My brother tried to get me to play guitar. I never would. He even offered to buy me one. Still said no. Then he died, and I got his stratocaster and jazz bass. I figured I would look pretty stupid having these nice guitars and not being able to play them. I bought myself a new 08 American Standard stratocaster. I consider that my first guitar, and I have played them every day for 14 years. I told my guitar teacher that starting at age 40, I have an extremely high drive and low expectations.
I've been playing for about 15 years... My first guitar was a Squier Stratocaster (one of those that came with the amp)... I've been able to buy a couple of Fenders (MIM and MIA) since then, but my old Strat was still very good compared to these... so I decided to change the neck, pickups, paint, etc... 2 albums, 1 EP, several small and medium gigs after it is my main guitar... The point being... Squier is good enough to play, record and gig... Best way to start in my opinion!
I was growing up in the 70’s and it would’ve been really nice to even have a fraction of the beginners guitars they have today. My pop bought me a nylon string classical guitar which must’ve been just a few bucks and it just wasn’t fun to learn on that so I gave up sadly. Young kids definitely have it nice these days regarding starter guitars like the one you just showed here.
My Bullet Mustang was a fun little project. I know not everyone wants to tinker, but the Squire is a great platform. My frets were shark teeth. Obtw, your playing is perfectly suited to task. I'm glad you keep it kind of consistent. Thanks again!
Well, got a Squier Affinity Tele (used), swapped the PUPs with a set of Ultra Noiseless Vintage, put a 4 way Fender switch and Fender pots. Decided to save a bit and put american standard tuners. being tele's are inherently stable when it comes to tuning it does the job Apart from that, did full fret leveling and dressing, rounded the fretboard edge a bit and it is a dream to play. Only thing I'd love to change is have a tiny bit wider 12" radiused fretboard. I know, it's a tele and it shouldn't, but I like what I like :D
I started off with a new guitar, but it was a single pickup Kay, I think it was made of laminated plywood. Action was dreadful but the the rounded neck was actually not bad for a beginner. I learnt the basics on it and took it to college my first year, until I earned some money to get what I would l say was my first "proper" guitar, a Charvette 275. You're absolutely right, that first experience is so important. I think price and quality of sub-200 bucks instruments is so good now, beginner have never had it so good. Heck even fret jobs are better on the cheap brands than some of the name brands. The only thing that might spoil a beginner's experience is the basic setup, which is still kind if luck of the draw at that price point. Thanks for showing us this Dylan. I did an Esquire conversion on a budget Tele the other year which was a fun project, so this model would be great for beginners or as a mod platform.
I’ve had a few Squiers and other copies of varying values. I can say they are nearly always decent instruments with a surprisingly sweet sound, and with a bit of tinkering are pretty easy to get playing pretty good as well.
You are SPOT on with these. however, I wonder why inexpensive guitars HAVE to be qualified with "great for a beginner". Picked one up at GC and couldn't leave it behind. This little sonic was just a pleasure to hold and play plus the core quality was outstanding. Spent an hour sanding/rounding the frets and fret board edges, sanded a bit of sticky from back of neck, changed strings, turned truss 1/2 turn, adjusted intonation (slightly) and wow! 6 1/2 lbs of grab and play fun. The pick ups sound absolutely fine to me and the tone even rolls off nicely. Probably change the tuners down the road but that's it. It will sit right beside my custom shop nocaster. If you haven't yet, check out the latest squiers (sonics and affinities). They are impressive! Obviously the pressure on Fender to counter all the new EARTS and Musi types amazon offers. Guitar enthusiasts win either way :)
first time watching a video from this channel (after buying an ultraviolet strat from the new lineup), but i immediately trust him for bursting into right in two in the first 30 seconds
Dylan- Really enjoyed your review of the new model and Sonic lineup. Happy to have discovered and subscribed to your channel. My first guitar was a ‘68 Fender Strat, bought for me in that same year when I was 13. It was actually too much guitar for me at that age, insofar as being an embarrassment of riches with it’s 3 pickup subtleties of tone options and superfluous (for me) tremolo bar. But it was certainly a beautiful instrument and I played it up until about age 30 (strictly rhythm-garage band at best), at which time I got away from it due to career and time constraints. I eventually sold it in the ‘90s. Fast forward. Now that I’m retired, I’ve recently gotten back into playing (badly) and have been picking up Squier Teles for their straightforward simplicity, and short scale Squier and Fender Player Mustangs and Duo Sonics for their friendly playability. I just took delivery of this Esquire H, which looks great in the white blackguard. I agree that it’s a very respectable instrument, and nothing at all like the “beginner” models from my youth, with their painfully high action and impossible to correct intonation. It’s lone bridge humbucker is all I need for my poorly executed insults to the memory of my guitar hero Johnny Ramone, although I confess that I’ve been “what if-ing” about having my guitar shop add a P-90. Glad to learn that you sell the upgrade gear. I’ll keep you advised.
Something I saw recently was that CTS now makes pots with metric shaft diameters' to fit in import guitars without having to modify the holes. Something useful to know for someone who is thinking about upgrading one of these, if you wanted to keep it one pickup you could upgrade the pots with zero mods to the guitar or plate.
I'm a seasoned bass player who recently bought a "Limited Edition"lime green Squire Sonic P bass. I've gigged it & it's a nice utility P bass as is. I'll probably change the pickup but it does Rock P bass just fine stock. $199 + tax direct from Fender. Bravo!
How do you know what is truth? In order to know if it is true you would have to have known truth to begin with if you knew truth why would you need him to tell it to you. People always make this statement without understanding the implications.
If I wanted to check guitar skills i would go to guitar circus. Does it really matter??? This guy plays,period. He's very knowledgeble, he has a positive atitude. I'm entretained and I'm learning at the same time, all of this for free....
Also if SRV did guitar reviews would you buy all of them??? The way this guy plays is the real deal... perfect to understand in reality how the guitar sounds
After a bit of research I have to agree! In fact I may get the Sonic Bronco as my first ever bass guitar! Good thing that I can play it through my Katana 100 MKII.
My first guitar was my mom’s acoustic. I’m pretty sure it was from Sears in the 60s. My first electric was also a Sears guitar with a built-in amp and speaker. My third guitar was a Westone Spetrum ST, which I always think of as my first guitar even though it wasn’t really. I’m thinking about getting one of these Sonic Esquires to mod. I really want to be able to switch the humbucker between series and parallel wiring. Not sure if I’ll go with a push-pull pot or a switch. A four-way switch to have split-coil options too could be cool. Also, I’m thinking a push-pull might not fit in the thinner body. Though the older I get, the more my back appreciates the thin bodies on these low-end Squiers.
Yeah, mine was a Sears Silvertone (Danelectro) Model 1448 (guitar/amp & speaker in case) in 1962. I still own it, intact, all original, and works . . . I'm sometimes amazed at the offers I get for it, but you know how it is--not for sale.
@@ironmikezero I “traded in” my Sears electric when I got the Westone. I later found out they just trashed it (which makes sense to me now), and I would’ve kept it if I had known that. But my mom still has hers, and that one is going to stay in the family.
Red Memphis HH super strat. My dad bought it for me because he couldn't believe you could get a guitar with a Floyd type trem for so cheap. It was (and is) actually a very decent playing guitar. The first issue was they used 5 springs that were so light that when tuned up the trem was at a 45 degree angle. A tech friend of his fixed that. The second issue was just that it was a great looking guitar from 10' away. Once you were up close to it, you could see the body was very wavy, like they didn't plane it down far enough or one of the planer blades was dulling faster than the others. That didn't really effect playing though. The only real problem that I had to deal with was that neither my father, nor my short-lived guitar teacher (me being the student was short lived, he's still alive as far as I know) bother to show me how to use a Floyd style bridge. This was pre-Internet days. I got very skilled at tuning just flat enough that when I tightened the lock nut the guitar was in tune. I don't want to admit how old I was when I learned about the fine tuners on the bridge. I also don't think I've ever changed string on that guitar. They've been changed, but always at the guitar store I was getting lessons at. Then I went acoustic. Then I got a Hamer. The Memphis never really saw action after that. I had a tech give it a once over at the end of last year when I pulled it out of the closet. He changed the strings then. Yep, pretty sure I have not personally changed the strings on that guitar. So, maybe 35 years and I guess I still haven't gotten past my issues with that guitar.
Great video i'm 41 years old and mainly a drummer I played drums pretty much all my youth and and 20s and 30s i stop playing I guess with other things in life, but I have been playing bass guitar I got a squier regular sunburst jazz bass and upgrade it to a squier classic vibe 70' black and man the classic vibe is such a great bass I play it a lot am I good nope not at all, but its a nice bass to look at so it makes me want to play it more. Now I saw these Sonic guitar lineup of telecaster and I just fall inlove with them ... Before I played drums when i was liek 12 or 13 back in the early 90s I have played guitar as my parents couldn't afford a drum kit for me so they got me a cheap guitar setup from Sears it was a cheap beginner setup and man it wasn't a great guitar, but I still played it and u know what even if your not good I play music for the fun of it and that is where its at. Now I want to get into guitar cause I want to get better at bass as well. I figured for me a guitar is easy to learn over a bass and if i can get good at guitar i figured it will help me play my bass better and at the sametime I love guitars I love the sound of them and i think they are fun to play. I bought a Squier Sonic Telecaster California Blue and man this gives me Surf vibe style guitars and i like it. I'm still waiting on it to come to my place as I order it online from amazon got a good price on it and I can't wait to unbox it and start playing. I also order some books to learn how to play chords and notes and learn all the good stuff to practice and I know it takes time and a hour a day should help and probably can do some mixing recording with my bass and guitar and have some fun with that learning both at the same time and each type of guitar will help me be creative.. I love music I don't play to be professional, but I still want a style and still want to sound good, but I play it for fun and to me that is what its all about. Great video man... Yes when u say a role model I look up to the head singer of The O.C. Supertones Matt hes awesome musican and inspired me a lot to get this tele and I want to play music for god as well. Cheers.
I do home recording. Love the Squier Telecaster. Thanks for a great demonstration. I am looking for an electric just for home use. Would this be a good one? If I love the electric I can upgrade later. Thanks for a great video
My first electric guitar was (and is) a 2001 Indonesian made Squier (Standard) Strat. I’ve added Hipshot staggered locking tuners and a Tusq nut, and have kept the original alnico 5 pickups. The neck is a very “slickery” satin, and the fretboard edges are ever-so-slightly rounded (it came this way). This neck rivals many high dollar Strats. For whatever reason, this thing is the “Stratiest” sounding Strat I’ve ever played. Yeah, the bridge pickup is a bit shrill, but hey, it’s a friggin’ Strat!
Same! My first axe a 2004 Indonesian made Squiet Affinity strat and the neck on it is unbelievable. It came set up like that out of the box and despite having much pricier Fenders and Gibsons it’s still one of the best playing and feeling guitars I own. I feel fortunate to have had such a great guitar to start on and it still holds it’s own today. I think these were some hidden gems.
@@rocktorrocks Yep! I've heard a few of the RUclips guitar channel guys state that some of those early-mid 2000s Squier necks were stunning. My only gripe is the fact that this particular one (not all of them were this way) has a 41mm nut. Doesn't really make a difference playing-wise, but unless you buy a blank nut and cut it yourself (with nut files that are half as expensive as the guitar), the string spacing of any replacement nut is a hair off. I bought a 42mm Tusq and trimmed the ends down to 41mm. It works, but the high E is just a tad to close to the edge of the fretboard. But hey, I can live with it. Enjoy your Affinity!
I made many tunes and videos over the bullet tele in 2019. They changed a few things then and gave them away at 129, 119. I was blown away and according to comments on those videos they were indeed great. Only heard of few QC issues mostly good. Man i miss that thing.
My first guitar was a Squire strat, been playing everyday for 30 years since I got that guitar. A lot of my friends growing up got horrible department store guitars and they gave up on learning to play pretty quick.
I'm glad Squier is leveling-up the quality of their budget series guitars. There's way too many other guitar companies now that are putting out high-quality guitars for dirt cheap. Competition is good for us consumers! 😃🎸
I don't understand this leveling up thing when they just basically dropped the Bullet series in favor of Sonic series to sell Bullet quality instruments at what used to be higher quality Affinity series price range. Same pickups, same hardware as in Bullet series, funkier colors and basswood bodies replaced with cheaper poplar bodies.
it's important to remember when window shopping 🛒 online that Squier guitars ( bodies / neck / headstock) are not always going to be same size dimensions as Fender for example - the '95 Korea Squier SE Stratocaster i own i L💜vE because of the neck profile & frets and rosewood fretboard but it's not the same size at all compared to my '98 Double Fat Strat MIM Deluxe
My first guitar was Epiphone telecaster with the hockey stick head stock red. Loved it for a while but never couldn’t play rock on it, either I sucked or it was the neck pickup sounded to dark. Wish I kept it today cause my dad gave it to me for Christmas.
Poplar is just fine. Jackson guitars (long owned by Fender btw) made of poplar are actually more desirable with a large part of their audience for their springy attack. Could work with a Tele I think.
My first electric guitar was a Squier Bullet Duo-Sonic. Is was pretty garbage but hey...I'm still playin' 21 years later. I got a fender tele from my pops for highschool graduation and BOY did that thing come in handy in college lol. I think there is something to what you are saying. There ARE many options at that price point that might offer a similar quality but with a different look, though. I would say the same logic could be applied to a guitar body shape or pickup configuration as it could to a brand. If you get them a Harley Benton SG, it's never going to be as cool as a Gibson SG but it will fill the gap up they are able to afford one and still inspire them to play as the quality on those is at least as good as Squier Bullet, in my experience. But you make a lot of valid points. What we can concretely agree on is that you want to find the beginner in your life a quality instrument that won't break the bank or deter them from wanting to continue playing. I think I really like those Squier Mini's and the Epiphone Power Players for my boys in a couple of years. Right now we are still playing Travel Sized guitars. Most notably an Epiphone Vee Wee. They love clanking around on that thing lol. Good stuff as always, Dylan!
my first guitar was made in USSR, it had 3 single pickups and action like 2 cm. When engage overdrive or distortion it was playing radio! It was impossible to play but I loved it. Do you think this is a good idea to install some high output seymour duncan (like Nazgul or Invader), put 12 - 54 strings and drop it to like D# - C?
The Ibanez GIO series seems more competitive. For $199 you can get an HSH s-type with vibrato and a quilted top! If you splurged on another $10, you could get a Yamaha Pacifica S-type with HSS and vibrato for $209. These are not crummy guitars. I'd think a rock-oriented young person would be a lot more excited to get one of these. The "Fender" on the label costs $ and at the lowest price points, it's not much benefit for the consumer.
My first guitar was a Harmony Strat copy. Not good at all. Now, on to the Squier Sonics. I recently got the pink Strat. I asked my local shop to order one so I could see it in person, because at this price point, something deal-breaking could be going on. But to my surprise all the frets were level and the neck feels no different than any other Fender neck, so I got it. The stock pickup is serviceable, but that's about it. The nut is soft, nasty plastic. I ended up upgrading it and the tuners and swapping all the electronics for a D Activator and full size pots. I did see it's routed for three pickups, but I dig the one pickup look and ethos. So yeah, it's really good for a beginner, especially if professionally set up, and it can grow with you. If you played it blindfolded now, you would think it's some 80s hair metal super strat.
I bought a 2018 model Affinity Tele for a mod platform. I really liked the body and the stock pickups sounded very good for a low end guitar, which was odd because I hated the Affinity Strat pickups. I had to give it away because I couldn't deal with the 40 mm nut width, after playing a LP for so long.
Well, my first "electric" guitar is the SSS Squier Sonic Strat.. and I can confirm it is a great first guitar.. The overall quality and set up was spot on.. I did change the strings, oil the fret board and run some 2000 grit sandpaper through the nut slots and on the back of the neck, but that was more just because I like to fiddle with new stuff.. Action was almost spot on, and the intonation was only slightly off on a couple of strings. I've tried playing acoustic on and off over the years, but haven't stuck with it. but when I saw a review of the new Sonic Series Strats and how good they were, I had no problem dropping $200 on a beginner electric guitar.. I gotta say, even though its an inexpensive beginner strat.. I've got the Strat Bug suddenly and can see why they're so popular..
First time Squier buyer here, it's amazing how much they've improved from what it used to be 10 years ago. They used to suck big time Just wanted to try one and see for myself. Upgraded the pups to Texas specials and it actually feels and plays better than my Std Strat. I'm gonna get that white one next, it's the price of an effects pedal.😂
Hey, did the new pickup make much of a difference. I just got this and the stock pickup sounds ok on the high notes but lacks mids and bass on the lows. was wondering IF a new pickup would help OR is it mostly because of the cheaper parts on the guitar that it sounds king of generic. Thanks
My very first guitar was a "not well tuned" Harmony archtop with rusted strings. Not cool to play, but a gift from my parents. But this was kind of joke I think, couple of weeks later I got a brand new BC Rich. I didn't have it anymore. It was more a intermediate guitar... I struggled a lot with the floyd rose tremolo... I don't recommend this for a beginner.
I begged my parents for an electric guitar when I was a kid and they got me a tiny garbage first act acoustic that was basically a toy. They got my brother an Ibanez Gio. I would have given up on ever learning guitar because my guitar was unplayable, but I started sneaking into my brother’s room when he was gone and learned on his.
I am a beginer, 6 month into learning. Got me a brand spanking new sonic mustang SS. After waiting a long time (they were on pre-order) i was very dissapointed. There were more than 7 high frets, the nut was really badly cut-/manufactured (looked like someone melted the plastic) and the tone knob was not working. I got so upset, i refunded it the same day. Second really bad squier i ordered and refunded. Used Squiers (even older bullets) are €30-€40 cheaper than brand new, which is why i ordered a couple. Just unlucky with Squier, not sure if i should try them again.
My first electric guitar was a preowned Yamaha RGX112. The previous owner changed the pickups so the sound was pretty nice, but that thing couldn't stay in tune. The strat-like bridge was shit and the tuning machine "not consistent"...let's say so. After a couple of years of struggling I got a used '92 Gibson SG that was of course way better.
I think the Bullets were/are a better value, more colors, many had string through. I have owned and played many Bullets with excellent necks. Most all specs are identical to the Sonic. Admittingly I have not held a Sonic. Dylan from your experience is the Sonic series a better value?
Sonic series is just a clever marketing ploy allowing Squier to sell Bullet quality guitars at what used to be Affinity price range. The pickups are the same, the harware is the same, basswood bodies replaced with inferior poplar bodies .
Are Jet guitars available in the U.S. yet ?They are amazing and superior to Squier imho My first guitar was a Jet JT 350 [T style with a neck humbucker ]and wouldn't swap it for anything,the neck is something else .
First guitar was an oddball that only like 200 of them were ever made, and only 50 made of each model from from what I gather. It was a Takamine GX200tb, neck through solid body electric. Sadly it was stolen. One day I will find another one and buy it, but they are getting extremely rare these days.
There is no reason that one of these $199 guitars shouldn't do the job. The only uncertain aspect is how long can it do the job? It could be forever or maybe less. But expensive guitars can be asked that very same question. I have the Duo Sonic inspired body shape or the Squier Sonic Mustang in sunburst. And I like it as much (or more) as my name guitars.
I love mine, and I agree, but... each one needs to be thoroughly examined, tested and set up, because quality control is shaky at best. You can have a great guitar or a total lemon.
Can anyone (starting with Dylan of course, if he sees this comment) please help with this. Following Dylan's advice I decided to buy from Runway audio cables. I kinda remember Dylan telling a Runway discount code in one of the older vids but couldn't find it. Nor do codes that I've found elsewhere work. Any info?
There's a Janka scale for wood hardness. Basically how many ft/lb of force it takes to half bury a ballbearing. So higher figures = harder Yellow Poplar 540, White/Silver Poplar 410, Black Poplar 460 Basswood 410 But every tree is going to have natural variation. It's only a ball(bearing)park guide. I don't have any provenance for which variant of poplar is used in guitars, just anecdotal suggestions its yellow.
@@shanewalton8888 If the screws holes strip out, Phil McNight has a video on how to fix it with toothpicks. It’s a relatively easy fix. If you keep modding the guitar and the screw hole gets really super bad, a repair man can install wood plugs if needed but I kind of doubt it would go that far
Dylan you play great guitar! The guitar is not playing you. Always good to hear. My first guitar was a used Sears flying v. HAPPY the big boy guitar makers are making it real for beginners, it will make a difference.
My first guitar was a black lefty Japanese Squier strat. Unfortunately don't own it. It was followed quickly by a bright yellow Kramer with a Kahler. Unfortunately sold that in college so I could have money to spend on women. lol
@@DylanTalksTone I mean it's the one I want to buy but I'm waiting for the upgrade brother. Please recut a new bone nut. I feel like it's the most important part of a setup. I always do it first on every guitar. Then I see what I'm working with. Obviously the pickup, frets polished and filed, and pots too. I always toss the electronics on inexpensive guitars. But I recut the nut even on Gibsons etc.
the best first guitar*** *** actually it is not. I am barely could recommend your "the best" first guitar. Even more, I could be potentially affiliated somehow with Squier or Fender and could not provide thruthfully statements from my own. Also this guitar could potentially be sponsored by my donators which could affect on my opinion as well.
Recently retired and started playing guitar at 65, and now enjoying working on them myself thanks to you sharing your knowledge. Thank You Much!!!
My brother tried to get me to play guitar. I never would. He even offered to buy me one. Still said no. Then he died, and I got his stratocaster and jazz bass. I figured I would look pretty stupid having these nice guitars and not being able to play them. I bought myself a new 08 American Standard stratocaster. I consider that my first guitar, and I have played them every day for 14 years. I told my guitar teacher that starting at age 40, I have an extremely high drive and low expectations.
Sorry for your loss 🙏💕
My aunt purchased the red version as a Christmas gift to me. I cant wait to play! Thanks for this video too 😁
I've been playing for about 15 years... My first guitar was a Squier Stratocaster (one of those that came with the amp)... I've been able to buy a couple of Fenders (MIM and MIA) since then, but my old Strat was still very good compared to these... so I decided to change the neck, pickups, paint, etc...
2 albums, 1 EP, several small and medium gigs after it is my main guitar...
The point being... Squier is good enough to play, record and gig... Best way to start in my opinion!
I was growing up in the 70’s and it would’ve been really nice to even have a fraction of the beginners guitars they have today. My pop bought me a nylon string classical guitar which must’ve been just a few bucks and it just wasn’t fun to learn on that so I gave up sadly. Young kids definitely have it nice these days regarding starter guitars like the one you just showed here.
My Bullet Mustang was a fun little project. I know not everyone wants to tinker, but the Squire is a great platform. My frets were shark teeth.
Obtw, your playing is perfectly suited to task. I'm glad you keep it kind of consistent. Thanks again!
Nothing wrong with your playing Dylan. You still inspire in my opinion.
got a green one for 139 fantastic buy really stays in tune that was surprising, file down the fret sprout. its a gem
I have one just like the one he's playing and I love it. I've been playing for more than 40 years. This can be much more than a "first guitar."
First was a 90s Peavy Predator which was pretty good in retrospect. First amp was also a Peavy.
i got a 1995 squire strat. Still have it to this day. Never messed with anything except spray deoxit in the pots.
Well, got a Squier Affinity Tele (used), swapped the PUPs with a set of Ultra Noiseless Vintage, put a 4 way Fender switch and Fender pots.
Decided to save a bit and put american standard tuners. being tele's are inherently stable when it comes to tuning it does the job
Apart from that, did full fret leveling and dressing, rounded the fretboard edge a bit and it is a dream to play.
Only thing I'd love to change is have a tiny bit wider 12" radiused fretboard. I know, it's a tele and it shouldn't, but I like what I like :D
I started off with a new guitar, but it was a single pickup Kay, I think it was made of laminated plywood. Action was dreadful but the the rounded neck was actually not bad for a beginner.
I learnt the basics on it and took it to college my first year, until I earned some money to get what I would l say was my first "proper" guitar, a Charvette 275.
You're absolutely right, that first experience is so important. I think price and quality of sub-200 bucks instruments is so good now, beginner have never had it so good. Heck even fret jobs are better on the cheap brands than some of the name brands. The only thing that might spoil a beginner's experience is the basic setup, which is still kind if luck of the draw at that price point.
Thanks for showing us this Dylan. I did an Esquire conversion on a budget Tele the other year which was a fun project, so this model would be great for beginners or as a mod platform.
I’ve had a few Squiers and other copies of varying values. I can say they are nearly always decent instruments with a surprisingly sweet sound, and with a bit of tinkering are pretty easy to get playing pretty good as well.
You are SPOT on with these. however, I wonder why inexpensive guitars HAVE to be qualified with "great for a beginner". Picked one up at GC and couldn't leave it behind. This little sonic was just a pleasure to hold and play plus the core quality was outstanding. Spent an hour sanding/rounding the frets and fret board edges, sanded a bit of sticky from back of neck, changed strings, turned truss 1/2 turn, adjusted intonation (slightly) and wow! 6 1/2 lbs of grab and play fun. The pick ups sound absolutely fine to me and the tone even rolls off nicely. Probably change the tuners down the road but that's it. It will sit right beside my custom shop nocaster. If you haven't yet, check out the latest squiers (sonics and affinities). They are impressive! Obviously the pressure on Fender to counter all the new EARTS and Musi types amazon offers. Guitar enthusiasts win either way :)
first time watching a video from this channel (after buying an ultraviolet strat from the new lineup), but i immediately trust him for bursting into right in two in the first 30 seconds
Dylan- Really enjoyed your review of the new model and Sonic lineup. Happy to have discovered and subscribed to your channel. My first guitar was a ‘68 Fender Strat, bought for me in that same year when I was 13. It was actually too much guitar for me at that age, insofar as being an embarrassment of riches with it’s 3 pickup subtleties of tone options and superfluous (for me) tremolo bar. But it was certainly a beautiful instrument and I played it up until about age 30 (strictly rhythm-garage band at best), at which time I got away from it due to career and time constraints. I eventually sold it in the ‘90s. Fast forward. Now that I’m retired, I’ve recently gotten back into playing (badly) and have been picking up Squier Teles for their straightforward simplicity, and short scale Squier and Fender Player Mustangs and Duo Sonics for their friendly playability. I just took delivery of this Esquire H, which looks great in the white blackguard. I agree that it’s a very respectable instrument, and nothing at all like the “beginner” models from my youth, with their painfully high action and impossible to correct intonation. It’s lone bridge humbucker is all I need for my poorly executed insults to the memory of my guitar hero Johnny Ramone, although I confess that I’ve been “what if-ing” about having my guitar shop add a P-90. Glad to learn that you sell the upgrade gear. I’ll keep you advised.
Something I saw recently was that CTS now makes pots with metric shaft diameters' to fit in import guitars without having to modify the holes. Something useful to know for someone who is thinking about upgrading one of these, if you wanted to keep it one pickup you could upgrade the pots with zero mods to the guitar or plate.
They've actually been for quite a while. I have metric CTS retrofitted in my E-II.
I'm a seasoned bass player who recently bought a "Limited Edition"lime green Squire Sonic P bass. I've gigged it & it's a nice utility P bass as is. I'll probably change the pickup but it does Rock P bass just fine stock. $199 + tax direct from Fender. Bravo!
We don't watch your channel for your guitar skill, we watch it because you're not afraid to tell the true about the industry.
Who’s we?
He's perfectly fine!
How do you know what is truth? In order to know if it is true you would have to have known truth to begin with if you knew truth why would you need him to tell it to you. People always make this statement without understanding the implications.
If I wanted to check guitar skills i would go to guitar circus. Does it really matter??? This guy plays,period. He's very knowledgeble, he has a positive atitude. I'm entretained and I'm learning at the same time, all of this for free....
Also if SRV did guitar reviews would you buy all of them??? The way this guy plays is the real deal... perfect to understand in reality how the guitar sounds
After a bit of research I have to agree! In fact I may get the Sonic Bronco as my first ever bass guitar! Good thing that I can play it through my Katana 100 MKII.
I had an old Japanese westone thunder one for my first guitar really wish I still had it crazy good guitar
My first guitar was my mom’s acoustic. I’m pretty sure it was from Sears in the 60s. My first electric was also a Sears guitar with a built-in amp and speaker. My third guitar was a Westone Spetrum ST, which I always think of as my first guitar even though it wasn’t really. I’m thinking about getting one of these Sonic Esquires to mod. I really want to be able to switch the humbucker between series and parallel wiring. Not sure if I’ll go with a push-pull pot or a switch. A four-way switch to have split-coil options too could be cool. Also, I’m thinking a push-pull might not fit in the thinner body. Though the older I get, the more my back appreciates the thin bodies on these low-end Squiers.
Yeah, mine was a Sears Silvertone (Danelectro) Model 1448 (guitar/amp & speaker in case) in 1962. I still own it, intact, all original, and works . . . I'm sometimes amazed at the offers I get for it, but you know how it is--not for sale.
@@ironmikezero I “traded in” my Sears electric when I got the Westone. I later found out they just trashed it (which makes sense to me now), and I would’ve kept it if I had known that. But my mom still has hers, and that one is going to stay in the family.
I got the purple version of this and love it. Plays well, works great with all my pedals and I can't wait to put a P90 soap bar in it,
Red Memphis HH super strat. My dad bought it for me because he couldn't believe you could get a guitar with a Floyd type trem for so cheap. It was (and is) actually a very decent playing guitar. The first issue was they used 5 springs that were so light that when tuned up the trem was at a 45 degree angle. A tech friend of his fixed that. The second issue was just that it was a great looking guitar from 10' away. Once you were up close to it, you could see the body was very wavy, like they didn't plane it down far enough or one of the planer blades was dulling faster than the others. That didn't really effect playing though.
The only real problem that I had to deal with was that neither my father, nor my short-lived guitar teacher (me being the student was short lived, he's still alive as far as I know) bother to show me how to use a Floyd style bridge. This was pre-Internet days. I got very skilled at tuning just flat enough that when I tightened the lock nut the guitar was in tune. I don't want to admit how old I was when I learned about the fine tuners on the bridge. I also don't think I've ever changed string on that guitar. They've been changed, but always at the guitar store I was getting lessons at.
Then I went acoustic. Then I got a Hamer. The Memphis never really saw action after that. I had a tech give it a once over at the end of last year when I pulled it out of the closet. He changed the strings then. Yep, pretty sure I have not personally changed the strings on that guitar. So, maybe 35 years and I guess I still haven't gotten past my issues with that guitar.
Great video i'm 41 years old and mainly a drummer I played drums pretty much all my youth and and 20s and 30s i stop playing I guess with other things in life, but I have been playing bass guitar I got a squier regular sunburst jazz bass and upgrade it to a squier classic vibe 70' black and man the classic vibe is such a great bass I play it a lot am I good nope not at all, but its a nice bass to look at so it makes me want to play it more. Now I saw these Sonic guitar lineup of telecaster and I just fall inlove with them ... Before I played drums when i was liek 12 or 13 back in the early 90s I have played guitar as my parents couldn't afford a drum kit for me so they got me a cheap guitar setup from Sears it was a cheap beginner setup and man it wasn't a great guitar, but I still played it and u know what even if your not good I play music for the fun of it and that is where its at. Now I want to get into guitar cause I want to get better at bass as well. I figured for me a guitar is easy to learn over a bass and if i can get good at guitar i figured it will help me play my bass better and at the sametime I love guitars I love the sound of them and i think they are fun to play. I bought a Squier Sonic Telecaster California Blue and man this gives me Surf vibe style guitars and i like it. I'm still waiting on it to come to my place as I order it online from amazon got a good price on it and I can't wait to unbox it and start playing. I also order some books to learn how to play chords and notes and learn all the good stuff to practice and I know it takes time and a hour a day should help and probably can do some mixing recording with my bass and guitar and have some fun with that learning both at the same time and each type of guitar will help me be creative.. I love music I don't play to be professional, but I still want a style and still want to sound good, but I play it for fun and to me that is what its all about. Great video man... Yes when u say a role model I look up to the head singer of The O.C. Supertones Matt hes awesome musican and inspired me a lot to get this tele and I want to play music for god as well. Cheers.
Very good smooth phrasing in the playing.
I do home recording. Love the Squier Telecaster. Thanks for a great demonstration. I am looking for an electric just for home use. Would this be a good one? If I love the electric I can upgrade later. Thanks for a great video
My first electric guitar was (and is) a 2001 Indonesian made Squier (Standard) Strat. I’ve added Hipshot staggered locking tuners and a Tusq nut, and have kept the original alnico 5 pickups. The neck is a very “slickery” satin, and the fretboard edges are ever-so-slightly rounded (it came this way). This neck rivals many high dollar Strats. For whatever reason, this thing is the “Stratiest” sounding Strat I’ve ever played. Yeah, the bridge pickup is a bit shrill, but hey, it’s a friggin’ Strat!
Same! My first axe a 2004 Indonesian made Squiet Affinity strat and the neck on it is unbelievable. It came set up like that out of the box and despite having much pricier Fenders and Gibsons it’s still one of the best playing and feeling guitars I own. I feel fortunate to have had such a great guitar to start on and it still holds it’s own today. I think these were some hidden gems.
@@rocktorrocks Yep! I've heard a few of the RUclips guitar channel guys state that some of those early-mid 2000s Squier necks were stunning. My only gripe is the fact that this particular one (not all of them were this way) has a 41mm nut. Doesn't really make a difference playing-wise, but unless you buy a blank nut and cut it yourself (with nut files that are half as expensive as the guitar), the string spacing of any replacement nut is a hair off. I bought a 42mm Tusq and trimmed the ends down to 41mm. It works, but the high E is just a tad to close to the edge of the fretboard. But hey, I can live with it. Enjoy your Affinity!
I made many tunes and videos over the bullet tele in 2019. They changed a few things then and gave them away at 129, 119. I was blown away and according to comments on those videos they were indeed great. Only heard of few QC issues mostly good. Man i miss that thing.
My first guitar was a Squire strat, been playing everyday for 30 years since I got that guitar. A lot of my friends growing up got horrible department store guitars and they gave up on learning to play pretty quick.
That new John5 telecaster is my new dream guitar. It is beautiful.
I'm glad Squier is leveling-up the quality of their budget series guitars. There's way too many other guitar companies now that are putting out high-quality guitars for dirt cheap. Competition is good for us consumers! 😃🎸
I don't understand this leveling up thing when they just basically dropped the Bullet series in favor of Sonic series to sell Bullet quality instruments at what used to be higher quality Affinity series price range. Same pickups, same hardware as in Bullet series, funkier colors and basswood bodies replaced with cheaper poplar bodies.
@@petegrohn7286the pickups in sonic are the same as the affinity.
While bullet has a lower quality pickup.
it's important to remember when window
shopping 🛒 online that
Squier guitars
( bodies / neck / headstock)
are not always going to be same size dimensions
as Fender
for example -
the
'95 Korea
Squier SE Stratocaster i own
i L💜vE
because of the neck profile & frets and rosewood fretboard
but it's not the same size at all
compared to my
'98 Double Fat Strat MIM Deluxe
My first guitar was Epiphone telecaster with the hockey stick head stock red. Loved it for a while but never couldn’t play rock on it, either I sucked or it was the neck pickup sounded to dark. Wish I kept it today cause my dad gave it to me for Christmas.
Poplar is just fine. Jackson guitars (long owned by Fender btw) made of poplar are actually more desirable with a large part of their audience for their springy attack. Could work with a Tele I think.
My first electric guitar was a Squier Bullet Duo-Sonic. Is was pretty garbage but hey...I'm still playin' 21 years later. I got a fender tele from my pops for highschool graduation and BOY did that thing come in handy in college lol. I think there is something to what you are saying. There ARE many options at that price point that might offer a similar quality but with a different look, though. I would say the same logic could be applied to a guitar body shape or pickup configuration as it could to a brand. If you get them a Harley Benton SG, it's never going to be as cool as a Gibson SG but it will fill the gap up they are able to afford one and still inspire them to play as the quality on those is at least as good as Squier Bullet, in my experience.
But you make a lot of valid points. What we can concretely agree on is that you want to find the beginner in your life a quality instrument that won't break the bank or deter them from wanting to continue playing. I think I really like those Squier Mini's and the Epiphone Power Players for my boys in a couple of years. Right now we are still playing Travel Sized guitars. Most notably an Epiphone Vee Wee. They love clanking around on that thing lol. Good stuff as always, Dylan!
my first guitar was made in USSR, it had 3 single pickups and action like 2 cm. When engage overdrive or distortion it was playing radio! It was impossible to play but I loved it. Do you think this is a good idea to install some high output seymour duncan (like Nazgul or Invader), put 12 - 54 strings and drop it to like D# - C?
The Ibanez GIO series seems more competitive. For $199 you can get an HSH s-type with vibrato and a quilted top! If you splurged on another $10, you could get a Yamaha Pacifica S-type with HSS and vibrato for $209. These are not crummy guitars. I'd think a rock-oriented young person would be a lot more excited to get one of these. The "Fender" on the label costs $ and at the lowest price points, it's not much benefit for the consumer.
I want one of these to mod, glad to see it's routed underneath for another humbucker
My first guitar was a Harmony Strat copy. Not good at all. Now, on to the Squier Sonics. I recently got the pink Strat. I asked my local shop to order one so I could see it in person, because at this price point, something deal-breaking could be going on. But to my surprise all the frets were level and the neck feels no different than any other Fender neck, so I got it. The stock pickup is serviceable, but that's about it. The nut is soft, nasty plastic. I ended up upgrading it and the tuners and swapping all the electronics for a D Activator and full size pots. I did see it's routed for three pickups, but I dig the one pickup look and ethos. So yeah, it's really good for a beginner, especially if professionally set up, and it can grow with you. If you played it blindfolded now, you would think it's some 80s hair metal super strat.
Me too
Has Dylan ever reviewed Harley Benton? They make some decent T-style guitars at this price point (and even below).
I bought a 2018 model Affinity Tele for a mod platform. I really liked the body and the stock pickups sounded very good for a low end guitar, which was odd because I hated the Affinity Strat pickups. I had to give it away because I couldn't deal with the 40 mm nut width, after playing a LP for so long.
Well, my first "electric" guitar is the SSS Squier Sonic Strat.. and I can confirm it is a great first guitar.. The overall quality and set up was spot on.. I did change the strings, oil the fret board and run some 2000 grit sandpaper through the nut slots and on the back of the neck, but that was more just because I like to fiddle with new stuff.. Action was almost spot on, and the intonation was only slightly off on a couple of strings.
I've tried playing acoustic on and off over the years, but haven't stuck with it. but when I saw a review of the new Sonic Series Strats and how good they were, I had no problem dropping $200 on a beginner electric guitar.. I gotta say, even though its an inexpensive beginner strat.. I've got the Strat Bug suddenly and can see why they're so popular..
First time Squier buyer here, it's amazing how much they've improved from what it used to be 10 years ago. They used to suck big time
Just wanted to try one and see for myself. Upgraded the pups to Texas specials and it actually feels and plays better than my Std Strat.
I'm gonna get that white one next, it's the price of an effects pedal.😂
I take it you played the squier sonic telecaster (single coils) as well. You like the sonic esquire single humbucker better?
Hey, did the new pickup make much of a difference. I just got this and the stock pickup sounds ok on the high notes but lacks mids and bass on the lows. was wondering IF a new pickup would help OR is it mostly because of the cheaper parts on the guitar that it sounds king of generic. Thanks
My very first guitar was a "not well tuned" Harmony archtop with rusted strings. Not cool to play, but a gift from my parents. But this was kind of joke I think, couple of weeks later I got a brand new BC Rich. I didn't have it anymore. It was more a intermediate guitar... I struggled a lot with the floyd rose tremolo... I don't recommend this for a beginner.
I think the newer affinity squires are more mid friendly, but Squier in general these days seem to be such a good value
Hi Dylan! The neck is one piece maple? I really like this tele. 😊
I begged my parents for an electric guitar when I was a kid and they got me a tiny garbage first act acoustic that was basically a toy. They got my brother an Ibanez Gio. I would have given up on ever learning guitar because my guitar was unplayable, but I started sneaking into my brother’s room when he was gone and learned on his.
I am a beginer, 6 month into learning. Got me a brand spanking new sonic mustang SS. After waiting a long time (they were on pre-order) i was very dissapointed. There were more than 7 high frets, the nut was really badly cut-/manufactured (looked like someone melted the plastic) and the tone knob was not working. I got so upset, i refunded it the same day. Second really bad squier i ordered and refunded. Used Squiers (even older bullets) are €30-€40 cheaper than brand new, which is why i ordered a couple. Just unlucky with Squier, not sure if i should try them again.
What's the difference between this specific guitar and the other Sonic models?
Smokin' deal from Fender direct right now - $139.99 for the lime green!
What are your thoughts on passive bass and treble controls like G&L uses? The blank space on the control plate had me thinking.
My first electric guitar was a preowned Yamaha RGX112. The previous owner changed the pickups so the sound was pretty nice, but that thing couldn't stay in tune. The strat-like bridge was shit and the tuning machine "not consistent"...let's say so. After a couple of years of struggling I got a used '92 Gibson SG that was of course way better.
"...man, he still sucks!" Hahahahahaha! Caught me off guard there! Good video, and your playing is more than serviceable!
7:41 suena genial esa distorsión, gracias por el video saludos desde España :)
can you replace the neck with a fender telecaster neck?
Isn't that configuration an Esquire rather than a Telecaster btw ?
I think the Bullets were/are a better value, more colors, many had string through. I have owned and played many Bullets with excellent necks. Most all specs are identical to the Sonic. Admittingly I have not held a Sonic. Dylan from your experience is the Sonic series a better value?
Sonic series is just a clever marketing ploy allowing Squier to sell Bullet quality guitars at what used to be Affinity price range. The pickups are the same, the harware is the same, basswood bodies replaced with inferior poplar bodies .
Are Jet guitars available in the U.S. yet ?They are amazing and superior to Squier imho My first guitar was a Jet JT 350 [T style with a neck humbucker ]and wouldn't swap it for anything,the neck is something else .
Would it fit a lipstick pickup?
pretty cool that you started at 6 and you're not an annoying Bonamassa soccer kid.
First guitar was an oddball that only like 200 of them were ever made, and only 50 made of each model from from what I gather. It was a Takamine GX200tb, neck through solid body electric. Sadly it was stolen. One day I will find another one and buy it, but they are getting extremely rare these days.
There is no reason that one of these $199 guitars shouldn't do the job. The only uncertain aspect is how long can it do the job? It could be forever or maybe less. But expensive guitars can be asked that very same question. I have the Duo Sonic inspired body shape or the Squier Sonic Mustang in sunburst. And I like it as much (or more) as my name guitars.
I love mine, and I agree, but... each one needs to be thoroughly examined, tested and set up, because quality control is shaky at best. You can have a great guitar or a total lemon.
All the best pickers play Tele's.
Can anyone (starting with Dylan of course, if he sees this comment) please help with this. Following Dylan's advice I decided to buy from Runway audio cables. I kinda remember Dylan telling a Runway discount code in one of the older vids but couldn't find it. Nor do codes that I've found elsewhere work. Any info?
Dylantalkstone
thank you Dylan! That's very kind of you
I don't know why they call it the first guitar, it's fantastic compared to the first guitar I ever had.
For me it was some japanese piece of crap from the 60s missing the nameplate from the headstock, and that was the mid 90s...oh how things have changed
put a tele bridge pup in the neck, dont see that too often and pairs well with a bridge humbucker yet still retains the tele vibe
My 1st guitar was a " loose" SG copy from Sears catalog. It was actually fairly good. The amp that came with it wad absolute trash though. Lol.
Is popular a harder wood than basswood?
There's a Janka scale for wood hardness. Basically how many ft/lb of force it takes to half bury a ballbearing. So higher figures = harder
Yellow Poplar 540, White/Silver Poplar 410, Black Poplar 460
Basswood 410
But every tree is going to have natural variation. It's only a ball(bearing)park guide.
I don't have any provenance for which variant of poplar is used in guitars, just anecdotal suggestions its yellow.
@@PaulCooksStuff That is super informative Paul. Thanks.
It probably doesn’t really matter. My concern with hardness or fragile quality is my paranoia of breaking the neck of a Gibson or Epiphone
@@ramencurry6672 I guess my concern that softer woods are not as good if you mod your guitar a lot because the screws might strip out.
@@shanewalton8888 If the screws holes strip out, Phil McNight has a video on how to fix it with toothpicks. It’s a relatively easy fix. If you keep modding the guitar and the screw hole gets really super bad, a repair man can install wood plugs if needed but I kind of doubt it would go that far
Dylan you play great guitar! The guitar is not playing you. Always good to hear. My first guitar was a used Sears flying v. HAPPY the big boy guitar makers are making it real for beginners, it will make a difference.
My first guitar was a black lefty Japanese Squier strat. Unfortunately don't own it. It was followed quickly by a bright yellow Kramer with a Kahler. Unfortunately sold that in college so I could have money to spend on women. lol
Why 2 videos on this? I thought you were going to upgrade this?
Because it’s fun
@@DylanTalksTone I mean it's the one I want to buy but I'm waiting for the upgrade brother. Please recut a new bone nut. I feel like it's the most important part of a setup. I always do it first on every guitar. Then I see what I'm working with. Obviously the pickup, frets polished and filed, and pots too. I always toss the electronics on inexpensive guitars. But I recut the nut even on Gibsons etc.
@@captainkirk70 it is not getting a new nut. the stock one is very good
You kept calling the guitar a Telecaster but it actually is an Esquire----LOL!
Yes
Even the bullet mustang and the sonic are too rowdy for a beginner guitar no matter how much much you pay for it.
That's what I did: Buy a cheaper Squier and then pimp it out with a Dylan Tele electronics set.
12:13 pm Good Afternoon @DylanTalksTone Dylan, You must be reading my mind 😆 About this Squier Model & Upgrade/Ect
Squire will take you higher. I'm sold on em. I won't rest till I get my own signature series.😂🎉
Bullet
Funny !!! Me since 10 and still … hahaha
That pickup sounds fat and distinct enough. No need to switch that pickup at all.
The best first guitar amp is a vintage Gorilla ............ Nahhh, I couldn't keep a straight face! Beahahaaa!
the best first guitar***
*** actually it is not. I am barely could recommend your "the best" first guitar. Even more, I could be potentially affiliated somehow with Squier or Fender and could not provide thruthfully statements from my own. Also this guitar could potentially be sponsored by my donators which could affect on my opinion as well.
I don't know why that would keep you from recommending it, if you like it, recommend it. Just be you.
'The Best"
Really So you are saying,
No other guitar in that price range compare, With the "Squire sonic Series Guitars?
I'm calling B.S. om that,