🎸 Pick one up only on Amazon: amzn.to/49BNj5b (affiliate link; thanks for supporting the channel!) 📧 Subscribe to Riff City to know when the full review goes live: artofshred.com/riffcity/ As a member of Amazon Associates I earn on qualified purchases, such as if you purchase this guitar. Thanks for supporting me and the channel! (I funded this video out of pocket)

Clearly budget brands like Harley Benton have impacted Squier sales to the point that they’ve had to up their game… Great to see! 🤘🎸

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Definitely cool to see. I am confused as to what Squier's strategy is with now having 3 sub-$200 budget models. Seems it'd be smart to get rid of the Bullets completely and put everything under Debut or Sonic.

@FretboardDiaries

3 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT yeah I would imagine the bullet series would go away… Do they still even make that firewood called Starcaster? If so, that should go too… I would totally buy one of these, but I’m in the process of moving and going to be moving all my gear out soon, so trying to avoid any excess (ship has sailed 😂) but looks like a fun modding project for sure

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

@@FretboardDiaries Funny you mention the Starcaster since Fender just released the Tom Delonge Starcaster. But yeah, Affinity, Contemporary (another model that might need to be streamlined out), and Classic Vibe all have Starcasters.

@deenforce1142

3 ай бұрын

That is possible. Also fender increase the price of their professional iI. I think there was also a price bump with their other series. This price increase would push consumers to by alternative brands. If fender want to keep customers to by their lower status models they reduced the price to challenge the other imitation markets. Okay I can't afford a 1.8k fender, then I will move down to vintera, players plus, squire CV, Affinity, then I have sonic or debut. Don't need to look for off brands while squires have the licensed fender strat shape (i think). I wonder will this "debut" series get extended to other guitar models i.e. telecaster, jazzmaster, even basses.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

@@deenforce1142 Someone in the comments apparently purchased a Debut series Strat, Tele, bass, and acoustic. But none of those are showing on Amazon US. The Tele is available at Amazon UK

Man, I want to see their debut telecasters. Thanks for the video.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

I really wonder if those are coming!

@MGRockwell

3 ай бұрын

@ArtOfShredYT I saw a screenshot of German Amazon having debut telecasters. They don't have the Debut series up on the official Squier site so I think Amazon jumped the gun on these listings.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Nice! I'll have to be on the lookout for those

@mikehardman7566

3 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT they had teles, strats and P-basses on april fools day, i bought 1 of each, i think it was about 2 hours later the entire page was gone , i thought it was a scam and requested a refund, they said the item was being prepared for shipping and couldn't cancel the order, they all showed shipped from Georgia on Monday, was on my front door step Friday the 5th, the also have acoustics and acoustic electrics in the debut series,

Waiting for this one! Thanks, brother.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Nice, enjoy! It was your comment a couple days ago that reminded me I needed to buy one. (I was heading out on vacation when I saw they launched so couldn't do it 2 weeks ago)

Squier just know how to make a solid affordable budget guitar.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Yeah, for real! I'm still perplexed about this one, but genius move from Squier to make it happen

@squirelova1815

2 ай бұрын

Sure, when they're Forced to by the better competition.

Nice review mate, I might pick one up for myself. Cheers

@ArtOfShredYT

Ай бұрын

Sweet, enjoy! 🤘

One thing to add is there is a year warranty from Fender. By several you tube content providers these play well out of the box. I bought a bullet brand new that had fret issues. My Fender authorized service center took care of it free of charge. I am a little over a year on my guitar journey and your videos are really helpful. 🤙

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

This one actually has a 2 year limited warranty but I've never used a guitar's warranty so no idea what it covers. Happy to know an authorized Fender service center will fix sharp frets! Thanks for sharing 🤘

Wow man this is such an awesome guitar review I love it. Shred on dude.😃👍❤️🔥⚡️🎶🎸

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Thank you 🤘

@Numocron

2 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT You’re very welcome. Much love.❤️

I have to say I'm *highly* impressed. It's a Squier for a Monoprice price (which can be good, but their QC is nothing like Fender's). I actually really like the satin finish - pretty unique for a Strat. Reminds me (cosmetically) of the 40th Anniversary mattes. So far I've had nothing to really complain about. It's like going back in time to when Bullets cost what they should. The big mystery, though, is why Fender is being so quiet about it. Last time I checked these weren't even on their website. Very strange.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

I think they're being quiet because it's an Amazon exclusive. Kinda like Epiphone doesn't have the Guitar Center exclusive guitars on their website

I don't mind a unique finish. I like that about Squier, they aren't afraid to be 'different'. This seems a lot like a model they used to pack with amp, maybe without the amp.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

I dig their unique finishes as well. Squier's got some wild Sonic colors only available on the Fender website.

I ordered one of their basses the other day. I'm looking forward to playing it.

@ArtOfShredYT

7 күн бұрын

Oh sweet, let me know if it's good!

Looks like a winner, I'm not a fan of low frets so I am hoping ? 🤞 Really appreciate your videos, you are my go to guy for an honest opinion 👍👍👍👍. Might be up there with the Affinity?

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! I wouldn't necessarily say it's up there with the Affinity, but the one I got is good. And considering the price you can mod it and make it better than an Affinity for less than the cost of an Affinity. I'll have more about all that when I do the final review. As for low frets, you mean you don't like jumbo frets? These aren't jumbo frets so you're good there.

@ibberman

2 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT Thank you appreciate the info. 👍 I asked because I just saw the Affinity on sale for $159. So the extra $40 might be worth it?

So it's a cheaper Sonic? Squier have been kinda confusing me with their entry level series for a while.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Seems to be the case. Made in China and some other small differences

Thx for the video. Can't really tell from the video. Is the sunburst finish actually the woodgrain with a matte finish that transitions to the black or is it an orange-ish type matte paint, not the actual wood?

@ArtOfShredYT

Ай бұрын

Looks to me like it's paint but I'm not an expert in finishes

@serpentsbane9166

28 күн бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT He's asking if the finish is translucent or opaque in case the question was unclear to you \m/

I am going to take a look at these. In 2005 I bought a Squire for a friend at Guitar center for about 120.00- It had a great neck sounded good. I bought it for a friend. I think if I were to buy an entry level, I heard Guitar center has some nice (Chinese) squire stratocaster stuff, maple fretboard etc for 250.00- I think I would be more comfortable spending the 250.00 rather than an Amazon instrument. Guitar center will let you play many, untill you find one that feels good. These guitars are not created equal. In addition, there is a 45 day return policy.-Great video, thank you- God bless.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

I hear ya! The $250 Squier Affinity Strats are made in Indonesia. These are made in China. Amazon also has a great/easy return policy (you can return to Whole Foods or Staples or various other places, for example), but I often buy from GC & Musician's Friend and the few times I've needed to do a return it was really easy.

i play a little martin would it be bigger like a regular sized guitar or is there a junior size that’s different?

@ArtOfShredYT

8 күн бұрын

I'm not completely sure what you're asking, but this is a full sized electric guitar.

Instead of buying an expensive fender strat, I bought a Squier Stratocaster from a friend of mine for cheap. I replaced the pickups with the Fender Deluxe alincos, and installed new Fender Electronics in it. Had to sand the neck a little, and put a new Muliti ply pick guard on. It feels and plays great, and has its own originality to it.

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Nice mods! 🤘

Isn’t it just a sonic with a matte finish? Does the Affinity neck feel the same? I am hoping the Debut is thinner.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

My digital calipers are cheap but it seems to be essentially the same neck. I might take both necks off and get better measurements for my final review

helpful video thanks :) currently debating between the squier debut or squier sonic stratocaster

@ArtOfShredYT

13 күн бұрын

@@jojodood is it your first guitar?

@jojodood

13 күн бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT yes!

@ArtOfShredYT

13 күн бұрын

@@jojodood In that case I would probably go with the Debut and if you love playing guitar keep playing that but save up for a bigger step up in quality like a Squier Classic Vibe if you want to stick to Fenders. These Debuts are surprisingly good for starting out. If you can find a Sonic new for $150 then maybe I'd recommend the Sonic but the best it's usually on sale for is around $180. I will say, depending on your location you can find Squier Affinity Strats for around $100 and after a setup those are great beginner's guitars. Here's the Affinity I bought used for $80: kzread.info/dash/bejne/d3-J2tuYgdGnftY.html

@jojodood

13 күн бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT yeah the reason i was considering the Sonic is bc i found one on sale for $160, but it is probably a safer bet to go with the cheaper option while i'm starting out. will probably end up getting the Debut kit that comes with a frontman amp then, i appreciate your advice 🙏

Tele version is up on amazon UK

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Nice! 🤘

My 2012 mim strat came with a blank neck plate. Cheers!

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Nice. All the Squiers I have besides this one have the branded neck plates. Completely meaningless to me, though.

I really hope they do a debut series telecaster

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Same! And based on a comment on this video they are!

Liking that haircut! 🤘

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Hell yeah! Unrelated: I just watched your video about this guitar!

I might get one to use as a mod platform. Like a loaded pickguard with alnico v pickups, locking tuners and a nicer bridge/trem block. I will say though, there's another guitar that I got for $120 that's better than my Affinity Strats. It's the Fojill mahogany light relic Strat. The mahogany body has amazing tone and sustain, it has a roasted maple neck with kluson vintage split post tuners. The tuning stability is crazy. I tuned it up after breaking in a set of new Fender 9s and it hasn't been out of tune since and that was months ago. The trem system and electronics were cheap, but once I upgraded those, it's almost as good as my Fender MIM Standard. And it came with a really nice padded gig bag.

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Heck yeah! Haven't heard of Fojill but I might have to check them out. Thank you! 🤘

@christopheraaron8299

2 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT Definitely do. They have cheaper models, but the light relic ones are the higher quality ones. eBay is your best bet. Amazon has the Tele version.

I heard early reports and saw pics of a tele debut, but can’t find it on Amazon :(

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Amazon UK has it, hopefully Amazon US will get it too

@mikehardman7566

3 ай бұрын

and P-bassed, was only on amazon in the uS for about 6 hours on april fools day,, i got 1 of each,. they also have acoustic electrics in the debut series

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

@@mikehardman7566 oh wow! Interesting

Very easy to gloss out the body with a can of Max 2K spray can clear :)

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Ha, I wouldn't bother though. Matte finish is a nice change of pace

@onefatstratcat

3 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT But it's gotta be shiny!!lol...

I have one and i love it

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

nice! 🤘

I have four guitars one of my favorites is my ES-335

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Nice! 🤘

Is the body thick enough to upgrade the bridge?

@ArtOfShredYT

21 күн бұрын

@@buck7477 you'd have to leave the back plate off

does it stay in tune? big test is to use whammy to test it

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Like most cheap trem systems if you use it aggressively it's going to go out of tune. I'll include a whammy bar tuning stability test in the review

Was there ever a follow up video?

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Not yet

I have a feeling Fender upped the QC on these, at least the early batch, to give it a good reputation.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Seems to be the case. But it could also be that they haven't spent a lot of time in a warehouse dealing with what comes with that (oxidization, fret sprout, etc)

I bought the 40th anniversary strat and didn’t get the three months of Fender play😡but the guitar is awesome love the sound and feel of it.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Interesting! I think every model I've purchased over the past 2 years has the free Fender play sticker on it. Maybe it's not always 3 months, though? That's my mistake. With this one you get a message from Amazon with a Fender Play promo code.

@philsequeira3180

3 ай бұрын

Is the body standard size or the thinner, Affinity/Bullet size?

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Of the 40th Anniversary or the Debut?

@TheRealDealBobbySteele

3 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT 40th Anniversary Debut sounded good but I’ve never held one.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

@@TheRealDealBobbySteele Sorry, Bobby, I was responding to another commenter, but KZread is having known comment issues at the moment and it looks like his comment disappeared. I think he was asking if the 40th Anniversary body is the same thickness as a Fender or if it's thinner like the budget lines. I've never measured a 40th so I don't know.

These are decent guitars, but you can find used squires for cheap also. I have 6 squire strats that I have bought over the years from $ 40 to $ 180 for a Classic Vibe. Most of them are barely used and the frets have very little wear .I look for older squires that are full thickness so I can upgrade the tremolo block if I want. I set up and mod all my guitars myself and squires are a good guitar to learn how to do setups and mods on and most of them need a good set up. I did pick up one recently from my local Replay guitar store in Tampa for $75 that was set up perfectly. It may be hard to believe but some of my squires with cheap pickups and electronics sound better than some real strats I have owned. Also they do all sound a slightly different from each other.

@ArtOfShredYT

8 күн бұрын

Yup, I agree with all of that. But many beginners do not want to deal with used guitars and that completely makes sense.

I wonder if this is more or less replacing the "Starcaster By Fender" Strat that used to be sold in a starter pack in places like bookstores. That was a terrible naming decision, because they have the Starcaster (the semi-hollow), which has been making a comback for several years with the Squier models, and now the Tom Delonge sig model. I dunno if the Starcaster strats were this nice, though. Good to hear. 👍 P.S. I like the headstock shape 🙂

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Ohhhh that's what @FretboardDiaries was talking about with Starcaster. I don't even remember those

@wildesage4172

3 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT Yeah, echoes of a Fender-past that just had no intention of bringing the semi-hollow back into production, I guess. SMH. Things have really changed since then (for the better!).

Will it stay in tune for 3 minutes . Mine does not . ✨🎸✨

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

I've been whammying it up and it stays in tune so far. But in general cheap tuners and cheap trem does not make for the best tuning stability.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

@strat1999 it'll intonate fine

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

@@strat1999 oh also, you owe me $100 😆

Hi sounds OK, but should I buy one or am I just wasting my money...cheers Phil

@ArtOfShredYT

7 күн бұрын

That's difficult to answer. If you have money to spend for a better guitar then spend it on a better guitar like a Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster. But for $120 this is a good guitar.

hekk yaa brother! looks like me you and the bald shredder has the same color debut woooooo!

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Nice! I pretty much always choose solid colors so wanted to go with a burst for this one. 🤘

@birdman316

2 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT i got fun things planned for mine...nothing too crazy tho haha!!

Hey what size is it, full size?

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Yeah full size

So Squier rebrands thier bullet series as an Amazon exclusive and it's a big deal ?

@ArtOfShredYT

17 күн бұрын

Ok

True to form reissues of vintage fenders with rosewood boards won't have a skunk stripe either

@ArtOfShredYT

Ай бұрын

People love that skunk stripe, though 🦨

I'd buy something like this in a heartbeat if it had a humbucker.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

I hear ya

To be honest I ordered mine in sunburst as well because of Buddy Holly.

@ArtOfShredYT

Ай бұрын

heck yeah!

@StratBurst92

Ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT Amazon deliverd my sunburst debut strat today. For $119.00 I am very impressed. I was first considering getting the Fender 57 reissue strat but could not justify the $2,500.00 price tag. This debut strat will do nicely istead.

@ArtOfShredYT

Ай бұрын

@@StratBurst92 Wow! I wouldn't say it compares to a Fender '57 reissue, but if it scratches the itch for you then that's what matters. Enjoy!

I got a 40th anniversary with the matte body, and I love that. I’d totally rather mod one of these than the usual suspects.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

I hear that! I think the 40th anniversary satin finish looks better than these, but this is a great mod option

至少是Squier標 應該會比那些冷門低端琴保值

They got ceramic with rubber magnetic strip pickups

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Most cheap guitars have ceramic pickups

Isn't synthetic bone just a fancy name for plastic?

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Not completely, but yeah haha

What do you think, a new Affinity Strat on sale for $159, vs the Debut Strat for $120?

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

You saw the email! :) I'd go Affinity

@ibberman

2 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT Appreciate your input, thank you.

I ordered 1 before I saw this video.

@ArtOfShredYT

13 күн бұрын

🤘🎸

Looks like the Sonic series

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Yeah, a few differences but quite similar

doesn't look like there's a Debut tele yet. Bummer

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

There is on Amazon UK! Hopefully it comes to the US too

Niice

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

🤘🎸

No skunk stripe. Maple neck?! Oh, you see: "That's how they Getcha...".

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

I don't believe a skunk stripe is required 🤣

@squirelova1815

2 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT Yeah, it's not truly necessary but I'm just jokingly trying to find SOMETHING to "bitch" about with this Squire and that's all I could think of since it's decently made AND sounds fine too. At $120 those are the ONLY things on a decent Stratocaster build that anyone can even Pretend to "complain" about!

CNC machining is making a lot of things cheaper like guitars, not much human touch. Except for the finish. If you finish them well, use good components, you can make them a lot cheaper.

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Yup. Lack of human touch is also why we often get sharp frets and other issues with cheap guitars, but for me it's a small price to pay.

You had me until unbranded neck plate......fuck that noise

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Haha

Dude, that gretsch on the back has a personality on it's own, damn. It's yelling play me.

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, it's sweet! 🤘 Here's my first impressions of it: kzread.info/dash/bejne/i5WestqFpa6-m9o.html

Made in Indonesia or in China same difference

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

ok

Ht bullet

i have so many guitars already.... I've kinda promised myself NOT to buy cheap guitars anymore, but this one is SOOOOO cheap.... hmm.....

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

It's a tough one to pass up BUT if you already have a budget Strat that you like then you don't need it. I will say I'm liking it more than my Affinity at the moment, but that could just be my mind playing tricks on me for now

Fender just expects you to buy their Junk based on name. When other companies showed how inexpensive they could do it and better Fender got scared they would lose some money.

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

I don't know about that

@CKS64

2 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT What other company puts out rehash after rehash of every Stratocaster made . Every Tom, Dick, and Harry have a signature model no advancement of any kind just the same old same old. Let's see the Squire Debut does not have 1 ) Stainless steel frets 2) roasted maple neck 3) decent electronics 4) No Gig Bag or Accessories 5) locking tuners 6) no full size body For Just a little more Firefly stomps this in the ground. Sean over at Scar my Guitar tore one apart not really impressed

@ArtOfShredYT

2 ай бұрын

@@CKS64 ok

hurry up please

@ArtOfShredYT

25 күн бұрын

pay me please

Apr 18 2024 & they are no longer available. BUMMER

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Are you outside of the US? I see them on Amazon US right now amzn.to/49BNj5b (my affiliate link)

@TedP007

3 ай бұрын

I should have asked, what does it weigh ?

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

@@TedP007 it's in the video. 7.5lbs

@TedP007

3 ай бұрын

@@ArtOfShredYT Yes, Canada.

I just bought one. first it does NOT come with 3 months of Fender PLAY... it only has a 30 day TRIAL. now as for the guitar... it is a CHEAP copy,, NOT a real Fender. it's good but it has FLAWS. you get what you pay for.

@ArtOfShredYT

8 күн бұрын

@@redhytech You were expecting a real Fender for $120? It's a good beginner's guitar in comparison to the slightly more expensive Squiers

@redhytech

8 күн бұрын

@ArtOfShredYT Hastings used to sell Squire guitars that were made by Fender for about $110,, but that was years ago. I wasn't expecting top notch equipment, but when they lable it 'FENDER', you have to at some level expect a fender product. It's NOT a bad guitar by any means.. I truly like it. But it is NOT a fender. A d since I dint know how to play, it works for me. I have several cheap guitars that will not stay in tune.. this one stays almost perfectly in tune. I said almost.

Crappy

@ArtOfShredYT

13 күн бұрын

insightful!

Comes poorly packaged no gig bag or accessories. Way better choices. And funny everyone is jumping on a cheap as can be made Squire. For just a few dollars and I mean a few there are much better choices. For about 40 dollars more and shipping you can get a Firefly with stainless frets/locking tuners/alnico pickups. Fender just caught on how overcharging people all this time has caught up to them.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

Ok

@TisDansk

2 ай бұрын

🤓

Hi, Art. Yes, there are some good inexpensive guitars coming out of China recently; I bought a Squire Stratosonic earlier this year, and though I might replace the pickups, it is otherwise very impressive. But a Strat at less than half the price? Yet I'm not terribly surprised; believe it or not, I have an Indonesian HH (S-D) Fender Tele; it seems Fender is prepared to move MIM to Indonesia while moving Squire to China. I might feel sad about that, except I've already got two MIMs which perhaps will increase in value as a result. Don't know if Fender is being smart, but they obviously are willing to take risks. And good on them.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

I think Fender/Squier is being both smart and perplexing here haha. Will see what happens, but if the quality is consistently this good at this price then I think they'll dominate the ultra budget market. I think MIM will stay MIM though. They're not going to give up that quality factory they've spent years investing in.

@robertjackson9326

3 ай бұрын

@ArtShredYT Actually, in terms of pickups, MIM has been superior to lower-line Americans for the last few years. "Noiseless"? More like toneless. But generally beginners can't go far wrong with Fender OR Squire.

@ArtOfShredYT

3 ай бұрын

@@robertjackson9326 I hear ya. I'm surprised how often I'm digging pickups on some of these cheap guitars. They're not always good, but sometimes they just sound really nice

Body not full size, not for me.😢

@ArtOfShredYT

Ай бұрын

It's not a 3/4 size but yeah it's thin like other Squiers

I'm not sure this sounds good.....

@ArtOfShredYT

Ай бұрын

Ok