If you’re wondering whether Squier Affinity Stratocaster is a good guitar or not, you’ll definitely enjoy today’s review! As a proud owner of this Strat, I’m going to share my thoughts and experiences with you. It’s a really inexpensive guitar, but is it actually good?
Absolutely! Squier Affinity Stratocaster is fun to play and it features a really good quality. It may not be as good as high-end Fender Strats, but it’s still a great choice, especially when you think about the low price. It’s definitely one of the best budget guitars available on the market right now.
Did you know that this Squier is actually one of the most popular Stratocasters in the world? Let’s dive deeper with research and find out what makes this guitar so good and popular. But firstly, let me tell you more about my own Affinity Strat.
My Experience With Squier Affinity Stratocaster
I’ve had the Affinity Stratocaster for a while now and all I can say is that it’s one of my favorite Strats of all time. The guitar feels surprisingly good – there are no sharp frets and there’s no buzzing. It’s just so easy and fun to play!
I recorded a quick video review of my Squier to show you how it looks and how it sounds. Feel free to check it out below and if you enjoy this type of content, make sure to click the subscribe button – it will help my channel grow.
As you can see on the video, I chose the Squier in the surf green color version. I think it looks really cool, although in my opinion it’d look slightly better with a maple fretboard. Still, the appearance of this model is awesome! I really like the fact that they decided to use a large headstock in here, it has a really cool ’70s vibe.
In terms of sound, it has a really bright tone just like any other classic Stratocaster. Three single coil pickups work very well and although they’re pretty basic, they’re capable of creating some really nice guitar tones. I particularly enjoy using this Squier with a little bit of overdrive and lots of reverb – it sounds absolutely fantastic.
I’m really happy that I bought this guitar and to be honest, I don’t see the point of changing it to a far more expensive Fender. Why would I change something that works very well? I’ve had a few Mexican and American Strats in my hands before and although this Squier is not better than these guitars, it’s definitely not worse.
That’s why I think that any guitar player will be satisfied with this guitar. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a more advanced player, trust me – you’re going to like this guitar a lot.
Specs & Pricing
Squier Affinity Stratocaster features a lightweight poplar body and a comfortable C-shaped maple neck. The guitar is equipped with a standard pickup setting – three single coil pickups, which offer a crisp and bright tone. For those who are looking for more heavier sounds, there’s a version with the HSS pickup setting.
Considering the high quality of this guitar, the price seems to be actually pretty low. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the most interesting budget Strats available on the market right now. It will be really tough to find something better at this price level.
What are the alternatives? Well, Squier has a few different Strats too. For those who are looking for even more cheaper options, Squier Bullet Stratocaster may be the way to go. It’s a bit more affordable, but it’s not as good as the Affinity Series and it may feature some factory flaws (like sharp frets, buzzing strings or high string action).
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster is another alternative, but it’s a bit more expensive than the Affinity model. But if you’re willing to spend more, you should definitely check out this guitar. Especially if you’re a lover of vintage tones!
Squier Affinity Stratocaster – Who Is It For?
I think that the Squier Affinity Stratocaster will be perfect for lovers of blues, jazz and rock. In general, Stratocasters are really versatile when it comes to tone. They work well in the vast majority of music genres. In my case, I’m using it mainly for indie and alternative rock. This guitar sounds awesome when you add a few effects, such as spring reverb, chorus or tremolo.
Considering the price, it’s a great option for a lot of musicians. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro guitarist, you won’t be disappointed with playing on that Squier. As a guitarist with almost fourteen years of playing experience, I totally recommend this guitar to anyone who’s looking for great and reliable gear.
FAQ
Why are Squier guitars so cheap?
The low price of Squier guitars is a result of the company’s approach to manufacturing guitars – they’re using basic and relatively cheap materials. Nevertheless, that doesn’t affect the final product – all of their guitars feature a great quality and they’re really durable. Anyone who thinks that they’re cheap because they’re bad is clearly wrong.
Is it worth upgrading a Squier Strat?
If you like guitar modifications then yes, absolutely! The tuners and pickups in Squier guitars (excluding the Classic Vibe Series) are usually basic, so there’s always room for improvement. So if you enjoy playing on your Squier Strat and you like its neck and overall feel, you can definitely improve it.
There’s quite a lot of interesting Stratocaster pickups available on the market right now, so if you want to modify your Squier Strat, you should definitely check out my other article which highlights 7 best Stratocaster pickups.
Is Squier Affinity Stratocaster good for beginners?
Absolutely! This is a perfect entry-level guitar for anyone who wants to start their musical journey. It’s inexpensive and it features a superb quality, which makes guitar playing fun and easy.
How long do Squier guitars last?
Squier guitars are really durable and there’s high chance that they’re going to last you for years to come. Still, it all really depends on how you’re treating your guitar. If you’re treating it well, you’ll most likely still enjoy playing on it even in 20 or 30 years.
The long-term quality and durability of Squier guitars is proven. You can find old Squier guitars on the second-hand market – these guitars were made pre-2000 and they’re still great guitars! So it all depends on how you’re maintaining your instrument. If you do it right, there’s nothing to worry about.
About Squier
Squier is a brand currently owned by Fender. The company offers budget-friendly versions of far more expensive Fender guitars. The quality of their gear significantly improved in the recent years and they are now considered as one of the leaders when it comes to entry and mid-level electric guitars.
What’s interesting, the company has a really interesting history. They were founded over 130 years ago back in 1890 and they were mainly manufacturing strings. Nevertheless, Fender saw an opportunity to acquire this company – and that’s why they did it in 1965. The company introduced their first line of guitars in 1982 and they’re making instruments consistently since then.
Currently, Squier guitars are manufactured in China and Indonesia. In the past, the company was also making guitars in such countries as Korea, Mexico and India.
Summary
Undoubtedly, Squier Affinity Stratocaster is a great guitar. I think that it will be perfect for both beginners and more advanced players. If you’re into blues, rock or indie, you’ll definitely enjoy the quality of that Strat! I’m really happy with using this model and I’m sure that it’s going to last me for the next few years.
What do you think about this Stratocaster? Would you add it your collection? Let me know in the comments below, I’m really interested to hear what you think!
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