Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

[Oquedo]

I know this is a very relative question, but Id like to know your opinion.
The thing is, I have a very low budget and I love the Fender Stat sound. My dilemma is how to invest in the search of a smooth tone. So what would you think would be a better investment?
1 - Alder/Rosewood Squire with SSL1-SSL1-SSL5 with new pots and tremolo.
2 - Alder/Rosewood Standard Stratocaster with stock parts.

I could continue to invest in my Squire but wouldnt it be better to get a Standar Strat (not American)??.

Ill make this a poll.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

I'd go with whicherver plays better and has a better, more resonant unplugged tone. All upgrades can then be made as time and cash allows. A pot here, a pickup there, some saddles, and after a while, you'll have the guitar that you really want.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

I didn't vote, cause I don't think either of those options is that great. You have "alder/rosewood" listed for the squire, which makes me assume your talking affinity series (being as they're the only squires, last I checked, that have alder bodies). If thats the case, your better off not bothering at all than buying an affinity series squire. The bodies are fine I guess (a little thiner than normal), but the necks are just atrocious.

So my vote is for the "third unlisted option" which is....Save up a little more, buy a USED MIM standard Strat...and upgrade that. Thats a win win situation I think. Used MIM strats can be had pretty cheap normally. With new pots, and new pickups, you've got an amazing guitar for well under what a NEW mim goes for now.

Problem solved.....your welcome. haha

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

I didn't vote, cause I don't think either of those options is that great. You have "alder/rosewood" listed for the squire, which makes me assume your talking affinity series (being as they're the only squires, last I checked, that have alder bodies). If thats the case, your better off not bothering at all than buying an affinity series squire. The bodies are fine I guess (a little thiner than normal), but the necks are just atrocious.

So my vote is for the "third unlisted option" which is....Save up a little more, buy a USED MIM standard Strat...and upgrade that. Thats a win win situation I think. Used MIM strats can be had pretty cheap normally. With new pots, and new pickups, you've got an amazing guitar for well under what a NEW mim goes for now.

Problem solved.....your welcome. haha

I'm gonna go ahead and +1 this. Best of both worlds.

 

[Philcguitars]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

Stock Fender Vs Seymour? No contest Seymour!

The age of the pots won't make a difference. If you're talking quality of pots. I've found that sometimes the High spec ones, don't always fit in Asian guitars. They sometimes make the cavity smaller! I've no idea why! I've come across this problem a number of times though!

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

so you said not american, are highway 1's an option?

if so i'd go with that stock

 

[FretFire]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

I've got to agree with the "get a used MIM Fender and upgrade as you can" option. It's a better way to go IMO.

 

[Oquedo]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

Its a shame I cant edit the poll. When I said Standard I meant a MIM. Not a HW1.

But any opinion is welcome.

Keep em comming...

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

i've been comparing lots of Squier and MIM Standards at my local shop for a long time now... the Squier model i like is called the Deluxe Strat... 2 post trem, 22 frets, and some cool cheapie pu's...but the more and more i try to like the Squier strats i find i really don't like them enough... modded or not....

Yet i'm one of the few guys out there that could honestly live with a stock MIM Standard strat and never mod it... my 2006 MIM Standard strat is still stock... i like the ceremic PU's... great for rock... a little raspy at times but i like the output and brightness out of them..

so my answer would be a stock new MIM Strat hands down....

the way i've been looking at my guitar buys is different from the way i used to think... i now buy a guitar for how it is stock first... if it's a great axe as is i leave it stock... if it's not a great axe i keep looking and not try and mod a cheapie into something better... and 3rd part of this is i try and spend the money i used to use on aftermarket parts and just buy a better axe anyways... and if in the future i feel like modding it i can but i've been keeping most axes stock these days

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

I'd say MIM too. You're starting with a better foundation there, and can upgrade it as finances allow. Eventually you can end up with a Seymourized MIM!

 

[Jessie Sammler]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

I dislike the neck on the MIM Strat enough that I'd give the Squier a fair shake. If it's a good, solid guitar that sounds good unplugged, then Seymourized it will beat the hell out of the stock Standard MIM as an overall playing axe.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

The first two posts pretty much covered me.

You're talking production lines of two well known (infamous one could say) lines of having a really great range of guitars from duds to diamonds.
As such don't bother reading the letters on the headstock. Play a crapload of whatever you can get your hands on (that you can afford naturally) and get the one that feels/plays the best (disregarding setup as much as possible) and has the best UNPLUGGED tone.

After that initial purchase you can upgrade in your own leisure and as needed.
That's pretty much what I did with not one but two guitars and I'm not regretting it one bit in both counts (well, almost, it would have been great if I had done my homework before starting upgrading my first one since I ended up with "upgrades" I didn't like after all and which I ended up redoing once I had my sh!t together...)

 

[uOpt]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

Statistically, the Squire with the better pickups will come out better. If you like fat Strat bridge pickups.

But the MIM has more upgrade potential. Sets of SSL1s or APS1s can go pretty cheap on Ebay.

 

[Oquedo]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

I dislike the neck on the MIM Strat enough that I'd give the Squier a fair shake.

Why do you dislike it so much?

 

[Diego]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

I've tried my puny Squier Affinity side to side with a couple of MIM Fenders, and liked my Squier's feel better, or just as much.

But then, you can get MIM Fenders that give some MIA Fenders the finger too.

So if you've got the patience, dig and dig until you find a good one. Preferably used. Because there's good ones to be found at every price range.

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

I didn't vote, cause I don't think either of those options is that great. You have "alder/rosewood" listed for the squire, which makes me assume your talking affinity series (being as they're the only squires, last I checked, that have alder bodies). If thats the case, your better off not bothering at all than buying an affinity series squire. The bodies are fine I guess (a little thiner than normal), but the necks are just atrocious.

So my vote is for the "third unlisted option" which is....Save up a little more, buy a USED MIM standard Strat...and upgrade that. Thats a win win situation I think. Used MIM strats can be had pretty cheap normally. With new pots, and new pickups, you've got an amazing guitar for well under what a NEW mim goes for now.

Problem solved.....your welcome. haha

+1. This is how I bought and upgraded my Fender Tele. If you already have the Squier and you enjoy playing it then upgrade that w/ Seymours, and then buy a used MIM to upgrade and have 2 customized Strats.

 

[thespricket]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

I'd go with whicherver plays better and has a better, more resonant unplugged tone. All upgrades can then be made as time and cash allows. A pot here, a pickup there, some saddles, and after a while, you'll have the guitar that you really want.

VERY well put. I agree totally. You may wanna lean towards the fender. It'll be worth something some day, and you'll treasure it more than a squier.

Also, not that I dislike duncans, but if you're on a budget check out GFS pickups. You can find them on www.guitarfetish.com, with a bunch of other great replacement parts.

 

[Jessie Sammler]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

Why do you dislike it so much?

I've had a couple of MIM Strats, and the necks were clubby, the fretboards too flat, the frets too small, and the fret ends too sharp where they hang over the edge. I got the feeling that Fender was trying to punish me for buying the guitar, instead of a Squier or an American.

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

Tough call. Both options are not too impressive.

I've been there, I bought a very cheap guitar just to practice upgrading it. It was a waste - you need a minimal level of quality to really make it work. It's like trying a great recipe on a bad chunk of meat. :nono:

Try the used market - no matter where you are there are MIM Strats being sold 2nd hand. Play the guitar - see how well you get along with it. With the SSL-1 pickups being on the market for so long you won't have too much trouble finding them used.

I voted for the MIM.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Standard Strat vs Seymourized Squire

I didn't vote, cause I don't think either of those options is that great. You have "alder/rosewood" listed for the squire, which makes me assume your talking affinity series (being as they're the only squires, last I checked, that have alder bodies). If thats the case, your better off not bothering at all than buying an affinity series squire. The bodies are fine I guess (a little thiner than normal), but the necks are just atrocious.

Problem solved.....your welcome. haha

Squier classic vibe 50's and 60's use alder also.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-...aster-50-s-Electric-Guitar-519338-i1400992.gc

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-...aster-60-s-Electric-Guitar-519339-i1400993.gc