If you’re thinking about getting the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster, this post will definitely help you with making that choice! In today’s review, we’re going to take a very close look on that popular guitar. Undoubtedly, it has a few interesting features, but is it actually good?
The truth is that Squier Contemporary Stratocaster is a really special guitar. Although it has its own flaws, it’s definitely worth the money. If you love heavy music, this Strat will be ideal for you.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this guitar so cool. Of course, there will also be a sound demo, so you’ll be able to hear how it sounds. Hopefully, today’s article will help you to figure out if this guitar will be good for your own personal style of playing.
Specs & Pricing
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster is a shredding machine heavily inspired by the modded Superstrats from the ’80s. Powerful, fat riffs and extremely fast, melodic solos – that’s what it’s for!
The guitar features a lightweight poplar body and a very comfortable roasted maple C-shaped neck with a 12″ radius fingerboard. It offers a very nice feel and it’s made for playing really fast.
What’s important, the Contemporary Strat features a Floyd Rose tremolo system, which is an absolute game-changer. In general, it’s not that easy to find a Strat by Fender or Squier with that kind of bridge. Most of the time, they’re often associated with such brands as Ibanez, ESP or Charvel.
In addition, Squier equipped with model with a pair of SQR Atomic Humbuckers which are perfect for powerful sounds. They also offer coil-splitting options, so as you can imagine, they’re extremely versatile.
It is also worth mentioning that the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster looks absolutely fantastic from the outside. The Gunmetal Metallic color version with the matching headstock is definitely really eye-catching. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the best looking Squier guitars available on the market right now.
When it comes to pricing, it’s quite affordable. Considering the overall quality of that model, it’s definitely worth the money.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out.
Who Is It For?
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster will be ideal for both beginner and more advanced players who are looking for a reliable guitar with the Floyd Rose system.
Although it’s a really versatile guitar, it will work best for heavy music. If you’re into rock, grunge or metal, you’re absolutely going to love it. Whether you’re a rhythm or lead guitarists, this Strat will serve you very well.
In addition, the Contemporary Stratocaster will be perfect for guitarists who don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a new guitar. Of course, there are also cheaper alternatives out there, but this particular Strat really stands out from its competition and it’s actually not that expensive.
Disadvantages Of Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
Every guitar has its own flaws and as you can imagine, this statement is also true when it comes to the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster. Don’t worry though – these disadvantages aren’t too serious!
The most common issue with that guitar is the fact that it may require setting up after the purchase. This problem appears in a lot of Squier guitars that come from China and Indonesia. Still, it’s not a big issue and it usually affects the string action – sometimes it’s just too high. But you can easily fix that on your own with tutorials on YouTube or you can just find a luthier in your area.
Also, this guitar will definitely sound better when you put on some new strings on it. The stock strings in Squiers aren’t the best, so changing them will improve your overall tone. I highly recommend doing that especially if you’re into rock and metal – using thicker strings will be much better!
As you can see, the disadvantages of that Strat aren’t too serious and they occur in a lot of other guitars at this price level. There are no major flaws that occur exclusively in that model. In fact, a lot of guitarists say that this guitar is better than a lot of more expensive Superstrats out there!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the look or the sound of the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster – don’t worry, there’s a lot of alternatives out there! Nevertheless, it all depends on your personal preferences and most importantly, your budget.
Guitarists who are looking for a versatile guitar that’s suitable for both chilled and heavier styles of music should definitely check out the Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster. This is a very popular and affordable model recommended for both amateur and more advanced players. There’s a lot of different versions of that Strat, so I’m sure that you’ll find the one that fits you.
If you’re on a really tight budget, you can also check out the Squier Affinity Stratocaster. This is a far more affordable guitar which also sounds really good. Although it doesn’t have a Floyd Rose tremolo system, it’s still worth checking out.
If you’re searching specifically for a guitar with a Floyd Rose that will be great for metal, you can check out my articles about the best guitars for death metal and the best Jackson guitars for shredding. I’m sure that these guides will help you to discover a few great guitars for metal!
FAQ
Where is Squier Contemporary Stratocaster made?
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster is manufactured in Indonesia.
Is Squier as good as Fender?
Overall, the Fender guitars feature better quality, but it doesn’t mean that Squier guitars are worse. Some guitarists actually prefer Squiers over Fenders. It all comes down to your own personal preferences. Considering how inexpensive the Squier guitars are, they’re definitely worth it!
Is it worth upgrading a Squier guitar?
If you think that your Squier guitar isn’t good enough, you can always try to upgrade it. Adding some new pickups can definitely improve your overall tone, so if you have the time and budget for it – yes, it’s worth it.
Summary
As you can see, Squier Contemporary Stratocaster is a really interesting guitar. Although there are other great guitars out there, having a Strat with the Floyd Rose bridge and powerful humbuckers is a really tempting option. I’m sure that if you decide to get it, you won’t be disappointed.
What do you think about the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster? Would you like to shred on it and add it to your own collection of guitars? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think, I’m really curious to hear what you think!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
