Whereas Stratocaster guitars perform excellently and last long, the cost of these musical instruments is discouraging.
An average-income earner may not afford these guitars, and even those who can afford them find it hard to spend a substantial amount on a guitar.
However, all is not lost for a guitar player looking for similar guitars at an affordable price.
After all, Squier manufactures the cheaper versions of the Stratocaster guitars.
The Fender subsidiary has various guitar models with features such as the tremolo bar, pickups, and fingerboard wood.
Examples of these guitar models are the Squier standard and Affinity.
Here’s a detailed debate on the Squier standard vs. Affinity and how the two guitar lines compare.
What is Squier Standard?
It is a guitar line that came into existence in 1999.
It may have been discontinued a while back but reemerged with a bang.
Squier standard guitars are visually appealing, not forgetting their modernized C-shape necks.
Whereas their pickups aren’t the best in the market, they are quite great compared to those in other guitars within its price range.
These guitars have Agathis bodies, and their Fender 70s headstock is relatively big.
Their full-sized bodies make Squier standard guitars easy to upgrade since almost every part will fit excellently.
What is Squier Affinity?
This line offers an excellent starting point if you are a beginner.
Its guitars have 70s headstocks, the visual appearance is unique, thus easily stands out, and they are larger than their classic counterparts.
What is the Difference Between Squier Standard and Affinity?
Squier Standard vs. Affinity can be well elaborated using this detailed comparison;
Pickups
Both guitars use single-coil pickups, but they are relatively different.
For instance, Squier Standard has standard pickups, whereas Squier Affinity uses ceramic ones.
Controls
Squier Affinity guitars have a 5-position blade with middle and neck pickup & bridge and middle pickup.
In contrast, Squier Standard has a master volume, middle pickup & neck pickup.
Bridge
It is no secret that a great bridge will guarantee the guitar sound’s clarity.
It also eliminates any busing, thus enhancing the clarity even further.
Squier Standard uses a 6-saddle hardtail bridge.
It also has cast saddles, which one can modify to ensure the guitar has a classy look.
On the other hand, Squier Affinity has a 2-point synchronized tremolo bridge that’s superior to the 6-point one.
Frets
Squier Affinity has 21 frets, whereas the Standard’s fretboard has 22 frets.
The fret size of the Standard is medium, but the Affinity series offers medium jumbo.
Neck
Both guitar lines have C-shaped necks characterized by a smooth curve.
Their necks are also made of maple wood.
Material
The material of a Squier Standard guitar is Paulownia, but its Affinity counterpart uses Poplar.
Truss Rod
Both Squier series use head adjust truss rods.
Finish
Squier Standard guitars’ neck has a matte or satin urethane finish that hardly gets oily.
On the other hand, Squier Affinity also has a satin urethane finish, but on top of it is a glass urethane headstock finish.
As for their bodies, Squier Standard guitars have Paulownia coupled with a glass polyester finish, whereas Affinity has Poplar combined with a glass polyurethane finish.
Nut
Squier Standard uses a plastic nut, whereas Affinity has a synthetic bone nut.
Since plastic is softer and hollow than synthetic bone, Squier Affinity has a better sustain and tone than Standard.
Sound and Tone
Squier standard guitar is an ideal choice if you need a crisp sound.
One must also admit that its sound is unique.
On the other hand, the Squier Affinity guitar produces a bright, clear sound.
Whereas these sounds may not sound different for a beginner, their differences won’t go unnoticed by professional guitarists.
Weight
Regarding Squier Standard vs. Affinity, weight may not be an ideal tiebreaker.
After all, it is a feature that differs from one guitar to another.
For example, you will find two guitars in the Squier Affinity line with different weights, and the same applies to their Standard counterparts.
That’s possible due to the various wood blends that their manufacturers use to make these guitars.
Nevertheless, you need not worry about buying a heavy Squier guitar since its weight ranges from 7 to 9 pounds.
That’s a perfect weight for comfortably playing or performing with the guitar.
Durability
The low price might make you think that their lifespans are short, but both guitars will surprise you in this regard.
Both Squier Standard and Affinity are long-lasting thanks to their high-quality build.
Expect these robust guitars to endure regardless of how rough the treatment gets.
Their high-quality wood and satin finish make these guitars live for a long with hardly any marks or scratches.
Upon using them well, these guitars are sturdy enough to last a lifetime.
What Are the Different Squier Series’ Guitars?
There are various Squier guitar models available.
So, besides Squier Standard and Affinity, there are other 4 options, thus making the number of its series 6.
So, other options include Squier 70’s Classic Vibe, 60’s Classic Vibe, 50’s Classic Vibe and Bullet.
The Squier Standard series is also referred to as the Contemporary line.
The series offers various guitar shapes, including iconic ones such as Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Mustang, Telecaster, and Stratocaster.
Nevertheless, these guitars are quite affordable as their prices fall between $180 and $500, and that’s relatively cheaper than other similar iconic guitars.
Why is a Fender Better Than a Squier?
The main reason Fender is better than Squier is its excellent quality control.
Consequently, Fender guitar owners get guitars with quality way higher than their Squier counterparts.
Besides, Fender guitars are usually made in America, whereas Squier comes from the Far East.
Again, that gives Fender an edge over Squier in terms of value.
Do Professional Guitarists Use Squier?
Squier guitar lines aren’t the go-to musical instruments for most professional guitarists.
Leave alone using a Squier guitar on stage; most guitarists don’t even use them in their studios for practice.
That’s understandable since there are better options in quality and performance, although relatively expensive.
Nevertheless, exceptions include Mike Rutherford, Joe Trohman, and Jeff Healey, who use Squier guitars.
References
https://studentofguitar.com/squier-affinity-vs-standard/
https://www.cmuse.org/squier-stratocaster-standard-vs-affinity
