Fender 374024592 Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Fender 374024592 Classic Stratocaster is an affordable, entry-level electric guitar that aims to deliver the classic Strat tone and feel at a beginner-friendly price point. Part of Fender's Squier brand, the Classic Stratocaster features a poplar body, maple neck, and Indian laurel fretboard along with three standard single-coil Strat pickups.

While made with cheaper materials compared to American-made Fender Stratocasters, the Classic Stratocaster focuses on nailing the iconic contoured Strat body shape, vintage-style headstock, and overall stylings of the legendary Strat guitar design. The aim is to give new players a more accessible opportunity to learn on a recognizable guitar with familiar sound and feel.

This Stratocaster model forgoes some classic touches like string trees or a vintage-style tremolo bridge. But it provides an excellent platform for aspiring guitarists to begin their musical journey on an instrument with the famous Fender Strat DNA. Let's take a closer look at the hardware and electronics to see how the Classic Stratocaster stacks up.

Body & Neck

The Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster features an alder body and maple neck, giving it a classic, resonant tone.

Alder is a lightweight wood that provides a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, with a slight emphasis on the mids. The wood allows the guitar to resonate freely, producing rich sustain. Alder is a popular choice for many guitar manufacturers due to its tonal characteristics and affordable price.

The maple neck delivers excellent clarity in the high end, as well as good sustain. Its bright, crisp tone cuts through a mix nicely. The maple contributes to the Strat's signature bell-like tone. The neck is also comfortable and fast to play, thanks to its slim, sleek profile.

Overall, the combination of alder and maple makes for a versatile guitar that handles clean tones and crunchy overdrive equally well. Players looking for the quintessential Strat experience will be pleased with the mix of resonance and articulation offered by this classic wood pairing.

The body and neck woods are crucial factors that determine a guitar's tone and playability. However, there are many other components that also affect the overall sound and feel of an electric guitar. The pickups, bridge, nut, frets, strings, and electronics all play a role in shaping the instrument's unique character.

For example, the pickups on the Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster are designed to produce vintage-style Strat tone. They utilize Alnico V magnets and enamel coated wire to recreate the warm, rounded sound of classic Fender pickups. The bridge is a vintage-style synchronized tremolo, which provides excellent tuning stability and allows for expressive pitch bending effects.

The nut is made from synthetic bone, which has similar acoustic properties to natural bone. It allows the strings to glide smoothly during tuning and bending. The medium jumbo frets are comfortable to play while providing excellent intonation. And the electronics include volume and tone controls for the neck and middle pickups, allowing for a variety of tonal permutations.

In addition to its quality components, this Squier model is well-constructed using many of the techniques employed on vintage Fender guitars. The neck is screwed on rather than bolted for better resonance. The vintage-style tuners provide precise and reliable tuning stability. And the guitar is finished in a gloss polyurethane that both protects and aesthetically evokes a classic Strat.

All of these factors add up to a guitar that looks, sounds, and feels like the iconic Fender Stratocaster model that has shaped countless genres of music over the past 60+ years. While Squier guitars are more affordable versions of Fender models, the Classic Vibe series aims to capture as much vintage vibe and playability as possible while keeping costs down.

For guitarists looking for an authentic Strat experience on a budget, the Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster is definitely worth considering. Models like the Kadence SH-02-03-04 offer comparable quality and vintage appeal as well.

Pickups & Electronics

The Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster is equipped with three standard single-coil Stratocaster pickups, providing the classic bright and twangy Strat tone that defined the early rock and blues era. The pickups utilize Alnico V magnets, which are known for their warm and clean sound.

The guitar features a 5-way pickup selector switch, allowing you to choose between the bridge pickup, bridge+middle, middle, middle+neck, and neck pickups. This switching system provides incredible tonal versatility, from the thicker neck pickup sound to the brighter bridge tone. Whether you want glassy cleans, snarling leads, or warm jazz tones, the Stratocaster's flexible electronics can deliver.

The volume and tone knobs also allow further shaping of the guitar's sound. Roll back the volume knobs for cleaner tones or crank them for overdriven crunch. The tone knobs can add shimmer or roll off treble harshness. Overall, the electronics suite offers a wide palette of classic Strat tones.

The single-coil pickups and 5-way switching provide a diverse range of tones, making the Stratocaster extremely versatile for playing various musical genres. From country twang to searing rock solos, the Strat has you covered. The Alnico V magnets deliver that vintage bell-like tone prized by Strat enthusiasts.

With its flexible electronics and signature sound, the Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster aims to deliver on the promise of Strat tone and playability, at an affordable price point. This makes it an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate players looking for the vibe of a vintage Fender.

If you're looking for a more affordable Fender option, check out the Fender FA-125 acoustic-electric guitar. It features a laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a slim neck for comfortable playing. The guitar comes equipped with a built-in preamp and tuner for plugging into an amplifier or PA system.

The FA-125 has a full, balanced tone well suited to a variety of musical genres. Its smaller concert body shape makes it comfortable for extended practice and performance sessions. Overall, the FA-125 delivers solid Fender sound and playability at a budget-friendly price point.

Fender has been a leader in guitar innovation for over 70 years. From the original Telecaster to the Stratocaster to modern takes like the Parallel Universe series, Fender continually pushes the boundaries. Their guitars have defined the sound of rock, blues, country, jazz and more. An instrument with the Fender name inspires confidence in its quality and tone.

Hardware

The Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster features solid chromium-plated hardware that provides durability and classic Fender style. It has vintage-style tuning machines with staggered height tuning posts designed for optimum break angle over the nut for enhanced tuning stability.

The guitar uses a vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge that allows for expressive string bending effects and flutter without going out of tune. The bridge has six solid steel saddles for individual string intonation, adjustable spring tension, and a pop-in tremolo arm. Overall, the hardware offers exceptional tuning stability, resonance, and classic Fender vibes.

Sound & Playability

The Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster delivers the classic bright, crisp Stratocaster tone that has defined rock and blues for decades. The alnico V single-coil pickups provide sparkling treble and robust midrange for versatile clean and overdriven tones.

The comfortable C-shaped neck has a smooth satin finish that makes fast lead playing easy. The 25.5" scale length and narrow 1.65" nut width give this Strat a familiar, comfortable feel. The vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge also helps the Classic Vibe '50s Strat sing with dynamic expression and pitch bend flutter.

Whether you're playing chiming chords, funky rhythms, or searing classic rock leads, the Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster provides an inspiring and affordable platform for authentic Strat tone and playability. It's a great way to tap into the storied history of the Strat at a price that any player can afford.

Pros

The Squier by Fender Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster electric guitar provides an iconic Stratocaster design and sound at an affordable price point. Some of the key pros include:

Iconic Strat Design and Sound

This guitar features the iconic double cutaway Strat body shape with contoured edges for comfort. It delivers the classic bright, crisp, and clear Strat tone that has defined so many legendary guitar parts and solos. The 25.5" scale maple neck and lightweight alder body further produce those bell-like Strat tones.

Quality Components

While still affordably priced, Squier did not skimp on components with this model. It features Duncan Designed SC-102 single-coil pickups, vintage-style tremolo bridge, and tuners that hold tune reliably. The quality hardware allows it to emulate Fender Strats 3 times the price.

Comfortable Neck Profile

The maple neck has a modern "C"-shaped profile that is comfortable to play and not too thick or thin. Combined with the smooth rosewood fingerboard, it makes playing up and down the neck a enjoyable experience.

Versatile Tonal Options

With a 5-way pickup selector switch, you can access neck, middle, and bridge pickups individually or in combination. This allows you to go from glassy neck tones to aggressive bridge bites. The master volume and tone controls let you fine-tune your sound further.

Cons

The Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster has a few potential drawbacks to consider.

• The pickups may not have quite the power and richness that some more experienced players may want. While the alnico magnet pickups sound decent, some may find them a bit lacking in dynamics and harmonic complexity compared to higher-end pickups. Upgrading the pickups could give this guitar a lot more tonal versatility.

• The floating tremolo bridge has the classic functionality of a vintage Fender trem, allowing guitarists to bend notes up or down and add vibrato effects. However, floating tremolos are notoriously prone to going out of tune, especially when doing heavy use of the whammy bar. Staying in tune can require more adjustments compared to a fixed bridge.

Alternatives

The Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster isn't the only quality electric guitar in this price range. Here are some alternatives to consider:

Squier Affinity Strat

The Squier Affinity Strat is another budget-friendly Stratocaster model by Fender. It has an agathis body, maple neck, die-cast tuners, and three single coil pickups. The Affinity Strat sells for around $200, so it's one of the most affordable Strats out there. The downside is it may not have the same fit, finish, and tone as the Classic Vibe.

Epiphone Les Paul

For a thicker, warmer tone, the Epiphone Les Paul is a great choice. Made by Gibson's more affordable brand, this guitar has a mahogany body, maple top, and two humbucker pickups. Models like the Epiphone Les Paul 100 and Special II can be found for under $300. The Les Paul shape is larger than a Strat, so it may not be as comfortable for some players.

Ibanez RG

Ibanez is known for fast, shred-friendly guitars. The Ibanez RG style has a thin, flat neck and typically comes with humbuckers. Lower-end models like the GRG121DX sell for around $200. The Ibanez doesn't have the classic tones of a Fender or Gibson, but excels at rock, metal, and playing fast.

Who It's For

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate electric guitar players looking for an affordable but high-quality instrument with that iconic Strat tone and feel.

The slim, comfortable C-shaped maple neck with rosewood fretboard makes it easy to play for guitarists with smaller hands. The vintage-style tremolo bridge also adds great functionality for beginning players still learning to control their bends and whammy techniques.

More advanced guitarists will appreciate the Classic Vibe's quality components like the custom Alnico V single-coil pickups, which provide a warm, rich tone that beautifully captures those vintage Strat sounds. The sealed tuners help keep it in tune through dynamic performances as well.

Ultimately, this Squier delivers the looks, feel, and sound of a real Fender Stratocaster - with the crucial bonus of an entry-level price point. For Strat lovers young and old, it's a fantastic choice as a solid workhorse guitar for practicing, jamming, and gigging.

Conclusion

The Squier by Fender Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster is an overall excellent electric guitar for the price. It delivers the iconic Stratocaster design and sound in an affordable package, making it a fantastic choice for beginner and intermediate players.

The Classic Vibe Stratocaster punches above its weight class in terms of quality and playability. The construction, hardware, pickups and tonewoods are all high quality, especially considering the budget-friendly price tag. Fender did an excellent job paying homage to the '50s era Strat with the vintage-style features while still incorporating some modern appointments.

Players who want that authentic Strat tone and feel without breaking the bank will be extremely satisfied with the Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster. It's simply one of the best electric guitars available in its price range. The value offered makes this a top choice for new players and an excellent addition for any guitarist's collection.

In closing, if you're seeking a well-made, great sounding Stratocaster model at an affordable price point, the Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster is easily recommended. It delivers iconic Fender tone and vibe with excellent quality and value.