Fender 0373203506 Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Fender Squier Stratocaster is an affordable, entry-level electric guitar modeled after Fender's iconic Strat design. As part of Fender's Squier series, the Squier Stratocaster aims to deliver Stratocaster style and sound at a beginner-friendly price point.

Fender has been manufacturing Stratocaster guitars since the 1950s, and the model has gone on to become one of the most popular and recognizable electric guitar designs in the world. Played by guitar legends like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and David Gilmour, the Stratocaster shape is known for its comfort and versatility.

The Squier Strat features the familiar double cutaway Strat body shape made from basswood, with a maple neck and choice of either a rosewood or maple fingerboard. It has three single coil pickups, a 5-way pickup selector switch, master volume and tone controls, and a vintage-style tremolo bridge.

While made with lower cost materials and hardware, the Squier Strat aims to retain some of the playability and 'Strat tone' of its American-made Fender counterparts. It provides an affordable option for beginners and Strat fans on a budget.

Body & Neck

The Squier Stratocaster features an alder body, which provides a balanced and well-rounded tone. Alder is known for its clear, full-bodied sound with tight low end and sparkling highs.

The iconic double cutaway Strat body shape features contoured edges for comfort during long playing sessions. The finish is a sleek polyurethane that allows the natural grain of the alder to show through, giving the guitar a classic, vintage look.

The maple neck has a modern C profile that is comfortable to play. It has a satin urethane finish for a smooth, fast feel. The fretboard is rosewood, known for its warmth and rich overtones. It has a 9.5" radius and narrow tall frets, allowing for easy bending and vibrato techniques. The neck joint allows excellent upper fret access.

Overall, the Squier Stratocaster has a well-made neck and contoured body that offers comfort, playability, and classic Fender style. The tonewoods provide a balanced sound across the frequency spectrum.

The Stratocaster is one of the most iconic electric guitar designs ever created. Originally developed by Leo Fender in the 1950s, the Stratocaster has been played by countless musicians over the past six decades. Fender continues to offer Stratocaster models that pay homage to the original while incorporating modern enhancements.

One such model is the Fender AUS-0371812038-COMBO-STD. This is an affordable Made-in-Mexico Stratocaster that delivers classic Strat tone and playability. It features an alder body, maple neck with rosewood fretboard, three single coil pickups, and vintage-style hardware.

The alder body produces a balanced, well-rounded tone that works for various music genres. Alder is a lightweight, porous wood that emphasizes highs and lows. The maple neck contributes brightness and sustain. The rosewood fingerboard has a comfortable 9.5" radius and medium jumbo frets.

It comes equipped with three standard Strat single coil pickups, master volume and tone controls, and a 5-way pickup selector switch. This HSS pickup configuration allows tones from glassy cleans to screaming leads. The vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge provides expressive wiggles and dips.

Other features include chrome hardware, synthetic bone nut, molded plastic control knobs, and die-cast tuning machines. It comes in a range of classic Stratocaster colors like 3-Color Sunburst, Black, Lake Placid Blue, and Polar White. Overall, the Fender AUS-0371812038-COMBO-STD Stratocaster combines traditional design with modern playability at an affordable price point.

Hardware

The Squier Stratocaster features quality hardware that punches above its price point. The bridge is a vintage-style synchronized tremolo that provides good tuning stability and allows for expressive tremolo effects.

The tuners are covered gear tuners that hold tune reliably. While not as smooth as more premium tuners, they get the job done and allow easy re-stringing.

The pickups are a set of Alnico single-coils that capture the distinctive bell-like tone Stratocasters are known for. There's good definition and presence across the frequency range. The 5-way pickup selector switch allows accessing neck, middle, and bridge pickups individually or in combination. This tonal flexibility lets you dial in everything from glassy cleans to biting leads.

Overall, the hardware holds up well and enables the authentic Stratocaster playing experience without breaking the bank. The bridge, tuners, and pickups are all functional, road-worthy components that will satisfy beginner and intermediate players alike. The Squier Stratocaster is an excellent choice for those looking for real Stratocaster tone and feel on a budget. While not as refined as Fender's American-made Stratocasters, such as the Fender 371005532, the Squier delivers impressive bang-for-the-buck.

With its contoured double cutaway alder body, bolt-on maple neck and choice of HSS or SSS pickup configurations, the Squier Stratocaster replicates the iconic silhouette that has shaped rock, blues, funk and countless other styles for over 60 years. The thin, fast-action neck profile is comfortable for all playing styles, while the vintage-style tremolo bridge allows warbling, expressive effects.

When it comes to looks, Squier offers plenty of attractive and era-authentic finish options, including 2-color sunburst, Olympic white, candy apple red metallic and black. There are also unique models like the Vintage Modified '70s Stratocaster with large headstock and Duncan Designed pickups.

For guitarists who want the true vibe of a Strat without spending big bucks, Squier has a model to fit the bill. With solid construction and appointments, great sound and an unmistakable style, the Squier Stratocaster embodies the spirit of Leo Fender's original design.

Sound & Tone

The Squier Stratocaster electric guitar delivers the classic bright, ringing Strat tone that players have loved for decades. The alder body contributes to a balanced, well-rounded sound with clear mids and tight low end. The maple neck brings out those sparkling highs and chimey tones that Stratocasters are renowned for.

The three single-coil pickups provide a diverse range of tones, from sweet and singing on the neck pickup, to glassy and percussive on the bridge pickup. The 5-way pickup selector switch allows access to myriad Stratty tones - from funky quacks to sparkling cleans. The bridge pickup has plenty of bite for aggressive lead playing, while the neck pickup warms up nicely for jazz and blues.

Overall, this Squier Strat nails the archetypal Stratocaster sound, providing excellent versatility for a variety of musical genres. The tonewood combination and single-coil pickups deliver those legendary bell-like tones at an affordable price point. This is a great choice for players seeking an authentic Fender Strat sound and experience.

Playability

The Fender Squier Stratocaster features a slim and comfortable "C"-shaped neck profile that allows for fast and smooth playing across the whole fretboard. The maple neck has a modern 9.5" fingerboard radius, providing excellent comfort for chords and solos.

The narrower nut width of 1.65" is ideal for players with smaller hands who want to easily form chords. It also facilitates intricate lead playing by allowing the thumb to readily reach around the neck. Despite the narrow nut, the neck still feels substantial and avoids a skinny or toy-like feel.

The medium jumbo frets are nicely finished, providing fluid and buzz-free fretting throughout the range of the neck. The action is set medium-low from the factory, making string bending and vibrato very comfortable without sacrificing too much sustain. This versatile setup allows complex chording and shredding while avoiding finger fatigue.

Overall, the Squier Stratocaster's modern and comfortable neck design makes it a highly playable guitar suitable for a wide variety of musical styles. The combination of the flexible fingerboard radius, slim profile, and accessible upper fret access allows beginners and experts alike to play with speed and precision.

Craftsmanship

As an entry-level guitar, the Squier Stratocaster offers impressive craftsmanship and attention to detail, especially considering its very affordable price point.

The body, neck and fretboard are all made from quality tonewoods - poplar for the body, maple for the neck and rosewood for the fretboard. While not the most premium woods, they are great choices that provide good tone and playability.

The fretwork on the maple neck is very well done, with smooth and rounded fret ends. The finish on the body and neck feels thin and satin, which lets the natural wood resonate freely. There are no sharp edges or unfinished spots, showing care in manufacturing.

Hardware like the die-cast tuning machines, tremolo bridge and control knobs feel sturdy and reliable. Little touches like the synthetic bone nut help improve sustain and resonance.

There are some inevitable cost-cutting measures like the rather basic pickups and electronics. But overall, the Squier Strat provides fantastic quality and attention to detail for an affordable instrument. Players report it holding tuning well and standing up to regular use and wear-and-tear.

Versatility

The Fender Squier Stratocaster electric guitar is highly versatile when it comes to musical genres and techniques. The classic Strat design lends itself well to playing rock, blues, funk, pop, country, jazz, and more.

The comfortable C-shaped neck and flexible tremolo bridge allow for easy bending, vibrato, and dynamic control over tone. This facilitates blues soloing as well as funk rhythm playing. The bridge pickup provides the bite and twang perfect for country riffs.

Jazz players can take advantage of the neck pickup's warm, round tone for smooth chord melodies and walking basslines. The 5-way pickup selector gives instant access to sparkling bridge tones, quacky in-between sounds, and thick, throaty neck pickup sounds.

The Strat also suits techniques like fingerpicking, flatpicking, chicken pickin', and hybrid picking. The contoured body is comfortable for seated playing. Overall, the Fender Squier Strat lives up to its reputation as an extremely versatile instrument.

An Excellent Value for Aspiring Guitarists

The Squier Stratocaster offers tremendous value for the price, making it an ideal choice for beginners and budget-minded musicians. Though inexpensive, it does not feel or play like a cheap "toy" guitar. The quality and performance rivals guitars costing two or three times as much.

You get a genuine Stratocaster modeled after the world-famous Fender design for under $200. The smooth neck, quality hardware, and versatile pickups provide pro-level playability and classic Fender tones. It's a real instrument that will grow along with you, not just a learner's throwaway.

The Squier Strat hits the sweet spot between cost and quality. You can reliably learn on it for years without significant limitations. As skills improve, it remains flexible enough for playing live, joining a band, and recording. Paying more nets only incremental improvements in sound and feel.

For new guitarists seeking real Stratocaster style and performance on a budget, the Squier delivers. It makes learning and playing accessible without big upfront investment. As a first electric guitar, it's hard to beat the value.

Alternatives

When looking for an affordable, entry-level electric guitar, the Squier Stratocaster is certainly a top contender. However, it's worth considering some other options in a similar price range as well:

Epiphone Les Paul Special-II - This is another very popular choice for beginners. It has a slightly different feel and sound than the Strat, with a mahogany body, shorter scale length, and humbucker pickups. The Les Paul design is legendary and this is a budget-friendly way to get that vibe.

Ibanez GRX20 - Ibanez makes excellent guitars for shredders and players who want thin, fast necks. The GRX20 offers that at a very affordable price. It's a simple, no-frills rock guitar.

Yamaha Pacifica 012 - Known for outstanding quality control, the Yamaha Pacifica 012 is another Strat-style guitar that competes well with the Squier at this price. It may come down to personal preferences on neck, tone, and aesthetics.

Jackson JS11 Dinky - Jackson is known for metal and hard rock. The Jackson JS11 Dinky gives an aggressive, edgy look and feel for not much money. The humbuckers and pointed headstock shape deliver tons of metal tone.

PRS SE Standard 24 - At the upper end of this price range, the PRS SE Standard 24 offers pro-level components, craftsmanship and sound for intermediate players. Compared to a Squier, it may be a better long-term investment.

While the Squier Stratocaster is an excellent choice, weighing it against some alternatives can help find the best match for your playing style and goals. The guitars above all compete well in terms of quality and value.

Summary

The Fender Squire Stratocaster is an excellent entry-level electric guitar that delivers classic Strat tone and playability at an affordable price point. This makes it an ideal choice for beginner and intermediate players looking for a versatile guitar to learn on and gig with.

Some of the key pros of this Squire Strat include its comfortable C-shaped neck, quality hardware and electronics, and configurations available with a tremolo bridge or hardtail bridge. The pickups and tonewoods produce the sparkling Stratocaster tones that players love. While not at the same level as an American-made Fender, the craftsmanship and attention to detail on the Squire is impressive for the price.

In terms of cons, the pickups and hardware are lower quality than what you'd find on a standard Fender Stratocaster. The guitar also lacks some of the fine attention to detail and craftsmanship of a more expensive instrument. However, for a budget-friendly price, the Squire Strat delivers excellent bang for your buck.

Overall, the Squire Stratocaster is a fantastic choice as a first electric guitar or step-up instrument for intermediate players. It's comfortable to play, delivers classic Strat tone, and gives you the vibe of playing a real Fender at a fraction of the price. If you're looking for a versatile, affordable electric to hone your skills on, the Squire Strat is hard to beat.