[striker327]

hi guys i was just wondering if it is actully worth getting this guitar or if there is much difference in quality of a fender standard mex strat

[737blues]

Never really looked closely at the Squier, but the price difference between it and a standard Fender is pretty substantial. Like any guitar the Squeir is built to a price and is good for the money. If you're a beginner it would be pretty hard to go wrong with it.

If you want something better, the standard strat which is built in the Mexican factory is a great guitar IMHO. Only real difference between it and the US Strat is the hardware.

[slejhamer]

You might be able to find a used Fender Mexican strat for closer to the price of the new Squier.

The Fender will likely have better wood for the body, better pickups, better electronic components. Not sure if the necks are different - I've heard mixed things.

Anyway, I've played both recently while helping a friend shop for guitars, and there was a notably better "feel" to the Fender.

[737blues]

Well, they're all Fender's actually. Just made to different specs and in different factories.

[allthumbs]

Go with the MIM strat. It is a very popular #8 among musicians. The consistency in quality is higher than the squire except for the squire 51 which is the king of the squires IMHO.

[737blues]

Just to clarify guys, when you say MIM strat, I presume that's short for Made in Mexico? There is no reference to the term MIM on the Fender website or in their Frontline catalogue. As far as I can gather all standard Strats and Teles are now made in Mexico. Squiers, I think, are made in various locations. Maybe they don't want to advertise that they are not all made in the USA? I don't know why, IMHO there is absolutely nothing wrong with the standard guitar, in fact I think it's been a great move since it's made ownership of a Fender, albeit a standard one, affordable for a lot more folk.

[allthumbs]

MIM,MIJ,MIK are all terms that players use to talk about fenders besides the MIA. MIA and MIJ are very close with the edge maybe going to Japan in some models. MIMs as has been said are great midpriced mid quality guitars, you may have to look harder to find a gperfect one as the build consistancy can vary a lot. MIKs can place sometimes lower or higher than MIMs.

[Rockerbob]

I have found the squire strats to be really good for the money. My Fender "Roland Ready" Strat is a Mex strat anfd it is pretty darn good.

[krissovo]

I have one and after getting it setup correctly it sounds great, I recently got a decent amp and now she sings like a angel. The neck is very fast and the only quality issue I have had was the output jack came loose and span, but a quick tweek and all is well. The pick ups are ok and with the effects on the AMP I can get lots of varied sounds the crunch and some great blues tones are the best. Once you improve the best investment would be to swap pickups, I managed to get a very cheap set off a guy who was changing his off of his American Fender. Now to pluck up the courage to change them.

[doug russell]

You may think I'm being a snob, but my lovely wife bought me an American fat strat(made in Carona), I actualy compared it to a Mexican fat strat strat, and there was no comparison with build and hardware and sound to the American. I must stress that this is purely my oppinion! I don't mean to rub anyone up the wrong way. Peace to y'all

[OldG]

I have Squier Affinity Strat which I rate at adequate/good - it sounds ok and stays in tune etc ,I find it great for recording into a computer but a bit lifeless through my 30watt valve amp and 2x12 cab setup. My sons friend Ali has a MIM Strat and Tele. Now they both kick the amp/speakers into a totally different gear introducing a presence and harmonic complexity that the squier just doesn't give.

I'd say it was worth hunting around for a nice used MIM (Ali got his new/ex display for £275)

@Krissovo,If you change the pickups carefully and one at a time,I'm sure you'll find there is nothing to worry about. You will love the difference those USA's make - I suggest changing the pots/switches and wiring also for good quality USA/aftermarket parts as this will bring another marked improvement

[doug russell]

I bought my daughter a Squire affinity last year and she loves it. I play it now and again, and for the price it ain't a bad axe.

[OldG]

Ok, I thought I'd post a recording of my squier as an example.

The guitar itself is very well behaved noise-wise, but the amplitube plug-in I used was quite buzzy (on the 'pink wall setting),so I rejected it for final use... but it gives a fair idea of tone.

Recorded on the front pickup to a slow 'E' 12 bar bluesy'E'cut.mp3

[Bobaloo]

Hey - Old G - that was lovely!

Personally, I want to play a guitar before I plunk down my money. Then I don't care what it says or looks like. It just matters what it sounds like and what the MOJO is. You will know. . . .

I am not saying you cant gamble on mail order, the internet or EBay but it is a gamble and then you get into the buying and selling GAS thing. Just depends on what you like and where you are (pardon me for stumbling back into the 70's hippie noise but I am an old fart.) Are you a "many guitar" person or a "one guitar person"? If you are a "one guitar' person, what would you be marooned on an island with with a power source and an little practice amp/speaker for the rest of your life? Live long! Play on!

Note - I have an 2002 very tweaked MIM Strat that I love but the older I get, the more I like my acoustic '64 Fender Newporter for every damned thing. (You don't have to drag a lot of shit outside to watch the sunset and noodle along to the tunes in your head!) Plus then I could use the power source for a blender for margaritas and for my cheerleader girlfriend's sex toys. Hey! you don't think I am going there alone do you? This is my fantasy - get your own!

Hey Krissovo, Tear that baby a part! Be careful but not so careful that you fail to venture out! Pratice soldering stuff a bit first but that is what strats are all about. Make it your own! I have changed out pups, added a bucket head kill button, added a built in effects amp, glued a plate under the bottom of the bridge pup, tweaked the tone pup and a bunch of other things. I have had it go dead because of a grounding problem because of my poor soldering. I had to get in and find that and fix it and do may other unremembered things but that is what makes it an adventure! Check out Guitarnuts.com for sheilding mods and other mods that do wonderful things and other guitar sites for even more opportunites to make that baby one of a kind. Have fun!

[OldG]

Hey Bobaloo! glad you liked it,maybe I'll get it together to write a whole tune one 'o these days...

I gotta give you props on your writing style,fella! this 'old fart' started the day with a belly laugh reading your post