Squier Mustang vs Fender Mustang?

[Artie]

I know that these type of questions can be annoying, but I did drive over to Guitar Scenter and Sam Ash first, to hold them in my hands. GC had neither, and apparently, Sam Ash went out of business a few months ago. Not just closed our local store, but completely out of business.

I'm GAS'ing for the dual single-coil Mustang. Along with being called a "beginner" guitar, it could also be called a senior citizen guitar. It's lighter, smaller, and a shorter scale, with a 3/4 scale body.

The Squier is $200. The Fender is $680. If we put aside resale value, based on the brand on the headstock, what might make the Fender $480 better than the Squier? (A virtual rhetorical question, I know.)

And keep in mind, on the Squier, I'd rip all the electronics out, including pups, and replace them with USA components, and Duncan pups. All of which, I have in stock. And, my luthier friend would do a complete fret-dress, fret-level, and setup for me. So again, what would I expect to see, (feel), for an extra $480?









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[Chistopher]

I love my Squier Mustang. Except mine has Lace Sensor hb's in it and a Bigsby. Off the shelf, the frets needed some work because they would cut into my fingers pretty bad when I played it. It would appear that for $480 more you get a few extra screws on the pickguard and a tinted neck.

 

[Artie]

I didn't even notice the extra screws. So now, it's a $478.32 difference.

 

[GuitarDoc]

The fretwork and new electronics will fix all that is "wrong" with the Squire.
But it depends on what you are going to pay to have that work done, which you may not need on the Fender.

 

[Artie]

The fretwork and new electronics will fix all that is "wrong" with the Squire.
But it depends on what you are going to pay to have that work done, which you may not need on the Fender.

It's my luthier friend. We trade his luthier work for my wiring. So, effectively, nothing.

 

[Mincer]

Well, if you plan on modding any part of it, it isn't worth the extra money. Get the Squier and rock that thing.

 

[Artie]

I believe that will be the plan. I just wish it was available in more colors.

 

[GuitarStv]

The Fender has a nicer paint job.

 

[Chistopher]

If you are going to change the electronics anyway, the HH version is the same thing but with a indian laurel fretboard and with blue or pink as a color option. Neither of those are particularly my thing, but it's always an option

 

[jeremy]

if you are going to replace the electronics and give the frets a once over, just get the squier.

 

[Artie]

If you are going to change the electronics anyway, the HH version is the same thing but with a indian laurel fretboard and with blue or pink as a color option. Neither of those are particularly my thing, but it's always an option

I was looking at those too, but I have enough HH guitars. I want the SS version for a wiring idea.

 

[Chistopher]

All you would need is a new pickguard if you already have the pickups

 

[Artie]

I thought, (and am thinking), about that too.

 

[elelpe]

If you go with Squier, get the maple fretboard one. Laurel fretboard on my Squier Mustang was awful on my eyes and in my fingers. Pau Ferro on Fender gives better feeling and look.

 

[Artie]

Yup. I almost always prefer maple. Partially for the looks, and partially for the lower maintenance.

 

[Mincer]

If you go with Squier, get the maple fretboard one. Laurel fretboard on my Squier Mustang was awful on my eyes and in my fingers. Pau Ferro on Fender gives better feeling and look.

I've never head that concerning laurel (I've never used it). What did it do to your fingers?

 

[elelpe]

I've never head that concerning laurel (I've never used it). What did it do to your fingers?

On my guitar, It felt gritty. After trying some recent guitars (Squier & Epiphone) that come with laurel, I find MIC guitars have nicer/smoother feeling laurel than MII guitars.
My luthier friend replaced it with rosewood.

 

[Artie]

On my guitar, It felt gritty. After trying some recent guitars (Squier & Epiphone) that come with laurel, I find MIC guitars have nicer/smoother feeling laurel than MII guitars.
My luthier friend replaced it with rosewood.

This is why I like maple. I don't have to oil or rub it.

 

[ehdwuld]

Send the neck to your Luthier friend

While you sand and paint the body some sexy color

 

[Mincer]

On my guitar, It felt gritty. After trying some recent guitars (Squier & Epiphone) that come with laurel, I find MIC guitars have nicer/smoother feeling laurel than MII guitars.
My luthier friend replaced it with rosewood.

Oh wow. I never tried laurel, so I was curious. I suppose sanding it wouldn't stop that feeling. I'd probably have it scalloped.