Fender 0372820002 Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster is an excellent entry-level electric guitar model known for its classic Stratocaster design and solid performance capabilities. As part of Fender's affordable Squier brand, the Affinity Stratocaster aims to deliver the iconic Strat style and sound without breaking the bank.

This Stratocaster features the classic double cutaway body shape sporting smooth contoured edges. The neck is made of maple with a modern "C"-shaped profile that's comfortable to hold and easy to play. The fretboard is rosewood which contributes to the Strat's distinctive warm, mellow tone.

The Affinity Stratocaster lives up to its Fender namesake, embodying the look, vibe and sonic aesthetic of the Stratocaster line in an accessible and budget-friendly instrument. It's built with beginners in mind yet packs quality components like die-cast tuning machines and a newly redesigned 2-point tremolo bridge system. This allows for expressive playing styles like string bending and vibrato techniques.

Overall the Squier Affinity Stratocaster punches above its weight class, offering impressive playability and diverse tonal options in an affordable package. It's an excellent choice as a first guitar or solid backup ax for players drawn to the iconic vibe and sound of the Strat.

Body & Neck

The Squier Affinity Stratocaster features an iconic double cutaway Strat body made from poplar wood. Poplar is a dense, cost-effective wood that provides a great balanced tone.

The body has a smooth gloss polyester finish in a range of eye-catching colors like Black, Race Red, Slick Silver and 2-Color Sunburst. There's also a contoured heel for easier access to higher frets.

The maple neck has a modern "C"-shaped profile that's comfortable to play. It uses a rosewood fretboard with 21 medium jumbo frets for smooth playability. The fretboard edges are smoothly rolled for an effortless feel.

Overall, the Affinity Stratocaster has a well-constructed body and neck made from quality materials. The poplar body and maple neck provide a balanced tone and the rosewood fretboard facilitates smooth playing across the entire fret range. If you're looking for a great sounding and playing electric guitar on a budget, the Squier Affinity Stratocaster is an excellent choice.

Another popular electric guitar model to consider in this price range is the Takamine G Series GC3-NAT. Takamine is known for making high quality acoustic guitars, but they also produce some great electric models like the GC3. This guitar has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, giving it a rich, resonant tone. The slim mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard make it very comfortable and easy to play fast. It has a dual humbucker pickup configuration, so you can get crunchy rock tones as well as cleaner, warmer sounds. The GC3 looks classy with its gloss natural finish and vine inlay along the neck and body. At around the same price point as the Squier, the Takamine GC3 is another excellent electric guitar choice for intermediate players looking for great tone and playability without breaking the bank.

Electronics & Hardware

The Squier Affinity Stratocaster features standard Stratocaster electronics and hardware that provide versatility at an affordable price point.

Pickups

The Stratocaster has 3 single coil pickups - a bridge pickup, middle pickup, and neck pickup. Single coils deliver a bright, focused tone that cuts through a mix well. The 5-way selector switch allows you to combine the pickups for a variety of classic Strat tones.

Controls

It has master volume and tone knobs to shape your sound. The volume knob controls the overall output, while the tone knob rolls off the high frequencies. This allows you to go from sparkly and crisp to smooth and round.

Bridge

The vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge provides great tuning stability even with heavy use of the whammy bar. The saddles are block steel with deep string grooves to prevent slippage.

Tuners

The sealed geared tuning machines keep the strings in tune while making re-stringing an easy process. The tuners are mounted on a classic Fender headstock with straight string pull for improved sustain and intonation.

The Squier Affinity Stratocaster is a great choice for beginners looking for an affordable way to get started playing the guitar. With classic Stratocaster design and appointments, it provides a solid foundation to build your skills on. The Cordoba 7122 is another excellent beginner electric guitar option worth considering. The Cordoba 7122 features a mahogany body and maple neck for balanced tone and smooth playability. It has two humbucking pickups that deliver thick, warm tone perfect for blues, rock, and metal. The controls are simple with just one volume and one tone knob, making it easy for beginners to shape their sound. The fixed bridge provides great tuning stability and sustain. At around $200, the Cordoba 7122 gives beginners a high quality instrument at a very affordable price point. Whether you go with the tried and true Squier Affinity or the value-packed Cordoba 7122, you can't go wrong with either choice as a first electric guitar. They both offer great quality and features to start your musical journey off right.

When shopping for your first electric guitar, you'll want to consider a few key factors. Body style and shape will impact the look, feel, and tone. Solid body guitars like the Squier Stratocaster will be lighter in weight while offering brighter, more focused tone. Neck profile and width along with fretboard radius will determine playability and comfort. Scale length affects string tension and intonation. Electronics and hardware also shape your overall sound. It's a good idea to try out different models in person to see what feels and sounds best. While price is always a consideration, avoid going too cheap on your first electric guitar. Spending a little more for better quality will pay off down the road by not hindering your development. The Squier Affinity and Cordoba 7122 are great examples of feature-rich electric guitars for beginners that don't break the bank. With the right first guitar, learning and practicing will be more enjoyable and productive. Building skills and musicality should be the focus, not struggling with poor intonation, bad fretwork, or cheap electronics. Investing in an instrument that inspires you to play will keep you motivated on your musical journey.

Sound & Playability

This affordable Stratocaster model aims to provide classic Fender tone and playability at a price accessible to beginners and budget-focused players.

The tone from the three single coil pickups is bright, clear, and chimney with a sparkling top end. While it won't have the resonance and warmth of a more high-end Fender, the Affinity Strat still delivers those bell-like Strat tones from the bridge pickup. The neck pickup has a smooth, mellow jazz tone.

The guitar features a 25.5" scale maple neck and fretboard that plays fast and smooth. The action and string height from the factory is set up well for comfortable chording and bending. The ergonomic contoured body shape fits nicely against your body when seated.

Sustain is decent, but not quite as long as a more expensive guitar. The tuners and lower quality hardware can impact tuning stability and resonance at times. Overall though, Fender's attention to a quality neck, fretwork, and setup provides a very playable and gig-worthy instrument.

Pros

• Quality for price - The Squier Affinity Stratocaster offers tremendous bang for your buck. Given its budget-friendly price point, you wouldn't expect much, but this beginner electric guitar punches well above its weight. The quality of the materials and construction is impressive considering the cost, making this an ideal choice for new guitarists or those on a tight budget.

• Classic design - The Stratocaster is one of the most iconic electric guitar silhouettes of all time, used by legends like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Ritchie Blackmore. This Squier Affinity model retains that timeless contoured double cutaway design, with smooth curves, pointed horns, and sleek lines. It looks fantastic and captures the vibe of the original Fender Strat.

• Playability - Out of the box, the Squier Affinity Strat plays excellently. The C-shaped maple neck is comfortable and fast, while the rosewood fretboard facilitates smooth lead playing. The medium jumbo frets are perfectly dressed for precise fingering and bends. Combined with the lightweight, contoured body, this guitar feels fantastic to hold and play for extended periods.

Cons

The Squier Affinity Stratocaster does have some downsides compared to more expensive Fender models and other brands.

• The hardware and electronic components are lower quality and cheaper compared to American-made Fenders. This includes the bridge, tuners, pickups and electronics. While functional, these components are not as robust or well-made.

• Tuning stability can suffer, especially with heavier playing and bending strings. The cheaper tuners and nut material are more prone to slipping out of tune compared to upgraded hardware. Plan on tuning this guitar more frequently.

• The tonewoods, while serviceable, are lower grades compared to premium tonewoods. This can affect resonance and tonal qualities. The sound quality is a step below boutique or custom shop guitars.

• The fit and finish is more rough and inconsistent compared to American-made Fenders. Little flaws in the fretwork and electronics are more common. The quality control is not as rigorous.

• The thinner polyurethane finish can chip and wear faster than thicker nitrocellulose lacquer finishes on better guitars.

Overall the Squier Affinity Strat provides excellent value for the money, but does cut some corners on components and materials compared to Fender's more expensive models. For beginners, these cons may not outweigh the affordable price tag. More advanced guitarists may want to consider upgrading some of the hardware over time.

Who It's For

The Squier Affinity Stratocaster is a great choice for beginner and intermediate electric guitar players, as well as Stratocaster fans looking for an affordable model.

• Beginners - The Affinity Strat offers beginners a quality instrument with classic Strat style and sound at a very wallet-friendly price. The thin, comfortable "C"-shaped neck and smaller fret size help new players easily form chords and play notes up and down the neck. The 3 single coil pickups provide versatile tones for playing many musical styles. It's an ideal first guitar to learn on.

• Intermediate Players - More advanced players will appreciate the comfortable feel and flexible sound of the Affinity Strat. The quality construction means it will hold tuning well and intonate accurately up and down the neck. The 5-way pickup selector switch allows for experimenting with Strat-style tonality. It's a great choice for an intermediate player needing an affordable backup guitar.

• Strat Fans - For Strat enthusiasts, the Affinity delivers that iconic silhouette and sound on a budget. From the double cutaway body to the tremolo bridge, it looks, feels, and sounds like a real deal Fender Stratocaster. The 3 single coil pickups and 5-way switching provide an array of classic Fender tones. It's a fantastic option for Strat lovers that don't want to break the bank.

Alternatives

There are several alternative electric guitar models from Squier and Fender as well as competitor brands worth considering.

Other Squier/Fender Models

• Squier Affinity Telecaster: The Telecaster has a more traditional single coil pickup design compared to the Stratocaster's triple pickup configuration. It produces a brighter, twangier tone perfect for country, rock, and blues.

• Squier Bullet Strat: A more affordable Stratocaster model with slimmer body and smaller frets. The hardware and electronics are lower quality but it's a great option for beginners.

• Fender Player Series Stratocaster: A step up with alder body, better quality hardware, and Fender-designed pickups. The fit, finish and tone rival Fender's Mexican-made guitars.

Competitor Brands

• Epiphone Les Paul: Iconic design with mahogany body and dual humbucker pickups. The chunky neck and heavy tone lends itself to hard rock and metal genres.

• Ibanez RG: Known for fast, thin necks and sharp metal aesthetics. The RG uses humbuckers for thick distortion and 24 frets for shredding solos.

• PRS SE Standard: High quality craftsmanship and attention to detail at an affordable price. The versatile humbuckers can handle anything from clean jazz to high-gain metal.

• Yamaha Pacifica: Great starter guitar with HSS pickup configuration. The build quality and playability rival more expensive models.

Verdict

Overall, the Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster is an excellent electric guitar for beginners and intermediate players, and I would highly recommend it. This Stratocaster model punches well above its price point, offering great playability, versatile tone, and the iconic Strat style that has been popular for over 60 years.

The Affinity Strat provides a comfortable slim taper neck and smooth satin finish that make playing for long periods enjoyable. It features quality hardware like sealed die-cast tuning machines that hold their tune through extended playing. The pickups and controls deliver a diverse range of Strat tones, from sparkling cleans to growling overdrive. While not at the level of American-made Fenders, the sound and build quality are impressive for the affordable price tag.

This is an ideal first electric guitar for new players, with a well-constructed body and neck that are easy to play. The classic looks will appeal to any budding guitarist. Experienced guitarists will also appreciate the Affinity Strat as a solid backup option for gigs or as a platform for customization and upgrading. Overall, it's one of the best electric guitar values in its class and earns my full recommendation.

FAQs

What are some common questions about the Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster?

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster electric guitar:

Is the Squier Affinity Stratocaster good for beginners?

Yes, the Squier Affinity Stratocaster is an excellent choice for beginners. It has a thin, comfortable neck that is easy to play. The quality and components are decent for an entry-level guitar. Overall, it provides great value for the affordable price point.

What type of wood is used for the Squier Affinity Stratocaster?

The Affinity Stratocaster has a body made of poplar wood. The neck is maple with either a rosewood or laurel fingerboard option.

What type of pickups does the Squier Affinity Stratocaster have?

It comes equipped with three single coil Stratocaster-style pickups: one at the bridge, one at the middle, and one at the neck position. These pickups provide a classic, versatile Strat tone.

Does the Squier Affinity Stratocaster stay in tune well?

For a budget guitar, it holds its tuning surprisingly well, thanks to the six saddle hardtail bridge. New strings and a proper setup will also help with tuning stability.

Is the hardware and construction quality good for the price?

Yes, most users find the hardware, fit and finish to be very decent considering the affordable price point. The tuners, bridge and other components exceed expectations.

Should I upgrade the pickups on the Squier Affinity Stratocaster?

The stock pickups are decent for beginners. However, upgrading to higher output pickups can improve the tone as your budget allows. Popular upgrades are Fender Tex-Mex or Vintage Noiseless pickups.