Tried the Squier... didn't feel right, didn't sound right. It's a kid's guitar IMO. I have yet to see a serious performing musician walk on a stage in front of hundreds of people with a Squier.. If your serious about your playing, Get a real Fender. Even the the MIM standard. It's head and shoulders above this "toy" guitar.

I own this guitar. It is a Stratocaster with plenty of rhythm and blues,surf,and "quack" that is far superior than the Mexican Deluxe Series or the other Squire/Squier Stratocaster makes. The pickups are real and they do more than rival the vintage hand wound early production Van Zants in one of my Strats ...they surpass them with flying colors. I've read the reveiws in here and they come from death metal freaks and wannabes and that ilk but if you are a man or a woman who wants a classy guitar that has all the and belltones and quack of a real vintage Fender Strat then this one rivals the ProTone Series and plays better than two of my 70's ers Stratocasters and my 'American '57 reissue and I am not lying! I play this guitar every weekend and Tuesday night live in front of hundreds of people who enjoy every note. I am a professional and this guitar will silence all those snob apppeal critics. It will out perform their American made Stratocaster all all points except status. I'm not ashamed of my game. No re-decal work. I'm proud of mine and my choice. This one is for Stratocaster players. If you want a metal guitar then get you a flat necked humbucker job.

I wouldn't normally review an instrument online, but have to make an exception for this Strat, especially considering a couple of the latest reviews.

I'm a bassist, but got this for my daughter, who wanted to make the transition from acoustic to jazz. I considered a 335-type semi-hollowbody, but the Strat is much more versatile. I looked at dozens of Squiers and MIM Fenders, and this one kicked them all. Excellent fretwork, beautiful figured maple deck, AlNiCo p'ups, the US-style two-bolt tremolo, even the MoTS pickguard. We had a 30-day return option, and not trusting my playing ability, I asked her guitar teacher, with his 30+ years experience, to wring it out, and he gave it excellent marks for playability.

I would never recommend a MIC (Affinity) Squier, but the MII's are a cut above. This guitar has much more in common with MIA Strats than with MIM ones. For $250, this is an absolute steal.

I've had this guitar for about 5 months now and I'm really gettin tired of it. Although this thing is about indestructable, it sounds like crap. The action sucks and the frets buzz all the time. Not good if u wanna play metal due to the fact that it is near impossible to play a pinch harmonic on it. The only reason i like it is if i'm in the mood to play a little blues.

This was my first electric, and I am a big Fender guy. But at the time I couldn't afford a Fender so I went with the closest thing, a Squier. I have the older version of this guitar. Mine does not have the Quilted Flamed Maple Top. But, the tone is almost of the same quality of Fender. But, If you want a good Starter Strat Pick this up.