Fender 0373301506 Electric Guitar: Full Review

Fender is one of the most iconic and renowned electric guitar brands in the world, known for classics like the Stratocaster and Telecaster models. The Squire line by Fender offers more affordable versions of Fender's famous guitar designs.

The Squire Stratocaster is an entry-level electric guitar modeled after Fender's flagship Strat. It maintains much of the look, feel, and sound of the original Stratocaster while cutting costs on materials and construction to meet a lower price point. This makes the Squire Strat an ideal choice for beginner and budget-conscious players looking for the classic Strat style and sound without the premium price tag.

The Squire Stratocaster reviewed here features the iconic double cutaway Strat body shape, 25.5" scale bolt-on maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with 21 frets, and SSS pickup configuration. It aims to deliver an authentic Stratocaster experience and introduction to Fender that more players can afford.

Appearance

The Fender Squier Stratocaster electric guitar has the iconic double cutaway contoured solid body shape that Fender is known for. It has a sleek and stylish look with smooth curves and pointed edges that give it an elegant, yet edgy aesthetic.

The Squier Stratocaster comes in several vibrant and attractive finishes, including black, brown sunburst, cherry, lake placid blue, metallic red, midnight wine, olympic white, and vintage blonde. The glossy polyurethane finishes give it a smooth, polished look.

The body is made of solid poplar wood with a polyester finish. It has a 25.5" scale bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard featuring 21 medium jumbo frets. The headstock has Fender's classic staggered tuning machines and string tree. Overall, the Squier Stratocaster has all the style, shape, and color options expected of a high quality Strat guitar.

The contoured body shape of the Squier Stratocaster is designed for comfort during long hours of playing. The curves allow the guitar to fit nicely against your body in both sitting and standing positions. The smooth finish on the back of the neck also promotes fast, comfortable movement up and down the fretboard. The double cutaway design provides easy access to even the highest notes on the fingerboard.

The wide range of eye-catching finishes available for the Squier Stratocaster allow you to pick a look that reflects your personal style. Whether you prefer a classic sunburst, sparkling metallic, or solid color, there's a finish that will help your guitar stand out on stage. The glossy polyurethane coats are smooth to the touch and resist scratches and chips. So your guitar will maintain its vibrant good looks over years of use.

For another iconic Fender guitar, check out the Fender CC-60s 0970150406. This is a great choice for players looking for the classic Fender sound and style in a more affordable package. The CC-60s has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It produces warm, balanced tones well-suited to many musical genres. The slim neck profile and smooth satin finish make it comfortable for both strumming and intricate fingerpicking.

Playability

The Squier Stratocaster features a C-shaped maple neck that provides a comfortable and familiar playing feel. The neck is finished with a smooth satin back for fast movement up and down the fretboard.

The fretboard is made of Indian laurel, which is very similar to rosewood in its dark coloring and grain patterns. It has a modern 9.5" radius which makes playing chords and solos easy. There are 21 medium jumbo frets that provide a good amount of height for various fretting techniques.

The C-shaped neck and 9.5” radius fretboard allow for easy chord changes and soloing. The smooth finish on the back of the neck also promotes fast up-down movements. Overall, the guitar's playability is very good - the neck shape will feel familiar to most players and the fretboard facilitates different playing styles.

When it comes to playability, the Squier Stratocaster hits all the right notes. The comfortable C-shaped neck, smooth satin finish, and 9.5" radius fretboard come together to offer easy chord changes, fast soloing, and great feel. This makes the Squier Strat a very playable and beginner-friendly guitar. The medium jumbo frets provide enough height for various techniques like bending and vibrato. Experienced players will also find the Strat's playability inviting.

The satin finish on the back of the neck allows for quick shifts up and down the fretboard. The C-shaped profile is an iconic Fender design that most guitarists will instantly feel at home with. Overall, Squier has delivered great playability in a super affordable package. This allows beginners to learn on a comfortable, easy playing instrument. The smooth neck also prevents hand fatigue during long practice sessions.

Compared to other guitars in its price range, the Squier Strat excels in terms of playability. Players report fast fretting and soloing on the 9.5” radius laurel fretboard. The medium jumbo frets are nicely finished for bend and vibrato techniques. If you're looking for an affordable Strat with time-tested Fender playability, the Squier is an excellent choice. It certainly outclasses other guitars at this price point. You'll be able to play chords and riffs comfortably while developing skills.

Other comparable guitars like the Godin 049738 also offer great playability. It has a maple neck with a 12" fretboard radius. The satin neck finish facilitates quick shifting just like with the Squier. While the Godin neck has a flatter radius, the Squier's 9.5" radius is more rounded for comfort. The Godin does have larger jumbo frets, but they will feel similar in height. So the Godin offers its own great playability, but the Squier has the classic Strat feel nailed.

Pickups and Electronics

The Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster features three single-coil pickups modeled after classic vintage Fender designs. This pickup configuration allows for a wide range of tones, from sparkling clean to fat overdrive.

The bridge pickup provides brilliant treble and bite, while the middle pickup has a balanced tone, and the neck pickup delivers a smooth, warm sound. The five-way pickup selector switch allows you to choose from the bridge pickup alone, the bridge and middle pickups together, the middle pickup alone, the middle and neck pickups together, or the neck pickup alone. This provides great tonal flexibility.

Tone controls consist of a master volume and two tone knobs. The volume knob controls the overall output level. The tone knobs allow you to tailor the highs and lows of your sound. Turn them down to mellow and warm up the tone, or max them out for crisp brightness. This further enhances your tonal options.

Overall, the pickups and electronics design makes the Squier Affinity Stratocaster very versatile for a wide range of musical genres and playing styles. The variety of pickup combinations and tone shaping controls allow you to craft your own unique sound.

Hardware

The Squier Stratocaster comes equipped with quality hardware that holds tune well and allows for expressive playing techniques.

Bridge

The guitar has a vintage-style 6-saddle synchronized tremolo bridge. This allows for expressive use of the whammy bar to bend notes and chords up and down in pitch. The bridge stays in tune well even with heavy use of the tremolo arm.

Tuning Machines

The headstock is equipped with covered die-cast tuning machines. These keep the guitar in tune reliably. The tuning keys turn smoothly for easy and accurate tuning.

Tremolo

A vintage-style synchronized tremolo system allows guitarists to add vibrato and pitch effects by use of the whammy bar. It's a versatile bridge that stays in tune well and enables creative playing techniques. The tremolo action is smooth and responsive.

Sound

The Fender Squier Stratocaster electric guitar produces the classic bright, ringing Strat tone that players have loved for decades. The alder body and maple neck provide a balanced sound with crisp highs, pronounced mids, and tight lows.

The three single-coil pickups have the sparkling treble and glassy mids that Strat pickups are known for. You can get sweet, singing lead tones as well as punchy rhythms. There's also good note separation when playing complex chords. The 5-way pickup selector switch allows accessing a variety of Strat tones, from the bridge pickup's bite to the neck pickup's warmth.

This guitar features quality hardware and components which help maximize resonance and sustain. The synchronized tremolo is responsive and allows guitarists to perform vibrato techniques and dramatic pitch dips. Overall the guitar is capable of achieving versatile tones - from vintage rock n' roll to modern pop punk. The classic Strat sound shines through at any volume whether practicing at home or playing live.

Quality and Construction

The Squier Stratocaster is an affordable guitar, so you can expect some compromises in materials and quality control compared to more expensive Fender models. However, Squier has come a long way and generally produces instruments with good fit and finish for the price point.

The body on this model is made of poplar wood rather than alder or ash which are more commonly used on American-made Fenders. Poplar is a softer wood which helps keep costs down. The finish is a polyurethane coating in a range of color options. The neck is maple with either a rosewood or laurel fretboard. Both fretboard woods are common in this price range.

The hardware and other components are also basic versions of what you'd find on a standard Stratocaster. For example, the bridge is a simple 6-saddle hardtail rather than the tremolo bridge on American models. The tuners, knobs, and other parts are generic unbranded pieces.

At this price, you can expect to see some imperfections in the fretwork or finish. The wood and hardware materials are decent, but QC is not as stringent as on premium instruments. There may be some need for minor setup adjustments out of the box.

Overall the construction is reasonably good for a budget guitar made overseas. Squier quality has improved markedly over the years. As long as your expectations align with the low price tag, the Stratocaster delivers respectable bang for buck.

Pros

The Squire Stratocaster Electric Guitar has several notable benefits that make it an appealing choice:

• Great value for money. Considering the build quality and components, the Squire Stratocaster provides excellent value. It's an affordable way to get started on a Stratocaster without spending a fortune.

• Quality construction. While not at the level of an American-made Fender, the Squire Stratocaster is well constructed, especially for the price. The combination of basswood body and maple neck results in a lightweight yet durable guitar.

• Smooth playability. With its slim "C"-shaped neck and medium jumbo frets, the Squire Stratocaster feels comfortable and smooth to play. The modern 9.5" radius fretboard facilitates easy bending and vibrato techniques.

• Versatile tone. The combination of the three single coil pickups allows players to produce classic Stratocaster tones, from sparkling clean to snarling overdrive. The 5-way pickup selector switch provides tonal variety.

Cons

The Fender Squier Stratocaster electric guitar does have some downsides to consider:

• The hardware and electronics are lower quality than a genuine Fender Stratocaster. While the pickups and bridge are serviceable, they don't match the tone and sustain of higher-end components. Upgrading may be necessary for more advanced players.

• The tuning stability is questionable, especially with the standard machine heads. Going out of tune frequently is a common complaint. Upgrading to locking tuners can help, but adds to the cost.

• The fit and finish lacks the refinement of a true Fender. There may be imperfections in the fretwork that affect playability. The plastic parts and cheaper hardware also look less luxurious.

• The thin neck profile may not suit all playing styles and hand sizes. Those with larger hands may find the neck too slim to play comfortably.

• The tonewoods used are lower grade, so the resonance and harmonics are not as complex. The sound tends to be brighter and louder than a genuine Strat, but lacks warmth.

Conclusion

The Fender Squier Stratocaster electric guitar provides solid playability and tone for an entry-level instrument. While it may lack some of the polish and refinement of more expensive Fender models, it delivers on the classic Strat tone and feel that has made Fenders so popular.

The lightweight, contoured body is comfortable for long practice sessions. The maple neck has a fast, slick feel that lends itself well to lead playing and soloing. The pickups and hardware are serviceable, providing classic single-coil Strat tones, though may lack nuance compared to higher-end instruments.

Overall, this Squier Stratocaster is an excellent choice as a first electric guitar or a backup option. The affordability makes it easy to try out the iconic Stratocaster design without a huge investment. While more advanced players may want professional-grade fit and finish, beginners will appreciate the playability and versatility of the Squier. It's a great way to get started on the Fender Stratocaster path.