New Strat -- Squier or SX?

[Sblack]

I am considering two possible Strats (within my budget) and would like to hear your thoughts.

1. Squier® Affinity Series Stratocaster Special Electric Guitar -
pros: cost $149.99 at MF
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tar?sku=511276

• Alder body
• Maple neck (9.5" radius)
• medium jumbo frets
• two-tone burst

con:
large squier headstock (I do not like the aesthetic for some reason)

2. SX SST57 Vintage
http://www.rondomusic.net/sst57.html
pros:

• maple neck (14" radius -- big neck profile -- sheesh)
• alder body
• two tone burst
• vintage tint on neck
• $40 cheaper

cons:

• a little leary about inconsistent craftsmanship
• 14" radius -- big neck profile -- sheesh!

I will be modding electronics, nut, and tuners on each. I will not use the trem.

Thanks.

Stan

[ted s]

Hey Stan, what about going with the Squire and modifying the headstock ? I've thought of that as well as I also think the Squire headstock is fugly.

[Sblack]

It is a good thought, but I do not have a capable scroll saw or properly know how to shape the wood. I was thinking of removing the Squier decal and going the 70s Fender decal look.

[duhvoodooman***]

I'll defer to Robert or another SX Strat owner on that one, but I can tell you that I've played a couple of Affinity Strats and found them to be cheap & flimsy feeling. Didn't like the necks at all, and the thin profile body made it feel like a toy to me. If you go with a Squier Strat, I'd strongly recommend saving another $50 and getting one of the "standard" models. Just one man's opinion....

BTW, I still have a heckuva deal available on a Squier Tele! Didn't get it posted on eBay yet....

[Robert****]

They are both cheap quality, but the SX is a cooler guitar in my view. Better? Not sure. Tremoloman thinks so. My SX Strat had some issues with the neck, which I don't like as much as the Squier necks. The SX sounds better though to my ears.

[Sblack]

Thanks, guys.

I am now considering spending a little more and getting one of the new vintage modified SSS Squier strats -- $299.00 is a little more than I want to spend, though.

Also, I am afraid that neither the Squier Affinity nor the SX will even come close to feel and tone of my '51.

These things are tough to decide.

[jasongins]

I just got one of these for $149. It is a Squier Satin Trans Strat. It is a Squier Standard series for the same price as the Affinity series, which I believe means it has upgraded hardware, pickups, etc. I am a beginner and far from an expert, but I think it sounds better than my '51. I can also see that the bridge and other hardware are nicer than on my '51.

[duhvoodooman***]

That's a nice deal. Much preferable to an Affinity Strat, IMO. Wrong link, though. I think you wanted THIS ONE?

Sblack, I think this would be more in line with your quality/playability expectations, and at a very reasonable price.

[marnold***]

cons:

• a little leary about inconsistent craftsmanship
• 14" radius -- big neck profile -- sheesh!

The radius has nothing to do with how big or wide the neck is. It describes how flat the fretboard is. The bigger the radius, the flatter the fretboard.

[jasongins]

Something is wrong with that website. The link keeps changing to a different item. Here it is on Squier's site: Click Here

But samash.com does have it for $149. Try searching by item# F16305. It was $169 for quite awhile, but recently dropped to $149.

[Spudman***]

The new vintage modified Squiers are pretty good, but for that price you can pick up a used in good shape 2000-2005 Mexican Strat.

Also look for any of the Special Edition Squier Standards. MF had some not long ago but are now discontinued. Less than $200.

[Jimi75]

Go with the SX. Modifying a headstock could lead to sound loss. If you do not like the headstock of the Squire this will always be your first thought when picking up the guitar each day!

I have checked quite a bunch of Squires in the last couple weeks and especially the affinity series is getting worse and worse...sharp frets, laquer mistakes and so on.

[Sblack]

I agree with you, Robert. The SX is "cooler" looking than the Squier, and although this shouldn't be the overall deciding factor, it weighs in heavily.

At this point, I am thinking SX the SST57 is the way to go. Kurt has a positive record for customer service. Although it is a gamble whether I'll get a decent one, I will bank on Kurt's honesty according to other patrons of Rondo.

Now which color do I choose? I initially liked the 2-tone burst (and still do), but now I like the powder blue (thanks to Tremoloman) and vintage white (thanks to Robert), too.

[Spudman***]

Order two at the same time. If the neck is bad on the one you really want then you can swap it with the other neck and then send that other guitar back with the bad neck.

I've experienced humps in the necks of the SX's that I had ordered and sent them back. I've also done this with a couple other brands and the replacements played better but the sound wasn't the same on the replacement guitars. I was wishing I could have kept the original guitar and just replaced the defective neck. That would have made me happy.

[jasongins]

I love the powder blue/maple neck (and am still thinking about getting one), with vintage white running a close second.

[duhvoodooman***]

I love the powder blue/maple neck....

Yup, I like that color, too, but I like THIS ONE even better!

[jasongins]

Sblack -

Did you get an SX yet? If so, you have to tell us all about it.

[Sblack]

I just can't commit to the SX SST57 at this point. I played a few Squier Affinity and Standards at GC, and although I liked the play/feel of the Squier Standard, I can't get past the lame headstock. The Affinities, on the other hand, felt "junky."

I am waiting and saving for a Mexican Standard Stratocaster.

[Hogfullofblues]

It looks like Buffalo Bros has one G&L Tribute S-500 (strat) left at blow out, which was 299.00 + shipping back then.

http://www.buffalobrosguitars.com/gAndL.htm

If that's not more than you want to spend, don't hate the color, etc, it might be worth locating a dealer near you to check one out before it's gone. I'm still a newbie, but my G&L is flat out the best quality guitar I have yet owned, including the DOT I just got, and I really like the tone/s.
Good Luck finding the sharpest axe!