SX Strat copy or Squier Affinity Strat - which would you buy?

[Roadsong66]

I'm on a super tight budget - $200 max...............That being said, I am trying to get the most strat-bodied guitar bang for my buck. I've narrowed it down to the SX strat copies, or a Squier Affinity.

If I get the SX, I will do some mods to off-set the cheap hardware........If I buy the Squier, I will only have enough for the guitar......the thing about the SX that is giving me pause is that every review I have read states that the neck is fat, or chunky (I've got small hands)

I am hoping that someone on this site has had experience with both guitars and can compare them. I am also interested in the general opinion of anyone who has owned either guitar.

Thanks in advance for all replies!!!!

[BeardedRainbow]

I would go with the SX all the way, you can just get yourself a set of pickups from GFS and have a great sounding guitar, you may also upgrade later on as you go along. I bought myself an SX Strat, replaced the pickups with vintage alnicos, the tremolo with vintage style saddles, locking tuners and a tortoise pickguard and it is now my favorite guitar. The best part about it is you can order it, try it and if you don't like it just send it back to Rondo.

[Roadsong66]

Originally Posted by BeardedRainbow

I would go with the SX all the way, you can just get yourself a set of pickups from GFS and have a great sounding guitar, you may also upgrade later on as you go along. I bought myself an SX Strat, replaced the pickups with vintage alnicos, the tremolo with vintage style saddles, locking tuners and a tortoise pickguard and it is now my favorite guitar. The best part about it is you can order it, try it and if you don't like it just send it back to Rondo.

What did you think of the neck radius on your SX?

[timlaine]

I got an SX about three years ago (ST57). Upgraded everything except nut and jack plate. Installed GFS I27 vintage pickups. Sounds great. The neck radius is 350mm (~13 inches). However, it is quite shalllow and comfortable. Requires a good set up.

[robb3566]

I just got an SX SST SE recently. The neck is a rather chunky C shape. I don't know the exact radius, maybe 12" or more, it's pretty flat. The frets are jumbo, and were better finished than most of the Squiers, and even some MIM Fenders I've seen. Oh, and the neck's glossy. Really glossy. I happen to like glossy necks, so I was pleased with that. So far I've put new tuners and a Tusq nut on it, which are an absolute must, because it didn't stay in tune worth a crap before that. Now it stays in tune perfectly, and seems a lot more resonant. I may replace the pickups at some point, but we'll see. I think so far I've only got about $120 invested in the thing! Not bad! I vote for the SX. The solid alder body alone is almost worth the price.

[photoweborama]

I've had Squire, and I recently bought an SX. I bought the cheapest one they had at 79.00. It is PERFECT. VERY well made. I'd put the value at about $400.00, as far as quality, fit and finish. The frets are PERFECT. Stock electronics are very good. Between a vintage and a modern sound.

I'm totally blown away...

[Roadsong66]

SX just keeps winning in all the research I read....I guess I will "suck it up" and adjust my hands to the 13.7" neck radius.

Robb3566, you are correct that the alder body is a HUGE selling point...and I also like the vintage amber finish on the maple neck.

Timlaine, thanks for you input as well. Interesting that you've kept the nut in yours considering the fact that almost every review I have read about the guitar states that it is essential that the nut be replaced.

I am planning on replacing the tuners with GuitarFetish copies of their Sperzel locking tuner, replacing the stock plastic nut w/ a Graph Tech nut, adding roller string trees, and blocking the trem........down the road I will gut the electronics and change everything out........it will be my version of Clapton's "Blackie"

[Roadsong66]

Originally Posted by photoweborama

I've had Squire, and I recently bought an SX. I bought the cheapest one they had at 79.00. It is PERFECT. VERY well made. I'd put the value at about $400.00, as far as quality, fit and finish. The frets are PERFECT. Stock electronics are very good. Between a vintage and a modern sound.

I'm totally blown away...

Okay that post just closed any lingering doubts!

[lostpick]

Dont be uneasy about the neck...
I love thin necks...but I recently
came across an old Squier II neck
that is wide and plump...
I should hate it...but I love it...
its more comfortable then a recliner...
so much so that i am building a strat around this neck...
it too has a heavy glossy finish...luxurious
i had an SX tele and liked the way the neck felt...

SXs feel like a substantial guitar...

Rondo used to have a showroom...
30 min drive from my house...
it was overwhelming....
didnt know what to pick up next...
they were all high bang for buck guitars...

[robb3566]

Originally Posted by Roadsong66

I am planning on replacing the tuners with GuitarFetish copies of their Sperzel locking tuner, replacing the stock plastic nut w/ a Graph Tech nut, adding roller string trees, and blocking the trem........down the road I will gut the electronics and change everything out........it will be my version of Clapton's "Blackie"

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the SX. If you're changing out the tuners and nut you might as well get the SE version for $79.99. The only other difference between that and the SST57 is a single ply guard instead of 3-ply. The finishes on these guitars are absolutely stunning. I have the Candy Apple Red [see it here:http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bad-dog-c...ml#post1825809]and it's as good as any paint job I've ever seen on a guitar. The pics on the Rondo site don't really do them justice.

Sound-wise, since changing the nut and giving it a good setup I've warmed up to it a little. I was trying out my new Danelectro Cool Cat Fuzz pedal this morning, and I got some passable 'Strange Brew' sounds out of it. I'll still probably change the p'ups when I get some spare cash, but for now it's not as horrible as I first thought. Playing with the pickup height helps.

[photoweborama]

The first thing I do with any strat style guitar is toss the strings, pull the pickgutard and shield the body and pickguard. Then I put it all back together and set it up.

I was surprised to find a nice routing job inside, not a swimming pool router. And, of all things, the pickguard was already fully shielded, not just the control cavity area. So that save me loads of time.

It of course has mini pots and an import switch, but the switch has such a positive feel to it. Not like the usual wimpy import feel. So I left it all stock to see how it goes. So far everything works great. Tuners could be better, but I love the luxurious feel of the vintage series neck.

I've had a few SX's cross my hands and I've never been let down. However, I've had a lot of Squiers too, and have had a lot of disappointments. I was able to work around all the Squier problems, but I should not have to..

[Roadsong66]

Originally Posted by robb3566

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the SX. If you're changing out the tuners and nut you might as well get the SE version for $79.99. The only other difference between that and the SST57 is a single ply guard instead of 3-ply. The finishes on these guitars are absolutely stunning. I have the Candy Apple Red [see it here:http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bad-dog-c...ml#post1825809]and it's as good as any paint job I've ever seen on a guitar. The pics on the Rondo site don't really do them justice.

Sound-wise, since changing the nut and giving it a good setup I've warmed up to it a little. I was trying out my new Danelectro Cool Cat Fuzz pedal this morning, and I got some passable 'Strange Brew' sounds out of it. I'll still probably change the p'ups when I get some spare cash, but for now it's not as horrible as I first thought. Playing with the pickup height helps.

Thanks Rob.....I checked out your guitar in the link to your thread and the color on it is gorgeous! I am sorely tempted to CAR now......aaaargh!

[brewwagon]

would you consider a squier classic vibe stratocaster the price is not too much more of an investment ?

bw

[trailboss]

Squiers are not too bad if you get the standard series. I picked one up at GC last year for $200-the limited run cherryburst with minty green pickguard. The standards are copies of the US versions, so they have a thinner neck with rolled edges, staggared polepieces on the pickups, etc. My only gripe was the floating 2-point trem and no maple neck version. This one sounds decent, and the construction isn't too bad, either. I've currently it set up as a whole step detune rig and it sounds pretty fat.

[Roadsong66]

Originally Posted by photoweborama

The first thing I do with any strat style guitar is toss the strings, pull the pickgutard and shield the body and pickguard. Then I put it all back together and set it up.

I was surprised to find a nice routing job inside, not a swimming pool router. And, of all things, the pickguard was already fully shielded, not just the control cavity area. So that save me loads of time.

It of course has mini pots and an import switch, but the switch has such a positive feel to it. Not like the usual wimpy import feel. So I left it all stock to see how it goes. So far everything works great. Tuners could be better, but I love the luxurious feel of the vintage series neck.

I've had a few SX's cross my hands and I've never been let down. However, I've had a lot of Squiers too, and have had a lot of disappointments. I was able to work around all the Squier problems, but I should not have to..

I don't even have an amp at present, so for now, its strictly a bedroom plucker.

Once I do get a decent amp, I will completely gut it & replace everything "under the hood" with parts from GuitarFetish.

[Roadsong66]

Originally Posted by brewwagon

would you consider a squier classic vibe stratocaster the price is not too much more of an investment ?

bw

I'd take a Classic Vibe in a heartbeat, but its $150 over my maximum budget...Down the road, I have plans to buy both the Strat & Tele Classic Vibe models...........I hope they add some more of the popular colors (You can get Fiesta Red and Daphne Blue w/ rosewood boards on a Squier Bullet but not on a decent quality Fender until you get all the way up to the $799 MIM Classic 50's and Classic 60's Strat...What's up with that?!)

[brewwagon]

marketing strat-egy to get the kids and newer players hooked?


bw

hopefully ones skill level increases you learn about quality guitars and then they gaff yah for the big $$$ purchase

[timlaine]

Hey Roadsong 66, Yeah I didn't have any issues with the nut. Seemed to be cut right. I keep it lubricated and it stays in tune. However, don't use the tremolo and kept 5 springs. From what I've read, sometimes it's the luck of the draw with regards to quality for some imports. Good luck!

[JDRNoPro]

Originally Posted by photoweborama

I've had Squire, and I recently bought an SX. I bought the cheapest one they had at 79.00. It is PERFECT. VERY well made. I'd put the value at about $400.00, as far as quality, fit and finish. The frets are PERFECT. Stock electronics are very good. Between a vintage and a modern sound.

I'm totally blown away...

I concur entirely. I've got 5 US Strats including a 50th Anniv., a 57RI, and a CS69.

Based on my excelllent prior exerience with SX's, and outright curiousity about how good (or bad) the $79 SST SE could be, I bought a Powder Blue one. I'm not going to tell anyone it's as good as a high end Fender but it would be an excellent guitar for $400 (or more)........really! Not sure why, but I just love playing this thing - light and resonant........sounds, plays, and looks great. I actually like vintage spec necks and the SX is far from that but it just works for me . Recently bought a Sunburst SE for my brother - same story, different color.