Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster - Black Burst with Maple Fingerboard Review

Feels like an American Strat

Picked this up, and I am impressed. For the past 15 years I have played a 60th Anniversary American Strat, and I wanted a second guitar that had a humbucker option (the Strat is 3 single coils). For the past few months, the Squier Strat is all I have played. The humbucker provides some diversity to the sound I dont get with my standard Strat. The guitar is gorgeous. The neck has… read more a slightly bigger radius than than the standard Strat - feels a little more like a Tele neck, but this is not a bad thing - might be a positive depending on your preferences. The only knock I have, and it is super minor, is the whammy bar is loose - fixed with a little plumbers tape. Other than that, I was impressed how solid the tuning is, even with deep whammy dives. I will say it again....the guitar is gorgeous.

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Want a guitar you'll want to look at as much as play?

This is my first ever guitar, and all I can say is wow. Obviously I have nothing to compare it to, but everything about this thing is great. First off, it looks spectacular. I can't stop looking at it and admiring it, and yes, it makes me want to pick it up and play it far more than a solid color body guitar would. As far as the sound, feel etc. it all seems great to me, but… read more again, as a first timer I can't really speak to any of that. I paired it with a Fender Mustang LT-25 amp and together they look and sound amazing. Each guitar is unique in it's look too, which I think is really cool. And if none of the ones they have in stock strike your fancy, just wait a week until they get more in and one is sure to call out to you. All in all, I'm very pleased with the guitar and Sweetwater as well, it arrived ready to play (needed a bit of tuning, no big deal) and I don't feel the need to go in and get it set up. Would definitely recommend this guitar and Sweetwater.

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Awesome

This guitar is great! Plays like a dream, smooth action on the neck. Effortless bar chord playing. I'm 99.99% satisfied with it. My only issue is the volume is so close to the strings that I keep turning it down. Just how I'm used to playing, hand position. Fixable on my end, even at over 50 years of playing. Nicest guitar I've ever had the pleasure of owning.

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Killer Squier Strat

Amazingly well-crafted Squier HSS Strat. I also own an American Pro SSS Strat and wanted another Strat with the HSS configuration. This wonderful electric is right in there with my US-Made Strat and has a tone all its own. It's a striking looker in Transparent Black, contrasted by the black guard, pickups, and knobs. The Maple Neck with black dots complements the color scheme perfectly.… read more Neck is a slim C profile and it plays 'fast'. No slop here in any way, nor sharp fret edges. Also love the string through set-up with the split-shaft Vintage tuners. All guitars should feature that system. So easy to re-string! Sweetwater did an excellent job in packaging and getting this one out to me quickly and safely. This particular guitar required just a little set-up work, as is often required with any guitar. Next time I order a guitar from Sweetwater, I'll just pay a little extra to have them perform a basic set-up before shipping. Regardless, this Squier Affinity Strat looks, sounds, plays, and punches way, way above its weight class. Extremely satisfied with this acquisition and its a favorite among my small arsenal of electric and acoustic guitars that I routinely play and use to record and produce mostly original music. Shout outs to all at Sweetwater for the unparalleled service and coordination. As always, Thanks to my Sales Engineer, Daniel Rivera-Tre, other members of his team, and the incredible Tech Support Folks at Sweetwater, as well.

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A winner!

The neck alone makes this guitar worth it, unreal at this price point. No sharp edges on frets. Smooth, fast neck. Setup was perfect out of the box. Low action. Good intonation all around. Perfect beginner guitar. Or an additional guitar for someone like me who wants to dabble with a strat sound without spending a lot. The neck and mid pickups have that classic strat tone. I… read more may upgade the tuners, for better tuning stability. I find myself tuning this guitar more than my others. Also recently got the Affinity PJ bass. Same story, exceptional value.

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