The most noticeable changes on these models are the inclusion of Squier’s SQR active ceramic humbucking pickups, black chrome hardware, a PPS nut instead of bone, no pickguard and no f-holes. Don’t feel bad if you had to Google it: full disclosure – so did I! Epiphone Casino Coupe Review [2020]: Should You Buy It? This "C" shaped neck is very comfortable and easy to … What do you first think of when you see or hear the word ‘Fender’? The Fender Wide Range Humbucking pickups were initially conceived by Gibson’s humbucker inventor Seth Lover in the '70s. BODY: Laminated Maple with a matte urethane finish All rights reserved. Truth be told, it’s not easy to find guitars produced to this quality under the £300 mark and that’s exactly why it’s an instrument worthy of high praise indeed. Its look and feel is right out of the 50’s and is truly an excellent modern strat! While I absolutely make no claims that the Squier Bullet Strat sounds identical to Fender Stratocasters, it does still sound great. With this latest line of Squier Starcasters, Fender have done incredibly well to reimagine an old tradition, capturing the spirit of the originals while also modernising and upgrading to various degrees. Far from it – the option for unusual finishes, hotter scooped pickups, black chrome hardware, and sealed body make it an incredibly contemporary metal machine capable of mustering some truly earth-shaking sounds. Founded in the late 1800s by Victor Carrol Squier in Michigan, it’s remarkable that the company remained independent until 1965—the big year when Fender purchased Squier. There’s also no stripe along the bottom of the oversized headstock, no white binding around the f-holes and no pickguard – and while none of these additional cutbacks affect the sound of the Affinity models, they do forfeit some of the visual magic inherited from the design of the 70s originals. and alder. Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Having been played by some of the world’s most famous artists—such as George Harrison, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, and Jimi Hendrix (who’s righty-played-lefty style became instantly iconic)—the Strat’s track record precedes itself. Just as its name promises, the Contemporary Active Starcaster brings a very classic design into the modern age. The string manufacturing continued, but under the name of Fender, which meant the Squier name became buried in history as a bygone brand… that is, until 1982, when “Squier by Fender” produced its first guitar: the Squier JV, or “Japanese Vintage”. Bath And that’s not to say the Contemporary Active doesn’t have its place. Instead, the body is sealed body for minimised feedback. FINGERBOARD: Maple Nut Material: Synthetic Bo… PICKUP SWITCHING: 3-Position Toggle Best all-rounder: Classic Vibe Starcaster, Best for high-gain: Contemporary Active Starcaster. Best of all, it’s all easy enough to control and manipulate via the two control knobs – though simple and elegant, this guitar is every bit the high-powered modern monster it claims to be. © Squier's SQR active ceramic humbuckers are super-hot and are here controlled by the lower bout's volume and tone knobs, with a three-way toggle switch located on the treble horn. CONTROLS: Master Volume, Master Tone Squier, which at the time was primarily a string manufacturer for violins, guitars, and banjos. It might be your favourite Stratocasters or Telecasters, or perhaps you might picture the Jaguars, Mustangs or Jazzmasters that left an impression on you over the years. The main difficulty to overcome with the purchase of a Squier is… gulp… your pride. That said, basswood is nonetheless a reputable wood for electric guitars and has been used not only on budget guitars, but by high-end guitar manufacturers as well. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Body Material: Alder 2. It’s not about crowding it with guitars“, Songhoy Blues' Garba Touré: “I want to have my own way on the guitar, so people say, ‘That’s Garba playing’”. HARDWARE: Adjustable bridge with stop tailpiece, die-cast sealed tuners. 1. For more options or alternative guitars to try, check out my round-up of the Top 11 Electric Guitars for Beginners! Fender Duo Sonic vs Mustang [2020]: How To Choose The Best? Of course, a full-on Fender Stratocaster can be a little bit expensive, especially if you’re in the market for a “first guitar“. Throw on some good distortion or modulation effects and the difference will be even less noticeable. Receive news and offers from our other brands? The Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster 50s is designed after one of the world’s most recognizable guitars with a modern twist. Before being plugged in, this particular model in a walnut finish (also available in Natural and Three-Tone Sunburst) feels exceptionally loud for a semi-hollow electric – with remarkable sustain and powerful acoustic resonance. The Stratocaster is one of the longest-produced guitars in history and remains to be one of the most versatile and sought-after guitars on the market today. Ever since, Squier has been the more affordable cousin of Fender guitars, being produced in China, Indonesia, India, Korea, Mexico, and Japan with cheaper materials and lower labor costs.