I was recently asked by one of my readers which Squier Stratocaster is best for amateur and mid-level players. Since these Strats are extremely popular among beginners, I figured that it’d be great to create a detailed guide about it. If you’re into the bright sound of a classic Stratocaster and you don’t like to overpay for guitars, you will definitely enjoy today’s article. So which model would I recommend?
Although Squier has a lot of interesting Strats in their offer, it seems that the Classic Vibe and Affinity Stratocasters are the best. They feature an excellent quality and they are often compared with mid-shelf Mexican Fender guitars. High versatility, great tone and affordable price – who needs anything else?
Let’s dive deeper with research and see a detailed overview of the most affordable Squier Stratocasters. We’ll start with a short list and in the next part, we’ll have a closer look on all of them. Grab your headphones – there will be a lot of sound demos too!
Best Squier Stratocaster – List
| 1. | Squier Classic Vibe 50s Stratocaster | See On Amazon |
| 2. | Squier Affinity Stratocaster | See On Amazon |
| 3. | Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster | See On Amazon |
| 4. | Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special | See On Amazon |
| 5. | Squier Affinity HH Stratocaster | See On Amazon |
| 6. | Squier Affinity HSS Stratocaster | See On Amazon |
Squier Classic Vibe 50s
If you’re a frequent reader of my blog, you’re probably aware that I’m a massive fan of Classic Vibe Series. Personally, I think that this series of guitars is on the same level as Fender Player Series (Made in Mexico). The 50s Strat holds an exceptional value and it offers a really unique playing experience. When you have this guitar in your hands, you definitely notice all of the retro influences – the vintage finish, nickel plated hardware and a slim C-shaped neck. Undoubtedly, it will be a perfect fit for any lover of 50s, 60s and 70s music. So if someone asks you which Squier Stratocaster is the best, you can answer without the hesitation – Classic Vibe.
Check out the demo below.
Squier Affinity Stratocaster
One of the best and most popular models recommended for both entry level and intermediate players. This Strat features a thin and lightweight body, a classic Stratocaster tone and a really comfortable C-shaped neck. I had the pleasure to own a few guitars from Affinity Series and I have to admit that they all offer an amazing quality. At this price, it will be really difficult to find something better. In addition, it’s available in a few great looking color versions.
Here’s a quick sound demo.
Squier Classic Vibe 60s
Another amazing model from the Classic Vibe Series. Of course, as you can imagine, it’s really similar to the 50s model, although there are a few slight differences. While the 50s CV has a body made of pine, the 60s model has a body made of nato wood. In terms of sound, the tone of the Classic Vibe 60s is a bit tighter and more scooped. Since the guitars are almost the same, it is recommended to test them out on your own in a local guitar store. Still, if you decide to buy one of them online, you can be sure that they won’t disappoint you – both are absolutely great!
Check out the demo below.
Squier Contemporary Special
Something for fans of shredding! This new model by Squier is a great alternative to popular Superstrats offered by Ibanez, Jackson or Charvel. It sounds and looks absolutely fantastic and it features a Floyd Rose bridge. That’s pretty unusual, because Fender and Squier very rarely use this kind of hardware for their instruments. I think that with his model, the company wanted to reach out to the most demanding rock and metal players. And most importantly, they did an amazing job! I’m totally in love with the overall appearance and tone of this guitar. Well done, Squier.
Here’s a quick demo of this series.
Squier Affinity HH
Another really affordable and great sounding model by Squier. In this case, the manufacturer decided to use two humbuckers instead of three single-coil pickups. As a result, the guitar has a little bit more aggressive tone. That’s why it will be a perfect fit for such genres as alternative, grunge or indie rock. In addition, it’s available in a few really interesting color versions. Personally, I really like that burgundy mist color! Of course, it sounds great too. Undoubtedly, it will be a great choice for both beginner and more advanced guitar players.
Here’s a quick demo.
Squier Affinity HSS
Another really interesting guitar, this time with the HSS setup. This particular model offers a lot of versatility when it comes to sound. The guitar features a poplar body and a really enjoyable maple neck. Looks great, sounds awesome, stays in tune and it doesn’t cost a fortune – who needs anything else? Indeed, it will be an amazing guitar for both amateur and more experienced guitarists.
Check out the demo below.
FAQ
Is it worth upgrading a Squier Strat?
If you like your Squier Stratocaster and you really enjoy its feel, you can definitely try to modify it. You can start from changing pickups – the original ones are good, but obviously there are other options available on the market. Feel free to check out this list of top Strat Pickups recommendations.
Is Squier Stratocaster good for beginners?
Of course! In my opinion, it’s one of the best guitars that you can start your musical journey with. I had the pleasure to practice on a Stratocaster when I started thirteen years ago and it really made me fall in love with guitars. I think that Strats have a really unique vibe that’s difficult to describe. If you like the classic and bright Stratocaster tone, you should definitely give them a chance as a beginner. I guarantee that you won’t regret it!
Is Squier Bullet Strat good?
For those who don’t know, the Bullet Series is the lowest and cheapest series of guitars offered by Squier. In my opinion, they’re okay, but if you’re planning to develop your skills as a guitarist, the Affinity Series will be better. The cheapest guitars often have factory flaws that you can avoid simply buy buying a little bit more expensive guitar. In terms of pricing, the Affinity Series is only slightly more expensive than Bullet – it’s really not a massive amount of money. In my opinion, it’s better to spend 50 bucks more at the beginning. It will save you a lot of trouble in the future!
Where you can buy a Squier Stratocaster?
Since Squier Strats are one of the most popular guitars on the market, they are not difficult to find. Personally, I really recommend getting them from Amazon – it’s the fastest and safest way to get a new guitar. Alternatively, you can visit your local music store or try to find a used guitar online. Be careful though – cheaper used guitars are often a lottery when it comes to quality. It’s always better to inspect a used guitar in real life before buying it.
Summary
As you can see, there are a lot of really affordable and great sounding Squier Stratocasters available on the market. Which one’s the best? Well, all of them feature great quality, but I’d personally stick with one of the Classic Vibe Strats. Since I’m a massive fan of that vintage, warm tone, I can’t imagine making a different choice. Anyway, it all really depends on what kind of music you want to play. If you’re into heavier riffs, you should probably stick with the HSS pickup setup, or if you’re into metal – I recommend choosing the Contemporary Strat with the Floyd Rose bridge.
I hope that you enjoyed today’s article and you found it helpful. Additionally, you may also like:
