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Help this bassist choose a guitar

jj4001

jj4001

Dec 27, 2010
1,385
1,219
Providence, RI
#1
I’d like to have an electric guitar to help me flesh out demos for song ideas so I’m looking to buy a cheap Squier Stratocaster. My guitar skills are beyond rudimentary so I’m keeping my budget to $200 max. At the moment I’m interested in a ‘99 Affinity Strat made in the Dalian Dong Fang factory in China and a brand new Sonic Series Strat.

To me, the advantage of the ‘99 Affinity is its nice-looking dark rosewood fretboard. The advantage of Sonic is I’d prefer the hardtail bridge over the Affinity’s trem bar that I’ll never use and also the fact that it’s brand new.

The price of these two guitars is in the same ballpark, one new, one used. Any opinions of which one is likely to be a higher quality instrument?
 
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#3
You can find used Classic vibe for about $250-300 and it’s Fender level build quality. As the matter of fact, it’s better built quality than MIM made in ‘21-22 that period of theme the MIM was so hit or miss. Used G&L tribute is also a great option same goes to the Sterling Cutlass.

There’s nothing wrong with affinity series tone but it’s a bit too light overall.
 
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#5
Al1885 said:
You can find used Classic vibe for about $250-300 and it’s Fender level build quality. As the matter of fact, it’s better built quality than MIM made in ‘21-22 that period of theme the MIM was so hit or miss. Used G&L tribute is also a great option same goes to the Sterling Cutlass.

There’s nothing wrong with affinity series tone but it’s a bit too light overall.
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Ah yes, would love a Chinese-made Classic Vibe but the only one me I found within my budget is over two hours away from me so the gas money kinda cancels that out. And light is good! Lighter the better. I’ve heard this particular model of Affinity is basswood which I’d consider a good thing since the basswood CIJ Precision I used to have was an absolute tone monster for whatever reason.

Thank you for the suggestions. I’ll keep them in mind but I think I’ve got my heart set on a Strat.
 
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#7
The Affinity line of Squiers really has improved alot in the last 4 or 5 years.
I bought an Affinity Tele during lockdown, and was surprised how good a guitar it was, right out of the box. Kinda like you I'm not primarily a guitarist. So I didnt need a super high quality instrument, but also didn't want junk.
Prior to my purchase, the only Affinity experience I had was the Pbasses that came in those "kits" in the early 2000s that came with amp, cord, strap etc. Those were pretty bad. I haven't tried the Strat, but, if its as good as my Telecaster, it may surprise you.
 
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#8
Pdaddy1978 said:
The Affinity line of Squiers really has improved alot in the last 4 or 5 years.
I bought an Affinity Tele during lockdown, and was surprised how good a guitar it was, right out of the box. Kinda like you I'm not primarily a guitarist. So I didnt need a super high quality instrument, but also didn't want junk.
Prior to my purchase, the only Affinity experience I had was the Pbasses that came in those "kits" in the early 2000s that came with amp, cord, strap etc. Those were pretty bad. I haven't tried the Strat, but, if its as good as my Telecaster, it may surprise you.
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Oh I’m no guitarist whatsoever! But, I suppose I can bang out some power chords and open chords with marginal competence lol. And yeah, I guess I’m just trying to figure out if a 25 year old Affinity is typically better or worse than a brand new Sonic series. Beyond that, it’s a toss up because the old one has the nice rosewood board I’d like while the new one has the bridge I’d prefer.
 
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#9
jj4001 said:
Any opinions
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Well, if the Squier guitars are like the basses, I would imagine both are pretty good. All things being equal, quality/sound and price, I guess personally I'd make my decision based on aesthetics. As far as the trem bar, aren't they easily removed? If not, bridges are inexpencive. Now that I've been no help, I have to say I love a rosewood board.:thumbsup: Oh, just currious, what color are they?
 
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#11
Between the two you mentioned, I’d go with the Sonic because of the bridge. If you’re not going to use the trem, it will just reduce your tuning stability, which might be a bigger issue on an instrument in that price range.

If you really want the affinity though, I believe there are methods of jamming up the trem so it acts like a hard tail bridge.
 
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#13
jj4001 said:
Unfortunately no. Both online deals.
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As long as you know what you're getting into either are passable options. If they are the exact same price and you can't play either, at least there's a return option with the new one if you go through most major retailers (even online orders). If the used one is a stinker, you're stuck with it.

Either instrument could be phenomenal, and plenty of Squiers ARE, the only thing is the odds are less favorable as compared to a US or Japanese Fender (or older MIM ones). My opinion is I'd go with the newer one, as you may want to look at another brand or perhaps not a FSO for your guitar.
 
#14
Sean150 said:
Between the two you mentioned, I’d go with the Sonic because of the bridge. If you’re not going to use the trem, it will just reduce your tuning stability, which might be a bigger issue on an instrument in that price range.

If you really want the affinity though, I believe there are methods of jamming up the trem so it acts like a hard tail bridge.
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Thanks! Exactly the type of info I’m looking for. I was thinking the trem bridge would be less stable but I have zero experience with one so I was hoping someone would chime in on that.
KevInDaBassment said:
As long as you know what you're getting into either are passable options. If they are the exact same price and you can't play either, at least there's a return option with the new one if you go through most major retailers (even online orders). If the used one is a stinker, you're stuck with it.

Either instrument could be phenomenal, and plenty of Squiers ARE, the only thing is the odds are less favorable as compared to a US or Japanese Fender (or older MIM ones). My opinion is I'd go with the newer one, as you may want to look at another brand or perhaps not a FSO for your guitar.
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Yeah, this is a good point about being stuck with the used one if it turns out to be subpar. As for types of guitar, maybe I’m being stubborn, but as a *not* guitar player, if I’m gonna shell out for one it’s going to be a Strat or a double cut Les Paul Jr.
 
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#15
Id probably lean Sonic. Though the Tele I got the nut was off and the high E was too close to the edge. May be a one off but otherwise the guitar was great. I think the appeal of new is the return option.

Does the affinity have a return option? I think in 99 the squiers were pretty spotty. Ones I’ve tried from like 2005+ were pretty solid. I actually just bought a 2010 bullet Strat today, it’s bangin! But overall, it’s hit or miss at this price point…

Don’t worry about the trem, you can just add springs and/or screw down the claw. It won’t move.

Wild card, consider the debut strat. Mine was great, just needed a light fret touch up. Definitely the lightest Squier I’ve ever had!
 
#17
IMO, it’s a buyers market for used gear.

Look for an old MIM standard. They were $300 new for the longest time and tons and tons of them are in circulation sitting in closets.

I would not buy a new guitar right now unless there was really something special about it.
 
#19
Same advice I'd give someone looking for a solid entry level bass: Consider Harley Benton. Not very expensive, reasonable build quality (not just "reasoanble for the price") and "good enough" sound.

They have a gorgeous semi-hollow guitar I'd be sorely tempted by if we weren't moving.
 
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