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That there is marketing in special edition guitars (anniversary models, special runs, artist signature models, etc.) is certain, but the manufacturers do make it worthwhile in many cases. These Squiers (note the spelling) are at the top of the range, with full thickness bodies and good components. At $600, I thought they were overpriced. At $300, it's a different matter entirely.
You're always in here singing the praises of products other than in the OP. Say what you want, the Monoprice guitars are often acceptable but not great out of the box. I handled one of their new Strats just yesterday. The fret ends were pretty sharp -- not as bad as the Starcaster next to it, but definitely not comfortable -- and the neck felt completely unfinished. It was smooth, but didn't feel good. Sure, you can fix the sharp frets. You'll need a fret file (unless you want to damage the fretboard), steel wool, tape, etc. to address it. The lack of finish? That's harder. Not everyone wants to buy tools and spend the time learning to use them and the time improving the guitar to be comfortable to play. Fixing guitars, amazingly, does little to help you play better.
Most guitars benefit from a setup. New players should simply pay a professional to do it. It's $50 or so, but few want to pay that on a $50 guitar.
Fixing frets and replacing a nut costs even more. Putting in a better pickup (even a decent inexpensive Wilkinson) still more. Swapping out tuners that slip, as I did on a no name counterfeit Strat I like a lot, more still. And none of that helps your skills as a player.
So if you want to learn to be a guitar tech, the sub-$100 guitars are great. If you want to play, with your main expense being a setup, get something like this $300 Squier and have at it. If you want to give a nice gift to a kid, these Squiers are a great value in decent guitars.
These are the best deals for Squiers. They are super nice for $300. I've owned the P-bass, Jazzmaster, Tele, and Strat. (I go through guitars like socks). Leaps and bounds better than the Affinity or Bullet series. They're basically CV's.
I suspect better than a CV because they have a satin neck when CVs have lacquered necks.
That said, IDK how to measure the difference. I have an affinity and a few months after I got it, I was trying out some amps in a store and used a CV to do that... I was astonished to realize I didn't feel like I was missing out lol. My affinity has a satin neck and holds tune very well, even when using the tremolo. It even has a surprisingly low action, though it does have fret buzz on the low e string. The action is actually lower than the CV I tried in the store hahaha.
Of course, that may have just been a skill issue.
All this said, this deal is good, if only because you're getting a shiny new one from guitar center for the same price as proaudiostar sells the 'open box' ones (that are generally also new) .
I suspect better than a CV because they have a satin neck when CVs have lacquered necks.
That said, IDK how to measure the difference. I have an affinity and a few months after I got it, I was trying out some amps in a store and used a CV to do that... I was astonished to realize I didn't feel like I was missing out lol. My affinity has a satin neck and holds tune very well, even when using the tremolo. It even has a surprisingly low action, though it does have fret buzz on the low e string. The action is actually lower than the CV I tried in the store hahaha.
Of course, that may have just been a skill issue.
All this said, this deal is good, if only because you're getting a shiny new one from guitar center for the same price as proaudiostar sells the 'open box' ones (that are generally also new) .
Do you know any way to tell the neck finish for sure? I'm a big fan of these 40th anniv models, but noticed that the Lake Placid blue strat comes with a glossy neck.
I'm wondering (fearing?) if glossy necks might be on all of the versions with bound fretboards and block inlays.
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Do you know any way to tell the neck finish for sure? I'm a big fan of these 40th anniv models, but noticed that the Lake Placid blue strat comes with a glossy neck.
I'm wondering (fearing?) if glossy necks might be on all of the versions with bound fretboards and block inlays.
I'm pretty sure the Vintage editions have a satin neck and the Gold editions have a gloss neck. I went for the satin neck of the Vintage after checking them out in store, much nicer feeling to me.
I'm pretty sure the Vintage editions have a satin neck and the Gold editions have a gloss neck. I went for the satin neck of the Vintage after checking them out in store, much nicer feeling to me.
Got it, thanks. I'm partial to the block inlays, so for these 40th models, unfortunately I think that locks me into the gloss necks. Nothing a little ultra fine sandpaper and steel wool can't fix!
Ugh after few weeks of research I was about to pull the trigger on the Squier SonicĀ® Stratocaster guitar pack for this price from GC for my beginner level son. Now wondering if this is better deal
Ugh after few weeks of research I was about to pull the trigger on the Squier SonicĀ® Stratocaster guitar pack for this price from GC for my beginner level son. Now wondering if this is better deal
This is DEFINITELY better than the Sonic models. The Sonic ones are probably just fine, but they're the new entry level for Squier.
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And here's a BETTER deal for the Vintage Edition 2-color sunburst Stratocaster: https://slickdeals.net/f/16939594-squier-by-fender-40th-anniversary-stratocaster-vintage-edition-electric-guitar-satin-wide-2-color-sunburst-256-fs-at-musician-s-friend-256-49
Also, I can't wait to play my, I mean her, new bass every day while she's at school.
You're always in here singing the praises of products other than in the OP. Say what you want, the Monoprice guitars are often acceptable but not great out of the box. I handled one of their new Strats just yesterday. The fret ends were pretty sharp -- not as bad as the Starcaster next to it, but definitely not comfortable -- and the neck felt completely unfinished. It was smooth, but didn't feel good. Sure, you can fix the sharp frets. You'll need a fret file (unless you want to damage the fretboard), steel wool, tape, etc. to address it. The lack of finish? That's harder. Not everyone wants to buy tools and spend the time learning to use them and the time improving the guitar to be comfortable to play. Fixing guitars, amazingly, does little to help you play better.
Most guitars benefit from a setup. New players should simply pay a professional to do it. It's $50 or so, but few want to pay that on a $50 guitar.
Fixing frets and replacing a nut costs even more. Putting in a better pickup (even a decent inexpensive Wilkinson) still more. Swapping out tuners that slip, as I did on a no name counterfeit Strat I like a lot, more still. And none of that helps your skills as a player.
So if you want to learn to be a guitar tech, the sub-$100 guitars are great. If you want to play, with your main expense being a setup, get something like this $300 Squier and have at it. If you want to give a nice gift to a kid, these Squiers are a great value in decent guitars.
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That said, IDK how to measure the difference. I have an affinity and a few months after I got it, I was trying out some amps in a store and used a CV to do that... I was astonished to realize I didn't feel like I was missing out lol. My affinity has a satin neck and holds tune very well, even when using the tremolo. It even has a surprisingly low action, though it does have fret buzz on the low e string. The action is actually lower than the CV I tried in the store hahaha.
Of course, that may have just been a skill issue.
All this said, this deal is good, if only because you're getting a shiny new one from guitar center for the same price as proaudiostar sells the 'open box' ones (that are generally also new) .
And here's a BETTER deal for the Vintage Edition 2-color sunburst Stratocaster: https://slickdeals.net/f/16939594-squier-by-fender-40th-anniversary-stratocaster-vintage-edition-electric-guitar-satin-wide-2-color-sunburst-256-fs-at-musician-s-friend-256-49
Also, I can't wait to play my, I mean her, new bass every day while she's at school.
Also, I can't wait to play my, I mean her, new bass every day while she's at school.
That said, IDK how to measure the difference. I have an affinity and a few months after I got it, I was trying out some amps in a store and used a CV to do that... I was astonished to realize I didn't feel like I was missing out lol. My affinity has a satin neck and holds tune very well, even when using the tremolo. It even has a surprisingly low action, though it does have fret buzz on the low e string. The action is actually lower than the CV I tried in the store hahaha.
Of course, that may have just been a skill issue.
All this said, this deal is good, if only because you're getting a shiny new one from guitar center for the same price as proaudiostar sells the 'open box' ones (that are generally also new) .
I'm wondering (fearing?) if glossy necks might be on all of the versions with bound fretboards and block inlays.
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I'm wondering (fearing?) if glossy necks might be on all of the versions with bound fretboards and block inlays.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!