Are you wondering if the Fender Tom DeLonge Starcaster is worth the price tag? Let's find out! Get a Starcaster at Sweetwater (US) sweetwater.sjv.io/baY06b Get a Starcaster at Thomann (EU) thmn.to/thocf/zjchvvtlrs Get a Starcaster at Andertons (UK) - elkqr.link/ Get the Fretlook Stickers here - fretlook.com/de/?wpam_id=3
What a great comparison Andy, thank you! I definitely preferred the sound of Fender number two but all three were more than capable of rocking and/or rolling! Incidentally, I hope you keep the blue tape on II, it looks really cool! The fact that the Squier and Fenders are made in the same factory doesn’t bother me personally but guitar marketing has made “country of origin” synonymous with level of quality which we all know isn’t really the case. Does putting Fender on a guitar that’s not made in the USA devalue the brand? Would it be more acceptable if it were made in Mexico? Or Japan? It doesn’t botherme but I can understand why eyebrows have been raised in some quarters. All I’d say to anyone upset over it is that if we cast our minds back to the 50s and 60s a Les Paul Custom, Standard, Special and Junior for example were all made in the same factory, on the same production line and by the same people but the different components and level of finishing meant the price was different. And this similar to what’s happening here really.
IMO these tests should be done blindly. You could record the guitars, then ask someone to play the audios for you in a different order and then you can pick your favorite ones. It’d be also interesting to know if you’d be able to link recordings to the correct guitar.
The TD model has a much more expensive pickup and better quality pots (well, a pot...). It would be nice to see you swap out the squire pickups and electronics for something similar and redo the comparison:)
Pot quality doesn't matter. The only thing that matters when it comes to pot quality is whether or not the pot is scratchy when turned (which doesn't happen here) and how long will it stay not scratchy. But the quality of the pot won't affect the sound, just the value of the pot. Which is one thing that's always good to keep in mind when comparing how electric guitars sound - pots have a fairly large tolerance when it comes to their value. Standard pots can have as much as 20% tolerance, which can be pretty significant with 500k pots (meaning the actual value of any single pot might be anywhere from 400k to 600k), and even the "better" ones still have around 10% tolerance. That *will* affect the sound of the guitar. And another thing to remember is that the Tom DeLonge models don't have a tone pot at all - again, this will somewhat affect the tone, because even with tone on 10, the tone control circuit does affect the tone unless the pot is a no load pot (which it normally isn't).
Even if the Tom Delonge signature is over priced it will hold its value better and if either of these were to increase in value over the years it would be his. So is it worth it? In the most literal sense , yes.
I bought the white one. There seems to be some variance on the color of the neck tint on some of the guitars. Mine is SUPER dark (very happy with that), but other's that I've seen are much lighter in hue. Even between those two examples, one looks darker than the other. Killer guitar btw. Totally worth the money to me.
Regarding your comments at 6:56 about Fender vs Squier: People that write off a whole country of manufacture don't understand how manufacturing works. You can high-quality guitars (or anything else) anywhere. The difference is what corporate decisions are made as far as budget and specification. Does the specification allow for good materials and the time to get things right or does the specification allow for the bare minimum to make noise and get as many pallets of them out of the factory in as little time as possible? I think the Tom Delonge is a great example that if you take the same employees and give them better materials and let them spend more time getting things right you'll get something better. Heck, I think if they let the builders spend more time on the Squier the differences would probably be smaller. Another great example is the Adam Jones Epiphones. I've recently compared the version with the artwork on the back of the body versus the new version with the Gibson headstock shape. The older version is a good guitar. The new version is a whole different thing. Honestly, if I hadn't tried them back to back with my own hands I would have maybe given more credence to the Internet scuttlebutt, but experience leads me to believe otherwise.
Its hard to compare sound becouse Fender have a Seymour Duncan custom SH5 humbucker and Squire have only Squier Standard Humbucker and this is huge diference when you plug it
I am not a big "everything is a ripoff" person. But this is one of the closest comparisons ever. Especially considering what most people will use the TD Starcaster for. Sound wise, i guarantee you could mix those guitars to sound identical. Seems like the biggest difference would be that roasted maple necks can feel a bit faster if you want to shred on this.
Andy paused on the YT AppleTV app at 0:50 did you keep the Guild Polara ? Unfortunately my health status has taken a turn and i need a biopsy, but TBH that black Kim Thaille Guild is still no 1 on my GAS list. Positive thoughts and all that - i'll be fine. Cheers from NZ
Based on this comparison outcome, some may say the Affinity can be better than a fender especially when the fender is a bad one and the Squier is top notch like in this video. Imagine if the Squier was the classic vibe model.
You could plek the Squier, have a professional luthier put one of those $500 Gibson Custombuckers in it, a bone nut, and top quality tuners, and a fantastic wiring kit in it for less than the Fender.
@@plecogod The point is you could do it and it would still be cheaper than the Fender. There's no reason the DeLonge should cost what it does. I could have said drop 2 Seymour Duncans in there.
I am not sure i would be happy with that QC for the Fenders. I mean yes the Fenders have the better hardware but i like the style of the Squier with the unroasted neck and the colour of the body.
All star casters are made in the same factory because fender only has one machine capable of making the body. Whether it’s a squier star caster, or the one that Tom Delonge plays, they all come from Indonesia.
Fender has seymour duncan the squier has a generic pickup and for the price difference the Fender should be setup properly squier guitars have come along way
Down to the pickup & pickups are a low tech part but hey if ppl want to spend a £100 on a label on a pickup then go for it. As for the 3 guitars (well really 2 the Fender & the Squire) then having 2 pickups & a tone control & have those controls in a better position on the body is far far better than the scam of replicating a poor design choice because some artist chose to be different. I mean guitarists can choose what to play of course but it seems rather childish to want to play a guitar that fashioned on a guitar an artist plays. They of course bump the price up & then ask for the extra tip for the signature & not even a gig bag or case. Sorry, CNC machining & higher QC standards mean anyone thinking they are getting higher quality now are fooling themselves.
@@TheGuitarGeek Yeah it’s just weird that way. I sat in a store once and tried multiple “identical” Strats from the same series. One of them just felt “right.” The next guy might well pick another. It’s like choosing a samurai sword. Lol. 😀
Kind of a moot point eh? "if at all possible" being the key component in your comment. It's only possible unless you live local/travel (ex: to sweetwater or a factory), or it happens to be sold at a local music store.
It will be a pain to install it though since it’s a hollowbody. So you would probably have someone do it for you. And while you’re at I would change the pot and perhaps the output jack as well. So that’s going to add some extra costs. But still it probably is half of what the Fender would cost you.
They have just changed the neck & headstock on the squire to match the Tom Delonge, so if you’re on a budget you could basically have a clone with the addition of another humbucker for tonal opportunity!
I think it's important to note that the DeLonge Starcaster comes stock with a Duncan Custom SH-5, a great pickup that is voiced differently and has less output (14.1K) than Tom's former go-to, a Duncan Invader (16.6k). As a Tom fan on a budget, I'd probably buy Squier Sonic Strat H (or a Fender Japan Strat H if you have a bit more of a budget) and an Invader and call it a day.
The Affinity with some tuners and the SD pickup will get you pretty close inexpensively. In the Squier line the CV and Contemporary have a better feel to them.
I built a Tom Delonge-style Strat out of Squier parts - Classic Vibe 70s neck, Sonic Strat HT body, and then the new pick guard, knobs, and SD Invader from the Fender, and I agree. That CV neck is outstanding.
You should compare the Classic Vibe Starcaster to that shitty Delonge model. They are MUCH better than the Affinitys. *And YOU don't know Squier guitars if you actually believe there aren't Squier models that are better built than MIM Fenders!* People who say otherwise don't want to admit that they wasted money on a Fender.
LOL! I cannot help but laugh at all the 🤡's who bought one of the Fenders who turn their nose up at Squiers at 1/4th the price! It's literally made in the same factory in Indonesia. You have to be certifiably insane to spend $1200 on a Squier with a Fender logo on it!
@@CAllenBlack well, i've just started watching, but i would assume it's a matter or price point: compare the most expensive Starcaster-style guitar to the least expensive in the lineup. personally, if it doesn't have the funky headstock and wide range pickups, it's not worth it to me... and i'm not a blink 192 fan, anyway.
I’ve got both the TDL strat (2023 issue) and the TDL Starcaster…. The Strat is the better guitar. Playability better, pick-up is better and more aggressive. Hits harder.
Squire has been crushing it with the CV guitars, the last couple years. Regarding your video, I find the shiny burst finished Squire with Starcaster headstock to be far superior to those flat pink Fenders. I don’t like pink guitars and I don’t get Delong’s choice to put a flat finish on his signature bodies, with a gloss finish on his necks. I get punk rock and all - hell my favorite band has been The Clash (since 1980!) - but his guitars look dumb to me. Regarding their sound, I can’t really tell a measurable difference between the two.
Squires sucks to me. That fender is not a Fender..... how does a guitar that big fit your body ⁉️ Leo Fender is rolling over in his grave ❗ If someone gave me either guitar, I would get rid of it ‼️Both guitars are a disgrace to " Fender" ‼️
Bassist here. Love hollow body guitars and basses. Also love blink 182. I like punk and pop punk. I think if you are starting out the squire you will not go wrong with at all. Cover it in stickers youve got yourself a pop punk machine!! If you’ve got the money then the fender is the clear choice. I like the sound of fender 2 from the first play through.
The real thing I learned in this video, is that since I already have a Delonge Strat, there's no need for me to keep considering a Starcaster...... We know who the real winner was in this video.
Fender number 2 for me. Both the Fenders sound fuller than the Squier to my ear but number two seems to have a bit of extra clarity and chime to the top end. Would like to see what the Squier sounds like with a set of Duncans in it (or just the same one in the bridge) to see how close it could get though I think the difference between the two Fenders is the reason why, if you can, you should still probably go to a store and "try-before-you-buy. Even two guitars of the same make and model can feel and sound quite different. Wood is a natural material and sometimes you get a piece of it that's just "better", is more resonant and makes for a nicer guitar
".....tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak. Somewhere in this town. Tonight there's gonna be trouble. So don't ya be around......" love it. Bass guy here. One of my fav songs to play bass to. Wow, on the cheap the Squire stuff is pretty darn good as far as fit and finish. A few easily doable hardware swaps and you've got a heck of a player there. The Fender stuff is nice (and my Fender J bass is the single best instrument I've ever owned) but, with the price of everything gone insane, it's nice to know you can get into a decent instrument for less money and improve it over time. cheers.
Yellow Strat was the best. Then the Squier. Then Fender 2 & 1. Fender 1 had some intonation issues even on the F power chord on ATST which was surprising. To me the Squier is the winner of the starcasters because of what you get for the price. It's gorgeous and sounds very good in a mix. Plus you didn't even use the middle position or neck pickup! I saw someone had a black one with maple board and it was stunning! I sadly couldn't find it anywhere though. 250 making me think I need a starcaster. I need that dual rectifier first though. GREAT video!!
The Seymore Duncan is almost certainly a better pickup than the Squire humbucker by any metric. But then that was Tom's pick, for those who want to imitate his tone. 70s style Strat headstock/neck made out of roasted maple is probably a selling point to some, and is presumably given more shop time at the factory resulting in a more playable, higher quality fretboard, which is kind of where the money is. But you're also paying for a "Fender" not a "Squier" decal, and the signature model fee. Still a unique product, and hey; it's a Fender in name, even if it is coming from the same factory in Indonesia (100% confirmed; it's the only factory currently tooled to produce Starcaster bodies) that makes Squiers.
4:32 I’ve a 2020 Squier Affinity Strat HSS bought it as a project guitar after watching the Scottish git do his Iron Maiden mod. My Squier is so good that all I’ve done is change the strings. The guitar came directly from the shops warehouse they hadn’t even unboxed it or set it up. It is so good i used it live without hesitation
Also with the TDL starcaster, the positioning of the strap bolt is horrible. It’s right at the back of the guitar, on the neck plate, rather than on the side of the body. Makes it hang down at a really weird angle when you stand up and play it.
Before choosing my Squire Classic Vibe Starcaster, I really spent a lot of time deciding between the three versions. I actually liked the Affinity in sunburst because the black binding made it look thicker, and while I wasn’t thrilled about the pickups, hey, they’re humbuckers and I knew GFS would have something I like. I really liked the roasted maple neck on the Contemporary Active, and thought I might like trying something with active pickups, but I ultimately ruled it out because it looked like installing my mandatory ‘varitone’ switch would difficult because of the tight cavity and absence of f-holes. So, I would up with the Modern Player variety. I was a bit hesitant about those oddball pickups, but once I found that there were replacements available, I took the chance. As it turns out, I love those pickups. I really didn’t need yet another guitar with dual humbuckers anyway, and these have a character all their own. The tuners aren’t the best, but I would probably keep them if I didn’t have a spare set of Fender locking tuners in need of a new home, but it’s been 6 months and I haven’t changed them yet, so obviously they’re not that bad. Quality (from Sweetwater) was perfect out of the box. The only flaw I found was that the output jack was loose, but hadn’t yet fallen inside. Fretwork was exemplary. I have the blonde variety, and after playing it, my wife went out and bought one in sunburst, which I might actually like better. Oh yeah, these do have bound f-holes, two pickups, and four controls. Not sure how superior the quality of the signature model might be, but I’ll be damned if I pay 4X the price for less. Oh yeah, I hate the strat headstock on the Fender model. Makes it look too much like a Coronado, which I have loathed since they came out (and yes, I was around then.) I like Gregg Kotch’s assessment of that odd headstock: “Looks like an elfin tool of war…”.
Why anyone would buy the fender Tom star caster @ 1199 is crazy, you can buy mint ones on reverb for 700 now. Just wait for people to resell it :/ and let them take the depreciation 😂😂😂
It’s depends on the Squier(which era and which factory) it depends on which Fender(which era decade, which factory) The other aspect is which guitar tech has really gone through each guitar. Phil McKnight had a term called Quality Assurance. This means how many Squiers and How many Fenders did you play. Your mileage will vary. On the whole you were right but when you get specific Epiphones can be better than Gibbies but not OFTEN AND THE SAME GOES for relationships between Fender and Squier!
One of the differences with the Squire is that it has a tone cap in the circuit. I like the sound without a tone circuit. A cap bleeds high frequencies to ground. Treble bleed circuits are good as they can keep it from sounding muddy when you roll off of full volume.
Well, the more I heard, the greater the difference. The squire was darker and had much less articulation and agreed, more bell tone with the fender. That being said, the squire sounds very good…but with your comments on the squire being slightly less playable, that widens the gap. The fender strat smoked all of them…just saying!
F- holes have had many different shapes throughout history. The painting in the F-holes is done intentionally to increase contrast and the appearance of depth. Always check your neck for being level before assuming the Bridge is at fault. Check the contact of your low E w/ dental friction paper to make sure it isn't high centered, as many intonation issues happen at the nut and are harder to see.
Great comparison! I waited for this video since you announced it after the Starcaster TD release. Thanks! However, of topic, I noticed these fretlook stickers in the end, ordered them immediately.. and they suck. I was not able to apply them and was forced to remove, as they sticked only partially 😢 Have no idea how you applied them so perfectly, I followed all the instructions. Anyway, they looked nothing like inlays whatsoever… Nothing against you! Only my 5 cents on stickers specifically. Cheers!
From watching the entire video, seems the Strat is the safest bet. You could just tell half way through. Maybe look at the DG335 Epihone? I’d love a video on that compared to the Starcaster. As far as new HB artist series comparisons.
If I'm not mistaken, I didn't hear you mention that the Squier model doesn't have Seymour Duncan pickups. I'm sure that makes a difference in sound. Just sayin'. ✌
The first "Starcaster" that I encountered was a really naff strat copy in the seventies. The logo on the headstock was a transfer with no clear coat to stop it coming off and the pups were so weedy sounding. I didn't buy it...
@@pads-zr9ln I am in the UK, so importing shouldn't be too bad 😂😂 Thanks for the tips my friend, I need to save some pennies first and rather oddly didn't consider a Strat as being a potential next purchase 😂
At first I preferred the Squire during your demonstrations when you were using distortion but once you started to play an actual song I loved the sound of Starcaster #2 because it sounded a lot better than the Squire. That final guitar is sacrilege to a Strat by designing it with only 1 pick up.
Aesthetically I definitely prefer the Squire to the Fenders although I don’t like the contrast between the colour of the body and the neck. I also don’t really understand why the Fenders have strat headstocks rather than Starcaster ones. Odd choice that.
There really is nothing technically wrong with chinese or indonesian guitars(i own several), but life is too short to play average guitars and you owe it to yourself to get a japanese, german or american made.
I have the Olympic white affinity starcaster and I modded it to perfection. I agree on the bridge placement. It's intonated properly but I maxed out the low e. I noticed the TD starcaster has an abr1 style and the affinity has a Nashville bridge. Those Nashville bridges are a little wider so there's more room for intonation. Might be an idea for the TD starcaster 🎉
I thought #2 sounded best , #1 then the squier. The squier did not sound like a entry level guitar , Id rather have the fender but one could survive with the Squier if need be😅
Are you wondering if the Fender Tom DeLonge Starcaster is worth the price tag? Let's find out!
Get a Starcaster at Sweetwater (US) sweetwater.sjv.io/baY06b
Get a Starcaster at Thomann (EU) thmn.to/thocf/zjchvvtlrs
Get a Starcaster at Andertons (UK) - elkqr.link/
Get the Fretlook Stickers here - fretlook.com/de/?wpam_id=3
Cheers Andy. Enjoy owning the pinky. 🤜🏼🤛🏼
That Andertons link isn't right... clipboard failure? :)
Thanks Bantz.
set-up and assembly signatures are also all the same
I instantly heard the difference with the yellow strat...sounded the best in the mix!
Strat sounded great.....and I can tell by your smile you knew it :)
I think we've learned that we should request Bantz do the final inspection on all guitars in that factory.
To me the strat sounded the most like blink-182
That's a shame
Think the one with the tape sounds best
What a great comparison Andy, thank you! I definitely preferred the sound of Fender number two but all three were more than capable of rocking and/or rolling! Incidentally, I hope you keep the blue tape on II, it looks really cool!
The fact that the Squier and Fenders are made in the same factory doesn’t bother me personally but guitar marketing has made “country of origin” synonymous with level of quality which we all know isn’t really the case. Does putting Fender on a guitar that’s not made in the USA devalue the brand? Would it be more acceptable if it were made in Mexico? Or Japan? It doesn’t botherme but I can understand why eyebrows have been raised in some quarters.
All I’d say to anyone upset over it is that if we cast our minds back to the 50s and 60s a Les Paul Custom, Standard, Special and Junior for example were all made in the same factory, on the same production line and by the same people but the different components and level of finishing meant the price was different. And this similar to what’s happening here really.
IMO these tests should be done blindly. You could record the guitars, then ask someone to play the audios for you in a different order and then you can pick your favorite ones. It’d be also interesting to know if you’d be able to link recordings to the correct guitar.
The TD model has a much more expensive pickup and better quality pots (well, a pot...). It would be nice to see you swap out the squire pickups and electronics for something similar and redo the comparison:)
Pot quality doesn't matter. The only thing that matters when it comes to pot quality is whether or not the pot is scratchy when turned (which doesn't happen here) and how long will it stay not scratchy. But the quality of the pot won't affect the sound, just the value of the pot. Which is one thing that's always good to keep in mind when comparing how electric guitars sound - pots have a fairly large tolerance when it comes to their value. Standard pots can have as much as 20% tolerance, which can be pretty significant with 500k pots (meaning the actual value of any single pot might be anywhere from 400k to 600k), and even the "better" ones still have around 10% tolerance. That *will* affect the sound of the guitar.
And another thing to remember is that the Tom DeLonge models don't have a tone pot at all - again, this will somewhat affect the tone, because even with tone on 10, the tone control circuit does affect the tone unless the pot is a no load pot (which it normally isn't).
On looks, the Squier wins it for me.
Even if the Tom Delonge signature is over priced it will hold its value better and if either of these were to increase in value over the years it would be his. So is it worth it? In the most literal sense , yes.
I bought the white one. There seems to be some variance on the color of the neck tint on some of the guitars. Mine is SUPER dark (very happy with that), but other's that I've seen are much lighter in hue. Even between those two examples, one looks darker than the other.
Killer guitar btw. Totally worth the money to me.
I'd like to see a comparison between the Tom DeLong, classic vibe, contemporary, and affinity
Yeah that would be great!
Regarding your comments at 6:56 about Fender vs Squier: People that write off a whole country of manufacture don't understand how manufacturing works. You can high-quality guitars (or anything else) anywhere. The difference is what corporate decisions are made as far as budget and specification. Does the specification allow for good materials and the time to get things right or does the specification allow for the bare minimum to make noise and get as many pallets of them out of the factory in as little time as possible?
I think the Tom Delonge is a great example that if you take the same employees and give them better materials and let them spend more time getting things right you'll get something better. Heck, I think if they let the builders spend more time on the Squier the differences would probably be smaller.
Another great example is the Adam Jones Epiphones. I've recently compared the version with the artwork on the back of the body versus the new version with the Gibson headstock shape. The older version is a good guitar. The new version is a whole different thing. Honestly, if I hadn't tried them back to back with my own hands I would have maybe given more credence to the Internet scuttlebutt, but experience leads me to believe otherwise.
Its hard to compare sound becouse Fender have a Seymour Duncan custom SH5 humbucker and Squire have only Squier Standard Humbucker and this is huge diference when you plug it
But that’s the point
I am not a big "everything is a ripoff" person. But this is one of the closest comparisons ever. Especially considering what most people will use the TD Starcaster for. Sound wise, i guarantee you could mix those guitars to sound identical. Seems like the biggest difference would be that roasted maple necks can feel a bit faster if you want to shred on this.
Fender 2 seems a little brighter for some reason.
Strat for the win
Sitting here with my studio monitors and maybe I'm tired but I can barely tell any differences between all 3 guitars. 🤣
The squire sounds great until you hear the fenders. Then it sounds like a blanket has been lifted off it. Good value though. Great video as ever.
LOL I thought I misheard starcaster the second time. Man. You really bought 2 Tom's starcaster 😂
I'm curious what the Squier Starcaster would sound like with Tom's pickup in there?????
Honestly though the Fender is so much prettier than the Squier, mostly due to the neck.
Andy paused on the YT AppleTV app at 0:50 did you keep the Guild Polara ? Unfortunately my health status has taken a turn and i need a biopsy, but TBH that black Kim Thaille Guild is still no 1 on my GAS list. Positive thoughts and all that - i'll be fine.
Cheers from NZ
Everyone talks about the cuts. The costs are automatic too.
Based on this comparison outcome, some may say the Affinity can be better than a fender especially when the fender is a bad one and the Squier is top notch like in this video. Imagine if the Squier was the classic vibe model.
You could plek the Squier, have a professional luthier put one of those $500 Gibson Custombuckers in it, a bone nut, and top quality tuners, and a fantastic wiring kit in it for less than the Fender.
Why bother with $500 Gibson pickups? At that price they are a fashion statement (they come with a fancy wood box).
@@plecogod The point is you could do it and it would still be cheaper than the Fender. There's no reason the DeLonge should cost what it does. I could have said drop 2 Seymour Duncans in there.
Yes.
Squire wins. Two pickups, a nice sunburst and sounds nearly identical. Change the pots to 500K CTS for a BIGGER sound
I am not sure i would be happy with that QC for the Fenders. I mean yes the Fenders have the better hardware but i like the style of the Squier with the unroasted neck and the colour of the body.
All star casters are made in the same factory because fender only has one machine capable of making the body. Whether it’s a squier star caster, or the one that Tom Delonge plays, they all come from Indonesia.
How long has Indonesian been ‘fender’
Fender has seymour duncan the squier has a generic pickup and for the price difference the Fender should be setup properly squier guitars have come along way
Down to the pickup & pickups are a low tech part but hey if ppl want to spend a £100 on a label on a pickup then go for it. As for the 3 guitars (well really 2 the Fender & the Squire) then having 2 pickups & a tone control & have those controls in a better position on the body is far far better than the scam of replicating a poor design choice because some artist chose to be different. I mean guitarists can choose what to play of course but it seems rather childish to want to play a guitar that fashioned on a guitar an artist plays. They of course bump the price up & then ask for the extra tip for the signature & not even a gig bag or case. Sorry, CNC machining & higher QC standards mean anyone thinking they are getting higher quality now are fooling themselves.
I think send the fenders back keep the squier and mod the shit out of it
Too late….
@@TheGuitarGeek could add another
Pickup
the sound of the guitars might be more similar of you put that sh5 in the bridge position of the squier.
Moral of the story, if at all possible, go and try a guitar in person before buying.
As far as videos will take you, yes. I could not agree more
@@TheGuitarGeek Yeah it’s just weird that way. I sat in a store once and tried multiple “identical” Strats from the same series. One of them just felt “right.” The next guy might well pick another. It’s like choosing a samurai sword. Lol. 😀
@@lostinpa-dadenduro7555Or you could say, like choosing a Katana…
Ok… I'm out 😅
Kind of a moot point eh? "if at all possible" being the key component in your comment. It's only possible unless you live local/travel (ex: to sweetwater or a factory), or it happens to be sold at a local music store.
If the Squier came with the Fender paint job, I'd immediately buy it.
For that price, you can afford to have it painted in any color you want.
Now for putting the Duncan pickup in the Squier?
Its a $100 pickup I can see where I would be going
It will be a pain to install it though since it’s a hollowbody. So you would probably have someone do it for you. And while you’re at I would change the pot and perhaps the output jack as well. So that’s going to add some extra costs. But still it probably is half of what the Fender would cost you.
They have just changed the neck & headstock on the squire to match the Tom Delonge, so if you’re on a budget you could basically have a clone with the addition of another humbucker for tonal opportunity!
I think it's important to note that the DeLonge Starcaster comes stock with a Duncan Custom SH-5, a great pickup that is voiced differently and has less output (14.1K) than Tom's former go-to, a Duncan Invader (16.6k). As a Tom fan on a budget, I'd probably buy Squier Sonic Strat H (or a Fender Japan Strat H if you have a bit more of a budget) and an Invader and call it a day.
And the winner... The Strat lol
The Affinity with some tuners and the SD pickup will get you pretty close inexpensively. In the Squier line the CV and Contemporary have a better feel to them.
I built a Tom Delonge-style Strat out of Squier parts - Classic Vibe 70s neck, Sonic Strat HT body, and then the new pick guard, knobs, and SD Invader from the Fender, and I agree. That CV neck is outstanding.
You should compare the Classic Vibe Starcaster to that shitty Delonge model. They are MUCH better than the Affinitys. *And YOU don't know Squier guitars if you actually believe there aren't Squier models that are better built than MIM Fenders!* People who say otherwise don't want to admit that they wasted money on a Fender.
LOL! I cannot help but laugh at all the 🤡's who bought one of the Fenders who turn their nose up at Squiers at 1/4th the price! It's literally made in the same factory in Indonesia. You have to be certifiably insane to spend $1200 on a Squier with a Fender logo on it!
I am curious how the classic vibe squier starcaster compares?
Just came here to say the same thing
Better. It sounds a little thinner than the real one.
Was thinking the same thing, why not compare the Fender’s to the classic vibe version?
@@CAllenBlack well, i've just started watching, but i would assume it's a matter or price point: compare the most expensive Starcaster-style guitar to the least expensive in the lineup.
personally, if it doesn't have the funky headstock and wide range pickups, it's not worth it to me... and i'm not a blink 192 fan, anyway.
@@ChristopherStandardTimesame. I actually like the weird cog shoe shaped headstock rather than the cbs Strat headstock
I’ve got both the TDL strat (2023 issue) and the TDL Starcaster….
The Strat is the better guitar. Playability better, pick-up is better and more aggressive. Hits harder.
Still a bit surprised at the $ value level at which Fender is shipping guitars *without* bags or cases.
The price on the Tom Dellonge SC is just way too high for what it is
Squire has been crushing it with the CV guitars, the last couple years.
Regarding your video, I find the shiny burst finished Squire with Starcaster headstock to be far superior to those flat pink Fenders. I don’t like pink guitars and I don’t get Delong’s choice to put a flat finish on his signature bodies, with a gloss finish on his necks. I get punk rock and all - hell my favorite band has been The Clash (since 1980!) - but his guitars look dumb to me.
Regarding their sound, I can’t really tell a measurable difference between the two.
Squires sucks to me.
That fender is not a Fender..... how does a guitar that big fit your body ⁉️
Leo Fender is rolling over in his grave ❗ If someone gave me either guitar, I would get rid of it ‼️Both guitars are a disgrace to " Fender" ‼️
Bassist here. Love hollow body guitars and basses. Also love blink 182. I like punk and pop punk. I think if you are starting out the squire you will not go wrong with at all. Cover it in stickers youve got yourself a pop punk machine!! If you’ve got the money then the fender is the clear choice. I like the sound of fender 2 from the first play through.
Money no object always buy the better quality.
But man, you're not gonna go wrong with the Squire.
My question is: What if you drop a set of those Seymour Duncans into the Squire?
im sorry but the fact that a $1100 guitar doesn't even come with some sort of a gig bag, is trash
Fender II had more top end (I think.) I always like to look at a graphic eq when I'm comparing guitars.
The real thing I learned in this video, is that since I already have a Delonge Strat, there's no need for me to keep considering a Starcaster...... We know who the real winner was in this video.
Fender number 2 for me. Both the Fenders sound fuller than the Squier to my ear but number two seems to have a bit of extra clarity and chime to the top end. Would like to see what the Squier sounds like with a set of Duncans in it (or just the same one in the bridge) to see how close it could get though
I think the difference between the two Fenders is the reason why, if you can, you should still probably go to a store and "try-before-you-buy. Even two guitars of the same make and model can feel and sound quite different. Wood is a natural material and sometimes you get a piece of it that's just "better", is more resonant and makes for a nicer guitar
".....tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak. Somewhere in this town. Tonight there's gonna be trouble. So don't ya be around......"
love it. Bass guy here. One of my fav songs to play bass to.
Wow, on the cheap the Squire stuff is pretty darn good as far as fit and finish. A few easily doable hardware swaps and you've got a heck of a player there. The Fender stuff is nice (and my Fender J bass is the single best instrument I've ever owned) but, with the price of everything gone insane, it's nice to know you can get into a decent instrument for less money and improve it over time.
cheers.
No2 then it gets thrashed by the Yellow.
100% agreed
Yellow Strat was the best.
Then the Squier. Then Fender 2 & 1. Fender 1 had some intonation issues even on the F power chord on ATST which was surprising. To me the Squier is the winner of the starcasters because of what you get for the price. It's gorgeous and sounds very good in a mix. Plus you didn't even use the middle position or neck pickup! I saw someone had a black one with maple board and it was stunning! I sadly couldn't find it anywhere though. 250 making me think I need a starcaster. I need that dual rectifier first though.
GREAT video!!
So he’s basically reviewing 3 Fender guitars since Squier is owned by Fender
In that case, a lamborghini is the same as a VW golf...
The Seymore Duncan is almost certainly a better pickup than the Squire humbucker by any metric. But then that was Tom's pick, for those who want to imitate his tone. 70s style Strat headstock/neck made out of roasted maple is probably a selling point to some, and is presumably given more shop time at the factory resulting in a more playable, higher quality fretboard, which is kind of where the money is.
But you're also paying for a "Fender" not a "Squier" decal, and the signature model fee. Still a unique product, and hey; it's a Fender in name, even if it is coming from the same factory in Indonesia (100% confirmed; it's the only factory currently tooled to produce Starcaster bodies) that makes Squiers.
Fender 2 had the most blink sound - the yellow one seemed like it had it too.
4:32 I’ve a 2020 Squier Affinity Strat HSS bought it as a project guitar after watching the Scottish git do his Iron Maiden mod. My Squier is so good that all I’ve done is change the strings.
The guitar came directly from the shops warehouse they hadn’t even unboxed it or set it up. It is so good i used it live without hesitation
Also with the TDL starcaster, the positioning of the strap bolt is horrible. It’s right at the back of the guitar, on the neck plate, rather than on the side of the body. Makes it hang down at a really weird angle when you stand up and play it.
What's the riff played at 8:35 ? I can't think of it to save my life
Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy
Before choosing my Squire Classic Vibe Starcaster, I really spent a lot of time deciding between the three versions. I actually liked the Affinity in sunburst because the black binding made it look thicker, and while I wasn’t thrilled about the pickups, hey, they’re humbuckers and I knew GFS would have something I like. I really liked the roasted maple neck on the Contemporary Active, and thought I might like trying something with active pickups, but I ultimately ruled it out because it looked like installing my mandatory ‘varitone’ switch would difficult because of the tight cavity and absence of f-holes. So, I would up with the Modern Player variety. I was a bit hesitant about those oddball pickups, but once I found that there were replacements available, I took the chance. As it turns out, I love those pickups. I really didn’t need yet another guitar with dual humbuckers anyway, and these have a character all their own. The tuners aren’t the best, but I would probably keep them if I didn’t have a spare set of Fender locking tuners in need of a new home, but it’s been 6 months and I haven’t changed them yet, so obviously they’re not that bad. Quality (from Sweetwater) was perfect out of the box. The only flaw I found was that the output jack was loose, but hadn’t yet fallen inside. Fretwork was exemplary. I have the blonde variety, and after playing it, my wife went out and bought one in sunburst, which I might actually like better. Oh yeah, these do have bound f-holes, two pickups, and four controls. Not sure how superior the quality of the signature model might be, but I’ll be damned if I pay 4X the price for less. Oh yeah, I hate the strat headstock on the Fender model. Makes it look too much like a Coronado, which I have loathed since they came out (and yes, I was around then.) I like Gregg Kotch’s assessment of that odd headstock: “Looks like an elfin tool of war…”.
I have a squier by fender, acoustic guitar,$130, at Amazon, I am impressed
Why anyone would buy the fender Tom star caster @ 1199 is crazy, you can buy mint ones on reverb for 700 now. Just wait for people to resell it :/ and let them take the depreciation 😂😂😂
Great video. I would love to see you do a Tom DeLong Stratocaster and a Tom Delong starcaster comparison as well.
I’ve got both. The Strat is way better in my opinion.
It’s depends on the Squier(which era and which factory) it depends on which Fender(which era decade, which factory) The other aspect is which guitar tech has really gone through each guitar. Phil McKnight had a term called Quality Assurance. This means how many Squiers and How many Fenders did you play. Your mileage will vary. On the whole you were right but when you get specific Epiphones can be better than Gibbies but not OFTEN AND THE SAME GOES for relationships between Fender and Squier!
One of the differences with the Squire is that it has a tone cap in the circuit. I like the sound without a tone circuit. A cap bleeds high frequencies to ground. Treble bleed circuits are good as they can keep it from sounding muddy when you roll off of full volume.
Well, the more I heard, the greater the difference. The squire was darker and had much less articulation and agreed, more bell tone with the fender. That being said, the squire sounds very good…but with your comments on the squire being slightly less playable, that widens the gap. The fender strat smoked all of them…just saying!
Short answer is YES for me. Gotta love the newer Squiers.
F- holes have had many different shapes throughout history. The painting in the F-holes is done intentionally to increase contrast and the appearance of depth. Always check your neck for being level before assuming the Bridge is at fault. Check the contact of your low E w/ dental friction paper to make sure it isn't high centered, as many intonation issues happen at the nut and are harder to see.
Great comparison! I waited for this video since you announced it after the Starcaster TD release. Thanks!
However, of topic, I noticed these fretlook stickers in the end, ordered them immediately.. and they suck. I was not able to apply them and was forced to remove, as they sticked only partially 😢 Have no idea how you applied them so perfectly, I followed all the instructions. Anyway, they looked nothing like inlays whatsoever…
Nothing against you! Only my 5 cents on stickers specifically.
Cheers!
From watching the entire video, seems the Strat is the safest bet. You could just tell half way through. Maybe look at the DG335 Epihone? I’d love a video on that compared to the Starcaster. As far as new HB artist series comparisons.
Thanks. I got the CV SQUIRE Starcaster from the Mrs. I love it. But I was wondering how the three squires did against the fenders.
The Strat sounded the best, followed by the Fender #2! Perhaps needed a clean comparison as well with the Strat?
If I'm not mistaken, I didn't hear you mention that the Squier model doesn't have Seymour Duncan pickups. I'm sure that makes a difference in sound. Just sayin'. ✌
The first "Starcaster" that I encountered was a really naff strat copy in the seventies. The logo on the headstock was a transfer with no clear coat to stop it coming off and the pups were so weedy sounding. I didn't buy it...
Strat sounded best of all
Made me wish I picked one up a few years ago.
@@Paul_Abbott_Landsraad_Project they're still available
@@pads-zr9lnahhhhhhhh might have to a look, it was definitely the better option of the 4 on show.
@@Paul_Abbott_Landsraad_Project Harley Benton are meant to be bringing out their own version, alternatively it's not a hard parts caster build
@@pads-zr9ln I am in the UK, so importing shouldn't be too bad 😂😂
Thanks for the tips my friend, I need to save some pennies first and rather oddly didn't consider a Strat as being a potential next purchase 😂
Squier Affinity Starcaster all the way.. Has a warm sound to it. The Tom guitar sounds like a cheap guitar lol
Swapping out tuners seems to be many people's go to first move, upon buying a budget guitar. Why don't manufacturers go ahead and put good ones on?
Yeller was a hella guitar
I think fender 1 sounds good for Tom's tone, but fender 2 may sit better in a full mix. Sounds like 2 has a little more bite in the mid range.
At first I preferred the Squire during your demonstrations when you were using distortion but once you started to play an actual song I loved the sound of Starcaster #2 because it sounded a lot better than the Squire. That final guitar is sacrilege to a Strat by designing it with only 1 pick up.
8:16 does anybody know this riff? or is it just a improv
sounds familiar
It's Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy!
Lol fender trying to follow Gibson's lead on gouging customers on import instruments but without the effective marketing and quality control.
Aesthetically I definitely prefer the Squire to the Fenders although I don’t like the contrast between the colour of the body and the neck. I also don’t really understand why the Fenders have strat headstocks rather than Starcaster ones. Odd choice that.
There really is nothing technically wrong with chinese or indonesian guitars(i own several), but life is too short to play average guitars and you owe it to yourself to get a japanese, german or american made.
I have the Olympic white affinity starcaster and I modded it to perfection. I agree on the bridge placement. It's intonated properly but I maxed out the low e. I noticed the TD starcaster has an abr1 style and the affinity has a Nashville bridge. Those Nashville bridges are a little wider so there's more room for intonation. Might be an idea for the TD starcaster 🎉
The difference in sound most likely comes from there being basically no electronics in the TD version.
Soooooo ... why didn't you put 2 tape stripes on the Squier
This debunkes the whole test/comparison ... 'cause you just seem to like the 2 stripes
Not only are the inspector initials the same, but the assembly and setup initials are the same too. Definitely done put together in the same factory.
I thought #2 sounded best , #1 then the squier. The squier did not sound like a entry level guitar , Id rather have the fender but one could survive with the Squier if need be😅
But when you put the exact same electric in the squier - it should sound the same, even when it plays not the same
I just hate that pink color. I know that's my opinion, so who cares. The Sunburst color is killer.