I got pretty lucky with mine- the factory set up was excellent, and the pickups sound plenty stratty to me. The trem is even fairly usable. I mainly bought it for the color tbh, but I really enjoy playing it!
I have a Squier Sonic HSS in copper burst and it's one of the best guitars I've ever owned, and I've been playing (mostly strats) since 1985. It's better than the double bucker Mexican Strat I sold last year. It's got a better neck, it feels unfinished with a fast feel, much better frets with no sprouting, maple fretboard, and it stays in tune. It's a great value. Is it perfect? No. I've never played a perfect guitar. The only thing I'd change (other than the strings which are fine) is the bridge pup, probably tossing in a Duncan Custom. But it's just fine for now. It's way better than my first guitar all those decades ago, which was a Squier single coil model. I compared it with a lot of other strats including American made Deluxe models and decided this was the best value, so I saved about $1,500. Always try out a bunch of guitars. Even if you know what you want, don't get the first one you see in the shop. Not all Teles or Les Pauls or Strats are the same. I got a real keeper.
Finally, an honest review.. this line is probably released to counter the Harley Bentons, which are all over the place. I had 3, all with uneven frets and more) But you can mod anything to something playable. Tusc nut $10, wilkinsons tuners$50 , Boston Bridge $50 and you are on your way.. I did street performances with a modified Bullet.. Keep going like this!👍
Poplar wood is a species of wood most commonly used in the making of furniture, cabinets, wooden toys, plywood, etc. It is considered a hardwood, but is just about as easy to work with as pine boards or other soft woods.
I saw your first video right after I had ordered a Sonic Strat and thought, "uhoh." However, when it arrived I was very pleased with it. Mine stays in tune well, and as you said the pickups sound pretty good. I'm pleased with it. Of course, it's a tenth of the price of a real Strat, so it's not as good. But, it's a tenth of the price.
I had a different experience I guess with my Squier Sonic Esquire. I found the tuners to be great and I thought the synthetic bone nut that is an upgraded feature over the Bullet line was great. I had no more pinging when tuning as the cheap plastic nuts would sometimes be a bit “grabby” with the strings and the upgraded nut seemed to let the strings ring out better and added to the playability. The pickups are great sounding and just right as more than one person has said they were impressed with the sound of the guitar. I don’t think I would ever change it. I found the finish on the neck to be very nice and even throughout and made navigating up and down the neck a non issue. The strings and frets were another story however. I found the strings to be the worst set of strings I ever had on a new guitar. They are complete garbage. The frets seemed to have a coating of something on them and I also found them to be scratchy as I played and the more time on the guitar the more I seemed to dig into this coating the worse it got. After replacing the strings and polishing the frets I found the guitar reached a whole new level of playability and just seemed fantastic ever since. The pots seemed fine as they seem to do what they should and I’m going back and forth as to weather or not I want to upgrade to CTS pots or not. We shall see how they hold up over time I guess. All in all I think my Sonic is an excellent guitar and a fantastic value after a few teaks and a bit of elbow grease spent on the frets. I enjoyed your review and look forward to more especially when it comes to affordable guitars that most players can get their hands on. 😃👍🏼👍🏼🤟🏼
really great review! as a guitar noob, i appreciate you breaking down the good and bad about this guitar haha i will be checking out harley benton now tho 😅 also love the tf hat!
I recently got the Sonic Precision Bass and I am quite pleased with it. The tuners work, and were just a bit stiff and jumpy, but were much better after lubing them. The frets were level except for a couple up high, which I tapped down with a small nylon hammer and polished them and all's good. I got the Surf Green from Musicians Friend for $179.99, $40 off the regular price. The stock ceramic pickup does sound like P Bass, albeit on the HOT side. The stock white pickguard was meh. I put a gold anodized pickguard (ala, late '50's style), a thumb rest and I have the ashtray bridge cover on the way. I installed a set of LaBella Flats, polished the frets and it looks, plays and sounds great, if a bit too hot. A month prior, I got the Sonic Bronco Short Scale Bass and it was a very similar arrangement. This one I installed a Single Coil 51 Precision Bass pickup and flats and this thing is a low end thumper. I find these basses to be better for the price than the Affinity basses. They didn't have any Bullet basses. While I also enjoyed the Bullet Tele and Mustang I have (with set ups and pickup swaps), I think with the models I've tried, they made some reasonable improvements with the Sonic line over the Bullet line.
New Years Resolution is to learn an instrument. Something to give me a break from always being in front of a computer ( I work in software). So, may pick this up just to learn the ropes (or, strings?). Should be fun. :)
It's only a $200 guitar, so I wouldn't expect much. They say that these guitars are for beginners, but you will need a set up. I own one that's about 10 years old and it's much heavier than 7lbs. It's a really good guitar after a bit of fixing it. I know it's cheap, but it's still a fun guitar. I don't have to worry about if it gets scratched or nicked. I appreciate your video it's honest.
Is this good for beginners? I’m thinking of getting this to learn guitar. Long term I wanna play songs from like Trans Siberian Orchestra and similar types of songs.
I got the FSR Squier Sonic Stratocaster coz I played a Strat as a kid and wanted to get back into itt. It plays great - I had to adjust the bridge springs (REALLY tight) and acttion (REALLY high) and now it's great. The bridge quality seems OK. Tuners are OK - But whammy dives will knock tuning out but expected... Fretboard IS scratchy... I plan on using a coat or 2 of Boos butcher block wax on mine when thee sttrings die & need changing. I LIKE MINE... Maybe the FSR model has a nicer bridge?
You shouldn’t have to set the action really high. Or deal with the fretboard. They make these guitars for beginners. But I wouldn’t want this as a beginner. I miss the old Squier.
Hey there, I’m looking at a used Ibanez AZES31 and a Bullet Mustang, I’m a newbie. Both used, and the price difference is $175. What are your thoughts? Is it worth spending the $175 to get the Ibanez? Appreciate your advice! 👊🏼
Hey! I actually have a video on the Ibanez AZES. Check it out on my channel. If you’re going to spend that much more maybe check out an affinity. But if you want a mustang specifically, stick to a Squier. Thanks for watching!
@@TheMixWithABD I actually ended up buying the Ibanez and I LOVE IT! I did test out an affinity prior but liked the Ibanez better. Thanks for your input :)
owned one of these for two years now and it doesn’t stay in tune that great, the frets don’t always feel smooth to play on so feel wise it’s meh but tone wise it’s not too bad i’m about to upstage to a fender player series telecaster cant wait
Spend another three hundred on a bridge, pickups etc and next time you change the strings give it a light sand. polish the frets. and give it all a coat of clear. Put in some new machine heads too.
Go with the Affinity, the quality and parts should be better. My Sonic Strat HT needed some setup, setup with fresh strings- I'd use it as a backup guitar.
I love this guitar but I found that the frets were all over the place in the store so you have to find one that feels good in person. DO NOT order this guitar online. A quick trip to guitar center will allow you to get a great guitar for next to nothing.
I bought this exact one but in blue and back. How can I get more of a punk sound from it? I am just learning how to play but wanted to get the most out of this guitar. If I just need a new guitar I will do it. Who doesn't need more guitars?
Thanks for the review. I'm always looking for another Strat. Based on your review and my gut feeling I will not be getting one of them 😂 I can get a much better Strat for less 💰
I got the sonic telecaster today, it's a lovely guitar, the neck is nice, no sharp frets, sounds and plays really nice, I think its a bit of a step in from the bullet, tbh. User.
Squier are not better than Fender. They’re incredible value for money but they’re not better than Fender! You can kid yourself but you get what you pay for. Thinner bodies, slim necks, low end woods, designed with young people in mind.
Thinner bodies and thinner necks is a lot better, and the wood type is irrelevant, it doesn't alter the sound in the slightest. Squier feels better to play, and has identical pickups to fender. Squier is superior.
@@raven4442 I don’t know what kind of Squiers you’ve been playing but I’ve never had one that was “better than a Fender” and I’ve had quite a few. I’ve sold them all on because they were not as good as my MIM or USA Fenders. If they were I wouldn’t have sold them! Identical pickups? Come on, the pups are Chinese or Korean. Fenders are Mexican and USA made and better quality. The guy in the video even has issues with this Squier guitar. The Classic Vibe are the best they have to offer and a still below Fender MIM in quality.
I got pretty lucky with mine- the factory set up was excellent, and the pickups sound plenty stratty to me. The trem is even fairly usable.
I mainly bought it for the color tbh, but I really enjoy playing it!
Did you buy the purple one like the one on this video?
@@bluwng I did!
@@elkcibdej do the frets feel small?
I like purple color
Wow what a brutally honest review, love it!
Only 200 Smackaroonies!
I have a Squier Sonic HSS in copper burst and it's one of the best guitars I've ever owned, and I've been playing (mostly strats) since 1985. It's better than the double bucker Mexican Strat I sold last year. It's got a better neck, it feels unfinished with a fast feel, much better frets with no sprouting, maple fretboard, and it stays in tune. It's a great value. Is it perfect? No. I've never played a perfect guitar. The only thing I'd change (other than the strings which are fine) is the bridge pup, probably tossing in a Duncan Custom. But it's just fine for now. It's way better than my first guitar all those decades ago, which was a Squier single coil model. I compared it with a lot of other strats including American made Deluxe models and decided this was the best value, so I saved about $1,500. Always try out a bunch of guitars. Even if you know what you want, don't get the first one you see in the shop. Not all Teles or Les Pauls or Strats are the same. I got a real keeper.
Finally, an honest review.. this line is probably released to counter the Harley Bentons, which are all over the place. I had 3, all with uneven frets and more) But you can mod anything to something playable. Tusc nut $10, wilkinsons tuners$50 , Boston Bridge $50 and you are on your way.. I did street performances with a modified Bullet.. Keep going like this!👍
Poplar wood is a species of wood most commonly used in the making of furniture, cabinets, wooden toys, plywood, etc. It is considered a hardwood, but is just about as easy to work with as pine boards or other soft woods.
Nicely in-depth and simple to understand video. I'm glad you took a close enough look at the guitar to see its glossiness.
I am sure you will be a big youtuber. Thank you for reviewing this:)
from Korea(south)
@@qwedaeer123 thank you :D
I saw your first video right after I had ordered a Sonic Strat and thought, "uhoh."
However, when it arrived I was very pleased with it. Mine stays in tune well, and as you said the pickups sound pretty good. I'm pleased with it.
Of course, it's a tenth of the price of a real Strat, so it's not as good. But, it's a tenth of the price.
I had a different experience I guess with my Squier Sonic Esquire. I found the tuners to be great and I thought the synthetic bone nut that is an upgraded feature over the Bullet line was great. I had no more pinging when tuning as the cheap plastic nuts would sometimes be a bit “grabby” with the strings and the upgraded nut seemed to let the strings ring out better and added to the playability. The pickups are great sounding and just right as more than one person has said they were impressed with the sound of the guitar. I don’t think I would ever change it. I found the finish on the neck to be very nice and even throughout and made navigating up and down the neck a non issue. The strings and frets were another story however. I found the strings to be the worst set of strings I ever had on a new guitar. They are complete garbage. The frets seemed to have a coating of something on them and I also found them to be scratchy as I played and the more time on the guitar the more I seemed to dig into this coating the worse it got. After replacing the strings and polishing the frets I found the guitar reached a whole new level of playability and just seemed fantastic ever since. The pots seemed fine as they seem to do what they should and I’m going back and forth as to weather or not I want to upgrade to CTS pots or not. We shall see how they hold up over time I guess. All in all I think my Sonic is an excellent guitar and a fantastic value after a few teaks and a bit of elbow grease spent on the frets. I enjoyed your review and look forward to more especially when it comes to affordable guitars that most players can get their hands on. 😃👍🏼👍🏼🤟🏼
really great review! as a guitar noob, i appreciate you breaking down the good and bad about this guitar haha i will be checking out harley benton now tho 😅 also love the tf hat!
Thanks for watching! Love me some Teddy fresh
I recently got the Sonic Precision Bass and I am quite pleased with it. The tuners work, and were just a bit stiff and jumpy, but were much better after lubing them. The frets were level except for a couple up high, which I tapped down with a small nylon hammer and polished them and all's good. I got the Surf Green from Musicians Friend for $179.99, $40 off the regular price. The stock ceramic pickup does sound like P Bass, albeit on the HOT side. The stock white pickguard was meh. I put a gold anodized pickguard (ala, late '50's style), a thumb rest and I have the ashtray bridge cover on the way. I installed a set of LaBella Flats, polished the frets and it looks, plays and sounds great, if a bit too hot.
A month prior, I got the Sonic Bronco Short Scale Bass and it was a very similar arrangement. This one I installed a Single Coil 51 Precision Bass pickup and flats and this thing is a low end thumper.
I find these basses to be better for the price than the Affinity basses. They didn't have any Bullet basses. While I also enjoyed the Bullet Tele and Mustang I have (with set ups and pickup swaps), I think with the models I've tried, they made some reasonable improvements with the Sonic line over the Bullet line.
Are the fret ends okay?
I got the red hardtail Strat and for 2 hundo its pretty darn good.
New Years Resolution is to learn an instrument. Something to give me a break from always being in front of a computer ( I work in software). So, may pick this up just to learn the ropes (or, strings?). Should be fun. :)
Do it
It's only a $200 guitar, so I wouldn't expect much. They say that these guitars are for beginners, but you will need a set up. I own one that's about 10 years old and it's much heavier than 7lbs. It's a really good guitar after a bit of fixing it. I know it's cheap, but it's still a fun guitar. I don't have to worry about if it gets scratched or nicked. I appreciate your video it's honest.
Do you thing it's best guitar for modding?
Have you tried the Sonic Tele yet? Wondering your thoughts on it.
I love that color, I got mine in California Blue
I have no problem with the squire sonic tuners. It is solid as far as tuning.
What happened to the Affinitiy series. They were better then the bullet series.
I have this guitar bought it back june, i love it but i think it needs to be leveled crowned and modified
Isn't it the lacquer that cracks next too the neck pocket not the "poplar" wood ? Only asking as you said poplar wood likes to crack
I see the actual wood crack on these cheaper woods
Is this good for beginners? I’m thinking of getting this to learn guitar. Long term I wanna play songs from like Trans Siberian Orchestra and similar types of songs.
Yes
I got the FSR Squier Sonic Stratocaster coz I played a Strat as a kid and wanted to get back into itt.
It plays great - I had to adjust the bridge springs (REALLY tight) and acttion (REALLY high) and now it's great.
The bridge quality seems OK.
Tuners are OK - But whammy dives will knock tuning out but expected...
Fretboard IS scratchy... I plan on using a coat or 2 of Boos butcher block wax on mine when thee sttrings die & need changing.
I LIKE MINE... Maybe the FSR model has a nicer bridge?
You shouldn’t have to set the action really high. Or deal with the fretboard. They make these guitars for beginners. But I wouldn’t want this as a beginner. I miss the old Squier.
Hey there, I’m looking at a used Ibanez AZES31 and a Bullet Mustang, I’m a newbie. Both used, and the price difference is $175. What are your thoughts? Is it worth spending the $175 to get the Ibanez? Appreciate your advice! 👊🏼
Hey! I actually have a video on the Ibanez AZES. Check it out on my channel. If you’re going to spend that much more maybe check out an affinity. But if you want a mustang specifically, stick to a Squier. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the quick response! Sorry I meant to say Bullet Squier not Mustang 🤦🏻♀️
And yes I saw your video on the Ibanez! Great in-depth video!
@@TheMixWithABD I actually ended up buying the Ibanez and I LOVE IT! I did test out an affinity prior but liked the Ibanez better. Thanks for your input :)
owned one of these for two years now and it doesn’t stay in tune that great, the frets don’t always feel smooth to play on so feel wise it’s meh but tone wise it’s not too bad i’m about to upstage to a fender player series telecaster cant wait
Spend another three hundred on a bridge, pickups etc and next time you change the strings give it a light sand. polish the frets. and give it all a coat of clear. Put in some new machine heads too.
My son wants a Squier. To begin with, which do you recommend most: a sonic or affinity? Cheers mate, good review.
A sonic! Cheers!
Go with the Affinity, the quality and parts should be better. My Sonic Strat HT needed some setup, setup with fresh strings- I'd use it as a backup guitar.
How about the frets. Are they Medio jumbo?
I’m not sure. They look vintage small
Cool 🤙🏽
Thinking of getting a squire i dont know much abt the different models but im looking at the affinity or the sonic what do u think would be better?
Hard to tell. It’s down to if you get a good one of either.
I love this guitar but I found that the frets were all over the place in the store so you have to find one that feels good in person. DO NOT order this guitar online. A quick trip to guitar center will allow you to get a great guitar for next to nothing.
P.S thank you but no thank you I'll keep my bullet HSS because I don't have all the negative issues.
I bought this exact one but in blue and back. How can I get more of a punk sound from it? I am just learning how to play but wanted to get the most out of this guitar. If I just need a new guitar I will do it. Who doesn't need more guitars?
Are you playing with a tube amp? A digital amp? Or a simulated amp plugin? You basically just need a distortion pedal and a pretty high gain amp.
Any amp with a mxr fod pedal. It’s essentially Green Day in a pedal. Turn up your eq add lots of gain and learn how to palm mute lol. PUNK 4 life
Thanks for the review. I'm always looking for another Strat. Based on your review and my gut feeling I will not be getting one of them 😂 I can get a much better Strat for less 💰
Yea they’re starter guitars and nothing else. Thanks for watching!
$200 "Smackaronies" 👍
It's still a bullet with a higher price range.
I got the sonic telecaster today, it's a lovely guitar, the neck is nice, no sharp frets, sounds and plays really nice, I think its a bit of a step in from the bullet, tbh. User.
Plus ceramic pickups on the sonic
How about the frets. Are they Medio jumbo?
Great playing skills but the pick ups are Horrible in my opinion...
I agree
shut up and take my money
I just snagged a limited edition for 150$. Of course ive never touched a guitar before so I wont know the difference lol
Awesome! Have fun. Let me know if you need anything
Would not suggest it for someones first guitar. Honestly why would you want a guitar that doesn't even hold tune?
Preach!
Mine holds tune
I see they're still too cheap to at least do a string-thru body for their Strat hardtails. Wow. Not impressed with this line. At all.
They’re bad. Maybe you’ll get lucky and get a good one. But it would still need new tuners and pickups. Not worth it. Unfortunately.
For 200 dollars what can you expect really?
A tasty review
Squier are not better than Fender. They’re incredible value for money but they’re not better than Fender! You can kid yourself but you get what you pay for. Thinner bodies, slim necks, low end woods, designed with young people in mind.
Thinner bodies and thinner necks is a lot better, and the wood type is irrelevant, it doesn't alter the sound in the slightest. Squier feels better to play, and has identical pickups to fender. Squier is superior.
@@raven4442 I don’t know what kind of Squiers you’ve been playing but I’ve never had one that was “better than a Fender” and I’ve had quite a few. I’ve sold them all on because they were not as good as my MIM or USA Fenders. If they were I wouldn’t have sold them! Identical pickups? Come on, the pups are Chinese or Korean. Fenders are Mexican and USA made and better quality. The guy in the video even has issues with this Squier guitar. The Classic Vibe are the best they have to offer and a still below Fender MIM in quality.
Well the parts feel and look cheap because it's, well....CHEAP.
K. There’s guitars in this price range that have components that are better. Cheap doesn’t always mean it feels bad. Here, it does.
The new Sonic’s are just junk in my opinion the majority of the Chinese budget guitars are far better. Get an affinity if your getting a squier
No, it's not. It's the lowest quality Strat FMIC makes.
Watch the video ❤️
you keep saying "Sonic" .... mine came TODAY ...... DOES NOT SAY "SONIC ANYWHERE" JUST SQUIRE STRATOCASTER
The one i want to order has SONIC in the name
Even expensive Ibanez, Jackson's , Charvel etc... crack in the neck pocket. It's just the finish not the wood.
It can be both. I rarely see it on fenders with high quality alder bodies. On poplar I see it all the time.