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Pros:
- Clean Sound
- Understated, Classy design
- Decent tuning stability
Cons:
- Dents Easily
- Moderately Powerful Sound
The simplicity of the affordable guitar is a commendable quality. An affordable guitar should not try to market itself as more than what it truly is. Such an instrument does not have the capacity for specialization or quality that a much more expensive guitar would. Still, an affordable instrument that does not overstate its abilities and provides a good, solid base for a beginner is a great instrument. Let us take a look at the Squier by Fender Deluxe Stratocaster – one of the best electric guitars under 300.
Body Quality
The design of the guitar is stated in its very name and is the primary item you are going to be choosing to buy the instrument for. Which is why I am very proud to say the design is great. The Stratocaster design has always been something of a favorite among the musicians of the world. It is hot, comfortable, and fun to play. The coloring of the guitar’s body is solid, whether white, blue or otherwise, with a white pickguard on the front. This results in an understated, if classy, instrument.
The body of the guitar is made out of basswood. This tonewood is known for many things and is most often used in guitars trying to remain affordable. The hardwood is easy to grow and work with, so as a result, is cheap. The toning effect of the tonewood is also rather interesting, deepening the voice of the guitar and warming the overall tonality. The hardwood is also known to be rather lightweight, which is a nice addition to the guitar. The softness of the wood results in easy denting and scratching, but nothing nightmarish.
The neck of the guitar is built out of maple, which is a very nice hardwood for the purpose. Providing a strong, sturdy basis for the guitar to last without an issue for many years. The wood itself fits with the rest of the guitar’s design rather well. The neck of the guitar is bolt-on, which is not a bad thing when a guitar is built well, such as in this case. The fingerboard of the guitar is made of maple as well, which is unique to the guitar. Still, it is smooth and does not produce an issue with the way the guitar plays.
Hardware
The guitar has a synchronous twin-pivot tremolo bridge, which looks handsome in design and is rather useful. The guitar has some nice action and acceptable string stability, especially if we consider the presence of a tremolo bar.
The nut of the guitar is made out of synthetic bone, which is an awesome choice for a guitar this affordable. It results in an instrument that has very little string buzz, as compared to the others in the price range.
The tuning machine of the guitar is adequate enough. While still struggling with the overuse of the tremolo bar, the guitar has decent tuning stability, so that you will not be bothered by retuning your guitar too much.
Electronics
The guitar has a three single-coil pickup set. The Duncan designed SC-101B at the neck, the Duncan designed SC-101 at the middle and the Duncan designed SC-101N at the bridge of the guitar. This full Duncan design allows the guitar to have a rather warm, clean sound. The pickups are perfectly adequate, even for an intermediate player. Single coils tend to go flat faster than the humbuckers, but in the case of these, you have a long time before they do.
The guitar comes with a basic set of controls for the instrument, with one knob for volume and two for tone.
Squier Deluxe Stratocaster Sound
The guitar has a remarkably clean sound for a guitar this cheap. It is warm and pleasant, as well as incredibly attractive for any listener. The sound is exceptional for a guitar this cheap, though still lacks in power, despite the custom Duncan design. Overall it is an issueless sound, with the only problem of power easily overcome with a few adjustments.
Conclusion
This is a great guitar for the price it sits at. It provides all of the basics and a little more so that even intermediate players can enjoy the instrument. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a Squier and a strat.
I got a 2009 model, the Metallic Pearl used on e-bay in like new condition for $190 with nice Fender Gig bag in about 2016 as I recall. I did my own setup on it but it took me a while to figure out how to adjust the two point bridge correctly because my other strats had the classic 6 point trem. I found with the original two springs and trem base plate set parallel with body works best. Love the full size body and small head-stock. The frets were smooth and neck feels great. The pots and tone cap are classic fender wiring, so that pleased me. I find no problem with the DD pickups. In fact I think they are kind of unique.
With the Basswood body and the DD pickups is a warmer strat tone. The looks with the maple fingerboard and the Metallic Pearl finish and white pick-guard looks classy to me. The only mod I did to it was added Dyna-Guide String Trees from the Netherlands. The action, floating trem works so smooth with my EB .009-.042 Strings and it stays in tune very well. I have owned American Fender Strats before and to me this guitar rivals Fender quality. Also I think Fender has discontinued the Squire Deluxe Strat and I have noticed the prices have gone up on E-bay. So their discontinuance I think will result in more value to us who still own a Squire Deluxe Strat. I love mine!
I just picked up a 2019 Squier 50’s Classic Vibe and in the words of Darth Vader it’s, “impressive, most impressive”! What you can get these days for a couple hundred bucks is unreal! Bang for your buck is an understatement!