Thinking to buy a used Squire

[Duffy]

I might get a used Squire.

Are these any good? Are they solid wood bodies or plywood? Do they have good pickups and electronic components? Are they nice sounding guitars?

Are the technically stratocasters?

Can they be easily upgraded to produce a more stratocaster type sound?

Are the middle pickups reverse wound so positions two and four are hum cancelling?

Are the tremolo whammy bars usefull or do they wreak havoc on the tuning, throwing it out of tune? Are the saddles of good quality?

Can you hot rod them with available stratocaster parts?


Lots of questions.


Any feedback will be appreciated.

Duffy

"Threw my ticket out the window. Threw my suitcase out there too, because tonight I'll be staying here with you." BD

[juniorspecial]

Squires are OK.

The main thing for a tremelo to stay in tune is how it is adjusted, and how the nut is cut. If those things are OK, the Squire will stay in tune.

Their big weakness is the electronics. The pickups and stuff are usually pretty lame. But, those can be easily upgraded.

They're so inexpensive, how can you go wrong?

[Victorilux]

Buy a mid-line, and it should keep you entertained. Stay away from that affinity series, the bodies are only 1/2" thick plywood instead of 3/4" basswood, and the electronics are shoddy(more so than a normal squire).

Look for something with a basswood or alder body.

I've got a Standard series 1994 Strat and its still a perfectly playable guitar. BUT....with a couple real strats around I barely touch it.

[toobalicious]

the bodies are only 1/2" thick plywood instead of 3/4" basswood

say what, man?

a

[Mikey]

You may want to look at a Squier Vintage Modified Series strat.
There have all the upgrades most people put in and there are very reasonably priced.

[Joobsauce]

I have a 2005 squire standard series guitar with staggered magnet pickups and it nails the strat tone perfectly. With it being a hard tail and having a 22 fret neck with locking tuners, it has surprising sustain for a strat too.

Best $200 I've ever spent, period.