOTSA sound when distorted 👍🏻
Pau Ferro is technically a rosewood, there are a good deal of rosewoods. The only rosewoods that are being banned are the endangered species. Pau ferro is just the alternative to the endangered Brazilian rosewood.
Robert New York
But it’s ugly.
@@powbobs Depends, if carefully selected, you can find some pau-ferro pieces that look a lot like Brazilian rosewood. But it seems Fender doesn't care, most of times.
I remember the day when pao ferro was seen as a posh upgrade to boring rosewood 😞
Malcolm Hardwick
But that was nice, dark, expensive Pau Ferro.
This is cheap, ugly orange Pau Ferro.
about the color options on the squier, they have two more now: surf green and olympic white
I was recently in Guitar Center and looked at several Bullet Mustangs and they just felt like cheap guitars. The fretboards just weren't well dressed.
My opinions may be colored by having a had a 78 Fender Mustang I got in 1981 when I was 17, and my recently acquired Fender Mustang 90. The '78 was difficult to keep in tune due to that goofy vibrato but the Mustang 90 stays in tune nicely after I added a spacer beneath the E/B string tree.
I only have seven Fender guitars (4 Strats, 3 Teles & a Mustang 90) so I'm looking to add the HS Duo Sonic to my stable.
I really want that duo sonic.
I’ve had the mustang for a few yrs , I put a pearloid pickguard on it and different knobs , she’s a player ❤ so light to ! Great on a old injured back like mine
I got the Duo Sonic about the same time that you did this video.
Stock PUs are great, but I changed the Humbucker for a JB, just because is the sound I'm used to, love the neck PU.
And I just got a Squier last week.
Thinking of changing the PUs to singles.
Both great guitars.
I'm gonna buy that Squier sounds great
I enjoy your reviews! I have a Fender duo sonic and the bullet mustang. Best bet is get both! The bullet is super fun to play with the flat radius, just refinish the neck.
Musician's friend has the bullet mustang and telecaster for $129 right now. Just got the mustang!
Is the short scale guitar good for drop tuning?
@@richarddaradar6173 I haven't tried. I know strats are typically pretty good tuned down. Idk if that has anything to do with their scale length, which is quite a bit different from the mustang.
@@richarddaradar6173 i think drop C would be the lowest u can go (with heavier gauge)
You should get the Jazzmaster Affinity. I mean I’d like to hear your thoughts on it.
James Hatcher maybe instead you could grab a j mascis sig squire jazzmaster
Amer Aldabagh I do like those. My first fender bass had the same look as that Jazzmaster. But I was mainly suggesting the Affinity because I haven’t seen anyone do a review of it and Ryan basically has the mustang version. It’d be cool to see them compared.
@@jay_thedog_man5169 Here's my review- "It's fucking awesome."
Yeah, you were right! The stock pickups in the squier really do sound nice. Thanks for the good and informative content :)
Throwing in my opinion, I think both are cool. The thing is that the fender seems overpriced and the squier sounds a bit rough. I'd buy the squier and modify it. Would save a ton of money since a really good mustang can get quite expensive
I have an early 70s mustang and when I picked up the bullet in the store yesterday the body seemed unusually long, but I’m guessing it’s just an illusion due to that fixed bridge. I may go back and grab it.
the one behind you, I have the squire duo sonic, black. I have the same fender one you are playing! Then the squire classic vibe style. And musicmaster 1978 bass and 6 string. Then a 1979 lead II, very similar. 🤙👍🤙👍🙏
That $150 Squier Mustang certainly doesn't sound cheap - Made in Indonesia, I think, is better-made than in China. That Fender Duo Sonic HS with coil tap is a great, versatile guitar. You know? I'd keep it, even with the funky stuff in the finish (for the $100 savings). The worn areas are almost invisible, unless you point them out in just the right light. Over time, the two guitars I loved playing the most were finished in colors I hated. As they say, "Beauty is more than skin deep." Say, f- - k it, and keep it....flaws 'n' all. BTW, I enjoy your style and content of your videos :)
Hello, I still do not know very well what is the difference between these two and a vm, I really like the bullet green, but I do not know very well if it is recommended, thank you and greetings! : D
Jesus P - The most important thing is to see both guitars, feel and inspect each, play them both. Do you have a friend who play's well? Bring that person with you when you start looking. If both seem to be about the same, go with the one that costs less and enjoy it. (What's a "vm"?)
The fender sounded 100 times better. I may pick one up as a beater
Watching this in 2022 and hearing those prices makes me want to cry.
Hello, I have the Squier Cyclone which looks like the Fender Duo-Sonic, could you give me your expert opinion on this guitar because there are little information on it please ?
I already have the Squier Bullet Mustang HH ... (sorry for my poor english)
I have a strat & a duo sonic & I only ever play the duo sonic out. It has soul & I love it. Worth the $
the SS due is $300 at the moment fyi at adorma can find it on slickdeals I think you need a certain link for it to get the $300 price
I got to play both of these today as well as many others. The Duo sonic hs and ss just felt right to me, really liked the neck and sound. The Bullet did not do near as much for me. Thanks for the comparison!
The blue Bullet Mustang looks better in your videos than it does hanging in stores. I’m getting a Surf Green Bullet Mustang next week, and I’m excited to put some time in on a short scale.
the blue 1 is the worst of their colours
I was actually really tempted to get a used 90s duo sonic. For one, it was $250 and sounded good and felt good. HOWEVER, it had bad fret buzz, the pickup selector was somewhat not working, and the jack would make a “click” when you moved it. I only had a budget of $250, and it could have been $50 to $100 in new parts and time, so on my end I didn’t have the time to put in the money, but it’s a good idea for those who want a fender and a project.
Always been a big fan of Duo Sonic's, and have noted that most I have seen,- like the HS version you have, and the SS anodized gaurd model, - seem to employ above average materials.As you say, very different, but both great necks,- I like both, but the " baseball bat" on the original is part of it's charm.Originally, the DS was supposed to be a student model, but I think the neck thickness was a nod towards its adoption by Surf bands, which were used to them .
I suspect the whole market is drifting towards the 10/12" compound radius, and the day will come that 9 1/2 will become rare; either are fine with me.
On even an economy instrument, the flat finish, ugly, Squier headstocks are hideous.( Someone ought to produce a aftermarket sticker that covers the whole mess in one go.)Since I build a lot of Casters, it rarely survives long in my house.Dig the utilitarian, practical ,attitude towards gear, judging it by overall value and application.
Peace.
Like your videos as you stick to just the facts needed for decisions instead of endless details that don't make the cut. The other one is how you handle those possible squabbles over who is right about personal preferences this way or that way this or that, that; usually getting into the weeds just waste time over personal preferences. Very practical and intelligent behavior on your part. The last thing coming from acoustic world wanting to dip into electric world thinking about the fret board 9.5 verses 12 inch radius. Maybe in this video or maybe another you mentioned that The Mustang is perhaps better when moving from acoustic to electric. Also you seem pretty fond of the Mustang so any chance on video about moving it to a coil split situation in the future. Also how to select or think about pickups with regard to acoustic sounding ability out of the electric guitar. Thanks!
i am recently falling in love with the Duo Sonic, it's just weirder and quitr balanced both physically and sonically
It’s not the guitar, it’s the player. He could probably make a one string diddly bo sound fantastic!
I can play just as badly on a $179 (current price) on a Mustang than I do on a $1500 American Tele. Yep!
I don’t know how you managed to make that squier mustang sounds so small but to each their own. That guitar easily gives me huge tones, maybe try it with a soldano plug-in?
Those particular squier mustang designs are in my opinion one of these he most solid out. I play that squier more than my suhr modern, Gibson sg, musicman jp6 and fender Jaguar custom. The neck profile, radius and fret size is just soo perfect.
Mustang is amazing just bought one
Thanks for the vids on the mustang
you bet!
I got my Bullet Mustang for $70
The best choice of my life !!!
Thanks for these awesome reviews!
Love the vids man, what are your thoughts on the dual single coil version? I'm more of a single coil guy.
they sound great! les versatile than the humbucker version but the single coil will sound a little better than the coil split humbucker.
I own the squire and I am thinking of upgrading to the duo sonic mainly because I believe it will last for way longer because my squier I have owned for over a year and fretting the strings seems to sound dead as in the sound of the strings and it is not holding tuning very well...
I think those short scale length guitars are the best for bending notes! Amazing!
Have you ever tried G&L Tribute Fallout? I was kind of torn between that and the Duo-Sonic HS but I think I might go with the G&L because of the 25.5" scale and maple fingerboard which comes with the Sonic Blue model. And it doesn't hurt that they are a bit cheaper.
It's ALL about the 24" scale length that make the Mustang and DuoSonic magical! Why get the same old 25 1/2" Fender scale? You probably have three already!
I would easily recommend the mustang for the money. The Duo Sonic is up to 799 and has QA issues while the mustang has a big cult following.
The mustang probably has cheap ceramic bar magnets in the pickups. Those could be easily swapped for alnico 5 that would give a brighter more vintage tone.
They sound good to me.
I would like to put some SC on mine, but I got to love it the way it is. Its cheap, its fun and it really works
I feel that Fender humbuckers sound more clear than the Epiphone and Gibson humbuckers. Fender hummies definately don't sound like single coils but they are closer to the clarity of a singlecoil. I don't like humbuckers im general since i prefer tone over power, But i would like to have the sound of that Squier.
The mustang sounds like it would make a good sludge doom metal guitar
The Duo Sonic has a 7.5" radius on the fret board. That is the only thing that I don't care for about this guitar. My fingers kept tripping over the G-string on fast runs. Took a little getting used to. Totally agree about the humbucker. It has a somewhat unique sound for a humbucker. It's got a lot of that upper mid end cut, and a nice harmonic quality. Slightly hot, but not too high output. This is best sounding coil tapped humbucker I've heard. It actually has that single coil sparkle you expect from.a Fender!
At least according to Fenders website it is 9.5"
+Miika T Ah man, I am confused now. I swear the Guitar Center website said 7.5", but when I went back to check just now, it did say 9.5". Either they had a typo they fixed, which is common, or my old man memory/vision failed me. Either way I apologize, but now I can't figure out why my G-string seems so high. When I had seen 7.5, I thought that explained it.
it's perfect my hand size
My e string buzzes like crazy if I play too hard. Other than that I love it
It has a 9.5 not 7
I think I'm going to buy the Bullet Mustang. Like, right now.
Duo Sonic all the way!!
When it comes about sound the only difference between them is the sticker on the headstock and the price tag
Not to sound like a snob, but I'd actually prefer the Duo Sonic in this case :P
Sounds very warn, clean and beautiful.
I actually bought the Squire Vintage Modified Mustang 3 days ago and I'm super happy with it, and it has also been the subject of eye candy for my sister who is interested in starting playing the guitar too.
Lend my Mustang to her and she really prefer the feel of the neck of it in comparison with the classic strat and Jazzmaster that I have.
So I've actually told her that she could get one of these Bullet Mustangs but she isn't too happy about the color choices, so I hope they will turn up in Surf Green or something more fun.
Why they couldn't release the Bullet in red is also mind boggling to me, the Bullet strats are so popular and these Mustangs seems to be almost as equally popular.
Maybe they will offer them in different colors once they are confident that people like them?
Anyway, great video man :)
Wabin22 They sell the bullet in white and mint for a limited time!
Buy 2 Mustangs, put single coil in neck, add split for bridge, leave other Mustang as-is & still have money left over.
oh and great video. Looking at the sonic but you really seemed to like that squire and its dirt cheap. Would you say the squire would be better suited for metal and faster playin?
Lemon Slush Loves Knives The mustang has a flatter radius for modern feel. Plus, it has humbuckers.
The squier sounds better to me.... Hmm...
Very good, thoughtful review👍🌟
"Buy 'em both"...awesome advice!😄
Do you prefer the styling and sound of Duo sonic or Mustang?
Bullet hardtail brigde is pain in the ass, hard to intonate couple of strings
It is.i got a tele half bridge. It fits exactly. You'll have to drill new holes in the middle....very easy.
Great vid and good editing!! Also loads of great info. I was acctually looking at both and a fee others an think I'm getting the mustang for the kids.
I still have the mustang and still love it. I cant believe those guitars are $150.
@@60CycleHumcast 129 right now for the Olympic White, or Surf Green.
Opinion on the Fender Bullet Mustang HH vs the Epiphone Les Paul Special II LE?
In your un boxing video for the squier bullet mustang you said the tuners were terrible and slipping, what made you change your opinion?
NoCaster 51' I think once the strings broke in they were fine. It was so long ago I honestly don’t remember what I said.
That Duo Sonic RI
I wish Fender would make their standard Mustangs in blue. Yes, I know Squire is Fender made.
You can get a Squier Vintage Modified Mustang In sonic blue & they play like 500$ or more guitar
Amazon had that Bullet Mustang down to $139.99, so I just ordered one about an hour ago. Funny thing, right after I ordered it, it went back up to $149.99. Their normal price is $179.99.
The Squier gives a very good account of itself.
I'm not sure what amplifier that you are using but I think that using bigger PIO cap's can brighten up The Tone of The Mustang some to the point of sweetness. It's a little dark but full sounds. The amplifier and speakers play a major role in output tone's. Just going to Eminence Speaker's from Celeston makes a huge difference. Fender has a tendency to use small cap's to flatten out the sounds. I understand why Fender Used 12 and not 9 degrees on The Mustang because of the 5 th. String low output issues with 9 degree fretboards on Jaguar and Mustang guitars. I know that if you play a Old Jag or Mustang guitar you have to deal with the 5 th. String uneven outputs. It's something that has kept me from buying Vintage Fenders over the years. All of the Old one's have a 5 th. String output problem and Even The Telecaster has the same problem but can be improved with a better bridge pick up. The answer is playing around the 5th. String or somewhere in-between the two different degrees. I'm guessing that if you get a vintage Fender or Mustang made with a slightly off 9 degrees more towards 10 or 10 and 1/2 that it will play much better than the one's At 9 degrees. They didn't have CNC machines back then and a Luther finished off the fretboard and frets and some were better than others. It all came down to that. Now they have CNC machines and can make the wood almost perfect. But still the margin of error and assembly can make it great or lousy. I'm just not a fan of 9 degree fretboards.
I've only had this guitar for under a week and for some reason it sounds far more twangy than the one i tried in the shop. Could that be because of the strings being new and metallic. Its sounds way to sharp and metallic. And if it is the strings is there a way of speeding up the aging process
ChinkenNungents maybe was a different amp at the shop compared to what you have at home ?
Roll the tone back until you find the sweet spot.
Just curious what you are playing through as both guitars sound fairly warm and have some depth, even here on UA-cam? Tube amp? Pro tools? Any pedals
Ibanez TSA15h & Princeton Reverb RI, pelican noiseworks 50/50 (dod 250 clone), Big ear NYC ELLE reverb, Cascade fathead mics into a zoom H6 field recorder. the whole thing is mixed in Final Cut Pro.
I do almost no EQ in demos (I roll off the lows under 80hz) and I don't put compression on the guitar because i want to represent what I hear in the room.
60 Cycle Hum Interesting. I have the same amp!. Great value and sounds great with the right cab! Thanks for the quick response.
Which is better the Fender Offset Sonic Duo OR Squire Classic Vibe strat? Thanks
I’m 14 I want to start playing guitar and my favorite band of all time is weezer would the squire work for that type of music
Kellen The melon Yes, assuming weezer uses fender style of guitars, but really the most important thing with tone is your hands/technique. Good luck and have fun with you musical endeavors
Michael Jenkins thanks
The bullet mustang is a fucking cool guitar for the price, you'll not regret
I feel like Weezer is more about that cranked Marshall amp sound than specific guitars since they jump back and forward between Fender guitars with single coil, p90, and humbuckers as well as Gibsons with varying pickups. So yeah, this could work for the weezer sound if you have the right kind of distortion. If you can't afford a Marshall tube amp, maybe get a super clean amp (like a fender amp) and use one of many Marshall distortion/gain pedals out there in the world.
Yeaaah, It would work quite good on that kind of music, and taking advantage you're young, Say "Squier" instead of "Squire" when talking about the brand
Of course the Duo Sonic is better but, the Mustang is only 150...
you can buy 3 of them and still have money left over! after publishing i had the thought that the squire would make an excellent gig back up for the duo sonic. It's almost too good of an idea.