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I agree that it sounds nothing like an acoustic and that it lacks that "jangly" sparkle you'd get from something like a Ric. It has a unique sound. And I'm using the neck pickup almost exclusively, particularly for live stuff. Wonder if changing out the bridge pickup would make much of a difference? I see it as a niche guitar and I've found it to be a good tool for writing and recording. For the price I still think it's good; of course it's $100 off now at Fender - I paid full price 🤣. I'd be curious to know what you end up getting if you sell yours. Thanks for the comment!

Yeah - like so many other things, it's really subjective. I remember seeing Jonathan Cain from Journey playing one of these live - even then I noticed that the headstock was quite different. Good news is that I like this guitar the more I play it, headstock and all. Thanks so much for the comment!

Thanks so much! Yeah, I have this one and the Sonic P-Bass; just really impressed with the quality coming from overseas these days. I'm sure that the computerization and automation of the production process has improved quality considerably, but I'm also convinced that guitar companies (Fender/Squier in particular) are also investing in training their employees and providing higher quality control. It's as if they've discovered that they can create quality products at very reasonable prices. Who knew?!?! 🤣🤘🎸

Something about twin humbuckers in a strat body just makes me giddy! Thanks for the comment! 👍

Hey there! Pretty sure the original knobs were standard 1/4" white Fender Volume and Tone knobs. I changed them out with 1/4" chrome knobs with a set screw in them. 👍

I got most of the upgrade parts from Guitar Parts Factory. Here is direct link to the ring: www.guitarpartsfactory.us/AP-0663-002-Schaller-Gold-Metal-Rhythm-Treble-Ring

@@peadookie Okay… been searching around the web and I can’t find anything that says that necks (Fender in particular) were tinted in the 70s. I found lots of info about different types of finishes causing the natural wood finish to age faster. Experienced this myself with a 1994 P-Bass that has aged… gracefully. If the necks were “in fact” tinted in the 70s, I’m going to need some reference to back that up with. I’ll be the first to raise my hand up and say “that’s the way it was” if I see some evidence. Unfortunately, everything I see is on forums, where people pretty much say whatever they want. Fender also has nothing to say on historical tinting in this article: www.fender.com/articles/behind-the-scenes/the-science-and-style-of-finishes Here are a few other links I found on the subject. Absolutely nothing definitive in there 😁 www.tdpri.com/threads/old-fender-necks-were-they-tinted-to-begin-with.69955/ www.strat-talk.com/threads/natural-finish-on-neck-and-bodies-yellowing-coloring-with-age.565324/ Please do let me know if you find any information about Fender tinting necks in the 70s 👍

Pretty sure this one is standard sized - definitely not a 3/4 scale or anything like that. Good news with the SG style is that they are usually a little lighter and not as huge as an Explorer or bulky like a Les Paul.

That is a very good question and I don't have a solid answer for you. Consensus on forums is mixed (surprise!). The specs on Charvel's site simply list the fretboard as "Carmelized Maple" and it does not feel like it has any finish - the back of the neck does have a light urethane rub. I have not oiled mine at this point; I generally don't oil maple fretboards but this is my first carmelized/roasted neck. I would check directly with Charvel/Fender on this one - might do that myself! Sorry I didn't have a confident answer for you. I will let you know if I hear back from them. Thanks!

@@keithavarney170 Thank you SIr!

@@scripteaze I did get a reply back from Fender: "You are safe to use a product such as this: www.fender.com/en-US/accessories/care-cleaning/custom-shop-4-step-cleaning-kit-4-pack/0990539000.html However these necks require less maintenance overall. 1-2 drops of dish soap liquid in warm water with microfiber cloth is all you'll really need to clean." So, I probably won't be oiling this fretboard like I would a rosewood one. Thanks again for the question!

@@keithavarney170 You're damn Legend! thanks!!

Interesting! I just assumed because of the look they were P90s. Live and learn! Fender simply has them listed as Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil pickups. Good news is now I need another guitar so I can have some P90s. 👍

@@keithavarney170 These guitars have kind of hybrid pickups. The coils are Jazzmaster sized (very wide across, but very thin top-to-bottom). They have magnets underneath the coils rather than the original magnetic polepieces the Fender single coil designs use. They're rather hot. Additionally, the pickups have foam underneath to raise them rather than springs like the original Fender units use. To give better clarity and balance with the bridge pickup, pull it out and trim the foam down so you can lower it further, or remove the foam entirely and put Jazzmaster pickup springs in. Some of the serious gear tweakers are swapping in aftermarket 1960s-spec Jazzmaster replacement pickups.

The music at the beginning and end of the video was made with the instrument that was reviewed. I have mentioned in previous videos that the sound you hear from me playing will not sound like what you get out of your personal setup. So instead of wasting time playing I talk about the attributes of the instrument. Thanks for watching! 👍

Cool - I need to look that stuff up, particularly for my guitars with pau ferro or laurel fretboards. Thanks!

Squier has them listed in the specs for the bass as "Nickel Plated Steel (.045-.105 Gauges)". For my basses, I generally use Ken Smith Rock Master Mediums or D'Addario EXL165s, both in the same .045-.105 gauges. www.stringsandbeyond.com/kensmromabag.html www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-basses/precision-bass/squier-sonic-precision-bass/0373902503.html

@@keithavarney170 big thanks to you Keith!😎👍

For someone that young I would recommend something a little smaller, like the Squier Mini Strat. My kids had one of these when they were younger and it works great for little hands! www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/mini-stratocaster/0370121554.html

I would definitely take that to a professional to look at. Last thing you need is a busted truss rod. Hopefully it's a quick, easy fix for a pro though!

Yeah, a surprisingly good guitar for the price. I've been eyeballing the Epiphone SG Standard 60s; haven't committed quite yet though. Really wanted something Tony Iommi-ish... but his model has the wrap-around bridge and I prefer the Tune-O-Matic. Then again, I guess he did all right with a wrap-around 🤣. www.epiphone.com/en-US/p/Electric-Guitar/EPINKN592/Vintage-Cherry

Oh yeah - I hadn't thought about that! It's definitely lighter than my 4-string J Bass. Thanks for the comment!

This one is still my main for gigging. Just an excellent guitar. Glad you are enjoying yours!

Yes... but I would recommend, for a beginner, to go to a local music store and try out some guitars before buying. The problem with Harley Bentons, in the US at least, is that they have to be ordered from Europe and the shipping cost is a fair percent of the total cost of the instrument. You can find a $200 Squier at most music stores in the US and they are GREAT instruments for beginners. If you are in Europe, then this would definitely be a good guitar for a beginner.

Yeah - I just un-lucked into a bad one. I should have returned it. It's the only Squier I've ever gotten that disappointed. There are some other Squier reviews I've done that are much more positive, including one for the Sonic P-Bass - I've even used that one recently for band practice!

@@keithavarney170 I must admit that I'd only buy a bass that I've actually had in my hands and played, if only to be sure I'm not getting a "Friday afternoon special" like you got. But here's the thing - both of my Squiers (CV jazz bass and Affinity PJ bass) are much better made instruments than my rather valuable 60's classic bass, even though Squier/Fender market them as "beginners" basses. Modern manufacturing techniques have really improved what you can buy for a modest amount of money these days.

Yep - my bad. Dude absolutely crushed it with an SG. faroutmagazine.co.uk/frank-zappa-on-why-he-eventually-landed-with-a-gibson-sg/

I did finally change the pickup. I put a Seymour Duncan 59 Custom Hybrid in place of the original ceramic pickup. Seems to have tamed it a bit - it's clearer and noticeably less harsh now. I love what you are talking about doing to yours! Sounds like it will be a real rocket. I've enjoyed mine very much.

I have been obsessed with that shape since I was a teenager. 👍🤘

Yeah, honestly was taking a shot in the dark based on what they listed. Which made no sense anyway LOL. I like whatever it is, I just wish they would take the few seconds to list it in the specs. Just did a quick google search for "Chinese mahogany wood" and Toona sinensis came up, which is used in "musical instruments such as guitars". I'm just unnecessarily obsessed with them getting the specs right 🤣🤘

​@@keithavarney170If Thomann said the specs, they will be right. European stores are legally required to have the propper apecs and info or the governmental agency's that deal with consumer issues will rip them a new one...

$$$$$!!!!! 🤑 reverb.com/item/81712864-hamer-standard-bound-crowned-4-digit-serial-1981-sunburst

The song at the beginning and the end of the video is something I wrote for the video. I use whatever instrument I am reviewing and throw together a quick, original song so you can hear the instrument in action.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏✌️✌️✌️✌️🤘🤘🤘🤘😎😎😎😎🤟🤟🤟

First one to admit that I’m an idiot. I have terminal mod disease (TMD). Completely agree that these are plenty fine right out of the box. Charvel is really nailing it these days!

These guitars don't need any mods for sure, and have everything you need. Used mine on a fair amount of gigs with no problems so far. Since our gigs are occasionally 1 to 2 hours away, I just take a real cool Fender USA SSH Strat as a back-up, but haven't had to break it out so far.

@@keithavarney170 I cure my TMD with GAS, ha. I got way too many gee-tars, but I pretty much have just about everything covered other than Filtertron Rockabilly or Rickenbacker jangley tones. I do have those close enough in several other guitars. I'm looking for those when I'm out and about, but every Gretsch or other Filtertron equipped guitar I play seems to fall short in some area, thus so far I haven't thrown down on one yet. The Rickenbackers are in short supply and usually overpriced. I'd like a fireglo 330 one of these days, just love the body shape. I did have a 360 12 string in mapleglo back in the day, but my first wife messed up our finances bad at the time, so sold it to keep the family afloat. Strolling down memory lane, ha.

@@nealixd.3011 Totally agree - this model doesn't need any modifications at all. Great right out of the box. Of course that didn't stop me from modifying mine lol. It's like a disease with me... must mod, must mod!

@@nealixd.3011 I've been looking at Gretsch's and Filtertrons lately. Well, I've been looking at everything lately, as usual, but a Filtertron is towards the top of the list. Man, it's getting to be a very long list! As for Rickenbacker, I've always wanted one of their basses (a la Geddy Lee), but never been able to commit to the cost. Some day...

I really don't know - seriously. I think... if you're starting from scratch, practice at least an hour a day, you can be playing songs in a few weeks to a couple of a months. Honestly, everyone is different and learns at a different pace. Personally, I started out as a young teenager playing an acoustic guitar. Heavy strings. Learned all the basic chords - A, C, D, E, G. I can say - for sure - that had I kept up a regular practice schedule, I would be a more solid player today!

That would be hot! They do have a black on black with the single humbucker. Close, but not quite the same. www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/squier-sonic-stratocaster-ht-h/0373301506.html