cheap squier strat as second axe?

[god _of_lambs]

I read the reviews on HC for that affinity strat special w/ the sunburst finish and most say its great, but the reviews for the standard affinity arent that good, plus, GC doesnt sell the special sunburst model, shoud i take a chance and order it thru MF?, im not sure its any diff. from the standard affinity strat, i just want a cheap asss guitar to load w/ some thick strings for downtuning, y/know, change the bridge pup, pump it up.

thx dudes.

GoL

 

[green_insomniac]

Re: cheap squier strat as second axe?

I have the standard affinity strat and I believe I got a "good one". It stays in tune well, the neck is pretty smooth and I replaced the bridge pickup with a Duncan JB Jr. I think it plays and sounds great, but that's me. I think it's hit-or-miss with these guitars as many aon't like them and some do. I say go for the affinity or affinity special, plop some pickups in and rock.

Good luck!

 

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: cheap squier strat as second axe?

I have the standard affinity strat and I believe I got a "good one". It stays in tune well, the neck is pretty smooth and I replaced the bridge pickup with a Duncan JB Jr. I think it plays and sounds great, but that's me. I think it's hit-or-miss with these guitars as many aon't like them and some do. I say go for the affinity or affinity special, plop some pickups in and rock.

Good luck!

ditto.

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: cheap squier strat as second axe?

I have the standard affinity strat and I believe I got a "good one". It stays in tune well, the neck is pretty smooth and I replaced the bridge pickup with a Duncan JB Jr. I think it plays and sounds great, but that's me. I think it's hit-or-miss with these guitars as many aon't like them and some do. I say go for the affinity or affinity special, plop some pickups in and rock.

Good luck!

I agree that it's hit or miss. I bought one a couple months ago and took it back the next day. It was too 'metally' sounding ( not music metal but metal metal). I exchange it for a MIM Strat and am happy with it.

As for a cheap guitar to mess around with, I have an $89.00 Squier Bullet that I keep in my truck at work that I fiddle around with, using a mini 9V Marshall. Don't care if it breaks or whatever.

 

[UCSDBoy]

Re: cheap squier strat as second axe?

if you're into a little DIY, you can order a carvin bolt kit for your second axe. Carvin doesn't have a great image, and I personally don't own any, but I can attest that for value, they are pretty hard to beat. You can get a kit version of their strat, for $350 dollars (of course, that's as much or more than a mexican standard) but the quality of the components will be as good or better than most MIA strats, and it will be predictably good. If you're not into bare finishes you could also order one with their flat black finish for 50 bucks more...

On the other hand, you can't spare the extra 100-150 you'd have to pay on top of what a squier would cost you, I'd just say buy a squier (or two or three) and return them if you don't like them...

 

[Hellion]

Re: cheap squier strat as second axe?

Squires are fine for backup. You can always change strings on your break!

 

[LesStrat]

Re: cheap squier strat as second axe?

I have a Squier (not Affinity) Strat that has served me well (after some hot-rodding):

<-----------

But I recently decided that I prefer to order from these guys (thanx GoMano):

sweetwater

 

[nuntius]

Re: cheap squier strat as second axe?

mines great actually. the action on it is so sweet, it plays as good as a few american ones i've tried, but thats coz i set it to what i like.

doesnt sound like them though

with a pup change they'd be fine, not outstanding but fine...

possibly a contender to go the active route as it doesnt show the tone of your guitar so much

 

[DanteG]

Re: cheap squier strat as second axe?

I purchased an Affinity Strat a few years back. A major chain was running a promo ( the sort that put them out of business ... three guesses which chain), and the price seemed too low to pass up.

For my few bucks, I got a guitar with inferior fret dressing ( a personal peeve) and bad connections in the wiring ( two repairs thus far). Should I decide to modify, I'm faced with mini-pots and a non-standard pickguard.

On the plus side, it has a slim neck (something I like) and the sound isn't all that bad.

Overall, I can live with it. The price was right, it re-awakened my interest in playing, and it's not too good to play ( some of you may know the feeling).

I was recently able to pick up a MIM Strat (new stock, unpopular finish) at the retail/advertised discount price of the Affinity. The MIM's might give you a better guitar from the onset, and a better starting point should you choose to tinker in the future.

Good luck !