New sub here from the states. I think you can make a log with Forrest droppings on it sound good bro. Elmo your channel is one of the best im glad i found you man! Peace!!
@D-bomb Really? Do you play guitar or watch the videos at all, that you consider potentially serious playability issues 'knitpicking' (sic). Or are we casting shade for the purpose of shilling?
I own a Squier Affinity Telecaster. I love this guitar. I recently updated it with Fender Tex/Mex pickups. I love it even more now. But I hate it when people say something like "My Squier Affinity is better than any Fender". Inexpensive guitars should be appreciated on their own merits. It would be beyond bizarre if a guitar that costs ten times as much wasn't a significantly better guitar.
People say that crap just to cope because they already bought one and/or can't afford better...squiers do tend to make good modding platforms though if you're comfortable putting more money into them
My squier affinity now has super jumbo jescar stainless steel frets,kinman woodstock plus pickups,new electronics in general,hipshot tuners,bone nut...the works...now all those things are top parts and frankly better than an actual strat that costs thousands has..the difference is that i pay the big bucks for the right parts not for a dead slab of wood that the ad man convinced others it resonates like an acoustic.....so after all this i have a top guitar for around 600 that is as good as anything. Now think about how much a signature fender costs and if those parts that are on that guitar are better than the above.....then you ll understand why people say "my squier is better than any fender".
I always enjoy your reviews. You’re so brutally honest kind of goes back to the old saying you get what you pay for. Thanks again for the review Elmo Cheers from Long Beach, California.
Appreciate the thorough and honest review. I might still get the coral one and use my store’s included free set up to fix all the fretwork right after buying.
the main difference in this and the bullet besides a bit better fret work is the fretboard and neck are 1 piece and the body is a hair wider on the examples i have. oh and there's 1 string tree instead of 2. i have bought 2 already and have none of the issues elmo has. i'm quite impressed actually
As another strat into plexi style amp guy , you're channel is fast becoming my go to for gear nerdery. It's just nice to hear someone who can play their ass off dialing in tones close to what i like.
I've been playing guitar since 1985 and playing strats just as long, first getting a Squier Strat, then American made including a '61 and just about every brand out there. But strats have always been my thing. I recently got the HSS model of the Sonic Strat and love it. It's not just a great guitar for beginners but longtime players. I have no complaints. I got a tremendous value for the money. I'll eventually do some mods, starting with the bridge pickup, probably loading in a Duncan Custom. But right now, I'm having fun playing it. I also love the light poplar body as I've got a horrible history of backaches. This is a very comfortable guitar to play and has a nice, big, warm tone.
Electric guitar beginner here. Picked up a lime green Squier Sonic with Laurel board and have been having a blast jamming and learning with it (since yesterday basically). My only gripe so far is the finish from the laurel board ends up on my fingers and I have to give my hands a good wash after a nice sesh.
@@barrygoodson4952 Apparently I haven't been giving my strings enough slack, and have gone through at least four high E strings during my one-month learning process. This means I have oiled my fretboard at least four times in one month, lol. And you're right. Now the only thing rubbing onto my hands is coming from the fresh strings.
The elephant in the room: The jets and other alternitives dont have that headstock and body shape. Leo Fender and Freddie Tavares designed the Perfect electric guitar! If the squier has a good quality neck and light resonant body (the coral color is fantastic), leveling the frets a proper setup and changing some harware, and you get a alternitive to a fender custom shop. You can easily change the logo if thats a thing for you... With the cnc machines, have you noticed how similar these sonic strat necks look in specs to the made in japan strats?.... Fender is a business, the quality of the guitars has very little to do with the price...came on... 5000€ vs 160€ You have just sold hundreds of that HSS strat, with that awesome wammy demonstration. (It stayed in tune!!!)
Jet sends people over to small guitar shops . Asking if they can hang up some jet guitars for sale in the store ... fender is a nightmare if a small shop orders 1 guitar .. they dont care they rather have the superstores order 30 at a time.
@@TFFSRAD Someone I know who owns a guitar store said that they have to sell a certain number of Squires to even "qualify" to sell Fenders. That's ridiculous. I know, for one, if I go into a shop and they aren't carrying the brand I want I usually don't go back. That sort of policy hurts the very stores that are selling their product. Not sure how much they care since the bulk of their sales are through large online retailers.
Of COURSE they don't care, those are bygone days!...along with malls and othere brick and mortar retailers. Starting with covid, there's been a "sea change" in the way commerce functions. We must adapt and adjust if we're to keep it moving.@keithangstadt4950
I just bought this guitar earlier today, in California Blue. I was looking for an inexpensive but playable guitar I could leave in my locker at work, so Id have something to pick on during my downtime. You cannot beat this guitar for the price!! Its friggin' great, I love it. I had to run a file along the edge of the finger board on both sides, and scrape some glue off the fingerboard. I played that thing for more than three hours tonight. Buy this guitar. Its a no brainer.
Thank you for the honest review, I had a feeling the old bullet was better, (contoured body and all), but wondered about the neck. Great advise, try before you buy, but some of us live too far away from retail stores, so we need honest guys like you. 👍👍👍 Thank's Elmo.
Elmo, this is probably the first completely honest review of the new Sonic series on RUclips. I actually tried one myself in a store. And you're right. They are just NOT that great. I really don't get all the hype about the Squiers generally, there are many better alternatives out there in every price range. The colour options of the Sonic series is interesting, the wiring is a bit better, tuners are an upgrade from the Bullets, sound is OK, but that's it. The frets are uncomfortable, they're too thin, it's just not fun to play. The Ibanez GRX 40 is way better for the price, just feels way better.
That HSS Squier Sonic in Tahitian Coral would look (and sound) amazing with all black hardware, Seymour Duncan Trembucker bridge pickup and some SSLs in the middle and neck positions 😊
Love or hate of a particular guitar is so subjective. The only way to know is to try a particular model yourself. I like reviews but I go on my own judgement not some one elses !
Get the Classic vibe instead and one thats 2nd hand , I hate buying new guitars as they never feel right , as Clapton said the ones to get are the ones that have been played in , Good example Maple fretboards when they start turning dark from wear thats the one you want as they play better.
It's hard to take your critique seriously when your playing and your tone is so godlike it makes these little guitars sound like they're top shelf instruments 🤣 you've inadvertently convinced me to buy one
Great review, Elmo. And good to see, as always is the case, in-depth analysis and reasons for your evaluations. And I LOVE your tremolo bar playing - AWESOME indeed! I have a Bullet Telecaster that I love that I got for $149, so I'm guessing your Bullet Tele is similar to mine.
Have a tele bullet that was absolutely horrible out of the box, but I redid literally everything on it and finished the neck(frets and stock oil).. now it's an amazing guitar. All these cheap guitars will need work, some more than others.
Are the shield holes compatible with other shields? I want to change the pickguard and pickups on this guitar, but I'm not sure if they will be compatible. I'm going to add a Fleor kit from Aliexpress.
Fender just wanted to remove the word Bullet, even though that has a storied use and meaning. I have personally heard of folks who refused to buy one for their kids because of the word. Still think the double humbucker Bullet Mustang will remain a legend. I have a competition striped model modded with a custom pickguard and a sizzling Nashville Tele pickups set. So it became a Squier Nashville Competition Bullet Mustang ... a name that feels either like a race car or a wild west six gun showdown.
Tengo una hardtail en artick White y la verdad que le hize solo una modificación le puse las cuerdas a través del cuerpo y le cambie el puente hardtail . Ahora esta perfec 🙌🙌🎸🎸
I just bought one of these and it is great. Frets are good, intonation was fine and is crafted well. For the price you cant go wrong. Of course its not going to compete with my players strat but that goes without saying. One note. Mine was made in Indonesia not China. Not sure if that makes any difference but mine was fine.
Yeah. Maybe because nearly all HB Strats are not that good. The DC and SC Models are quite nice, especially compared to Epiphone, but in the Strat Sector there is much more competition. The HB Fusion are to expensive, they compete also with a Ibanez AZES 40, which is at the moment the best cheap strat. The sonics are fine though, but nothing in comparision to the Azes which you get for around 250 Bucks.
Hello Professor Elmo. Great guitar review! (And I have seen a few...) What a Great work and a Great help to beginners (and not just beginners...). Thank you for sharing. Best wishes. Luis (Portugal)
The prior Bullet series, besides the Mustang HH a few years ago, was never something that ever peaked my interest, but conversely more than a few of Squiers Affinity and Vintage Modified series have become modded mainstays within my "guitarsenal". Great QC for mod-box platforms IMO. Great vid Elmo. Cheers!
@@ptrisonic Seriously, I have an O.G. white finish 2017 (alder/rosewood) Affinity Jazzmaster HH that's NEVER leaving my side. I freaking love that guitar! I later got a black finished one that was their later poplar/laurel build, but that one just didn't have the same mojo for me as the original. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Those originally NAMM dropped w/ the Bullet Mustang & super over hyped 30" scale JM Baritone FYI. 🤓
Fender should step up and put a price freeze on their guitars but they wont, just like Gibson wont coz they make huge profits. Other manufacturers are stepping up though and that is what Fender needs to do imo. A helpful informative review as always Elmo! Thank you!
@@peterwilson8039why would you puzzled. Fender skyrocketed their prices without improving their instruments and there are many companies, smaller newer companies with much better products that are less than half the price of Squiers and Fender guitars. Thats why!
@@dragan4658 Fender and Gibson customers, like the guys that buy Harley Davidson motorcycles, are loyal to their brand. I would recommend that if you believe you can get better product at a lower pice from another manufacturer, I would recommend that you buy that manufacturer's product, not that it's any of my business.
Worth buying the hss just to try and sound as good as Elmo playing "Jeff Beck type stuff", I must get some Jeff Beck stuff, Ive had all of Jimis for years and most of Rory Gallaghers, mostly strat players but Ive never liked the strats others let me try!
I’m thinking of getting one of these to turn into a budget Yngwie strat of sorts. Will put a brass nut on it, and scallop it myself. I think I’ll leave the pickups as is, they sound quite good here and a set of HS3s would be more expensive than the whole guitar anyway so it wouldn’t make much sense.
I've ordered the pink one-pickup Squier because I really loved the concept of it. I did send it back the day after it arrived. Every aspect of the guitar felt really cheap. It had a fixed bridge, which is cool in concept, but you had to pull the strings through the rear of the bridge instead of through the body. That's something you'd see on 90 EUR Harley Benton T-Styles. The neck would have needed a rather thick shim to make it work. The screws for the saddles were almost bottomed out and the screws were sticking far out the saddles and the action was still rather high. Absolutely terrible. It's a shame because I really, really liked the color and the 1-pickup + fixed bridge concept.
Credo che la prossima chitarra sarà proprio una Sonic Stratocaster. Non trovo problemi nelle chitarre elettriche economiche (per gli strumenti acustici è diverso), con un buon settaggio e qualche economica modifica si riesce ad ottenere quasi sempre quel che serve per ogni uso. Ho chitarre Harley Benton, Peavey, Gregg Bennet, ho avuto anche Fender, Ibanez e chitarre di liuteria (poi vendute, purtroppo sempre modelli di qualità non corrispondente al loro costo). Proverò la Squier Sonic perche mi trovo meglio con i tasti bassi e sottili e il radius abbastanza curvo, per qualche motivo quasi tutti oggi preferiscono tastiere piatte, per me che non sono un virtuoso 7,5" e 9,5" invece son perfetti. Ottimi anche gli economici pickup ceramici se si usano pedaliere digitali, ho necessità tra gli altri di avere anche il suono della chitarra acustica simulata, in questo gli economici ceramici mi sembra rendano anche meglio dei blasonati Alnico. Peccato che Harley Benton non faccia modelli con radius vintage.
Dunno as a beginner I went from Ibanez Gio to Harley Benton 355 to Epiphone Casino to Classic Vibe tele. I kept the casino and the CV Tele slimline which feels the most expensive. If you told me it was a Fender I'd not be surprised. I've just ordered the Squier sonic Strat in purple. I'm basing the quality on the Indonesian plant and I noticed the sonic special edition is made in China so I went for the standard which is made in Indonesia for some reason. So has anyone got any info on the difference between Indonesia and china? It seems to me the fretwork and setup is good in the Indonesia plant or at least the plant that does the CV range. I was hoping the standard Squier sonic would be as good, at least the neck. Its probably the QC more than anything.
I spent 3 hours in Guitar Center today. I have an MIM Strat and a Player Tele. I Needed/Wanted a beater for when I travel for work, sitting on the couch, etc. I went in wanting the Jaguar, but it just was too fuzzy for me with the humbuckers..though it did play well. I played multiple brands at the $200 mark. Walked out with a Artic white maple neck/board Squier Sonic Strat. It plays surprisingly well. Does it sound amazing out of an amp at high volume…not really. But with an amplug3 and some D’addario 10’s on it, it is really really good for practice. I only have about 4 hours total with it today so not speaking in longevity terms but initial quality- yes it’s amazing for $200. Excellent beginner guitar or for practice and travel. Mine is made in Indonesia. Could that be a differentiator? Also did you change the strings out?
Appreciate cutting through the bull**** Elmo as usual ; competition is really fierce at this price as I also agree that there are far better offerings by Harley Benton, Jet Guitars, etc. I always need to keep an eye out for cheaper guitars to recommend to my students, as I don't think the older-bigger brands can afford to do decent QC with their products anymore in today's economy.
@Tommi Nyström Fair enough - I too have had experiences with Harley Benton guitars that needed a tech to sort them out (neck pockets too high and scratchy frets) ; good to avoid online guitar purchases if you can.
I find it's the opposite, when I started playing guitar 25 years ago, the low end Squier guitars were absolutely garbage, the QC was terrible. Every Squier I've played made in the past few years has been good, they seem to have massively improved QC.
@@KEVBOYMUSIC A fair few of my students have Squier and they play really well ; I have seen a couple really bad ones as well as Epiphone and Ibanez in the same price brackets. QC is a hard one to gauge as there are just so many products available these days - I have seen issues with Harley Benton and Jet guitars before so nothing is infallible.
Indonesia according to the Google image search I just did. The info is on the back of the headstock. Indonesians might be a good choice for production if given the budget and specs to build good guitars. We always had Indonesian crew at sea. Not because of cheap labour, because hiring them and flying them to and from port was actually quite expensive. They were such good crew that we could count on them to do stuff right, so when the two supervisors chose their watch list, the Indos were always chosen first. Usually a happy bunch too, so are good to have around. Perhaps should not generalize, but generally they were the best crew to have.
Yeah, I agree. I have a squier bullet hss strat from 2018, and a harley benton bass, which costs around the same price, and the HB bass is better quality, even though basses usually cost more since they're larger. The finish was nicer, and it just feels more premium. The bullet wasn't bad, though. No fret sprout on mine, stays mostly in tune. You can just definitely tell it's a cheap guitar, whereas the harley benton apart from tiny cosmetic issues looks and feels like a higher quality instrument, despite costing less. It does seem like you're paying extra for the name and fender design, and also the distribution costs. If that exact guitar was sold by harley benton, or another cheap brand, it would probably be closer to 115 euros, maybe less.
Good honest video! I have a Squier Affinity Stratocaster that I got a good deal on and bought just so I'd have a guitar with 3 single coils to play some because I didn't have any that you don't have to split the coils on. Mine has the 2 point tremolo and had a little fret sprout but I fixed that and it pretty good now and I paid $200 so maybe for just a few dollars more you can get a better Squier Affinity Stratocaster.
With the recent review of the Jet something guitar showing a big tremolo block and a not too dissimilar price, eh, I'd consider skipping the Fender tax.
@@MrPolevaulter Thanks! I did some research and found the few differences. Though yes, quality is supposedly the same, they differ greatly on frets. Sonic has high thin frets, and Affinity has lower, fatter frets, each for different playing styles. I’m not sure which I’d prefer actually. No music shops close to me, so it’s hard to find a place to walk in and try them out. I’m stuck with online comparisons and web orders.
I hope this doesn’t come across as overly critical as I think your channel it’s brilliant, your videos are really helping me build an understanding about playing guitar and what to do when choosing a guitar…but…from the standpoint of a beginner, the sort I think this guitar is aimed at, some of the guitar playing gets a bit lost…I can’t tell the difference between this and another just by ear…
That HSS Squier Sonic in Tahitian Coral would look (and sound) amazing with all black hardware, Seymour Duncan Trembucker bridge pickup and some SSLs in the middle and neck positions 😊
Dear Elmo K...Something thank you for your great reviews. I need your opinion about two amps Lirevo token 15, is this rubbish noname amp or something good and Fender champion 20.
Do you know Soundtrack guitars? I have a Stratocaster type, in Mexico it costs 120 dollars, it looks very good, but it is uncomfortable. Do you know anything about that brand?
Itse ostin muuan viikko sitten Squierin juhlavuoden straton. Satula päin peetä. Bendatessa kuului metallinen naksahdus. Nauhat hiton karkeat. Ei minkään sortin kiillotusta. Nauhojen päät terävät. E ja A kieltä oli mahdoton saada hienovireeseen. Kaiken kaikkiaan törkiä pettymys. Lähti palautukseen. Tilalle hankin Cortin G200DX:n ja johan on vallan mainio peli! Vieläpä yli puolet halvempi kuin Squier. Huushollista löytyy toinenkin Cort malliltaan G300 Pro, joka myöskin on spekseiltään monin verroin parempi soitin kuin saman hintaluokan Squierit tai Fenderit.
How would you say do they compare with the bullet and affinity series? My first electric was a bullet and it has an amazing neck, really smooth, plays incredibly and has zero fret sprout.
Efter min mening er japanske Fenders eller Squires meget undervurderede. Jeg foretrækker dem frem for USA-fremstillede versioner. Jeg har en 1983 Squire, den er overlegen i forhold til enhver USA lavet Strat, som jeg nogensinde har spillet.
Gidday Elmo. Is it possible to get a really nice playing maple neck with extra well installed stainless frets and a locking nut for budget prices, or is it best to just cough up the bigger bucks importing a Warmoth neck to NZ? I want a So-Cal style super Strat, but with the stainless frets and a contoured heel, so I figure it's best to go the partscaster route. It will be HSS with a Super Distortion in the bridge and a YJM Fury in the neck. So it can do Dave Murray and YJM too. I am not sure about the middle pup choice yet, because it depends on wiring and if I use a vintage sounding one for the out of phase thing -- yeah, you can see I have put some thought into this -- hehe (I'll procrastinate and ponder options for a couple of years and then do it). More bloody questions sorry. My 2015 Mexican Standard Strat with a HS3 and two HS4s off an old YJM Strat (that i just had to wax pot, because they had gone microphonic). Great, comfy neck that I really like, but the bridge and tuners are kind of budget, almost junk feeling. Mexi Strats have different dimensions to US ones. Have you ever upgraded the six screw tremolo bridge on a Mexi one? If so, what did you choose and was it worth it? Tuners will be worth upgrading for sure, but I have to find out the hole size -- probably Gotoh size I guess. Cheers. 😎 P.S. I have been watching your vids since when you had less than 1K subs. You keep the YJM flag flying high. I have noticed you have ditched the DOD 250 style pedals for the Strymon Riverside (or is it the Sunset you use?). Better results for the 'more is more' thing? Yep, massive YJM fan. Jimmy Page fan too, who I have recently been informed is my cousin in law (so I wrangle in my head how I can possibly meet him and pester him with a million questions lol). The other tone I chase is Viv Campbell when he was with Dio. Killer tone with so much sizzle. Randy Rhoads too of course. Not so much EVH. Not because I do not like it though. That rabbit hole is just too crowded for my liking, if you know what I mean.
Great review Elmo. It's obvious to me that Fender just discontinued the bullet series....and as they've renewed the affinity series recently, they've just changed the name of the old affinitys to sonic. Same guitar + different name= oh, it's new!!!!😂😂.
Very good review, but I think you were a bit unfair to a guitar that sounds so good in the demo and kept in tune so well as you abused the trem. Based on what I saw and heard, I'd buy one.
@@MrPolevaulter To be fair, it may be true that it's not the best cheap guitar out there, but the most available in many regions. The issues you pointed out should be looked out for. No one wants to go to a tech right after buying a guitar. I'd test it thoroughly and if everything is in good order, it would be my top choice for the look, the sound and the brand.
I just wanted to say that I was was . saying ladd.y .not lady So no disrespect intended you are correct 💯 the jet js 300 and 400 are awesome guitars these squire Sonic electric guitars are very good modding projects .plus they give you the real body shape and head stock.but for a beginner it would frustrate them.right from the beginning... keep shredding my friend . have a wonderful day...
Well I finally went by a music store for the first time in 20+ years and gave two Sonic tele's a try. I'd heard and read some negative critique, someone even remarking that they feel like toys. On the contrary they felt great, real sturdy and though the body is thinner than a regular Fender, they were real chonkers. Neck pocket was great, fret ends fine, quality hardware imo, however, one had a completely dead high E - even though the nut looked fine, both had sticky pots, one had a skewed string-tree and both had some really weird height bridge pickups. All issues that are pretty easy fixes, but not too bad for about €200. Oh, I also finally tried a Jet. A JT-300, not that impressed to be honest. Somehow cheaper looking and feeling hardware and the neck wasn't all it was hyped up to be.
do you know fazley sheriff outlaw plus hhs, hh or sss what about those? those are not bound by high prices and brand as fender so maybe can be better for less?
Always love honest reviews. But in the real world 95% or more of first time guitar buyers quit. These guitars have been staples for decades. All these knockoffs you won’t find parts or anything in a few years. Also from knockoffs to squier the rave reviews are paid promoters. You can’t believe anything that the paid reviewers say. RUclips is becoming just another website of lies and gre3dy people looking to get click bait. Elmo’s review I thought was a little harsh but honest. Fender had these guitars on sale a week ago for $139. You can’t buy an overhyped pickup for that today. And the shit Gibson/Epiphone have been putting out for decades is worse. I know people that have played Squiers decades without an issue. I also agree with Elmo on the fret sprout. Honestly I have owned many Gibson/Epiphone, and many other big name brands over 10 times the cost that the fret spout would catch my sleeve and tear a hole in it😂I can’t remember anyone really having to do much with these budget strats growing up. A new player doesn’t even realize anything about that. That’s what these guitars are designed for. Under $200, you can’t go wrong. People pay more for a pickup😂 AND REMEMEMBER. Metallicas most famous albums were recorded with knockoff guitars. Yngwie Mamsteen the legend sold more albums recorded on stock Fender pickups than any of the overpriced signature pickups. Still like his stock Fender albums better. The industry has become overhyped, paying people to give great reviews. Elmo nailed it when he said it is not what they are saying.😂 But I have bought some of the cheap knockoffs he says is better, I don’t own one of the new Squiers but most of them were horrible and needed major work. Again, he bought 2 to make the review more honest. Most of these budget guitars are coming from the same factories, not great but perfect for a new guitar player to realize if he is serious. Take note to the headstocks on other brands, same shape, same factory. Think Ibanez has been using that for decades😂Atleast the Squier is not using that stupid headstock all the rest have😂😂😂 Great job Elmo as always.
Just bought a Squier Sonic Stratocaster in HSS and like it so far. Quality looks ok I didn't have any fret issues, in fact the workmanship looks fine.Mine is made in Indonesia, I avoided the ones made in China.
Elmo must have done a hundred of these cheap guitars in videos over the years. In this video he points out a large established musical industry name charging a premium for a product sold by many. The product does not have characteristics that differentiate it from others. They sell basically the same guitar over and over with different names. They don't seem to work on solving some of the problems with the product. For example: My old Acoustic Suzuki guitar has a zero fret nut. Wouldn't that be a simple solution to some of the fret buzz that is often found with these beginner guitars? It would probably cost the manufacturer zero. Thanks for another review.
The amount of budget Strats out there should convince people not to blow the bank on a Custom Shop or a Vintage. (But if you can then I can't stop you), people would complain about the tone but honestly, when have you ever kept a guitar stock? Let's be honest, when we buy new guitars excluding Custom Shops, we change a couple of the parts whether it be tuners, nut, frets, pickups, pots, and bridge. There is also little downside to having multiple budget guitars as they don't break the bank and if they do end up damaged, you could just replace the parts or buy a brand new one since it wouldn't harm the bank as a CS would.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Check out some GREAT cheap alternatives: ruclips.net/video/IeLoR9h178s/видео.html
New sub here from the states. I think you can make a log with Forrest droppings on it sound good bro. Elmo your channel is one of the best im glad i found you man! Peace!!
@D-bomb Really? Do you play guitar or watch the videos at all, that you consider potentially serious playability issues 'knitpicking' (sic). Or are we casting shade for the purpose of shilling?
I own a Squier Affinity Telecaster. I love this guitar. I recently updated it with Fender Tex/Mex pickups. I love it even more now. But I hate it when people say something like "My Squier Affinity is better than any Fender". Inexpensive guitars should be appreciated on their own merits. It would be beyond bizarre if a guitar that costs ten times as much wasn't a significantly better guitar.
People say that crap just to cope because they already bought one and/or can't afford better...squiers do tend to make good modding platforms though if you're comfortable putting more money into them
My squier affinity now has super jumbo jescar stainless steel frets,kinman woodstock plus pickups,new electronics in general,hipshot tuners,bone nut...the works...now all those things are top parts and frankly better than an actual strat that costs thousands has..the difference is that i pay the big bucks for the right parts not for a dead slab of wood that the ad man convinced others it resonates like an acoustic.....so after all this i have a top guitar for around 600 that is as good as anything.
Now think about how much a signature fender costs and if those parts that are on that guitar are better than the above.....then you ll understand why people say "my squier is better than any fender".
@@Dreamdancer11Cope
@@booshting3520 Whatever helps you sleep better at night....
@@Dreamdancer11 The irony of that post is palpable given how much nonsense you've spouted to justify your broke boy guitar purchase 😆 Pure copium
I always enjoy your reviews. You’re so brutally honest kind of goes back to the old saying you get what you pay for. Thanks again for the review Elmo Cheers from Long Beach, California.
Appreciate the thorough and honest review. I might still get the coral one and use my store’s included free set up to fix all the fretwork right after buying.
Cheers!
At last, a decent review of this new series..! Looking forward to you checking out the Teles too! Thanks Elmo!
Your whammy-bar test woke-up my girl. 😂
I was impressed with how well the tuning held .
Sorry 😂
@@MrPolevaulter No worries. It was hilarious.
the main difference in this and the bullet besides a bit better fret work is the fretboard and neck are 1 piece and the body is a hair wider on the examples i have. oh and there's 1 string tree instead of 2. i have bought 2 already and have none of the issues elmo has. i'm quite impressed actually
As another strat into plexi style amp guy , you're channel is fast becoming my go to for gear nerdery. It's just nice to hear someone who can play their ass off dialing in tones close to what i like.
I've been playing guitar since 1985 and playing strats just as long, first getting a Squier Strat, then American made including a '61 and just about every brand out there. But strats have always been my thing. I recently got the HSS model of the Sonic Strat and love it. It's not just a great guitar for beginners but longtime players. I have no complaints. I got a tremendous value for the money. I'll eventually do some mods, starting with the bridge pickup, probably loading in a Duncan Custom. But right now, I'm having fun playing it. I also love the light poplar body as I've got a horrible history of backaches. This is a very comfortable guitar to play and has a nice, big, warm tone.
Electric guitar beginner here. Picked up a lime green Squier Sonic with Laurel board and have been having a blast jamming and learning with it (since yesterday basically). My only gripe so far is the finish from the laurel board ends up on my fingers and I have to give my hands a good wash after a nice sesh.
Lubricate your board with lemon oil real good and it should stoop that.
@@barrygoodson4952 Apparently I haven't been giving my strings enough slack, and have gone through at least four high E strings during my one-month learning process. This means I have oiled my fretboard at least four times in one month, lol. And you're right. Now the only thing rubbing onto my hands is coming from the fresh strings.
The elephant in the room: The jets and other alternitives dont have that headstock and body shape. Leo Fender and Freddie Tavares designed the Perfect electric guitar! If the squier has a good quality neck and light resonant body (the coral color is fantastic), leveling the frets a proper setup and changing some harware, and you get a alternitive to a fender custom shop. You can easily change the logo if thats a thing for you...
With the cnc machines, have you noticed how similar these sonic strat necks look in specs to the made in japan strats?....
Fender is a business, the quality of the guitars has very little to do with the price...came on... 5000€ vs 160€
You have just sold hundreds of that HSS strat, with that awesome wammy demonstration. (It stayed in tune!!!)
Brands like JET are killing it now. What I like about JET is, that they are an actual store/dealer brand, not "online" brand.
Jet sends people over to small guitar shops . Asking if they can hang up some jet guitars for sale in the store ... fender is a nightmare if a small shop orders 1 guitar .. they dont care they rather have the superstores order 30 at a time.
@@TFFSRAD Someone I know who owns a guitar store said that they have to sell a certain number of Squires to even "qualify" to sell Fenders. That's ridiculous. I know, for one, if I go into a shop and they aren't carrying the brand I want I usually don't go back. That sort of policy hurts the very stores that are selling their product. Not sure how much they care since the bulk of their sales are through large online retailers.
Of COURSE they don't care, those are bygone days!...along with malls and othere brick and mortar retailers. Starting with covid, there's been a "sea change" in the way commerce functions. We must adapt and adjust if we're to keep it moving.@keithangstadt4950
I just bought this guitar earlier today, in California Blue. I was looking for an inexpensive but playable guitar I could leave in my locker at work, so Id have something to pick on during my downtime. You cannot beat this guitar for the price!! Its friggin' great, I love it. I had to run a file along the edge of the finger board on both sides, and scrape some glue off the fingerboard. I played that thing for more than three hours tonight. Buy this guitar. Its a no brainer.
My HT H shows up Friday. I hope fendershop gave it a setup before sending it. That color is really something, I can't wait.
He literally named like six other guitars that beat this one for the price.
@@Falconryder So he says. He's a Fender hater.
Thank you for the honest review, I had a feeling the old bullet was better, (contoured body and all), but wondered about the neck. Great advise, try before you buy, but some of us live too far away from retail stores, so we need honest guys like you. 👍👍👍 Thank's Elmo.
Elmo, this is probably the first completely honest review of the new Sonic series on RUclips. I actually tried one myself in a store. And you're right. They are just NOT that great. I really don't get all the hype about the Squiers generally, there are many better alternatives out there in every price range. The colour options of the Sonic series is interesting, the wiring is a bit better, tuners are an upgrade from the Bullets, sound is OK, but that's it. The frets are uncomfortable, they're too thin, it's just not fun to play. The Ibanez GRX 40 is way better for the price, just feels way better.
Yeah there are many better alternatives imo.
There is hype about them becouse they are actual Fenders made by Fender
@@K-CHOMA how so?
So from 1:48 you are saying it's not that great? xD for like 300 usd?
O shut up by a Harley Benton pos instead
That HSS Squier Sonic in Tahitian Coral would look (and sound) amazing with all black hardware, Seymour Duncan Trembucker bridge pickup and some SSLs in the middle and neck positions 😊
You got my sub for giving an actual honest review. Not every guitar is worth the pricetag listed. Thank you.
Cheers!
Love or hate of a particular guitar is so subjective. The only way to know is to try a particular model yourself. I like reviews but I go on my own judgement not some one elses !
I'm very happy with my Squier Sonic Mustang SS (Torino Red.)
Get the Classic vibe instead and one thats 2nd hand , I hate buying new guitars as they never feel right , as Clapton said the ones to get are the ones that have been played in , Good example Maple fretboards when they start turning dark from wear thats the one you want as they play better.
It's hard to take your critique seriously when your playing and your tone is so godlike it makes these little guitars sound like they're top shelf instruments 🤣 you've inadvertently convinced me to buy one
🤣
Nice and honest review as ever. Thank you a lot
My pleasure
Love the honest reviews! Hands down my favourite reviews and tutorials.
Can you please review the blackstar debut 50r?
Refreshing to get an honest review on RUclips.
I don't think anything Squier below classic vibe is worth buying for a beginner.
Thanks for the wonderful insight it helps beginners like me.
Great review, Elmo. And good to see, as always is the case, in-depth analysis and reasons for your evaluations. And I LOVE your tremolo bar playing - AWESOME indeed! I have a Bullet Telecaster that I love that I got for $149, so I'm guessing your Bullet Tele is similar to mine.
Have a tele bullet that was absolutely horrible out of the box, but I redid literally everything on it and finished the neck(frets and stock oil).. now it's an amazing guitar. All these cheap guitars will need work, some more than others.
Are the shield holes compatible with other shields? I want to change the pickguard and pickups on this guitar, but I'm not sure if they will be compatible. I'm going to add a Fleor kit from Aliexpress.
I don't know.
Fender just wanted to remove the word Bullet, even though that has a storied use and meaning. I have personally heard of folks who refused to buy one for their kids because of the word.
Still think the double humbucker Bullet Mustang will remain a legend. I have a competition striped model modded with a custom pickguard and a sizzling Nashville Tele pickups set. So it became a Squier Nashville Competition Bullet Mustang ... a name that feels either like a race car or a wild west six gun showdown.
Tengo una hardtail en artick White y la verdad que le hize solo una modificación le puse las cuerdas a través del cuerpo y le cambie el puente hardtail . Ahora esta perfec 🙌🙌🎸🎸
That humbucker sounds brutal but it is probably a great starter guitar
I just bought one of these and it is great. Frets are good, intonation was fine and is crafted well. For the price you cant go wrong. Of course its not going to compete with my players strat but that goes without saying. One note. Mine was made in Indonesia not China. Not sure if that makes any difference but mine was fine.
I came across the Sonic Mustang and the pickups, albeit ceramic, were amazing. I will take Squier over Harley Benton in same category any day. Peace.
The single coil or humbuckers?
@@bradbaker4679 the new 2 single coil. In two- tone sunburst like original Strats of 1954.
Yeah. Maybe because nearly all HB Strats are not that good. The DC and SC Models are quite nice, especially compared to Epiphone, but in the Strat Sector there is much more competition. The HB Fusion are to expensive, they compete also with a Ibanez AZES 40, which is at the moment the best cheap strat. The sonics are fine though, but nothing in comparision to the Azes which you get for around 250 Bucks.
Seymour Duncan Invader is also ceramic
How do you think it compares to the Bullet Mustang ?
Sounds like a lot of fret buzz even coming through the amp on the orange one.
Thanks for the info I’m thinking about buying this one. Would you recommend getting new strings? For it and Readjusting the nut
Absolutely.
Hello Professor Elmo. Great guitar review! (And I have seen a few...) What a Great work and a Great help to beginners (and not just beginners...). Thank you for sharing. Best wishes. Luis (Portugal)
Great honest review 👍 This is more in sync with what I expected from this series.
For me, Jet & Fazley dominate (spec-wise) at this price point 🤑
Thanks for reviewing these👍
This dude could make a piece of 2x4 sound good! Amazing playing!
Thanks!
I enjoyed your tasty playing, but when you referenced Steve Vai's "Tender Surrender", that bought you a follow!
Thank you :)
I think Ceramic Pickups would suit some players, for the "hotter" sound.
I hear strats of all price levels are highly prone to fret sprout. Is this your experience with newer strats (vs. ones made last millenium)?
Not really. Some have sprout, some don't. Pretty much the same on other guitars.
So, which one do you prefer squier sonic strat hss or squier affinity strat hss ?
Hey elmo any chance we could get a video talking about the options for getting a scalloped fretboard?
Thank you for your honest review 🙏😊
The prior Bullet series, besides the Mustang HH a few years ago, was never something that ever peaked my interest, but conversely more than a few of Squiers Affinity and Vintage Modified series have become modded mainstays within my "guitarsenal".
Great QC for mod-box platforms IMO.
Great vid Elmo.
Cheers!
"Piqued" - see me after school....
@@ptrisonic Seriously, I have an O.G. white finish 2017 (alder/rosewood) Affinity Jazzmaster HH that's NEVER leaving my side. I freaking love that guitar! I later got a black finished one that was their later poplar/laurel build, but that one just didn't have the same mojo for me as the original.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Those originally NAMM dropped w/ the Bullet Mustang & super over hyped 30" scale JM Baritone FYI.
🤓
Fender should step up and put a price freeze on their guitars but they wont, just like Gibson wont coz they make huge profits. Other manufacturers are stepping up though and that is what Fender needs to do imo. A helpful informative review as always Elmo! Thank you!
I find myself puzzled as to why Fender should put a freeze on their guitars.
@@peterwilson8039why would you puzzled. Fender skyrocketed their prices without improving their instruments and there are many companies, smaller newer companies with much better products that are less than half the price of Squiers and Fender guitars. Thats why!
@@dragan4658 Fender and Gibson customers, like the guys that buy Harley Davidson motorcycles, are loyal to their brand. I would recommend that if you believe you can get better product at a lower pice from another manufacturer, I would recommend that you buy that manufacturer's product, not that it's any of my business.
@@peterwilson8039 and I do. However my comment is valid. Hd and fender, Gibson etc do overcharge.
Worth buying the hss just to try and sound as good as Elmo playing "Jeff Beck type stuff", I must get some Jeff Beck stuff, Ive had all of Jimis for years and most of Rory Gallaghers, mostly strat players but Ive never liked the strats others let me try!
I’m thinking of getting one of these to turn into a budget Yngwie strat of sorts. Will put a brass nut on it, and scallop it myself. I think I’ll leave the pickups as is, they sound quite good here and a set of HS3s would be more expensive than the whole guitar anyway so it wouldn’t make much sense.
I've ordered the pink one-pickup Squier because I really loved the concept of it. I did send it back the day after it arrived. Every aspect of the guitar felt really cheap. It had a fixed bridge, which is cool in concept, but you had to pull the strings through the rear of the bridge instead of through the body. That's something you'd see on 90 EUR Harley Benton T-Styles. The neck would have needed a rather thick shim to make it work. The screws for the saddles were almost bottomed out and the screws were sticking far out the saddles and the action was still rather high. Absolutely terrible.
It's a shame because I really, really liked the color and the 1-pickup + fixed bridge concept.
I think they sound and look great
So I guess the obvious question is this (Hss) or the similarly priced and similarly spec’d Jet Js400?
Actually, never mind, you answered it yourself ha 👍
Credo che la prossima chitarra sarà proprio una Sonic Stratocaster.
Non trovo problemi nelle chitarre elettriche economiche (per gli strumenti acustici è diverso), con un buon settaggio e qualche economica modifica si riesce ad ottenere quasi sempre quel che serve per ogni uso.
Ho chitarre Harley Benton, Peavey, Gregg Bennet, ho avuto anche Fender, Ibanez e chitarre di liuteria (poi vendute, purtroppo sempre modelli di qualità non corrispondente al loro costo).
Proverò la Squier Sonic perche mi trovo meglio con i tasti bassi e sottili e il radius abbastanza curvo, per qualche motivo quasi tutti oggi preferiscono tastiere piatte, per me che non sono un virtuoso 7,5" e 9,5" invece son perfetti.
Ottimi anche gli economici pickup ceramici se si usano pedaliere digitali, ho necessità tra gli altri di avere anche il suono della chitarra acustica simulata, in questo gli economici ceramici mi sembra rendano anche meglio dei blasonati Alnico.
Peccato che Harley Benton non faccia modelli con radius vintage.
PLEASE GIVE A LESSON ON HOW YOU DID THAT AT 10:00 , that was sick!!!
The guitar sounds great. Great playing too
That's very fun to see young Gilmore shredding cheap squier guitars)
Dunno as a beginner I went from Ibanez Gio to Harley Benton 355 to Epiphone Casino to Classic Vibe tele. I kept the casino and the CV Tele slimline which feels the most expensive. If you told me it was a Fender I'd not be surprised. I've just ordered the Squier sonic Strat in purple. I'm basing the quality on the Indonesian plant and I noticed the sonic special edition is made in China so I went for the standard which is made in Indonesia for some reason. So has anyone got any info on the difference between Indonesia and china? It seems to me the fretwork and setup is good in the Indonesia plant or at least the plant that does the CV range. I was hoping the standard Squier sonic would be as good, at least the neck. Its probably the QC more than anything.
Have you checked the 40 anniversary squier strat ?
Hey Elmo, can you tell me which pick( gauge and material ) are you using when you shred ? BTW loved the review
I spent 3 hours in Guitar Center today. I have an MIM Strat and a Player Tele. I Needed/Wanted a beater for when I travel for work, sitting on the couch, etc. I went in wanting the Jaguar, but it just was too fuzzy for me with the humbuckers..though it did play well. I played multiple brands at the $200 mark. Walked out with a Artic white maple neck/board Squier Sonic Strat. It plays surprisingly well. Does it sound amazing out of an amp at high volume…not really. But with an amplug3 and some D’addario 10’s on it, it is really really good for practice. I only have about 4 hours total with it today so not speaking in longevity terms but initial quality- yes it’s amazing for $200. Excellent beginner guitar or for practice and travel.
Mine is made in Indonesia. Could that be a differentiator? Also did you change the strings out?
Appreciate cutting through the bull**** Elmo as usual ; competition is really fierce at this price as I also agree that there are far better offerings by Harley Benton, Jet Guitars, etc. I always need to keep an eye out for cheaper guitars to recommend to my students, as I don't think the older-bigger brands can afford to do decent QC with their products anymore in today's economy.
Indeed.
@Tommi Nyström Fair enough - I too have had experiences with Harley Benton guitars that needed a tech to sort them out (neck pockets too high and scratchy frets) ; good to avoid online guitar purchases if you can.
I find it's the opposite, when I started playing guitar 25 years ago, the low end Squier guitars were absolutely garbage, the QC was terrible. Every Squier I've played made in the past few years has been good, they seem to have massively improved QC.
@@KEVBOYMUSIC A fair few of my students have Squier and they play really well ; I have seen a couple really bad ones as well as Epiphone and Ibanez in the same price brackets. QC is a hard one to gauge as there are just so many products available these days - I have seen issues with Harley Benton and Jet guitars before so nothing is infallible.
guitars aside, those runs and riffs are buttery AF!
ur channel is 💯/💯 terrific 👏. ur jeff beck and Yngwie styles are really goooddd ❤
Thanks!
I can't find any info on where they're made.
China.
@@MrPolevaulter Should have guessed. Thanks Elmo. 👍
Indonesia according to the Google image search I just did. The info is on the back of the headstock.
Indonesians might be a good choice for production if given the budget and specs to build good guitars. We always had Indonesian crew at sea. Not because of cheap labour, because hiring them and flying them to and from port was actually quite expensive. They were such good crew that we could count on them to do stuff right, so when the two supervisors chose their watch list, the Indos were always chosen first. Usually a happy bunch too, so are good to have around. Perhaps should not generalize, but generally they were the best crew to have.
@@aquilarossa5191I have an Indonesian made Bullet Strat. It's actually pretty good imho. I guess if you can, get the Indonesian built ones.
Yeah, I agree. I have a squier bullet hss strat from 2018, and a harley benton bass, which costs around the same price, and the HB bass is better quality, even though basses usually cost more since they're larger. The finish was nicer, and it just feels more premium. The bullet wasn't bad, though. No fret sprout on mine, stays mostly in tune. You can just definitely tell it's a cheap guitar, whereas the harley benton apart from tiny cosmetic issues looks and feels like a higher quality instrument, despite costing less. It does seem like you're paying extra for the name and fender design, and also the distribution costs. If that exact guitar was sold by harley benton, or another cheap brand, it would probably be closer to 115 euros, maybe less.
Good honest video! I have a Squier Affinity Stratocaster that I got a good deal on and bought just so I'd have a guitar with 3 single coils to play some because I didn't have any that you don't have to split the coils on. Mine has the 2 point tremolo and had a little fret sprout but I fixed that and it pretty good now and I paid $200 so maybe for just a few dollars more you can get a better Squier Affinity Stratocaster.
With the recent review of the Jet something guitar showing a big tremolo block and a not too dissimilar price, eh, I'd consider skipping the Fender tax.
13:24 sometimes I still get that string ringing once in a while after putting on new strings haha. could be a setup issue? not sure
Has to do with the angle of the string from the nut to the tuner.
What about the sonic mustang, looks amazing??
would you recommend this over a Harley benton ST 62? (ST62 Hot rod (HSS) or Harley Benton ST-62DLX (3 single coil))
Would appreciate your insight!
Which one is better, squier stratocaster made in Indonesia or made in China?
Dunno. But try before you buy.
Indonesia
indonesia
Cheers Elmo ! ;)
Cheers :)
Thank you for an honest review! You think the Squire Affinity is any better?
Not really imo.
@@MrPolevaulter Thanks! I did some research and found the few differences. Though yes, quality is supposedly the same, they differ greatly on frets. Sonic has high thin frets, and Affinity has lower, fatter frets, each for different playing styles. I’m not sure which I’d prefer actually. No music shops close to me, so it’s hard to find a place to walk in and try them out. I’m stuck with online comparisons and web orders.
Between Sonic and affinity strat, which one better about qualities?
Affinity is better
Can't really say.
How these guitars when compared to entry level pacificas...?
I'd probably get neither.
@@joelanderson7253 even better tbh.
What's your thoughts about mustang guitars?
Fender Mustangs? Not really my cup of tea.
I hope this doesn’t come across as overly critical as I think your channel it’s brilliant, your videos are really helping me build an understanding about playing guitar and what to do when choosing a guitar…but…from the standpoint of a beginner, the sort I think this guitar is aimed at, some of the guitar playing gets a bit lost…I can’t tell the difference between this and another just by ear…
Where is this a review, its only demonstrates your guitar skills, and they are very cool, but info about the guitar is minimal
It is much better than many speach with no playing - here i can hear sound, clear sound, and find out that its good
If you can't get Anything of this, that's on you.
That HSS Squier Sonic in Tahitian Coral would look (and sound) amazing with all black hardware, Seymour Duncan Trembucker bridge pickup and some SSLs in the middle and neck positions 😊
You mean how
Get your ass on a browser and look it up if you’re that worried about it
Dear Elmo K...Something thank you for your great reviews. I need your opinion about two amps
Lirevo token 15, is this rubbish noname amp or something good and
Fender champion 20.
Do you know Soundtrack guitars?
I have a Stratocaster type, in Mexico it costs 120 dollars, it looks very good, but it is uncomfortable. Do you know anything about that brand?
Never heard of them before.
Itse ostin muuan viikko sitten Squierin juhlavuoden straton. Satula päin peetä. Bendatessa kuului metallinen naksahdus. Nauhat hiton karkeat. Ei minkään sortin kiillotusta. Nauhojen päät terävät. E ja A kieltä oli mahdoton saada hienovireeseen. Kaiken kaikkiaan törkiä pettymys. Lähti palautukseen. Tilalle hankin Cortin G200DX:n ja johan on vallan mainio peli! Vieläpä yli puolet halvempi kuin Squier. Huushollista löytyy toinenkin Cort malliltaan G300 Pro, joka myöskin on spekseiltään monin verroin parempi soitin kuin saman hintaluokan Squierit tai Fenderit.
How would you say do they compare with the bullet and affinity series? My first electric was a bullet and it has an amazing neck, really smooth, plays incredibly and has zero fret sprout.
Efter min mening er japanske Fenders eller Squires meget undervurderede. Jeg foretrækker dem frem for USA-fremstillede versioner. Jeg har en 1983 Squire, den er overlegen i forhold til enhver USA lavet Strat, som jeg nogensinde har spillet.
Gidday Elmo.
Is it possible to get a really nice playing maple neck with extra well installed stainless frets and a locking nut for budget prices, or is it best to just cough up the bigger bucks importing a Warmoth neck to NZ? I want a So-Cal style super Strat, but with the stainless frets and a contoured heel, so I figure it's best to go the partscaster route.
It will be HSS with a Super Distortion in the bridge and a YJM Fury in the neck. So it can do Dave Murray and YJM too. I am not sure about the middle pup choice yet, because it depends on wiring and if I use a vintage sounding one for the out of phase thing -- yeah, you can see I have put some thought into this -- hehe (I'll procrastinate and ponder options for a couple of years and then do it).
More bloody questions sorry. My 2015 Mexican Standard Strat with a HS3 and two HS4s off an old YJM Strat (that i just had to wax pot, because they had gone microphonic). Great, comfy neck that I really like, but the bridge and tuners are kind of budget, almost junk feeling. Mexi Strats have different dimensions to US ones. Have you ever upgraded the six screw tremolo bridge on a Mexi one? If so, what did you choose and was it worth it? Tuners will be worth upgrading for sure, but I have to find out the hole size -- probably Gotoh size I guess.
Cheers. 😎
P.S. I have been watching your vids since when you had less than 1K subs. You keep the YJM flag flying high. I have noticed you have ditched the DOD 250 style pedals for the Strymon Riverside (or is it the Sunset you use?). Better results for the 'more is more' thing? Yep, massive YJM fan. Jimmy Page fan too, who I have recently been informed is my cousin in law (so I wrangle in my head how I can possibly meet him and pester him with a million questions lol). The other tone I chase is Viv Campbell when he was with Dio. Killer tone with so much sizzle. Randy Rhoads too of course. Not so much EVH. Not because I do not like it though. That rabbit hole is just too crowded for my liking, if you know what I mean.
which one should ichoose
pacifica 012 or this one .
my need = rock and blues = i am a beginner on electric
A Squier is better to upgrade later. But the Yamaha is also ok.
Good review.
Curious, How does the tone wired to the bridge allow you to do Jeff Beck stuff?
Great review Elmo.
It's obvious to me that Fender just discontinued the bullet series....and as they've renewed the affinity series recently, they've just changed the name of the old affinitys to sonic. Same guitar + different name= oh, it's new!!!!😂😂.
Very good review, but I think you were a bit unfair to a guitar that sounds so good in the demo and kept in tune so well as you abused the trem. Based on what I saw and heard, I'd buy one.
Fair enough. I wouldn't, there are many better options out there.
@@MrPolevaulter To be fair, it may be true that it's not the best cheap guitar out there, but the most available in many regions. The issues you pointed out should be looked out for. No one wants to go to a tech right after buying a guitar. I'd test it thoroughly and if everything is in good order, it would be my top choice for the look, the sound and the brand.
I just wanted to say that I was was . saying ladd.y .not lady
So no disrespect intended you are correct 💯 the jet js 300 and 400 are awesome guitars these squire Sonic electric guitars are very good modding projects .plus they give you the real body shape and head stock.but for a beginner it would frustrate them.right from the beginning... keep shredding my friend . have a wonderful day...
Absolutely shreds for 10 minutes “meh, they’re alright.” 😂
Well I finally went by a music store for the first time in 20+ years and gave two Sonic tele's a try. I'd heard and read some negative critique, someone even remarking that they feel like toys. On the contrary they felt great, real sturdy and though the body is thinner than a regular Fender, they were real chonkers. Neck pocket was great, fret ends fine, quality hardware imo, however, one had a completely dead high E - even though the nut looked fine, both had sticky pots, one had a skewed string-tree and both had some really weird height bridge pickups. All issues that are pretty easy fixes, but not too bad for about €200.
Oh, I also finally tried a Jet. A JT-300, not that impressed to be honest. Somehow cheaper looking and feeling hardware and the neck wasn't all it was hyped up to be.
Nice one, thank you.
Cheers!
do you know fazley sheriff outlaw plus hhs, hh or sss what about those? those are not bound by high prices and brand as fender so maybe can be better for less?
what is the riff at 8:26? I've been meaning to ask for the last 8 months
I see the light , Yngwie. Elmo is a yngwie nut
Always love honest reviews. But in the real world 95% or more of first time guitar buyers quit. These guitars have been staples for decades. All these knockoffs you won’t find parts or anything in a few years. Also from knockoffs to squier the rave reviews are paid promoters. You can’t believe anything that the paid reviewers say. RUclips is becoming just another website of lies and gre3dy people looking to get click bait. Elmo’s review I thought was a little harsh but honest. Fender had these guitars on sale a week ago for $139. You can’t buy an overhyped pickup for that today. And the shit Gibson/Epiphone have been putting out for decades is worse. I know people that have played Squiers decades without an issue. I also agree with Elmo on the fret sprout. Honestly I have owned many Gibson/Epiphone, and many other big name brands over 10 times the cost that the fret spout would catch my sleeve and tear a hole in it😂I can’t remember anyone really having to do much with these budget strats growing up. A new player doesn’t even realize anything about that. That’s what these guitars are designed for. Under $200, you can’t go wrong. People pay more for a pickup😂 AND REMEMEMBER. Metallicas most famous albums were recorded with knockoff guitars. Yngwie Mamsteen the legend sold more albums recorded on stock Fender pickups than any of the overpriced signature pickups. Still like his stock Fender albums better. The industry has become overhyped, paying people to give great reviews. Elmo nailed it when he said it is not what they are saying.😂 But I have bought some of the cheap knockoffs he says is better, I don’t own one of the new Squiers but most of them were horrible and needed major work. Again, he bought 2 to make the review more honest. Most of these budget guitars are coming from the same factories, not great but perfect for a new guitar player to realize if he is serious. Take note to the headstocks on other brands, same shape, same factory. Think Ibanez has been using that for decades😂Atleast the Squier is not using that stupid headstock all the rest have😂😂😂 Great job Elmo as always.
Just bought a Squier Sonic Stratocaster in HSS and like it so far. Quality looks ok I didn't have any fret issues, in fact the workmanship looks fine.Mine is made in Indonesia, I avoided the ones made in China.
Elmo must have done a hundred of these cheap guitars in videos over the years. In this video he points out a large established musical industry name charging a premium for a product sold by many. The product does not have characteristics that differentiate it from others. They sell basically the same guitar over and over with different names. They don't seem to work on solving some of the problems with the product. For example: My old Acoustic Suzuki guitar has a zero fret nut. Wouldn't that be a simple solution to some of the fret buzz that is often found with these beginner guitars? It would probably cost the manufacturer zero. Thanks for another review.
The amount of budget Strats out there should convince people not to blow the bank on a Custom Shop or a Vintage. (But if you can then I can't stop you), people would complain about the tone but honestly, when have you ever kept a guitar stock? Let's be honest, when we buy new guitars excluding Custom Shops, we change a couple of the parts whether it be tuners, nut, frets, pickups, pots, and bridge. There is also little downside to having multiple budget guitars as they don't break the bank and if they do end up damaged, you could just replace the parts or buy a brand new one since it wouldn't harm the bank as a CS would.
Some honesty! At last!
I think with a proper setup, switch out the pups, and maybe replace the tuners will make this a lot better.