Telecasters have a slightly warmer bridge pickup and do not have a middle pickup. I’m Dan Hoang. You can check out my full review of the Fender Player Stratocaster here. The Squier Strat comes in a variety of models (different fingerboard wood, with or without the tremolo bar, different pickup types, and so on), but this review will be on the Squier Bullet Stratocaster with Tremolo bar. Replacing the pots altogether in a common upgrade and another option if you plan on playing for more than hobby purposes. Body Finish: Polyurethane 3. Neck Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm) 7. Unlike a typical Strat, the Telecaster instead has a single-cutaway on the body. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. So, naturally, it makes sense to compare the budget Squier Affinity Stratocaster to a real Fender Stratocaster to see if the copy can hold it’s own. Fingerboard Material: Indian Laurel 8. This covers bare minimum and basic, to highly advanced and custom. The features are topped off with a tremolo bridge and two tone knobs alongside the standard volume knob. The slightly-sharpened cutaway horns give it a more aggressive and interesting look. You have three single-coil pickups: one slanted pickup at the bridge, one pickup in the middle, and one at the neck. I’ve played Stratocasters almost exclusively for live performances, studio sessions, teaching students, creating YouTube videos, and some touring, for around 25 years. Because of the bridge humbucker, you do lose some of the classic Strat ones in the neck and neck/middle settings. As far as features, this Affinity Strat has the same features as an American Standard, so you’re not missing out on anything in this aspect. Even some blues players have used Telecasters in their songs. This guitar does feel like a Stratocaster, but the fit and finish is not as good as a higher-end version. Your basic Stratocaster, whether classic or modern in styling, has the same electronic layout. It’s a cheaper alternative to mahogany, and in more plentiful supply in the east, where these guitars are made. Few would argue that this is a great, versatile guitar all around. Yamaha chose to use a humbucker in the bridge for this guitar, which gives you more options to different tones. Neck Material: Maple 4. Plus, they’ve kept it at a price the average person can more easily afford. To cut down on costs and make the guitar more affordable, there are some variations in components and quality of parts. To still have the blessing of Fender at that price point is no easy feat, so you can be sure you’re getting something that’s of reasonable quality when you take the plunge and make a purchase. Take this quick, 5-question quiz first to determine whether this or another guitar is right for you. All of the makings of an instrument that anyone should feel proud to own are here. Although it’s capable of getting your classic Stratocaster tones, this guitar isn’t suited well to distortion and overdrive as it will generate more hiss and noise than one of the Standard models. Their Stratocaster models are also known for being immensely versatile, lending way to amazing blues licks, as well as some of the most memorable hard rock and jazz solos. They’re medium sized here, lending themselves well to the “beginner guitar” intent of this instrument. Using the #2 and #4 positions on the pickup selector can help remove some of the hiss and noise since those positions use two pickups together which helps to cancel out noise. Fret Size: Medium Jumbo 11. Medium, as you might imagine, is a nice compromise of allowing your fingers to have enough room without being stretched too much before you’re ready. To cut down on costs, Fender Squier guitars are made in a few countries including China, Korea, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Here are the specifications of the Squier Affinity Stratocaster as listed on the official Fender website. They play well, look great, and sound good with high gain. Also, because it has only two pickups, the pickup selector only has three settings: bridge, bridge/neck, neck. Squier has its Affinity Stratocaster priced at $199. The Pacifica is still a favorite today among players of various styles. For example, when I first played this guitar, the neck still felt a little rough. For those searching for a beginner electric guitar, it’s not uncommon for that search to begin with the Stratocaster. This guitar would be best for a Strat purist that wants the classic Stratocaster tone, a polished attention to detail, solid parts and components that are made for the working musician, and at a quality level that’s worthy of its higher price. Guitar case or other accessories included better sound if that ’ s meant to be played for,... 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